Nicole Jane’s POV
Even though it was already late at night, the surroundings were still bright because of the flashing lights while the loud music that was currently being played could be heard from every corner of the mansion. There are even some people who are shouting and laughing as if there’s no tomorrow, which irritated my ears even more.My debut party had a fairy tale theme. I was actually against it because I preferred a gothic theme instead. But my parents won’t give in to my plea. As their only child and daughter, they insist that I should look like a princess on this night. That everything around should look magical.But what I really hate tonight is the fact that they have invited my classmates to come over. Even though they knew that I wasn’t friends with any of them. I even barely talk to any one of them. Unless, it’s school-related. Besides, they also had invited some guests that I didn’t know personally.Fortunately, they somehow allowed me to remove eighteen roses from the program. I didn’t feel like dancing with anybody anyway.I’m currently drinking by the pool. Since I’m already eighteen, I’m allowed to drink whatever I want already. I’d rather grumble here than be a hypocrite and socialize with them on the dance floor.“Happy birthday!”I was stunned when someone suddenly spoke from behind. Slowly, I looked at the newcomer.I frowned when I saw a tall man with gray eyes. If I wasn’t mistaken, he’s one of my parents’ friends.“Thank you,” I said casually.He was about to speak when suddenly, my parents approached together with a meticulous-looking woman.“Hey, there you are! We’ve been looking for you,” the meticulous-looking woman said to the man who greeted me earlier before she gazed in my direction. “Hi! Happy birthday! It’s been a while, and you’ve grown into such a beautiful young lady already.”I raised an eyebrow. She spoke as if she knew me very well.“Sweetie, we just have something to discuss with. Entertain your visitors, okay?” Mom ordered.I frowned. “You have nothing to worry about, Mom. They can manage themselves just fine.”Mom gave me a stern look. So, I stood up lazily and rolled my eyes with my back facing them.My gaze followed them discreetly. Even though today is my birthday, it looked like my parents still had a business agenda mixed in.But another thing I noticed about my parents’ friends was the color of their skin. They were too pale.I just shook my head and took another drink from the tray that the waiter was carrying, then drank it straight.When the glass was already empty, I couldn’t help but look up at the sky. In particular, at the moon. I didn’t know why, but it seemed to have a hypnotic effect.“Nicole! What are you doing here? Come on! Let’s party!”I blinked and was not able to object when someone suddenly pulled me towards the dance floor. However, I knew that the only reason why my classmates were here was to flex their business and their parents to my parents to become their business partners.But I just let it go. They’re not the only ones capable of putting on a mask. After all, this is my day. That’s why I did nothing but have fun this night. Until I was completely drunk, and my surroundings were slowly swallowed by darkness.***I quickly covered my right arm over my eyes when they opened because of the rays of the sun that suddenly came into view. But I winced when my head suddenly hurt. So I waited a few minutes before slowly getting up and leaving the room. One of our maids was standing right in front of the door causing me to step back in shock when I opened it.“You startled me, Riza! What are you doing here?” I couldn’t stop my voice from rising.She bowed slightly. “Good morning, Ma’am Nicole. I’m sorry. I was just about to knock to wake you up and ask you if I should bring your breakfast here?” she asked politely, with a slight tinge of fear in her voice.I yawned. “No need. I’ll just go to the dining room”, I answered gently.“All right. I will prepare your breakfast right away.” She walked away first.It seemed that the sleepiness I was feeling flew out of the window when I suddenly remembered something. When a maid comes to my room to wake me up, my parents are sure to be here. Whenever they’re not around, the maids do not disturb my sleep because that is what I strongly instructed them to do so.I just shrugged and reluctantly continued walking while my eyes were still half-closed. When I got to the stairs, I descended slowly because I might fall. If I’m not mistaken, it was already dawn when I fell asleep because of my debut party last night.But I was stunned when I heard Mom and Dad’s serious conversation in the living room. I also massaged my temples as numbing pains shot through them. I still felt disoriented from last night.The party was smooth and successful even though I passed out due to drunkenness. But even so, I still can’t help but wonder about where my parents met their invited friends last night.There seems to be something different about them. Their skin looked pale, and they were so emotionless.Actually, some of them surprisingly look familiar. I just don’t remember where, or if I ever really saw them before.I shook my head at the thought. My head was definitely still on turmoil right now.“After four long years, I’m glad to know that he will be back already,” Dad said.My eyebrows raised because of what I heard. Who is the person that they are referring to who has returned here? As far as I know, we didn’t have any relatives in other countries. All of them were already here.Well, that’s what I knew.“Yeah. I still couldn’t believe it when they told us about it. We need to make a move already. Most especially now that everything is happening according to the plan,” Mom said cheerfully.Plan? What plan? What the hell are my parents talking about? The curiosity is killing me!“It may be hard for the two of them at first. But Nicole will surely like him. I’m sure of that,” Dad said confidently.Wait, why was my name suddenly dragged in their conversation?I couldn’t stand it anymore and quickly made my way to the living room. Dad was the first one who saw me because he was facing my direction. His eyes widened in shock. Mom stared at him in confusion. That’s why she also turned on where I was standing.They both stood up upon seeing me with their mouths hanging open.What is going on with the two of them? Could this be the effect of their frequent stays in other countries?I crossed my arms at them. “Who is the guy that you say is coming back, and I will like?I looked at both of them. There was still a hint of shock on their faces when they saw me. They looked like criminals that had been caught in the act.A few seconds passed before they finally recovered. A wide smile then formed on my Mom’s lips that made me shiver. Because there seemed to be something different in the way she smiled at me.I gulped. I had a strong feeling that I was not going to like whatever the answer to my question was.Our situation were reversed in an instant. It felt like I was the one in the hot seat this time.Dad suddenly became serious, then looked straight into my eyes. “It’s your fiancé. He’s coming back.”My jaw dropped at what he said.When I was still young, I already heard stories about my future fiancé. That I’m going to meet him once I turn 18.Though I didn’t take it seriously and chose to ignore it instead. Because I thought that maybe it was just a joke and there was no taint of any truth about it.But now that my parents are the ones confirming it, I could no longer ignore it.I gasped as the realization hit me. I just turned 18 yesterday! So, it means...“What? No way!”Nicole Jane’s POV“You behave there, okay? Don’t worry, we’ll always call you,” Mom said.I just rolled my eyes and plugged in my earphones. I was tired of their reminders.Since the day they told me about my fiancé, they hadn’t mentioned anything about it again. They didn’t even give me a chance to speak again because they suddenly left at that time.I also asked them about it several times whenever I had the chance because I was really felt uneasy. But they didn’t really give any other explanation. Up to now, I’m still hoping that what they were saying wasn’t true.I don’t know what my parents were thinking to put me in such a precarious situation. I haven’t even been in a relationship or even admired a single man in my entire life. Then they’ll just break the news that I will be married off to someone?Then out of the blue, they broke another news to me. That I’m going to transfer to who knows where. They didn’t even tell me what the school was called nor where it even was. They we
Nicole Jane’s POVI only had forty minutes left before my first class starts. So, I quickly got inside my room. I hadn’t been able to take everything out of my suitcase because I didn’t have much time to put them on the cabinet. Why did I have to move here right on the first day of school?I am now standing beside my bed with my arms crossed, staring at the necklace and bracelet laid on top of it.There was another bed here near the window. So, I was sure that two students could occupy the room. Although I was happy because I was still the only one occupying it right now.“Whatever happens, don’t take it off.”“That will serve as your protection, so you must always wear it.”Until now, I could still hear their reminders, although I didn’t fully understand yet what they were for.But I just realized. If these two were really that important, then I shouldn’t wear them and just keep it in a safe place instead, because I just might end up losing them both eventually.I winced as I again f
Nicole Jane’s POVI froze on the spot upon hearing his deep cold voice. My heart was pumping so loudly against my chest, and I couldn’t even make a single move.When I finally had the courage to take a step back, my eyes widened in horror when he suddenly showed up in front of me.Wait. How the hell did that happened? I didn’t even notice him pass me by!My mouth dropped open, and I couldn’t help but be stunned when I was able to observe him freely. He was so damn tall that will make you look up at him. He also had pale skin, red lips, pointed nose and a pair of brown eyes.Also, that messy hair of his doesn’t look bad at all because it suited him perfectly. His hands were both buried in his pockets, and he was wearing a plain white shirt with a black leather jacket hanging on his right shoulder. It was paired with a brown pants that he finished off with a black converse.I blinked when he smirked, revealing his deep dimples. It felt like I was going to pass out any moment from now.“
Nicole Jane’s POVI was startled when I heard a series of knocks on the door. I didn’t have any intention of bothering with it. But it seemed like whoever was disturbing me had no plans of stopping.“Wait a moment!”I lazily got up and rubbed my eyes. Once I stood, I immediately headed towards the door and opened it for whoever was on the other side.“What is—” I wasn’t able to finish my sentence because Mikan suddenly hugged me.“What the? Get away from me!” I quickly pushed her away, and luckily she let go immediately.“Geez, you push so hard! While you’re the one who just woke up and hasn’t even taken a shower yet.” She pouted, then went ahead inside on her own.My eyes widened as she went straight to my bed and lay down.I was about to pull her out when I glanced at the round clock hanging on the wall. I gasped as I noticed that it was already past seven thirty in the morning. Our time is at eight o‘clock!I quickly grabbed my things and went into the bathroom. I can’t believe I t
Nicole Jane’s POV“Are you really sure you’re okay? I’m sorry earlier for not being able to help you.”Mikan kept on talking beside me with her head bowed down. Since our class ended, she didn’t stop talking even though I wasn’t paying any attention to her.I don’t have any ill feelings towards her. Honestly, it’s better that she didn’t do anything earlier.The thing is, she’s too kind. I’m just not used to someone talking to me and being concerned like this. It feels weird.“I’m really fine. Besides, I’m not expecting any help because I don’t even need it.” I crossed my arms. She looked up at me this time.“One more thing is that, I can handle those girls by myself. If Kyle didn’t show up, they would’ve surely regretted it,” I determinedly replied.I continued walking, and suddenly she screamed beside me. Other students around us turned to our direction.I turned to her with a puzzled expression. Did I say something wrong?“Do you know how adorable the two of you were earlier? Especi
Miley’s POVI couldn’t help but smile as we walked down the hallway towards Nics’ room. Thankfully, we managed to convince my brother to agree to what Reiri and I wanted. I thought it would be difficult to persuade him, but it seems he can be swayed by a little bit of drama.“I don’t really understand my brother. It seems that he doesn’t really like Nics at all,” Rei said, confused.She looked up, seemingly lost in deep thought. Vince was the one who strongly opposed when we asked for permission earlier.I shrugged. “Me too. But we both know that Vince and Kyle are both aloof.”Honestly, I’m also puzzled as to why Vince suddenly gets annoyed whenever we mention or talk about Nics in front of them.But before heading straight to Nics’ room, we stopped by the main office of the academy to get a duplicate key to her room.Yes, we took it without asking. They can’t do anything about it anyway. We’re sure she’ll ask again how we managed to open her door. She might start suspecting us, and
Nicole Jane’s POV“Whose car are we going to use? Yours or mine?”We don’t have class in our last two subjects for today. That’s why I decided to go into town to buy some supplies and other personal needs as well.Aside from weekends, we can also go out of the academy on weekdays. We just need to make sure to return before seven in the evening.Truth be told, for a boarding school, the rules here were not that strict.Now I wonder why.The reason I thought of bringing Mikan along is that I’m not yet familiar with the places nearby and even the way itself. Imagine the shock on her face when I informed her about it.I was about to answer her question when suddenly, she speaks again.“Let’s use mine. I’m going to be your tour guide for today!” she said excitedly.I just shook my head and continued to walk until we reach the parking lot.“Maybe you can tour me next time. We also need to return quickly.” Her face showed resistance, but she nodded in agreement.Almost all the students here
Nicole Jane’s POV“I still couldn’t believe of what happened. It seemed like some kind of kidnapping case,” Mikan said out of the blue.None of the three of us commented on what she said because we were all deep in thought.We are now on our way back to the academy. I looked outside the window, while Kyle’s resting his head on the car window on the other side. Kira’s focused on driving, and Mikan’s busy doing something on her phone.After the incident earlier, Kyle quickly pulled me out. When I turned around, I saw Mikan being pulled by Kira. I didn’t notice him earlier.These friends are really weird because they suddenly appear out of nowhere. They’re like Miley and Reiri.As we stepped out, they looked around as if searching for something. I did the same, even though I didn’t know what or who I was looking for. Until my attention focused on a man.He’s standing in front of a post far away from us and wearing a hoodie. I couldn’t see his face.But I’m sure he’s looking at us. Then I