Chapter 12 Facade
Miley's eyes watched him as he walked through the door, her face now held a complex expression.
She was certain that she had seen him somewhere before, it's strange cause it's unlike her to forget the faces of the people she meets.
"Miss Blackwell" Her gave turned towards the dean who had a brow raised at her.
She blinked, and sat on the nearest seat across the desk. She smiled lightly, before muttering an apology.
The Dean smiled at her "No need to apologize. It's quite understandable why you would be gawking at Mr. Petrov. He is a gorgeous man after all" The fourth something years old Dean winked at Miley which made her horrified.
She clicked her lips, and started stuttering "Wh.. Nnn.. No, no, it.."
"Oh, no need to deny it Miss Blackwell it's only natural that you feel this way about a good looking man like Mr. Petrov, you're still young after all" He wiggled his brows" Though, I am a bit surprised that you started showing this side of you now. I way almost starting to think that you were allergic to the opposite gender "He edged on which left Miley completely speechless.
He was definitely brainfucking her, but she couldn't stop trying to defend herself.
She sighed, and pinched the bridge of her nose" Nevermind, Why did you call me here? "She asked already looking exhausted.
The Dean chuckled, and placed his arms on the desk." Nothing major. It's just like a said on the phone. I wanted.... "The office door opened, and the familiar-unfamiliar man walked in.
Miley turned around, and watched him as he walked toward the seat beside her. His steps were traced, and elegant, like someone who might as well own the world.
He settled beside her, and an intoxicating scent which was obviously a very expensive cologne hit her nostrils. She took an unconscious wiff of the cologne, and looked down at her hands feeling embarrassment.
Dean Hastings cleared his throat, and Miley gazed up at him. "Miley... This is Aleksei Petrov, he has been a major benefactor of L. K. H for the past seven years. And due to that it's only natural that I introduce our top student to him" He explained with this sheepish grin on his face.
Miley blinked, before glancing at Aleskei who gave her the same nod, and smile as before, but she somehow felt like this kind of temperament didn't quite suit him.
She forced a smile, and glanced back at the dean who was occupied on something he was looking for something on top of the unkempt desk.
"Where is that...." He mumbled under his breath, and his eyes lite up when he found what looked like a piece of paper or.... Was it an invitation?
He placed it in front of Miley, which made her even more confused. She glanced at the Dean who gestured at her to check it out, but she hesitated.
She eventually took hold of it, and scanned her eyes at the cover.
The card felt thick, with a simple picture of Zailaph’s skyline in blue and sand colours. Foil letters said “Higher Education Meet & Greet — Zailaph City,” and a row of little dots ran down the side. She flipped it, saw a QR code and the Dean’s logo, and looked up.
"What's this?" She asked, and tilted her head to the side.
"It's an invitation" Miley scoffed and rolled her eyes at him.
"Of course I know that but why should I got one? It clearly says that Mr. Thomas Hastings. Dean if you're trying to have me go to the party disguised as you then get that idea out of your head. Nobody's gonna fall it anyway" She fired back with an even dumber statement that made the Dean frown, and Alexsei to crack.
Miley smirked and did a little victory dance in her head. The Dean was someone who she has known for quite some time , and due to her excellent academic performance she got to see the Dean a lot so they ended up close.
The Dean cleared his throat, and placed his arms on the desk" This invitation was indeed for me but unfortunately I have some personal things that I'll be dealing with, and besides if the institution's star student goes instead of this old fool then it'll put us in a good spot to win this year's institute of the year award "His eyes sparkled in excitement.
Miley raised a brow at him before chuckling " Like we did last year? And the year before that, and the year before that? Dean, your greed knows no limit, does it? "She smirked at him causing Aleskei to chuckled.
He'd been listening closely to every single thing the two said to each other, and he had to attempt that this was more entertaining then anything he had ever seen.
After, spending close to half an hour bickering, and teasing each other while Aleskei watched they finally stopped.
"Mr, Petrov will be your excort, and your plus one. He'll hopefully make you feel comfortable, and safe.." He stretched the words, and raised a brow Aleskei with a warning glint.
Miley glanced at the now smirking Aleskei before glancing at the Dean.
" What does that mean? "She whispered at the Dean who just shrugged.
" Anyway, the event is in two weeks time so you have enough time to beg your dad to let you go " Dean Hastings said, and Miley huffed.
"Tell me about it. He'll first do a background check on the host of the event, the Music, the catering company, the chefs, the security guards, the guests, the waiters, and the investors before he can give me the green light" She grumbled, causing a round of chuckles in the office.
She sighed, and rose from the chair, and removed invincible dust from her outfit.
" I better go before I miss the bus to the city hospital" She said, and smiled.
"Sure thing. See you later then" He waved her off while locking gazing at something on his computer which made her scoff.
She bowed lightly at Aleskei who smiled at her. She stode for the door, and walked out. Once she was in the corridor she took a deep breath, and placed a hand on her chest.
Her acting skills payed off yet again. She was honestly so scared and uncomfortable. That man sitting next to her kept staring at her, practically boring holes into the side of her head. She couldn't understand why he was staring so intensely at her. Did he want a reaction out of her or something?
Suddenly, someone clearly their throat, scaring Miley from hell to back, she gasped, and snapped her head towards the person, and it turned out to be the exact person she was thinking about. Speak of the devil, and his gonna stick his head in your line of sight.
She composed herself, and forced a smile. "Mr. Petrov, how may I help you?" She asked in the most polite voice she could master.
He smiled brightly, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes" Miss. Blackwell. I just wanted to chat with you in private considering the fact that I couldn't speak with you in the office due to the connection that you and the Dean share"He spoked in this compound, and mild tone that made her skin crawl.
The facade he had on... She could see right through it. The way he talked, and held himself was too perfect. It was looking through a mask, and aside from that he had this fire in his eyes that made her tremble.
Despite, this man's handsome face, and claim facade Miley could see a dangerous, and dark person. Like a broken toy that was fixed using superglue, but it's cracks were still left bare for only those with good eyes to see. A pretender, she hated pretenders, they made her uncomfortable, and nervous, cause you don't know what they're thinking.