Chapter 4 Strange coincidence

VINCENZO

"Sir we're here" James called out, causing me to look out.

We were at Oak Crest High School, one of the biggest private high schools in Reston. I watched as students walked around in their uniform, some walking casually, a few in a rush. My car had definitely caused a stir, they were all staring at it.

"Sir, should we get going now?" James asked hesitating.

"Do you know his reason for coming back and working at a school?" I asked, not glancing at him.

"Uhmm, sir I asked around, and couldn't find anything" I turned slowly to him, watching him with indifference as he avoided eye contact.

"Hmmm, so what you're telling me is that your salary's too high" I nodded slowly, rubbing my chin. That was the only explanation for what he had just said.

"No sir, I heard he had a meeting today, but....I couldn't find out who he was meeting." James stuttered, and I could see the sweat lining his forehead.

"Hmm," I curtly said and turned my attention outside. I scanned the environment and - My chest tightened and for a moment, I thought it might be her. I could only catch a glimpse of her before she disappeared.

When I had gotten home last night, I could not stop thinking of that fucking pretty face, alluring body, and the way she spoke and acted so unbothered, it was driving me crazy. Now, I'm seeing glimpses of her, like some fucking love-sick puppy. I really must be messed up in the head.

There was just something about that girl, Asiri, and it was really messing with my mind and I didn't know whether I should be happy- or damned- about it.

A face appearing in my line of sight snapped me out of my thoughts. It was Matthew my best friend, and he had on an annoying smile. We had been friends for as long as I could remember, and as annoying and playful as he could be, he was one of the very few people I could trust.

I looked past him and saw the small crowd of female students, waiting to approach him, and sighed to myself."What a dumb idiot."

I swung the door open and got out of the car.

"Ouch" Matthew screeched in pain at the door that had hit him, but I only cast him an indifferent glance and walked past him in long strides.

"Asshole!" I heard him swear as he tried to catch up to me and I smirked slightly. I continued walking, not pausing a beat for him.

A small crowd of female students had already gathered squealing while watching us walk down the hallway. I didn't give a fuck about the attention, as long as none of them dared to approach me.

"They're so handsome. First, the pretty girl who looked like a model, now them..." I paused in my steps, zoning out the rest of her words. I replayed her words in my mind, It could be fucking anyone, but recalling the figure I saw a while back, I couldn't help but ask, What if it was her?

"Man!" Matthew called out, snapping me out of my thoughts. He and James who were few steps away, were both staring at me with their brows hooked up slightly. The small crowd of girls also cast me curious glances.

Fuck!! My head's really fucked up. How the fuck did she mess with my head so badly.

"Nothing," I said curtly walking forward, not casting them a glance. The girls all squealed loudly, "Their voices are so hot! Omg, am I dreaming" They all said this or something similar, and it was as hell not sounding like a fucking lullaby. I shot them a fierce glare, causing them to shrink back in fear.

Finally some fucking silence.

When we finally got to the office, his assistant let us in and told us to sit and wait because he was currently with someone. But I didn't have all day. I walked past them, opening the door to his office. We had an appointment, and he was expecting us, so it won't be considered barging in.

As soon as I stepped into the office, I paused once again. The man sitting behind the table, who was the main reason I came here, was saying some words, but I could barely register them or any other person in the room.

All I could focus on was the person sitting lazily on the cushioned seat with her legs crossed- Asiri, who made me believe I was losing my mind. She had been the figure I saw and also the one those girls were talking about earlier. What sort of coincidence was this?

Her eyes which held a hint of surprise met my deep gaze head-on, but surprisingly she didn't acknowledge me with words. For some reason, I felt a mixture of amusement and anger.

She'd been on my fucking mind for most of the day, and all she did when she saw me was to make eye contact with me, not saying anything at all.

"Enzo do you know this young lady?" Matthew asked, his voice laced with confusion. But I ignored him and took a seat beside Asiri. "Asiri what a Coincidence" I broke the silence monitoring her expression.

Her lips curled up slightly into a smile as she answered, "Hello, Mr. Romano"

"Call me Enzo; there's no need for the formalities." The sound of my last name coming from her lips did unexplainable things to me.

She just nodded.

"Man, why don't you introduce me to your new friend," Matthew said, taking a seat beside Asiri. I always ask myself how I had become friends with this idiot.

I shot him a glare, hoping he would shut up, and why couldn't he stand? Did he have to sit down?

But he couldn't take a damn hint, instead, he ignored me and extended his hand to Asiri saying, "I'm Matthew Enzo's best friend." He was clearly tired of having two hands.

Asiri tilted her head, looking at Matthew's hand with a thoughtful expression. Matthew's face had an awkward look on his face, the whole room was filled with an awkward silence. I found it very amusing and didn't want to rip out Matthew's hand again.

"Asiri" She replied, ignoring Matthew's outstretched arm.

Matthew withdrew his arm and rubbed his hair awkwardly. "Nice to meet you Asiri" Matthew said regaining his composure and shooting Asiri his usual playboy smile.

"Mmmm," Asiri replied curtly.

"You're a student of this high school?" I asked curiously.

"Yes, she's a new student of our school" The old man behind the desk replied, before Asiri could say anything. I shot him a glare, but he acted oblivious and turned to Asiri and said. "Dear, you can go collect your uniform. I'll get someone to show you around the school."

"No need, I'll find my way," Asiri said, getting up to leave.

"Will you resume classes today?" The principal asked.

"No" She replied simply, making her way towards the door. She paused in her steps and turned to me, a thoughtful look in her eyes. I thought she was about to say something, but she just turned and left the office.

What did she want to say? And why didn't she say it?

"Mr. Romano, Mr. Matthew" The principal called out, causing me to adopt a more serious expression.

"Mr. William" I replied, casting him an indifferent glance, while Matthew just nodded at him in acknowledgment.

"I see you and Miss Smith are acquainted," He said, but it sounded more like a question.

"Miss Smith- Hmmm, her last name's Smith," I said inwardly.

"Mr. Romano?" Mr. William called out, seeing I didn't reply.

"I didn't come to talk about Miss Smith with you" I replied, it was none of his fucking business. But I was curious about, how he knew her. Not anyone had access to meeting the principal, she could have easily done the admission process without meeting him, but there was something more, and I couldn't just ask him.

"So what brings you to my office Mr. Romano and Mr. Matthew?" He asked looking at us with a deep gaze.

"Of course, we came to welcome you Mr. William and please, you know there's no need to address us so informally," Matthew said, his lips curved up in a smile.

"Oh, I see." He said a thoughtful expression on his face. "And you Enzo?" He turned to me, shooting me a questioning look.

"Why did you choose to come to Reston" I went straight to the point.

"I was selected as principal" He replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

He expected me to believe that bullshit? What a joke.

"You left everything in DC to come to Reston to become a principal?" Matthew asked raising a brow at him.

"Yes, you know I'm getting old, I needed a change of environment." He replied, taking a sip from his mug.

"You'll be here for a while?" Matthew asked, not hiding the curiosity in his voice.

"Yes" He replied simply.

"Ok, I guess we'll take our leave. Do take care of your health, we'll visit you at home soon" Matthew said, and with that, we both stood up to leave.

I didn't want to probe, because, though I was curious about his reason for suddenly coming to Reston, as long as it had nothing to do with me, it was none of my business.

The only reason we came to meet him, was because he was our elder and an acquaintance of our family, and not coming to welcome or greet him will be considered as disrespect. I didn't give a shit about what anyone had to say, but Matthew somehow convinced me, and I did have some respect for Mr. William.

We got back to the car, and James drove me to the office.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I looked out at the night view of the city, deep in thought, with a cigarette dangling from my lips. I took a puff and a small cloud of smoke surrounded me.

I had been looking through files and having meetings with unskilled executives and workers who made stupid mistakes since I got to the office. I had gotten so used to it, that I wasn't even tired. It was more like a routine now.

I heard a knock but I didn't bother to shift from my position, it was probably James. "Come in."

James opened the door, and walked in, carrying some files. He dropped the files on the table and turned to me.

I could feel his gaze on me, It seemed he wanted to say something but was hesitating. "Speak"

"Sir, you have a dinner meeting with Mr. Chen" He said, his voice filled with nervousness.

I hated those stupid meetings. All they did was being kiss-ups. Mr. Chen had been too persistent, he was clearly up to something.

I brought out my phone and sent a text, then turned to James and said, "Get the driver to get the car ready"

James walked out immediately.

After a while, he came back up and said, "Sir, the car's ready."

I stood up, picked up my jacket, and strode out the door.

On our way, I received a text.

It's confirmed

I smiled to myself, it was time for some fun.