Hidden Affections ; anton lee ff

part 1

Eden Shin lounged on her plush, king-sized bed, her perfectly manicured fingers idly flipping through the latest issue of Vogue. The walls of her bedroom were adorned with posters of haute couture and framed photographs from her various travels. Piles of shopping bags from luxury boutiques lay scattered around, showcasing her latest acquisitions. From the adjoining hallway, her parents' raised voices cut through the otherwise serene environment, their frustration evident even from behind closed doors.

"Eden, this is the last straw!" her father's voice boomed, carrying through the walls. "You need to take your studies seriously! Life isn't just about spending money."

Her mother chimed in, her tone equally exasperated. "Your grades are abysmal, Eden. We can't keep paying for tutors only to get no results. You need to start applying yourself."

Eden rolled her eyes, slipping her AirPods into her ears and cranking up the volume. The pounding beat of the latest pop song drowned out their lecture. What did they know about her life? They were too busy running their business empire to understand her world.

The next day at Seoul International School, Eden's arrival was an event. Heads turned, whispers followed her like a shadow. She walked through the hallways with an air of entitlement, her Prada Mary Jane's clicking against the polished floors. She was the queen bee, the one everyone wanted to befriend—or at least be seen with. Her reputation preceded her: the richest girl in school, untouchable, and uninterested in anything that didn't involve luxury and status.

Eden's appearance was nothing short of breathtaking. Her long, silky hair, the color of dark chocolate, cascaded down her back in perfectly styled waves. Her skin was flawless, a porcelain canvas that highlighted her high cheekbones and delicate features. Her eyes, a striking hazel, sparkled with a mix of boredom and latent curiosity, resembling a feline's sharp, watchful gaze. Her slender frame moved with a grace and elegance akin to a cat, and her school uniform hugged her curves in all the right places, paired with preppy black Mary Jane's that clicked rhythmically on the polished floors, announcing her presence wherever she went.

In the midst of this carefully maintained facade, a buzz of excitement rippled through the student body. A new student had transferred from the United States, and everyone was curious. Eden barely glanced up from her phone as she made her way to her first class of the day, her mind preoccupied with her next shopping spree. The newest release of the Chanel bag collection for this season captured her full attention until her focus was interrupted by the teacher rapidly knocking on the door for all of the students' attention.

"Class, this is Anton Lee," the teacher announced as she entered the room. "He's just moved here from the U.S. Let's make him feel welcome."

Eden's eyes flicked up momentarily, assessing the newcomer. Anton stood at the front of the room, his posture relaxed but confident. He wore a simple, clean-cut outfit that contrasted sharply with the flashy designer clothes and accessories sported by most of the other students. There was an understated elegance about him, a quiet confidence that made him intriguing.

Anton's appearance was striking in its own right. He had an athletic build, a result of countless hours spent playing basketball and years of training as a competitive swimmer. His jet-black hair was cut short and styled neatly, emphasizing his sharp jawline and perfect high nose bridge which highlighted the contrast towards the rest of his soft and gentle features. His deep brown eyes, round and expressive like a large puppy's, held an intensity that drew people in, yet he wore an expression of calm and serenity that set him apart. His school uniform was worn modestly but well-fitting, highlighting his tall, lean frame. Despite the simplicity of his attire, there was something about the way he carried himself that exuded a quiet charm.