Chapter 35 Just This Proud
Too arrogant.
Even a genius can't guarantee they'll get every problem right, can they? Yet Amelia had the nerve to say something so bold?
But just half an hour later, Amelia emerged from Gilbert's office.
Before she left, Gilbert handed her a badge. It was intricately designed, with the Prestige High School crest on the left and "Senior Class A" on the right.
Amelia glanced at it casually before slipping it into the pocket of her jeans.
After all the fuss, it was nearly noon.
Amelia checked her phone and frowned.
She was almost an hour late for her appointment, and she hated being late. She despised it even more when things didn't go as planned.
But people are stubborn creatures, hard to change.
Prestige High School was eerily quiet.
It was the first day of school, so there were no classes. All the students were dismissed at 11:30.
The top students were still diligently writing their exams, while Amelia was the only one heading out of the campus, unaware that Leroy was not far behind her.
Leroy, who had also finished his test, stood on the path by the school gate and watched as Amelia walked towards a black car.
As Amelia opened the back door, she was met with a strikingly handsome face.
And Michael's deep, night-like eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Amelia was taken aback.
She had expected Michael to send his driver, Daryl or Eric, but she hadn't anticipated that he would come himself.
So, he had waited with Daryl outside the campus for almost an hour?
"To pick you up."
Michael's tone was calm, exuding an air of authority and composure. He suddenly reached out his hand to Amelia.
He had only intended to help her into the car, but Amelia grabbed his hand and, taking advantage, climbed right onto his lap.
His cock was inevitably touched.
Michael's throat tightened, his eyes darkening.
"Waited outside for nearly an hour?" Amelia looked into his eyes, her voice soft.
Eric, from the front seat, couldn't help but chime in.
"No, Miss Martinez, Mr. Johnson arrived half an hour earlier than scheduled, worried you might come out early and we'd miss you."
Michael glanced at Eric through the rearview mirror. "Drive, and keep quiet."
Eric immediately mimed zipping his lips and started the car.
As the car moved forward, Amelia leaned closer, wrapping her arms around Michael's lean waist.
Through the high-quality dark gray shirt, a faint, calming scent wafted to her nose, intoxicatingly pleasant.
Amelia relaxed completely, snuggling closer, burying her face in Michael's broad chest like a lazy kitten in its owner's arms.
"What's wrong? Not happy?"
Michael also wrapped his arms around Amelia's waist, holding her tight.
He noticed that she seemed a bit down and couldn't help but kiss her hair lightly, asking, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just feeling a bit annoyed and tired."
"Exams are so boring. One's ability shouldn't be judged by a piece of paper."
Michael had already had Eric check earlier. Amelia was at Prestige High School to take an exam, and she needed to pass to be admitted.
Seeing that Amelia had scheduled her exam half an hour after it started, and now hearing her say this, he instinctively thought Amelia couldn't solve the problems.
"Do you want to get into Prestige High School?" Michael asked in a low voice. "If you do, just go. I'll make it happen."
"No need, I already got into Class A," Amelia said lazily, snuggling in his arms. "Today is a break. Where are we going?"
Already in Class A?
Michael was slightly surprised but didn't ask further. "It's already noon. Let's get lunch. What do you want to eat?"
Hearing Michael ask what she wanted to eat, Amelia suddenly looked up. "I want to eat..."
She trailed off, her gaze slowly lowering to Michael's chiseled lips.
Michael's aura was drawing her in.
She licked her lips lightly.
Seeing this, Michael's Adam's apple bobbed, unable to control his desire any longer.
His large, cool hand cupped Amelia's delicate face, and he leaned down to kiss her crimson lips.
A soft moan escaped her lips.
Her head tilted back.
Their bodies pressed closer together, their breaths mingling. Michael's presence seemed to energize Amelia, filling her with a sudden rush of vitality.
Eric, in the front seat, began silently chanting to himself, "I'm blind, I can't see, I'm deaf, I can't hear, I'm blind, I'm deaf."
Who knows how long they kissed before Michael, using all his self-control, finally let go of Amelia.
Amelia's chest heaved, her face flushed, and she lay on Michael's chest, breathing lightly.
Amelia really was like a seductress.
Before meeting Amelia, Michael had always considered himself indifferent to love.
But every time he got close to her these past few days, he felt a hidden desire stirring within him.
He wanted to be closer to her, to hold her, to merge her into his body, to kiss her, to spend more time with her.
Her mystery and danger, her carefree and casual nature, all had an irresistible allure.
"Now can you tell me, where do you want to go, what do you want to eat?"
Michael held Amelia, who was sitting on his lap, and asked in a low voice.
"Anything is fine," Amelia said, content, enjoying being held by Michael, lazily lying in his arms.
"But your legs aren't convenient. Let's go home to eat. It’s easier for me to give you your treatment."
Home.
Michael was slightly taken aback.
"You're the first girl to say you want to go home with me."
Michael inhaled the scent of Amelia's hair, his voice deep with a hint of tenderness.
Eric, in the front, was too embarrassed to point out the obvious.
It's not that no one had ever said they wanted to go home with him.
It's that no one dared to.
The whole of River City had women lining up from here to the suburbs wanting to marry him, but Amelia was the boldest.
The Johnson Mansion.
The large black gates slowly opened, and the car drove in, surrounded by lush greenery.
The estate was vast and understatedly luxurious, making the Martinez Mansion pale in comparison.
The car stopped right at the entrance of The Johnson Mansion, where a servant was already waiting, immediately bringing Michael's wheelchair forward.
"Mr. Johnson, you're back. Lunch is ready."
The butler, Brad Roach, spoke respectfully but was surprised to see Amelia sitting on Michael's lap.
"Let me help you down," Amelia said, getting off Michael.
"No need, just wait for me," Michael said softly.
Getting out of the car was a struggle for Michael. With Eric's help, he moved laboriously into the wheelchair, finally sitting upright.
Seeing this, Amelia was slightly taken aback.
To the outside world, Michael always appeared seated, exuding a powerful presence that was intimidating and authoritative.
Money, status, power.
Michael seemed to have it all.
But the inconveniences of living with a disability were unimaginable to those who were able-bodied.
Especially for someone as proud as Michael, having to rely on others for daily activities must be excruciating.
And this pain, how long had he endured it?
Amelia felt a slight pang in her heart.
This feeling, she supposed, was what humans called heartache?