Chapter 8

It's my first day at Ashford University, so I really need to wake up early. I hope I can quickly adjust to whatever situation I'll be facing. The family I'm staying with is rich, so I'm sure I'll be surrounded by rich people as well. All sorts of thoughts are running through my mind.

She had also carefully prepared herself to wake up early for her first day of school.

"Grandma, wouldn't it be embarrassing if I'm the only one in the car on my way to and from school? People might think I'm taking advantage of you," she said. She was still thinking about how her every action would be perceived, knowing that she might just end up being humiliated. Sooner or later, people would find out she was just a poor girl.

"Oh, Hija, why would you be embarrassed?" Doña Estrella asked.

"You can ride with me," Claude suddenly blurted out as he appeared in front of them, straddling his motorcycle.

Is he serious? He's actually offering me a ride? If I take the car, I'll surely attract attention, only to end up humiliated once people find out the truth about me. But if I ride with Claude, they might mistake me for his girlfriend, and the same thing will happen—they'll find out I'm living in the mansion with the two brothers. Besides, I already know that Amaury doesn't like the idea of me attending the same school as them. Ugh, it's so hard being poor. Where do I even fit in?

"I'll just walk. I think the school is nearby," she said.

"But, Hija—" Doña Estrella started to say, but Claude cut her off.

"Are you crazy? The school is far from here. If you walk, you'll be gasping for air by the time you get there," Claude scoffed, even laughing as if mocking her. She took a deep breath.

"I don't think so. I'm used to walking long distances."

"But, Hija, what if something happens to you on the way? There are a lot of kidnappings nowadays, and you're a young woman," Doña Estrella said worriedly.

"That won't happen. I'm tough—no one would dare kidnap me," she reassured her.

"Fine, it's up to you," Doña Estrella sighed. She was clearly worried about the girl but didn't want to force her into anything, especially if Deanna felt more comfortable walking rather than being driven in a car.

"You're so stubborn. I'm leaving now if you're really not coming with me," Claude said.

"Go ahead. I'll just walk," she replied. Hearing that, Claude shook his head before revving his motorcycle and speeding away.

"Grandma, I'll be going now too," she said.

"Take care, Hija," Doña Estrella told her.

I hope the school is close.

Five minutes into her walk, she still hadn't seen the school—or even a single student. She was startled when a motorcycle suddenly stopped in front of her.

"Did you know that making Grandma worry is bad for her health? Why are you so stubborn? You insisted on walking as if you could just waltz into school so easily," the rider said.

"I didn't know, so I'm sorry. Don't worry, I won't do it again," she said.

"You'd better not. If anything bad happens to Grandma, I'll blame you. You're just a freeloader in the mansion, so stop acting tough and just follow whatever Grandma or anyone else in the house says," he added.

"Are you done talking? You can leave now. And just so you know, I never wanted to live in the mansion in the first place. If it weren't for the agreement between our grandmothers, I wouldn't even be here," she retorted.

"Really? You're saying you don't want to be here? Because it seems to me like you're enjoying all the things Grandma gives you. If you really didn't want to stay in the mansion, you wouldn't have agreed to it, no matter what their arrangement was," he countered.

"You've gone too far, Amaury. Is this how you really are? You're so mean. I'm not after your family's wealth! And I definitely don't need the material things Grandma gives me. If I refused them, she'd just get upset and feel like her efforts were wasted. If that's what's bothering you, don't worry—I'll dump everything she gave me in your room!"

"Don't you dare set foot in my room again," he growled before speeding off.

Is that how he always talks? Wow, he really made it clear that I'm just a freeloader in the mansion. He's so rude. His words sting. He's nothing like Claude. How many years do I have to endure before I can finally leave this place? If I had known things would turn out like this, I never would've agreed to come here.

"Hey, flat-chest!" someone called out as a motorcycle stopped in front of her.

"What? I thought you were already at school?" she snapped, quickly wiping the tears from her eyes.

"I came back because I'd feel guilty if something happened to you. Grandma told me to pick you up, so don't assume I actually care about you," he said.

"Oh, I see. Well, thanks," she replied.

"Wait, were you crying?"

"No," she denied. She forced a smile to cover it up.

"Impossible. Your eyes are red," he pointed out.

"Oh, I just got something in my eye," she lied.

"Fine. Hop on," he said.

She didn't hesitate this time. She didn't want Doña Estrella to worry. It was her first time riding a motorcycle—back in the province, she only ever rode tricycles and jeeps.

"Hold onto me," he instructed.

"No way. You're just using this as an excuse to take advantage of me!"

"Me? Taking advantage? Suit yourself. If you fall, that's on you," he smirked.

He suddenly sped up, making her almost lose her balance. Thankfully, she instinctively grabbed onto him.

"Why didn't you at least ease into it? You did that on purpose, didn't you?" she accused.

"What do you mean? I already told you to hold on, but you didn't listen," he said smugly.

She quickly let go of him and just held onto the hem of his shirt instead.

"Get your hands off my shirt! You'll wrinkle it," he complained.

"You're so fussy! You just want me to hug you, don't you? What will people at school say if they see us like this?"

"They'll just assume you're one of my girls," he teased.

"Ugh! Stop the motorcycle! I can't let that happen!"

I should've just walked. This is so frustrating.

"I was just joking. Don't worry, I'll take care of you," he reassured her.

"No matter what you say, I still don't trust you."

"That's fine."

He finally pulled over. "Get off here. Walk the rest of the way. That black gate over there—that's the university."

Good thing he dropped me off here. I don't want to be the subject of gossip.

"Okay. Thanks."

Maybe I misjudged him. He actually seems more trustworthy than his arrogant monkey-like brother.