CHAPTER 2: MEMORY FRAGMENT

CRYSTAL'S POV 

"Crystal, that's my son," Madam Frost said, walking forward, standing beside me as she pointed to her son, gesturing for him to get closer. "Xavier Frost, he's a year older," She added, smiling. 

My eyes flickered, a bad premonition brewing in my mind. "Oh... I'm Crystal Shawn," I introduced myself to Xavier, whose gaze was cold enough to freeze my entire being. He was just too scary. 

Xavier's expression changed drastically. He stormed closer and grabbed my hand, "Get out of this place!" He yelled, dragging me with him. 

"Have you lost your mind, Xavier? What the hell is wrong with you?" Madam Frost blocked the way, her eyes showing her anger. "You were the one who sent away our last cook, and you want to send her away, too? You don't have the right, Xavier!" She declared, moved forward, and slapped Xavier's hand away. "Don't mind him, Crystal. He's always that rude," 

Feeling troubled, I lowered my eyes a little and sucked in a deep breath, "It's okay," I replied, even though I was practically boiling inwardly. 

Not only did he look at me with disgust, but he even grabbed my hand that way. I'm a girl, you know? A virgin at that ~

"I'm sorry..." Madam Frost continued and took my hand. "I don't know why, but I seem to have an affinity with you. What about this, Are you done with high school?" She asked softly, and a slight frown formed on my face as I nodded.  "Great, what do you think about enrollment in TINDERS UNIVERSITY?" 

I blinked once, blinked twice... This... I knew it was a dream. It must definitely be a dream.

TINDERS is the best university in our country where rich kids all want to go. It's a school that's only meant for the cream of the crop. The very best in the whole country!

"Mum!" Xavier rushed forward and yelled. "Are you planning to sponsor her?" Not only was he shocked, but he was also unable to believe it, or maybe he just didn't want to believe it. 

Madam Frost gave him a side glance before returning her attention to me, "I do have the right to sponsor whoever I want to. Being here today to look for a job is your fortune, and if you are okay with it, I would like to be your sponsor. What do you think, Crystal Shawn?" She asked me, her eyes searching mine. 

I stared into her eyes, trying to see if she was joking, but with my 19 years of experience in life, I had never seen such a sincere gaze before, and it made everything even more confusing. Not only was the job so easy to get, but an opportunity was even given to me without doing anything. Everything felt unreal. It all felt like a dream, but if it really was, then I'd never want to wake up again. 

I had spent the past few years searching for money so I'd be able to attend a university, but the dream had always looked too far away as I was just too poor. If Madam Frost really sponsored me... even if it was the cheapest university in the country, I'd gladly agree and worship her for the rest of my life___

"Madam, I think you should give her time to think about it. It might be too sudden for her," Lady Kate said to Madam Frost after she must have seen my expression. 

No one would know how chaotic my mind was at the moment. This should be the best day of my life... right?

"Ah, right. I should give you the time to think about it. Let me know what you think later. I will start working on your admission immediately," She softly whispered and winked playfully. She laughed and walked away without sparing her son another glance. 

My eyes followed her step. Her graceful steps made my heart feel itchy as a blurry scene flashed through my mind. It was a woman's back------ A sharp pain from my head brought out a groan from my throat, and I closed my eyes...

"You must never agree to that," A cold voice rang behind me, and I turned around to see Xavier glaring at me. 

I frowned slightly, feeling annoyingly amused, "Why shouldn't I? There's a pie from the sky, and you want me to dodge it?" He must be kidding!

Xavier moved closer, towering over me. His stony face held a hint of warning, and his eyes held hatred that shook the heart, "You listen to me. A lowlife, murderer, and cheap idiot like you doesn't deserve to stay in my house, and you can't come to my school either," He groaned, stretching every word, gritting his teeth as his eyes flashed red, but it felt like things had suddenly turned dark. 

My steps failed me, and I staggered backward. I felt like I had heard him wrong. Maybe I didn't really hear what he said, but when I saw that look in his eyes, I knew I heard him right. He... He just called me a - murderer.

"What... What do you mean?" I stuttered, my face flushed. 

Xavier's lip slowly curved as his eyes narrowed, "You heard me right. So, scram from this house!" He warned again, and without waiting for me to say another word, he turned around and left. 

I watched him leave, my heart pounding against my chest as all blood rushed away from my body. My eyes stung with tears, but my body felt even weaker...

I slumped on the ground, shaking my head. 

It had been two months-two whole months-and I thought things were alright. How did it come to this?

Time went by, and my work in the Frost mansion had fully started. 

"Crystal, Xavier will take you to school today, okay? He will show you around, too," Madam Frost was beaming as she told me. 

She took my hand as she helped me out of the house. 

For the past week, she had been treating me like a daughter and making it impossible for me to leave. She satisfied me in every way, and I became greedy, too. 

There was no way I could let go, even when Xavier was so scary.

"Xavier, take her to school, okay?" She said to her son, but it was more like an order as she pushed me into the car and closed the door. Her smile remained on her face as she waved at me. Her happiness toward every smile that surfaced on my face made me feel strange. 

It always left me wondering why she cared so much about me~

"Why did you agree?" Xavier's cold voice was there to break my thoughts again. 

"I had no choice," I replied without looking at him. 

"Really? Or is it that you have a motive for entering my house?" His voice was low but threatening. 

I turned to look at him, feeling displeased, "What do you mean?" I asked with annoyance. "I don't know what you've seen or heard, but I'm not a terrible person," He really needed to know that.

Xavier took a while, staring at me before he sneered and rolled his eyes. "Say that to yourself, scum," He cursed and turned away. "Let's see how you stay around, bitch_" He threatened coldly.