Madeline was puzzled. “Ethan? I haven’t seen him in years. How could it be from him?”
She poked at her food. “Isn’t Ethan in Japrium? I remember the Xuereb family took him back.”
Caleb replied “Ethan has taken holy orders”
Madeline’s fork stopped mid–air, a bomb dropping in her mind. She choked on her food, eyes wide, searching Caleb’s face for any hint of a joke.
Bul Calch was dead serious. Madeline knew he wasn’t one to joke around. “Are you saying Ethan became a priest? Why would he…”
Madeline thought about Aiden, the guy who had given her the rosary beads and seemed oddly familiar. She frowned, “Could he be Alden?”
Caleb picked up his cup
up and swirled it around. “So, you’ve already met him”
“But I didn’t recognize him.” Madeline was frustrated. “What happened to Ethan? How could he..” She was a bit puzzled.
She touched the rosary beads on her wrist, sighing. “If you hadn’t told me, I’d never have believed it
Ethan had been part of the prestigious Xuereb family, one of the Top Ten Families, a true elite in Japrium,
He was truly one of Japrium’s elite, yet he chose to live in such a serene and isolated mountaintop, Madeline really couldn’t quite connect Ethan to Aiden.
Caleb took another sip of water, calming and thoughtful. “He made his choice for reasons we might not understand. We just need to respect it.” For several days. Madeline followed her usual routine of attending school and studying. She awaited the start of her new movie project.
In the evening, after finishing her night class, she walked out of school, nibbling on a cookie.
Harper caught up with her from behind. “Maddie, I saw this really pretty new counselor. She’s replacing the one next door who’s on maternity leave. She looks like an influencer, super young and stylish.”
Harper teased Madeline, “You’re such a sucker for looks. Finished your term paper? Done with the extracurricular assignments yet?”
Harper sighed, clearly hit by reality. “No.” She pouted, “Maddie, aren’t you going to let me join your study group? Am I not still your sweet little darling?”
Just as Harper was goofing around with Madeline, she coughed twice and nudged Madeline’s arm with her elbow. “Look over there–the new
counselor.”
Madeline glanced over.
Standing under the lights near the office building was a woman in a white slip dress. She had a beautiful face, full cheeks, and a curvy figure that exuded charm. Her hair was blonde, loosely tied back in a low ponytail with gentle waves. Delicate pearl earrings adorned her ears,
She appeared gentle and sexy, with bold eyebrows and big eyes, a refined nose, and plump lips–embodying beauty.
Madeline couldn’t help but say, “She really is gorgeous.”
“That’s the new counselor. I saw on Twitter that people are already confessing their crushes on her, Harper giggled. “Forget it, no one’s interested in lovely girls with her around.”
Madeline lightly slapped her hand. “Keep your voice down; don’t let anyone hear you. Harper made a zipped–lip gesture.
At that moment, the new counselor looked their way. When her eyes met Madeline’s, she gave a slight smile. Madeline froze for a moment
A car pulled up, and the woman looked away to get inside.
The next day at school everyone in the class was buzzing with excitement.
Madeline, sitting by the windows in the multimedia classroom, asked, “Harper, what’s going on?”
“It’s our counselor, Mr. Christopher Xavier, Did you see him when you came in? He was totally trying to look cool Harper giggled behind her hand. “Look over there; they just came out of the meeting. Mr. Xavier is definitely trying to win over the new counselor.”
Madeline looked up and rested her chin in her hand. Sure enough, she saw Christopher trailing behind the new counselor from the next class, sandling like a sunflower. Madeline couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “He really is enthusiastic”
Harper analyzed, “I don’t think our counselor stands much chance. Ms. Green is only 25 and looks like she’s bairly out of college. She continued, “And Mr. Xavier is 20 or 27 already. He’s got high competition from all those younger guys around”
11:52 AM
Chapter 234
Harper propped her face in her hands and mused, “If I were Ms.
s. Green, I’d definitely go for a young guy”
“Green?” asked Madeline.
“Yeah, her name’s Daisy Green, Harper nodded. “Like they say, she’s really graceful. Honestly, Ms. Green doesn’t have just that sophisticated vibe down perfectly.”
a pretty face, she’s got
There aren’t many stunning counselors in their college, especially ones as young as Daisy. Even if there are younger ones, most look exhausted from the grind of academia. So Daisy truly stood out.
Madeline nodded thoughtfully. She had been pondering about Karen lately, so she was feeling a bit sensitive. After all, the last name Green wasn’t all that rare.
Christopher was following Daisy around in the sunlight, captivated by her graceful figure and the feminine scent of her perfume. He couldn’t help but feel smitten. “Ms. Green, since you’ve just returned to the country, you must not be familiar with the area. How about I show you around?
Tve got plenty of free time and I’m single, so I can go anywhere you like. I enjoy photography and can take beautiful pictures of you–I’m quite good at it.”
Daisy turned and looked at Christopher with eyes that sparkled like a star. Her voice was gentle yet firm. “Mr. Xavier, I’m not fond of taking photos, and if you do take any, please delete them.
“I tend to be a loner who prefers staying home with a book rather than going out and socializing. I don’t enjoy making friends or being in crowded places. If you’re just passing time, maybe keep your distance.
Her words were like a velvet dagger striking his heart, Christopher’s smile froze; he felt a bit wounded. “Ms. Green, please don’t think Tm some kind of odd guy. I’ve never pursued anyone before.”
Daisy glanced at the students watching the scene unfold from the school building. Her sharp eyes seemed to pick out exactly who she wanted to
find.
She glanced at Madeline, who was leaning by the window. A faint smile appeared on her face, but her eyes remained calm and unreadable. “III consider dating you if you take over my class while I handle yours; how about that?”
