Many people walked by, as she was sitting on a bench in the central courtyard of the university campus, enjoying the unclouded sun, peaking through the horizon, ultimately settling down for an automn night rest.These days fall by so briskly, as though it is in divine hasten to reach the winter.

After a toilsome day, she leisurely relished the sight of the courtyard awash with the chromatic foliage and the lifeless trees, unfolded before her eyes .The dominant earthy redolent of fall lingered in her nose, smelling as similar to freshly sharpened pencil. She sucked a deep breath, welcoming the crisp air and the intense aroma of autumnal lilacs. With each breath of the gushing breez, it filled her empty self. The nature's erupted to it's fullest for all who care to see it's beauty .The slanting rays of the sun caressed the amber-scarlet tapestry of leaves beneath her feet and the molten brass evening sky engulfed her in it's calmness.

However, a familiar chirpy voice of the person  standing behind her, broke her serenity.

"Miss Livian, we should head back home if you are done with your assignment work."

Anna, her nanny, who was standing behind her sitting frame, spoke in her regular monotonous yet nourishing tone .Not being able to hide the dissatisfaction, she scrunched her face slightly but the realisation of how long she had been sitting there, made her gasp.

"Oh Yes, I am over with it. We must get going or else mom will-"

"Miss, you shouldn't dwell here until this late or else mistress will be furious!"

Cutting her in the middle,Simon, who was right next to Anna, spoke. His face was evident with reasonable concern and fear.

"Er.. I was going to say 'worried' but 'furious' will also do."

Giggling at her own words she glanced over her shoulder, expecting to see their lifted edges but there was nothing but the same usual empathetic look, which was again fairly out of her reach of comprehension. Disappointed deep down she bluntly ripped her gaze to look down at the notebook on her lap and merely closed it. As usual without Livian saying anything, Anna put all her belongings in her satchel bag and held it for her, as they set off for home.

While sitting in the car and watching the sky drain of colour as it aglowed with the bright city lights , for a fleeting moment the thought of not going back home crossed her mind. However, thinking of her mom, working so hard to give them a superfluously comfortable life made her chase the thoughts away. Why she mused so? Well, according to Livian, her life is not that..exciting. She spend her entire day following her schedule like a robot. Her monotonous life is nothing but waking up, watching the maids doing her work and serving her, studing, meticulously doing her piano practice, sleeping, and then repeat. So far it's quite tedious and unrelieved from every possible ways.

The car brought to halt as Simon opened the door for Livian to climb off it. As she got out of it, her eyes caught the sight of the huge fortified manor-house awashed in golden night light.

The massive mansion made in the centre of the town with lavish interiors, tall glass windows that give the best views and that probably eradicate the need of artificial lightings, an ample sized courtyard, the superfluously expensive artefacts, and modern design of architecture, makes it a fantasized place to live in.

Livian ingressed inside, trailed by Anna who was merely struggling to keep up with her slow pace.

"Livian?!"

Just when she entered the lounge area, a familiar voice chirped out of somewhere. Roaming her eyes around, she tried to find the source of the voice in the huge hall. Sitting over the lounge area , her mom was doing some paperwork when she flashed her a smile.

She, Neith Calvert, a well known and successful buisness woman, a philanthropist, a beautiful lady, Livian's mom and wife of her late father Aleksander Calvert and what not. The word 'perfect' would be an understatement for her personality. She's the role model for almost every millennial in the town. She likes her work to be precisely perfect and that's what aside from her solemnly strict behaviour for which people avoid to go against her will.

"Pardon. I didn't notice you, mom."

She apologized and trudged her way to her mom. Taking her specs off, she gestured Livian to sit.Livian, who was feeling filthy after a tedious day of work, hesitated but however plopped herself on the couch next her and tried to take glance of the files she was working on But, unfortunately couldn't, as her mom closed it before her eyes could fall on them. She had always been curious about what kind stuffs she has to deal with everyday but her mom always shoves it off, saying that that's not something she should be concerned about.

"What took you so long? If I'm not wrong, according to your today's schedule, you ought to be home by three?"

Nieth, who was looking at her with a wrinkled face, asked. Even though she's always drowned with lots of work, she still have a brief knowledge of Livian's routine of all day. According to her, Livian should not be spending her day without being productive.

"Eh, I got an assignment to do. So I stopped by the l-library  to finish it. I thought I might be needing s-some books."

She stuttered, feeling like a small creature under her bored down-turned eyes.

"Don't we have enough books in our library?"

Her brows cocked confusingly or what Livian guessed, doubtfully. Her voice didn't come out as if her throat tighten inside while she struggled to calm down the crazy thumps she felt in her chest. Her mother's gaze even made it difficult to an extent, she found herself squirm.

"Er.. mom, as we were asked to prepare a documentary on 'Analysing the effects of Love on people'  I-I needed some books from the library. We d-don't have t-that kind of books over here."

She again stammered profusely even though she was speaking a matter of fact. And indeed they don't have any novels or books related to love or romance, as Nieth finds them unworthy. She is the one who chooses all the books that they have in their library.

"Love..you say huh?!"

And just like others, she also didn't like the tone her mom was using at that time. Nieth always tends to prefers using a most monotonous voice with an earnest look on her face. Livian really had a urge to rebut back but she couldn't.

"I think you should go,clean up yourself and take rest, darling. You must be exhausted."

She smiled. That kind of reply was even more petrifying. Livian was highly assuming that she will probably ground her for the next couple of days, which she always prefers doing but not this time.

*She let it slide like that?*

"Miss, We should head upstairs!"

Anna spoke out of fear. Even she also knows that her mom isn't in a good mood but what Livian was feeling is not even close to what she was. But the part which she doesn't believe is that her mom didn't say anything, not even a single word! And that's frightening the guts out of her. She merely pursed ger lips as she stood up and climbed upstairs.

Retiring back to her room, she blankly stared at the void while sitting on the bed. Her hands shook vigorously followed by her body breaking into cold sweat. She had never personally liked to provoke her mother or intended to tempt her fury as it makes Nieth turn into a whole different person when she is outraged.

She gulped down the bile raising when she heard the door knob creek after a couple of knocks. Anna came in with a heap of freshly cleaned and crisp-dried clothes to place them in the wardrobe.

Speaking of Anna, she is in her late thirties but far more dynamic and agile as compared to what Livian is and always dedicated to take care of her like her own daughter. And that's what she adores the most in her.

After placing the clothes in their respective place, she prepared a bath for Livian. Just like the way she does everyday. Meanwhile Livian on the other side, struggled with her careening heart and tried to unscramble the hidden motives of Nieth behind her sudden unusual behaviour. She might be too busy with dealing her buisness that she couldn't care less about Livian's métiers, she thought. But that also seemed too good to be true. Being in her trance, Livian didn't notice Anna's voice echoing in the ample sized room.

"Miss?!! Can you here me?"

Anna exclaimed, shaking her shoulder slightly.

"Hmm?"

Livian, who's suddenly dragged out of her train of thoughts, hummed, unable to make up a sentance.

"The bath is ready. You should clean yourself first."

Again not even trying to help herself with word, Livian bobbed her head while staring at the walls aimlessly.

"Don't bother yourself that much. Ma'am is just a bit concerned about your well being."

Looking at her drained out pale face, Anna responded.

"Concerned? How?"

Lifting her gaze to Anna's, she asked. And as a matter of fact, Livian's question made her drop her gaze which made Livian smile wistfully.

"Is the bath ready?"       

She kindly asked even though she's going through a grieving process.

"Oh yes! Do you want me to prepare a change of clothes?" 

"Please do." 

Anna immediately ran across the room to do what she was tasked to do and called Livian as soon as she was done. After placing her clothes , Anna left the bathroom for Livian to clean herself.

Left alone in the bath place, she caught a whiff of subtle aroma of the bubble bath. Striping herself, she ambled her way to the bathtub. A relaxing moan escaped her lips as her body gradually tranquilize in the luke warm water, gently embracing every inch of her fragile figure. The wamth of the water helped her tight muscles to relax. She felt like her blood rush through her viens fastly as if it were froze a moment ago but now melted away to gentle heat of the water.

Soon the room warmed up as it filled with the hot steam escaping from the water-filled tub. The perfect warmth of the water hugged her fragile body making her feel tired and dizzy as she chose to submerge her whole body all the way to her head.

She stayed motionless, resting her head on the edge of the tub. Everything seemed a lot quieter.. just to an extent she slipped into deep slumber.

The early risers chirped, as the morning sunlight found it's way through the thin silk curtains, illuminating Livian's huge white washed room. The morning sun beamed, peaking through every possible cavity of the room, causing the glittering rays ablaze it with various hues of gold and silver, making it look like an aureate.

But that being said, her room already looks like a cascade, that screams elegance and luxury. Almost everything in there is white, contrasted with golden artefacts and other decorative items.

However, regardless of a cheerful morning where each and every soul soaring high with so much zeal and spirit, Livian squinted her eyes to adjust with the sudden eerie glow of the atmosphere with an awfully devastated self of her. She groaned as her sore body coaxed her from making any movement. Her sticky eyes, throbbing head and twinging body made her mind puzzled up. While trying to figure out the situation, the realisation hit her. She recalled last night, when she dozed off in bath tub and Anna somehow managed drag her out to the comfort of her soft- warm mattress, she finally unscrambled the reason of her sickness.

"Rise and shine , dear!"

Anna zestful voice kicked her out of her trance. Her lively face and aura made Livian's edges lift up.

"Good morning.."

She chirped placing the tray full of breakfast and medicines as she shrugged the curtains off.

"Good morning! Though my morning isn't good at all."

Livian squeaked as she struggled to lift her body up. Anna, who's standing alongside the bed huffed and helped her to rest her back on the backrest.

"In what way you expect yourself to end up like..after sleeping in a bath tub for an hour?! Thank god I came looking for you or else nobody would have found—"

"Nobody cares.."

Livian stated blatantly while staring at the void to avoid her eyes. Anna, who looked at her with an empathetic look on her face, snorted heavily before speaking.

"I do. Now lemme check if you have fever."

Her monotonous way of speaking made Livian scoff mentally. She is amongst the people whose words never felt genuine but more like just for spite spoken words.

After checking her body temperature Anna retrieved back to her previous position and exclaimed.

"Good for you that you didn't catch cold. Hurry! Get up and do your morning chores. It's time to—"

"Take my medicines and for that I gotta eat something. I know ..I know .." 

Cutting off Anna in the middle, Livian imitated her everyday's similar words. So far she can imitiate everyone around her like some chants. They repeat the same usual lines everyday like those were the only sentances inserted in their systems along with carrying fake smiles and concerns.

Despite feeling innately lame, she sulkily trudged to the comfort room to do her buisness. As she ingressed in the bathroom, the sight of a huge mirror along with a basin, unfurl before her eyes. Scrutinizing her own reflection in the mirror, her nose wrinkled with dissatisfaction. Her long, dark brown and lucious curls protruding messily all the way down to her hips. Her heterochromic blue-grey eyes, that she always feel insecure about also reflected nothing but dullness. Her honey-gazed skin looks paler than usual. She wondered how can someone be as flawed as her. Snorting sharply she tried to brush off every idle thoughts and embarked on doing her chores.

Coming out of the bathroom, Anna asked her to have some breakfast while she fix her bed linens in the meantime. She stared at the far mirror while chugging down a glass of milk, and what again she noticed is her different coloured eyes glowing disparatly under the morning sunlight. You liked them, didn't you?

She murmured in a soft-inaudible voice. The only reason that stops Livian from hating her differently shaded pair of eyes is the fact that her father used to adore them the most in her.

Like always, the rushing thoughts of her father made her throat tighten with an agonizing pain. The only person who she can imagine would have understood her, is no longer alive. Nonetheless, she anyhow gulped down the lump forming in her throat inorder to flee the grief away. Delving through her bowl of cereals for a long time, she finally finished it.

"All done? Here, take these."

Upon seeing Livian's empty bowl, Anna handed her pills and medicines one after other. Livian nauseated after looking at the addition of medicines in her daily list of medications. As if they already weren't enough

Afterwards, she made her mind not to idle around and rather depart for the university. For her it will be a damn boring day if she chooses to stay at home and do nothing but ultimately will dwell here and there, wasting her entire day. On the top of that, running into her mom could be a highly unwanted thing. After what happened yesterday, she must not face her a while.

"Where are you going?"

As she was about to get off the bed to change, Anna abruptly spoke, gently pushing her back to her previous position.

"Will you prepare a change of clothes? I want to change before we—"

She didn't expected herself to be pushed back but she managed to speak as soon as she made herself stable.

"We aren't going anywhere. You can't even walk properly. It will be better for you to rest today."

Anna, who seemed unsatisfied with her words, rebutted.

"I don't wanna spend my whole day idling in this room. Please Anna..."

She pleaded after observing Anna's stern face. For her getting exhausted after the studies and other works is far better than relaxing all day and doing nothing

"And what if your condition gets worse?"

But rather, Anna on the other hand seemed to be determined as she again refute back in a reprimanding tone.

"It won't. I promise it will not."

She tried her best to wear an assuring look on her face as she implored. Upon seeing her entreating face, Anna finally surrendered.

"You are going to answer your mom if you get sick!"

Livian let out an exaggerated boxy smile and then ran across the room to get herself changed. Afterwards, Anna meticulously groomed and tufted her long locks into a ponytail. After that, Anna left the room, saying that she would wait for her downstairs but then Livian suddenly spoke.

"Did she leave for the office?

Somehow she deliberately wanted to avoid her mom as much as she could, so she finally managed to ask Anna about her. At first it seemed like Anna got confused but then she answered after figuring out.

"She hasn't yet. Why?"

Livian hesitated for a while thinking about what to say because it will not be appropriate to say that she wanted to avoid her her mother knowingly.

"Umm—"

However, when she was about to say something, the door knob twisted and the door opened, revealing her mother.

"Good morning angel!"

She chirped in zest as soon as she entered inside her room. For a fleeting moment, Livian felt like her heart was going to jump out when she saw her mom standing next to her.

"G-Good morning mom."

Even though she was feeling like she might will pass out any moment out of fear, she still managed to be as normal as she could and replied.

"How can you so careless about yourself?"

Nieth, whose zestful aura was long gone and now is replaced with a stern look on her face, reprimanded. Livian froze at the moment when she realised what her mother was talking about. How could she just come to know about such a small thing regardless of her busy schedule, Livian couldn't help but asked herself.

"I am s—"

Livian found herself squirming under her mom's gaze. Nonetheless, she lifted her head to apologise but Nieth cut her off in the middle.

"Anyway, I am leaving for office. C'mon, I will drop you."

As if the words were spoken just for a formality, she quickly changed the topic and moved on to the buisness she has to do with her and for which she came to her in the first place.

"Why all of a sudden?"

Upon hearing what her mom just said, she instantly interrogated back but then realised that she shouldn't have had done that and pursed her lips. So far according to what Livian could remember, it has been three years since her mom last visited her study campus or dropped her somewhere.

"Nothing much though. I just have something in my mind."

Livian's forehead wrinkled 'cause of her mother's assertion as she swallowed the urge to probe further. She immediately asked Anna to prepare her things as soon as her mom left the room. She didn't even get time to consider anything what her mom is upto. Even though she felt something that she couldn't put her finger on, nonetheless, it wasn't possible to buy some time to do useless things.

So, without any further due, she strode her way downstairs, trailed by Anna. Upon reaching the hallway, she saw her mom waiting for her while Simon stands few steps away from her in a corner. Upon seeing Livian coming downstairs, Nieth flashed her a smile and chirped in a high spirited tone.

"Oh! You're here already. You look beautiful, young lady."

On the other side, Livian tried her best to be as cheerful as she could even though she knew very well that her mom was only showing such affection because of the presence of the servants surrounding them and infact deep down she still holds grudges against her. And as she thought, her words were again like some formality as usual 'cause as soon as she finished her worda, she strode away, without bothering herself to listen to Livian's reply.

As she avowed before, she indeed had every intention to drop her. As always, the ride to the university was also full of silence. It's always the same. They never talk to each other 'til it's highly necessary. Livian always avoid her to the very extent and in case of Nieth, she avoids her because she doesn't have much time to pay attention to her.

The vehicle brought to halt when Simon, who was sitting in the front seat, hurriedly got out inorder to open the door for Livian. Taking her rob with her, Livian climbed off the car. But to her surprise, Simon also opened the door for Nieth, who also mirrored Livian's action.

"You..are coming with me?"

Unable to assess the situation, Livian carefully asked.

"Oh yes! Of course. I want to visit the new physics department that you're going to be attending from today onwards. Now hurry up!"

Livian's body didn't move & stiffened further as her face gradually became paler.

"What?!! ...."

Whatever Neith said, fairly ingressed in Livian's head and bombarded itself in the innermost part of it, making it difficult for her to process anything further.

"But why? Mom, I'm a literature student. Why would I be attending physics classes?!"

Livian, who was almost at the verge of collapsing, implored, even though she was holding loads of thoughts that she suffered hard to brush off. What's making her do something like this? Does she still holds the grudges from last night and now doing this to punish me?!

"Eh.. I forgot tell you. Well, yesterday I had a talk with the head of the department in case it's possible to change your ongoing subject and guess what? he acceded. Now you don't have to deal with those damned assignment topics of yours. Isn't that great."

Forgot to tell me?? Her body broke into cold sweat at the sight of her mom's creepy lifted edge, sending shivers down her spine. The thought of starting everything from the beginning 'again', made her anxious. With a thumping heart, her eyes welled up. And after failing miserably, she let the tears roll down her cheeks. Despite going through a lamenting process, she gathered her guts together and resented.

"But mom.. I'd to work so hard from the time I got back my —"

"Didn't I warn you to not bring up that topic? Now hurry up and stop bugging me with your annoying questions."

The sudden out burst of Neith made her zip off. She bit her lips inorder to suppress the overwhelming feeling raising in her chest. Neith alway has this quality in her speaking that can control the entire room only through her way she talks. Her tone tends to be so monotonous that the only person who will know she is overwhelmed is the one who's listening to her at that moment. The way she has that tight grip on controlling her range of tone even when she is furious, is what makes shivers run down their spines.

"Mom!"

Swallowing the seething gripe down her throat, she trailed behind her mother who had already trudged away immediately after finishing her words. She glanced at Anna and Simon's figures, who were meekly walking either side of her. The looks on their faces, riled her up even more. The indescribable helplessness was drinking her alive What have I ever done to receive such sympathetic looks from people? Why can I not be one of those, who can do whatever they' want and not what other want them to. Ugh..am I even allowed to anticipate such a way of living for my oneself?

Walking through the busy corridor, while being the centre of attraction and encompassed with people who were scrutinizing them meticulously, made Livian uncomfortable to an utmost level. Although it's not something new to her. A girl who goes everywhere with a nanny and a bodyguard or more, is already a distinct view for the audience. No doubt it's a whole other circle of hell but obviously inevitable.

After walking for a little more in the academy premises, a man, probably in his late 40s, appeared while wearing a high spirited smile on his face. It took her few moments to recognise him. Mr. Wood, the director of the campus, also a good friend of her late father was walking towads them in a little bit hurry.

"Oh! Mrs.Calvert, it's really good to have you here. How can I help you?"

The man showed an exaggerated bow while he greets her mother. Her mom seemed to be careless but still greeted back with a forced smile.

"Mr. Wood, Livian will be attending the physics classes instead of the literature. Please take care of her."

She,who was standing while her posture screams grace and elegance, explained. Whereas, Mr.Wood on the other side, meticulously listened to her. He might be the director of the university but he also can't resist to show his sincerity to the best businesswoman in the town.

"Ah! How come I not help the daughter of my old friend. You can absolutely rely on me, Mrs. Calvert"

A sudden weirdness clouded over both the Calverts, upon hearing about someone they were closely associated with. Livian thought about her mother, who barely recalls of her father inorder to avoid diving into her overwhelming emotion and also about herself, that what kind of effects he still has on her.

"I appreciate your consideration, Mr. Wood. I may take my leave now."

Brushing off every sort of muse from her mind, she avowed in hurry and just like a person searching for an escape, she slipped out of the situation and walked away. Meanwhile, Livian was left with the man, who was watching at her mother's retrieving figure from distance with a bewildered face. She could say what the man might be thinking about. The way her mom reacted after hearing about her father, was fairly unknown to any other person aside from her. She heard how her mother suffered after her father's death and had to work so hard to omit the agony and live for both of them.

She heaved a deep sigh and tried to gather her composure back but not to mention, miserably failed.

"Miss Calvert, come this way. I will take you to your new class."

Mr. Wood extended his hand as a gesture to show her the way. Livian forced a smile as she took her steps forward, trailed by Anna and Simon. Mr. woods tried to keep up with her pace while blabbering about something that Livian didn't even tried to pay attention to. Her mind was full of thoughts, which were revolving around—how her mother have control on her life to an extent that she can flip it upside down in just a snap.

"Our university got the best physics faculties. So you don't have to worry about joining in the middle of the semester."

A sudden raise in Mr. Woods voice, dragged her out of her musings. She tried to comprehend what he was talking about as she spoke.

"That will be nice. Thank you." She tried her best to not to look reluctant while speaking. She always tries to not to disrespect anyone's efforts and feelings just because she's in her own circle of hell.

"Here, just after taking the stairs, the entire floor is for the respective department."

They meekly climbed up the stairs and the entire floor he was talking about looked distinct than others. There were barely few students walking around and the floor was silent. Literally silent. She had never been elsewhere other than her own study related places and it was a whole new place for her to visit. Mr. Wood, who was leading her way, stopped infront a classroom. He slowly opened it, walking inside with a great elegant stature.

"Mr. Lewis, may I take a moment of the class?"

He kindly interrupted the class as he beckoned her to inside. She looked at Anna with languished eyes while an ambiguous feeling coursed through her body. But then a sudden voice of the professor, dragged her attention. Defeatedly, she trudged further.

"Of course, sir."

She walked inside, leaving Anna and Simon standing outside the classroom as always. She agitated when her heart careened against her ribs as a sudden wave of nervousness filled with insecurity ran down her body. Aloft that, as she stepped further inside the classroom, being the centre of attraction only made it worse than it was already.

"So class, we have a new tutee and she will be attending from today. Miss Livian, would you mind introducing yourself?"

She bit her inner cheek to stop herself from getting flustered when Mr. Wood introduced her in way as if she is in middle school. Her anxiousness grew stronger with every passing moment. She clasped her sweating hands together as she spoke.

"H-hello, myself Livian Calvert."

Her words were barely audible and almost indecipherable for anyone to comprehend. However, she didn't felt a need to repeat herself. No one did. It's totally not like even a single being over there doesn't know who she is and the people she is associated with.

"I will take my leave now. If you ever need any sort of help, then please, never hesitate to ask."

Again, she innately felt ashamed to be treated in that way by the head of the university. Nonetheless, she can't just lose her composure, letting everyone know how weak and fragile she is from inside. She relaxed her hunched shoulder and spoke.

"Thank you for your generous words, sir. I surely will."

She tried to be as normal as she could. Her mother would never like it, if she behaves clumsily before so many people. She'd always taught her to be strong. And even if she doesn't feel like it, she atleast can refrain from letting others know about it.

"Miss Calvert, you may take a seat."

"Yes...yes, professor."

Her head was jam packed with various thoughts, which were successfully making her anxious state even more anguishing. Even though having so much going on inside her, she still felt empty. Not a single thing was there that she could put her finger on. Not to mention, how her eyes welled up time to time while anticipating about the future happenings. She spent the time passing briefly while doing nothing but chasing the professor figure with her gaze wherever he moves.

"That's all for today. The class is dismissed."

The time passed briefly and after what it felt like an hour, the teacher finally dismissed the class. Everything that the professor had taught, all just bounced over her head. Despairingly she closed the notebook that she used for nothing but scribbling.

"Miss Calvert!"

She was about to get up and leave when the professor called her. She looked at him keenly and tried to figure out for what he summoned her in the first place.

"Yes, professor?"

Upon seeing him beckoning her, she meekly trudged her way to him to know the matter. Standing next to her, he flashed her a gentle smile as he spoke.

"You must be needing the previous notes. Do you want me to ask any student to help you with your notes."

She was taken aback at the generosity of Mr. Lewis and didn't know what to say further. She never needed any sort of help from professor, as she always gets the best tutors and mentors for her studies and they often give her the study materials. But still, she couldn't bring herself to reject his kind words. For her, it's the first time that a teacher is asking if she needs help for something.

"Er..I "

Upon not getting a proper statement from her, he thought that she was hesitant to take any help. He teared her gaze from her and looked around as if searching for someone. After a fleeting moment as he found the person, he released a sigh before speaking.

"Here, Mr. Brown! Would mind if I take a moment?"

He called across someone. Livian, who felt embarassed and ashamed out of all, couldn't dare to look back at the person. She wiped her sweating hands on her pants as she stood there without uttering a single word. Her mom strictly restricted her from forming friendship and has told to mind her business as much as she could. And on the top of that as if her entire surrounding knows that as she never have had anyone approaching her not even for atleast a small talk, they refrain talking to her as well.

"Not at all, profesor. What is it you want me for?"

The voice instantly sent chills down her spine. The person's rich, jovial, and slightly hoarse but equally smooth voice rang like an instrument in her head. After a few seconds, someone came and stood next to the professor. Meanwhile, when the person and Mr. Lewis were having the conversation, Livian kept her eyes on the floor, too shy to lift it up to meet a stranger's eyes.

"Yes. Would mind if I ask for a lil' favour..? As you can see, she is a freshman, so it will easier for her if you offer your help. You know.. with her notes and all."

As Mr. Lewis finished his words, Livian lifted her head to find a brawny guy towering beside her while looking at the professor with a frowning face. His stature was too perfect for her to describe. She unknowingly scrutinized him, noticing how divinely impeccable he was from head to toe. Livian just wondered how his light brown locks weirdly complemented his hazel-green eyes and slightly tanned skin. She obliviously stared at him to the extent that she had to gulp down to swallow the urge to look at him further and reluctantly fixed her eyes on Mr. Lewis.

"Sure. But unfortunately I have a class to attend, professor. Will it be okay if I do it afterwards?"

After attentively listening to what Mr. Lewis said, he nodded and stated his piece. Livian just listened to him talking to the professor, wearing a solemn face. His way of speaking was honey coated, totally opposite to his facial expression, which held a very stern look and barely paid attention to her existence over there.

"Take your time. Just don't forget it later!"

Mr. Lewis gave him a pat on his shoulder as he smiled. Looking at them having the conversation, Livian could say that they were quite close. 'Cause the way they exchanged their smiles was so gentle. Just unlike when his eyes fell on her, giving her the most chilling gaze just to get back on Mr. Lewis figure a moment later. She gaze fell out of embarrassment. The way he looked at her only indicates that he reluctantly was doing what he was asked to and didn't have a drop of interest in helping a person like her.

"You can count on me, sir."

He again avowed in an enthusiastic tone and strode out of the classroom. Livian, who was in her trance didn't dare to look up, avoiding the audience's eyes.

"He is the best student I've, trust me! He surely will help you in whatever way you want him to."

Upon seeing her agitation sheathed face, Mr. Lewis assured. That being said, Livian had already avowed in her head that he's good person to be associated with. No teacher had ever spoken to her like the way he did. Even she had always noticed how they pretend to be so good infront her and then call her a spoiled child behind her back.

"Thank you for your benevolence. It will really be helpful."

She tried to pass an unforced smile even in the perturbing process going in her head.

"Don't mention. I may take my leave."

She couldn't bring herself to say anything but bobbed her head as she retired back to her seat to collect her things. Afterwards, under everyones eyes on her, gawking her like she is a different creature from an anonymous world, she slipped out of the classroom. Without paying attention to Anna and Simon, who were still there waiting for her, she nonchalantly made her way out to her regular leisure place.

She walked through the courtyard while the fallen leaves crisped underneath her feet as the biting autumn wind chiled her to the bones. She wrapped her hands tightly around herself as she sat on the bench near the enormous fountain, looking at how the spurting water shines distinctly under the morning sunlight. Sitting there for a moment without bothering about anything else, she suddenly felt something wet, dropped on the back of her palm. Upon knowing what it was, she tightly closed her eyes inorder to wring out the remaining tears in it. Nevertheless, as if there was no end to it, tears kept rolling down her blank emotionless face. It would be better to know the reason why I am crying like this. Doesn't she knows what's best for me? Then why am I trying slip away from this fate? Why does it feels wrong to be imposed for something that is 'good' for me?

"Why?" Without knowing, she spoke it out loud. That's when she felt a hand on her shoulder, reminding her that she was audible."Why she did that? This time I really am sure I am gonna fail! I can do nothing about it." She looked at Anna, who was sheathed with a cover that shows nothing but commiseration.

"Don't lose hope, child. Last time you did it, didn't you? Then how can you say you can't this time, huh? I am sure you will. And on the top of that, just look at the positive side! You are going to learn a lot of new things and—"

"Anna.. it's difficult. I really don't want to do all that again!!"

As if whateve Anna said, were just mere words and have nothing to do with reality, she interrupted her in the middle. She clasped her with both of her hands as tears kept falling relentlessly.

"Aw.. don't cry like that. You will make it again I promise. I am with you and I will do every possible thing I can."

Her brows creased when Anna words made their way to her head. It isn't like she doesn't like it but instead, she found it innately uncanny.

" She is my mom.. but she never said this then why you?"

Anna, who was fairly bewildered with Livian's question, couldn't bring herself to answer her. No matter how badly she wanted to console her broken soul, she didn't. For her, coming up with suitable words for the situation was nearly impossible. Upon ending up with Anna's silence, hee edges lifted to a wistful smile. She mentally scoffed at her helpless situation.

Sitting there, time passed briefly. The thickness of air gradually increased by the passing time. Just upto an extent, when it was barely possible to breathe, Simon, who was standing there wordlessly, broke the silence.

"M-Miss.. it's time for the next class. D'you want yo attend it or shall we—"

"I will."

Livian shuddered at her own sternness when she cut off Simon's words. But she couldn't care less. Even in that dire situation, she couldn't afford to miss classes and that's what came to her mind in the first place. She roughly rubed her tear stained face, stood up and strode away. Meanwhile Anna and Simon ran after her. Oh..how badly she wanted to tell them to get away from her but was too tired to demand for something they aren't going to do ultimately.

She walked through the busy corridor of the ground floor, trying her best to ignore the perusing gazes of people. Taking the stairs, she tried to be as agile as possible, trying to make a satisfying distance with her nanny and bodyguard. She upsetly and obliviously stode further and further in a speedy pace until she ran into someone. They collided hard enough to make both of them stumble back in opposite directions.

"Arghh!" The person she bumped into growled as he fell back. "Woahh.." She closed her eyes tightly, waiting for her body fall and hit the hard ground. But to her surprise, that never happened. Instead, she felt a pair of arms holding her tight enough until she gained her stability. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Simon, who was still holding her arm as if she still hasn't got her composure back.

"F*ck!! Can't you see..."

In between all the bustling, only thing that she heard was the man, who was cursing irritatingly. His familiar voice and face made her jolt back.The guy, whom Mr, Lewis introduced her back in class was now lying on the ground because of her.

"Miss? Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am. Please, help him!"

She gesture at the guy, who was getting up with a fierce expression on his face. As an order, Simon couldn't reject her and tried to help him, but he spoke suddenly with a calmed voice, totally opposite to what kind of expression he wore on his face.

"Get off! I don't need help from a prodigal child like you. Huhh!! I am so done with all of you rich a*ses!"

Livian's shoulders trembled at his choice of words. Though it was kind of a tag she carries wherever she goes, but hearing it from him made her lower her gaze. No matter what she says to refute, it will all be useless. It's just something that has been smeared all over her body as a matter of fact, even though not a drop of it was true.

"HEY! Mind you words when you are infront of Miss. Calvert. Your insolence is unforgivable. D'you want me to—"

"Simon, let it be. It's not like it's his fault."

She again intervened Simon in the middle. Looking at his nothing but anger filled eyes with her trembling ones, she couldn't bring herself to believe that he meant any of it. He was the first one ever, who spat all those words on her face. If he meant what he said then why I can see through him clearly. He's too obvious to read then why is it only me? It's clearly like as if he said it all reluctantly. She ultimately heaved a deep sigh in order to wash up the quirky feeling coursing through her body.

"Sorry for causing you trouble. See you around."

Even though countless words were wandering in her head but rather she failed to come up with anything but only passed him a smile. A smile, that weirdly and surprisingly came out willingly.