I know it says slow updates in the synopsis, but I love this chapter.

If you couldn't already guess, I miss my matriarch, Emily Stark.

Year One: The Goddess of Sci-Tech

"Now graduated from high school and taking a gap year, Emily Stark is changing the world's image of billionaire children. People used to think they were all spoiled airheads who thrived on nepotism, private jets, and their parents' bank accounts. But Stark was different from the start. She attended public school, showed a genuine interest in her family's business and charities, advocated for technological and educational advances throughout the world, and has one of the highest IQs for people her age. All this while rocking high heels and a fresh coat of lipstick.

Even if she didn't wear the Stark name, she would still be able to climb up to where she is now."

-o-

Sci-Tech Laboratory - 12:05 PM

"Thank god Emily Stark's on a gap year," a student says. "She will be all over the world which means more press and paparazzi photos for us."

Walking behind them, Daniel tries not to eavesdrop but he couldn't help himself. After a few weeks of living at Edison Residence, he knew that some of his neighbours fancied his fiancée. Then he realized that a lot of them had more of a sheer obsession over her. It's like a celebrity crush or a worshipping. Nothing too concerning. Or so he thinks.

Emily Stark is considered a goddess within Sci-Tech's walls because she's beyond intelligent and equally beautiful. When she was younger, she made rare appearances for the public eye. Mostly because she would hang out with him and their friends. People knew she was like her parents but she wasn't attracting headlines because she wasn't out there. And if she wasn't seen, nobody knew what they wanted to read.

Now, she's taking a gap year. He wishes he could do the same but they might never go back to school. Emily's going to see the world with some billionaire associates she knows from her parents. Not only will she get to know the cities she'll go to school, but she's starting to follow in her parents' footsteps. Aren't they all? But she will be out more which means more eyes will be on her.

Hell, it's only been a few months and she was already a daily headliner. Whether she was coming out of a meeting with her parents or promenading through the streets in her best outfit with some rich friends, she was smiling for the cameras.

"This article calls Emily Stark a bomb with a brain!" Someone exclaims, showing their phone over to show the article. "The most dangerous of them all."

Daniel pauses as those classmates run off with glee at the article. He takes a minute to lean against the wall and catch his breath although he isn't tired. Calling Emily a bomb with a brain. Bad choice of words, in his opinion. But he couldn't argue that a beautiful woman is a beautiful woman, but a beautiful woman with a brain is lethal. It's just that out of the two of them, he's the real bomb with the brain and truly the most dangerous.

He's seen the articles involving other billionaire kids. Over-shopping, scandals with them and/or their parents, arrests, etc. Daniel knows Emily's too smart to get associated with those, but he can't be certain. He's confined to campus property and she's got the planet.

"The things I'd do to Emily Stark…" Someone laughs with his friends.

Oh god … he's about to lose it. Daniel's about to run back to his dorm and hide there until tomorrow although there will be another headline to draw attention. It's not that he doesn't want to be here, but he feels uncomfortable with hearing Emily's name in that context.

"Put a condom on those thoughts!" James yells at them. Because that was definitely on their minds.

Those guys look at James with weird faces before minding their business.

James narrows his eyes and watches them go.

And the Emily Stark craze isn't only limited to the boys of Sci-Tech. The girls spoke about her as well.

"Stark was caught saying, money is subjective," a girl reads from their phone. "Easy for her to say. She can afford everything."

James rolls his sleeves but Daniel stops him. People always say that Emily looks good because she can afford anything but James and Daniel know that's not completely true. Emily has a style that money can't buy. Still, Daniel has to stop James. He wouldn't hit the girl but he would disconnect her from the wifi from his phone. He has that power.

"Because money is subjective…" James mutters before looking at Daniel. His friend looks like he's about to have a panic attack. "Are you okay? Do we need to skip class because I could live without another explanation on the molecular processes of life."

"I'm good," Daniel responds, leaning over to catch his breath.

"You don't look good."

Daniel turns his head up and fixes his glasses. He wasn't good but wouldn't tell James. Because James has to attend class or else it will become a bad habit. What keeps Daniel going is that he and Emily promised to keep their engagement a secret. At first, it was to avoid the press following him and stalking her about it. Now, he's keeping it from people here for obvious reasons. No need to have targets on his back.

He's not used to this perspective of Emily because he's known her as the girl who sat next to him in his classes. His best friend. His first kiss. His first love. His fiancée. People at their school didn't care that she was this billionaire child because they saw her everyday and she didn't act like one.

"They would love you as well," James says optimistically. He knows that's not likely to be true.

"They'll skin me alive," Daniel responds. He takes a quick breath and starts heading over to the laboratory.

"They won't. The worst they'll do is come after you."

Daniel glares at him although James is right. Most of the boys were in love with the goddess so finding out that she was engaged to one of their own would put him at the stake.

"But I'll protect you," James reassures, patting Daniel's shoulder.

"She's my fiancée," Daniel whispers to James. He almost had to mouth the words because he became paranoid that someone was eavesdropping.

"Don't stress," James says. "Nobody in this program knows that except me."

"What if our floor will think that I'm another fanatic?"

"You are."

Daniel gives him a face. James was trying but not being helpful. Although the fanatic alibi would save him if worse comes to worst. He hopes it won't come to that point.

"You just get the pleasure of sleeping with her," James adds as he enters their lab.

Daniel ignores him and his stupid smile as he follows, taking his seat next to him.

-o-

During the lesson, Daniel hears the phone of the person across from him vibrate. The phone is on the lab table between them and Daniel automatically looks that way to see what it is (especially since the person disregards it without turning their phone off). He ignores the notification but can make out the wallpaper behind it.

It's a magazine cover with Emily that came out a few weeks ago. She's smiling while walking down the streets of Italy, wearing a basic white tee and dark high-wasted jeans with a coral blazer and heels. Her hair is left natural, following the wind, and big sunglasses cover her eyes. Emily smiles in the photo with a small wave right at the camera and Daniel almost waves back. God, he misses her. He can see her engagement ring that she purposely wore on her other hand to avoid the speculation and he bites down on his lips to avoid smiling. He loves her so much.

The phone turns off and Daniel refocuses his attention on the professor who looks unamused.

"Really?" The professor questions rhetorically. "Nobody has an answer? Not even a guess?"

Daniel looks away. Maybe if he didn't get distracted, he would've been able to answer. Only Emily could take his attention away like that. James probably could've answered if he was paying attention. But Daniel has to give him credit for showing up.

Their professor sighs. " … I was this close to having Emily Stark in my class."

The class suddenly goes silent. Eyes look up from screens, pens drop to the floor, James's smile grows, Daniel sinks in his seat. The poor professor looks confused. Why is everyone suddenly alert? Little did they know...

"Wait for it…" James mutters excitedly, leaning into Daniel.

"Why…" Daniel groans. Out of all days for this to happen.

"Emily Stark almost came to The Academy?!" Everyone screams.

James roars laughter at the chaos and Daniel lies on his lab table. As much as Daniel would love for Emily to visit campus, maybe she should go back to New York and he'll make the drive. Two hours is nothing. It's worth it.

And maybe he'll skip the rest of the day and stay in his dorm.

Before you ask, Emily Stark will be showing up in this story at some point.