The Millionaire's Bookmark

CHAPTER 1

*Valor's POV*

"- Mr. Valor. Mr. Valor! Wake up, sir!" I wake up to two strong hands on my shoulders, desperately shaking me.

This is getting old. Everyday. Every. Single. Day. I get the same fucking nightmare about the same fucking girl who won't wake up. 11 years and at least 20 doctors later and nothing.

"Sorry Renee. It's just," I stammer, and am greeted by a sympathetic smile, "You already know don't you?" I look into her brown eyes and graying brown hair. I smile back, using all the energy I have. Renee's always been there for me. She may be just a maid, but she's treated me like her own son, and I can never be more grateful for someone. She grabs my glasses off my nightstand and hands them to me. "Time for school. I'll be downstairs doing the usual," she says as she walks over to the door.

"UGGGHHHH," I rub my eyes and groan. I plop back onto my overly big bed and take my phone from underneath my pillow. No messages, but over 1000 emails. I skim through, already knowing what to expect. I don't know why my father even tries, he knows I won't come as close as 10 feet into that building of his. I head over to my closet, still skimming through the emails. My eyes rake over the excessive amount of business suits and jackets, pushing them aside, I open the door behind them. Can't have anyone knowing my other life. I grab the first thing I see which happens to be a flannel, T-shirt and some dark-washed jeans and head over to the bathroom.

I turn the gold faucet on and let the water warm up. Dark circles rim under my green eyes as I glance over to the mirror. Late night reading and advanced homework seriously isn't helping my health. Why do I do it? I'm the heir to the biggest company nationwide so what's the point? I'm bored. My life is boring. I hate everything there is that has anything to do with my parents and school can be entertaining. Sometimes. Not really but it's something.

The steam from the shower fogs up the glass door and I hop in. Letting the water wash away the tired off me, I stand there and let my mind wander.

Who was she? Did I know her from before? Why wouldn't she wake up?

Okay Valor stop it. You know it's useless don't even try. I finish up and dry myself with a towel. Putting my clothes on, I make sure to tuck in my shirts so I can achieve the full potential nerd look. I then wipe the mirror clean and put on my glasses and fake braces. I don't need any unnecessary attention from school, I get it enough from the paps.

After grabbing my backpack, I head down the marble stairs and automatically smell bacon and pancakes. I grab a strip of bacon and get my shoes, leaving the bacon strip hanging from my mouth.

"At least sit down and eat, sir. You need energy for school, I've noticed your dark circles," Renee said while giving me a look.

"You know I'm not a morning person, Renee," I smile and head out to the garage, "See you later."

I open the mahogany doors and switch on the lights. Walking past all the luxury cars my parents thought would be good apology gifts for missing my birthday, I hop into my grandfather's old jeep and drive to school.

~

School passes by as quick as usual. Getting snickers from so-called jocks and girls who look like barbies with their fake tans and bleached blonde hair has become an everyday thing since like freshman year. I adjust my glasses and walk to the art building.

"Good morning, Valor," smiled Mrs. Hue. I've always thought her name was fitting, since she's an art teacher and all. The teachers are abnormally nice to me though, letting me get away with anything, thanks again to my parents.

"Good morning, Mrs. Hue," I reply as I settle down my backpack near the back table and sit down. As the room starts to fill, Mrs. Hue scribbles our latest assignment on the board. Finishing it about two weeks ago, I don't bother looking up from the book I've started to read. Renee would always tell me how I'm too fond of books and should probably focus on making more friends, but I know no one really cares for you unless you got something to offer them. Selfishness has become a typical quality in almost everyone nowadays.

"Okay class, new project," chirped Mrs. Hue a little too excitedly, "okay now before you all start groaning, this one actually isn't that bad." The class groaned anyway. "For this project, you'll be working in pairs. I've noticed this class is very separated and I think this is a great way everyone could get to know each other." I listened while not leaving my eyes from the book. Partners? Man. I suck at that kind of stuff. "The medium for this project can be your choice, videos, sculptures, paintings, anything. What I want you to do is find one thing about your partner that fascinates you, and incorporate it to what they think is fascinating about you. I know it sounds tricky, but creativity is a major part of this, so try and have fun with it."

"Hey so do you think we're gonna be able to pick our own partners?" I heard a guy with spiky black hair attempt to make conversation with a girl. If we got to pick our own partners, isn't her plan to make us get to know each other kinda ruined? The girl giggled and smacked her gum, "Not sure, but I hope you're mine." I scoffed to myself. Typical.

Mrs. Hue posts the clipboard with all the partners in the front of the classroom. Once the bell rang, everyone swarmed around it. Still reading my book, I waited until the crowd died down and headed my way up. I raked through the names until I got to mine, only to find the partner slot empty. Maybe it's a mistake, I'm not complaining though. I take my backpack and head on out until I hear Mrs. Hue call for me. "Yes ma'am?" I ask confused. "Your partner is transferring in. She'll be here tomorrow." I swear if my dad fucking made her- "She's from Europe. Apparently she moved there a couple years ago and now she's coming back." How did she even know all this? "Alright, thanks for letting me know," I said politely and made my way out.

I walked silently to my Jeep, listening to the whispered snickers and disgusted looks as I passed by, not caring any less. A crisp breeze brushes by, making me cross my arms in an attempt to keep warm while the rust colored trees swayed peacefully. As much as I love the beauty of this season, I can't help but hate it. The memories waltz into my head as if the breeze carries them with her.

"Autumn I'm back- " Everything seemed to go in slow motion. Her head snapped towards me with widened brown eyes automatically filled with regret.

"Valor. I-"

I remember not letting her finish. I remember her screaming my name. I remember jumping inside the car as fast as I could and driving for as long as I could remember.

I hadn't noticed I'd been staring at the trees. It's probably been a while now. The breeze stopped, but the air was still crisp. I unlocked my Jeep and sat down to buckle my seatbelt. Before revving the engine, I felt my phone vibrate inside my pocket. Mom?

"Hello?" I managed to say without surprise.

"Valor? Honey, how are you?" Her voice sounded longing, but I knew it wouldn't last for long.

"I'm fine mother. Is there something wrong?" I just wanted to cut straight to the point.

"No, no. Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to remind you of the annual ball tomorrow night. You know how much it means to your father that we're all there." Of course.

"Yes I'm well aware. No problem mother I'll be ready," there isn't even a point in arguing since I'll be forced to go anyway.

"Thank you sweetie. I'll send the limo around 7. Take care alright? I miss you so much."

"Yeah. Right. Goodbye mother," I reply a little too harshly then hang up. I run my fingers through my hair in frustration and lay my head back against the headrest. I take a deep sigh of exhaustion, start the engine and head home.

***
Author's Note:

I KNOW THIS IS LONG BUT PLSSS.

Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed the story so far!! This is my very first one so please bear with me if some things don't flow as smoothly as they could. I really do look forward to hearing your comebacks, if you've got any. I'm very open to them. I'm so excited to be writing this and I hope I'll learn more along the way so you guys could enjoy reading it as much as I do writing it! Please, if you don't agree to anything I write, remember that this is just a story and everything is based on my opinions and my storyline. If you don't like it, I'm not begging you to stay, but if you do manage to find an amazing book in consequence to leaving this one, please share!!(:

-Picture of Valor on the side-