CHAPTER FOUR

3RD PERSON POV

"I guess, I will think about it then," Aquilina said with false cheerfulness.

There is no way I am going to allow myself to get close to them,  she thought.

The warnings from the WACO replayed in her mind.

She was expecting Francesco to get mad, he was probably not used to being turned down. Instead, something flicked in his baby-blue eyes before he smiled.

"The registration for the Art experiment ends on Tuesday next week," he declared, wiping his hands on a piece of cloth. "I believe I will see you before then."

Confident much?

He bid Mr. Francis farewell and glanced her way again, looking a bit amused before turning to walk away.

The rest of the students quickly placed things in order before filing past, whispering as they went.

"Young lady, I believe you know where to find me." Mr. Francis said, before walking out on a confused Aquilina.

What have I gotten myself into?

————

Aquilina sat at the kitchen counter eating a salad when Jason walked in. Nutrition was something that was held in high esteem at the WACO. Always keeping fit.

"Hey, you heard about the party tonight?" Jason laid his face towel on the counter panting heavily.

Her blond-haired cousin, though calm looking actually enjoyed boxing downtown at night. When in his mask, no one identified him as the cool looking kid in Velvet Regent.

He was popular, both in the ring and in class—and extremely handsome. The only person he could not defeat in the ring... was his cousin.

She was said to have been born with an "iron fist." So she rarely engaged in battles except to defend. And with that, she did the minimum she could, not wanting to injure any person.

Having received training in martial arts, she learned to hit certain pressure points on the body that seemed to do the trick.

"I did." She said with a sigh. "But I am not going."

"What do you mean you are not going?"

"I have a lot to do—to think about."

Jason could sense how pensive she was and decided not to push her—only this time. She used to be so fun and bubbly.

But after a few months into her trial, his cousin had changed. She hid from everyone as best as she could. She barely said a word.

And she did her best to hide her beauty. Her golden-brown-like locks were always tied up. She also wore thick-rimmed glasses.

Burying herself in work — surgery after surgery, and mission after mission — had become her habit. Till she joined Velvet Regent anyway.

All she now cared about was school and working hard to stay under the radar.

"Que s'est-il passé, Lina?" (What happened, Lina?) He asked in his rich baritone voice.

And she told him.

"I think you should do it. You can't stay hidden from them forever. You are in the same school."

He gulped a glass of milk he had poured himself from the fridge and then he continued, "The WACO did not mean do not talk with them at all. Just, fait attention." (Be careful.)

He sighed and left when she said nothing.

She did not mean to be rude. But bottling up her feelings had become her forte. She wanted to tell Jason everything. But that part of her that seemed to always get betrayed and hurt made her hold her tongue.

She wanted to say, I am scared. Scared of what might happen if I let go. If I relax and let down my guard... like that night several months back.

————

"... So, I wanted you to know how grateful I am for the opportunity you've given me. But I am sorry, I have a lot to study as I am pursuing law, and cannot accept at the moment."

Aquilina breathed in relief after reciting her thoughtfully crafted speech to Mr. Francis. She forced a tiny smile at the end of it.

They were the only ones in the Art Studio.

She did not want to actually do that to Mr. Francis. He had, after all, given her something most others only dreamt to have.

She held her breath waiting for what he would say.

He took off his glasses and sighed.

"Young lady, I was not expecting this... but I am very fond of you," He folded his palms on his desk.

"How about this? Join the Art Block painting and train after studies each day. Show me your works when done. I am really interested in working with you. I will leave you with the keys."

He sounded so sincere. That caused her heart to melt even as she also remembered the words of her cousin.

"Alright, I'll give it a go." Aqui smiled a little bit at him. She felt excited but tried her best to suppress the feeling.

"Wonderful. Report here after school each day. You can go home and freshen up before returning."

He reached into his desk drawer and the jingle of keys was heard.

"Here is a spare key. I will inform the security of this. Feel free to show me your works during school hours whenever you are done."

He smiled and handed the keys over. She gratefully accepted them. And after a quick farewell, and expression of gratitude, she walked out.

However, Mr. Francis stood and walked to his window, remembering... of course he knew who she was.

Despite her tied-up hair and change in appearance, he would always spot a Jaye when he saw one. She looked just like her mother - a woman he could never forget - with her father's eyes.

Hmmm... This is going to be interesting. He thought.

——————-

Ni hao, lovely people!

GOD bless you once again for reading. Above is a picture of how I sometimes picture Aquilina.

Please vote, share and comment if you enjoyed this.

And did you like the 3rd Person POV? Would you like to see more of it?

And do you think Mr. Francis has her best interests at heart?

Much love,

Phela.