The Runaway Groom

Chapter 1

“Dylan! Dylan !”

“You're so handsome!” girls scream and shout with romantic excitement as he enters the gate of Cairnhill University on his blue/black YZF-R3 motorcycle. After he parked his motorcycle, he headed towards his classroom.

Yes, he is Dylan turning 21 years old, the second son of one of the richest families in the country - the Andersons'. Their family business is in line with car manufacturing and they are the owners of the biggest telephone company in Cairnhill City. It is managed by his brother Alfred and their uncle John since his father had to rest after his mild stroke last year. Dylan is an actor, model, great dancer, and professional motor racer. He is extremely handsome with his perfect jawline, pale skin, captivating eyes, name it all he is almost perfect. He is used to this kind of girl or fans but still doesn't like it though. He is not only popular for being a celebrity, but he is also known for being cold and distant towards others, especially ladies. Nobody knows, why? There are also rumors about him dating the heir of one of their competitors in business but denied by his agency a couple of times.

“Whew! It's amazing to be handsomely popular.” Geoffrey greeted him with grins.

Dylan just gave him a smirk and continued walking towards their classroom where some of their friends are waiting for their professor.

“Hey bro, what's up!” His friends Christian, Clark, and Benjie give him and Geoffrey their hand gestures as their way of greeting each other when they notice their arrival. Just after their greetings when their professor came in, that made them sit at their respective seats. All of them are taking Business Management courses. It's their parents' choices for the reason for them to learn in manage their families businesses in the future.

Afternoon. Dylan and his friends ended their class for the day and everyone agreed to go to the library to do some research for their new project before going home.

At the library, they chose the table at the end corner where only a few students are there, and on the other side are those small cubicles for those students who want to be alone or don't want to be disturbed while doing research or studying.

“Dylan, bro have you heard that Riley is the top student of the Arts Department after this half of our semester?” Christian stops writing and put down his pen and speaks towards him. Dylan just throws a glare towards Christian that makes him pick up his pen and continue what he is doing. While Geoffrey, Benjie, and Clark just shrug their shoulders and look at each other with big “whys” in their eyes.

Upon hearing the name, a sudden change of mood struck Dylan. He lost interest in doing his research. He stands up, picks up his backpack, and heads outside, leaving a shocked reaction to his friends.

“What happened to that brat iceberg?” Benjie irritatedly asked.

“I don't know!” Clark answered.

“Maybe he has his period!” Geoffrey said that made the gang burst out in laughter and forget that they are in a library.

“Quiet please!”, interrupted by the librarian that made them look at each other and stop laughing.

Dylan on the other side went straight to the rooftop where there is a small garden of flowers and some ornamental plants. A small koi pond that added to the beauty of the garden. He always stays there when he needs to, sometimes alone because very seldom students will go there to stay. In short, the place is quite peaceful with a nice breeze that helps calm your mind, especially this time in the afternoon when the sun is almost set. Someone got time to think or meditate when staying there. Upon reaching the place, Dylan walks towards the bench, puts his bag, and sits. In his mind, he is lucky because nobody is there except him and no one will disturb him. He released a deep sigh and closed his eyes. After doing so, suddenly someones' appearance appeared in his vision, then he felt that indescribable feeling again. He opens his eyes and puts his hand on his chest. He doesn't understand that feeling he is trying to suppress for a long time.

..........

Riley is also turning 21 this year, the youngest heir among the three. The Carter family is also one of the richest families in Cairnhill City, they owned a chain of hotels in Asia and a chain of restaurants in Cairnhill, South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines and planned to set up branches all over Asia. His father Robert Carter is the CEO of the Carter Group of companies. He gained popularity in school for being smart and intelligent even though he is trying to keep a low profile; other students still give their attention to him because he always excels in academics. He is also physically beautiful and handsomely sexy. He always gives a smile to everyone showing his bunny teeth that made those girls gasp.

“Riley, congratulations you're the top student again in our department,” Zoey said while they're waiting for their order at the cafeteria inside the campus.

Zoey Brown has been one of his best friends since he entered the university. There's also Paul and Oliver who aren't there yet as their last subject is still ongoing. They are in the same department and taking the same course in arts and graphic design.

“Thank you!” He humbly responds with a smile.

“Ay yeah, don't show me those bunny teeth or I might fall in love with you like those girls.” Zoey teases him by pouting her lips and using them to point out those girls who are looking at him with full admiration.

Presumably, they are freshmen on the campus. Who could have ignored such a personality who is beyond beautiful and rich? He is damn perfect, a complete package to be a boyfriend. But never heard that he has a girlfriend or is dating someone. Some made a rumor that he is gay. He just shrugs it off and said, “I'm straight. I just want to focus on my studies.”

“Riley, what are your plans after graduation?” Zoey asked while munching the piece of brownies that she ordered.

“Hmmm, I'm still pursuing my dream to have my studio.” He replied without even looking at his best friend.

“How about your Dad? I thought he wanted you to work in your family's company to join your brother and sister?” Zoey knows because he told her everything. He didn't hide anything from her even his stuff.

“Well, still have a few more months to go before our graduation and still a lot of time to decide. He is not forcing me though. He gave me time to decide because he knows since childhood I always give my heart to what I am doing.” Riley seriously responds to her in between the sip of his mango peach lemonade. He loves painting and doing some works related to the arts. He even accepts commission work for his allowance and to let his hands practice always.

“Hey, guys!” Paul gets their attention when suddenly sits next to Zoey. “What are you talking about that made you both look so serious and didn't even notice I'm coming?” Paul asked while taking the last piece of brownies from Zoey's plate. Before they could answer; Oliver arrived with an annoyed face.

“What's with that face kiddo?”Paul teases Oliver who just slammed his butt on the chair next to Riley.

“Will you stop teasing me, older brother!” He responds to Paul gritting his teeth.

Before Paul can retort against Oliver for calling him older brother, Zoey interrupts.

“Can you two stop bickering? You

are like cats and dogs who always wanted to fight when they stumbled to each other.” Zoey interferes before Paul will tease Oliver again. Paul raised his hands like surrendering himself and looked towards Riley who was chuckling while watching the two guys bickering.

He is used to his friends. He knows his friends like him are caring for each other even though most of the time doesn't go in the same mood. Oliver is the youngest among them and always acts like a kid throwing tantrums even in small things.