Chapter Fifty Two

< Nina’s POV >

I would be lying that I wasn’t worried the whole time yesterday. Clarence knew about Luca and he hasn’t sent me a message since then. I tried contacting him but for some strange reason, he didn't even answer. So I gave up and considered approaching him in school.

What I don’t know is that as soon as I step out of the building, I catch sight of a familiar jet-black limousine parked on the side road, next to it is none other than Clarence who has been expecting me.

“Hey good morning, princess!” He says while waving enthusiastically after seeing me.

I don’t know the right response so I just smile awkwardly and wave a bit. “G-good morning.” I walk in his direction and I feel like he has been staring at my face the whole time.

“You look better with short hair,” he compliments. Not a hint of his usual wisecracking.

“You think so?” I unconsciously touch my hair.

Unlike my usual long wavy thick hair that has been tied in a ponytail, this one has more volume to it. I didn’t expect the hairstylists to cut a huge portion of my hair until it reaches the nape. So I struggle a bit when the cold autumn wind kisses its bare skin.

“Well, it’s perfect for your face, that’s for sure,” he says as he reaches to touch the wavy brown strand sticking on my cheek.

“Good morning, Clarence.” Clarence stops before slowly retreating his hand. Two hands touch my shoulders as I turn to see Luca, using his professional smile.

“You are very early today,” Luca continues. “I suppose you are here to talk about your project with my sister?”

“Ah, good morning, Luca, err, Mr. de Milano,” He says as his cheeks turn slightly pink as he gives a sheepish smile. “I’m just here to ask Nina to go to school with me.”

“I’m afraid that's already been arranged.” Luca crosses his arms, his smile still unfaltering as he goes on. “I’m going to drop her at school instead.”

“What?” I exclaim. He didn’t bring this up earlier.

But my loud surprise is on deaf ears as they both continue with their “staring contest”.

“Oh, it would be better if we don’t want to take your precious time, Mr. de Milano. You are a busy man, after all, don’t you agree, Nina?” He turns to look in my direction.

“Uh..”

“But my work starts at 10AM. I have more time to spare. You don’t mind me dropping you off at school today, right, Nina?” This time Luca turns with that smile of his.

“I..uh…” I still couldn’t get used to it. The way he smiles during our interactions just gives me this feeling I couldn’t understand. The cold chilly breeze has been long forgotten and is replaced by the warm heat that comes from my body. So, I yell, “I would rather walk to school, thank you very much!”

Before I can dash my way out of this situation, Clarence calls out, “Wait, Nina! Let’s walk to school instead.”

I hesitantly look at him, and at that moment, I know that Clarence wants to have a word with me about the last time. It would be a perfect idea to talk to him privately without curious eyes in school.

Talking to him inside his limousine should give us some privacy. However, I am certain that I will unleash Luca’s wrath again if I do.

“Sure, if that’s okay with you.” And behind Clarence, I notice Luca’s lip curved into a frown.

I tell him, “Luca, I would like to talk to him about the project so it would be better to discuss it along our way to school.” And please don’t be mad at me, as I mentally pray.

Luca hesitates for a while till he sighs. He walks in confident strides and is now closer to me. He just stands there quietly and then his hand raises.

I unconsciously flinch, my eyes shut, waiting for impact but instead, I feel something warm tucked around my neck. I open my eyelids and I see a dark blueish scarf around my neck.

“Just be careful out there, Nina,” he says as he smiles, warmly before gently patting on my head.

And with that, I couldn’t help but smile, although awkwardly as I stare at his eyes.

While Clarence just stares quietly from behind.

< Nina’s POV >

“So, I was wondering if we should present our diorama. Like a product launch. It can allow you to bring notes if you want to.”

“I g-guess it’s fine?”

We had already reached the boulevard and sat on the benches. The academy gate is still closed and we couldn’t get in yet. The funny thing is, why is it that we always go there early?

All throughout the walk, Clarence chatters about nothing but the project and it is foolish of me to bring up some things that have been bothering me.

Like Anastasia, his thoughts about Luca now and—I gulp—if he’s going to blackmail me for that.

But my intuition is telling me otherwise.

He acts like he has no intention of any blackmailing and that has been bothering him since.

As he continues to chatter on and on, I start looking around my surroundings. The leaves that were once reddish-yellow are now dried, telling me about the upcoming change of season. I’ve heard from Yu that the winter comes here earlier and it gets colder sooner.

But I continue to scan around, a flashback of my first interaction with Clarence comes to my mind.

He was really antagonistic at that time. When he expressed his deep hatred towards the woman whom he used to love and lashed it out on the former scholars in this academy.

But now, the Clarence next to me is acting like a normal teenager.

“Nina, are you listening? These are important for our presentation, you know?” He grimaces, his arms crossed, waiting expectantly for my answer.

“Sorry! I’ve been thinking, that’s all!”

“Oh, are you thinking about why I haven’t been asking about your relationship with Luca?”

Ah, he’s right on the money.

“It’s pretty obvious for me that you’re Rodrigo’s stepdaughter,” he continues, placing his hands on his pocket as he looks at me with a serious look. “But other than that, what’s your real relationship with Lucade Milano?”

“Luca is going to be my stepbrother, if that’s what you mean “real”,” I answer, confused at the way he looks doubtful with every word I say.

“Going to be? You mean, he’s not your family yet?”

“Not yet until our parents’ wedding.”

“When exactly is the wedding?”

“N-next year,” I say, reluctantly. Uncertainty and regret suddenly overwhelm my being as I’ve realized I’ve spoken too much about myself.

“So you mean to say that your parents left you with Luca de Milano while they’re preparing for their wedding, huh?” I have to hand it to Clarence but he immediately catches on.

I nod, nervously. I wonder if this is a terrible idea to share with him.

“Let me get it straight, your mother left you to Luca de Milano despite being a stranger?”

I shake my head. “No, we’re not strangers...anymore.”

He raises a brow. “Okay, lovers, then?”

“W-we’re—” I pause as my face reddens after hearing that word. “W-what m-makes you say that?”

“Because the way you two flirted earlier makes me think so.”

Us, flirting? My eyes slowly widen, recalling the earlier events. How exactly were we flirting earlier?

So I just laughed it out. “No way!”

“Are you trying to deceive me, parvenu,” he growls as he crosses his arms. I almost utter an eep as he glares at me. “I am not fucking blind to see that.”

Oh God, why am I still talking to him? I’ve forgotten that he’s a jerk!

“Well…” I try not to stammer. “You should know t-that he flirts wherever he goes, right? Like that one time with the waiter last night.”

My attempt fails and I don’t know why I’m still talking to this man who makes my everyday in school less peaceful.

“But with his future stepsister?” His grin grows wider. “That will be the talk of the town!”

I stop my tracks as I turn to him. Filled with fear and worry that Clarence might spread about my relationship with Luca de Milano.

I eye him carefully. “Clarence, you are not going to use it against me or anything, right?”