Chapter 1 - To old towns and new beginnings

-Present day-

Elira finished packing and gave the butler the last of her luggage so that he could haul it into the back of the car. Just as she walked out of the mansion, her 7-year-old brother Colton came out running behind her.

"Ellie!", he screamed and hugged her legs.

"What is it, moppet?", she smiled and asked.

"Let's stay. Please.", He said and looked at her with pouty lips and puppy eyes.

"You know that it doesn't work on me. You should really up your game, Collie bear. Now, get in.", she pointed to the car. "We have to drive to the airport and we have a long flight so I don't wanna be late."

Colton got into the car and waved goodbye to all the work staff as Elle drove off in the direction of the airport. They reached soon and were escorted by their chaperone i.e their father's assistant Jonah to their jet. Colton being Colton, settled in, and by the time the jet took off he had drifted off to the world of dreams.

The long ride gave Elle time to think about the decision to return to London. Going back was not easy for her and she sighed as she recalled all that has happened in the past few years.

The week before Elle's big breakup with Darren had been eventful for the Jacobs family. Elle's father, Fredrick Jacobs had made a huge breakthrough in business and which had profited in millions. Another deal had come soon after and business soared to heights that had been considered beyond reach. Overnight, they had gone from an average middle-class family to one of the richest in the neighborhood. Elle's father had soon gone to Australia on a business trip which had been very successful. However, when he had returned a few days later he found his daughter a broken mess.

To help his little girl he had decided that it would be best to move to Australia. He would be nearer to work and Elle would be far away from Darren. He had done everything in his power to make Elle the cool and confident girl she was now.

And now we're moving back. Hopefully, no one from Farington high will be in Graystone.

Praying for the best, Elle decided to get some sleep before landing in London with jet lag.

***

Graystone University was unique, much more than the usual ones at least. It was a private university with students who were part of rich and powerful families. There was however another program that allowed many highly intelligent students from the regular class to attend Graystone through a special scholarship.

All heads turned on Monday morning to watch the 2017 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTS, that too a limited edition in black and yellow drive through the university gates. The boys were drooling and whispering jealously while the girls were watching to see who was going to get out of the car - guy or girl. The boys' eyes almost popped out of their sockets, however, when they saw long encased in knee-high boots come out of the car.

Elle got out of her car and looked around to see all eyes trained on her. Why did dad insist I take my Aston Martin to uni today? She thought as she searched for the sign showing the way to the office. She finally spotted it and walked through the door, into the hall, and straight to the office. She saw a blonde sitting on the chair and walked up to the desk.

"Um...Excuse me?", She asked.

"Yes?", the woman asked looking up." You are another new student? I am Amy Warren."

"Yes. I was told to come here to collect some stuff."

"Full name?", Ms. Warren asked peering into the laptop through her glasses.

"Elira Rosella Forte-Jacobs. 'Forte' with an 'e' and Forte and Jacobs is a combined surname. "

"Forte-Jacobs? Are you the daughter of Genevieve Forte and Fredrick Jacobs?", She asked surprised.

"Yes.", Elle replied.

"Uh...Here you go then, this is your class schedule, the map of the campus, and the medical slip which you have full and give back to me as soon as possible."

"Thank you.", Elle told her and walked out of the office.

She walked to her car and after memorizing the map, drove to her house on campus.

50, 51, 52.... Elle counted as she drove down the campus house grounds. Ah! There it is. House 53. She smiled as she finally found the board to the private road to her house. She parked the car in front of the closed door of the garage and got out. Grabbing her small night bag she closed the door of the car. She fished the house keys that her father had given her out of her purse as she walked to the door. Just as she was about to insert the key into the lock, the door opened.

Elle was taken by surprise as she saw the dripping wet and searing hot man in front of her. Her gaze wandered over the bronzed abs and rippling muscles of the towel-clad Greek god in front of her. She finally reached his eyes and almost drowned in the sea-green eyes as clear as the water of a lagoon.

Then he spoke.

"Who the hell are you? What the fuck are you doing on my doorstep? And who in this godforsaken university permitted you to park your car in my driveway?"