Chapter 3. Clarkson Academy: pt. 2

“Of course we will.” The middle-aged man bowed to my parents.

I was stunned. He seemed too polite.

“Thank you.”

Dad seemed to breathe a sigh of relief before he faced me. He took something from his pocket. I stared at it and realized it was a necklace. It was golden, with a crescent moon pendant.

He motioned for me to turn around, so I did. Then I felt the touch of a cold metal object on my neck.

I turned around to face both of them, confused. I was surprised when they both suddenly hugged me.

I froze where I stood. All my life, this was the first time they held me like this.

“Whatever happens, donʼt take it off,” Dad sternly warned.

My forehead furrowed, but I didnʼt speak.

“Always remember how much we love you, darling.” Thereʼs a hint of sadness in Momʼs voice.

I fought to stop my tears from falling. I couldnʼt believe what was happening.

It was also the first time that I heard them say that they loved me. Thatʼs why I couldnʼt figure out what I was supposed to feel.

I may be a rebellious daughter. But that didnʼt mean that I didnʼt love them at all. Because the truth is, I really do.

But because I grew up and got used to them not always being by my side, I kind of buried that feeling towards them. However, I admit that hearing those words from them softened my heart.

“Please, always take care. And no matter what happens and what you find out, always remember how much we love you. We only want what is best for you,” Mom said as we pulled out of the hug.

I just absent-mindedly nodded before looking away. I didnʼt know the right words to say to them.

Dad patted my head. “I know that thereʼs a part of you that hates us. But when the right time comes, youʼll realize the reasons why we did those things to you. When that happens, we hope that youʼll understand.”

To be honest, I was confused by how they were acting and what they were saying. But I just kept quiet and didnʼt ask any more questions.

After we said goodbye, they handed my things to another staff member who came over. They both kissed me on the forehead before they left.

My gaze followed them until I couldnʼt see their car anymore. I turned to the middle-aged man who was still standing in front of me.

“Welcome to Clarkson Academy, Miss Nicole!” He bowed down once again.

I raised an eyebrow when he called me by my name. I didnʼt like the fact that he sounded as if we had known each other for a long time.

But my forehead furrowed when I noticed my own car heading in our direction.

Yes. I already had my own car. It was my parentsʼ birthday present to me on the night of my debut. It was a peach-colored Porsche Taycan.

It stopped right in front of me, and whoever was driving it stepped out and approached me.

“Your parents sent it, so you can use it in case you ever think of going to the city every weekend,” explained the slightly slender man, even though I wasnʼt asking.

Our ages wouldnʼt have been that far apart, I thought. His skin was also pale, but his lips were quite red.

I just nodded. Actually, I also noticed all the cars in the parking lot that we passed earlier. Surely, you canʼt go out to the city if you donʼt have your own car. I have to walk all the way there, if ever. Why did this academy have to be at this far-off location anyway?

“Thanks.”

He bowed down, then got into my car again to park it somewhere. I turned to face the man who had greeted me earlier when he suddenly spoke.

“I am Butler Ernesto Lin, by the way. Is it okay with you if I show you around the whole place first? Our other staff will take care of bringing your things up to your room.”

I thought before I looked at him. It was as if the sight of him became scary, even though he was smiling.

But in the end, I just agreed to his suggestion. 

“Sure.”

We went to every building here. As well as the open field, gymnasium, dining hall, swimming pool area, library, music room, and everywhere else. I was even amazed at their colorful garden with different kinds of flowers, especially those that I had only seen for the first time. There were also many places to hang out here. It was a good place to relax or just get some peace of mind.

But what caught my attention the most was the forest that was inside. He strictly told me never to go there.

Since I really donʼt feel the need to follow any of the rules and also love the thrill of adventure, I couldnʼt allow myself not to go inside that place.

I knew that there was something hidden behind those tall trees.

“Iʼd give up on trying to go inside that place if I were you. You donʼt have any idea what youʼll find inside.”

I stopped and looked at him.

Was he some kind of mind reader?

He shook his head. “Iʼm not a mind reader. Itʼs obvious from the expression on your face what youʼre thinking,” he explained as my jaw dropped.

Was I really that easy to read?

I was still deep in thought until we headed to my room. I noticed that there were two dormitory buildings here. At first, I thought that men and women were separated, but I found out that they werenʼt.

Both dormitories were divided by a grand staircase that had a red carpet. The girlʼs room was on the right side, while the boyʼs room was on the left. It also had a lounge area where we could watch TV and hang out, according to Butler Lin.

What I really wondered was what the difference was if both boys and girls were together in the same dormitory, apart from the color of the buildings—ours was pure white while the other one was chocolate in color.

I couldnʼt help but suspect something. Maybe those on the other side had special treatment?

We started climbing and continued to the third floor. I stopped walking when he suddenly stopped in front of a door. This would probably be my room.

“This is your room, Young Miss. Your belongings and car keys are already inside. Even your uniforms and the list of your schedules are already placed on your table.”

I nodded. I was also impressed by the excellent service—they were so hands-on when it came to the needs of the students here.

He handed me my key. I bid him thanks, and I was about to open the door when he held my arm to stop me.

I quickly withdrew my arm. Not because I was surprised. But because his hand was so cold.

It was really weird.

“Why are your hands cold?” I couldnʼt stop asking.

He suddenly stood up straight and gasped.

“It is normal for us to be a bit cold in this place.”

I frowned at his seemingly philosophical answer. But I was stunned when I noticed the sudden seriousness of his face. He changed his mood quickly.

“I just want to give you something.”

The coldness in his voice made me shiver. I just realized that his hand seemed as cold as his voice.

He gave me a bracelet, which I hesitantly accepted. It was silver with two fang pendants.

“That will serve as your protection, so you must always wear it. Just like the necklace you are wearing now, donʼt take it off or let it go. Those will serve as your identification.”

I took a step back when I heard the threat in his voice.

I looked down at the bracelet that he gave me. What was up with these accessories that they were giving me, and why were they both so important?

At the same time, I looked up at him; a strong wind blew.

Then suddenly, the man in front of me was gone.