His Devious Rule

How could she forget Alvin observes the behavior of people?

That's the first thing she got to know about him. Yet, she assumed she was managing well.

Eight years ago, although he saved her from getting bullied, they didn't talk even once at the beginning. Alvin being the eye candy of the college, hardly made any friends. He used to have girls approaching him everywhere on the campus. The peace he was getting was in the library.

He was sitting on the floor at the farthest corner, sometimes he was using his laptop, sometimes he would study to solve some problems and most of the time he was going there to nap.

Excluding Ean Watson, Alvin's childhood friend, nobody ever thought Alvin could spend time in the library. His style, appearance were too cool and contrasted to the students who were going to the library. What's more? The college belonged to Matthews. He was a prince who could have his private library at his place.

Unaware of this, Anya, who was searching for a book, reached the corner where old, hardly used books were stored. She made herself comfortable on the floor and got lost in the world of computers and programming.

Alvin was pissed off the second he saw somebody occupying his space. With countless tricks played by girls to catch his attention, he assumed she was one of them. He had left the library that day.

It unexpectedly repeated. What caught his attention after a few days was the book she was referring to. That wasn't the library book, it was his own, advanced problem-solving book. 

He went towards her observing her reaction. She was wearing jeans and a simple top. Her hair was tied in a top clean bun and a few strands of hair lock were falling on her face. She had lowered her head, hard for him to see her face. 

He was just two steps away, yet she didn't bother to take a look at him. It was his gut feeling that the fresher girl was going to the place for his books instead of him.

"That's not a library book." He coldly said.

The chubby girl lifted her head and he identified her immediately. She was the same girl who was clueless on how to react when his classmates were bullying her for her simple clothes and chubby frame. He had seen her holding her tears and trying to be strong. He remembered her because of the dimples he had seen on her cheeks when she thanked him. Although he pretended like he didn't hear her that day, he had seen her a few more times on the campus. 

He watched her surprised when she saw him and hesitantly looked at the book, "I-I know." She knew the book wasn't a library book as it didn't have any stamp of college. She was sitting there and studying because she didn't want others to take it away.

Thus, he could discern why she was choosing to sit there.

"Is it your book, senior?" She asked, looking back at him, craning her neck. Her fingers gently brushed her bangs on her forehead.

That's when he clearly noticed her gray eyes. For a moment, he felt like it had a blue tint before realizing it was his shirt color that was reflecting in her eyes.

Instead of answering her, he crossed over her laptop and sat down leaning against the wall. He yawned, made himself comfortable, and dozed off.

Anya: "..."

She slowly shifted away from him and continued to do her work as her typing might disturb him.

Thus it repeated for another week.

He was getting more and more curious about what she does, flipping through the pages of that book and typing something on her laptop. One day, he couldn't hold back, "What are you doing?" His voice was low and bone-chilling.

Anya's shoulder jerked at the sudden voice. She didn't even know when he stood there. She stuttered looking at his narrowed eyes, "P-project."

Alvin was confused, the freshers will have simple projects and as far as he knew, a lot of them buy projects from the market or use some senior's project. He sat next to her, took her laptop without asking. 

She was speechless and also shocked. She was also clueless hence she just stared at him without knowing what to ask or how to ask. But there was no fear. He helped her out from getting bullied, so she trusted him that he wouldn't do anything to her. 

Well, she was that naive. 

Alvin who went through her project was speechless as well. He looked at her to confirm she was the same fresher. But her project wasn't as simple as it should be for a beginner. She had designed a project that wasn't only new, unique but it was a major project, used by graduating students.

"When is the submission?" He questioned.

"Not yet announced, Senior." She answered, tilting her head. She was confused why he was asking that.

Alvin: "..."

As far as he could remember, the lecturer will form groups and give the date of submission on the same day. He doubted whether the lecturer even asked them to start their project.

"Alvin." He corrected her 'Senior.'

"Huh?"

He gave her a cold look and her lips curled to an O.

"Who else is there in your group?" He wondered if the other three members of the group were bullying her.

But her head tilted even more and asked him back, "Group?" She didn't know what he was talking about. 'Friends group?' She only knew a few members who were her dorm-mates.

Alvin: "..."

He guessed she started working on a project right after the orientation class. She was ahead of her academics. He wasn't sure if he should laugh at her or sigh. 

Well, he flicked on her forehead.

And Anya was again clueless on how to react while rubbing her forehead. 

Should she scold him?

Should she question his actions?

Should she get angry?

Before she could decide, he started explaining to her. He wasn't cold but very strict, "In freshman year, you don't have to work alone on the first project. They will form a group of four. For the second project, they will reduce to two members. And the project doesn't have to be fully flexed. You can choose a project as simple as sending a message from one device to another."

He paused and saw her nod attentively hearing him. Then she was waiting for him to continue. She was the first girl who was willing to listen to the academics instead of flirting with him. The geeks and others always chose to stay away from him to avoid offending him.

Brushing off his thoughts, he took her project design sketch and continued, "Since you have already planned out your project, continue to work on this project. But divide it into different sections. Develop the smallest and simple part, that's a used signing up and storing the details in the database. The second project could be sending signals to the user's mobile. For the third project, improve the two projects by adding the sensor…" He continued.

Anya was in awe of how easily he understood her project just by looking at the design diagram she wrote. Then she carefully heard the plan he made for her and understood what she had to do. 

Identifying him as a smart student, she hesitantly asked a doubt she had. Thus he became her part-time mentor, a master of a naive chubby girl. 

He often bought books that might help her but she couldn't afford it. He encouraged her to do more and better. Guided her so that she doesn't naively get taken advantage of by others. Scolded her when she had skipped going to the library.

They had a weird kind of relationship. They never shared phone numbers, rarely spoke about each other, yet he would listen to her speak with her parents, steal her food, even use her shoulder and bags as his pillow.

His observation skills were so amazing, he every time identified her lies, excuses, when she was sad and happy, faked emotions, and ill.

—----- Present —-----

Anya came out of reverie and tried to lie, "There is…"

Alvin cut her off coldly, "No need to lie." 

He wasn't a fool to take 'There is nothing as such,' as a response. He was around her for more than two and a half years. He had teased her, troubled her, tortured her with work. He knew her reactions.

So who is stopping her from being herself around him?

Why does she have to remind herself repeatedly to behave indifferently? 

Alvin couldn't help but think of the Matthews family. His father, his stepmother were capable of doing anything. 

Why was Anya angry hearing Flora Dalton's name? Does Flora have a hand in it? He had all the speculations.

Anya won't tell him. She wasn't the type to blame others or provoke him against others. He has to find out the truth. He had given up on his start-up company for her livelihood. If his sacrifice was vain and his so-called family had troubled her even after it, he wasn't going to let them off.

Anya fell silent and looked away from him. Their time in the library, their conversations, her laughter, his naps… Those took up a large portion of her memories. Although she never dreamed of being with him, she expected their life to be as simple as just smiling at him if they ever crossed paths.

That was a lot to wish for when he was the pinnacle where she couldn't reach. Hence everything was messed up.

She couldn't let it happen again. Staying with her son and parents, far from Alvin, was better for everyone. 

Alvin could say from her reaction, it wasn't how she wanted the things to turn out. He flicked on her nose and saw her eyes turn red at the slightest pain. Probably it wasn't the pain but her emotions.

"Relax, I will bring you to your son, safe and sound."

She pouted and asked, "How?" She knew he wouldn't jump into the ocean without a plan. 

Alvin didn't play her this time, "My yacht is following the ship."

However, her reaction wasn't what he hoped for. She asked cautiously, "Did you inform them before jumping?"

"Yes."

"What if they pass by a mile away from us?" They have to be prepared for the worst condition.

Alvin: "..."

Expectant Anya: "..."

He pulled her close, making her arms reach over his shoulders. He used one hand to keep floating and he fished for his mobile with another hand. He checked one pocket and then another. 

His expression stayed stoic even when he realized the mobile was lost when they jumped into the water.

He quickly checked his wristwatch. Anya turned with him and saw the smartwatch which was designed to be waterproof but it wasn't working anymore.

Alvin: "..."

He saw her slowly deep breath, trying to control her emotions but ended up gritting her teeth. "Alvin Matthews, I have a last wish." She said word for a word, clear and audible without showing her anger.

Alvin knew what could be her last wish. Nevertheless, he probed, "Perhaps a kiss."

She couldn't believe he was in the mood to joke when they might die in the water. She snarled at him, "I want to be a murderer before I die.." And she could only kill him there.