Chapter X: The King of Elites

“I will just go to the library to return the books borrowed by Professor Hipolito. Just wait for me here,” Mathilda said while arranging the books.


Our class has just finished, and the next one will be in an hour later.


“I’m going to help you.” I took two of the four large books she was holding but she quickly took it away from me.


"Don’t bother, Amaris. I will be quick.” She winked at me before starting to walk towards the door.


I immediately followed her like a lost cat.


"Why?”


I am always willing to help. And besides, it's not a bothersome at all.


“Don’t be hard-headed, hottie! Stay here, okay?” She didn’t even bother to wait for my response and immediately turned her back at me.


I was left no choice but to stay here like what she said. Mathilda is an independent woman. She often kept things to herself. When she thinks she can do it or go beyond it, she will not hesitate to ask for help from others.


I went back to my seat as I have waited for her.



I was deafened by the extreme silence of being alone inside our room. The class wasn't almost over earlier when Elites left and I don't know where the rest of my classmates went, maybe they take an hour break.


I will invite Mathilda to take me on a tour in the next few days.


Minutes have passed, and I can’t help but miss Mamita and Mr. Bear. I also miss Ryoko and Tetsu. I will definitely talk to them on these coming days.



I am starting to love the silence but seconds later, there was an urge for me to go to the restroom. I thought I can still hold it up until Mathilda came back, but I guess I have to go on my own.


I carefully closed the door and started to search for the ladies’ room. There were few students in the hallway, probably also waiting for their next class.


They are laughing with each other and that's a nice view to look at. Seeing others happy makes my heart melt.


“Hi, miss...” someone greeted when I passed by at them.


“You are breathtakingly beautiful!”


I stopped for a moment and looked at them. “Hi. Have a nice day.” I bowed a little and smiled at them before continuing to walk.


“Did you see that? She f*cking smiled at me, bro!” he proudly announces to everyone.


“She smiled at us. Not just you, idiot!”


"Don't be selfish!"


“No. She only smiled at me!”


I just shook my head as I walked away. Why do they have to argue about that?


I didn’t notice that I almost reach the end of the hallway, yet I couldn’t still find what I am looking for. I am having second thoughts if I will turn to my right side, or go to the left. It is better if the staffs put signage even a small one so we won’t get lost. Laurent University is huge place.


Anyway, I will just go to my right. I am staring at my shoes when I got bumped into a rock. I felt like my head got shaken. I got taken aback so I have lost my balance. I was about to fell on the ground when a pair of strong arms gripped my waist to avoid me from falling.


I closed my eyes in shock. I could hear nothing but the heavy breathing and the loud pounding of my chest. I thought I am gonna die! And when I take a peek, pair of cold eyes were now staring at me.


Oh my goodness! There is a Greek God in front of me! Our faces were almost an inch away from each other that makes me hyperventilate even more. Suddenly, everything is in blurry, and the only thing vivid right now is this creature.


I unconsciously put my hands on his chest and I could feel the loud beating of his heart. I feel the same way now. My chest was pounding so hard, but it didn't hurt at all. It just like… it wants to come out from my chest.


Unbeknownst to me, I was examining the entirety of his appearance.


He is definitely handsome and appealing. His face is strong and well-defined. His raven black hair complemented his light brown complexion. On either sides of his straight nose were two deep green emerald eyes. His dark brows were actually graceful, but currently furrowed in a frown. My gaze lowered down on his red thin lips - it looks so soft and tempting. His tight jaw was an angular shape that was filled with little stubbles.


I have to fight demon so I won’t touch it.


I gulped hard as I carefully pulled myself away from him. Though, I could still feel his arm on my waist. I could still smell his earthy scent—so sweet and woody that associated well with his masculinity. It doesn’t have a strong smell, and in fact, it warms… my body.


He is tall, taller than an average man. I am just on level of his chin.


"Look where you are going." A baritone voice pulled me from reverie.


I felt my whole face reddened with the looks he is giving me. I can't keep up with that. There is something messy inside my stomach… but I am sure it is not the feeling when I am hungry. My knees were jittery. I can’t even calm my heart.


Why am I feeling these unfamiliar emotions?


I remained silent until I could feel the release of his hold on me. He just passed through me after that. I wanted to say something but it seemed like all of a sudden I couldn’t find my tongue.


"We will go first, Miss." Another man wearing a bull cap caught my attention.



He shyly nodded at me and beside him is another creature who is staring at me like I am some kind of puzzle for him. They have a massive body built and I am just a tiny kitten compare to them.



Why I didn’t notice them a while ago?



They look straightly from my eyes but were also the first ones to look away and decided to walk away as well. They are already meters away from me when I got back in track.


"Wait up!” My voice echoed the hallway.


I have to apologize! My mind got clouded and distracted by the guy’s cold eyes that I have forgotten what I have to do.


They stopped and that was my cue to approach them. I faced the guy that I bumped into.


“I’m sorry,” I simply said but I made sure that it is the sincerest one.


He looked at me with no expressions in his eyes. The two other guys were just watching us.


Tension is starting to eat me but it didn’t stop me at all. I heaved a sigh before tiptoeing. His massive arm automatically rested on my waist as if he is the one guiding me.


My plan is I will just kiss him on the cheek, but he tilted his head so lips landed on the side of his soft lips. There is a loud explosion inside of my chest and I thought I will lose the ability to hear.


His grip tightens on my waist, as I heard the loud gasping of the two men next to him.


He still looked stunned because of what I did and I took that opportunity to kiss him again but I made sure that it will get landed to the right one.


"I'm really sorry."


I watched his face for a moment as if I am memorizing every edge of it, before closing my eyes and choosing to disappear in front of him. The moment I opened my eyes, I am already inside the restroom.


Heat immediately rushes on my face as I faced the large mirror. Why it feels different now? I often kiss Mamita, Mr. Bear, and even Mathilda, but this was not my reaction. Is there something wrong with me?


-


“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, AMARIS?!” I was greeted by a worried Mathilda when I got back in our room.


"Uhm, rest room?” I don’t know why I sounded like I am not sure.


“I have been looking for you. I told you to just stay here. What if you meet someone—”


“Shush, Mathilda. I’m okay. Don’t worry.” I smiled as I gently tapped her cheek to calm her down.


I didn’t mean to make her worry. I just really need to pee.


“Sorry, I’m just worried.” She heaved a sigh before holding my hand.


I was about to answer her once again when my attention was caught by someone.


Oh, God! He is the creature I met earlier! Is he also my classmate?


He sits at the far end of the front row seats. His eyes were closed and from where I am standing, I could see his long eyelashes.


"Who are you looking at, Amaris?" Mathilda also turned to the man I was watching. “Oh, f*ck! That’s the King, Amaris. Lower your gaze.” She suddenly gets alerted.


Mathilda grabbed my hand and quickly pulled me. I just followed her until we get back to our seats.


I sat down but still couldn't take my eyes off that man. There is something about him that I can't point out. Next to him, is the woman they called Amalia. Her head is on the man's shoulder.


They look good… together.


I gulped hard as I felt something squeezed my heart. It hurts and I don’t know why. Behind them, there were also two other men who had been with him earlier, both with their heads bowed on the table.


What is happening to me? Is it still normal?