There were times Kingston University looked more like a high school.

The students were crowded in front of the bulletin board. Even if I was curious to know why, the feeling would be gone once I saw the unhealthy sharing of breaths in the crowd.

“The annual auction is soon,” Massie appeared beside me, startling me.

“Auction?” I repeated.

She nodded. Her hands were tucked in her creaseless baby pink coat. “The Kingstons do an auction for charity annually. They sell donated antiques and donate the profit to charity.”

I nodded. “But what is so interesting about this for university students?”

She shrugged. “Nothing, really. It’s just another event we treat as an opportunity to loosen up and party. Not too much loosening, though.” She giggled. “Will you come? Kai is the grand opener this year.”

I’d have loved to loosen up, but I still felt uneasy about partying yet. “I’ll see if I can.”

I didn’t own up to my answer. Once I was back home, Frank was waiting to take me to a salon. Kai had given me no choice as he set up everything. I hoped he had good reasoning behind not asking me whether I wanted to come.

I got my light makeup and auburn hair done by a lovely stylist called Jade. She was sweet, boosting my confidence with comments on my natural beauty every now and then.

When I was done, a beautiful sleeved, long red dress was waiting for me. It was open from one leg side. Jade said Kai had picked it himself for me, claiming it matched my skin tone and personality. I thought I agreed with him.

When I was fully ready, I was escorted to a room where he waited for me. The double doors opened to my guy’s back, who was dressed in a black tuxedo, his hair neatly pulled back, showing his forehead.

“Kai,” I purred.

He turned around and gave me a once over. A smile spread across his plump lips. He strode his way to me and hugged me. “Gorgeous, baby.”

“You didn’t even ask me if I wanted to come.” I giggled. “But thank you for the treat.”

Kai pecked my lips. He picked a jewellery box from a table. The ‘Angel’ necklace came out of the box. “It’s for this. Look what I found.”

“Kai!” I gasped, wondering how he could find it and have it still with him till that very moment. I hugged him tightly. “How did you find it?”

He pulled away and clasped it around my neck. “How do people find things, Mellie? They look for them. Massie and I did.”

I giggled, feeling the cold material dangle on my chest. “This has honestly made my day. Thank you.” I tiptoed and kissed the guy.

“Let’s go now, shall we?”

The shine was different. I nodded, knowing well he bought a new one.

Entering the Kingston Charity Auction event hand in hand with their son made every cell in me shake. My skin grew goosebumps. Kai kept my hand in his all the time, and it was my source of confidence. Cameras flashed in our faces, taking every shot they could of the event and its hosts. I was never used to so much of a spotlight, but for Kai, I did it.

We met Massie and Ryan inside. Massie looked elegant in a green, long dress, and Ryan wore a blue tuxedo that complimented his eye colour.

“Hey, guys,” Ryan greeted. “You look great, Mel.” He gave me a small smile.

I was still a little awkward around the guy, so I merely nodded, mirroring his smile.

“Red suits you,” Massie added, coming close to side-hug me.

“Thanks. You look dashing too, guys.”

“Well, I’ll let you guys have a drink or a snack. I’ll get ready to open the auction,” Kai excused himself. He had given me a cheek peck then walked away.

During my nervous chitchat with Ryan and Massie, a sudden blow-up of camera shots resonated from the gates of the hall. We all looked in the direction of the fuss. I spotted Kevin coming in, his arm tangled with… Jade?

Ryan chuckled, hands in his pockets. “He finally grew the balls. I guess Kai inspired him. I still remember when he saved her from his parents’ claws once.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Kevin has been held back from the girl he loves by his parents.” He rolled his eyes. “Because she wasn’t in class, according to them.”

I gulped. According to their standards, I wasn’t in class as well. Did that mean I was bound to be banished? My mind trickled back to when Kevin saved me. Nostalgic. It made sense how he didn’t want history to repeat itself, but I was sure his story was much different still. His mother wasn’t like mine.

When my thoughts went to my mother, I lost my vibe.

“May I have a word with you?”

When I looked to my side, it was Mrs Kingston who talked. The excess makeup hid her black eye bags, but I knew better. She had her hair styled downwards in neat curls at the end, wearing a beige dress with fur around her shoulders.

“Me?” I asked.

She nodded.

I looked in Ryan and Massie’s way, and they nodded, excusing me. I walked with Eleanor Kingston to what seemed like an isolated corner backstage, away from the snaps of cameras.

She sighed. “Well, first of all, I’m sorry. I know it’s been months already, but I’d have apologised sooner if Kai let me visit.”

I gaped at her. So, Kai banned his mother from visiting him when she already missed him after his one-year absence. I disliked the woman, but she was still his mother.

“I… didn’t know that. I’m sorry you went through it.”

“I’m sorry for what happened the last time we talked. I was horrible and insensitive. But you know, I’m just a mother who wants the best for her child. I just… didn’t realise I was doing it wrong.”

I nodded because I had no other appropriate reply to her words. She was tackling a sensitive memory that grew goosebumps on my skin. Sincere or not, I honestly didn’t care. I was no longer the maid’s daughter, who worked for her.

“I was hoping you would convince Kai to talk to me again. He pretends I’m a ghost whenever I pass by. It hurts a longing mother’s heart, Melanie.”

I felt myself almost tear at her words, and she looked as if she was about to cry too. “I’ll try my best. I promise,” I assured.

She stepped in and hugged me. “Gosh, thank you so much. I’m sorry again.”

I chatted with the woman for a few minutes about how we had been and what Kai had been up to. I kept assuring her we were fine, and I knew how to cook and feed her son good meals. Afterwards, she directed me to where she said Kai was preparing himself.

“Kai?” I looked around. “Where—”

He was kissing a redhead.

. . .

If you haven’t noticed, this is the start of a new section in the book! It's my favourite section.

Do you think Eleanor Kingston was sincere?

Who do you think that redhead was?

Thoughts about Kai?

Expectations of Melanie and the next chapter?

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