Chapter 15
Francesca's POV
*** SIX YEARS AGO ***
"So that's going to be all for the class. You all can go on with your day", the teacher dismissed us immediately the bell rang.
Everyone packed up to leave, but I stayed back to copy a thing or two from a textbook into my notebook.
I'd been panicking for the past three days over the exams that were about to come up in the next two weeks.
I'd consecutively carried the award of the best overall student for the past three years, and I didn't want it to end. My scholarship depended on it, and I didn't want anything that upset the straight As I'd been getting since I got into this school-
"Oh my gosh!!" My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden shriek from one of my classmates who was still in the class.
I looked up to understand where the chaos was all about, and to my utmost surprise, I saw Emilio with a bouquet of flowers.
But that was not all.
The class which was once mundane was suddenly filled with colorful balloons and students taking pictures.
Emilio walked in with three of his friends who also held flowers.
They immediately knelt around my seat, leaving only Emilio in a standing position.
He stretched the flowers to me in the most romantic way. "My love…"
Students began cheering and hailing him. Even teachers in the hallway were smiling at this bout of love.
I wasn't used to being in the limelight, but Emilio had succeeded in making me feel butterflies in my tummy.
Three weeks ago, the most popular boy in the school and my crush asked me to be his girlfriend, and I accepted without thinking twice. It was weird at first. Why did he like me, of all the beautiful, popular girls?
I was shocked that he'd fallen for a nobody like me. The first week got awkward eyes around me - the school's most popular boy walking hand in hand with a poor nerd who had no social life.
But as time went by, I was getting more comfortable. He was also spoiling me, both in public and private.
I giggled and took the flowers from him. He kissed me passionately, and the whole crowd were cooing in a taunting manner. By the time he was done with me, I was flushed.
He took my hand and led me out of the class. He walked me out of the school and into his car.
"It's a surprise", he said slyly as he drove us to the boutique. He dressed me up in the most beautiful evening gown, and I felt like a queen.
"You look beautiful, my pookie", he complimented and I giggled like a little girl.
He took me to a five-star restaurant, and gave me my first dinner date.
"Emilio, don't tell me you bought the whole restaurant just for us", I gasped when I walked into an empty restaurant.
He had money, that I knew.
I didn't know what his father did for a living, but he came from a rich family.
"I didn't want any distractions. I want you to have all my attention", he said as he made sure I was settled before he sat across from me.
He called the waitresses and they brought in the best steak I'd seen in my life.
We began eating and talking about school. The way he made me laugh was cute. I was falling in love with him every minute.
And I was scared.
"Why?", I suddenly blurted and he stared at me, confused.
I dropped the cutlery.
"Why are you doing this? ", I blurted without even thinking.
My question stopped him from putting a piece of steak in his mouth. He dropped his fork and straightened up.
"What do you mean?"
"Why do you love me?"
"Do you want me to hate you?"
"No! No no no. It's just that… I'm not a cheerleader or a rich daughter, Emilio. I'm way below your class. What made me you fall in love with me, a nobody who just reads a lot-"
He stretched his hands across the table and reached for mine, causing me to go silent, immediately.
"You're not a nobody, Francesca. You're my woman. And that's all that matters. The truth is… I've always liked you, but I felt you'd never like me. That I was too dumb for you. I've loved your beautiful smile and brain for years now, and I'm happy you accepted to be mine."
It seemed as though time stopped at that point. I had different emotions running through my body, goosebumps being one of them. I couldn't believe he just told me he loves me.
"Francesca? Are you-"
"I love you too. I fell in love with you from the first time I saw you three years ago", I blabbered like an eight year old, and it made him laugh.
"Do you want to see something beautiful?"He asked me.
I was still so mesmerized by his confession that I couldn't reply.
He waved to the waiter and paid for the food.
He took me out of the restaurant, and into his car.
In silence, we drove away from the nightlife, and deeper into the woods. After a long drive, we got out, and the cold wind greeted our skin. We were on a path that was surrounded by a thick forest. To my sheer surprise, he began walking into the forest.
"Where are we going, Emilio?"
"Come on. I have something to show you"
"In the forest?"
"Don't be scared. I'm here with you, so nothing will hurt you", he took my hands and led me into the forest. I was terrified and uncertain, but I felt a sense of protection from him, so I clung to him as we walked.
We suddenly stopped walking.
"What did you want to show me?"
He pointed at a tree, and I followed his hands. It was an old tree that held a small treehouse.
"Is... That's it?", I asked, expecting more.
"Follow me", he said. We found our way up the tree and into the treehouse, and what I saw shocked me.
From where we stood outside, I looked like a rickety treehouse, but the interior was beautiful.
It had modern oil paint, with a red rug on the floor. It also had two sofas, and the incandescent light bulbs made the treehouse cozy and warm.
"Wow! This... This is beautiful!", I drooled in awe.
He closed the distance between us, and suddenly, I felt the atmosphere begin to tense up. The air was hot, and the lust I saw in his eyes scared me.