Huff! Huff! It was almost 8:00 am. Ellide was running to death on her way to school. She’s a graduating student. Straight A’s and hailed as the school Belle, she was the subject of both envy and criticism. Despite being an amazing student she was still ridiculed for her ordinary background.

’Hahaha! Devine the popular IT Girl would make fun of her every chance she gets!

‘Look at her with her with her unladylike stance! She may be pretty and smart but she can’t afford Class! Hahahahaha her whole gang was laughing while starin at Ellide. Isn’t she the class president in your Class? Ask Bonnie a close friend of Devine.'

Yes! She got elected for fun though! Hahahaha

As usual, Ellide ignored them and went straight to her class. She sat on her chair as usual and made sure to pay attention during class.

Just a little bit more! Just a little bit more then after I graduate I can do whatever I want! Just a little bit more! Suck it up! I just need 3 more months before graduation! She etched it in her mind.

4 years ago in Mason Villa

If you can graduate with the Highest Honors and feed yourself in the next 4 years I will not force you to get married after Graduation! You will have the freedom to choose the person you want or if you wish to be married or not in this lifetime! Under these conditions and you have to promise me! You will never use your Military (Combat) or Computer skills to earn a living!

Unless you are about to die in one breath you cannot fight back or tell anyone that you are related to this family!

The Mason Clan is one of the most famous families all over the world. Their network alone is worldwide thanks to their Group of companies. They are also known for their Military background for serving the country for many Generations till now. Children are trained from the age of 5 for their survival and well-being. It is a Harmonious Clan and each of them can stand alone. All these are thanks to the current Family Head. Ronaldo Mason who is Ellide’s Grandfather. Everyone in their clan is given a choice once they reach the age of 16. They can stay in the family and inherit wealth while getting married to their Family’s chosen bethrode or leave the family! Feed yourself and send yourself to school alone and live a normal life.

Nobody is allowed to force the children to make a choice. They make their choice, they stay or go on their own and it is a family rule that once you choose to leave the Family you are not allowed to go back empty-handed or defeated.

Keeping that in her mind she was fueled with motivation. Ellide choose to leave, she thought that if her family members can do it she can also do it!

Although she has no idea who her betrothe is, she disliked the idea of being engaged with someone she didn’t like and be dictated on how she lives her life. She choose the hard path.

She works for a high end cafe in the city as a barista and baker. She occasinally help with baking when she comes in early. It may not be what she wanted to do but she is the type of person who won’t do something half heartedly. She would give it her best which made her very good at baking cakes. She earns enough money to pay for her rent and some school supplies. She was lucky enough to get a scholarship in her school due to her good grades and persistence.

Everyday a young man would come in the Cafe and buy a piece of the cake she bakes which became one of their store specialty. His name is Zion Knowles. Although he is about 6’4 tall and looks bulky. He seems very quite and nerdy. ‘Amor Café’ Its a coffee flavored cake with a twist of caramel but not too sweet. Many of their customers loved it for not being sweet and just enough to eat with their coffee or tea.

‘Welcome! Ellide greeted Zion and he greeted her back. A slice of Amor Café please and my usual.

Ofcourse! Ellide replied.

Oh! By the way I tried making some muffins today! Its matcha flavored would you like to try one? Its on me! She offered with a smile. Absolutely! However, I would like to pay for it, you’re running a bussiness after all. Oh no! I only work here remember? My bosses are just nice enough to allow me to learn baking on my free time haha!

They both laugh and Zion proceeded to his usual seat. After a couple of minutes his coffee is served with a slice of cake and a piece of muffin. There were no customers that night considering they’re almost closing so she sat on his table and proceeded to chat with him. He was 6 years older than her and is already working. Aside from his name and his usual order she didn’t feel the need to ask any personal questions. She like having small talks with him to vent.

Urgh! College is horrible! But still, I only need 3 more months and I’ll be graduating!

Congratulations in advance! I’m proud of you! Zion smiled while looking at her. Damn! You’re pretty dedicated huh? Despite living alone and working you still managed on your own. Not everyone can pull that off!

Thanks! But I’m still not there, I’m close though!

So what’s your plan after graduation? Ask Zion.

Me? Hmm I’m not sure yet but probably I’ll be looking for another job I guess.

Why?

Are you not happy with your job here, I mean I understand you’ll be needing more to support yourself.

Oh no! No! I’m pretty content here, and ofcourse I still want to test the waters regarding my future maybe finding a job that I actually like. Said Ellide.

Its nice working here, I dont think I’ll ever meet nicer people in my life.

Pfffft! Hahahahahaha. You’ll make it! I know you will and if one day you found your dream job don’t forget to treat me. I’ll drop by here and if we meet by chance you’re paying for my meal!

Hahahaha sure! She replied.

It was a quick chat. She went back to her post and started cleaning up. After all its almost closing time.

After cleaning and closing, she said her farewell to her bosses and proceeded to the bus station. Last trip was 11:15pm. She almost missed her bus.

Ellide took her bag and got a book from it. She started reading and memorizing the contents. It was a book about Law. She liked reading and learning, its like an addiction to her. She was always curious about things and was very keen on learning the Law. She’s always confident with herself and she also considered the fact the with her skills both in combat and computer which she has been surpressing. Being a Lawyer would be great for her. Suddenly, she remembered her little chat with Zion and she couldn’t help smiling.

They met by chance while she was working at the Cafe he was very silent, he only ordered plain black coffee with a straight face. She wasn’t the nosy type so she only served what he ordered. After while she noticed him staring at her so she walked towards his table and ask if he needed something else.

Hi! May I help you? Did you need anything else, it took him 3 minutes to answer before he said get me something that’s not too sweet. Immediately she smiled at him and went to get a slice of the cake she made. She handed it to him. This is our newest house special and watched him take a bite. To her surprise the man smiled and asked who baked the cake?

She gave him a shy smile and said, it was me. I’m new to baking but I’m confident with this cake. Its not sweet and it compliments the bitter taste of coffee. He stared at her and said good job.

As time went by he became a regular, he would visit the Cafe everyday ordering the samething and have a little chat with Ellide.

For her being able to share what happened to her whole day at school was a relief although she excluded the part where she get critisized for being poor in a well known school.

She thought, do I like this guy? Well he never really gave off any srt of emotion that’s out of their conversation.

Just as she was deep in her thought. The bus suddenly stopped with a loud bang! She was startled and stared to look around. There were about 5 passengers including her. She walked towards the exit and was stunned at what she withnessed.

It was Black porsche that hit their bus and the driver seemed to be covered in blood. She can see his arm hanging from the window and has Cross tattoo in his wrist.

The driver was a guy, however his face was covered in blood so she couldn’t see it at all.

The people around them called the paramedics and was on its way.

While waiting she smelled a strong stench of gas and there was a little fire due to a coalition.

Because of her background in the military she was well aware the the car would explode so she hurried and open the Porsche and drag the man out of it with all her strength.

The people gathered around them told her not to touch the guy because paramedics were on their way. She ignored them and with all her strength she successfully dragged the man away from the vehicle.

A few moments later it exploded. Bang! Everyone was startled and in a blink of an eye the luxurious Porsche was ablaze.

The man remained unconcious, paramedics arrived and dispersed the crowd.

Ellide was standing next to the guy while he was being pulled to the stretcher.

Are you a relative? The medical staff asked Ellide while looking at her. She was still in shock due to events that took place. She got back to her senses after the question.

No! She anwered.

Do you know this man? Ask the police who approached them

No! She answered

Please come to the police station station with us for questioning since you are present at the scene.

Okay, she responded

She kept staring at the bloody man in the stretcher while he was getting carried to the ambulance.

After giving her statement to the police officers. Ellide went straight home to her studio apartment.

She got a stroke of luck when she was able to get this place with the help of her Boss at the Cafe. The rent was low and they allowed her to do little renovations so she could expand the place and turn it into a loft.

It was originally a small function room of her Boss inside their rental building. Aside from the Cafe her boss owns a rental building. It was Ellide’s Ideal place when she moved out of the Mason Villa. Although the rent was a little pricey she figured she could make ends meet and pay for the place, however after checking the place the Homeowner found out that she is alone and only relying on the little money she has for a place while looking for a job.

Shirley the homeowner have just opened a Cafe in town just one bus ride from there so she offered it to Ellide.

She got lucky for meeting her boss who is a single mom with little business to support herself. She figured when she gets back she’ll help the kind lady who lent her a hand.

Shitley offered the little function room instead, although its not as spacious as her rental rooms. It can still be livable with little renovation. Ellide gladly accepted it and renovated it into a loft type room that looks amazing. Shirley was impressed with what she could do considering she’s a girl.

Wow Ellide, you turned this little room into an expensive looking home, If I make renovations for my house in the future I’d like to have your idea about it.

Absolutely! Ellide replies.

Ellide sat down with a grin remembering how she got her now house, she opened her bag thinking she would continue reading what she was reading earlier on the bus, however to her surprise the book is no longer there.

Damn it!

I must’ve lost it during the accident earlier!

Well that’s gonna cost me another book. She was studying Law and in the verge of graduating in 3 months. She wanted to buy the next volume after reading that one. Now she needs to get the same book to be able to finish reading it.

Annoyed with her lost, she decided to take a shower and sleep after.

She went straight to her wardrobe and got herself a pair of satin sleepwear. She loved wearing silk to bed, it was soft and quite honestly she loved how sexy it makes her feel.

After shower she put on her sleepwear and got ready to bed. While turning off the lights she heard a knock on her door.

Ellide was a college girl with only one friend, she didn’t have any prior appointment with her friend so she thought it might’ve been her Boss knocking on the door. She looked at the time and saw that it was almost midnight.

Considering her combat skills, she’s pretty confident living on her own.

She went to get the baseball bat behind her wardrobe and asked away.

Who is it?

No answer,

Who is it? She asked again!

After a few minutes, she heard another knock on the door.

Pissed because it was late and she still have classes tomorrow, she opened the door and tried to swing the bat.

The man infront of the door dodge and grabbed the bat which alarmed Ellide, with all her force she forcefully took the bat again and tried closing the door swiftly.

In an instance the man outside put his feet on the door and said wait!