I Knew I Loved You

Chapter Two

~ Reluctant Partnership ~

With a sudden creak, the door to the dean's office swung open. "Are you Matilda Rhyce?" asked the woman, who sported thick glasses and looked me over once again.

What is their problem with my outfit? I am Ada Rhyce, for heaven's sake!

"Yes, that would be me," I replied, maintaining my composure.

"Please come in," she invited. I clung tightly to Rich's arm, projecting confidence as we stepped into the dean's office.

Inside the dean’s office, the atmosphere was different. Dean Sta. Maria, a middle-aged woman with sharp features and an air of authority, sat behind a large mahogany desk. Her piercing gaze met mine as we entered.

“Ms. Rhyce,” she greeted, her tone neutral. “I see you’ve already made quite an impression.”

I shrugged, maintaining my composure. “I aim to please.”

Rich squeezed my hand gently, a silent reminder to stay calm.

“Please, have a seat,” Dean Sta. Maria gestured to the chairs in front of her desk. “Mr. Rhyce, you may stay if you wish.”

Rich nodded, and we both sat down. The dean leaned forward, her hands clasped on the desk.

“Ms. Rhyce, I understand you have a certain reputation that precedes you,” she began. “However, Springtide University has its own set of standards and expectations. We expect our students to adhere to them. And one of them is to wear the proper dress code. You're disrupting everyone with your…” she looked at what I'm wearing, “that.”

I met her gaze head-on. “Yeah, yeah, I understand!” I said, rolling my eyes. Rich widened and glared at me to warn me. “Yeah, I understand, Dean Sta. Maria. I’ll do my best to comply.”

“Good. Because any further disruption will not be tolerated,” she said firmly. “You are here to learn and contribute positively to our community.”

Rich nodded in agreement, and I felt a small pang of guilt. Despite my bravado, I didn’t want to cause trouble for him.

“I appreciate your understanding,” the dean continued. “You may return to your class. And Ms. Rhyce, I trust there will be no more disruptions?”

I nodded. “No more disruptions.”

With that, we left the dean’s office. As we walked back to the classroom, I felt a mix of emotions—defiance, guilt for Rich and… a strange curiosity about Thorn? Ugh! Erase him! He’s nothing!

The resounding toll of the bell from the spiral dome reverberated through the air, marking the end of an hour that swiftly passed by. Despite my pledge to depart, I remained, my turbulent emotions swirling within me like a tempestuous sea. Desperately clutching Rich's hand, I felt like a lost child afraid of being abandoned by her father.

"Don't leave me here, please. I'm scared of the people around me. It seems like they will hurt me at any moment,” I pouted my lips.

Perplexed, Rich faced me and countered, "What are you talking about, Ada? Nobody will hurt you here. You're safe here," he told me. "And next time, don't wear those kinds of clothes again. You're inside the school. You keep violating the rules, that's why you can't stay long." Exhaling a deep sigh, he concluded, "Fortunately, there's a spare uniform for you to wear. And might I say, you look stunning in it." With a grin, he attempted to ease my worries.

Dean Sta. Maria handed me a new uniform, which, unfortunately, seemed to have been tailored for me. It was a white blouse with a dark blue necktie, paired with a pleated khaki skirt that fell just above my knees. The dean permitted me to wear my black pumps for the day but made me promise to wear dark and flat shoes tomorrow.

"I always look pretty, no matter what I wear!" I grumbled, crossing my arms.

Rich burst out laughing. "Yeah, right," he replied, not fully agreeing.

"I mean, we do have some similarities, Rich. We share the same parents. You take after Dad more, and I resemble Mom. But our DNA is quite unique," I remarked.

Rich chuckled, teasingly asking, "Is that just your confidence talking, little sis?" He flashed a smirk and playfully pinched my cheek. We both indeed inherited our parents' attractive genes. We're often pursued by admirers, which is why we've both had our fair share of relationships. They even label me as a playgirl, as if it's a big deal! At one point, I even dated two guys at the same time, but it was nothing serious.

"Do you really have to leave me?" I asked as we approached the classroom.

Rich took hold of my hand and pleaded with me, "Ada, just hold on for one more year, please. Finish this, not for Mom or Dad, but for me. It will be easy for you. You're smart, and you were an honor student when we were younger. That's why you always get accelerated. You may even be younger by one or two years than your classmates here. Just please, hmm, Ada?”

I bit my lower lip, contemplating Rich's plea. When it comes to Rich, my heart softens. He's the only one who understands my feelings. I know the sacrifices he's made for me, defending me from harm's way. Without him, I might have given up a long time ago.

Other people might want to trade lives with me, not knowing the reality of my life. All the smiles I show on camera are fake, drawn on my lips because that's what I'm used to. But I hate my life. I don't even know why I exist.

"Your freedom will be yours, Ada. Just finish your schooling, and you can do anything you want. Promise me," Rich said, as he left me again. Even if I tried to explain, he wouldn't understand why. I'm not just doing this for my freedom, but also for something else.

I entered the classroom again, where the teacher was still discussing beverage management, one of our major subjects. Most of the class looked surprised that I returned. I can't blame them. That's exactly what I was thinking.

The first class ended, and I didn't understand a thing. The teacher gave me the course syllabus and subject topics, telling me to catch up. As if I have time to do that.

I'm meeting Lowella at a bar after school, something I'm looking forward to. I just hope Rich will let me go.

As I was leaving the classroom, the teacher called out to me and Thorn. I had no choice but to follow, so we both approached her.

"Thorn, I need you to explain all the topics we've covered so far to Ms. Rhyce. I want you to assist her since she's new here," instructed the teacher.

I raised an eyebrow, and couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"As the class president and one of my most patient students, I need you to take on the role of guiding her," she continued.

I saw Thorn's eyebrows furrow. I know, right? The feeling is mutual. Am I in kindergarten? I can take care of myself, duh!

"The dean spoke to me regarding temporarily guiding you to catch up, Ms. Rhyce. In case you encounter any issues, you may come to me for assistance." She turned to Thorn and continued, "Alternatively, you can ask Thorn for help." She faced him, and I pursed my lips out of sight. "Thorn, please provide her with my email and phone numbers. You should also give your number to Ms. Rhyce so she can contact you anytime... Is that clear, Thorn?"

Wow! Anytime?

I caught the strict-looking teacher's gaze once again. "You'll be graduating soon, which means you have to keep up with the rest of your classmates. Otherwise, you might not meet the graduation requirements. Do you also understand, Thorn?”

I looked at Thorn, hoping he wouldn't agree because he looked boring. Can't I ask someone else? Like Jammy? He seems cool… in some way… maybe.

"Yes, Mrs. Madrid," Thorn replied seriously.

I let out a sigh and rolled my eyes.

"Ms. Rhyce..." Mrs. Madrid's tone turned stern as she straightened her posture. "Please comply with whatever Thorn asks of you. Given your background, I don't want you to cause any trouble in my class or at this school. Do you understand?" she emphasized.

I gulped, wondering if there was a reason behind her harshness.

"Ms. Rhyce, do you understand?" Mrs. Madrid repeated.

I stood up straight. "Yes, ma'am," I managed to reply, forcing myself to speak.

"Good. You both have the same classes, so you can spend more time together. You are dismissed for now," Mrs. Madrid concluded, her gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before she turned away.

I noticed Thorn nodding, but then he shot me a hostile look. What's his problem?

"Come with me," he growled.

As he turned his back, I couldn't resist sneaking a peek at his backside.

"Hmm, not too shabby," I whispered to myself, even biting my lower lip.

"Ms. Rhyce, I said come with me!" he barked, startling me with his sudden

loudness.

Psh! I was thinking something different from what he said. My dirty, green mind was telling me to 'come' with him.

Oh my, Ada Rhyce!

"Sure." I walked beside him. "I'll come with you," I said, emphasizing the word.

But he didn't care. He just walked straight ahead, so I just followed him.

He doesn't even have a sense of humor.

"It's such a shame because you're incredibly good-looking," I commented while looking at my phone. I felt him glance at me, but he didn't say a word.

As we strolled past a group of girls boldly vying for his attention, he appeared uninterested. I couldn't help but wonder if he was simply moody or if he preferred men. Perhaps he should have pursued psychology instead of business.

We entered the next class, and he adroitly arranged a chair, placing it close to another.

"Sit here," he ordered, with a gaze fixed on me.

Am I his pet? I can choose where to sit.

My eyes roamed the room, searching for an alternative chair, but I was startled when I felt two hands land on my shoulders.

"I asked you to sit here. I can't bear to lose sight of you."