Chapter 149 A visit to Ares office

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Ezekiel stepped into the grandiose duplex that served as the teachers' private offices. It was no ordinary office building; its elegance and intricate architecture made it feel more like a lavish mansion. To Zeke, who had always admired Paradise's grandeur, this wasn't entirely surprising. The prestigious institution had a way of exceeding expectations. Yet, his heart raced not because of the building but because of who he was visiting—Ares, his dream man.

Zeke was not someone who easily expressed his emotions. For years, he had wrestled with his identity, hiding his sexuality from everyone, including himself. Admitting he was gay was a significant step, but it also came with a heavy burden. His parents were conservative, and if they ever discovered his truth, he knew he'd lose everything—their love, their support, and perhaps even his home. The thought often left him feeling suffocated, forced to play the role of the perfect straight son.

He wouldn't let anyone drag him down, though. Not the whispers of his classmates, who suspected his secret, nor the society that seemed to demand conformity. But there was one person he felt safe with—Ares, the crystalline beauty who had captured his heart. And now, standing at the door marked "Biology Teacher," he took a deep breath and knocked.

The door creaked open on its own. Zeke hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, and the sight before him took his breath away. Ares stood at a desk, shirtless, his lean, chiseled body illuminated by the soft glow of the room. He was marking papers, his serene expression almost otherworldly.

"Welcome, Ezekiel. Or should I call you Mr. Sawyer?" Ares's voice broke the silence, warm and inviting. It lacked the usual formal tone teachers used, and instead, it felt like he was addressing an old friend.

"Ezekiel is fine. Or Zeke—whatever pleases you," Zeke stammered, suddenly aware of how nervous he was.

Ares smiled and gestured toward a pile of papers. "I could use your help organizing these exam sheets. I need to submit them to the principal, and there's just too much for me to handle alone."

Zeke nodded, though he couldn't help feeling a pang of disappointment. He had hoped for something more meaningful, more personal. Still, he moved to the desk and began sorting the papers. Yet, as he worked, his eyes kept wandering back to Ares's perfectly sculpted abs.

The way Ares's muscles shifted with every movement was hypnotic. His V-line disappeared tantalizingly into the waistband of his pants, and the faint scent of lemon clung to him, making Zeke's heart pound.

"So, Zeke," Ares said, his voice dropping to a near whisper as he leaned closer, "is there anything else you want besides helping me with these papers?"

Zeke froze, the question igniting a spark of hope—and something else—inside him. Slowly, he turned to face Ares, their proximity almost too much to bear.

"Yes," Zeke admitted, his voice trembling. "I want to touch you. Can I… feel your body?"

Ares's eyes softened, a flicker of crimson light briefly flashing in their depths. Zeke wasn't sure if it was real or just a trick of the light, but it only made Ares seem more enchanting.

"What are you waiting for?" Ares murmured, his voice like silk. "Explore, Zeke. Or aren't you hungry for it?"

The way Ares said his name sent a shiver down Zeke's spine. This moment, this temptation—it was everything he had ever fantasized about, and yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was stepping into dangerous, uncharted territory.

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Slyvia paced nervously around the female restroom, where she had called for an emergency meeting with Rose and Emily. The tension in her posture was palpable, her arms folded tightly across her chest as she waited.

When Rose and Emily finally arrived, Slyvia locked the door behind them and turned to face Rose, her expression a mix of anger and disbelief.

"Are you out of your mind, Rose? What am I hearing about Nina?" she demanded.

Rose's lips curved into a dark, unsettling smile. Emily, standing beside her, flinched at the sudden shift in Rose's demeanor.

"Nina got what she deserved," Rose said casually, as though she were discussing the weather. "She set up an electric shock trap for me, but I figured it out and pushed her into it instead. Simple. She nearly died, but I guess her ancestors decided to spare her life."

Slyvia's eyes widened in shock. "An electric trap? I had no idea… Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?"

Rose turned to show her unscathed arms, her confidence radiating like an unyielding force. Emily, however, couldn't hide her fear. The events at Paradise were beginning to mirror the chaos and scandals that had once plagued Ivory High.

"Rose, please be careful," Emily begged. "Stay away from Ava. I'm sure she's the one behind this. And about the party tonight… Tell me we're not going."

Rose scoffed, her defiance as fiery as ever. "Of course we're going. To hell with Ava. I'm not going to let her ruin my night."

Slyvia hesitated before placing a reassuring hand on Emily's shoulder. "It's just one night, Em. Let's go. We can enjoy ourselves, just this once."

Emily shook her head, her voice filled with sorrow. "I can't. I don't have a date. Harlan rejected me… for Slyvia."

The room fell silent. Rose and Slyvia exchanged looks, both understanding the pain behind Emily's words.

Rose moved to hug Emily, her voice soft yet firm. "Don't let Harlan's stupidity get to you. He doesn't deserve you. We'll find someone else to escort you to the party."

Slyvia, on the other hand, looked uncomfortable, guilt flickering in her eyes. She hadn't asked for Harlan's attention, but she couldn't deny the damage it had caused.

"Speaking of dates," Rose said, breaking the silence, "I'm trying to decide between Simon and Jeremy."

"Simon?" Emily echoed, her curiosity piqued.

"Simon Denovan? How is that possible?" Slyvia asked, equally surprised.

"Oh, didn't I tell you? Simon asked me out," Rose said with a smirk. "I'm just waiting for the right moment to make him completely mine."

Slyvia's jaw dropped. "What the hell, Rose?"

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Meanwhile, in the classroom, Nadine sat alone, her head buried in her chemistry textbook. She had just finished her assignment on the human skeleton and digestive system when Jeremy approached her, his expression unusually solemn.

"Hi, Nadine. Do you have a second?" he asked, holding a bouquet of roses.

Nadine looked up, surprised to see Jeremy kneeling before her.

"Nadine Anderson, will you be my partner for the ball?"

The classroom erupted into cheers, students pulling out their phones to record the moment. Nadine was too shocked to respond immediately, but before she could say anything, Rose entered the room.

"Jeremy, I've decided to be your plus one…" Rose's voice trailed off as she took in the scene before her. Jeremy was holding the bouquet out to Nadine, and then, to everyone's astonishment, he closed the distance and kissed her.

The cheers turned into an uproar, and Rose's face twisted with rage as she stormed out of the classroom, the sound of her heels echoing down the hall.