It was the end of the school day and Verona was walking across the school grounds as she heard her name being called by the last person she wanted to hear. She turned and sighed. Ottavio was walking towards her. 

Verona was not keen to talk to him. She was annoyed at him for making a scene that day in the morning when he knew full well she wanted to lay low. He waved at her and she reluctantly waved back at him. She had to accept she could not avoid him. She was trapped in a place where he was the ruler. She was so annoyed at him.

Ottavio walked towards her and stood in front of her as he said "Hi..."

Verona looked at her watch "Don't you have football practice at this hour today? I thought you did..."

Ottavio said "Yes I do... I am on my way to practice... But when I saw you, I thought I stop you and ask you how was your day..."

Verona said "Really? You are asking how was my day?"

Ottavio said "Yes...I am very interested in hearing your answer actually...."

Verona replied "My day could be better if it wasn't for what you did this morning...."

Ottavio said "What did I do this morning?"

Verona said "You know full well what you did ..."

Ottavio said "No... I dont..."

Verona sighed  "You gave me that white Rose pendant yesterday to show I am under your protection and connected to you... You did not stop there... This morning you made sure you publicly addressed me in front of a huge crowd during the busiest time of the day and basically in every possible way you went too far and issued threats... You vowed that if anyone displeased me they will deal with you...  It was not necessary for you to do that just like how it is not necessary for you to ask me how my day went... What could possibly go wrong for me? My day has been perfect. Too perfect and that is the problem. This is not normal... People are too polite, too formal, they smile at me, they say please and thank you... People are too nice to me... Its no thanks to you because of the fear you put in their souls with your explicit promises and your reputation of being a notorious avenger and an extremely cruel and unforgiving alpha male..."

Ottavio said "I am glad your day was perfect... Is there anything that you need?"

Verona sighed "Ottavio... Haven't you heard a word that I said?"

Ottavio said "I did... I see nothing wrong with your day..."

Verona said "Ottavio... You need to understand... I don't want protection from you, my family or anyone else... All day today, I tried so hard to assure people that I am approachable... Its not easy to get people to trust me when I assure them that I do not need special treatment... They are careful around me because I am a Rosario but you reminding them that I am also connected to you has made them on guard beyond belief... Its hard to assure them that you won't hunt them down if they make any mistakes around me..." People did fear their king. For good reasons too. Over time he had built a reputation that was well established as a king who did not forgive and had no mercy at all. None. 

Ottavio said "Verona...  I won't tolerate it if anyone disrespects you and gives you a hard time..."

Verona said "No one will ever do that because I wont give them a reason to and they know I am a Rosario... But Ottavio when you make public statements you put the fear of god in people beyond imagination... Your reputation of your approaches is so extreme here... It does not help my case when I am trying to get people to treat me normally when they know who they could answer to if they make me unhappy... Your reminders certainly does not help..."

Ottavio said "Listen Verona... I protect you and care about you... If people are polite and respectful it means they are smart and don't need lessons the hard way... I will not stop reminding people who you are to me..."

Verona said "Ottavio... Please try to understand my wishes ..."

Ottavio asked "What are your wishes exactly? To move school? Is that it? You want to move to a school where no one knows you? "

Verona shook her head "No... I am picking my battles with you Ottavio... I know full well even if I somehow got myself transferred to the other school across the bridge I am pretty sure you would follow me because you can. This school and the one across the bridge are the same... So this option is out of the window... Also there is no way I would go back to my old school. I don't want to admit defeat... And there is no way I would go to another school... That is not an option... I want to get into the medical school of my choice and this school is the best place to study... I am not going to throw away fantastic academic opportunities because I have problems with you protecting me here..."

Ottavio asked "I need to know what's the problem here... I see no problem with protecting you... I can't let anyone hurt you and disrespect you... There is no way I would allow that..."

Verona took a deep breath "Ottavio... I want to stand up for myself ... I want to be treated normally... That is why I moved school... I want to resolve my own problems in school... I want to prove to myself that I can be independent and face the obstacles in my way alone without the help of any  Rosarios or O'Neils while I am in high school...  I am not thrilled by my current situation ... I want to be treated like how everyone else is but you are not allowing it..."

Ottavio said "I fully understand your wishes and have allowed you to live normally..."

Verona asked "Excuse me? How can you say that? You have been too protective of me and have created a safe haven for me that I do not really want... I want a normal treatment... Not special treatment..."

Ottavio said "You are getting normal treatment Verona... You are in this school... You need to obey the rules here... When it comes to the student hierarchy I make the rules... No special treatment... This is what you wanted come to think of it... You got what you asked for... You wanted to get away from your family's reach so you could independently deal with your problems... Here you are all alone... Having to deal with me and how this school runs... In the Rosario and O'Neil schools your cousins have control... Here I have control... Get used to it..."

Verona was looking at him with her mouth open "Ottavio... Are you being serious?..."

Ottavio said "Dead serious..." He then looked at his watch "I need to go to football training so I can keep my team in shape... I have responsibilities as captain... As much as I like to spend time with you to have a longer conversation I should go..." He looked into Verona's eyes and took a step towards her. He leaned closer and whispered to her as his breath hit her cheeks "You said to me last night that you are not mine and you may never be mine... You can believe that if you want... But I do not tolerate it if anyone else believes that... You are mine ..."

Verona could feel the intensity in his eyes and meaning behind his words. The full force of his feelings towards her was overwhelming. She knew her statement last night had fired up his urge to prove her wrong. She was abit trembling as she was feeling emotions inside her heart She looked away as she could not hold his stare for longer "Ottavio... Don't take what I said to you last night to heart... Please dont get mad for what I said... What I meant is... I am not ready for any relationship right now... But I see you as a friend. We are friends. We have always been friends... I dont know what happens in future... I don't know when I will be ready or if I will ever be ready to be yours..."

Verona was still looking away not wanting to look into his eyes as his stare was too intense for her. She felt his breath on her cheeks again as he whispered "I know that... I know you are not ready to be my girlfriend. I do understand... I appreciate your honesty and I always have.... I have always said that I will wait until you are ready... Nothing has changed... That is fine if you are not ready... That is fine if you say you may never be ready..."

Verona glanced up at him as his expression was still as intense and she was deeply looking into her eyes. She felt like her heart was racing. He was silently staring at her with an unreadable expression. 

After a few second went past in silence between them, it was Ottavio who spoke "Verona... I told you last night... I tell you again.... I will prove that you are mine... I will make you mine... That is a promise... I always keep my word... You know me..." He then took a step back "I give you space and time... But don't expect me to let you forget who you are to me... I will keep reminding you and everyone else how much you mean to me..." 

Verona took a deep breath and watched him walk away. Ottavio was her prince and she was a princess who was not ready to be his. Ottavio was right. She had gotten what she asked for. She wanted to face the world alone... She was in his world and had to live by his rules. She just had to fight long and hard for him to get convinced to bend and change his rules for her. She was sure it was going to be very hard. 

*****

It was after school hours. Verona was in the schools' ice skating rink skating all alone. She was listening to the music and skating to the rhythm. She loved ice skating and she was so excited to be able have access to the skating rink all day every day at this school. Apparently there was no ice hockey team at this school to share this rink with ice skaters. And no one at this school had joined the ice skating club. She was the only member and automatically its president in a bizarre turn of events. She was the only member and skated at advanced level so she was the one to go around recruiting people for the club.

As she was skating and listening to music she lost track of time. When she noticed the time she was taken back. It was very close to curfew time. Had she been skating for that long? She  now had to be back to her dorms as quickly as possible or she could get into trouble if she missed the curfew time. 

Verona quickly managed to gather her belongings and leave the skating rink. She sprinted towards her dorms. As she reached the dorms she found the main gate locked. Damn it. She looked at her watch. She had missed curfew time by one minute. She sighed. She had never been in trouble before. Maybe by  attending this school she could experience some normal incidents. This was not ideal. She was in trouble. But still it was the first time she had broken a rule and had to face consequences for it. She was only a minute late so she hoped she was not going to be in too much trouble. 

Verona got to the security gate's office and knocked. A security guard opened the door. He knew why she was there because he quickly took out a red slip from his pocket and asked "Student identification number?"

Verona told him her identification number. 

He asked as he wrote down her identification number on the red slip "Are you new? Your number sounds like a newly issued number..."

She said "Yes... I started yesterday..."

He asked "Why are you late?"

She explained she had been ice skating and hadn't noticed the time go by. He wrote it down on the slip. He then handed her the slip. 

The security guard announced "You are late for the curfew time. Thats a minor offence. It wont appear on your transcript record. Only major offences appear on transcripts. However you still get an internal consequence for being late to your dorms and missing curfew time..."

Verona asked "What is an internal consequence?"

The guard said "You have to report to the "Senior Student President Head Office" early morning 6am sharp and find out the internal consequences. The consequence varies... The consequence could be any form of punishment ranging from detention to loss of privileges. Who knows? The Senior Student Body President gets to decide the sanction. It could be anything... Good luck..." He then walked outside his office and unlocked the door. 

Verona did not look forward to this internal consequence but at least it was not going on her record. That was a relief. 

The next morning Verona got ready and made her way to the  "Senior Student President Head Office". The directions to the office building  and the room number was written at the back of the red slip. She found herself outside the office before 6am. She knocked on the door not knowing what to expect. No one opened the door. She sighed. She was early. Maybe she could go to the waiting room and sit. She turned around and walked towards the waiting area when she was startled to hear her name..."

"Verona..."

She turned and saw Ottavio.

Ottavio said "Verona? I didnt expect to see you here at this hour..."

Verona said "Hi.. Erm... I did not expect to find myself here either..." She showed him the red slip. "I missed curfew time to my dorm last night... I was too busy ice skating... I was told I need to report to the "Senior Student President Head Office". I need to see the Senior Student President.

Ottavio took the red slip from her "That is me.... You need to see me... Follow me..."

Verona gasped. "Really?"

Ottavio said as she walked towards the door of the office and unlocked it. He waved the red slip "I never thought I see the day that you get into trouble ..."

Verona now was very very nervous... She had told Ottavio earlier that she wanted to be treated normally.  Sometimes people did say be careful what you wish for... Here she was about to be facing Ottavio... Ottavio could decide her punishment. This was a very very bad situation. She entered the room after him and he closed the door soundly making her jump.

He walked in and went to sit behind his desk. "Take a seat..."

Verona quickly took a seat in front of his desk. She had no idea he was the Senior Student President. She had found out the hard way. Damn. She was hoping she never got into trouble again.

He looked at her red slip and then at her "You actually missed the curfew time by one minute? Shocking... Very shocking... Next time you are late make sure you don't get caught..." He dropped the slip on the desk and walked around it slowly "So... Punishment should fit the crime. The slip said you were too busy ice skating and lost track of time... I think I would remove your access to the ice skating rink for a month..."

Verona gasped "One month... I need to take part in state competitions... I cant lose access... This is not right..."

He said as he leaned to the desk and put his hands in his pockets "Wrong answer... Objection gets you a longer sentence... Two months..."

Verona sighed "This is not fair..."

He said "More objections means a much longer sentence... Three months...."

Verona stood up  "I was only 1 minute late...  I wish to appeal to this sentence... Surely there is an alternative?"

Ottavio said "Correct answer..."

Verona was taken back by his response. The shock worn off and she said . "So... Can I appeal? Is there an alternative?"

Ottavio said "Of course that is at my discretion to let you appeal or not... On this occasion I let you... Go on... Let's hear your appeal..."

Verona did not know what to say. "Well... I will do anything as long as my academic or extra curricular record is not affected... Losing ice skating practice time is costly to me... Then it will mean I will have to go off site to practice and that will have knock on effect on my studies... So I would have to give up competitive ice skating..."

Ottavio said "Correct answer..."

Verona asked "So what will be my punishment?"

Ottavio said "In your appeal you said you will do pretty much anything as long as your grades and records dont suffer... Then fine... I hold you to account..."

Verona asked nervously "What is my punishment?"

Ottavio said "Its not a punishment. Its an alternative to the punishment... You have to come to my house for one night..."

Verona gasped "I am sorry what?"

Ottavio said "Take it or leave it... You can refuse the alternative and then get banned from using the ice skating facilities that was the reason for your lateness... Its your choice..."

Verona said "I expected detention maybe... but not this kind of punishment.... It's not even a punishment."

Ottavio said "Then what are you complaining about? Do you really want to do detention with me? I can give you detention if you want for every lunch time.... It would be equivalent of the ice rink ban. Three months of lunch time detention and you will get to spend every single minute of it with me. ... I can arrange that..."

Verona could not believe her predicament. Was this real? She could miss many lunch time clubs and also the chances to socialise. 

Ottavio said "I will inform the security team now that your pending punishment is three months long and they should clear your pending punishment record in exactly three months time..." He then picked the phone up "I call them now..."

Verona watched him dial the number as she said quickly "Wait... I come to your house... I come to your house..."

Ottavio looked into her eyes as he said into the phone "Hello there... Yes... It is Ottavio Orsino..."

Verona held her breath as he heard him give her details to them to security and was waiting for him to speak the next words. The suspense was really getting to her not knowing what to expect from Ottavio.

Ottavio said into the phone as he was looking at Verona "Yes... A sanction has been decided... It is a one night long sanction.... You can clear her pending punishment record now actually... Its fine... Yes.. Of course, if the punishment is not carried out to the satisfactory level I will inform you and you can restore the punishment record to pending status again..." He then hung up the phone. He explained. "These kind of formalities and systems for minor offences  are normal here... You will get used to it... There are hardly ever any students breaking the rules here because the punishments are severe... You were late one minute... A short detention should have cut it in any other school. Not here... This school is very very strict..."

Verona was having mixed feelings. She was very grateful she was not getting three months of sanctions. She was horrified at the possibilities for rule breaking consequences at this school though. She hoped she never broke any rules even accidentally. Was she glad he had changed his punishment. Yes....She was not complaining. She was nervous about going to his house. But one night of going to his house was better than three months of detention or three months of being banned from the school's ice rink facility.

Ottavio announced "I will inform you when I want to take you to my house ... It could be tonight or another night...."

Verona asked "Can I go now?"

Ottavio asked "Of course.... You can go... But are you in a hurry to leave? You can stay and we can talk if you want..."

Verona said "No... You have your morning football practice coming up... I don't wish to disturb you... I should go..." She then walked towards the door. 

As Verona opened the door, she said "I will try to stay out of trouble... Bye Ottavio..." She then quickly closed the door and walked away before Ottavio changed his mind about the choice of her punishment. She counted herself so lucky he agreed to only give her a one night's sanction. The sanction was an unusual sanction. But she was not complaining at all... She knew who she was dealing with. She knew she would not like the consequences if he chose to teach her a lesson the hard way.... The thought really scared her that he was the senior student president and could be in charge of her fate if she committed certain offences. She believed him when he said not many students broke the rules as the sections were severe. She bet the ones who broke the rules did so by accident or not deliberately like how she had done. Verona felt sorry for anyone who ever found themselves at his mercy.  Verona was fully aware that Ottavio could be very unforgiving and cruel when he made people pay for their crimes.