Author's Preface
[6 Years Ago]
[Kai]
When I moved into a flat in North City, I wanted only one thing - to live quietly.
Away from my family.
Away from the house in the city where I'd been living with my caretakers.
Even though that house had given me the space to grow up on my own, I was never truly alone.
There were always caretakers, security staff, and helpers around.
And though it was technically my own place, it was still filled with people working for my father.
I was always being watched.
Where I went. What I did. Who I spent time with.
Not that they ever had to worry about the last one.
I don't really have friends.
I can't say I never envy people who do.
Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to live an ordinary life instead of this one.
If I had the choice, I'd trade places without hesitation.
But now that I've moved into this flat near the university, I've discovered one rather embarrassing problem.
I have no idea how to manage a home on my own.
Cooking. Cleaning. Laundry.
I'd never had to learn any of it.
My thoughts wander to Miss Rosa, my childhood caretaker. She's been looking after me ever since I was fourteen, more like a mother than an employee.
Which is exactly why, swallowing my pride, I end up calling Noah.
"I need someone to help with the household chores," I tell him. "Not a live-in housekeeper though. Just someone who comes by on a fixed schedule, gets the work done, and leaves."
A quiet chuckle comes through the phone. "You should've stayed at your old place instead of pulling this stunt."
"I'll contact the department," he continues. "They'll arrange someone after the usual background checks and verification."
I sigh. "Which is exactly why I should've been given more independence years ago."
"Please pass that along to my father," I mutter.
Noah laughs softly. "Sure. I'll add it to today's report."
"I'm serious," I insist.
"I know," he replies.
After that, he updates me on a few official matters and I listen, not because I'm particularly interested, but because it's expected of me.
[ *** ]
The first week at the university passes exactly as I'd hoped, quietly.
I notice people already forming friendships, eating together, laughing between classes.
Meanwhile, I still remain on my own and oddly enough, I don't mind.
After years of unwanted attention, blending into the background like this feels refreshing and somewhat normal.
Maybe, for once, life can stay this ordinary.
"Um... hi." a hesitant voice pulls me away from my notes.
I look up to find a guy wearing glasses standing beside my desk, a backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Is this seat taken?" he asks.
He looks strangely nervous.
"No," I reply, gesturing towards the empty chair, "Go ahead."
He thanks me under his breath before taking the seat.
I return to my notebook, but after a moment, I notice him sneaking glances at my work.
When our eyes meet, he immediately jerks his head forward, pretending he'd been looking elsewhere the entire time.
"I'm just working through a calculation," I say.
He quickly adjusts his glasses. "I wasn't looking."
A terrible lie. I want to laugh.
"It's okay," I tell him, unable to suppress a smile. "I don't mind."
He stays quiet for a moment before speaking again. "...It's wrong."
I frown at him. "Hm?"
"That formula. " He points awkwardly at my notebook. "It doesn't apply to this question."
I stare at him and instead of looking confident, his face turns bright red.
"I-I mean... I'm sorry..." he says, clearly flustered.
A laugh escapes before I can stop it.
He visibly freezes.
"Why do you look so terrified?" I ask, still smiling. "I'm not offended."
I see relief wash over his face. "I'm... really bad at talking to people."
"Me too," I say.
He studies me for a second before giving a small smile. "You don't seem like it."
"Really?" I gesture towards the empty seats surrounding me. "Do I look like someone with lots of friends?"
He looks around before letting out a sheepish laugh. "I thought you were popular....you look the type."
The idea is so absurd that I laugh. "So you came over to make friends because you thought I was popular?"
He scratches the back of his neck. "...Honestly? Yeah."
That only makes me laugh harder.
Before long, he's laughing too.
"I don't even know your name yet," I say once we've both calmed down.
He extends his hand. "Mark."
I shake it. "Kai."
Before either of us can say anything else, the professor walks into the classroom.
The conversations around us fade as everyone returns to their seats.
As the lecture begins, a thought quietly settles in my mind.
I'd just made my first friend.
And for some reason, that realization stays with me for the rest of class.
[ *** ]
Two weeks have passed since the semester began.
Despite sharing the same awkwardness around people, Mark and I couldn't be more different.
Unlike me, he actually knows people, even though he jokingly calls them his "business connections."
Our lives are worlds apart, and he has no idea who I really am.
As far as the students on campus are concerned, I'm just another freshman.
Maybe only the university administration knows about my family. No one else does.
And I'd like to keep it that way.
[ *** ]
"How much longer is your senior going to take?" I ask, glancing at my watch.
We've been waiting in the cafeteria for over twenty minutes.
Mark checks his phone before shrugging. "Almost here."
He grins. "They don't call him 'The Sloth' for nothing."
Almost on cue, a loud voice echoes through the cafeteria. "Mark!"
We both turn to the source.
A young man wearing a baseball cap waves enthusiastically as he makes his way toward us, flashing a wide smile.
Two girls walk beside him, chatting as they follow.
But my attention moves past them, to the person walking a few steps behind.
She's dressed simply in an oversized white shirt and faded blue jeans, her dark hair tied into a loose bun.
A familiar canvas bag hangs from her shoulder, a book tucked beneath one arm.
My breath catches.
It's her.
"Kai?" Mark's voice pulls me back. "This is Henry."
I hadn't even noticed when he'd reached us.
I tear my eyes away just as she follows the others towards another table.
The man standing before me offers a hand. "Nice to meet you, Kai. I'm Henry."
I return the handshake. "Nice to meet you too."
He offers a warm smile. "If you ever need help with anything around campus, just let me know."
"I always look after my juniors. Mark's from my high school too."
" Sure. I appreciate it," I reply.
He reaches into his backpack and hands a notebook to Mark.
"I would've introduced you to the others, but we've got somewhere to be. Next time, alright?" he says, stepping back.
After a quick wave, he heads towards the table where his friends are waiting, including her.
Without realizing it, my eyes are already following him.
Mark gently nudges my shoulder. "...Are you gay?"
The question catches me completely off guard. "What?"
"I'm just asking" He adjusts his glasses. "Nothing wrong with that, of course."
He lowers his voice, "But just so you know, Henry's straight. Straight as a ruler."
"And honestly..." Mark leans in with a grin. "He's kind of a player too".
I am speechless as he continues and can't help but let out a little laugh.
"He's not my type" I say casually.
"...Oh." Mark looks genuinely confused for a second.
Then he clears his throat and looks at his phone. "Anyway... Management class starts in ten minutes. We should leave."
We gather our things and walk out of the cafeteria.
But before stepping outside, I can't help but take a quick glance back one last time.
Henry says something that makes her laugh.
A few loose strands escape from her bun, dancing in the afternoon breeze as sunlight spills across the table.
And for some reason, I don't look away.
"Annie."
Mark's voice breaks my train of thoughts.
I turn towards him. "Hm?..."
"The girl in the white shirt." He smiles knowingly. "Her name's Annie."
He adjusts the strap of his backpack continuing, "She's one of the university toppers"
"I wasn't looking at her," I mumble.
"Weren't you?" He raises an eyebrow at me.
"...No." I try to play it off.
He chuckles. "Relax. You're hardly the first..."
"What do you mean?" I ask, confused.
"I think half the guys on this campus have a crush on her..." Mark says.
I turn towards him. "...Including you?"
He laughs.
"I'm not aiming that high," he smirks.
He then pats my shoulder dramatically saying "I'll leave her to you, brother".
I shake my head, laughing despite myself as we continue towards our next class.
Mark keeps talking about assignments, professors, and some club he wants to join.
I hear every word but none of it stays with me.
Only one name does.
Annie.