The food looked expensive. The arrangement and the fragrant aroma seemed to mock my poverty, reminding me that even if I worked day and night, I'd never afford such luxuries.

"I'll eat and go," I said before taking some carbonara, my favorite. "Thank you for the food," I added before digging in.

The taste did not disappoint, just as I expected. I'll make the most of this meal because it might be the first and last time I get to eat something like this.

I was content with every bite and swallow of the food I tasted here. Even though I wasn't showing any emotions, deep down, I was happy to experience something like this-To feel like I belonged to the kind of world I tried so hard to fit into.

But he shattered that fantasy when he spoke.

"You have to pay for that-" He didn't finish because I was about to spit out my food. "-Damn, Sapphire, I was just kidding."

He looked worried and was about to touch my cheek, but I quickly moved my face away. What a jerk. Who does he think he is to joke like that?

I crossed my arms and continued eating instead. I noticed Ash still staring at me, but I ignored him.

We weren't that poor, but he was filthy rich. The gap between our worlds was enormous, so I couldn't understand why he was here now, doing something extravagant like this for me.

"I'm done," I said in a low tone as I wiped my mouth with my white handkerchief. "I'll go now."

I pushed my chair back, stood up, and slung my bag over my shoulder. Ash remained with his arms crossed over his chest, watching my every move as if I were a princess he needed to guard.

"They say food is the best comfort when you're sad," Ash suddenly spoke.

I looked up at him, raising my right eyebrow. "Pardon?"

"I prepared this for you," he said casually, pointing to the food in front of him. "I was hoping this would lighten your burden, even just a little bit..."

My brow furrowed even more at his words. I researched a lot about him before, to learn how to avoid him, but from what I remember, he doesn't do this for his girls. He doesn't even make an effort to talk to them; he waits for them to come to him, like a predator waiting for its prey.

Does he have a hidden agenda?

"You're putting in too much effort for someone you're just going to make the flavor of the month," I said, catching him off-guard.

He stared at me for a long time before letting out a soft laugh. Why does it seem like he's trying to wake up my sleeping, demonic side? Him being delighted by everything I do was starting to irritate me.

"I'm sorry." He was apologizing, yet his facial expression said otherwise. "But, what? Flavor of the month... how did you know about that, my lady?"

I looked away when he said that. Damn it, he looks so good. Even his sitting position screams dominance and authority. I was afraid that if this continued, I would fall into his traps like the other girls.

Because I'm just a girl who gets attracted to guys like him.

Just like how my father won over my mother, even though he wasn't the ideal man people would want to be with.

"You're popular for that, Coleman." This time, I called him by his surname. "Stop acting like you're innocent."

I didn't know where my courage was coming from, but just a simple smile or a glance from him was enough to make my blood boil and my heart race.

I want him and hate him at the same time, like a drug that's so good to taste but too bad to take.

"Who told you that I was here to make you a flavor of the month?" He stood up and approached me. He was still grinning, but now there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Then, why am I here?"

This time, I didn't step back. I stood my ground and met his gaze. I held the hem of my blouse as if drawing strength from it while Ash seemed to drain all the energy from my body.

I should be brave. I can't always retreat.

He touched a strand of my hair before his gaze moved from my nose to my lips. It felt like his stare was hypnotizing me. "After seeing how miserable you were last night, I wanted to comfort you, but this is the only way I know how..."

He took a step back and released my hair, which allowed me to breathe again. I desperately tried to gasp for air as I forgot to breathe earlier.

As I did that, Ash kept staring at my lips. He even licked his lower lip, his gaze unwavering.

"Now, go, Sapphire…" he said, taking another step away from me like he was trying his best to control himself, "before I do something bad to you."

I gulped upon hearing that sentence. My eyes unintentionally wandered in the middle of his thighs, and saw how hard he was. It was bulging from his pants… like it wanted to break free so badly. I quickly diverted my gaze to his chest and swallowed hard at the thought.

Without any further delay, I ran down to the ground floor. The hardness of his c. ock made me think it would devour me. I had intended to walk out with elegance, but my fear ruined the plan I had in mind.

And even knowing that I'm in the classroom, listening to the professor, I couldn't take that away from my mind.

"Damn," was all that I could mutter.

My classmate glanced at me, but I pretended to curse because I couldn't understand the lesson being discussed. Accounting subjects are not easy, but today's topic was a piece of cake for me, which was fortunate for me because I can't focus on the lesson, no matter how hard I try.

"Miller," the professor called my attention, pointing to the whiteboard. "Solve number six and seven in the front, now."

I stood up, and before I went to the front, I saw my classmates smirking at me. Did they think I would be humiliated because I didn't know the answer?

They are wrong.

"You never failed to amaze me, Sapphire," my professor complimented upon seeing the correct answers to the problems. "Good job."

I only smiled and nodded before returning to my seat.

Like I've said, I was valuable at this school, not because of my economic status, but because of my intelligence that they wouldn't dare to share with anyone else.

Thankfully, the class ended after a few hours. I immediately went to the Student Council room to do my other tasks there, but as I sat in my cubicle, Evangeline approached me with her infamous deadly glare.

I wonder what she was up to this time.