I glanced at the ticking clock, completely distracted by the pretty, organized, and perfect rythm of the sound. It has been twenty minutes and thirty—no, thirty-three seconds since I started working on this essay that doesn't seem to concern my whole being. I soon came to a realization that I finished writing faster than usual. I glanced back at the paper filled with ink curved into beautiful cursive letters.

I felt my table shake a little. I looked at him who is now sitting on the near edge of the table and I noticed how professional and handsome he looked in those glasses which seem to block my view of his emerald eyes. He hasn't dried his golden sunshine hair, clinging on to his forehead like wet desperate vines that want to touch his impossibly flawless skin.

"Where is that good looking tutor I just had yesterday?" He was a bit annoyed by my question. He blinked for three times and mustered a smile as if he just read something hilarious while he slightly shook his head.

"I had to fire him after yesterday's session," he answered as if he just didn't take away another man's job. "After all, I can teach elective better than him. I don't like how he seems to be distracted and I observed that he wasn't able to fully explain every lesson from the bigger picture to the molecular details. I don't want to waste digits on someone who doesn't perform his job well."

I just crossed my arms and leaned against my chair. It was his idea and he's now complaining about it. Anyway, it is a good time to take a break. At first, I thought that focusing on my studies would distract me from the monochrome life I have been living. Now that I am used to it, it already feels like forever

"The truth is, I am supposed to leave two days from now to assess some conflict in Europe," he said which still doesn't justify why he fired that tutor. "Father—the Lord Nefarious wishes to provide you your needs once you're outside Ede Montilla. You will be monitored by him."

He flashed me a smile with particular emotions I cannot distinguish or maybe I do not choose to believe in. There never came the day that I believed the golden boy felt that way.

"Smile, Serendith." I smiled but there was no emotion to it, it's just because he said it with my name. "You'll be free, forever."

Forever– that word sounds so melodious like a sad love song when it slipped from his lips. Forever, huh?

I averted my gaze away from him and the moment that I felt him no longer looking at me, I dropped the smile. How come what I just heard doesn't seem to make me happy? I've been longing to go outside for a long time now, but the moment that I've been given an opportunity, I'd only react as little to it as this. Clearly, there's something wrong with me and it must be from staying with him in here for a long time now. It's high time I leave and try living in the world outside to see for myself if I'm really missing on anything or not much at all.