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๐“š๐“ป๐“ฒ๐“ผ๐“ฝ๐“ฒ๐“ท๐“ฎ

Currently, Friday, I was walking down one of the academy's hallways.

"Let go of me!"

I froze in my steps.

"Get your hands off me, Derek!" A feminine voice yelled and . . . I recognised that voice.ย 

I sighed. "Another day, another drama, comme c'est charmant (how lovely)."

๐“ก๐“ช๐“ฌ๐“ฑ๐“ฎ๐“ต

"How dare you say you're breaking up with me?!", Derek hissed in my face in anger while he gripped my arms harshly.

"You think I wouldn't find out about all those girls you're fucking behind my back?!! I literally just caught you making out with one! I fucking hate you, you asshole!", I exclaimed.

"You're complaining about me?! You're the one, who flirts with every guy you see, like the desperate slut you are!", he yelled in my face and his nailed dug through my skin beneath my blouse. I yelped in pain and started to tear up as he roughly shake me while shouting in my face.ย 

My tears ran down my cheek and then I just hoped for this moment to end. Eventually, it did. Because somebody came and ripped one of Derek's hands of me. I turned to see . . . . her.

ย Kristine La Cartier.

"You should never grab girls, love", she said with a blank face towards Derek. "It's highly inappropriate."

"Y . . .you", I stuttered.

Derek's grip on me loosened. "Uh . . h . .hi Kristine." Derek released me and gave Kristine one of his flirty smirks. "I was just having a talk with my ex-girlfriend."

I'm his ex now? He literally just begged me to stay with him a few seconds ago.

"That is no way to talk to a lady", Kristine said.

Derek sighed and faked one of his guilty looks. I swear to go I want to puke at seeing that look on his face. "You see I um . . . " He rubbed his jaw with his hand. "I just caught Rachel cheating on me, so I was upset and . . .ย  I just feel betrayed."ย 

My jaw dropped.

You fucking asshole.

"Oh . . " Kristine mumbled.

I looked at her and pleaded with my eyes to not believe a word he says. But Kristine didn't spare me a glance, she continued to stare at Derek dead in the eyes. I thought she believed Derek, but I was wrong.

"What made you think you could possibly fool me?", she asked. "I heard everything."

Derek gulped and I could tell he was trying to come up with an excuse. When he was about to say something, Kristine spoke.

"I have no business to interfere with this toxic relationship of yours, nor do I care if it's over", she said and took a step towards Derek. Literally, everyone in this academy can agree that Kristine is very intimidating. "I will say this though." She took another step. "Derek", she called bitterly and took another step. "Do yourself a favour and teach yourself some manners." Her eyes scanned him from head to toe before they locked with his eyes. "However, I doubt you're capable of doing so."

๐“š๐“ป๐“ฒ๐“ผ๐“ฝ๐“ฒ๐“ท๐“ฎ

I leaned in closer to whisper in Derek's ear,ย  "I have problems with men like you. If I see such behaviour like this again, I'll teach you some manners myself."ย 

I pulled back to come face to face with Derek's face, covered with anger and a hint of fear. I gave him a sweet smile. "Now run along. We've had enough of you for today." With that said, Derek dashed until he was out of sight.

I turned around to find Rachel staring at me wide-eyed. When I was about to walk away, I heard her stutter, "T . .thank you."

I halted my steps and faced her. "I didn't do it for you, I did it for the sake of vulnerable little damsels like you and for the sake of my respect for manners. Whatever I said, it doesn't only apply to Derek. You yourself know you did wrong too."

She glanced down at the ground with regret on her face before looking up at me. I could tell just by looking at her that she was indeed hurt. Maybe not a lot, but she was hurt.ย 

I sighed. "Look, no girl deserves that. That includes you." I walked towards her - helped smooth out her crinkled blouse and necktie. Where's her blazer? "You don't need him. What you need - " I looked her in the eyes. "Is to pull yourself together and focus more on yourself than boys." Then, I remembered I have four boyfriends. "Unless you find the one." Or ones.

" And . . . if I do?"

I firmly placed my hands on her shoulders. "You will know and then you'll know what to do. Till then, you're your main priority because you're yours first before you're anyone else's."

Rachel opened her mouth to say something but didn't get a chance to because I bolted and disappeared from her view.

"Unless you find the one? I must be drunk", I cursed at myself.ย 

"Saving the day babe?" Tamara appeared from nowhere and wrapped a lazy arm over my shoulders.

"I'm not saving anything or anyone."

"From what I just witnessed, I disagree."

I sighed. "It's like the girl's stories are just stuck in my head. Every time I see a familiar situation, I get triggered."

"God help those who trigger you." Tamara chuckled. "Or not, there are assholes I don't give a fuck about."

โ‡โ‡โ‡

Once my last class ended, I decided to study in the Platinum lounge.ย 

I pushed the door open and there sitting on the couch with AirPods in his ears was Ashton. He must've not realised my presence since he kept his eyes focused on his phone screen. A small smirk appeared on my lips when a thought came to mine. Quietly, I closed the door behind me and my way towards Ashton.ย 

Once I got closer to him, Ashton looked up and smiled. He took off his AirPods and kept them in their casing while I placed my backpack down on the armchair. When Ashton was about to say something, I shocked him by sitting on his lap with my legs on either side of him.ย 

The next thing I did was stun him.ย 

I crashed my lips down onto his and kissed him fully. After a few seconds of registering what was happening, Ashton kissed me back hungrily. He slid his hands around my waist and held me firmly against him. My fingers traced up his neck and rested on his nape before tangling them in his hair.ย ย 


Around a minute later, I pulled away from the kiss.


"Hi." I smiled when I met his eyes.ย 

"Hey." Ashton smiled back and placed his forehead on mine. "I wasn't expecting that", he said while laughing lightly.ย 

One of my hands came up to his face and stroked away the strands of hair that brushed his forehead. "Expect many unexpected from me, Ashton."

"I look forward to", he grinned. Then, his lips were back on mine but with more force and pressure. I returned the kiss with just as much intensity.

Ashton's hand ran up the side of my neck cupping my jaw, tilting my head to better align our mouths, while his other hand slid down from my waist. I felt his fingers trail up my bare leg. My hands found their way into his thick, soft hair as I caught his bottom lip in my teeth, nibbling and licking at it and Ashton growled in response.

His hand moved under my skirt, caressing up the inside of my leg as his lips played across mine, his tongue running over them. As he laid his lips over mine, he pushed his tongue into my mouth - slowly and sensually rubbing against mine.ย 


We proceeded to make out for a couple more minutes until I pulled away. Ashton leaned in to capture my lips once more but I stopped him by placing a hand on his chest and smirked.ย 

"My main intention was to come here and study."

"Are you sure you didn't have any other intentions?", Ashton grinned while trailing his fingers up my thighs.

"I did." I leaned in and grazed my lips over his. "To eat gummy worms." I pecked his lips before getting off his lap and made my way to the pantry. I chuckled when I heard Ashton groan.ย 

While I took the jar off the shelf, I felt arms wrap around my waist and a chin resting on my shoulder. "You can't tease me like that", Ashton whispered in my ear.

"I'm pretty sure I just did." I edged my face sideways to look at him. "Also, I like being a tease."

Ashton groaned and placed a soft kiss on my cheek.

I continued to eat the gummy worms until Ashton spoke. "I wanted to ask you . . ", he hesitated. "Can I um . . . give you a pet name?"

A pet name?

I wonder what it'll feel like . . . to have him call me by one.

Slowly, I nodded. "Depends . . . ." I narrowed my eyes at him. "What name do you have in mind?"

He thought for a second and I smiled at the sight of his pouted lips.

Hellย Ashton, you're so cute.

Seconds later, he suggested. "Baby?"ย 

Don't blush.ย 

Honestly, I didn't like being called that by anyone. But it sounds good coming from him.

My lips opened and closed. As much as I hate doing so, I couldn't help but look down shyly while smiling.

You changed, Kristine. You changed.

Ashton giggled softly and I glanced at him. "You're so cute." He pecked the tip of my nose.ย 

"I'm blushing aren't I?"

"Yes, and I love the fact I made you blush." He tucked his face into the crook of my neck and I smiled.

You make me feel some way, Ashton. You really do.

"So . . . will you be my baby?", he asked me in a playful-like tone that got me swooning.ย 

I looked at him. "Sure."

Ashton smiled and placed a chaste kiss on my lips.

"I'll let you know when I have a name for you", I said.

"There's no rush, baby." Ashton gave me an assured smile and I returned it with a soft one.

Then, I took a gummy worm from the jar and placed it in front of his lips. "Gummy worm?"

โ‡โ‡โ‡

I crashed down onto my room's pillow couch with a huge smile on my face.ย 

Then, I remembered about the book from last night. That fairytale book. I sat up and brought out my MacBook from my backpack. I started to search the Peter Harrington book store. It turns out, there's more than one here in London. The one Xavier took me last night, if I'm not mistaken was on Fulham road.ย 

I looked into the one who manages the bookstore on Fulham road. A name came up, Pom Harrington. Then, I looked into his background.ย 

Found it.ย 

In 1997 Peter started Peter Harrington Antiquarian Books at 100 Fulham Road, taking Pom with him. In 2000 Pom took over the running of the shop, and after Peter died in 2003, became owner and partner.

I started to search the website for a contact number. Not long later, I found it.ย 

"Got you."ย 

After a quick shower

Kristine's Outfit

After I blew dry my hair, I applied my hair treatment. I brushed my hair and left it down in its natural waves. Usually, I wouldn't apply makeup after a refreshing shower and there's no particular occasion. I grabbed my cherry lip balm and applied it to my lips. In the final touch, I sprayed my favourite A Thousand Wishes body mist.ย 

For jewellery, I just wore my gold diamond stud earrings and simple rings. Then, grabbed my white YSL sling bag and to match I wore my white PUMA sneakers.ย 

When I was about to walk out the door, an idea came to mind. I swapped my sling bag with my brown leather PRADA backpack. I placed my phone, wallet, keycards and other necessities. I also took a notebook of mine and my spare pencil case, which was smaller compared to my other one.

Then, I was out of the door.

A couple of minutes later

Fortunately, when I made the phone call earlier, I was informed that Pom Harrington was currently at the bookshop today. This wasn't the plan, but I need to discuss this face to face.ย 

I drove through London with many thoughts clouding my mind. From the moment I entered that bedroom, I knew something changed. The music box, the words carved onto the piano, that voice and that name . . Charm.ย 

This is it.ย 

But only, the start of it.ย 

Once I arrived, I parked my car in front of the bookshop. I stepped out of the car and locked it before walking towards the store door. I pushed the door open and my eyes roamed all over the place. Until, they landed on, Pom Harrington. He stood beside a particular bookshelf with a book in his hands. I approached him.ย 

"Mr Harrington?"

He looked up from the book he was reading.ย 

"My my, Ms La Cartier."

"Please, call me Kristine."

His lips stretched into a kind smile. "Well Kristine, you may call me Pom." I smiled. "I received a call that somebody was asking for me, I didn't expect it to be you."

"Well, here I am."

"Yes, here you are. What can I help you with?"

One of my hands reached up to hold my backpack strap. "I was here last night with Xavier. He told me you two were familiar?"

Pom nodded. "He's one of my common customers. A nice young man, one of the very few I know who loves books as much as I do. He . . brought you here?"

I nodded and Pom his eyebrows in amusement. "Why? I'm sorry if we weren't supposed to -"

"No no, it's fine dear. I gave that key to Xavier for him to come in and read anytime he wants. He's more than welcome to bring friends here with him, but . . . he's never brought, anyone. I've never seen him come here with anyone actually."

"Oh . . .I see."

"Xavier knows to transit the money if he purchases a book during closing hours. Did you buy a book last night?"

"Books. Xavier bought me all three volumes of the first edition of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontรซ."

Pom smiled. "Well then, you must be very special to him."

"Uh . . um mhm."

Seriously?ย 

"Anyways, um . . . I came across this book last night. May I?" I gestured to go find the book and he nodded.ย 

I walked towards the shelf last night and sighed in relief once I saw it was still there. I took the book off the shelf and showed it to Pom but when his reaction gave off a hint. There was a hint of sadness on his face once he saw the book I held in my hands.

"This book."

"What about it?", he asked.

I sighed. "I don't know .ย  . . just curious about it. You know every story has another story behind it. This fairytale book just feels like . . . there's a history to it, you know?"

"I quite understand what you're trying to say, Kristine. But what history are you really asking for?"

I thought about what to say. "Have you ever had a particular customer, who was very interested in this book? As in, admires and loves this book very much."

Pom furrowed his eyebrows while looking down at me. "That's very funny of you to ask. It's almost as if you're asking about them."

"Them? Who?"

Pom glanced down at the book and sighed before answering. "It's no secret, it's just I've never talked about these two."

I waited patiently for him to continue.

"A couple of years ago, these two kids would always come to this shop to read this book." He pointed to the book in my hands. "One boy and one girl. I assume they were . . . siblings."

"Siblings?"

He nodded. "The boy looked maybe a year older than the girl. At that time they were probably four or five years old. They were very close." Pom smiled sadly. "You know I was so happy to see those two every day, seeing young kids like them with a love for books, that brought always brought a smile to my face. " He pointed towards a shelf near the shop glass window. "I remember they would always sit right there. The boy would have the book on his lap and the girl would rest her head on his shoulder." Pom looked at me and smiled. "There were both the cutest little ones I ever did see."

"I'm sure. Why this book though?"

Pom shrugged. "I mean who doesn't love a good fairytale book? The boy would always read it aloud for her, while she just sat there and listened with a big smile on her face." Pom chuckled. "Such a cute little girl."

I smiled. "You said years ago, what happened to them?"

Pom frowned. "I don't know. They just . . . vanished. I never saw them anymore."

"Vanished?"

"They stopped coming here. It's been many years since I last saw those two, I only hope they're alright. Maybe, they moved back home."

"What do you mean to move back home?"

"Clearly, they weren't from here. They didn't look like it at least. Also, they weren't very fluent in English. The boy had a very strong accent."

"Do you know what accent he had?"

Pom thought for a moment. "Italian?"

"Italian??"

He nodded. "I'm not entirely sure, but if I'm not mistaken . . . they both spoke in Italian with each other."

Italian. . . . .

"Wait, that explains why they would read this book. This book was written by the Italian poetย Giambattista Basile. Since it's the first limited edition, it's written in Italian."

"Oh yes, I forgot about that."

"Fairytales. Italian poet", I mumbled.ย 

There was a short silence until Pom spoke.ย 

"You know what made those two very memorable . . " I looked at Pom and saw him staring at the spot he pointed to earlier. "They would always step into this shop with big smiles on their faces. Before they go searching for the book, they would say hello to me and whenever I asked them 'What do you two want to read today?', that little girl would answer excitedly 'Fairytales'."

"They must've been very special."

"Oh, they were. That little girl though, I miss her sometimes. You see there were a few times . . . where she would bring a flower with her. Just one, and she would give it to me." Pom chuckled. "Once I introduced myself, the little girl would call me Pom Pom."

I chuckled. "Cute. Pom Pom."ย 

Pom looked at me and tilted his head a bit with lowered brows.ย 

ย "Is something wrong?", I asked.

"No." Pom smiled. "It's just . . " He took a good look at me. "You quite remind me of her. Not to mention . . . theirs a huge resemblance."

"Oh . . ..well, you'll never know. Maybe related." I chuckled. "It's a small world we live in."I smiled. "Um . . . if they loved the book so much, why didn't they buy it?"

"I'm not sure."

"Well . . . did they always come in here alone? What about their parents?"

"The first time they came here was with their mother."

"Their mother?", I asked, "You . . . you saw her?"

"Maybe . . . three of four times. Most days, their parents would just drop them off here. I know this is not a library, but I enjoyed having the two of them here. Just reading."

"It's a nice place to spend time", I said. "Wouldn't blame those two for wanting to read here all the time."

"I haven't spoken about those two in a very long time. I guess it just took a curious customer." He chuckled while looking at me.ย 

"Very curious indeed." I copied his chuckle. "As I've

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