Chapter 19: A Visit
Nora gazed up at the imposing gates of the university and let out a sigh from the depths of her heart. She had chosen this place solely to be with Antonio. A couple of months ago, they had visited here together to submit their Intention to Attend letters and explore the campus. Antonio had been insistent on registering for Housing and room assignments as well, so they could live together without any concerns.
Nora sighed again. It seemed she'd made Antonio the center of her universe, with everything revolving around his wishes. Even as thoughts flew past her mind, another nagging question intruded, Had Antonio insisted on living together because he had been worried about cheating on her? Or had he already been cheating and his insistence on living together was a sham so that she would not get suspicious?
Shaking her head, she hoisted her backpack over her shoulders and walked into the university grounds. Now, she was going to be the sun of her own universe while Antonio would be reduced to a speck in her large galaxy.
Consulting the campus map, she decided to begin by picking up her textbooks and enrolling in her required courses. Next on her list was obtaining her student ID and retracting her application for financial aid and housing application. When she had secured admission to college, her mother had made it abundantly clear that she would not contribute to her tuition fees.
Nora shook her head, reflecting on her mother. No, she was not going to refer to her as mother anymore. It was only now that she realized the woman had been receiving an allowance in her name from the trust fund. Lara Anderson had spent a lifetime ridiculing her as a burden on her but the truth was largely different. She had often pondered why her mother hadn't just sent her away if she held such disdain for her. Now, she knew the answer: Her departure would mean the loss of the money. Money that had barely been used to care for her.
Well, too bad for her the woman that the money been lost despite everything. Though the allowance barely covered tuition, leaving little for living expenses, Nora felt confident in her ability to manage. Her recent move to Demetri's home meant she required no rent money or clothing. Moreover, she had taken on a part-time job, making it feasible for her to navigate her finances and even save some.
When contemplating all this, she didn't even factor in the black card that Demetri had given her; she didn't regard it as her own.
Thankfully, everything turned out to be a breeze and Nora almost whistled as she made her way to her last stop. The Resident House to cancel her appointed room. And then she would be able to report to her first day of the job, making everything relatively easy.
Barely had she taken a few more steps, that Nora could not help but curse her fate. Her relatively easy day had just been ruined. Hoping against hope that the person was not lying in wait for her, Nora ignored the man standing on the curb but subtly quickened her steps.
Unfortunately, she was spotted. Antonio hurried over to her and stopped her from entering, "Nora, I need to talk to you."
"I have nothing to say to you, Antonio. Anything that needed to be said has already been done so."
Antonio frowned and shook his head," No. It hasn't been done. I want to know why you hired a fake priest for our wedding."
Nora ignored him and would have walked away but suddenly Antonio yanked on her hand and before she had a chance to scream or yelp, she had been pulled into a small hallway.
Pushing him hard so that he would be forced to let go of her, Nora rubbed her wrist and glared at him," So now you are going to resort to force and violence."
Seeing the imprint of his fingers on her wrist, Antonio felt remorse and quickly held her hand gently," I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt you."
"That seems to have become your pet phrase Antonio when it comes to you and me..."
Antonio rubbed a hand over his face and tried to calm himself as he spoke, "Nora, let's go and talk, please. I want to understand why you did what you did. Why don't we do this? You go and submit your student identification card, etc., get the keys to your room and then we can go for some coffee."
"Antonio, I do not want to talk to you, I do not want to go for coffee with you. What part of this do you not understand?"
"Nora! Hiding and not talking is not going to solve anything! Stop being a stubborn ostrich and talk to me. We are going to live in the same residence house for the next year at the very least! It will make things uncomfortable if you keep behaving like this!"
"And Antonio does not want to be uncomfortable! To hell with others' comfort, isn't it?" Nora burst out.
Quickly, Antonio stepped forward and cupped her cheeks," Nora. That is not true! I made a mistake, I agree, but am I really that horrible to you? I won't ask you to forgive me. But help me understand, please. Why did you do what you did?"
Nora stared at the man and realized why she had held onto his for so long. It was this look. The way he had always looked at her like this as if she was the only woman in the world. As if her happiness was above everything. Nora felt her heart soften. Shaking her head to break his spell, she quickly spoke," No Antonio. You have no right to question me. And if you want me to answer your questions then answer mine first," Why did you betray me, Antonio? Why did you cheat on me with Sara, of all people?"
Chapter 20: [Bonus chapter]Education
" I am willing to tell you everything, Nora. I can explain. Please..."
Nora stared at the man in front of her and sighed. "Fine. I have some work. I can meet you tomorrow. Same place. Same time."
Nora could see that Antonio wanted to protest and insist on talking right away but seeing her determined look he stopped himself. With a nod, he stepped back and spoke," I'll see you tomorrow then."
Even though he agreed, he did not turn away and go. Instead, he started to walk with her to the residence registration office. When she looked at him questioningly, he answered," I am just tagging along. In case you need any help."
It was the tone that caught her attention. He used to do this in the past as well. He would tag along to 'help' her. As if she could not do anything by herself. What was so difficult about filing a form and getting back the registration deposit? Even if she was no math professor, she could do basic math like calculating and deducting the penalty. Why had she ever thought that this was him showing his care for her? There was nothing more condescending than him offering to help for something like this.
Nora reminded herself that she would not waste her energy over something in the past and ignored the man next to her. He wanted to come along, sure. If he tried to take over, then she would not spare him.
As they reached the lobby, a senior student called out," Ah. It is you. I was wondering when you would be coming for registration. Your fiancé has already registered with us first thing! You should have just ordered him to do it for you. If I had a girlfriend as pretty as you, I would do whatever she told me."
At this, the senior girl who sat next to him, bopped him on the arm and pouted," Are you saying that I am not as beautiful as her?"
"Of course not, baby! You are the most beautiful! Don't I always do whatever you tell me? I am just trying to guide our juniors!"
Nora almost winced as the senior in front of her teased her and each other good-naturedly. They were the same couple who they had met last time when they had come together to take a look. They'd even said that they looked forward to having another couple residing in the dorm.
With an apologetic face, Nora handed the cancellation form and said tartly," Your education came a little too late, seniors. We are no longer together."
The couple looked between her and Antonio before looking at the form. They looked at each other before silently looking through her application. Finally, the boy offered," Would you like me to recommend other dormitories? Even though most of the good ones will be full now, I can arrange something with the others."
"You are cancelling your registration? Why would you do something so foolish? Nora, you cannot do that!" Antonio spoke loudly.
As Antonio moved to snatch the application from the senior's hand, Nora quickly swatted at his hand and bit our, "Well forgive me if I do not want to live in the same residence as the man who jilted me at the altar for another woman! If my foolishness prevents me from being uncomfortable by avoiding looking at your face, then I am quite happy to remain foolish. And by what right are you trying to stop me?"
Antonio gaped at her but after having said her piece, she turned back to the seniors and gave a small smile," Thank you for the kind offer. However, I have taken up housing with a friend outside the campus."
The senior girl directed a scathing look in Antonio's direction," So you were looking for an extra place in the dorm for your new girlfriend? You really expected your new girlfriend and ex-girlfriend to live in the same house! You've got the guts!"
Nora was shocked when she heard this. How was that possible? Sara was in her final year, and there was no way she would be able to...
Askance, she turned to look at Antonio who avoided looking at her. Not missing the shock on her face, the senior girl patted her hand kindly and spoke," Don't worry. The other girl will not be getting in here even if you cancel now. I will make sure of that. As for you, if you need anything, you can come to this big sister! We don't support cheaters. As for your cancellation, I'll simply put this cancellation on hold for two days till the term starts. And after that, if you are still comfortable with your new residence, then I'll process the refund. In case you want to come back here, let me know. I'll make sure that this scumbag ex of yours is thrown out of here."
While Antonio stared with growing agitation, Nora nodded with another 'thank you' before quickly stepping out of the building. She walked faster and could hear Antonio calling out her name, but she was in no mood to listen. Quickly, she saw an approaching bus and climbed it. She would simply go on this bus and get off at the next stop. Antonio would never follow her onto a bus.
The gall of him! He kept on questioning her and pestering her all the while hiding everything from her! The two faced ba*tard!
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
112 Power
stone 
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