Campus Empress

CHAPTER 15

Like my mother said, I am wearing a dress and I should behave like a lady. So she told my father to drive me to the venue. I saw the academy on the way, though we took a different road, the lot around it was so vast.

When we arrived, I was astonished. The venue is a mansion! A huge one. I wonder who owns it. I have an intuition that it Kaitlyn Jones don’t own it.

“Aren’t you coming down darling?” My father asked after opening the door of the car. I didn’t notice him get off of the car.

“Right,” I just said and went out.

I can see students dressed beautifully entering the mansion. Well, they sure did give their effort for this one.

“I’ll get home now darling. Send me a message when it’s done, alright?” my father said to me. He came closer and kissed my cheeks. I turned back to grab my bag from the car.

“Have fun darling, but don’t get drunk,” he said, and enter the car.

“Don’t worry, I will.” I answered through the window with a smile.

The car roared as my father pressed the accelerator. A minute later, I can no longer see the car. Alone, I stared at the massive mansion where the students of the academy were assembled together.

I went closer to the mansion, still looking at it’s beauty. So massive, I hope I won’t get lost here. Because I was looking up, I bumped into someone.

“I was about to go to your house a while ago. But thanks to your friend, she informed me already left the house!” I look at the person talking to me after I picked up my bag, amazed to see a very annoyed Tredon. I chuckled.

“I told you I will be picking you up!” he yelled to me.

“And I don’t remember saying yes,” I retorted as I smile purposely to annoy him.

“Alright, I don’t wanna ruin the night. But in exchange, I will give you a lift later.” He said after he calmed himself down.

“I still didn’t say yes,” I told him.

“I will give you a lift whether you say yes or no. Let’s go inside.” He said and offered his arms. I slid my arms to his to show my appreciation of his gentleman gesture which made him smile.

We silently entered the mansion. I admire the paintings hanging on the wall as we walk to the location of the ball. Like I said, the mansion is huge. And I am thankful Tredon is here or I might get lost.

“Tell me about yourself,” Tredon broke the silence.

“Myself?”

“Yes, I mean I literally don’t know you. You’re new in town. Besides I really should use this opportunity because you never allowed a proper conversation between us,” he explained. Truly we don’t know each other. Only that I know that the principal is his aunt.

“Well, firstly, I’m from New York,” I replied.

“You know I already knew about that,” he reacted looking at me.

“Secondly, I love New York,” I amusedly said as I look back at him. I can see how his smiling face went to an agitated one and it made me grin.

“I can tell you’re enjoying this.” he said as he put his sight back to the way.

He stopped walking, so I did and stepped aside and allowed the students following us go first.

“Why are we stopping?” I asked him, but no response.

Until no one is passing, he quickly cornered me to the wall. His right hand beside my head. The look in his eyes shows no expression, seems he’s showing no emotions at all.

“Don’t you like this? Are you not amused?” he continuously asked me but I said nothing. I am still looking at his eyes. I never knew he has this kind of expression. He was always joyful when he was pestering, always had a smile on his face. This person in front of me seems different. I can see untold emotions behind those eyes.

“Do you know how serious I am in doing everything so could consider me?” he said again.

His gaze shifted from my eyes down to my lips and his head began getting closer to mine.

“You better stop right now before I punch you,” I said with superiority. My hands is now curled up in a ball. I could really punch him if he don’t stop.

“What a sight,” somebody said and it made us look at who it is.

It was the campus royalty, well technically not since the new campus royalty will be awarded today. But it was Ashley who spoke. Kristel is just in a gape. I smirked.

“I’m sorry,” Tredon whispered to me as he caressed my face and offered his hands again which I took.

We arrived at the ball room with the campus royalty behind us. The classic music is playing when we arrived as a man in formal attire walks to the stage. It was an alumni who is going to share a talk to the students.

“I’m going to find Charise,” I told Tredon and he nod.

Actually, I am going to look around the mansion. I’m not going to listen to that talk. There’s a hallway somewhere at the back at of the room. I entered it, and walk on the dark. I have my bag with me, I kept a small flashlight in it.

I opened a door and enter. It was pitch black and I couldn’t really see myself with the darkness. Reaching for my bag, I searched the flashlight and turned it on.

Well, I got myself a bedroom. There was a huge bed, a small table beside it with drawers, also some paintings hanging on the walls. I sat on the couch beside the door. As I explore the room with a flashlight around the room, a portrait caught my attention.

It was a woman in her teens, she’s sitting on an intricate chair furniture. Wearing an old-fashioned dress, a bracelet on her wrist that’s on top of the right side of the chair. She looks beautiful. But what made me dumbfounded is the face. She looks like my mom! I quickly get out of the room and went to the ball.

Not minding everything around me, I went to a chair and sat. My mind is on the portrait. I was searching for a reason why she looks like my mom, but couldn’t found one. Instead I just sat clueless.

“Hey beauty! I was looking everywhere for you! Tredon said you went looking for me, I was afraid you got lost!” a very-not-so-happy Charise pulled me back from my thoughts.

“Sorry,” I just shortly replied, still not on my senses.

“Why didn’t you sent me a message when you arrived?” she asked after gulping a wine. I just notice that she’s holding a cup of wine on her hand.

“Tredon found me first,” I replied.

Having my senses back, I heard the music playing and noticed Tredon approaching.

“May I have the first dance with you milady?” he asked, his left knee on the floor. I took his hands and he led me to the dancefloor.

He snaked his left hand on my waist as his right hand holds my left, my right is on his shoulder.

“About a while ago, I’m really sorry.” He apologized.

“Just don’t do it again,” I warned him.

“It surely won’t happen again,” his lips curved into a smile.

We just danced. I went closer to him and put my head on his shoulder. I could her his loud heartbeat.

“Let me be like this for a while,” I said. I feel like I’m drained from what I saw. The portrait kept showing up on my mind.

“You can, as long as you want.” I can hear the happiness on his voice.

After our dance, I was asked by some men for a dance. Surprisingly, it made me forget about the portrait. Some of them made jokes with me, some also asked random questions like what’s New York like.

After dancing with them, I felt exhausted. Charise and I talked happily. Asking each other’s favorites.

She mentioned Alexander, one of Tredon’s friends danced with her. And I can see her on cloudnine.

“You like him, don’t you?” I asked and she blushed. Sure she do.

“What? No!” keep denying.

I kept teasing her. It was already time for the awarding of the Campus Royalty.

As promised on the announcement day, there’s a king to be crowned. I wasn’t surprised that it was Tredon. His aunt is the principal. There were also 2 awarded as Campus Prince. I didn’t notice who, but Charise told me Alexander was one and the other was Michael, also Tredon’ friend.

As for the Campus Queen, it was Kristel. I wasn’t surprised though. Ashley, Brittany, and Sophia also remained as Campus Princess. An unfamiliar one was also crowned as Campus Princess, I heard she’s also a new student. Her name is Madison Matthew, she’s beautiful. The kind of beautiful that every girl would be jealous of.

I thought that it was done. During the announcement, the surprise would be the first ever Campus King. And yes, there are exiting activities which I chose to ignore and just seat. Tredon tried to convince me but, nobody can convince me if I firmly said no.

“And for the ladies, this is the surprise you have been waiting for!” Ms. Smith announced.

Since Charise is listening, I bring out a book from my bag and began reading. I just finished a page when I heard name.

“Congratulations!” Charise said to me with a large smile. I look at her questioning why.

“Let us give way to our first ever Campus Empress, Ms. Reyva Leigh Fern!” What! How the hell did that happen! I want to run outside right now.

“Stand up already!” Charise scolded me.

Since nobody was heading to the stage, everyone turned their head back to where I am. Damn this! As if on cue, Tredon wearing a crown appeared on the crowd and escorted me towards the stage.

I was feeling lightheaded. 1st the portrait and then now? Just the heck is happening? My body seem to follow what is happening while my brain is popping up questions.

“Our first ever Campus Empress, give her a round of applause!” Ms. Smith said and the crowd clapped.

I am crowned as the Campus Empress! An empress is a higher title than a queen! My eyes found Kristel, she don’t look happy at all. So is her companion, the Campus Princesses, only Madison is smiling.

Shit! I am in trouble!