Chapter Forty Five
< Nina's POV >
Clarence is acting strange. Well, he is always strange and I thought that this has been the usual but this time he has been kind enough to clean his own mess.
Each moment, I’ve continued to eye on his changes of behavior. And yet again, he has been strangely well-behaved.
Like a normal student should do.
“So, it’s official: since neither of us is going to do some shitty skit, or we couldn’t write mushy poetry, we can make a diorama,” he says as he tucks the papers of our ideas. “We are going to use materials to create a unique concept that could blow McLaren’s brains out.” He chuckles then he takes out a paper and taps on the encircled part we wrote earlier. “I like your idea of a caste system, parvenu. I didn’t expect this to interest you more for the so-called ideal civilization.”
“N-no, rather than implementing it, I want it to be different.”
“Oh, like what?”
I pause for a while, trying to think of a reason. “I just want a system like those online games. You keep leveling up and reach the goal. You k-know, that gives you a chance to rise up like those stories from rags to riches.”
“Through the reliance of other people’s affluence?” He asks, placing his palm on his chin.
I avert his gaze and continue, “N-no! I-it n-not just like that. Some people from the untouchables can’t just stay untouchables! They can work an earnest job and become wealthy.”
Clarence just laughs as his grin grows wider. “What kind of fairytale garbage are you sprouting about?”
“Well, it is about the ideal civilization. A-and I think that everyone s-should be given a chance at a good life.” Now that I said my piece, I’ve realized that my so-called ideal world is childish enough for me to fluster in embarrassment.
“Well, if that’s what you think, sure. Just explain it well without stammering. You do know how to present in front of the class, right?”
I pale, recalling something in the past. “N-no. I g-get stage fright.”
“Well, you have to learn if you want to reach the standard of this school,” he says while he sighs. “Since our grade is shared, it will also affect me if we don’t work out with your intrapersonal skills.”
“Then why did you pick me as your partner?” I ask, staring at him and hopefully, he can provide some answers.
But instead, he shrugs. “The same old answer: I want to win this game by any means. I wanted you to leave this school as soon as possible.”
“W-wanted?”
His head tilts a bit, pondering for a moment. It is something I haven’t seen him do before.
“If you leave, it would be boring. Believe it or not, as much as I wanted to reach the end game of this chase, I quite enjoy your presence more.”
“I...see.” Honestly, I don’t know what to say. He wasn’t himself since we started brainstorming the project. Not to mention I saw how dedicated he really is with his academics.
Intuition has been telling me that these are his genuine words.
Yet, I continue to be wary of him. Our first encounter wasn’t that pleasant to me till this day. But after patching things up with Luca, I’ve realized that it might be possib---
No, I’d rather continue to observe where this goes. An assault is an assault. It won’t change what he did in the past.
“Anyway, I’ll call my driver to buy the materials we need, are you sure we stick with this plan?”
“Uh, yeah.” I smile. “I mean, I like the idea of recreating an inspiration of Dante’s Inferno to bring out the irony. S-so, I’m all for it.”
He stares at me while his lips curve into a grin. “Since you want to finish this in one go, it might take a day, you know?”
“Uh, that’s the plan. I already canceled my tutorial session today with Vic--with my stepbrother so I’m free all day.”
“If you say so, princess.” He smirks. “But remember, we have to keep ordering food here if you want to continue being a regular here.”
At that thought, I’ve realized the cryptic message behind Clarence’s words. If we are going to do a diorama, we have to make sure we don’t bother the customers around us.
But I have to think about it...yes, it might be a gamble but I need to see this part of Clarence’s if my intuition tells me to.
I don’t know if it’s the right thing to do but we have no other choice.
I brace myself as I heave a loud sigh.
“Wow, that’s loud,” he teases but at the same time, I can tell he's expecting to know.
It's a huge inner turmoil right now in my head. I might or might not regret this as I was the one who decided to do this.
“Let’s go to my place,” I say with finality. “We can start doing the project there.”
Clarence arches both eyebrows, his mouth open to say something obviously snarky before his lips close shut. He allows me to continue.
“B-but!” I say, raising my index finger. “If you do something inappropriate or…” I gulp. “I-illegal, I have every right to kick you out.”
“Of course, Nina. I won’t do something that brings inconvenience to you and your family.” He says, enthusiastically.
I hope I am not digging my own grave here. But it’s like testing the waters, yeah, I'm just testing the waters just to see how this goes.
I sigh and stare at Clarence who is oddly cheerful today, texting his driver to buy our materials before we head out to...Luca's place.
Ah, whatever.
I sure hope Luca won’t mind about this.
