Chapter 1

Adina’s POV

I like the smell of a new semester, not because Bocconi University is my favourite place in the world. Far from it. The mere thought of coming here this morning left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

But it is the only route to getting what I want.

I have my future all planned out. I want to graduate top of my class, land a good job, fall in love, and get married, all before I turn 26. I'm not one of the kids who delude themselves into thinking I had a chance of pursuing a career with the Malvettis of the world.

I didn’t even stand a chance.

"Watch where you are going, weirdo!"

I jumped out of the way fast before a pool of dirty water sprayed in the air. It landed on the arm of my sweater, and I tried not to yell after him.

"Fuck!" I muttered, whipping my backpack around searching for a towel. I dabbed at the stain, but it didn't budge. What was I even thinking, wearing white on the first day of the semester?

I looked up in time to catch them watching me. Dario and his friends. He jumped out of the G-wagon that just drove past me, then leaned against the sleek exterior. They laughed and shook their heads, and I turned around.

“Dickheads!” I muttered, heading towards the hallway. I had done a great job of staying away from trouble throughout my freshman year. Now that I'm a Sophomore and two years closer to my goals, I can handle a bunch of rich bullies who have nothing else to do with their time.

And money.

There was a small problem, though. For me to get to my class, I'm going to have to walk right past them. This day just kept getting annoying.

Sliding my backpack onto my back, I folded the sleeves of my white shirt in and marched across the parking lot, a scowl on my face. I heard snickers beside me, but I ignored them. I intend on getting to my class without drama.

But drama had a way of searching for me. Suddenly, the guy who had almost hit me with his car jumped onto my path.

Giovanni.

It was the first time I was seeing him up close. His blonde hair fell into his face with every step he made, and he pushed it back with his hands, earning a sigh from the girls watching.

Urgh! It annoyed me how many girls fell at his feet each time he appeared. Why did they do this to themselves?

I brought my feet to a halt and looked up at him. “What again?”

A smile spread on his perfect features. "That is no way to say hi to me, Adina. Didn't you miss me over the semester break?"

I frowned and took a step back. He wanted something, because in all my history in this school, Giovanni had never said more than a few words to me.

We rolled in different circles, and that was absolutely fine.

"That term is actually used for people you care about," I muttered, shaking my head. "I don't care about you, and I'm certain you don't care about me, too."

He seemed to think about it for a few seconds, his fingers stroking his chin. His blue eyes glowed under the sun, and I made it a point not to look into them.

“You are correct. I don’t care about you, but Professor Koa has made us partners in his Chemistry class. So, how about you be a little nice girl and agree to do all the projects for the rest of the semester?”

My head jerked back in surprise. This was the reason he knew my name.

“You see,” he started, taking a small step towards me. He has a woody scent, mixed with cedar and earth. Raw and bold. “Imagine what this could do for your social status.”

Another snicker erupted, and my hands curled into fists by my side. But I knew I could do nothing for them.

“You mean her non-existent social status,” another guy from their little group murmured.

"You would be known to have done something to help the most popular guys on campus, and then, you would get invited to the hottest parties. In fact, if you promise to do this for me, you can come along to Lucia's party tonight. It is based on an invite-only basis, and I just extended one to you."

A scoff escaped my lips as I hooked my thumb on the straps of my backpack. “Stay away from me, Giovanni. And I will ask Professor Koa to get you another Chemistry partner.”

Sparing him and his cliche one last look, I walked away from them into the hallway. I had barely gone a few feet in before my best friend, Aurora, sneaked her arm across mine.

"What was that?" she asked in her surprisingly high-pitched tone. I should have gotten used to it by now, seeing as we have been friends all of our lives.

“What was what?”

"Wasn't that you talking to the hottest and richest boy on campus?"

I rolled my eyes at the excitement in her tone. “Add the most arrogant, silly, rude, pompous… Did I mention rude already?”

Aurora laughed, her curly brown hair springing into place. “Anyone who hears you will think you hate him.”

"I do hate him, Aurora," I said as a matter of fact. "And Giovanni only spells doom to the plans I have. I should stay away from him if I plan on graduating without any drama."

“It’s not like he’s asking you to be his girlfriend or anything,” Aurora murmured, reducing her pitch as we walked into our first class of the day. “He just asked you to be his partner.”

I arched my brows in her direction as we took our seats. “I am not going to be a slave to the Malvettis. He can take his stupid request and hand it over to one of the countless number of girls who actually care about him."

My backpack slid out from my back, and I fished for my Physics textbook. That was when my eyes caught it. A bright-pink card was standing in the middle of my desk.

I reached for it, popping the seal open.

It was an invitation to Lucia's party, and there was a handwritten note beneath it.

"I don't usually invite people twice for the same event. You'd better show up.

Signed, Giovanni."