Love Born From Revenge

Chapter 06.

Albert

After thirty minutes, Mr. Sam writes a topic on the whiteboard and lets us have a group discussion. My first thought is to approach the ghostly girl and use this chance to apologize and get to know her name. However, I am hindered by none other than Cindy.

"Hey, Al. Mind if we join you?" asks Cindy. Behind her walks the girl with hazel brown eyes and a short girl in pigtails braid.

"Goddess Venus is asking to join. How could I have the heart to refuse?"

"Oh my. You're a sweet talker, aren't you?"

"To those whose beauties deserve compliments, yes, of course."

The sound of clearing my throat echoes next to me. I don't have to turn to know that it comes from Phil.

"By the way, this is Phil," I step aside and pull him into our circle. "He's in my group too."

Cindy's expression changes when looking at Phil, for her smile vanishes without a trace. "I know who he is. He is the son of my father's business partner."

"I see." I turn to the little girl. "Hi, you must be Bee, right?"

Whether it is the heat or something else, her face is so red like a ripe tomato. "N-Nice T-To M-eet Y-You." She stutters and looks at the ground, refusing to meet my eyes. Then, before I can say anything more, she runs to stand behind Cindy.

Err...What did I just do?

"Bee is pretty shy with new people." A mellifluous voice reaches my ear. I turn towards the source to find an elegant-looking girl dressed in a red trumpet skirt and a portrait neckline black top adorned with a glittering heart-shaped necklace. Light makeup and pale red lipstick enhance her white complexion, making her hazel brown eyes stand out even more. "Sorry for the late introduction. My name is **"

"Mia." I complete the sentence for her. "I heard during the self-introduction."

"That's right." She smiles. "I'm glad you still remember."

"My attention is reserved for pretty girls. It would be rude not to remember."

"You're quite a flirt, aren't you?"

I shrug. "It's just in boys' nature when they meet an unparalleled beauty."

Her face turns red at my compliment, but she refuses to show her shyness. Unlike any other girls I have flirted with before, she is the real deal. Still keeping her elegant posture, she says, "Let's start our group discussion, shall we?"

The bell rings at around three-thirty, showing that it is time for recess. Everyone starts moving around. Some go to their friends' seats, some go outside, and some are talking.

Again, the ghostly girl doesn't move. If she isn't breathing, I may assume that she is a statue. It is unbelievable that a human can stay that still. But she can. She is glued to her chair with a k****e in hand. She even reads during class. This girl is a real bookworm.

How am I going to approach her if she doesn't stop reading or listening to music?

"Al, do you want to go to the canteen?" Cindy comes to my desk, inviting me to join her group.

"Well, Iー"

"You said you want to try our local food, didn't you?" says Phil, cutting me off.

I did? I ask myself inwardly.

"Our canteen has this delicious dish you don't want to miss. I'll show you."

I look at Phil in confusion, having no idea what is going on. But the look on his face is like begging me to say yes. My brows furrow at his action, wondering what he wants. But then it occurs to me. There can only be two possibilities. Either he wants to use me to approach Cindy or make sure I stay true to my word about having no interest in his girl.

I don't appreciate being used, but if this can help this pathetic guy get the girl, I should do some good things. Also, accepting Cindy's invitation means hanging around Mia, which isn't a bad idea.

"Sounds good. Let's go then."

*******

I walk out to the school's front gate to see a Black Mercedes is waiting for me. Chan steps out of the car and heads to open the backdoor for me.

"Chan, how many times do I have to tell you? You don't have to open the door for me. I have capable hands."

"It's okay, sir. It's my job."

"And stop calling me, sir. My name is Al. Just call me by the name."

"I can't call my boss's son by name. It's rude." Chan shakes his head. "If you don't like me addressing you, sir, I'll call you' young master'."

"I insist."

"Please, sir. I really can't. Please don't make things difficult for me."

Why are the people here so stubborn?

Chan looks uncomfortable, so I decided to drop the matter.

"Fine. If it makes you at ease, just call me 'young master' then."

"Thank you, young master."

I sigh and get into the car's backseat. I am just trying to be friends with Chan, but he refuses. It seems people in this country take their jobs seriously. Pulling earphones out of my bag, I play my favorite songs and close my eyes, nodding to the music's rhythm.

Three One Direction songs have already been played, yet I feel like my car is still in the same place, not moving an inch forward. Then, finally, I open my eyes to find the road clogged with vehicles. My car is being sandwiched in the middle of the road.

Urgh. Traffic jams in this country are a nightmare.

Slithering forward like a snake, a tiny figure on a small motorbike drives past my car. Even though the driver put on the helmet, hiding the face from view, I can still recognize who she is.

"1C-9977," I whisper to myself, memorizing the plate number.

"Did you say something, young master?" Chan looks at me through the rear-view mirror.

"Nothing. I was just talking alone."

A smile creeps up my face as I finally learn another thing about the girl who takes up the large space in my head. And perhaps, a small part in my heart, too.