Chapter 14
Nathan's POV
I had woken up earlier than usual.
Chris had mentioned something the night before—driving lessons. Said I should start learning, get my license.
A quiet sigh escaped me as I made my way downstairs.
Everything felt… routine.
Too normal.
I stepped outside.
The morning air was cool, calm.
I hadn't seen much of Kieran lately.
Zane hadn't texted either.
That part—
it lingered longer than it should have.
My chest tightened slightly.
I pushed the thought away.
There was no time to dwell on it.
Mrs. Shemmenti's class was early.
And somehow, it had become my favorite.
I moved forward, heading toward the front.
Voices caught my attention.
Soft laughter.
I turned slightly.
My mother was in the garden, seated with a group of women, a teacup in her hand.
They were laughing.
Comfortable.
At ease.
It was strange.
How quickly she had adjusted.
Like she had always belonged here.
Something about it felt… distant.
Unfamiliar.
My gaze shifted—and landed on a familiar face.
Zane's mother.
She noticed me.
Smiled.
And waved.
My steps slowed for just a second.
My mother followed her gaze.
Her eyes met mine.
Her expression stilled.
Unreadable.
A smile was forced onto my lips.
A small bow followed.
Respectful.
Distant.
I didn't wait.
I turned and continued walking.
The driver had already opened the car door.
I got in.
As the door shut behind me, I glanced back once.
She had already turned away.
Back to them.
Back to laughter.
Like I hadn't been there at all.
I leaned my head against the seat.
My eyes closed slowly.
I exhaled.
Then another.
My hand moved, reaching into my pocket.
My earbuds were taken out and placed in.
Music filled the silence.
But it didn't quite drown everything else out.
------
Nathan's POV
I got to class just as Bianca waved me over.
"I saved you a seat!" she called.
I walked over and sat beside her.
"Good morning, cutie pie," she said, already grinning.
I couldn't help but smile back.
"Good morning, Bianca."
"How was your night?" she asked, tilting her head, her paintbrush held between her lips as she framed my face with her fingers like she was taking a picture.
I laughed softly.
"It was fine, thank you. I assume yours was too?"
She shrugged.
"Hmm… it wasn't that bad."
Before I could ask more, Mrs. Shemmenti walked in.
And just like that—
class began.
---
By the time class ended, my mind felt lighter.
Bianca and I walked out together, heading toward the cafeteria.
"We should meet Brian first," she said.
I nodded.
We spotted him almost immediately.
"Yo!" he waved.
I slowed down slightly.
Something was… different.
He wasn't dressed like himself.
No fitted shirt.
No neat trousers.
No glasses.
Instead—baggy jeans, a loose jersey.
Casual.
Too casual.
I looked at him.
"What did I miss?"
He grinned.
"I got a woman."
I blinked.
"Wow… damn."
"More like a sugar mummy," Bianca muttered.
He scoffed.
"She's just jealous."
"Oh please," Bianca rolled her eyes. "What is there to be jealous about?"
I glanced between them, already sensing an argument brewing—
"Hey, baby."
A voice cut in.
We all turned.
It was one of the girls from the Syndicate group.
She slid off her sunglasses slowly, her gaze landing on me first.
She winked.
Then turned to Brian.
"Hey, cutie."
Brian looked like he had just been knighted.
Before anyone could react—
she grabbed him and kissed him.
Hard.
I blinked.
Bianca rolled her eyes.
Brian, on the other hand, looked like his soul had temporarily left his body.
When she pulled away, he gasped slightly—
still smiling like an idiot.
"I'll see you later, honeybun," she said casually.
Then she walked off like nothing had happened.
I stared after her.
"…Okay."
"I don't like her," Bianca said flatly.
"You're just jealous," Brian shot back.
"You can't see she's using you?" she said.
"Using me?" Brian scoffed. "For what? She's rich, popular, and insanely hot."
I raised a brow.
"Wow. What happened to respecting women?"
"See?" Bianca pointed at me. "She's already changing you."
"She even picked that outfit," she added, nodding at him.
"Yeah, I noticed," I said dryly.
They started arguing again.
Loud.
Fast.
Completely invested.
And then—
someone approached me.
I turned.
A man stood there.
Holding a large bouquet.
Dark.
Elegant.
Unusual.
The petals were deep wine-black—almost like shadows.
it looked rare.
My brows furrowed slightly.
"Me?" I asked.
He nodded.
"You're Nathan Leo?"
"I am…"
The bouquet was handed over.
Automatically, I took it.
There was a card tucked neatly inside.
And just like that—
he left.
Bianca and Brian had stopped arguing.
Both of them stared at me.
"Okay…?" Brian said slowly.
"I guess you got a girlfriend too."
"Do you have a girlfriend?" Bianca asked, narrowing her eyes at me.
"No," I answered.
"Then admirer," she said immediately.
That was when I noticed it—
people were staring.
Whispering.
The flowers felt heavier in my hands.
"Those look expensive," Brian added, leaning closer.
"Black Juliet roses, wow that's expensive." Bianca said.
"Read the card," Bianca urged.
I hesitated for a second.
Then opened it.
And read—
---
The Phantom of My Constant Thought
Shall I compare thy absence to a thief?
That steals the peace from out my captive mind,
And leaves me but he shadow of belief,
That thou art real, and not of spirit-kind.
For like the moon that hides behind a cloud,
Thou art a light I feel, but cannot see;
Though silence wraps me in a heavy shroud,
My every thought is resonant with thee.
Thy cheeky wit, a blade of finest steel,
Doth prick my heart whene'er thou deign'st to stay,
A phantom touch that I am forced to feel,
E'en when thy fickle footsteps stray away.
I seek thy signal in the morning air,
But find but empty echoes in the hall;
Thou art a ghost, as mischievous as fair,
Who answers not, yet hears my every call.
---
When I finished, there was a brief silence.
"…Wow," Bianca said softly.
"That's romantic."
"Does it say who it's from?" she asked.
I shook my head.
"No."
Brian leaned in, smelling the flowers.
I did the same.
A familiar scent lingered.
"It smells like you," Brian said.
Bianca checked too.
"…It actually does."
A strange feeling settled in my chest.
"A secret admirer," Brian grinned.
I looked back at the card.
The words felt heavier now.
Too intentional.
Too… personal.
Brian's stomach suddenly growled.
"Okay, romance later. I'm starving."
"Let's go," Bianca said, grabbing my arm and dragging me along.
The flower almost falling, but I held onto it, as we walked.