So Adam and I stayed at the hotel for two days instead of one. I think he sensed something was wrong so he gave me some time alone. He was busy with the hotel and Black Industries

He left me by myself in the room and told me to call the concierge if I need anything and I did. He came back at night and held me to sleep, both nights. He was very sweet and attentive and I love him for that.

Today, I came to the university because I was called in for a meeting with the graduation committee. I texted the group chat I have with my friends and told them about it because I'm nervous the university is going to change their mind about allowing the fourth-years to graduate. Liam was supposed to come over to Adam and I's to get some materials for the classes he's taking for the summer.

I also have practically everything in my home studio . Every tool, every sketchbook, every pencil, model making stuff and whatever.

Liam is in the university to do get some things done so he offered to walk with me to the students affairs department.

"How long is this going to take?" He asks the moment we arrive in front of Dr Coleson's office.

"I'm not sure." I shake my head.

"Okay. I will be right outside."

I look at my Cartier wristwatch. It's 11:15, perfect so I knock on the door.

"Come in."

I look at Liam and cross my fingers then open the door.

He's sitting casually in his chair. I know most of the instructors in this university because I'm part of the student council. Dr Coleson and I have crossed paths a few times.

He's a very chill and relaxed person and he plays around with the students so seeing a warm smile on his face kind of eased my nerves.

"Miss Smith." He says.

"Dr. Coleson. You wanted to see me."

"Yes. Please have a seat." He points at the chair.

"Thanks." I smile and he goes straight to the point.

"Your graduation is this Saturday as you know. Mike Chen is the valedictorian but due to unforeseen circumstances, he won't be able to make it. I know it's late but I would like to offer you the position if you're interested."

Um, what? What? I stare at him speechless for some seconds. This isn't what I was expecting at all. I thought I wad going to get tossed aside not become a star of a show that's not even mine. I softly clear my throat then speak.

"Sir, even though I'm extremely honored. I don't think I can accept. This isn't even my graduation. I'm just a tag along." I tell him, still bewildered.

"I'm aware but we both know that if you were graduating next year like expected, the position is yours without a question."

Obviously. I mean, I have worked my ass off for the past four years. I have one of the most perfect attendance records in history because I'm always present, not just for my classes but for all the activities the university has.

"But this is different. Isn't there a salutatorian or someone else?" I ask.

"No, there isn't. The university wants you, Amelia. You're perfect for this."

I look at him. It's tempting but I shake my head. "I just don't want to take someone's opportunity."

"Why don't you think about it and get back to me by the end of the day? We need someone to fill Mr Chen's shoes. Personally, I believe you're even more suitable than he is." He says kindly.

"Thank you." I smile.

"Have a good day."

I stand up and walk out. I can't do this. It doesn't make sense. I see Liam speaking with Camilla.

"Hey." I hug her.

She hugs me back with a smile. "Hi, you look nice."

"Thanks, you too."

She's wearing a beige skirt and a black buttoned up shirt and her hair is in a wavy style that falls beautifully down her shoulders.

"So? What did he want?" Liam asks.

"He wants me to be valedictorian."

Liam's eyes widen. "Woah!"

"What? That's crazy." Camilla says.

"I know."

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him no but he said I should think about it."

Cam raises her eyebrows. "You are going to say no, right?"

"Are you crazy? She deserves this!" Liam explains,

She rolls her eyes at him. "It's not even her graduation. Amelia, can't seriously agree to this."

"I don't know, guys. If this was during my time, you know I get to be valedictorian. I check every box and I worked hard for that."

"Obviously." Liam agrees.

Camilla scoffs at the both of us. "You can't be that naive. The university doesn't care about your grades or anything like that. They chose you because of who you're dad is, the family you married into it and of course the kind of power your husband has."

"That's bullshit! If they're going with nepotism, they might as well choose Aaron." Liam says:

"That would be too obvious and Aaron probably has the worst GPA in history."

I sigh. This is too stressful. "I'll just tell them no."

"Amelia, you can't. You worked for this for four years and now you have the chance. Take it." Liam says.

"If you want it that bad, then you should wait and graduate with your set. Simple. You can't have it all." She says in an impertinent manner and that snaps me.

"Camilla, I started with you guys and have done the amount of work you have, if not more because of how difficult and time consuming my major is. The president agreed to let us to graduate with you because we've earned the right to." I tell her in a serious tone.

I mean it's only fair.

"You know, you're never going to have this, right? You've been a bitch to everyone. Students and staff! You have the worst attitude. They won't offer it to you." Liam tells her.

"I don't fucking want it! The only thing I want on my graduation is to look good and you're a fucking dickhead for saying that."

"If you don't want it, why won't you be happy for your friend? You know, everyone keeps saying you've changed, but I don't see it. You're still the same." He says, disgusted and I start feeling bad.

Cam looks at him like she's going to explode. "Uh....ugh!" She stomps her feet and walks away.

"That was harsh." I tell him and he shrugs.

"I don't care. Go back in there and accept." He encourages.

"But everyone will think-"

"It doesn't matter what anyone else fucking thinks. If they're your friends, they will happy for you. It's that simple. It's not like any of them are going to do it." He points.

I look at him and go back and knock on Dr Coleson's office and he asks me too come in

"Back already?" He smiles when he sees me.

"Yes. I want to ask.......why do specifically chose me?"

"I told you, you're perfect for this."

"I know but is it because of my grades, my role in the student council, all the extracurricular activities I took part in and helped organize, my relationship with professors and stuff like that or because of my family?"

His face doesn't give anything away. "That's quite the list you have."

"So? Do you want me to be valedictorian because of who I am and what I've done in this university or who I am outside?"

"The answer is both."

Unbelievable. Camilla was right. Everything I have done is for nothing.

"Dr Coleson, with all due respect-"

"Miss Smith, listen to me. The university doesn't want you because of your family. It's based on what you've achieved as a young lady on your own."

I frown in confusion. "I'm not following."

"Most kids these days don't want to go to university. They want to have social media jobs, become influencers, you know and some want to depend on their parents for the rest of their lives. All they want to do after high school is party or travel around the world and take photos and as you know our target are the privileged and elite kids like you."

"Yes, and?"

"We want you to be an inspiration to our current and potential students, for them to know that they can do it all just like you did. We all know that you're the "it girl" and yet you're here and have given us an outstanding performance for the years. Going to college is not "trendy" these days. We want you to make it so, we believe you can."

I narrow my eyes. "I don't know what kind of influence you think I have."

"Now, let's not sell ourselves short." He grins.

****

Liam and I are on our way home when I get a call from Camilla so I answer with my car bluetooth. "Hello."

"How dare he!" She yells through the car speakers.

I glance at Liam with a questioning look. "Who?"

"Liam! I cannot believe that fucking asshole!" She sobs and my eyes widen. "Cam, are you crying?"

"Surprised the bitch has a heart?"

I look at Liam again but he seems unbothered so I sigh. "Liam didn't mean it like that."

"Yes, he did! I'm never speaking to him ever again! He should have kept his mouth shut but he wanted to take your side and gang up on me."

"I'm sorry, Camilla. We didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

"I know you didn't but he did. I honestly still can't believe I dated that fucking loser. Tell him to go fuck himself." She hangs up.

Thats was intense.

"So you're not going to say anything?" I speak and Liam rolls his eyes. "You have to admit. That's a little dramatic, even for her."

"Yeah but since she's hurt, you should call her and apologize."

"No, Amelia. I'm sick of her treating everyone like shit. I know you're friends now but she's still rude to Valerie, Tara and everyone else on campus."

"I know but-"

"Let's just stop talking about this, please. It's the last thing I need." He says, exasperated.

He's very stubborn like Adam.

"Fine." I shrug. We can sort it out later.

I'm still not sure about the whole valedictorian thing. Dr Coleson said I have five million people that look up to me.

My Instagram, TikTok and Twitter followers combined. The university wants me to attract students for them and it's something I can do.

We've reached my house and we're about to enter the front door. "I almost forgot, you know Adam's friend Nathan, right?"

"Yes." Liam answers.

"His girlfriend Brie is throwing a pool party tomorrow and she asked me to invite you guys. She doesn't have a lot of friends here."

"Welcome home, Mrs Black." Randy greets.

He's doing flower arrangements with one of the butters. The house smells beautiful.

"Thanks, Randy." I give him a smile.

"Would you like anything to drink or eat, sir?"

"I'm good." Liam tells him. "I will see if I can make it tomorrow." He adds.

I give him a desperate look. "You have to. I promised her you guys would attend."

"Fine, I'll talk to the guys."

"Thank you."

We go upstairs to my studio and I start taking out all the stuff Liam will need.

"Hey man." He greets Adam and as he joins the room.

I look up and see him dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, looking tall and very sexy. I saw him in the morning but he's hotness always catches me off the guard.

He's holding a bowl of food in his hand and when he doesn't reply or even glance at Liam, I speak. "Hi."

He looks at me with warmness in his eyes. "Hello."

We meet in the middle and wrap our arms around each other. Adam's kisses my hair and I close my eyes, inhaling his scent, wanting to forget everything.

Being around him calms my heart in the best way. He's my rock.

He strokes my waist. "How was your day?"

I give him my answer. "I missed you." Sometimes I don't realize how much until I see him.

Liam clears his throat so we break apart.

"He didn't give you any trouble?" Adam asks and I chuckle. "Only a little."

Adam picks the bowl of food he kept on my table and hands it to me. "Your lunch."

He actually has a reminder on his phone that says 'feed my wife'. This happened when I stopped seeing the therapist he set me up with.

I take it from him. "Thanks."

"I need to reply an email. I'll be back soon." He kisses my head and leave.

I sit next to Liam and pull my hair to the side before I start eating. I'm supposed to show him some stuff about the new AutoCad update.

"Your hair is so long."

"I know. I've been thinking of cutting it short. Like a bob."

"How short is that? Here?" He touches the around the middle of my neck.

I swallow my food. "No, not that short."

"Like this?"

"Yes."

When Adam comes back, Liam's hand is touching my hair so he gives the hardest look.

"Hands off my girl."

Something is up with these too.

Liam lets go of my hair. "Whatever, she was mine first."

"You wish." Adam states.

"She was."

"We've been betrothed 15 years prior."

"And she said yes to me."

"Only because I allowed it." Adam backfires.

"Ha! Allowed it?"

"Guys! I'm not an object. You are acting like two kids fighting a over a toy and our situation is already weird without you talking about it." I finally speak.

"He started it." Liam says.

I give him a look. "Seriously?"

"Get out of my house." Adam growls at him and before I can say anything to him, he storms out of the room.

"I'm sorry." Liam speaks after a short moment of silence between.

I finish swallowing my food. "You should be. You know better than to provoke him."

"No. I'm apologizing because you have to live with him for the rest of your life. He is unbelievable." He huffs.

"He's Adam and you were both acting ridiculous. I get it, it's what siblings do. They fight over things. But I am not a thing okay?!"

Liam rolls his eyes. "As usual, I have no idea what you're talking about. He and I never fought over anything."

Right. They didn't even grow up in the same house. "Maybe that's the problem."

"No. The problem is he's angry with me because this morning, I defended my mother while they were arguing."

"Adam and your mum argued?" I don't even know they spoke. He's always avoiding her.

"Yes. Something about their business. He was scolding her, can you believe it? So I stepped in."

"I didn't know they own a business together."

Liam looks at me like I'm crazy. "What? Amelia, Adam owns Chatayeour."

"What? Really?"

Chatayeour is Diana Black's interior design company. It's actually one of the best in the country country. She's been listed in AD 100 and stuff like that so Adam owning it is kind of a plot twist. I had no idea.

"Yes. Originally it was my mum's but apparently they had one of their major fights a couple of years ago so he went behind her back and bought it."

Again. WHAT?

My eyes widen. "You're kidding!"

"That's-"

"Cruel. But it's also the Adam we know and love." He says sardonically.

"But what's his issue with your mum?"

"They've been like this for as long as I can remember. Maybe, even before I was born. I do know she's hurt him somehow though. She's always apologizing and yet, something tells me he will never forgive her."

I still don't know what this deep secret it but I know it must be difficult for Adam to grow up hating the person he's supposed to love the most.

When you're a kid, there's this love that you share with your mum and it shapes you but I don't think Adam had that.

"That's so sad."

"It is. I'm glad he has you. He needs someone bright in his life."

After Liam left, I go to Adam's home office to talk to him and see if he's okay but I know he's not going to want to talk about it. I'm also flying my friends to model for Nicole and Camilla for their final project. They are supposed to stay at the Summit but it's fully booked.

Adam is sitting on his chair, looking devilishly handsome. His dark curls are a little messed up and he has taking off his suit. He looks at home but also still oozes power as he speaks on the phone.

Our eyes meet and he continues talking. "No, Charlie. I expect nothing but the best."

I go over to his bookshelf and start scanning through his books.

"Then tell them to do it again because I am not impressed......Impossible? If you did your research, you would know that word is not in my dictionary.......Good, they have two weeks."

Outliers. I turn it to read the description and I wonder if Adam even reads all these books that he has everywhere. There's a huge shelf in his office, we also have a library in this house with lots of books.

"Interesting choice if you're looking to start reading." He comments and I turn to look at him and reply. "I'm not."

I walk over to his desk and ask, "Are you still upset about Liam?"

"I was never upset."

"Then what's up with you two?"

"He's just a brat." He replies, nonchalantly then takes a card from the desk and hands it to me. "Here."

It's a credit that has my name on it. "What's this for?"

"It's yours."

"Mine?" He got me another credit and it kind of makes me feel weird.

"Yes. You're not going to lose it again, are you?" He jokes, smiling.

"No but Adam," I take a deep breath, "This is really nice and generous and I'm so grateful but I can't accept it."

"What? Why?"

"Because it's a lot."

He gives me a look. "It's not a big deal."

"But it is, Adam. I don't want to be like some kept lady of yours." I frown and his lips twitch.

"It's not funny."

"How can you be a kept woman? You're my wife and I don't understand why you're like this all of a sudden. You had one before."

"Yes, but we're together now." I explain.

He leans against his chair and gives me another look. "You felt more comfortable spending my money when we weren't together?"

"Honestly? Yes. Now, it's just weird to me, Adam. I can't." I shake my head. "Maybe later in our relationship and even then, I shouldn't! I should be able to provide for myself. Not rely on you, my parents or even my grandparents." I add.

Recently, I've been doing some thinking. I always start an independence journey but always trip along the way. Obviously it's not easy to work on yourself. It's a process so you have to treat it like one.

I don't want to be snob or feel above everyone else. I want to be myself. Whoever that is.

I've been blessed with abundance of wealth, yes. I've been surrounded by it my whole life. It's hard to picture a life that's not lavish, luxuriant or opulent. It's all I know.

However, I always wonder who I would be without it. I'm the embodiment of a white old money and highly privileged girl.

"Why won't you rely on me? I'm your husband."

I roll my eyes. "That's exactly why. You're doing this out of pure masculinity.

"No, I'm doing this because I'm a very wealthy man and you're the person I choose to share my life with, every aspect of it." He says and I take a seat opposite of him.

"If I want to find my purpose and become a better person, I have to learn to be independent. Do I want to run with this and go on a shopping spree? Absolutely! But I think there are more important things that I have to achieve first. By myself." I explain.

"And when did you develop this sense of individuality?" Adam asks tightly. He does not look happy. He's looking at me carefully trying to analyze me.

Why does this feel like a freaking interview?

"I'm not being individualistic. It's just that I've had it all, you know. All the luxuries in the world and the materials and as you know, I didn't work for any of those things. I want to have something that I'm proud of. You said it yourself, remember?"

Adam rolls his eyes. "When are you going to stop throwing that in my face?"