Chapter Four~

Nicolas looked at Rona sitting quietly next to him. She had glued herself to the door as soon as she got into the car. She turned to look from the window, trying to avoid his gaze. He leaned closer to put on her seatbelt. She flinched, and quickly backed away. He noticed her hands were shaking. Who is she trying to fool?  he thought.

A flashback of his third year in high school popped up and occupied his thoughts.

“Don’t go Jen! Don’t leave me!!” His voice sounded cracked as he begged her not to leave.

With passionless eyes, she looked coldly at him. Ignoring his cries that begged her to stay, she left with an older guy that seemed to be in his mid-twenties. Nicholas had fallen to his knees, and soon his eyes were filled with bitter tears. Liars!! They are all liars…

Nicholas’s heart felt heavy, and his breathing became harder. Quickly, he opened the car’s roof, and started the engine.

For 15 minutes, silence had taken over the air. Not a word was said, making the mood awkward between them. Nicholas peeked at Rona who was still quiet, just like the day before. She looked so delicate, so vulnerable, as if she was the most fragile thing on Earth. Air played with her hair, putting life into its soft waves. Sun touched her trembling fingers that looked so small and weak, it gave him a strange urge to touch them. He shook his head and looked in front of him. His plans wouldn’t work out if he got into an accident while he was busy admiring her beautiful features.

“Did you see that guys?” one of the students murmured, but his voice still managed to reach Rona’s ears. “Our butterfly didn't come alone today!”

“Are you kidding me?! No way!!” another student replied.

“She came with that guy, you know. That new student that came yesterday!!” the first one exclaimed.

“Really?! I wonder how he ended up with her,” the second wondered.

Rona frowned as she heard them talk. It seemed that she was again the hot topic of the day. She just wished that everyone would ignore her existence, but the more she tried to stay away, the more it got them interested.

90 minutes left before next class, she thought and quickly took her bag and left the class.

The air felt so refreshing in the Red Garden. It smelled of spring, and everything was colourful. It made her feel calm and her heart felt peaceful again.

So beautiful, she thought as she brushed a blooming rose. Red roses were her favourite; the sight of them always gave her joy.

She was so lost in the beautiful scenery in front of her, that she didn't notice the presence of someone else in the garden.

John Smith stood silently between the bushes, watching Rona sketch. His heart fluttered as he saw her smile. She looked so happy here, between all these roses. It was the only place where he could see her smiling

He looked at her as he drowned in his memories from two years ago when he first saw her.

He had been walking aimlessly for over 30 minutes around the school, trying to find a quiet place where he could be alone, away from everyone. He felt frustrated after the call with his father. They fought again about leaving the school and attending business classes instead. All for his father’s selfish desires that he would take over the company. He didn't want it. He didn't want to be the company’s successor; he wanted to reach his own goals without his family name, but his father didn't approve of it.

He was still drowning in his thoughts, when he finally reached the school’s garden. It was so peaceful and quiet. He didn't know this place even existed, but was thankful it did. He walked through the bushes and saw a small bench in the corner. He started walking towards it, when he suddenly heard a soft moan disturbing the silence that filled the garden. It sounded like someone was sleeping there. He walked towards the way from where he heard it, until he reached the tree in the middle of the garden. What a beautiful girl! he thought and before he knew it he had already taken his camera out of his bag and took a picture of the girl that slept so comfortably leaning against the tree. She was holding a book in her hands and a red rose was lying on her lap. She had such small hands and fragile fingers. Her bangs covered her sleeping eyes. He couldn't fight the urge that filled his mind to move her bangs to her ears. Her eyelashes were long, and her face looked so delicate. She looked so peaceful and her dreams had drawn a smile on her lips. With that sight in front of him, John turned frozen, and at that very moment he knew his heart was stolen.

John’s thoughts shifted back to the present as he watched Rona falling asleep. She knew absolutely nothing about him, and he made sure she wouldn’t. He had been watching her like this, for two years, secretly. He made sure that his feelings would be a secret that he alone would know about.