Side Story 9

Design Art Studio, Paris

"What are you doing here?" Evangeline asked. It was the start of the class and the start of her new life. It would have been perfect if not for the man who was in front of her.

"I'm here because I want to be a stylist," Calvin said. His bald head shone with the light, looking comical in contrast with his serious face. It was his way of repenting for what he did to her in the past.

"You?" Evangeline arched an eyebrow. "Don't make me laugh. I don't care what you want nor what you do. Just stay away from me."

She flipped her hair and entered the classroom.

Calvin watched her figure going inside the room. His eyes never stained from her. It was understandable, her animosity towards him. But he already decided, he would earn her forgiveness whatever it took.

This was his year!

He entered the room and took the seat behind Evangeline. He would take the seat right next to her but she already put her bag on it, claiming the whole chair as hers.

No matter, it was the perfect area to view her perfect nape. He was determined to make things right. He won't give up until she looked his way. This time, he would court her properly.

Nothing and absolutely nothing could hinder him.

"Hello."

Calvin looked over and his heart went straight to his mouth at the sight of big round blue eyes and bob-cut golden hair.

"May I seat here?" she asked.

Calvin blinked before he looked away. "Suit yourself."

"Thanks."

Calvin faced the window and grabbed his heart. Why was it beating so fast? And why the hell was his face so red that he even felt the heat! The girl beside him wasn't even beautiful and could be compared to Evangeline. But she sure was the cutest girl he had ever seen in his life!

"Hi, are you a foreigner?"

Calvin's head spin for a second before he cleared his throat and faced her. He hoped there was no anomaly on his face. He didn't know why he was this conscious.

Calvin took in some air when the blinding rays of cuteness attacked him the moment he faced her. But don't underestimate him. How many women, of great beauty he might add, had he slept with?

What's a girl who looked like she didn't hit puberty? He could totally dominate and charm her with just his wits.

"Yeah," he said. Looking serious and cool but his brain blanked out, offering no further conversation.

". . ."

". . ."

"Oh! Just like me!" she said in excitement. Then her face turned awkward. "Forgive me. I haven't introduced myself."

She extended a hand and beamed. "I'm Arnold von Dezer."

. . .

. . .

"Eh?" Calvin couldn't . . . or rather wouldn't process what she said.

Arnold scratched his head with an awkward smile. "Ehehehe. I know right. I have a manly name but girly face. People often mistook me for a girl so your reaction is understandable."

Calvin just looked at him with a blank face.

Yep. This was definitely his year!

----

Side Story 10

After two years

Frizkiel Country

". . ."

". . ."

"So let me guess. After all these years, after all your hard work, you don't want to take over the Frizkiel's shipping empire?" said a man in his sixties, sitting so freely against a rattan couch. He was donned in a simple vest and pants and wore a painter's hat. With his laid-back appearance and out-of-date style, no one would even think that he was the one and only monarch of Frizkiel. The Emperor who ruled the country behind the light.

He is also Eric's father.

"Yes," Eric said without any change in his expression.

". . ." It was quite for a moment before the man asked, "because of a woman?"

"Yes."

The man's face scrunched, and his lower lips puckered. "Heeee . . ."

Eric's brows twitched.

"So what are you going to do? Just inherit your inheritance and be gone?"

"Yes."

The man's cheeks puffed. "Yes, my ass. You're just going to follow that woman."

"You've been spying."

The man got up from his seat. "Of course I've been spying! You're my son! I'm worried about you all the time."

"No. You're just enjoying spying in your children's life."

". . ." The man crossed his arms and faced away. "I won't allow it! You have a natural talent to take over my position one day, and I won't allow a woman to ruin the future of Frizkiel."

Eric sighed under his breath. "Suit yourself. I just came here to inform you about my decision."

Eric then left the man with his rumbling and discontent.

"Eric! Eric! Come back here!" When Eric didn't as much as look back, the man sighed and slumped on his chair. "That rotten child. Where did he take his attitude from?"

At the side, Rozarria and Mike looked at their father with dead eyes while Dimitri pranced and jumped after Eric.

Rozarria flipped her hair. "I'm going back."

"Me too," Mike seconded.

And the man ranted again about how his children were all heartless. Of course, his children paid him no mind and still went their way.

Rozarria stopped and snatched a look at Mike. "I heard Francisca is here."

"Mmmm . . ."

"So it's official then."

"Mmmm . . ."

Rozarria's brows twitched. She could count the times when Mike actually had a sentence to speak.

"Do you love her?" she asked.

". . ." The corner of Mike's lips rose in an attempt to smile, but it only appeared menacing. "Is that important?"

Rozarria's fine hair rose, but she kept her feelings to herself under a poker face. They were all poker-faced, just like their mother except for Dimitri, who inherited more of their father's character. But between her, Eric and Mike, Mike held the trophy with his single expression. Seriousness.

He was serious since a child, and if ever he did change his expression even just the slightest, his face turned menacing, and people ran in fear.

Rozarria didn't know if she should feel pity for him or laugh at his predicament. But even so, people, regardless of gender, sought his attention. He had many women, but none of them lasted. How could they last? Women needed attention and affection, but Mike had none of that. Except maybe if he was caring for animals.

In a sense, his good looks were a curse. He could never exert himself the effort to love because he knew that many women sought him. There were so many mermaids in the sea. What was one woman?

Rozarria restrained a sigh. "Either way. I hope she's the one. You're not getting any younger after all."