GEORGE'S POV
It felt like I had barely closed my eyes when the alarm went off. I threw the alarm clock away, not considering where it lands. I hate alarms, but as someone with responsibilities I have to keep to time. I shut my eyes hoping to have a brief moment of extra sleep when my phone got into a ringing spree. At first I pushed it under the duvet not wanting to know caller. But it kept on ringing and the caller won't stop calling. I got so pissed, I had to take the call.
"What?" I hissed letting out my anger. But it turned out to be my cousin.
"Old man wants you at the mansion," he said and hung up before I could reply. But that's something I believe runs in the family. So much impatience, men who are short tempered.
I pushed the phone to the side grabbing my hair as though I wanted to pull out something. If that was possible, I'd be pulling out the pressure from my grandfather. That old man would not let me be. I can't even choose my own path and stick to it. Anyway, it's going to be quiet a busy day. I can't omit my duty as a professor just to please the old man.
I walked down to the balcony of my apartment; it is a daily routine I hate to miss. I always make sure to enjoy the sweet morning breeze before going about my day. It helps keep me sane. Rather than taking in the scenery before me, my eyes travelled to the one in my head. A picture of how many students will stand before me today to defend their projects. Then the thought of that one student who is always loud, yet you could tell she's not all that. Sometimes I feel like she's lost and needs some finding. While other times, I feel like she is deliberately running, using the loudness to shut out the other voices that dares to speak. I keep forgetting her name, but not her face.
I had totally forgotten myself until I hear the alarm ring. It's time to get ready for the day. I always set a reminder for every activity before going to bed. It is the only way I can meet up my schedule. I make sure everything has its own apportioned time, including the time spent in the bathroom.
I already prepared my outfit for the day before going to bed last night, so all I have to do now is take my bath, dress up, have breakfast and then leave the apartment.
"Life should always be this simple," I thought to myself as I proceed to go take my bath. I got under the shower, let it wash me and then towel my body. I dried my hair in a jiffy and boom, I was already putting on my brief and my pants. I walked out of the room and straight to the dinning, opened the fridge to fetch the milk. Yes, you guessed right. I'm having cereal for breakfast. That doesn't make me less of a good cook. I cook the best dishes anyone could think of, but I don't think cooking is necessary when you live alone. So I poured me a bowl of cereal and mixed it with milk. It took me 5 minutes to finish.
"If you're not here in the next 2 hours, I'll come get you myself,"
I scoffed at the notification on my phone screen. Sounds exactly like Raymond. Even though we are at the same age, he always act like he's the most responsible and, well, the superior one. Just because you agreed to take up the family business, does not make you better than anyone else in the family. I do wish to tell him that sometimes. But I find it needless.
I hurriedly put on my shirt, tucked in, wore my shoes and leave for school. I wouldn't want Raymond coming around. When the presentations began, I realised that my colleague and I only have to Screen 10 students. On a regular day, that would be small. But I find it much on this particular day. So I tried my best to cut students off while they were presenting their topics. I kept sending students out and rushing them until she walked in.
"My name is Kelly Stead," she said in response to Professor Joan asking her to introduce herself. That's it.. that's the name of the girl I find mysterious. The girl who's loud, but she appears calm today. She looked quite stressed as well. It made me want to ask her what happened. But I had to refrain from doing so. Despite my wanting to leave on time so I could get to the mansion before Raymond keep true to his threat, I just could not cut her off while she was giving her presentation. Well.. not until Professor Dan whom I detest so much walked in. He's the husband to Professor Joan. He holds a honourable position in the university, but he is trouble. I have once caught him trying to take advantage of a female student. Seeing how Kelly paused on his arrival, thoughts cloud my mind. I could only react by asking her questions. I noticed how tense she got at a point, but somehow, she managed to give good answers. She did well in defending her project, but I didn't commend her. I just left without a word.
I needed to hurry. I gave her too much time, now I fear my cousin would really make it to my apartment. In my haste, I heard that familiar sweet voice calling out to me. I stopped, then turned to see her. She seemed angry. It made me wonder what she was up to, but she forced herself to be polite when she got close. I could tell she was forcing it. She asked me if anything was wrong with her presentation. At first I was confused. Then I remember I did not commend her nor give her a discreet review on her project before rushing out.
I would just ask her to get my number so I could give her a detailed review on her presentation. But before I could say a thing, her phone rang, she picked without giving me a chance to speak. I noticed the cloudy look on her face and then the tears that dropped as she threw her phone to the ground. Without a word, she ran past me. Not knowing what else to do, I picked up her phone and rushed after her.
I managed to catch up with her and got in the taxi with her. I just felt I should go with her, especially after realising she was rushing to the hospital. It must be an emergency. But I wonder who it is that got her so scared, and what happened.
I had to pay for the taxi because she ran off immediately we reached the hospital. She dashed into the building while I ran after her. I looked a horrible mess. And all she kept saying was "please Mari! Please Mari!", leaving me to wonder who this Mari is.
"George!" I heard my name. The voice was familiar. I turned to see Raymond covered in blood. What's he doing here covered in blood? Fear gripped the fibers of my heart.