Soft music played in the background. Valentine looked around, her gaze sweeping across the large, modern office in search of the sound.
It couldn't be from her head — she wasn't that delusional.
Truth was, she only used that excuse to avoid meeting André's eyes.
Her cheeks were hot, her heart louder than the music.
Fiddling with her fingers, she inhaled sharply.
"I'll be waiting outside," she said quickly, before turning away.
Her back met the door the moment it shut behind her.
Inside, André's smirk faded.
He walked to his desk, collected his keys and a few documents, and paused — his gaze fixed on the spot Valentine had stood.
His eyes darkened, unreadable.
After a moment, he turned and walked out, his aura cold and heavy.
Meanwhile, Valentine patted her chest, her emotions in chaos.
She was angry. She was excited. She was scared.
And her heart ached — but she didn't know why.
The door creaked. Startled, she jumped aside just before André stepped out. His expression was as unreadable as ever.
Why was she behind the door? he wondered.
He could sense the storm of emotions inside her, yet her face always remained calm — graceful, even.
She intrigued him. Ever since the Welcome Ceremony, she'd stood out — her poise, her silence, her strange composure.
It was as if there was a barrier around her.
"Excuse me," Valentine said softly, glancing at his serious face.
She hoped he wasn't about to announce another punishment.
Her voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"Let's go," he said, his tone low and commanding.
"Go? Where are we going?"
André raised an eyebrow. "Outside."
"Oh." Valentine nodded quickly and began walking ahead of him.
As she scrolled through her phone, she saw Rachel's texts flood her screen:
Where are you?
I sent you the map.
I left the café.
I didn't see you in class.
Text me when you read this.
Guilt stirred in Valentine's chest. Then anger followed.
She blamed the President — he'd kept her trapped for so long!
He could've just handed her the access key instead of making a spectacle out of it.
Shaking her head, she walked faster, ignoring him behind her.
Then something caught her eye on the school's forum.
The once wild behavior of Rachel Vega returns — but could that be what caught Jasx's attention?
A video was attached.
In it, Rachel faced off with two male students, eyes fierce, words sharp.
Moments later, she fought them — quick, skilled, relentless — before pinning them down.
Then she turned to help a smaller girl with pigtails, holding a shard of glass.
But as Rachel reached out, one of the boys rose again, ready to strike her from behind.
The crowd screamed.
Then — Jasx appeared, grabbing the boy by his collar and yanking him back.
The boy froze. When he turned and saw Jasx, the strategist of the Myst boys, all color drained from his face.
Jasx whispered something that made the boy's knees buckle.
Rachel turned, met Jasx's eyes — and muttered something that looked like "thanks."
The next scene made Valentine's jaw drop
.
Her eyes widened at the scene — Jasx's hand wrapped casually around Rachel's waist.
Her face flushed red in shock
.
That was her best friend, Rachel Vega — the same girl who once swore she'd never bow to the Myst boys.
She could already imagine the comments.
Her thoughts spun until a low voice broke through them.
"Why watch it if you're going to blush at every scene?"
Valentine nearly dropped her phone. She hadn't even heard him approach.
"When—when did you get here? And why are you watching what's private to someone else?" she stammered.
André blinked, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"I don't owe you an answer," he said coolly, his voice dripping with authority.
"Oh." Valentine muttered softly, deflated. "Well, I have to go meet my friend."
"Before you do—take this." He held out a handbook.
Valentine hesitated before accepting it, her eyes scanning the cover.
"I added two more punishments," he said calmly. "Give it to the Disciplinary Head."
Her eyes widened. "Wait—what? Why?"
André's lips curved slightly. "Don't walk ahead of your leader again. In this school, I rule and dominate."
He walked away, leaving her frozen in disbelief.
Valentine's mouth fell open. She wanted to scream.
Meanwhile, André's smirk returned.
He liked watching her emotions flicker — confusion, frustration, disbelief.
If this was how good it felt now…
then Valentine Loraine was going to have a very hard time dealing with him in the future.