Chapter 1
“Do not get me wrong, Prof. Paula is a sweet and relatable woman, I mean, she reminds me of my Nana,” Amara neatly folded another pair of jeans and put them in her small suitcase, “But the personality that her tests have is pure evil.”
“That is what you always say, and you end up with perfect grades,” Aika rolled her eyes.
Amara slammed the suitcase shut and sat on her bed next to it, “All I am saying is, I am not going to check my results until I am back here. I do not want anything to spoil my much-needed break.”
Aika smiled playfully, “Still planning to go visit Mr. Romantic?”
Amara looked at her roommate and smiled sheepishly, “Well, a girl gotta blow off some steam, right?” She giggled, “Yeah, two weeks with the family and then one week with my boo.”
“The way you talk about him, y’all should just get married already.”
Amara held up her hand and sighed dreamily, looking at her empty ring finger, “Mrs. Marshall. Amara Knight Marshall. I love how that sounds.”
Aika tossed a pillow at Amara’s face to bring her back to reality, “Just don’t get yourself knocked up, okay? You have two more years here.”
Amara laughed and tossed the pillow back. “I hear you, Aunty Aika. " She got up and walked over to her roommate and close friend. “I’ll miss you.”
The two hugged, “Did you confirm whether your Dad is actually coming? You can come home with me, you know?”
Aika waved a dismissive hand, “Thanks, but yes, he is coming. It’s been seven years, I can’t wait to see him.”
“That’s awesome, I am so happy for you.” Amara clapped her hands. She was genuinely happy for her friend. Her father was battling with some inner demons and had been in and out of rehab for a while. He had been sober for a year and was finally cleared to see his daughter again.
"Well, if you are all set and I am all set, I am off to the airport. I’ll see you, girl, happy holidays.”
The two friends hugged again before Amara lazily pulled her small luggage out of their dorm room. The second semester had gone by swiftly, proving to be more of a headache than the first. Amara had just finished her first year, and as an economics student, she felt she barely had the freshman experience because all she did was study. She was the lastborn of the Knight family. Her father was a renowned cardiologist, and her mother a famous chef and bestselling author. She also had older twin sisters, one a cardiologist like Dad, and the other a journalist. There was no way she would be the failure of the family. If she had to live, eat, and breathe books and miss the fun university experience, then so be it. This university was her first choice, and although it was miles away from home, she was happy for the opportunity.
Amara shuffled to the elevator, pulling her little suitcase behind her. A couple was waiting for the lift too. The doors opened, and the three of them walked in, and she got a good look at the girl's face.
"Oh my God! Are you okay?" Amara was horrified.
The blonde girl had a massive black eye, bruised cheeks, and a torn lip. She looked like a mess. Was she in an accident? Wait...was she beaten up? Did her boyfriend beat her up? She was definitely beaten up. Amara looked at the guy and then at the girl and shot an accusing look at the guy holding the poor blonde girl's hand. He was devilishly handsome. It is always the beautiful ones who have the darkest of hearts. His dark hair, his dark eyes...arg if he wasn't so tall and well built, she would have...
"She is fine," a warm, silky voice interrupted her violent thoughts.
Amara shot daggers with her eyes and sneered at the guy, "I wasn't talking to you." She turned back to the girl, "Seriously, do you need help? I could.."
The guy pulled the blond girl into a hug and tenderly kissed her forehead, "I said, she is fine."
Amara's anger bubbled in her gut. This guy dared to pretend like he wasn't a monster! Acting like he was all loving and caring. She wasn't sure he did all that damage, but he did fit the profile. Before she could open her mouth and put the dude in his place, a small voice came from the blonde girl.
"I am fine, I am fine now."
Amara watched in awe as the girl wrapped her hands around her boyfriend's waist and rested her head on his chest. The guy hugged her close and looked at Amara. It wasn't a smirk, but she didn't like it either way.
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened to the ground floor. The pair stepped out, and Amara could only look after them. She stepped out, too, and the blonde girl turned and gave her a small smile.
Amara's heart sank as she mumbled under her breath, "I hope you survive."
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Amara was so happy to be home for the Christmas holidays. She was the only family member coming from out of town, so the family was waiting for her. Their family had always been close, and she missed them all very much. Talking with everyone on the phone did not make up for the absence, not even FaceTime. Her parents and siblings all had very busy and demanding careers, especially her father and sister, since they both were in the medical field, but they always made time for family. Amara opened the door and let herself into the modest home. A taunting, nostalgic scent of Christmas candles caressed her nose. She smiled and followed all the cheer that was coming from the den.
"Mind sharing the Christmas cheer?" she asked with a wide smile.
"AK, your home! Welcome, hon," Her father was the first to pull her into a crushing, warm hug.
"Hey, Daddy." Amara hugged him back nice and tight, "What's everyone so excited about?"
Seline got up gracefully, "Well, it gives me great pleasure to announce that you are now looking at editor-in-chief for Caramel and Trendz and creative director for Nouvelle Ere Global...well, for the western zone."
"Wow, that's fantastic. You guys keep setting the bar higher and higher, huh?" Amara hugged her sister.
"You have nothing to worry about, my AK. You are destined for great things, too. Take your time and enjoy the journey." Mrs Knight, Anastasia, came from the kitchen and hugged her daughter, "Have you been eating? You seem tinier."
"Don't start, mum, I am fine."
"You look great, even with those Chanels under your eyes," Korina came forth and hugged her younger sister, too.
Amara pouted and touched the bags under her eyes. She had been pulling all-nighters for the past three weeks.
"Why don't we all have some dinner first?" Vincent ushered his wife and daughters to the dining room, "Then we can discuss the bags under your eyes, sweetheart."
"Daddy!"
Dinner was simple: fresh bread, risotto, and some salmon. It was crafted by the master chef herself. Amara savoured every bite. She missed her mother's hearty meals, but then again, what didn't she miss about home?
"I tell you, varsity is full of crazy people. That poor blonde girl looked like a raccoon." Amara recalled her situation from earlier.
"Poor thing," Anastasia sympathized, "That's why we wanted you close, AK, the world is a dangerous place these days."
Amara nodded as she finished her food, "I know, I am super careful and always vigilant."
The family put their utensils down and thanked Anastasia for the delicious meal.
"You are welcome, my beautiful people. So who wants to help me clear the table?"
Just at that moment, Korina's and Vincent's work pagers went off.
"Whoops, emergency at the hospital. Gotta go." Vincent quickly arose from the table and kissed his wife, "Thank you for dinner, honey."
Korina kissed her mother's cheek on her way out, too, "Sorry, Mom."
"And I have a meeting to get ready for, as the new editor-in-chief and everything." Selina excused herself as well.
"It's nine o'clock at night?!" Amara challenged her sister.
"Yes, but it's seven in the morning in Tokyo, where my bosses are! Love you, bye!" Selina called back.
Amara looked at her mother with an I-knew-this-was-going-to happen expression.
She rolled her eyes as she started grabbing plates off the table, "I will."
