Aera's bedroom occupied the east wing of the Choi family Villa a space large enough to erect an apartment. The room was painted terracotta red combined with ornate patterned wallpaper. The wooden wall panelling and gold-toned lighting accents further enhanced it giving it a sophisticated yet classic vibe.
A grand king-sized bed stood at the center, the duvet perfectly arranged by the housekeepers. On one side, a long bookshelf reached almost to the ceiling filled with classic literatures, textbooks from her university days, sketchpads, travel journals, and a dragon shaped incense burner that left faint traces of osmanthus and rose.
Her desk by the window was perpetually cluttered: open notebooks, pens scattered beside a sleek laptop, and a ceramic cup filled with brushes she rarely used anymore.
"How do I look?" Aera asked the female servant standing next to her as she checked herself out in the full-length mirror inside her fitting room where racks of designer clothings stretched from wall to wall. Each piece hung with mathematical precision arranged by color, season and occasion by the staffs who knew better than to leave a hem uneven.
Aera was wearing a midnight blue blazer with polished gold buttons and the school's crest embroidered neatly on the breast poket. Beneath it, she wore a white collared shirt and a striped tie in shades of blue and grey.
Her pleated skirt a mix of muted blue and charcoal plaid, brushed just right above her knee. Long navy socks reached up her calves, paired with black loafers polished till it caught the morning light. Her hair had been redyed black, with bangs that stopped above her brows. The tattoo drawn on her neck had been removed.
The female servant nodded like a woodpecker. "Young mistress, you look fabulous."
She couldn't tell her that she looked like an innocent criminal.
The tattoos, and thugish appearance suits you more! She wanted to voice out.
Only God knows what possessed the young mistress making her suddenly want to return back to highschool when she was done with schooling.
"Virtuous and elegant…" Aera muttered to herself with a small smile on her lips. She picked her schoolbag and walked out of the room. Her pair of loafers coming lightly in contact with the marble floor.
She met her father and mother by the dinning area doned in his usual formal attire. He glanced up at her upon hearing her footsteps. "Should I give you a ride my princess?" He offered with a big smile.
"No! I'll take a cab." She hurriedly replied giving her father a quick hug. Sehyun raised her tea cup to her lips with an amused look. "You're so excited to begin your chasing journey."
Aera pouted. "Stop teasing already! Wish me luck instead." She curled her arms around her mother nuzzling against her head gently. Her mother scoffed.
"Scram!"
Aera stuck out her tongue and dashed off.
I must not under any circumstances, let anyone know that I'm the heir of Choi Global Holdings.
****
Seoli Highschool was situated at a location dismissed as inconvenient, almost undesirable. The narrow streets and most used alley that served as a hub for delinquent and the feared gang members, further tarnished it's image. The institute was on the verge of shutting down when Choi conglomerate and a circle of powerful sponsors took it under their wings.
What had been overlooked as a public institute was transformed into one of Seoul's prestigious private academy. The redevelopment project, personally overseen by Chairwoman Choi and several corporate figures, turned it into a symbol of influence disguised as education.
Now Seoli Highschool, stood as a symbol of quiet luxury— glass panelled buildings, landscaped courtyards, and a central fountain engraved with the school's new motto: Honor Through Excellence.
Aera's chattered cab pulled by the Alley leading to Seoli Highschool. The cab driver, a man in his mid thirties glanced at the looming figure of Seoli and then back at Aera sitted in the back. "Miss, we're here."
"Here's the fee." Aera took out a one million won bill and handed it over to the man.
"My goodness! This is a lot, the fee's just five thousand won." The man looked at Aera flustered.
"Well—" Aera rumaged through her purse and couldn't find any bill less than one million.
She gazed back at the man who looked as though he'd seen a money tree in flesh and blood.
"That's all I have. Just take it, it's my first day at school." She gave him a stretched smile.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" The man repeatedly bowed his head.
Aera waved her hands dismissively and stepped out from the car.
Next time, I'd get smaller denominations.
She walked through the alley and into the mighty gates of Seoli Highschool. A feeling of nostalgia washed over her. "I should be used to this…" Aera muttered to herself.
As she arrived at the main entrance, two female students blocked her path.
The first one who held a labubu themed bag, scanned her up and down. "I haven't seen you around here. Are you a new student?" She asked sarcastically.
"Am I to answer your silly question?" Aera asked back.
The two students scoffed. "Hey, do you know who I am?" The first student asked. "What? Your mother didn't tell you?" Aera retorted with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"How audacious! I know perfectly well how to handle a gutsy bitch like you." The second student said menacingly.
Was that to make me feel scared?
"I don't think you're efficient in your speciality seeing how unhandled you both her…. now if you would excuse me—" she used her hands to pushed them aside creating space in-between. "I have somewhere important to be." She said wand walked off.
The two female students watched her disappear into the hall. "Who does she think she is? An equal opportunity leech like her speaking to diamond tier students like that." The first student scoffed.
"Minhee, did you notice her jacket had golden buttons?" The second student asked.
Minhee lost her balance for a moment. "Gold? You're sure it wasn't brass?" She asked her voice trembling.
The second student, Haein shook her head. "No. It was gold. I'm sure of it." They looked towards the direction Aera walked through.
Who the hell was she?
Aera hadn't walked far when a teacher approached her with a flattering smile. "You must be Aera, the new transfer student. Follow me, I'll show you your class." The teacher said and turned but Aera held her hand.
"Teacher, I want to be in the same class as the student named Dohyun. Lee Dohyun." She said.
The teacher's smile widened. "Sure. Follow me."
If this was any other transfer student, the teacher would've ignored them but since the higher-ups said this transfer student was someone special to the Chairwoman of Choi Global Holdings, she would go extra to creating a special class for her in the teacher's staff room if she wanted.
They arrived at a classroom on the third floor, the teacher pulled the door open and ushered Aera in following behind her.
The noisy atmosphere in the classroom changed immediately. Not because of the teacher. No one cared about teachers. But because of the beautiful student beside her.
Aera's eyes eyes scanned the classroom stopping when she caught sight of a person seated by the window at the front row immersed in the textbook he was studying. Aera felt her legs turn jelly.
"Listen up everyone for a moment… Dohyun?" The teacher called. Everybody's attention drifted his way. The girls gawked openly.
Lee Dohyun raised his head slowly looking at the teacher. "pay attention." She gave him a warm smile.
"We have a new student in our midst. Her name is Choi Aera, treat her well and teach her the rules."
The classroom erupted in mummurs.
"Choi?"
"Is she related to them?"
"The Chois don't have a child."
"She must be from a different family."
"Look, her jacket has golden buttons."
The teacher slammed her books on the podium. "Silence everyone!" She turned to Aera with a smile. "Go on, introduce yourself."
Aera looked at the class then towards Dohyun. Her eyes went wide as she caught him staring at her. She raised her hand and said only one word.
"Hi."
The classroom went wild in cheers.
They thought the greeting was directed at them.
Dohyun didn't bat an eye. He adjusted his glasses and returned his focus back to his textbook. Any normal person would've felt angered when snubbed but Aera felt jitters in her heart. An heart splitting smile lit up on her face.
The guys in the classroom 'awnnned' they thought she was being shy.
Again another misunderstanding.
"Alright, Aera have your seat." The teacher pointed a chair that was next to Dohyuns'.
Aera's grinned widened. As she was about sitting down, she sighted two female students. The ones from earlier. She scoffed and sat down.
Aera stole a glance Dohyun's way. His attention was still on the text book. Aera's heart raced widely.
"Calm down heart, calm down, you're going to win a marathon if you continue…" she massaged her chest.
But her heart seemed to be interested in the race, it raced erratically.
Aera bit her lower lip as she glanced at Dohyun again, her head dropping on the table gently.
What could be done to stop her racing heart when a pack of glucose was right next to her. She smiled foolishly.
Get a grip!
"Let's go over our last topic, shall we?" The teacher began to write on the board.
"We talked about…."
Aera raised her head staring at the board— relearning what she'd learnt for years but she didn't mind.
She looked at Dohyun.
It was all worth it.