"Eavesdropping now, are we?"

I told Kai to wait outside because I didn't want him to hear those women's boorish language. But I forgot how stubborn he can be and caught him red-handed peeking in the principal's office, he stared at me with his bright eyes filled with guilt and a sheepish look.

"I-I..."

Before he could end his stuttering, I smacked him across the head -not too harshly, of course.

The guilt in his eyes was replaced by accusation as he angrily pointed at me for my sudden action, "What was that for!?"

Instead of answering him, I held his hand and raised it to his eye level, confused, he moved his gaze toward it, "What- it's just a scratch, not even a bruise!"

"They still managed to get to you even if it was this little."

The boy who was expecting praise instead got a smack and scolding for getting a scratch in a fight with four boys older than him, with aggrieved eyes he looked at me silently.

"Go, get your school bag, we're leaving."

"You're so annoying!" Stomping his feet in frustration, he turned around but not before narrowing his eyes at me sharply and ran toward his classroom to get his things.

Shaking my head at his childish actions, I walked toward the parking lot, leaving the principal office from where anyone can hear angry shouts of women demanding to not expel their sons. I don't care what happens to them because what I wanted was for Kai to punish the boys on his own, and he didn't disappoint me. He has to learn to fight his struggles on his own, he would have to learn how to squish such bugs in his path.

I don't think I'm capable enough to protect him but I can make him able to protect himself and I'll do anything to make him a man no will be able to stand against. I'll be the strongest backing in whatever he wants to do. I'll make his company among the tops so that when he takes its control, no one would be able to point any finger at him, it's the least I can do for him.

"Allea?"

As I reached near my car where I parked it, a familiar voice called my name. Before I left school, Kai & I used to come together as this school consisted of all levels (elementary/primary, middle & high) in the same space, but divided by different buildings and staff. I believe this school ruined my confidence in the past, it made me think no matter how much I try I'll never be part of a certain standard, hence I never stopped trying, always making a fool of myself. So, I was just ignoring the fact that I also studied here -as I was ashamed of the self I was here- but seems like can't anymore.

"Oh my God! It's really you! I was doubtful at first when I saw you but...you look different!"

I turned around to face none other than Jia Anderson, my ex-friend, staring at me with wide eyes from head to toe. In front of her high-school uniform, I guess, she never imagined that in six months she'll see in formal attire. I forgot to keep track, it must be off-time that's why she's here in the parking lot. To confirm the speculation, I gazed around and realized that the parking area was quite filled with students going in & out.

"What happened? You suddenly left school and we even lost contact with you! You know I- look guys it's Allea!"

This was how she has always been, over-excited & dense, I don't get why she's so excited after seeing me. She didn't even realize my indifferent eyes and continued to ramble. Although Jia was neither bad to me nor good, a part of me just don't want to face her, it reminds me how ignorant I was and I don't like that thought.

I moved my eyes toward the group of people to whom she announced my presence, with only a fleeting look I took in their shocked faces and narrowed eyes, as they stood gawking at me while leaning against their cars. For a split second my eyes paused on a certain figure -Lisa Delton, our school's queen and whom I served as a side-kick, how embarrassing.

Her angelic eyes scrutinized me from head to toe, I could see arrogance shining in them, she must be expecting me to go running toward her and greet her like a lost puppy.

"Um...Allea, why aren't you saying anything? You have...changed."

Thank god, she realized I wasn't thrilled to see her, I stared at Jia, her cute face looked dubiously at me. We called each other best friends in the past, it was she who became my first friend only because she pitied me. So, she wanted to teach me ways to be like them, how to act, what to wear, and serve Lisa Delton and I was thankful to her for teaching me. Yes, I sure passed all scales of being stupid, I don't know whether to laugh or lament but I seriously don't want to associate myself with her ever again.

"Jia, you don't get it, do you? Let's treat each other as strangers from now on."

The color from her face drained at my unfriendly words and she just stared at me with a hurt-filled face. Ignoring her, I turned around to enter my car.

"Why are you being like this? If there's-"

"You haven't even started the car yet!"

 Before she could end her words, Kai interrupted her as he came running toward me with his accusation but when he looked past me, I can see he recognized Jia, who now stood silently staring at us.

"Looks like they really hired her as a nanny!"

"After her mother, geez how cruel, how could they treat her like this!"

Although their snickers were low but loud enough for me to hear. I didn't turn around to face or answer any one of them, but the little man in front of me turned around and yelled at the group of people, "Stupid big people!"

"Let's go, Kai." And that's what we did.

Inside the car, as I drove toward the mansion, I can feel Kai peeking at me from the passenger seat, "What is it? Ask."

"Um...why aren't you friends with Jia anymore?"

"You know her name?"

"Yeah, you were always with her, that's...why."

I nodded at his words and kept my focus on the road while stating, "I realized friendship with her was useless."

"Friendship should be useful?"

I didn't look at him but at his innocent question, I was a little at loss. I never experienced any friendship in which people saw me as something above a thing for them to use, so I don't know how to answer him, but I sure can try, "Yes, it should. In a way that they make you a better person, accept your flaws & who you are, encourage you, and help you when you are at your lowest, always there for you without asking anything."

As if understanding my words, he gave me a nod, yet still puzzled, he asked, "Before leaving school, you were always laughing with her."

"I learned a hard way, but I wasn't happy. When people change you just so they could make you what they like, they don't care about you. And you shouldn't think before cutting them off from your life."

I don't expect him to get my words, but Kai's a sharp child, he again nodded vigorously and added, "Paa told me, not to let people use you! Make good friends who don't see you just as Allgaier but Kai! I don't exactly know what he meant but I'll never forget this!"

Just a few years and he'll understand the meaning behind the wise words of his father, now I understand why Kai has so few friends and why he's always hesitant to make strangers a part of his life.

"Now, don't think I'll forget that you just got suspended from school, get ready for a scolding from Jackson and your punishment."

The smile on his face paused and alarmed he looked at me, "But you told me to beat them!"

"Did I say to beat them in school?"

"You-but! You're so bad!"

He sat straight, with red puffed cheeks, giving me angry glares and kicking his feet while muttering things under his breath the whole time until we reached the mansion.

Dropping him off home, I went back to the office and updated Jackson on the whole Kai-thing. Surprisingly, he also thought that what Kai did was right and he even asked me about those kids' parents' details, I guess he wants to play his part as his uncle.

After that, we continued our work, for the next six months I'm going to work as Jackson's subordinate to handle the projects. Things are going to be pretty hectic from now on, with this I'm also planning to finish online school but I'm not worried about anything, somehow I feel the serenity at how my new life's going. Even including the shitload of work that's sometimes tiring & boring but because of Kai I'll get an early retirement so I'm relieved until then I'll willingly put my everything in the company.