Kivandra Galaxy Dharmendra was the highly respected student council president at Edenia High School. How could he not be? He was the most handsome boy in school and had a brilliant mind, to the point that everyone wanted to be one of the people he even bothered to look at.
In his dimly lit bedroom, a boy could be seen busy in front of his laptop. His brilliant mind was working hard to complete something extraordinary.
Knock! Knock!
The sound of knocking made him stop typing for a moment. He stood and walked to the door to open it.
“Good evening, Mom’s favorite son,” a woman said with a smile.
Andra let out a long sigh, then sat back down in his chair.
“Don’t be so aloof. Your face looks exactly like your dad’s—so blank,” his mother said with a pout.
She placed a glass of warm milk on the desk, then sat on the edge of the bed.
“Hmm... Mom wants to ask you about someone,” she said.
“Who?” Andra asked lazily.
“You know a girl named Evelyn, right?” his mother asked.
“Why are you asking me that?” Andra asked suspiciously.
His mother took a deep breath, as though she was about to say something. Andra had a bad feeling about it already.
“I’m sorry if your dad and I are making things difficult for you, Andra. But please, just this once, do what Mom asks,” she said.
Andra furrowed his brow and began listening more seriously.
“The truth is, your dad and I have already arranged an arranged marriage between you and a girl named Evelyn,” the woman suddenly revealed.
Andra immediately stood up, clearly opposed. His face tightened, ready to refuse.
“I’m still in school. I can’t,” Andra said firmly.
His mother stood as well and gave him a meaningful look. “This is all for our company. If we don’t—”
“Andra will help Dad, as long as I don’t have to marry that girl,” Andra cut in quickly. He was in a rush. This couldn’t be happening.
“The company has a lot of debt, and many employees haven’t been paid. Your father is struggling right now. The only way out is for you to marry Dad’s best friend’s daughter,” his mother explained.
“Does it have to come with a price?” Andra asked.
“The business world is harsh, Andra. So please don’t reject this. Do it for our family,” his mother pleaded.
After that, his mother said goodbye and left Andra’s room.
Andra clenched his fists, looking completely unwilling to marry that girl.
“My future is going to be ruined,” Andra said, still clenching his fists.
That day, Andra and Evelyn were brought together at a huge mansion owned by Evelyn’s family. Both sets of parents gathered in the family room.
“Once the two of them are married, Andra will look after Evelyn and help her with her studies,” Andra’s mother said with a sweet smile.
“I’m so happy to hear that. Andra and Evelyn really are a perfect match. They complete each other,” Evelyn’s mother said warmly.
Andra’s expression had remained blank the entire time, until his mother nudged him and signaled for him to say something.
“Nice to meet you, Uncle and Aunt,” the boy finally said.
“You’re the student council president at Edenia High School now, right? Impressive and wise,” Evelyn’s father said, praising him.
Andra said nothing and showed no reaction.
“Andra is quiet, but he’s intelligent,” Andra’s father said, patting his shoulder proudly.
“Hello, Uncle and Aunt. I’m Evelyn, Andra’s classmate. I wanted to join the student council yesterday too, but unfortunately, I didn’t pass the interview,” Evelyn said.
Andra looked too bored to respond to the girl and turned his face away.
“That’s okay, sweetheart. What matters is that your future husband is amazing,” Andra’s mother said.
Andra glared at her with hatred and resentment.
“Uncle, Aunt, I need to speak with Evelyn in private,” Andra said firmly as he stood.
“They just met, and they already want to be alone together? Fine, go ahead,” Evelyn’s mother teased.
Andra walked ahead, and Evelyn hurried after him.
Thud!
“Ow!” Evelyn winced when she ran into Andra’s broad back after he suddenly stopped in front of her.
The girl looked up at him and smiled. “Sorry, hehe. I didn’t mean to.” She quickly stepped away. Andra already looked like he wanted to eat someone alive.
Andra drew a long breath and glared at the girl. “This is all your game, isn’t it?” he snapped.
Evelyn was startled by his shout. In front of their parents, he had seemed polite and quiet, but when they were alone, he was like a lion.
“Answer me,” Andra snapped again.
Evelyn innocently shook her head. “I never planned any of this, Andra. You and your parents suddenly came to my house.”
“If you don’t want to be set up in an arranged marriage with me, just tell your parents. I’ll tell mine too,” Evelyn said fearfully.
“Idiot!” Andra pointed at her face.
Evelyn fell silent. She was terrified by Andra’s anger.
“If you reject this, my parents will throw a fit. You’ve got it easy, but I’ll be the one losing my entire life by marrying a girl like you,” Andra said.
It hurt terribly, but Evelyn chose to remain silent, holding back as her chest trembled.
Andra calmed down again, his head throbbing as he thought about everything. Why did he have to marry this girl? He hated her so much. She was a parasite in his life.
Evelyn approached Andra and reached out to touch his hand, but he immediately pulled away.
“Don’t touch me,” Andra snapped.
“I’m sorry,” Evelyn said.
“Do you even know your place? You’ve never been good enough for me,” Andra said. “We’re not equals.”
Evelyn bit her lip. Andra was right. They were as different as the sky and the earth. Andra was the smartest, most intelligent boy around, while Evelyn was just an ordinary girl, even though her parents were incredibly wealthy.
“Just accept this arranged marriage, even if it’s against your will. I promise I won’t reveal our relationship at school,” Evelyn said.
“That much is obvious. I don’t want my reputation tarnished just because you’re in my life,” Andra said arrogantly.
Evelyn sighed and nodded. “Yes. Don’t worry,” she said.
At first, Evelyn had been shocked to learn she was being set up with Andra, but she had also been happy because her idol was going to become her husband, just like in her dreams. However, seeing Andra’s extreme reaction and how much he hated her made Evelyn gloomy. Andra truly wasn’t interested in her at all.
Their marriage would become a disaster for Evelyn. She would suffer and be ignored. And Andra would resent her, even though she hadn’t done anything.
“Aren’t you happy now?” Andra asked. “Are you satisfied?”
“You’ve misunderstood, Andra. I didn’t want any of this to happen either. I know you don’t love me,” the girl said.
Andra laughed sarcastically. “You’re a spoiled girl, so I don’t believe you. You’re the one who made my dad’s company lose money, aren’t you? Then you put on a whole act to make it look like my family needed your help.”
“Why? So my dad would arrange an arranged marriage between you and me?” Andra continued.
“Don’t accuse me of things like that. Even though I do idolize you, I have feelings too. I would never force you to like me,” Evelyn said.
Andra moved closer, terrifying Evelyn. “Don’t let Yuri find out about any of this. If you open your mouth, I’ll make your life truly miserable,” Andra threatened.
“You really love her, don’t you?” Evelyn asked painfully.
“She’s everything to me,” Andra revealed, standing right in front of Evelyn.