Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Sundays Are for Saints and Stubborn Girls

Zatariel's Point of View

If anyone had told me I'd willingly get out of bed early on a Sunday, I would've laughed in their face and handed them a psychology referral.

Yet here I am.

Thirty minutes before nine in the morning—suit ironed, breath minty, brain sharpened like a guillotine blade.

Why?

Because Miexha Wayne Verra might blink at me in slow motion again during our study session.

Purely academic reasons, obviously.

Also, because I threatened my father.

Last night, he tried to sneak out for one of his "quick meetings" with his golf cult. I stood in the doorway holding his iPad like it was a live grenade.

"One step out," I told him calmly, "and I'm launching a flash sale at your mall. Ninety-nine percent off. Yes, even the luxury watches. We'll be bankrupt by sunrise."

He stared at me.

I stared back.

He lost.

Instead of leaving, he made a few tense phone calls and switched the meeting online. I still have no idea how he explained things to his friends, but at least he stayed home.

Victory.

So today I arrived at the Dom Mansion early.

Very early.

Too early, actually.

I walked through the gates of the presidential residence like I owned the place and headed straight for the library.

And there she is.

My sweet, lovely girl—student.

Miexha.

Already dressed in soft blue. Already glowing like someone turned the brightness setting up on her face. She sat in her usual chair with a pencil tucked behind her ear.

She looked up, eyes widening.

"You're early, teach."

"You're ready for class," I countered.

We stared at each other for one second too long.

Which might've been fine except—

"Stop right there."

Sphere.

Her overprotective brother. Human firewall. Eternal destroyer of vibes.

He stepped between us like a one-man border patrol.

"It's not ten yet," he said.

I checked my watch.

"We're twenty-seven minutes early."

"Still not ten."

I sighed.

"Fine. I'll... stand here."

Behind him, Miexha giggled and peeked around his shoulder like a shy rabbit.

"We can still review early, right?"

I gave Sphere a look that clearly said, " Try and stop us, then dropped my bag on the table and pulled out my notebook.

"Warm-up round?" I asked.

"Mhm," she nodded.

We started with simple conversions—fractions to decimals, decimals to percentages. Just enough to wake up her brain.