Chapter 8: Campus Library

For the first time, finally, Fiona prepared herself and dressed politely. Even though last night she almost had trouble sleeping because she was haunted by the figure of Leornard, who was very intimidating and clingy because of his demands, Fiona finally managed to fall asleep. She called Tasya and asked her best friend what clothes to wear to the city campus. Because Fiona basically never knew what culture in this country was like, she was worried that her habits in Paris would be out of balance with those in Jakarta.

"Wear clothes that cover your chest and neck. If possible, wear long sleeves and trousers," said Tasya on the phone.

"Hah? Everything with a long shirt? But Jakarta is really hot if you wear something long and closed like that.”

"Please, okay? The culture is different here. Just because you don't live in Jakarta anymore you forgot that."

Fiona snorted. In the past, she was transferred to an orphanage in Jakarta, which had good relations with Roma. For five years, Fiona grew up in Jakarta and learned languages ​​quickly. At the age of 10, she also met Tasya, who until now is her only friend. Before finally Fiona was moved again to an orphanage in Paris because she said there would be parents looking for girls as smart as her.

Unfortunately, it never happened. As a result, her return to Paris was in vain and she grew up there.

"It's been a long time. If it weren't for problems at work, I wouldn't have come back here."

"You don't need to complain. Today your task is to have a date, don't make the atmosphere bad. But Fi, how long do you plan to run away from problems? What if your readers later look for you again?"

Every now and then Fiona thinks of her loyal readers. Fiona has been spending almost a month in Jakarta and every day she does it for fun. Instead of thinking about things that make her nervous, it's better for her to take advantage of this moment to take a vacation. Even though she knows it won't change anything and the problem won't be finished without being solved.

"Yeah, they defended me a lot. Never mind, don't talk about it. I want to get ready first. Bye!"

Fiona hung up and went to take a shower. She wore a white tank top and a flannel shirt as an outer. She followed Tasya's advice. Luckily she brought casual jeans in the suitcase. So in her usual casual dress style, Fiona grabbed her bag and headed out of the house.

She had told Nia that today she was going on a date with Kian. Nia also sometimes has her own busy life to take care of and look after the house. Her mother-daughter relationship doesn't make Fiona worry about leaving the empty house anymore.

Walking ten minutes out of the residence, Fiona arrived in front of the bus stop. She will meet Kian there. Because the weather that morning was quite sunny, the smoke from motorized vehicles occasionally made the air stuffy. Fiona waits behind a tree near the bus stop. People who want to go to work are standing crowded at bus stops. It was a rare sight for Fiona to see.

"Fi? Why are you waiting here?" Kian appeared in a casual t-shirt and black jeans. With both hands shoved into his pockets, he approached Fiona.

"It’s cool here. Come on, let's go."

Kiana nodded. The guy ordered a taxi online and they drove to the campus where Kian was.

"No lectures today?" asked Fiona in the car. The streets at the city intersection are quite busy. She has seen the distance to campus for how long. It shouldn't take half an hour.

"No. Today my lecturer is having a day off. So class is off too. That's why I have time to go out," said Kian, smiling. "When you were in Paris, did you like going to the library too?"

"Hmm. There is a city library. The place is spacious and quite comfortable to read there. What books do you like to read?" Fiona asked.

"My reading is not far from architecture, though. I also enjoy reading about business."

Fiona grinned. Didn't expect Kian to answer that way. "Our tastes are very far apart. I only like classic and romantic books. Especially romantic erotic ones. That's really cool."

It was Kian's turn to smile a little. "That sounds like you."

After half an hour they finally arrived at the Kian campus. Fiona stepped in while devouring all the scenery around. There is a large main building at the front. Supported by two other separate buildings. They walked down a long hall before entering the inside of the campus.

Some students sat in the garden, on the edge of the hall, and occasionally passed by. Among them—especially the boys, when they saw Fiona passing by, their eyes seemed to be hypnotized by the girl. Fiona herself wasn't aware of it, but Kian, who was standing beside her, was enjoying it. Who isn't paralyzed when they see Fiona's figure as beautiful as that goddess?

Unfortunately, Fiona was even more amazed by some of the campus building decorations that seem old but minimalist.

They entered the library and Fiona ran away as soon as she saw the bookshelf section of classics. She squealed with joy when saw several old novels still lined up in the rows of books.

"Wow, your campus library is complete too. This series is complete, oh my gosh. Hey, I'll borrow it using your student card… please…" Fiona suddenly shook Kian's arm. Kian just chuckled.

"Okay. I'll take care of it."

Fiona jumped for joy. Indonesian novels are difficult to read, but since living in Jakarta for a month, it's easy to retrain her memory to remember various vocabulary. So she cheerfully cleared away the books she could borrow.

Kian said she was only allowed to borrow five books. So Fiona arranged for some books she wanted to borrow first. After moving from the novel shelf, it was Fiona's turn to look for Kian at the Civil Engineering shelf.

The library room is quite big. Several people filled the sofas and tables. Fiona found Kian standing slightly leaning against the wall. Holding a book entitled 'Retail Entrepreneur'.

"What kind of business do you want to open, Kian?" Fiona asked suddenly.

"Hmm. Just helping Dad's business actually."

"Oh? What's your daddy's business?" When asking the question, Fiona didn't see Kian's slightly nervous behavior. The boy answered calmly.

"Retail business. So my father owned several blocks of retail and rented them out to entrepreneurs."

"Wow, that's cool. I'm sure the money will run smoothly. Especially food shops."

Kian smiled a little. "You understand that too. Anyway, shall we have lunch?"

After the library, Kian and Fiona spent time in the canteen. They ate lunch while chatting. Some talk about trouble in class and Alex and the gang. Luckily this time the gang didn't show up. But even if it appeared, Fiona didn't mind. After all, she had straightened out their relationship through a kiss that time.

Kian had a chance to tell how people on this campus are more concerned with trends than their future. How can wealth also be an arena for showing off like in the old schools? Fiona can't comment other than the culture of this campus which sounds tacky. She's just lucky to get a guy as gentle as Kian in the middle of foreign guys on the Candy Pink dating app.

After that night, Kian and Fiona returned home. Kian escorted Fiona to the front of the house. The online taxi stops in front of the house. Before Fiona could get down, her cell phone dinged. Kian glanced at it, but Fiona, ignoring it, immediately put it in her bag.

They got out of the car to say goodbye.

"Next time I'll go to your library again to borrow a book. This one, you'll just go to my house in three days to pick it up. Or, how about I just go to your house? As well as get to know your family—"

Kian smiled a little, "Yeah, I'll arrange that later. That's easy. You go in first. Call me when you're done, OK?"

Fiona nodded and was about to turn around. But before she turned around, her hand was pulled first and Kian kissed Fiona's cheek gently.

The light scent of Kian's filled Fiona's nose. She lifted her face and glanced at Kian's gentle eyes that were looking at her.

"Sweet dreams."

After saying that Kian turned around and got into the car. Fiona's heart felt warm in places. She smiled a little as she turned up the front steps of her house.

When she reached the door—probably because she wasn't focused on being kissed by Kian, Fiona didn't realize that someone was sitting in front of the dim terrace.

"Sweet dreams? Tch," said a guy who now stood up from his chair. Fiona was aghast. She didn't open the door and looked to the side.

Her eyes widened as the shadow was illuminated by the light.

"You bastard! What are you doing—"

Leonard had already grabbed Fiona's waist. The bookbag in her hand slipped loose, causing the books to fall to the floor causing a soft thud. Fiona held her breath. Leonard's cold gaze pierced her.

"Should I remind you again that you are mine?"

***