Chapter 325
(Myra’s POV)
“He is a renowned figure in the world of business~ Prof. Stephani Gill started her welcoming speech. Actually, I wasn’t much interested in it. I just need to attend this class~ for about a month~ and be done with it.
Suddenly, the guy, who I think is named Andy Stone, Wendy’s friend, the one sitting beside me, said something like, “Business? Is a business personality giving a lecture to fine arts students? Haha, strange, who do you think it is p>
I don’t know why he was asking me this. Is he trying to make small talk to me so that I don’t feel left out, or maybe it is just his personality? I replied with a simple, “Don’t know p>
I wasn’t even looking at the front. My mind was preoccupied with what happened last night.
The vividly haunting dream I had last, and the events that unfolded afterwards, the possibility of an intruder invading my room, my mind was filled with all that. I was twirling the pen with my fingers, thinking hard about that.
All of a sudden, Wendy poked at my arm with her elbow, unintentionally, as the pen fell. I immediately crouched down to pick it up, but that damned thing rolled and rolled, ending up at the corner of the desk. I extended my hand to grasp it, but it was just a little out of reach.
After a bit of effort, I managed to get a hold of it. Out of the blue, Wendy started hitting my right arm excitedly as she exclaimed, her voice was loud, “OHHH MY GOSH~… ohh my gosh~ sis. Look, who it is p>
“Wendy, I~ I was about to say something to her, and in the middle of clambering out from under the desk, when I heard that uncannily familiar voice, “Hello, Everyone p>
Hearing that voice, my initial reaction was to freeze instantly, my pupils dilated. And my brain~… it immediately shut off the outside noise. I didn’t even know what the person said afterwards as my mind started spiralling, ’This voice~ no~… how can this be possible. No~ No~ No~ No~ That can’t be. I must be mistaken p>
“Myra~… Myra~?” I heard someone calling me. It snapped me back from a shocking state. “MYRA~ What happened? What are you doing under the desk p>
I showed him the pen, got up and settled back in my seat. I kept my head lower, my bangs covering the upper half of my face, while the lower half I covered with my hands, naturally. Then, I sneaked a peek at the person, and there was no denying it. To my utter and horrid shock, the voice I heard~… it didn’t turn out to be a mistake or my illusion. HE REALLY WAS HERE.
I clenched my hand unconsciously and bit my lips, cursing at my rotten luck. Wendy leaned towards me and whispered, “Sis~… who would have thought~… that Mr. Dion Everests~ he would turn out to be the guest lecturer. I am beyond speechless. Wahh~ Do you see the goosebumps on my arms? Geez~… I guess the stars are aligning for me. I am finally going to buy lottery tickets.” She was rambling on and on, her voice filled with excitement, but my focus remained on the person who had just finished with his introduction.
That handsome, captivating face. That alluring, enchanting, yet annoying smile was plastered on it. His confident demeanour, his posture. The approving murmurs and admiring glances everyone was giving him made me nervous as hell as I fidgeted with my fingernails.
Soon, Prof. Gill left the class. I want to go with her. I just want to get out of here. But I don’t want to draw any unnecessary attention as well. So, I just tried to behave as normally and casually as possible.
He continued, as he leaned forward and glanced at the students, “You guys must be thinking, why am I~ a business person~… here to give a class on painting and sculptures, right?” Everyone nodded at him as if they were under his spell.
He chuckled and said, “Then, let me ease your curiosity first.” He then left the podium and started walking towards the students. “As you must know, the Everests Corporation boasts its influence in various kinds of businesses. Be it infrastructure, hospitality, aviation, or fashion. You name it, and we will be present in that sector. On that note, our corporation has an art center as well. I guess a few of you must be aware of that, hmm? He asked.
A girl from the crowd spoke, her voice filled with sheer enthusiasm, “Yes, Odessey House. Your corporation is the first one that was able to convince the renowned artist ’Dev-ine’. Isn’t it p>
“Haha~ You are very well aware. I am impressed. You may take a seat,” Dion flashed a charismatic smile at her, as I saw the other party blushing. He continued with his words as well as his steps, “Yes, our gallery, approached ’dev-ine’ and fortunately, I would say, we got lucky that we were able to sign an exclusive contract with the artist p>
“But Prof. Everests, from what I know. You played a major role in signing ’dev-ine.’ How did you do that?” someone asked, their gaze was full of veneration and marvel.
“Luck~… Sincerity~… Trustworthiness~ Dion uttered. He was engaging with everyone so casually that it never felt like he was doing this for the first time. My eyes were fixated on him as well, but my expression differed from everybody else.
I could feel my palms sweating as he came closer and closer towards our desk.
Thankfully, I was seated in the inside section, so blending in and not being seen by him was a bit easier. But my sister~…Wends~… she was the biggest concern for me. She was being animated and enraptured after seeing him. Her previous jittery and nervous self was nowhere to be found. Maybe all of that was transferred to me.
I just stared at my wristwatch, waiting for time to tick by, but as my luck is already woeful, the class was far from being over. I calmed myself internally, ’I just need to get through with this for an hour. Stay silent. Don’t stand out and everything will be fine p>
The only thing that went my way was that, as it was just a guest lecture, there wasn’t going to be a roll call. Otherwise, it would all have been for nought.
Andy suddenly whispered near my ear, “Myra~.” He came a bit too close to my earlobe as I shuddered and backed away a bit too dramatically.
As rotten as my luck is, I was almost thrown from my chair. Andy caught me in time and steadied me, “Easy there~… Are you alright p>
I simply nodded in reply and looked Dion’s way, to find he, as well as the whole classroom, was now looking in our direction. I could feel his penetrating gaze as I gulped down nervously. He was boring holes. I instantly lowered my head and broke eye contact, my nails digging in my clammy palms.
I waited and waited for him to utter something, but to my surprise, he turned around and continued with his lecture. To be brutally honest, I was caught completely off guard. ’Did he find out or not p>
I followed him with my eyes, but he was behaving as usual. This made me doubt myself. Either he didn’t recognize me, or he did recognize but doesn’t give a damn about it.
I should feel relieved and grateful, but why does this sting? Why do I feel like this? Why is my chest so itchy all of a sudden?
The answer~… I don’t know how I should answer that. This alien feeling was making me feel suffocated.
I took a few deep and long breaths, which eased my nerves. I shoved every silly thought aside and just focused on the lecture.
I must compliment him on his smooth talking skills and easygoing way of engaging with others. I could tell that everyone~ boys, girls, one and all were all swept up by him. They were becoming his fans, including my sister. Actually, she was already in admiration of him.
Last night~ at the dinner table~ Her words were full of talk about Elio and Dion. How handsome they were. How polite they were. How down to earth they were. She was all over the place with praise. At the end, Yelena had to shut her up because she was being too much. And even now, she was all heart eyed.
I need to have a talk with Wendy and ask her to stay away from Dion. She isn’t aware of who he is. The people sitting here aren’t aware of what he is. But I know~… I know who and what exactly he is. He may seem sweet and harmless on the outside, but he is as dangerous as fire p>
To Be Continued…….