Vivian's Pov:
The lectures soon ended and I packed my bag, ready to leave for the canteen to have my lunch. Since I skipped my breakfast in the morning, I didn't wish to leave my lunch at any cost.
As I stood up to leave for the canteen, Ziva appeared in front of me. "Go and tell Professor Angelo that you don't wish to be the group mate of Leone," she commanded.
I lowered my head and decided to walk away silently. While doing so, Ziva pulled me by my hair and pinned my head to the desk. The bag from my shoulder dropped, and my glasses loosened from her eyes. The impact of the push was huge and I could feel the pain ran through my head.
"How dare you ignore my command? I'm supposed to be with Leone, not a filth like you."
"Vivian, just do what you are ordered to," Haley chimed in.
Ziva pulled me up this time, causing me to shriek in pain. "If you fail to do this today, then it will be your last day in this academy," she whispered in my ear and pushed me away with her werewolf strength.
I knew I was going to hit the floor this time. However, to my surprise, a pair of strong arms held me. My eyes widened to find that my savior was none other than Leone.
"Leo!" Ziva exclaimed and then frowned to see how he saved me from falling. Jealousy surged through her veins as she turned furious. She marched toward us and pulled me away from Leone's arms.
A slap resounded across my face and my glasses dropped to the floor.
"You b*tch! How dare you–" She paused as her hand was caught in the midway for the second time.
"You aren't allowed to slap her in front of me. Didn't I clear you this many times?" Leone's cold and intimidating voice left Ziva in fear.
I couldn't believe my ears. Leone didn't want me to get a slap. What a joke! It was him because of whom I became an outcast in the college and began suffering like I was in a living hell.
Now, many of you would think about why I was still in this academy when I could take a transfer to prevent myself from getting bullied.
Because it was impossible to take a transfer once you got admission to Lunar Shadow Academy. Only rich and influential people could do that. And I had no such power.
Another important aspect of my life was that I was an orphan. Two years ago, I lost both of her parents in a terrible accident. My uncle and aunt took over the entire property and kicked me out of the house, which belonged to my parents once. That's why I turned into a more quiet and bearing person.
"Leo, she is the one who started it. You and I should have been in the same group," Ziva asserted.
"Follow me," Leone instructed me, but I remained glued to my place. It irked him and he grasped my hand, along with the glasses.
I felt a sudden pull as Leone dragged me out of the class with him.
Upon reaching an isolated place within the college, Leone let go of my hand and turned to face me.
I was terrified, thinking about what Leone had to say to me.
"I know you aren't mute, so drop this act of being a mute and answers the questions I ask you," Leone said with a stern tone.
I tightly held the strap of the bag, wondering what he wanted to ask me.
"What did my Mom tell you?" Leone asked.
I was perplexed by such a question and looked into his eyes.
"Don't stand like a lamb!" Leone almost shouted at me, thus intimidating me further.
"I-I don't know your mother," I answered with honesty. I mean I knew the College was run by his mother, but why would I go to her.
Leone closed the distance between us. I was swift to step back unless I found a wall behind me. He made me wear the glasses as his fingers brushed on my temples.
My fingers curled with his touch as I peered at him through my broken glasses.
"You met my mom in the morning before entering the class," Leone said.
"I met the President, Mrs..." I paused and then took the surname, "Warrick."
"Yeah, that's my mom. What did she ask you to do?" Leone asked and held my chin in firm grip. "Don't make me wait. I hate it."
"She approved my scholarship," I replied.
"And?" Leone asked.
"And nothing. We talked about my scholarship," I answered again. "You can let me go," I urged.
"F*ck!" Leone moved away and ran his fingers through his hair. He stopped his hand at the back of his head.
"Stay there. You are not allowed to leave yet," Leone instructed.
I didn't move after his command. Suddenly, my stomach growled and I quickly covered it using my hands.
Leone heard the growling sound and turned around. "Let's have lunch together," he said.
"Pardon?" I stopped blinking, thinking I heard something wrong.
"If you fail, then I'll fail. And I cannot take the risk of failing," Leone stated. "Vivian, so make sure we top this group project because I'll punish you if we don't get the first rank," he affirmed.
I was out of words to hear him. "But the group project means we both have to make the efforts," I stated.
"No. If you are paired with me, then that means you have to work harder to make sure we come first," Leone asserted. "Do you understand?" He asked.
I had no option except to say yes to him.
This was the first time I talked so long with Leone, because of whom I was outcast and got bullied by everyone. I felt I would work like a slave for him.
"I'm hungry. Let's go," Leone said, and walked ahead of me.
"I don't want to get slapped," I said after gathering my courage, making Leone stop in his path.
"No one will dare to do that in my presence," Leone pronounced and tilted his head. "You've won a jackpot. As long as you are with me, you are safe."