January

Chapter 4

Some people say that Erine Harper isn't fit to be a Hildebrand's wife, such lineage are respectable and ambitious only to get ensnared by a covetous woman. Surely...

"...this must be a work of witchcraft."

Rumors circulate quickly like a huge spinning wheel, twisting different threads of stories with unfounded theories and accusations, assuming they were entering a secret conspiracy to overthrow a great swindler. 

Immaturely, she used to argue back, there comes a time when she even threw her expensive heel on an esteemed guest, Luke would have to overlook such behaviours, and apologize in her stead.

Then how would Erine react if she heard such spiteful voice?

"Who do you think you are?!"

If Erine has offended someone, such rigid animosity she wouldn't have forgotten. Although her memory was that terrible, she would remember encountering someone as handsome as the man standing before her.

Nevertheless, to approach a child in its tantrums, whatever the cause of it, she will just need two things, a friendly smile and lots of patience.

"You must be mistaken," Erine slowly said, her tone was similar to a mother, patiently trying to sweet-talk a child. "You see, I have not met you. Are you sure that you got the right person?"

Deep creases appeared on those smooth foreheads, appearing to be insulted by the lack of response.

"You don't remember me?" When Erine was asked, her gaze travelled to the stranger's entire appearance, trying her hardest to discern any particular detail that would strike her memories.

Other than the bright blond hair, eyes that are incredibly sharp and dark in colour, his sense of style definitely stood out the most. He looks like someone who could easily snatch anyone's reputation. Erine should also mention how long and slender his physique was that she almost felt like a pathetic ant in front of him.

"I can't believe this." The stranger muttered in disbelief, letting out an exasperated breath in the process. "How convenient must it be for you."

Feeling slightly insulted by the tone, Erine casually pushed the arm away, allowing her to leave. Even though an intimidating look was thrown openly, she continued to pass by him. As the gap started to widen, she faced him head-on and plastered an insulting smile over her face.

"Even though you're a senior, I wouldn't accept such a rude attitude when you don't even know me." Then Erine added. "So do the college students pick on lower years nowadays--"

"Erine Harper."

Suddenly, she couldn't bring herself to finish her sentence. And it certainly wasn't because the stranger knew her name was, in fact, almost everyone knew of a young girl who flamboyantly publicizes her feelings in school.

Rather, she was more absorbed with an emotion it sent forth, as if all sentience gathered in a certain corner, squeezing every fragment, lacking any sense, yet why does it seem that all of those scattered images held profound meanings.

"You don't know me." The tone mellowed down, but resentment resonates within every word, like a dagger forcefully stabbing her throat. "But I definitely know you. With all the things you've done, how could you just forget about it?!"

No words came out, no matter how hard Erine tries to speak, as if accusations are being acknowledged, pulling every bit of deep-rooted guilt she never knew she has. This person speak so confidently, he was rude without any hint of remorse, all of this were an inclination that he knows her too well.

She hears a forceful sigh coming from him.

"Tch." He tore his gaze away from her, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. "If it's like this then..." And when those pointed eyes glared at her once more, Erine felt a sudden pang of pain, prickling her chest. "Just don't ever show your face again."

His words left no room for arguments as he skidded past, to where she was left standing like an i***t, dumbfounded by the fact that she let those questionable words affect her greatly.

"What is this?" She muttered under her breath, confused than she has ever been in her life.

When she looks at this tiny part of the school, it felt too huge, enough to make her feel lost...and alone.

She owes her gratitude to Michelle and Elizabeth, momentarily she was able to forget about the encounter earlier. Instead of agonizing about a stranger, her focus needs to be in studying, now that the last semester is approaching.

The time passes by smoothly, almost, since she couldn't really get away with not paying any attention, some teachers made it hard for her to sit through classes quietly. Although she had the advantage as a time-traveller, Erine couldn't possibly remember all the lessons she has learned.

"What happened?" Michelle asked. Currently, they were having lunch at the cafeteria. "Something happened this morning?"

Erine glanced up from her own lunch, it was almost sudden, making it obvious that she wasn't really joining in with the conversations. Their expression was eager as if expecting an answer, to a question which she didn't quite catch.

"What are we talking about?"

Instead of asking, both friends worriedly exchanges glance with each other, then when they came into a quiet understanding, Elizabeth gently picked her right hand and fit it within her palms.

"Is there something wrong?"

A bit dumbfounded, Erine blinks twice, it wasn't necessary for her friends to show this much concern, it was almost unnatural that she has to confirm their faces. 

Are they faking it again? They've been friends for years that Erine could tell when they were simply putting up a facade of a concerned friend.

"Erine?"

One thing Erine kept forgetting is that this was in the past, they weren't the future Michelle and Elizabeth who tries their best to flaunt their success, which they worked so hard to achieve.

Still, all her time were spent with Luke, making it hard to confirm if Elizabeth and Michelle were genuinely her friends at this point. In the future, they had met different faces, had been into different circle of friends, attended different social gatherings, they have been with someone corrupted that they have learned how to stab each other's back.

Right now, this is her present. And these friends of her is kind and still genuine.

Brushing of these heavy thoughts, Erine held onto Elizabeth's hand tightly.

"Are you concerned?" Erine tries to laugh to lighten the mood.

Elizabeth only smacked her by the shoulders lightly, making her gasp in surprise, but it never heard.

"Answer my question, would you?" Elizabeth said.

Shaking her head, Erine only gave a smile, it was then she realized that she's been forcing a smile since this morning, so much that her cheeks had been hurting.

"I'm just concerned," Erine said as she placed her hands by her cheek. "I just noticed that my skin got uglier, this isn't convenient with my seduction."

The two looked thunderstruck for a while, they're probably thinking what the heck are they even concerned about. Finally understanding that Erine is, in fact, just acting, Michelle went back to her food and Elizabeth released her hand.

"I could lend you some facial mask." Michelle suggested.

"My cosmetics is just in the classroom, I'll give you make-over later, okay?"

Erine can't help but to smile, "Why am I so blessed with two fairies?"

"Well, that doesn't sound so bad--"

"Fairy grandmothers."

Elizabeth looked at her sharply, but with an out-of-place threatening smile. "And as your fairy grandmother, I'll make sure to make you look like Cinderella's stepsister's."

Erine countered, "My, my, I didn't say that I wanted to look like you."

"Why you--"

Michelle stopped Elizabeth by the arm, "Relax." Her tone was one of those mature one of the group trying to calm the younger siblings done, that's how she sounds like before saying, "Even though you're both lacking in both face and talent doesn't mean you should lack confidence."

The two who were mentioned glanced at Michelle, peacefully just eating her lunch, urging her to rephrase what she just said by gesturing eyes.

"Oh," Michelle said while wiping her lips with napkin elegantly. "You could overcome the truth with confidence."

Elizabeth started to voice out her complaints at Michelle, and all Erine could do is watch, thinking how long has it been since they talked with each other this way. This is one of the things they have lost, and until now, she wondered where did it all go wrong.

There was a feeling of relief, and she hasn't felt that for a long time around with these two, it feels like she could laugh with them freely again.

And when she did laughed, the two looked at her, both were surprised, if not slightly shocked by her sudden outburst.

She wanted to say all her concerns, all those years of loss she have felt during those meetings at the usual cafe, having the same conversation of success and achievements, thinking that it was a waste of time, that instead of a very serious things, why couldn't they just talk about the books they have read, their huge crush on a celebrity, anything that girls talk about. Anything, even things that don't make sense are welcome.

But all she could say is, "What the hell?!"

Yes, because she didn't know that they could talk this way.

"Are you agreeing with this one?!"

Erine shook her head, still shaking with laughter, "Of course not, I'm too pretty to just agree to that. And for your information, I both have beauty and confidence."

This is nice... Erine thought. I want to laugh more...

Just like that, three days have passed by, and today is Friday, the certain day of the week that every students anticipated to come. Well, now that Erine is back at school, she was one of them.

When dismissal came, Michelle had asked them to go home earlier. But Erine insisted to stay behind, Elizabeth wanted as well, but she had family plans.

So, in order to pass the time Erine wanted to check up on Luke. She knew his routine, and one of it was staying at school late to practice basketball.

"Ahh! Luke!"

There it comes, the hard stan fangirls of Luke, with their store-bought distilled water, and a clean towel on one hand. She couldn't help but to look at them from afar, thinking how exaggerated and hopeless she must have looked while trying to win Luke over. Well, it's not that Erine could back down, there's just no way she'd let them have a chance on her future husband.

Though it hurts her ears to hear 'Luke' over and over again. It's as if they have no idea that Luke's teammates exist. Well, she is in no place to say when it also applies to her, even she has no idea who his teammates were, they're like a mob characters in a story, just too normal looking to even bother to know their name.

Should Erine also cheer? It would be out of character if she didn't. Besides, it was her husband, it's proper to support him, in sickness and in health. Now, why is she reciting their wedding vows?

Shaking all her thoughts off, Erine touched her pinky finger unconsciously as she watched the basketball court. Luke was talking with the coach, they must have been discussing something. Maybe an upcoming tournament? Back then, Luke's coach always supported him. Though all those support were useless because Luke chose something else.

And that is--

Wait, why does it seem like Luke is heading this way? Erine thought nervously as she began to notice the direction Luke is going.

Erine was internally panicking now. Since their last encounter, and an awkward encounter at that, Erine didn't have the face to show herself to Luke, or that she was just entirely busy with school.

She wasn't prepared yet, but Luke was already in front of her, all sweaty and gasping for air. HIs cheeks flushed but still handsome like a young adonis. With his appearance, Erine couldn't help but remember something. Just something like wedding consummation and even beyond that. And she was just lucky to be the only girl to be able to stir this handsome man's desire.

Desirable, Erine was an epitome of that word that even now, even if Luke wasn't married to her, he came running towards her direction. But what does this man want that instead of heading to his fangirls, he went straight to his...first priority.

"I haven't seen you in a while," Luke said, still panting heavily.

Is it that long? Erine wondered as she says, "I was busy with projects."

"Really?" Luke asked, there seems to be a hint of relief in his voice. "Then how was it?"

"It was tiring." Erine answered honestly. And when she placed her palm on her cheek, Erine said sweetly. "But now that I've seen you, I feel better."

Straight to the point, and shoot to his head. Luke covered his mouth with his knuckles and shyly coughed, trying as hard to hide his blush.

"T-then can I have your water?" Even though Luke was stuttering, Erine could completely hear him. "I'm quite thirsty."

But she still asked, "What?" It isn't because she wanted him to repeat the question, it was because Erine had forgotten to buy bottled water and clean towel for Luke.

"The water you brought, I'll have it--"

"Y-yes! I know what you mean! I just--" Erine didn't finish when she remembered her own bottle of water. Since she chose to drink Jasmine tea at lunch. "Wait."

Erine fumbled through her shoulder bag and pulled her water, then without any hesitation, she offered it to Luke.

"Here, I hope you're okay with this."

"No, it's fine." Luke said with a smile. He then opened the cap and drank from the bottle. Erine watched him, thinking of days she would go to his office to bring his lunch.

"LJ, you're taking too much time."

"Ah, I'll be right there!" Luke almost gagged on the water. "s**t, I need to go. Thanks for the water."

Erine smiles when Luke attempted to bring her water back.

"No, bring it back on Monday." Erine said.

"You're leaving?" Luke asked, and Erine knew very well the disappointment in Luke's face. She was conflicted whether to laugh or pinch his cheeks.

When she nodded, Luke just stared at her for a while, reminding her of the encounter by the stairs, only that Erine felt less awkward than before. This may have been one of his many adorable attributes that Erine fell for, other than that, it was all physical of course.

It's a waste if Erine just left without stirring the shy basketball player. Putting a hand on right cheek, Erine began to blink her eyes rapidly.

"Do you want me to stay?"

Good thing she was younger now, if she were to do this in forty, she would have sunk on the ground and never come out of it until everyone forgets the mistake.

"W-What?" Luke asks. "No. No, I mean, if you really need to go it's fine."

Their conversation would have taken a different route, if not for the gossiping teenagers around them. As they have guessed, it's true that she was flirting, why hold back then? If she were to entertain her audiences a prop would be an effective performance, though she might really get her hair pulled by Monday if she went overboard.

Then a very malicious idea popped  in her mind.

"Then I shall go," Erine said. "But before that please allow me to do this."

Luke didn't say a word but waited patiently. Erine pulled a handkerchief from her skirt pocket and unfolded the cloth loosely. It was only a soft damp on his forehead and a dab in here and there, all the while Luke was looking at her, dumbfounded by the sudden action. Erine has to suppress her smile. 

When done, she placed the handkerchief on Luke's palms, maintaining her unbothered face.

"Use it to wipe your face, okay?" Then Erine added, "Only use this." But Luke was still shocked to understand what she was trying to say.

And when Luke finally went back the court, Erine could perfectly feel the daggers being thrown at her back. It never left her until she finally exited the basketball field.