Chapter 15

Simoen Saavedra was the least person she expected to meet on the first day of school. After what happened between them, she didn't want to associate herself to that guy ever again. Specially when Sheena's around the corner, waiting for the opportunity to attack her when she's not looking.

But having Simoen in her class, what kind of luck was that?

"Jasmine," she called the girl who was walking beside her. "Where did you get that news?"

"You didn't know that it's a well-known fact in our department?"

She closed her eyes and drew a breathe again. After some time, she opened her eyes and said, "In your tone, it's possible that everyone in our department know but no one told me?" Her brow raised. "If I had known he's back, I'll rather take an online class."

"Err..." Jasmine smiled sheepishly. "I don't know why no one told you about that news."

Was it possible that she's too busy during summer to care about the latest news in her department? Nevertheless, it's good that Jasmine told her this piece of news or she could not imagine how she'll react later when they met.

They quietly entered the room, and Jewel saw Professor Malkov on the platform, gazing at her with anger in his eyes. She stiffened but said nothing and led Jasmine to sit on the two vacant chairs in front.

The professor's gaze grew darker on her.

'What? I didn't do anything wrong!' she exclaimed in her mind.

"In all the classes I managed," the Professor said with gloomy eyes. "This block is the most rude! It's nine o'clock but only ten students? Where are the other twenty students, Miss Mangubat?"

She blinked her eyes and pointed to herself. "Are you asking me, Prof?" she helplessly smiled. "I don't know."

"You don't know? What else do you know than causing trouble, Miss Mangubat?"

Jewel's body stiffened at the professor's words. Did he just reprimand her in front of class?

"Prof --"

He cut her words. "You attend University to learn and not to flirt! Chasing after a guy, are you not ashamed of inflicting harm to your father's reputation, Miss Mangubat?"

"I did not ---"

But he still cut her words. "Or are you proud being an heiress of Aisle? Miss Mangubat, nothing is certain in this world. There are people you shouldn't touch and there are places that you should behave. This University won't tolerate your malicious actions, Miss Mangubat!"

Jewel's gaze darkened. Before she could utter another world, Jasmine talked back to the professor. "Sir, it's not Jewel's intention to cause harm to Mister Mangubat's reputation nor she intend to flirt with men. You should watch out for your words. Jewel is not someone who you could provoke."

Professor Malkov's face stiffened. A few seconds later, his gaze darkened and glared at Jewel. "What a good daughter of Mangubat. My eyes has opened today!"

Jewel's heart skipped a beat and a few beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. She didn't know where her professor's anger came from nor she know how it escalated to this point, but seeing his dark gaze, she knew that it was not good.

"Prof, it's not what you think. I'm not that kind of girl," she said, anxious.

Someone suddenly stepped in and stood beside her. "Prof, it's not good to seek trouble with your student. Please think it through."

Her face paled when she recognized that voice. When she looked at the man who stood beside her, her eyes widen and lips quivered. "S-Simoen," she whispered.

Simoen turned sideways and their eyes met. Before the man could utter a word, the bell rang. It was time for the second subject and time for them to move out.

"Jewel Laine, let's go. They are running outside!" Jasmine said and pulled her towards the door.

But when she reached the door, someone bumped into her making her fall behind. She screamed in shock and closed her eyes to wait for the impact. But nothing happened. When she opened her eyes, she came face to face with a boy she was familiar with.

"My precious jewel, are you okay?" the boy asked and flashed a smile.

She realized that Joseph was holding her while she was clinging onto him. A suspicious redness appeared on her cheeks and she immediately pushed him back.

"I'm fine," she said and tidied her clothes.

Jasmine was silent on her side. When she glanced at the girl, she saw her staring at Joseph. She raised a brow. What's this girl doing?

She shook her head and threw that thought at the back of her mind. For now, she needed to follow her classmates into the Agriculture building where the second subject session should be held. Jasmine followed her after a while.

Jewel thought that neither of the two, Joseph nor Simoen, would pester her but she's wrong. Joseph walked beside her and talked to her. She frowned and didn't answer Joseph's probing questions. Her footsteps fastened and eventually, she ran ahead of him.

"Precious jewel, wait for me!" Joseph yelled in the hallway.

Fortunately, there's less students gathering in the hallway or else Jewel could not lift her head due to shame.

One should know that gossip is faster than the news. Not long after, Jewel once again became everyone's gossip. The news of Joseph chasing after her made everyone speculate that she had another fling after Simoen Saavedra.

In the meantime, Jewel slowed down when she arrived outside of the building. She drew a handerchief and wiped the small beads of sweat on her forehead. It was exhilarating to see students wearing laboratory gowns on the first floor. She knew that they were chemical enginering students and it's one of the most respected departments in their college.

"Jewel Laine, you ran so fast!" Jasmine gasped and stopped beside her, panting heavily. "You're like a cheetah!"

Her lips twitched when she noticed some of the students glancing her way. She sighed and walked ahead. "Shut up and don't embarass me," she reproached Jasmine.

"Fine, fine..." the girl said and waved her hand.

It didn't take long for her blockmates to catch up with her. They were surprised by her speed and she laughed it off. Growing up running in the Aisle didn't make her a delicate lady.

Together with her blockmates, they entered the passage between the Education and Administrative building. They passed in front of the covered court which was behind the Administrative. She noticed some athletes warming up. Some of them waved at Simoen. She looked away. Right. Simoen's an athlete.

They walked straight for a few more minutes until she saw the College of Marine in front. On its side was the College of Agriculture. They walked in and Joseph was about to walk up the stairs but Jasmine complained. "I don't want to climbed up to the 7th floor."

The block used the elevator.

Because they were at the back of the building, she could see the sea glistening under the sun. She suddenly remembered the balcony in her room. And the man who owns that house.

"Come on, Jewel Laine!" Jasmine called.

She was about to step inside but she remembered something. "You go first. I forgot to get my COR."

"What?!" The elevator closed.

Jewel shook her head and walked away. Her COR wss inside her locker, and the locker room was in the specialized building. Fortunately, the building's not far from where her second class was.

"Professor Khalil Bremas," she read the professor's name. "He's the next subject." Jewel sighed and ran again.

She hurried back to the Agri building and waited a few more minutes before using the elevator and reaching the 7th floor. She paused in front of the room and adjusted herself before knocking. After a few minutes, the closed door opened.

"I'm sorry I'm late -—"

Someone cut her words. "No need to explain. Come in."

When she heard that voice, her body stiffened. She looked up to the man who was smiling gently at her. It was right to take back her words about Simoen being the least person she expected to see, because the man in front of her was none other than her husband.

"Miss, please come in," he repeated and turned around.

Waking up from her stupor, she nodded absentmindedly. "O-Okay." And turned in a corner and found herself a chair. She did not notice how Simoen's eyes drifted to her face and stared at her in a daze when she sat beside him. All Jewel could think of was Gideon's appearance in the University.

How? When? Why was he standing in front of her class?