"One week huh?"

I muttered softly as I lay down the bed not knowing what to do. I was getting married in a week to a guy I didn't even know the name of.

"Come to think about it........ My mom married soon after she had her 18th birthday...I'm 24 already.......I guess I'll thank the heavens for the short freedom."

I wanted to get my mind off of the wedding even if it's only temporary so I was thinking of watching utube videos when suddenly......

*phone rings*

"Kyah! That scared me, Who the f is it-"

I paused as I suddenly saw the name of the person who called. It was Zenki, my friend? I honestly don't know if I can call him that.

*sighs* "I guess he found out huh?"

I answered the phone.

".........."

"What is it? Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Are you asking since you really don't know?"

Xenia: "Know what?"

"That you're getting married in a week!!?"

"Oh about that-"

"The fact that I didn't hear it from you directly and only recently found out about it because I heard people gossiping about you is........ Xenia, Do you not trust me anymore?"

"It's not like that, I only found out about my marriage two days ago......To think that the news spread this fast...I was eventually going to tell you about it..... It's just you've been busy recently, I just couldn't find the right place and time."

*sighs * "So what are you going to do now? Are you really planning to marry that man?"

"I have to. You know my dad....... I'm 24 years old already. This was bound to come one day."

"I'm asking you this again, not your dad. Do you really want to marry that man?"

"......"

"It's alright........I heard that he's not too bad looking and is good at work. I'm fine with living with a man like that for the rest of my life. Besides, mom and dad's relationship despite being married at 18, ended okay though? I'm sure it'll be fine."

"That's just your wishful thinking, Not all arranged marriages end up like that. They were just lucky "

"Sure they were.....but, I've already made my decision. I have to marry him. I don't have a choice anyway, If I run away from home, they'll just hunt me for the rest of my life. I'd prefer getting married to that guy than having to constantly run away to avoid being caught."

*sighs*" I understand where you're coming from but still you need to think this through."

"Can't I just get a divorce some time after we marry?"

"You do know that divorce isn't legal in our country right?

"R-right"

"I'm running out of time, I'll talk to you later."

Finally!

*Xenia sighs out of relief*

" I heard that sigh of relief and no, this talk isn't over yet"

*Xenia flinches*

Dang it. And I thought he was over it. Zenki takes way too long to get over things..........just like that time.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you this........I heard that the old H high building is getting demolished and they'll build a new one "

"What!?" It's getting demolished!!???"

"I know. I was just as shocked as you when I heard the news"

"When will it get demolished!??"

"In a week, coincidentally the same day and time as your marriage"

"Hey Zenki......."

"I know what you are going to say. Let's visit it one last time tomorrow and of course continue our talk. Meet me there at 7 am."

"Okay sure, see you then"

"Yeah "

*sigh* "Sure enough, he found out."

"I'm still here you know, you forgot to end the-"

*Ends call*

*mumbles* I guess I have to sneak out tomorrow.

*Alarm clock rings*

*Xenia tries to turn it off to sleep more*

"Oh wait, I forgot I'm meeting with Zenki today. Ugh, it's gonna be such a pain avoiding the guards and all. Having 15 guards is too much. I wonder if I can pull this through. I know dad wants this marriage to go well and all but......."

Suddenly I recall the words Zenki just said

"I'm asking you again, not your dad. Do you really want to marry that man?"

To be honest, I'm still unsure whether or not I'm ready for all the responsibilities and commitments.

"Zenki........I do not want to marry him."

I guess I ended up unsure of my own decision. I know I'm just trying to convince myself. But deep down, I know I don't want this marriage more than anyone else. And I guess in the end......I don't have a choice"

"Let's stop thinking about depressing thoughts and just get ready, Zenki will kill me if I waste his precious time."

*Xenia gets ready and comes out of her room*

A maid appeared and greeted me like always. But this maid....... I haven't seen a maid with red hair and green eyes before. She must be new"

"Young miss, the master and mistress ordered me to tell you that are waiting for you in the dining hall.They asked if- "

I guess I've been avoiding them for too long.

"Tell them, I'll be there in a sec"

"Understood, young miss"

I head over to the dining hall where mom and dad were waiting when I was confronted by an unexpected guest.

"Good morning Sweetie"

I was greeted by my mom's warm smile. Suddenly, all the thoughts from before seemed trivial.

"Good morning mom....."

"That guy is?"

"Xenia, this is Oliver, your fiance and soon to be husband"

This is him? He's decent looking. Still, he seems like a nice man. I don't deserve him....... He had normal black hair and eyes and was wearing a suit. I knew from his expression since I was familiar with that kind of expression.

Ah, This guy is interested in me.

"H-hello Xenia" he said awkwardly

This is gonna be a long morning.........

Well...... this is awkward.......I know that expression best. This person is definitely interested in me.

Xenia was a beautiful person with a powerful background. She had long curly black hair and blue eyes. Boys would line up just to meet her back on her highschool days. Regarding love, she was experienced at it.

"Oliver, this is our daughter, Xenia." mother said with a delightful expression on her face. She seems excited about us meeting for the first time ever.

" I extend my greetings to Sir Oliver" I said as I lightly bowed.

So his name is Oliver huh? Besides that, why is Father being quiet this entire time. I mean he's usually quiet but not to this extent.....

"Xenia......"

Ah, speak of the devil. He finally spoke.

"We've talked it over with Sir Oliver's parents and have come to a decision"

I wonder what that decision is.

"We've decided to push the marriage in 3 days."

What!? Is he crazy So this is why he called me over. It was because of this after all. One week was short itself, but 3 days!? I'm getting married in three days!?

"But dad-"

"We've already decided and we're not changing our decision. This is for the betterment of the company and it's future"

Company my a** . That was all you thought about all these years. Company that, company this. You never even spared a second for your own daughter.

"I guess in the end you never change"

I just couldn't take it anymore so I stood up from the table, grabbed my white bag then left for the door. I stole a short glance just before I left and saw mother's face full of concern, Dad looking down his expression never changed from his usual stoic expression and that guy called Oliver looking disappointed. I ran as fast as I can.

"Guard-"

Xenia's father was then interrupted before he could finish what he was going to say.

"Honey......We should give her some space. She must've been taken back by the sudden decision to push the marriage. Xenia's 24 years old now. She's all grown up, she knows how to take care of herself." Xenia's mother says as she sits closer to Xenia's dad and lightly pats his back.

"Still..."

"I know you're worried but please trust her just this time."

*Xenia's father sighs* "Fine......"

"Taxi!"

"Hello ma'am, where are you heading to?"

"Please take me to H high school"

*Xenia checks the time*

Oh no, we promised to meet at 7 am, but it's already 7:30. Oh how Zenki will be mad.

On the way I saw the usual scenery. I remember the familiar scene as I would see it everytime I go to school. It felt........ nostalgic.

"We're here ma'am"

"Thank you" Xenia says as she hands over the money.

Zenki was there standing in front of the gate. Unlike his usual getup, he was surprisingly dressed well. He was wearing as black suit which complimented his eyes and with his hair obviously done. He probably has to go on a meeting after this.

Zenki waved at me signaling me to come over. But what's this? Why are the gates still closed?

"Zenki......"

He probably noticed my confusion as he quickly answered.

"Oh, about that, The school was gonna open it's gates at 7:45 am"

"Then why did you tell me to meet you at 7:00 am??"

"Xenia........you always arrive on an average of 30 minutes after the promised time...Can you recall at least one time where you weren't late?"

*Xenia tries to recall*

"Hmmm, I wasn't late on that party to welcome freshman."

" I intentionally told you the time an hour earlier. Just admit it "

*Xenia pouts*

"F-fine, I don't have a great sense of time but you shouldn't attack me like this"

"Yeah yeah, Oh would you look at that, a guard just opened the gates."

"Y-yeah"

The both of them go in.

Before them stood an old gray painted building. It had lots of cracks but it seemed it withstood the damage even after all those years.

"It really hasn't changed" Xenia muttered softly as she lays her gaze on the old building.

*The both of them go in*

"Even the interior still looks the same" Zenki said as he smiles.

"Yeah........"

They both continued to walk on the hallways.

"Oh right, Xenia, what class were we again?"Zenki asked.

"It's......2-A"

"Oh, would you look at that"

Zenki says as he stopped walking through the hallways. The class 2-A room was standing in front of him. They arrived at their old classroom. Where it all began.

*They both go in the room*

"This desk......It looks like the other ones but I can tell it's mine" Xenia says as she smiles lightly.

She checked if it was really her desk and looked for the moon sticker that was located under it.

"There's a scribble.....?"

There was a scribble under Xenia's desk. The scribble read "I'm a spoiled girl". Xenia was a clean person but to differentiate her desks from other desks, she put a moon sticker under it.

"This penmanship......" Xenia quietly muttered

At this point, Xenia knew who it was. That familiar penmanship.

"Zenki..........!" Xenia then quickly glanced over Zenki who was busy looking at the trophy cabinet. She looked like she was ready to murder him with eyes her filled with killing intent.

"You called me? What is it?" Zenki was clueless and didn't know what was going on.

"You.......You scribbled on my desk"

"Pfft" Zenki let out a small laugh.

"What's so funny?" Xenia was serious.

"I remember now, there was that one time"

"You only remember now?"

"It was eight years ago........Look, Xenia"

Zenki said as he pointed to one of the trophies displayed.

"What is it?"

*Xenia glanced to where Zenki was pointing at*

"It's a trophy...for a drawing contest.........?"

*1st place Drawing Contest*

"Zenki Han"

What's up with this guy? Is he showing off?

"Don't tell me you forgot. It was when we first met each other" Zenki said with a smile

8 years ago

Class 2-A was met with an unexpected surprise.

"Class, a new student will be joining as today."

"What? It's already this late into the school year.

A new student?"one student said with a doubtful look on their face.

"She must me rich if she could enter a school like ours so easily like this" another student muttered.

There were a lot of speculations that came after. They were already making assumptions about a classmate they have never even met or talked to.

"Ehem" the teacher let out a small cough to catch the attention of the students.

"This is Xenia lee, She'll be joining class starting today. Xenia, why don't you introduce yourself."

"........"

"Xenia lee"

The whole class was shocked. Not because after saying just her name she immediately sat on an empty chair, but because the girl was admittedly beautiful. The blue uniform complemented her blue eyes so much that it felt like it was specially made just for her. Just one glance at her and you could tell she comes from a rich family. She just had that aura, she had that calm expression and composure. Elegant and noble that was what the people would immediately think after seeing her.

The class went by normally except when it was lunch time.......

Students started to flock over the new student, Xenia lee.

"Omg, you're so pretty, you're like a model!"

"Hello, beautiful, would you like to go on a date with me??" The students were coming in one after another when suddenly........

"I'm not interested"

After saying that one sentence, Xenia stood up from her sit and went out the classroom. Once again, the students were left shocked and dumb-founded.

As for Xenia, she went to an empty club room. Where she was preparing for a contest.

"Those people....." Xenia quietly muttered while clenching her pencil.

Before she could finish her sentence, the doors of the clubroom suddenly opened and a male student suddenly came in.

"Oh, you must be the new member. You are...? Oh, Xenia lee, right?"

Xenia tried to ignore him and continued to go back to drawing. She really needed to win this drawing contest.

As if not minding her rudeness, the student went ahead and took a look at her drawing.

"This......." he muttered.

"This is such a bad drawing........."

Xenia wasn't bothered at all by the sudden interests of her classmates but this one sentence caught her attention. No one ever said her drawings were bad or at least no one ever dared to say that.

"What?" Xenia stopped drawing and glared at the student.

"No one ever told you your drawings were bad before, right?" The stranger said with a small smile on his face.

"......"

Xenia continued to stay silent but decided to say something.

"Yes, that's right. No one ever said my drawings were bad, which means they're just that good"

"Hahahahahah"

The male student let out a laugh.

"Just by looking at you, it's obvious you grew up in a rich household" The male student said while wiping off the tears on his face from laughing.

"And? What does that have to do with me being bad at drawing?" Xenia asked with a serious look on her face.

"It means that everyone tries to please you"

".......What do you mean?"

"I'm saying people never told you the truth cause they didn't want to break your little fragile heart or offend you in any way"

"........"

"Oh, don't tell me you really thought you were good at drawing?"

"You're one to talk, I bet you're not even that good."

"Want to have a competition then?" The male student said with a smug look on his face.

After thinking about it for like 2 seconds......

"Sure" Xenia immediately replied. It was obvious the provocation got to her although she doesn't show it.

"Then........ tomorrow, the school will have a competition at 8 am. Let's compete for first place." The male student said while touching his chin.

"Okay then......"

The both of them go back to the classroom together and it seems that some rumors have spread although they didn't notice it themselves.

Xenia continued to walk to her seat when......

"Hey" one student said. Her face was very full of makeup. She had red hair and black eyes. She had braids on. Xenia just sat on her seat and ignored her. Xenia was studying for an upcoming exam.

"Hey you! Are you deaf!?" The girl with red hair looked very pissed and looked very ready to come at her anytime.

Finally, Xenia looked her straight in the face and said "I'm studying"

After saying that, Xenia continued reading her textbooks.

Then one of the three girls who were with her suddenly stepped in and pulled Xenia's hair. She was short and petite and looked like an average school girl you'd see walking home after school with her friends .

"No one......and I say no one gets to date our Zenki" The girl said with killing intent.

Still, Xenia continued to show no emotion and it looked like none of this fazed her at all.

"I don't know who that is but okay"

"Does this girl think we're some kind of joke!?"

She said to the rest of the girls who were with her.

Just when it was getting intense as she was getting ready to hit Xenia, a boy came in. All the gaze of the the red hair girl and the rest of the 3 girls who were with her were focused on him.

"Zenki......" The petite girl's face was filled with horror.

"W-we didn't take part in this in any way at all"

One of the three girls who was with the red haired girl said.

The three of them started saying excuses except for Layla and were trying their best on making their way out of it, one of them being the petite girl who tried to hit Xenia.

"T-That's right, It was all Layla's fault" one of them added. They were basically pushing the blame to Layla, the red haired girl.

"You cowards!" Layla said angrily.

At that moment, Zenki's expression was cold.....

"Forget it" He said with the same cold expression.

After saying that, he went out of the classroom.