Serena quickly showered and wore the dress which she painstakingly prepared for today. She, with the help of Beatrice, altered her empire peach dress so that it now has a low-cut square neckline with slightly puffed short sleeves. She left her hair down, hoping that the smell of her freshly washed hair will reach Charlton's nostrils. She looked like a temptress, but one can not simply find fault in her attire.

Satisfied with her look while tucking her hair behind her left ear, she went out of the bathroom. She saw that the girls still haven't left the pool while upstairs, she also saw that fencing class is about to be dismissed. Not wanting to miss her chance, she quickly moved and walked towards the stairs.

After a while, Serena got tired of waiting beside the stairs. She noticed that a lot of boys were eyeing her, perhaps wanting to talk to her but not brave enough to do so.

'why haven't Charlton come down yet? Don't tell me that he is also trying to ogle some girls? Unlikely, he shouldn't be like that based on the novel. Must be Kylo.' With this thought she took it upon herself to climb up.

--

"Hey, you won't believe this. I just saw the goddess outside, seems like she's waiting for someone." Joshua who just entered the shower room told Charlton and Kylo as he approached them.

"Goddess? Well, that's new. Who is she and who is she waiting for?" Kylo asked, curious.

"Who else is the goddess? Can't believe your sources are too slow now, Kylo. She has been given that title since day 1, the blond bombshell who just waved at Charlton earlier. By the way, what's her name? can you give me an introduction? Just in case you know..." Joshua said smiling while scratching his head.

"No chance in hell. Don't you know? She's the one who is engaged to Geoffrey." another boy, named Vincent, cut in.

"Oi, I'm not talking to you, besides, Geoffrey? Seriously? how can she bear that friggin' iceberg. Isn't she afraid of freezing in Antarctica?"

Kylo laughed at the two while teasingly wiggled his eyebrows at Charlton "Well, she must have figured that out on her own, so she must be waiting for Mr. Sunshine here."

"This is unbelievable." Charlton said exasperatedly. He just finished dressing himself while Kylo still only has a towel wrapped around his waist.

"What is unbelievable, my friend, is you, still standing here."

"Wait I still don't get it. Charlton, what is your relationship to her? I really wish for an introduction. Doesn't matter if she's engaged. I just want to see her up-close." Joshua not being able to read the mood yapped.

"I'll see you later." Charlton just said as he turned to leave. Might as well just bite the bullet.

--

Serena was standing beside the stairs going down. There were not a lot of students left and she still haven't spotted Charlton. She was just about to consider leaving when she saw him exiting what she assumed was the locker room. His hair which was not fully dried was brushed back, indicating that he just took a shower. He was now wearing his school uniform rather than the more casual fencing attire she saw him adorn earlier.

He was a sight for sore eyes, and she was happy to note that Kylo was not with him. She smiled at him and instead of waiting for him to come over, she approached him halfway.

"Lady Maxwell, I'm pleased to see you, but may I ask why you're here?" Charlton asked, testing the waters. At the same time looking straight at her face, trying hard not to look down towards the eye-catching swell of her breast.

"Just Serena, Lord Daniel, or... may I address you as Charlton? I'm actually here to collect the offer of you touring me around in school." Serena replied, batting her eyelashes, smiling coquettishly.

If Charlton had any doubts earlier, this time he can just smash his own head if he still pretended not to understand her.

Serena could see him thinking, and she knows that when one allowed a person to think in this situation, the answer might be less than satisfying. Thus, she didn't give him the chance to respond. She directly looped her right arm to his left, just like the other girl during the first day.

"Let's go?" Serena asked at she looked at him under her long eyelashes.

Charlton breathed deeply and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he stared directly into her eyes as he removed his arm from her grasp. He held both of her hands in his as he said

"Forgive me. Leonard is on the archery field. I will send you to him Lady Maxwell."

Serena turned red in humiliation. Never in her imagination did she even entertain the possibility of Charlton rejecting her. So angry was she that all she thought about was that this must be the reason why 2nd male leads never get to have the girl. Such utter stupidity.

"I can walk myself." She exclaimed as she snatched her hands away from his and walked away.

---

TBC