Warnings: Manipulation, mentions of death, possessiveness, overprotectiveness, and obsessiveness. If you're not quite comfortable with the aforementioned warnings, then we kindly suggest for you to read the other chapters that you're fine with. If it's still not suitable for you, then you could also leave this book, but we thank you for giving time and checking out this book. For those who decided to venture further in reading, we hope you enjoy it!

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Exiting your personal office within the shared abode you lived in with your parents, you carefully stretched your sore muscles from having to sit for many hours just to finish the necessary requirements for your growing business. You sighed in relief after hearing the gentle crack of bones that soothed some aches along your figure, finishing with one last stretch before you noticed how deserted the house seemed to be. Living in a well state that provided your family some staff to help out, you were left wondering where such individuals were. Wanting to hopefully find someone to ask about, you decided to explore some areas for a moment.

Whatever area and item your gaze managed to land upon, you observed how spotless those are that left you in awe and appreciative of their job well done. Gentle sunlight helped with your observation, giving the right amount of lighting from the tall windows along the hallway. After casually strolling, you notice a group of people seemingly to be in an immersive conversation at the garden. Because of the distance, you were a bit unsure who those people may be, but you had a hunch that the pair out of the three are your parents. Left curious as to why they are meeting with someone, you finally spotted a maid before you politely called her out to inquire.

"Do you happen to know why my parents are in the garden? And who's the person accompanying them?" You immediately asked about the possible whereabouts of your parents, seeking their company hopefully the soonest as you wanted to talk about the business before raising a brow when the maid suddenly blushed.

"I'm not sure about his identity, but I can be certain when I say he's quite handsome. Sir and Madame are currently entertaining him about something. I apologize since I don't know what they're conversing about." She sheepishly smiled while also feeling embarrassed with how she presented her awe of the guest earlier.

Informing her that it's fine and that her answer had been satisfactory for you, she curtly bowed before excusing herself to run some other errands in the estate. Resuming the prior destination in mind, you also depart yourself before getting mildly distracted by the flowery scenery that accompanied you once you stepped outside. The gentle breeze brought along the soothing fragrance from the flora as well as the pleasant chirps of the birds and buzzes of the nearby pollinators. Carefully trudging through the cemented path that divided the portions of greenery of land, you unconsciously slowed your walking after noticing the bright hue of familiar orange.

It caused a stark contrast with the mellow colors of his background when you managed to view him after looking beyond the fountain, seeing your parents on the opposite side of his occupied table as you forced yourself to focus on other things than his image that you manage to listen to. "... marriage with you."

Being certain that it wasn't him talking and that it had been your father, you frowned at the implications of the situation, furthermore after hearing your mother giddily remarking without even consulting you about the matter that you deemed very important as it would affect the rest of your life. "Y/N will certainly be delighted..."

The bits of pieces that you've gathered from the conversation had been enough for you to sense that something seems to be brewing, but what left you even more confused was your unconscious eagerness of the situation. Along with this had been your confusion and concern that conflicts with your emotions, causing you to mentally scold yourself by being affected even after the long time your feelings died down. Just like how his charms worked for your past self, it would seem that he remains to acquire such a talent when you observe how he created an enjoyable atmosphere with your parents. Having enough of it, you faked a polite smile.

"Delighted? About what exactly?" You feigned ignorance while ignoring the intense stare the visitor clearly presents that is now directed to you as only such the same person did not fall for such an act, having sensed your presence long before your parents did as he can also easily view your approach earlier by the efficiency of his position.

Your mother lightly gasped in surprise before releasing a soft laugh, feeling a bit embarrassed of her reaction before clapping once to gather the attention of everyone while immediately focusing to the unexpected guest of yours. "Oh, perfect timing! You didn't tell us that you had a college sweetheart, dear."

"Quite a romance, though I remain certain that nothing beats ours." Your father jovially commented in return to lighten up the mood after noticing that your smile twitched after your mother's exclamation, causing your mother to jokingly scold him to not tease the youngsters.

Gakushu politely reacts to the statement that your father presented as a joke, positively so before giving a remark of his own that would sway both of your parents while giving you a sneaky glance right after. "Indeed. I could only hope that we would reach such a feat."

You feel your eyebrow twitch at his audacity to utter such meaningless promises, remembering how it was the same in the past. Though a part of you remained to hope that he has changed and would be certain of his words this time. You glared at him, knowing full well that he's just making things up and being stubborn to trust any of his undoubtedly sweet words. He seemed to enjoy teasing you, giving you an innocent smile that left your parents being charmed along with his polite and respectful approach to them. Before you could disagree with their expectant blabbering, you portrayed a scowl to Gakushu when your parents revealed their approval.

"I'm fairly convinced that you two need to have a lot of catching up to do. We'll leave you two for a moment for your reunion." Your father announced as you immediately expressed a pleasant expression to hide your irritation as you see him guiding your mother to stand.

Once near you, your mother lightly smiled before gently patting your cheek as she gave a reminder that's also directed to Gakushu when she glanced at him for a moment. "Don't be too excited and have much fun while we're away. Save that after the wedding."

Your parents left as they laughed after the teasing remark, unaware of the disheartened mood that appeared once they were gone from the area. It would seem that the lighthearted atmosphere went along with them as you narrowed your gaze at the person that you never imagined to meet again after how many years. Your heart aches that you stubbornly assumed to be caused by heartbreak and frustration as his returned presence brought back the unpleasant memories of the past. No matter how much he's grown and the years brought him proper maturity of his features, you forced yourself to deny any lingering attachment to resurface.

"What exactly are you doing here? To make my life miserable again like before?" You coldly and sarcastically inquired along with a displeased smile and dropping your respectful persona, presenting nothing but alarm while you are crossing your arms as you wait for his retort.

Gakushu only takes a careful sip of his tea that your mother graciously prepared for him earlier before calmly answering, not affected by your apprehension towards him while not fully understanding why you're presenting such. "I did it all to protect you. I also had a reputation to uphold at that time."

"Oh, right. Because you only look out for yourself and your title." You lightly rolled your eyes out of being annoyed with how he deemed your relationship in the past as something placing second to his most important list of things, already expecting it yet it didn't lessen the pain the slightest.

You admit that you may have been a naive high schooler and an amateur when it came to your first ever romantic relationship, but being with him made you like that. Who wouldn't be when you found yourself to be lucky as his lover. Both of you had been perfect in almost everything, the perfect pair as most would say. But it seemed that there were others that thought otherwise. With your high expectations of him, it didn't come off as a surprise when you're heavily affected after your breakup that he initiated without properly giving you a reason. In his part, he was afraid that you would be stubborn and not accept it that would cause his plan to backfire.

Gakushu clicks his tongue in annoyance in return, reflecting your feelings as his was more of getting impatient that you're yet to give your good graces. "I was just looking after you too. Those bullies of yours... They were certainly out of control if not for my meddling through our breakup as well."

Such judgement of his was completely driven by his mind and not his heart, deciding to do it abruptly without thinking how it would've affected you. Being new and vulnerable with his emotions, he decided to not focus on it as he was certain that nothing comes good with being affected by his feelings, as his father would always remind him. He thought that you would understand when he would explain it to you secretly and without your bullies knowing, but you were too hurt to give him a second chance and even with just explaining. The two of you separated because of a misunderstanding and the lack of communication from one another.

"But you left me even more hurt in the end. You were just being a coward in the past!" Blinded by your emotions after recalling what happened, you insulted him and not even minding the moments where he made attempts in making your situation better.

Gakushu scoffed at your accusations, undeniably hurting inside that you didn't value his efforts. "I admit I may have been, but I did a job well done without you knowing. I also remained loyal. And it seemed you are too. Though I did put some effort into that."

Feeling confused by his statement caused you to frown before repressed memories start to be lightened after being hidden beneath the darkest depths of your mind. One after another, you recalled seeing some of your schoolmates meeting their unfortunate demise, specifically those that tormented you physically, mentally, and emotionally during highschool. There were also some that you personally received through the calls of your peers that kept in contact with you as you offered your condolences to them and their family. You're uncertain, but you also pinned your unluckiness in your love life to his meddling with how he seemed to be determined.

Realizing the horrors he intentionally caused to those that you deemed innocent and were just driven by youngster idiocy, your resolve faltered as you now face someone truly dangerous. "You... You were behind all of those?! And even after we graduated? How did you even do that?!"

"Nothing stops me from having you, Y/N... Your parents already agreed to our engagement. They support our future marriage." Gakushu confidently informed while trying to change the topic, having enough heart to focus on your well-being.

The obstacles he indirectly referred included your former foolish bullies along with those that tried to court you while he had been away for the both of you. Though he admits, they were lucky enough to only be sent away to another country or have them lose their jobs and never having to work in any company in the country again. As a teen, he remains powerless despite having the authority and title to subdue anyone who gets in his way, but now that he's grown and acquired more of it, he'll ensure that everything he has done for to achieve such a feat will not be in vain. He already did unspeakable things that he's certain he has nothing to lose now.

Except for you, it seemed when you indirectly expressed your concern and panic with what he really did for the both of you, far from what he imagined you would do that is ironically driven by his love for you. "But what you did was not right. You... murderer, manipulative and controlling---"

"Would you rather have something suddenly happening to your parents...?" Gakushu casually stated that really made you certain that his empathy is completely lost and that whatever human emotions he expressed oh so positively earlier with your parents had been faux.

You froze, conscious with your words and responses now that you're faced with his threat that you're certain is real. With how he already indirectly confessed about the illegal actions he did in the past and he would also do in the present just for you, you felt like your standing on fragile glass. He had been nonchalant throughout your exchange and his lack of remorse only left you feeling cold by his presence. You deemed him no longer human with what he did, but what can you do? You're the only one that can calm and tame him as he only did everything out of his extensive love for you in the end. The love you wished he fought for, now he did so and more.

"I did all of this for you... For our future together. You may not like how I did it, but for me, the end justified the means. From now on, I'll take good care of you and our future family." Gakushu lightly smiled as a means to entice you more to progress towards his chosen future for you.