Chapter 12: Maria's New Friend

Walden College's student council represented the voice of the student body. The students' business was their business, and their business was the school's business. Members of the student council were elected by the students, but the president was approved by the school's leadership, alumni, and parents. Hence, the council's widely recognized unofficial slogan: To be nominated is an honor. To be elected is a privilege. To be approved is a prestige. Student President Paris Carter had everything. He was the son of the king in the business world, known to all as the young master of the stars. He exuded the most arresting elegance and charm any men and women in Lenmont had seen. Considered almost royalty, hierarchies mattered a lot to Paris. If a place had no hierarchy, he'd make one himself and force everyone to follow. This was what happened in Walden College. This prince also knew very clearly who was who in the hierarchies everywhere. In Walden's hierarchy, Maria Davis, also known as the country girl, was right at the bottom of the food chain. Paris knew her kind. They were all out to marry the rich and climb up the hierarchy. He detested that lot. Maria seemed to be the worst. She was simply too lazy to even dress up to impress. What did she take his kind for? Ignorant, gullible, or both? Who did she think she was? Paris needed to teach her a lesson. He pulled some strings at the dormitory and had Julie, the vainest and the most ferocious of his kind, to be roommates with Maria. He expected to see two things happen. First, Julie would teach Maria a lesson about etiquette. Second, Julie would tame Maria, just as the others had with the minority of students who were enrolled solely based on their worthless results and useless passion. But Julie was so caught up with her no-roommate request being rejected and had completely missed her true duty. So Paris had a chat with her to redirect her mission. To keep up with her work, he allowed her to use any methods as long as she didn't get the student council in trouble. Julie, of course, instantly agreed. All was going well. The last he heard from Julie was that Maria was tamed. Her dress sense could be worked on later. But that changed today. "The commoners are gathering, Paris." The tall and lean dandy man in a white shirt and pants turned from the window and eyed his secretary. With a hand in his pocket and the on the window, he looked like a model posing for his photograph to be taken. "So I heard," a refined voice sounded in a royal-like pace. "Take a seat. Let's not panic." The secretary sat obediently and waited quietly. A moment later, the prince took his seat on the couch from across him. "It's easy to rattle along with the nonsense when you're in it, so take a step back and breathe." The secretary did as he was "advised." After a large inhale and a slow exhale, he opened his eyes and found the polished face with a grand smile. "Now, tell me. Who is gathering the commoners?" "No one." "So they're gathering themselves." The secretary nodded. Paris kneaded his chin in pondering. "Something happened." It was both a statement and a question. The secretary jolted forward, "Yes! Maria Davis!" Those teal eyes widened in surprise. Hasn't she been tamed? Clearing his throat, the fair prince spoke again with the same unrattled poise. "What did Julie say?" At that, the door flung open. His beautiful fighter stormed in with her feet thumping on the ground like those ground pounders working at the construction site. "I need to use harsher methods, Paris!" Julie fell onto the couch beside him and crossed her arms in rage. "Maria?" Paris asked softly like a parent appeasing an ill-tempered child. "Who else?" "I thought you said she's tamed." Julie turned to the gorgeous man and pouted her cherry lips. "I thought so too! Apparently, she tricked me! I was teaching another one a lesson, and she called me a bully!" A trimmed eyebrow raised in awe. No one dared to use that term on them. No one ever. The prince lifted himself off the couch and returned to the window side. He stood there as he stared at the scenery of sky and grass and a network of roads and buildings. "Stop everything." Julie jumped up and almost shouted, "What?" Then, she slanted her eyes at the glorified image of the student president and asked, "Are you interested in her now?" Paris smiled at his faint reflection in the windowpane. Who is this Maria Davis? He turned away from the blue sky with a gallant smile. "We are the voice of the students. Now, the students have spoken. They want Maria, so we want her." Julie's face instantly paled with her eyes in surprise as she muttered under her breath, "You're interested in her." Paris's thin lips stretched into a president's smile. Beautiful classical music streamed into the air. The prince fished out his cellphone. Without taking his eyes off the glum-looking Julie, he answered the phone. As he listened, the smugness on his face started to melt into the hard look of a gargoyle. "So she's the daughter of an oil tycoon," Paris stated in a mechanical tone. Julie's already widened gaze stretched further. Paris glanced away as he answered, "I know my responsibilities as the heir. You don't have to keep reminding me, Mother." An anxious lump formed in Julie's throat. She swallowed it impatiently. She had to wait until Paris finished the call, but the wait was killing her. "I am not meeting her. I'll find my own wife," Paris concluded firmly and removed the phone from his ear. He stared at the scenery outside and inhaled deeply to calm his furious breathing. His father's mistress thought she could run his life. Who the hell did she think she was? In the president's silence, Julie cast a purposeful glare at the secretary, who immediately got to his feet and scampered off like a mouse. Once alone, Julie went up behind Paris and slid her arms around his masculine waist. She snuggled her cheeks on his shoulder, molding her sexy curves against his strong back. She then pressed her lips on his shoulder, inhaling his manly scent. "You have me," Julie whispered in a seductive purr. Paris lifted a tiny corner of his mouth into a mischievous smirk. He turned, and his dreamy teal-gaze drilled into Julie's brown eyes. Skimming a finger across her fair, nicely shaped cheek, he flashed his dashing grin. "Do I?" Completely consumed, Julie nodded as if in a trance. "Will you listen and follow my every word?" His voice was as magnetic as Pied Piper's tune. Julie swallowed, and her eyes turned hooded. "Y-yes, Paris. You know I will." Paris rewarded her obedience with a view of his diamond smile, then leaned into her, seizing her senses with his arresting warmth. With his lips next to her ear, he breathed, "Then, stop everything with Maria Davis." Julie's eyes burst into surprise again. She tried to pull away, but Paris sandwiched her to a wall and pulled her closer but not touching her. "What do you say, Julie?" Julie forgot to breathe. She was in Paris Carter's arms, and he was holding her lovingly as he did in her dreams. She wanted his lips all over her. Just do what he wants, stupid girl. You love him, don't you? Maria's got nothing against you. No girl did. She was the only one for Paris, and she was sure of it. Her curly lashes battered briefly before her voice answered, "Yes, Paris. Whatever you say." Paris pulled away. A brilliant laugh escaped his throat, "Wonderful, my dear. I know you will support me whatever it is I want." Julie blinked as Paris returned onto the couch. She smiled warmly. "Of course, I will." Because I love you. She sat beside Paris and hugged his arm, "What do you plan to do with Maria?" The tiny corner of his mouth lifted again, "You'll see. And you'll love it." Julie grinned delightedly, "Really? Are you going to make her pay for being rude to me?" "Even better." Paris crossed his legs and exhaled. "I'm bringing her in." Julie shouted, "What!" Paris winced in annoyance but swiftly regained control of his expression. "Keep your friends close, and keep your enemies closer." The beautiful girl wrinkled her brows in confusion. Ignoring her, Paris grinned brightly. "The entire student body belongs to me and me only." Civilians and elite. He would make this Maria Davis succumbed to him and became his new puppet. "When will I meet your family, Paris?" Julie nestled against his warm, muscled chest. "You know how I feel about you. You know I'm the best for you. We're the perfect match." He turned to his old puppet and smiled in satisfaction. They always fell for him. Always.