Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Vince smiled faintly, as if savoring her panic. “Nothing at all. Just having a little fun. I like watching scared girls, just like you. I’m hungry. Go buy me some food. The list of what to get is in here. Just follow it.” He flicked the paper at her face.

“But it’s not break time yet. And what about taking notes?”

“You’re so annoying. Just do what I say. In this school, I’m the boss. Remember, be back within ten minutes.”

Serenity grimaced, reluctantly taking the paper and leaving the room. The teacher saw it but pretended not to, understanding that offending Vince would bring nothing good. He only felt sorry for Serenity. That girl was truly unfortunate.

At the cafeteria, Serenity hugged a bag of food bigger than herself, her face drawn with exhaustion. She dragged her feet under the late afternoon sun, muttering as if about to cry. Is my life over already? How can I escape this devil?

Suddenly, her hair was yanked hard. She lost her balance and fell onto the steps. “Who is it?”

A stylish girl with a beautiful but arrogant face stood with her hands on her hips. “Who are you? Who allowed a country bumpkin like you to hang around Louis?”

Serenity frowned. “What are you talking about? Who is Louis?”

“Still pretending to be innocent? Louis is the charming prince Vince. Don’t tell me you don’t know who Vince is.”

Serenity let out a scornful laugh. “I don’t care who he is. And how dare you call me a country bumpkin? How rude.”

The girl glared at her. “Shut up. You’re not capable of competing with me. Even if you want to be Louis’s plaything, you’re not worthy. He’ll get bored with you soon, so I’m warning you to stay away from him.”

Serenity sprang to her feet, her eyes flashing with irritation. “That’s enough. Don’t think I’m silent because I’m afraid of you. If that guy hadn’t refused to return my letter, I wouldn’t have to do this.”

“Letter? What letter?”

Just then, a male voice sounded behind them. “Hey, what are you two doing? Arguing?”

The other girl snorted and walked away. Tony stepped forward and crouched to help her pick up her things. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

He looked at her seriously. “I heard from some classmates that a student from the Applied Fine Arts class is making you his slave. Is that true?”

“I… but… It’s not like that. There’s another reason.” Her voice faltered guiltily.

Tony softened his tone. “Even though I don’t know the reason behind it, if you don’t want to do it, then refuse.”

Serenity looked at him, her heart trembling with emotion. A thought rushed through her mind. Is he worried about me? That’s right, I should confess my feelings to Tony so Vince will know and stop bullying me.

After thinking it through, Serenity said goodbye to Tony and carried the bag back to class. It was break time now. She took a deep breath, walked up to Vince, placed the bag of pastries on his desk, and said clearly, “I’ve decided to confess my feelings to Tony, so you can’t threaten me anymore.”

Vince raised an eyebrow as if hearing a joke. “You’re going to confess to the captain of the basketball team? Do you think he’ll agree? And are you even sure you can do it?”

“I’m sure, so stop threatening me.”

Vince opened one of the pastry boxes she had bought. “Hey, why is this egg custard pastry box completely crushed? You’ve ruined my afternoon tea.”

Serenity’s eyes turned red with anger. “I don’t care. I will never let you threaten me again.”

She turned to leave. Kelvin ran over and blocked her path. “Serenity, you’ve got some nerve. Vince hasn’t let you go, and you dare to leave?”

“Move.” She shoved him hard, sending him stumbling to the ground. He glanced at Serenity, then turned to his friend. “Hey, Phong, are you really letting her go?”

As she disappeared, the girl who had warned Serenity earlier appeared. Kelvin smiled. “Hi, Joan.”

But she did not even glance at Kelvin. She walked straight to Vince and held out a box of pastries. “Louis, I made these for you. Please try them.” She looked at the crushed pastries on the desk and said, “Why are you eating these? They’re all smashed.”

“Take them back. Don’t bother me.” Vince left immediately, his face expressionless.

Kelvin rubbed his hands and tried to smooth things over. “Vince is just in a bad mood. Don’t be upset.”

Joan snorted coldly. “Taking it out on someone else? That girl is nothing but trouble.”

Her pride had been dealt a painful blow. Watching Vince’s cold figure fade into the distance, her heart tightened, not entirely from hurt but from wounded self-respect. Her gaze lingered on the box of pastries she had prepared with her own hands—something she had been certain would make him smile now looked ridiculous and utterly unnecessary.

—

Corridor of Building B. Serenity stood there, her hands clutching the hem of her uniform so tightly that it was wrinkled. Her chest felt like a shattered beehive, her heartbeat chaotic. Today, she had decided to confess to Tony so she would no longer be threatened by Vince.

She told herself silently. As long as I belong to Tony, Vince will have no reason to torment me anymore. That letter will become meaningless once Tony and I are officially together.

The steady sound of footsteps echoed. Tony appeared at the end of the corridor, walking toward Serenity. He was tall and graceful, his face always carrying the calmness of someone detached from all the noise around him.

“Serenity. Did you ask me to come here because something urgent happened?”

Serenity lifted her eyes to meet his clear gaze, and her throat suddenly tightened. She swallowed, trying to suppress the tremor in her voice. Her face flushed, heat spreading to her ears, not only from shyness but also from guilt at turning this sacred feeling into a shield.

“Tony… actually… I… it’s like this… I have something to tell you…”