She met his hazel intent eyes as she went to seat beside Rose. She almost stood at a place in shock. Like....what the heck is he doing here?! Schooling here too? He was lost in staring, not wanting to let go. Meg felt her cheeks flush as she motioned Rose to adjust for her before sitting down, staring one last quick glance at him. He returned it with a smile.
"Girl, thank God you made it. How're you feeling now?" Rose asked with deep concern, feeling Megan's head with the back of her palm.
"Hmm... better." Meg replied. "Just my head still pounding and feeling dizzy for a while."
"Just take your drugs regularly and you'll be fine okay?"
Meg nodded with a faint smile. In as much as she hated drugs as so with the smell of it, she didn't have a choice. She turned back again to look at Michael. On a more serious note, like I'm going to be seeing him here every day? Every ....helly....day?! He was gently laughing with the guy sitting next to him. Peering closely... "Wasn't he the one I just caught staring at me...beside the fountain? God, this is getting twisted.
She was still gazing at them, lost in her thoughts when James' eyes caught hers suddenly. Gosh. She noticed immediately, turning around with a skip of her heartbeat. Trying to look at him again with her side eye, she felt him smirking. She sighed. Seriously?
The lecturer entered. He was looking very stern. Rose whispered as she laughed quietly that maybe he didn't 'make out' with his wife last night. Meg replied with a chuckle.
"Many of you!," His voice roared. "Many of you didn't perform well in the last quiz I gave. You guys failed woefully! I'm ashamed."
The whole students in the hall began mummuring endlessly, everyone wearing a surprised look. "I'm sure of what I wrote. We wrote exactly what he taught. Humph." Rose frowned.
"Quiet! Quiet now all of you!! Nonsense. I'm in no mood to teach again today. I'm highly disappointed. Instead, I'm giving you guys a project. You're going to group yourselves in your researchs and work on it. I need this to be submitted exactly on Monday next week. Am I clear?!"
Few of them responded as there were sighing and stressful comments all round the hall. Meg was scowling.
"Another project? When we just finished the last one? Why do I feel like he's just being lazy to teach us today?"
Rose was already packing her books. "Well, I just hope I'm assigned to the right group and not some stupid dumbasses that would stress me."
Megan stood up too to pack her books. She was already feeling so exhausted as her head pounded in displeasure. She then felt a hand around her neck and slewed immediately. It was Michael.
"Meg..."
"Are you really going to school here?" Meg asked immediately, then taking in the very close view of the guy standing next to him. He smiled at her, winking with his deep blue eyes.
"Hi, Megan."
"H..ii," she stuttered as she waved at him. The look on her face demanded an urgent explanation.
"We just transferred here newly. I didn't even know it's also your campus. Amazing. Meet my closet friend, his name's James."
"James Garfield," James completed as he shook hands with her. "It's nice meeting you, Megan..."
"Adams. My friend here's Rose Wilson." Rose waved at him.
"The both of you are... lovely." James complimented, looking more at Meg. She muttered a 'thank you' with a fake smile.
"Well, it's my campus," she said, slipping her bag on her shoulders and ready to go. "And I'm still not feeling so well so I have to go."
"I can drive you," Michael offered immediately. "Please, let me drive you home."
Megan could see the plea in his eyes. It was tempting. But she declined.
"No please, don't bother yourself. I came with my car, and I'll go with Rose." She looked at James. "I'll see you later. You should spend more time with your friend."
James laughed. "This girl is... something else". Something he wishes to have.
Michael smiled, although disappointed. "Okay, fine. I'll see you later then, take care of yourself please."
She nodded and began leaving while Rose bade them goodbye with an excited tone.
"Girl," she began as they walked to Megan's car, trying to catch up with her. "Did you see this screaming hotness that I just saw? Jeez, these guys are super cute, super hot!"
Megan didn't reply as she just tried increasing her steps. Rose wasn't lying, but she wasn't in the mood for drooling. Her head. It was about getting worse and she didn't come with her medication. She brought out her phone and dialed Morgan's number.
"Hello? Mo? Don't find me and come straight home when you're done. I'm already heading home."
"Why?" Morgan's voice creased with worry at the other end of the line.
"I have to go take my drugs. I forgot it and my head has started again."
"Okay. Please be safe, I'll be through soon."
She hummed in response as she ended the call. Her bodyguard was still standing loyally beside her car, his gun ready in his grip.
"Miss Megan," He called out when he saw her, opening the car door for her. Meg turned to Rose.
"Are you coming with me to our place?"
"No, just drop me off by my junction. I might still come check up on you later in the evening."
"Okay. I'm going to be home-alone soon." She sighed.
----
When she got home, she couldn't find Nanny. She knew when she said she was going to be home alone. She might have gone to her friend's place, Mrs. Willows, at the next estate, or be at their mom's company to see how they were working. Taking her drugs already and making sure she had enough water, she laid down to rest. Probably sleep. But no. She continued blinking, tossing, sighing, opening and closing her eyes. Her head calmed down suddenly. Better for you.
She checked the time. It was few minutes after two. Still early. She got up and went to take a can of chilled orange juice in her fridge. Perhaps, she could take a walk. Since she couldn't even sleep. Walking out of the entrance door and taking in the clear beautiful view with the sun striking her face, she began down the lane to where she didn't even know. She was just gazing as she went, at the lawns, the buildings upfront...when she met a gate. The neighbouring gate. Michael DeLaney.
Yeah, I've never actually visited this place since Mr. Almond left.
Even when he was still around, she remembered only going into the compound twice, on important matters. She strolled to the large grey-painted iron gate stated at the name etched in gold. It was commanding this... respect. The aura. She pushed the gate back, and it opened. Why? He is not home.
Meg cautiously went in, unbottling her juice and having the first gulp. So refreshing. The compound was very large and incredible. The mansion looked very quiet yet intimidating, not like theirs. The lawns were tended neatly, making the afternoon breeze to stoke it gently in one direction. Many things already changed in the compound as she noticed. Three watermelon designed sofas and a table was placed at an end beside the mansion.
I guess he likes sitting out and enjoying the view too.
She continued her way in as she sipped on her juice till she reached his door.
Frameless glass panels, tinted just dark enough to tease what lay inside, stretched from top to bottom, set into polished black steel. A seamless fingerprint scanner glowed faintly on one side, paired with a sleek brass handle that caught the light in a quiet shimmer. Above, recessed lights bathed the doorway in a soft golden hue, highlighting the marble steps that led up to it.
Meg took all that in. This guy is definitely more than... okay. As she still stood, buried in smittened thoughts of how wealthy Michael could be, the door swiftly opened.
Michael was standing there, his chest bare and a big white towel covering his waist.
Megan Adams froze in terror. She wanted to scream, but her voice suddenly disappeared. Like she has been choked on a bone. She stood, petrified, terrified, horror -stricken, like she has seen a ghost.