Chapter 2

The decoration of the campus gymnasium was extravagant, exuding an air of wealth and power. People could not help but stop in their tracks at the sight of the event venue.

Hugging the laptop to my chest, I smiled, masking the sadness that coiled around my heart.

"Want some hot chocolate?"

I recognized the voice, and my eyes automatically searched for her. Faerie was behind me, staring apologetically at me.

Giving her a thin smile, I clung to her arm. "Your treat?"

"Yeah."

She dragged me to the cafeteria, and we sat at an empty table. She rested her chin on her hand, and her eyes questioned me with brows furrowed in silence.

"What?" I asked.

"Swollen eyes again," she pointed out.

I shifted my eyes to a group of girls searching for a table.

"I can't get him off of my mind," I said, smiling weakly at the thought of him. When he was still alive, he would always call me to have breakfast together in his office. "Why does everyone important in my life leave me?"

And now, Faerie was all I had, the only one who truly understood me.

After a long moment of silence, she stood up. "You should eat breakfast. Wait for me here."

Watching her, she went to the food stalls and bought two bacon weave sandwiches, a cup of hot chocolate, and a cup of caramel macchiato.

"Whether or not you attend the program, it will spark rumors," she said as a matter of fact.

"I don't give a damn." Sipping from my cup, I watched her lips twitch into a wry smile.

"That's my girl!" She high-fived me, and we both laughed. "I think the drink boosts your mood."

"Nah, 'you' boost my mood."

"Glad to be of help!"

We continued talking about the event. She even told me that the entire administrative department could not hide the excitement of meeting the late president's son.

"I heard he's a hunky." A sparkle of curiosity in her eyes was apparent, waiting for my comment. "Did you see him in the burial?"

"No," I answered.

We finished our food and went out of the cafeteria. Glancing at her, she was still holding her cup of coffee. Indeed, she was a coffee addict.

"I'm aware that I'm gorgeous, Amity," she said confidently.

I just smiled, looking straight ahead of the outdoor corridor. I stopped walking, and she suddenly pulled me into a hug.

"I know you need this," she whispered. Hot tears started welling up in my eyes. "Don't let others bring you down."

I nodded.

"Get back to work. You know I need to attend the inauguration ceremony." She pulled away, smiling sweetly at me. Taking a step back, she spun to go back to the gymnasium, started walking, and waved her hand in the air. "See you later!"

I just watched her until she was out of sight.

No one was in the faculty room when I came back. They were all in the gymnasium, and it was a chance for me to work without distractions.

After reading the documents, I put my pen on the table and relaxed my back on the chair. As I closed my eyes, I saw the late president's face. The pain became unbearable, so I let the tears spill down my cheeks until my eyes grew heavy.

A peal of loud laughter woke me up. Ms. Baltazar's table was surrounded by our co-teachers, grinning from ear to ear as if something exciting had happened.

"I almost asked him if he's still single. Thank God, I got ahold of myself!" Ms. Baltazar said, her cheeks were bright red.

I tried not to listen to them, but their laughter got me curious.

"We are the same age. I'm sure he'll notice me," Ms. Baltazar added.

"You wish! Didn't you see how he stared at me when I gave him water?" Ms. Fernandez boasted.

Rising out of my seat, they automatically looked at me. I heard someone clear her throat as I picked up the folders from my table, but I ignored them.

"Why didn't you attend the inauguration, Ms. Escobar?" Mr. Reyes asked.

Forcing a smile, I looked at him. "I'm not feeling well."

"Take meds and get some rest."

"I will. Thank you, sir," I said with a warm smile.

After I got out of the faculty room, I went to the nearest restroom and saw how pale I was. I put on some lipstick before going to the president's office.

I carefully opened the door, and darkness welcomed me. I walked to the table and accidentally dropped the folders as I saw a man's silhouette caused by the light coming through the glass windows.

The light got switched on, and my eyes adjusted to its brightness. I looked up at the man holding the remote control light switch.

He was tall and seemed to have a good social standing because of his clothes and posture. His fair and flawless white skin was surprisingly hot and attractive for a man—a drop-dead gorgeous man with his dark brown eyes scrutinizing me.

And then I realized that his face resembled the late president's.

"Who are you?" he asked in a deep masculine voice, sending me a jolt of fear.

My heart was like beating out of my chest. Staring in shock at him, I swallowed hard.

I could not be wrong. I knew who he was.