Al finally returned ho.
Servants bustled about in the usual rhythm of a large household, but none dared to interrupt him. Without a word, he headed straight to his room—the one left untouched for the past three days.
As he opened the door, a wave of cool air and the familiar scent of his bed welcod him. A little dusty, but it didn’t matter.
"Ahhh... finally," Al murmured as he threw himself onto the bed.
"The best place in the world..."
He rolled over, burying his face in the pillow.
"Real sleep... after years of wandering... this is paradise..."
But the dream only lasted a few seconds.
Knock knock.
A gentle but firm voice followed the knocking.
"Al, you’re back?"
Arrrrghh! Al scread internally, faking a sob as his peace was shattered.
He sluggishly got up and opened the door.
Standing there was Aurielle, his eldest sister—elegant, poised, and radiating a natural leader’s presence even in her own ho.
"What is it, Sis?" Al asked, resigned.
Aurielle crossed her arms.
"Tomorrow night, you’re coming with to the Tamarvich family banquet."
"Tamarvich family?" Al frowned.
"You know Idham, right? You two went to the sa school—HIHS. He’s the young master of the Tamarvich family. Since you know him, it makes sense for you to accompany ," she said casually.
Idham? Oh, the forr student council president, Al thought.
"Alright, Sis."
"Good. Tomorrow afternoon, after school, co with to the mall. I’ll get you so proper clothes. Mom’s been nagging to buy you new ones anyway. And from now on, stop wearing those raggedy outfits."
Al narrowed his eyes.
"But... my status hasn’t been made public yet. Why am I representing the family? Aren’t you embarrassed to be seen with ?"
Aurielle gave a sly grin.
"Of course I’m embarrassed."
"..."
"I really didn’t want to take you," she added mockingly.
"But this is important and urgent. You’re not going as family. You’re going as my assistant. My main assistant’s sick, and Mom suggested you. So... here we are."
Al scoffed. "Why not take David instead?"
"David has his own invitation. He’s representing the family," Aurielle replied swiftly.
"Besides, I can’t go as CEO without an assistant, can I?"
"You have tons of staff, don’t you?"
Aurielle rolled her eyes.
"Aaarghh! Enough questions! Just get ho after school tomorrow. I’ll be waiting. And DON’T wear that orphanage shirt of yours!"
She turned and stord off.
Al slowly closed the door and flopped back onto the bed.
"Why... every ti I want peaceful sleep... there’s always sothing..."
But he chuckled quietly into his pillow.
Tamarvich, huh? Pretty sure she’ll be there too...
---
The next day.
That afternoon, after school, Al jogged ho. Sweat still clung to his temples as he pushed open the front gate.
But it wasn’t enough.
The mont he entered the yard, a sharp voice lashed out like a whip.
"It’s 5:01 PM, Al! ONE MINUTE LATE!" Aurielle shouted, standing beside a sleek black car, glaring at her watch in disbelief.
"Our schedule was to leave at five SHARP! Not a second later!"
"Wow... who can live like this?" Al muttered weakly.
Aurielle wasn’t listening. She shoved him into the car.
"Get in. No ti to waste."
"Wait, Sis... I haven’t even showered."
"Not important. A shower won’t change your face anyway."
The car drove off.
Their destination: Aria Mall Plaza – VIP Wing.
They entered a high-end boutique.
Al imdiately felt like a living mannequin.
He didn’t even get the chance to speak before the staff sward him with elegant suits—each one handpicked by Aurielle.
"Can’t I choose sothing myself?" Al protested.
"No," Aurielle replied without even looking.
"Your face is country-level plain. At least your outfit can save my reputation tonight."
"And what about my reputation?"
"You have any?"
"Oof... that hurts, Sis."
"Shut up. I’m eting a business rival tonight. I’m not showing up unless everything looks perfect—including the assistant I bring."
"Business rival? Seriously?" Al raised an eyebrow.
"Her na’s Aiza Hiruzen. CEO of Alasia Group’s Uni-State of Aria branch. One of the brightest young won in the business world today. She’s the star of tonight’s event."
Al suddenly fell silent.
"You know her?" Aurielle asked suspiciously. "Didn’t you get your scholarship from Alasia too?"
"...I’ve heard of her," Al mumbled.
Aurielle frowned.
What kind of answer is that? she thought.
But she was too busy to care. She headed to the salon and left Al in the boutique.
"Wait here. Once I’m done, we’ll leave right away."
Two hours passed.
Aurielle returned—looking fashionable, fierce, and ready for corporate warfare.
But she stopped.
There was a crowd.
Dozens of people—mostly won of all ages: teens, adults, even grannies—had gathered near the boutique’s entrance.
Aurielle pushed through, curious.
At the center sat a young man in a charcoal-gray suit. Slim build, neat hair, and a face that—
"He’s... so cute!" squealed one of the onlookers.
It was Al, lounging on a boutique sofa, casually scrolling his phone.
Completely unfazed by the sparkling eyes surrounding him.
"Who is he, miss?" whispered an auntie to a shop assistant.
"Is he a new model? A K-drama actor?"
"No, Ma’am," the staff replied with a smile. "That’s our VIP client’s assistant."
"But he really does look like a doll, doesn’t he?"
The boutique staff were thrilled.
For the past two hours, their store had been flooded with new visitors, all thanks to their "free model": Al Virellano.
Aurielle walked over, half shocked.
Then realization hit her, and she could only shake her head.
"Huff... I forgot he carries the Virellano blood too," she muttered.
"If all his sisters are beautiful, of course the little brother would be handso..."
But her pride refused to let her say it out loud.
"Ugh, stupid troublemaker," she mumbled, grabbing Al’s wrist.
"Enough posing. Stop flirting with rich aunties. We’re leaving."
Al simply smiled.
"How could a country boy like charm rich won, Sis..."
"Yup, you’re a country boy. But at least one that can almost be shown in public," Aurielle replied with a cutting tone.
And with that, they left—
Leaving behind a disappointed crowd mourning the loss of their eye candy.
---
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