Chapter 001
Candice
A resounding knock on the grand wooden doors roused me from a deep slumber, prompting me to shift beneath my warm, heavy blankets. I blinked several times, attempting to adjust to the light, wincing as the morning sun's rays brushed against my face.
The knock echoed again, and I gradually sat up, tugging down the black nightgown that had gathered around my hips. I yawned and stretched my limbs, rubbing my eyes with both fists.
"Come in...” I called out, clearing my throat to dispel the remnants of my morning grogginess.
“Good morning, princess...” Lia exclaimed cheerfully as she entered my room, a silver tray cradled in her arms. “I have prepared breakfast for you…”
“Good morning, Lia...” I replied in a melodic tone. “Oh, you’re so sweet, thank you.” I smiled and approached her as she placed the tray on the small table beside the right-side window. “Wow, these are all my favorites!”
I clapped my hands in delight as I glanced down at the meal she had arranged, which included waffles with flax and almond butter, scrambled eggs, and a fruit salad.
A grin spread across my face as the enticing aroma filled the air. I pulled out a chair and seated myself, eagerly diving into the food.
Lia gently stroked my hair before heading to the bathroom, likely preparing the bathtub for my use after breakfast. I shoved a fresh strawberry into my mouth, my thoughts drifting to the outfit I would wear for the first day of the school year.
Dad tried to persuade me to get a private tutor instead of attending university, but I had firmly declined. I want to experience life outside the confines of my home. I wanted to feel like a typical teenager, just like my peers.
I was aware of our wealth, but it held little significance to me. What Candice wants, Candice gets. Thus, school it would be.
I swiftly completed my breakfast and hurried to the bathroom, indulging in a long and invigorating bath. Upon sliding the doors open to my expansive walk-in closet, I was welcomed by a room adorned in pink, a clear testament to my fondness for the hue.
The closet was brimming with an array of short skirts and designer blouses and dresses, thanks to the influencers I admired on social media.
With a smile, I chose a black pleated skirt and a pink button-up blouse with a rounded collar and short sleeves, unclipping them from their hangers before placing them on top of my bed.
I hastily discarded the pink, fluffy robe I was wearing and put on the blouse first, exhaling in frustration as I realized I had stayed too long in the bathroom. After finishing my outfit with my favorite pair of pink Converse, I glanced at the clock on the wall.
To my dismay, it was already 8:30.
My eyes widened in horror as I dashed out of the room, snatching my pink book bag and racing down the stairs. It was only then that I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror and gasped.
“Oh, my god!” My naturally wavy coppery light red hair was in disarray, and I had no time to fix it. I sighed, hoping that Brad, our driver, still had the hairbrush he always lent me during my hurried exits from the house.
"Are you leaving?'' A deep voice asked from behind me, stopping me from stepping out of the house as I grasped the doorknob. I turned around and embraced my father warmly. "Take care, my princess...''
“Alright, alright…” I chuckled, planting a kiss on his cheek while standing on my tiptoes before breaking free from his hold and dashing out the door. “Goodbye, Dad! I’ll see you later!”
I waved at him as I settled into the backseat of the passenger area.
“Good morning, Brad!” I cheerfully greeted the driver, who returned my smile and extended a hairbrush towards me. “Oh, thank you!” I replied with a shy grin, taking the brush from his hand and running it through my hair.
“You're welcome, princess…” he responded with a broad grin. “And good morning to you as well.”
I leaned back, a satisfied smile on my face, though a hint of anxiety crept in as I contemplated the first day of class following the summer break. Despite knowing I had no reason to feel apprehensive—everyone had always been kind to me and my academic performance was satisfactory—I could never quite shake the nerves that accompanied my arrival on campus.
I was aware of my friends, and they always greeted me with a smile and conversation, yet I often found myself wandering through the school grounds alone. This solitude did not bother me, as I had always favored peace and comfort.
Another source of my anxiety was my classmate Kier, whom I had thought about during the summer. I had a tendency to develop new crushes frequently, changing my affections each month. I pondered whether someone would take Kier's place as my crush this month. Time would tell.
As I exhaled softly, a graceful smile appeared on my face when Brad arrived at the drop-off area in front of the entrance to the main school building. I watched my fellow students rushing through the main gate, prompting me to check my wristwatch for the time.
I still had ten minutes remaining before class commenced.
