New beggings
1262 Words
Nate, Emily, and Nina were having breakfast together at the long glass dining table.
Emily smiled warmly at Nina.
“Are you ready? Today’s the big day — you’re enrolling at the university. The same one Alina goes to, actually.”
Nina’s eyes lit up.
“Really? I don’t even know how to thank you, Emily. But I promise… one day I’ll repay you for everything you’re doing for me.”
Emily gently placed her hand on Nina’s.
“You know I offer scholarships every year to young girls who deserve the chance to study. You’re one of them.I want all girls to have the chance to become something… someone.You remind me of myself, Nina. When I first came to London, I had nothing — just big dreams.I worked hard, won a scholarship, lived in a dorm…
People see my life now and think it’s perfect, but they have no idea how much I struggled to get here.”
Nate leaned over and kissed Emily’s hand softly. Then he turned to Nina.
“So, what do you want to study?”
“Literature,” she replied shyly.
“I love writing.”
Nate smiled.
“You’ve got so many talents. Did you know she’s also an amazing cook?” he said to Emily.
Emily’s face lit up.
“Really? Then I can’t wait to try your food.”
“I’ll cook anything you want,” Nina replied, blushing a little.
Elsewhere, Alina, Theo, and the rest of the cast were reading through the film script.
Alina flipped through the pages with interest.
“I really like the story,” she said.
“Especially how the main character chooses herself over a toxic relationship.
There’s nothing more powerful than self-love.”
“You’re right, babe,” Theo said.
Alina shot him a sharp look. She was still furious.
Outside, Tom stood waiting beside the car.
When Alina stepped out of the building, Theo suddenly grabbed her hand.
“Alina, please. Just hear me out—”
“I don’t want to hear anything,” she snapped.
“Let go.”
Tom stepped in immediately, pushing Theo’s hand away.
“She said let go. What don’t you understand?”
The school bell rang, and students poured out into the courtyard, eager to head home.
Among them was Daisy, the new girl. She walked with her bag slung over one shoulder, eyes down, avoiding attention — until someone stepped in her path.
“Daisy, right?”
She looked up. It was Ryan.
“Yes,” she replied curtly.
“That’s such a pretty name,” he said, flashing a confident smile.
“I have to go,” Daisy said firmly and tried to walk past.
“Just a minute,” Ryan said, stepping beside her.
“I was gonna ask… could you send me the notes from class? Or just let me take a quick photo?”
Daisy gave him a hard stare.
“Why? Can’t you take your own?”
Ryan blinked, surprised.
“Wow. You really don’t know who I am?”
“Oh, I know exactly who you are,” she said.
“Ryan Winchester. The school’s golden boy — the one who thinks he can charm every girl in sight.
But I am not like the other girls you know.
She walked away, leaving Ryan frozen — and amused.
“Tough one,” he muttered with a smirk.
Just then, Mila walked up, draping her arms around him.
“There you are, babe. I’ve been looking all over.”
“Hey, Mila. Sorry, I gotta go,” he said casually.
“Weren’t we supposed to hang out tonight?” she asked with a pout.
“Next time,” Ryan said as he walked off, leaving her annoyed.
At the Winchester residence, Catherine was speaking to the chef in the grand kitchen.
“Tonight I want everything perfect. Nate and Emily are coming for dinner — and they’re bringing Emily’s cousin.”
Later, Ryan walked into the house unusually early.
Catherine raised an eyebrow.
“You’re home already?”
“Nothing special, Mom,” he mumbled, heading toward his room.
“Don’t forget, we have guests for dinner,” she called after him.
“Be downstairs on time.”
That evening, Alina was sitting in the car, music blasting from the radio. She was singing along, lost in her own little world.
Tom, driving as always, glanced at her and smiled.
“You’ve got good taste in music.”
Her phone rang — it was her mom.
Alina sighed.
“Back to reality.”
She answered the call, then hung up and looked at Tom.
“I probably destroyed your ears today.”
Tom laughed softly.
“Just a little. But it’s fine.”
“Take me home?” she asked.
“Of course,” he replied, turning the car gently toward the streetlights of London.
That evening, the Winchester family gathered for dinner. Around the long, polished table sat Emily, Nina, Nate, Catherine, George, and Ryan.
Ryan looked curiously across the table.
“I didn’t know you had a cousin, Emily.”
Emily smiled.
“I thought I told you about Nina. She was just a little girl when I left.”
Catherine took a sip of her wine, then said in her cool tone:
“You’re lucky, Nina. Having Emily as a cousin clearly paid off.”
Nina froze for a moment. Before she could speak, Nate stepped in quickly:
“Mother!”
Emily chuckled, trying to keep things light.
“It’s okay.”
Catherine added,
“Oh come on, I didn’t mean it badly. You know how kind-hearted you are, Emily.”
At that moment, Alina walked in.
“Hope you’re all enjoying the meal,” she said politely.
“I’d love to join you, but I’m exhausted. Filming starts tomorrow, and I need to rest.”
“Good luck, sweetheart,” Emily said.
“I was hoping to introduce you to Nina, my cousin.”
“Welcome, Nina,” Alina said with a gentle smile.
“You’re even prettier in real life.”Nina said.
“Thank you,” Alina replied.
Dinner soon ended. Emily and Nina left together and got into the car. Just as Nate was about to follow, Catherine grabbed his arm and whispered:
“So, when is that Nina girl moving out? I hope she’s not planning to stay at your place too long.”
“Mother, what’s wrong with you?” Nate frowned.
“What’s wrong with her? She doesn’t belong in your house. We don’t even know her. Emily’s too naïve — but you don’t have to be.”
“Are you serious right now?”
“Goodnight, Nate,” she said dismissively and walked off.
The next morning, Alina walked onto campus with Tom by her side. Students turned to look — especially the girls.
“Wow,” one whispered.
“Alina’s new bodyguard is so handsome.”
Alina rolled her eyes.
“Tom, could you wait for me in the car? I won’t be long.”
“Of course,” he nodded and stepped aside.
While Alina entered the building, a small group of girls approached Tom, giggling and full of questions. From the classroom window, Alina noticed and frowned.
“Turn your head. What do you care what they’re saying?” she muttered.
“Alina, what are you staring at?” the professor asked.
Alina said, “Nothing, professor. Sorry.”
Deep down, she didn’t even know why she cared about Tom. After all, he was just her bodyguard.
- Writer
