Chapter 15: The Declaration

“Otherwise what?”The sharp, commanding voice fell like a blade across the cafeteria floor.

Silence.Forks froze mid-air. Conversations died mid-sentence. The buzz of student chatter faded into a breathless pause.

Every eye turned.Celina stood up instinctively from her table, flanked by Becky and Rose. All three stared toward the source, stunned by the tension that had suddenly blanketed the room.

Miles remained seated at his round table, calm as ever, his gaze locked onto the trembling boy before him. His posture didn’t shift, but his eyes were ruthless—unflinching, cold, like a silent storm rolling across an open field.

Ben Halworth, the rich boy who had strutted over with so much arrogance moments ago, now felt his confidence unravel. His throat tightened, words barely forming. His bravado cracked in the face of those eyes.

“I– I meant…” he stammered, trying to salvage the confrontation, “It won’t be good for you.”

“Huh?” Miles tilted his head slightly. “Not good for me? What will you do?”

His voice, calm yet laced with steel, cut through the air. Another question. Another blow.

“I am—” Ben tried again.

But Miles didn’t let him finish. “I know. You’re Ben Halworth. Son of Nolan Halworth. Your family owns a chain of hotels in three cities, and you like to act like this campus is your personal playground.”

Ben’s eyes widened. Miles wasn’t bluffing.

“You know… and still—”

“Still what?” Miles stood now, finally. The movement made Ben instinctively step back. “Without your father’s name and money, who are you really? You wanna fight?”

His voice didn’t rise. It didn’t need to. The weight in it was enough.

“Let’s do it right here. Come on. Let’s see what Ben Halworth can actually do.”

Ben’s confidence withered. He couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move. He had never been in a real fight, not one where reputation and money meant nothing. And he definitely didn’t want a scar—especially from someone like this.

Miles took a step closer, eyes still locked on him. “Get the hell out of my sight.”

Ben hesitated—then turned and left, flustered, humiliated, muttering something under his breath as he walked into the crowd.

Miles looked around, raising his voice just enough to be heard. “And just to be clear—I may be a scholarship student, but I’m not the scholarly type.” His tone dropped. “I hate threats… especially the empty ones.”

He sat back down slowly, back straight, eyes ahead. “I’ll talk to whoever I want. Try and stop me.”

The air in the cafeteria shifted. The silence was broken by a ripple of murmurs, disbelief, admiration—even a few stifled gasps.

“Who is this guy?” “Wasn’t he just a quiet transfer?” “Did you see the way Ben backed off?” “He’s something else.”

At the far table, Celina’s heart skipped as she exhaled quietly. A blush warmed her cheeks despite herself. Becky leaned toward her, smirking. “He’s definitely

not just your average transfer student.”

Rose whispered, “And you said he was just a friend…”

Celina didn’t answer. But her gaze stayed fixed on Miles, who now sat alone again—silent, composed, but no longer invisible.

He had done exactly what he intended, made himself the lightning rod. If anyone came, they’d come for him—not her. And now the entire campus knew- Miles Sterling was not someone to mess with easily.

Lunch break ended, and the students gradually returned to the classroom. The air was heavier than usual—quiet, slightly awkward. Everyone had seen what happened in the cafeteria. No one dared mention it, but their silence spoke volumes.

Back at his seat, Miles observed the shift. A few sideways glances. A couple of people whispering under their breath, quickly pretending to study when caught. The atmosphere was tense, as though they weren’t sure whether to fear him, respect him, or befriend him.

When Miles raised his hand to ask a doubt—genuinely curious about the lecture—a strange stillness fell. The class turned to look, surprised. This wasn’t the same guy who’d just dismantled Ben Halworth in front of half the university. Yet there he was—calm, respectful, inquisitive.

The professor answered professionally, perhaps even more attentively than usual.

The lecture resumed, wrapping up within the hour. Final semester classes were shorter, with tighter schedules and more focused subjects. As the bell rang, students began packing up.

Miles stood, slinging his backpack over one shoulder, and casually walked out. Not far ahead, Celina walked with Becky and Rose, the three chatting lightly.

Suddenly, Celina stopped.

Becky looked back, puzzled. “Did you forget something?”

Celina didn’t answer. Her gaze was already fixed behind them.

She turned—and began walking toward Miles.

The girls exchanged looks, then followed.

“Hey, Miles,” Celina called as they met halfway. “You made quite a scene there…” she teased with a smirk. “’I’ll talk to whoever I want to,’ huh?”

Miles gave a quiet chuckle. “All I did was talk with my mouth, didn’t you see?”

Celina shook her head, amused.

“Anyway,” she continued, “let me introduce you to my friends—”

Miles raised a hand lightly and stepped forward. “No need. Becky and Rose, right? I know. Nice to meet you both.” He extended a hand politely.

The girls were caught off guard.

Becky blinked, impressed. “Well… he’s sharp.”

Rose shook his hand, half-smiling. “And polite, too. That’s rare around here.”

Celina folded her arms, proud and a little pleased. “Told you.”

Then she turned to Miles again. “Where are you heading now? Want me to drop you home?”

“I’m going to pick up Hope and Asher from school,” Miles replied. “Then heading home with them.”

Celina’s eyes lit up. “Really? I’ve been wanting to meet Hope! I only saw Asher that day. Can I come with you?”

Miles raised an eyebrow. “You sure? They might not—”

“Who?” Celina asked, confused. “Becky and Rose?”

“No, not them,” Miles replied, lowering his voice. “I mean the one behind the tree… and the one near the gate.”

Celina followed his gaze and realized instantly. “Ah. Them.”

She pulled out her phone. “Let me make a call.”

Becky and Rose were now both visibly confused, whispering to each other.

Celina spoke into the phone. “Hey John.”

“Yes, Miss?” came the voice on the other end.

“Don’t follow me for the next 2-3 hours.”

“…But Miss—”

“It’s alright. Miles is here. You don’t have to worry.”

“Understood. Call us if you need anything.”

Celina hung up and turned to Miles with a triumphant look. “Done.”

Miles gave a half-smile.

It’s not that Miles mind… but Captain Ken is watching over, if he sees someone tailing , he might not take it well

Rose finally broke the silence. “Wait, what’s going on? Who were you talking to?”

Celina waved it off gently. “Just someone from my house. I’m going to see his siblings. They’re adorable twins—you know, Hope and Asher. Come with us”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Rose glanced at Becky, who gave a small sigh.

“You two go,” Becky said, waving a hand. “We’ve got errands to run anyway.”

Rose nodded in agreement. “Have fun.”

Becky and Rose smiled genuinely before turning away. They knew Celina. She rarely opened up this easily. Whatever this was, they didn’t want to disturb it.

Celina walked alongside Miles as they exited the campus gates.

For once, she wasn’t walking ahead.

She was walking beside someone.

And smiling.

As they walked toward the nearest bus stop, Miles glanced sideways at Celina. “Are you really sure about this?” he asked, his tone soft but edged with concern. “We’re going to take public transport. No luxury sedans, no tinted windows.”

Celina raised a brow, amused. “It’s fine.”

He frowned slightly. “You sure? Might not be the most comfortable ride for someone like you.”

Celina rolled her eyes playfully. “It’s not like I’m made of glass. And even if I was… you’d protect it, right?”

Miles glanced at her, then gave the faintest of smirks. “Fair point.”

They boarded a public bus—one of the quieter mid-day routes. The seats weren’t plush, the ride wasn’t smooth, and there was no one to open the doors for them. But it was… normal. Simple. The kind of world that existed outside wealth and power.

Celina sat by the window, eyes wide with curiosity as she looked out at the people, the small stores, the life moving at a different pace.

“You’ve never done this before, have you?” Miles asked, leaning his elbow on the rail beside him.

Celina shook her head slightly, smiling. “Nope. First time. But… it’s kind of fun.”

A quiet pause settled between them, not awkward but peaceful. Then Celina added, “So… tell me. Are they more like you?”

Miles blinked. “Who?”

“Hope and Asher.”

He chuckled. “No. They’re far better. They smile more.”

Celina looked at him, watching his expression shift slightly. Softer. Warmer.

The bus slowed to a halt. “This is us,” Miles said.

They stepped off and walked a short distance down a peaceful, tree-lined street, eventually reaching the small private school. The building was cozy, the playground quiet, the day winding down.

And then—

“BIG BROOOOOO!!”

A twin-sounding thunder of feet.

From across the school gate, Hope and Asher spotted him. Without hesitation, both launched forward like tiny rockets. Hope, wearing her butterfly-print backpack, ran with her arms stretched like airplane wings. Asher, with his neatly combed hair and determined eyes, followed close behind.

Miles barely had time to react before Hope flung herself into his chest.

He crouched and caught her effortlessly, steadying her with one arm while patting Asher’s head with the other.

Hope grinned wide, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. “I missed you, Big Bro!”

“I just dropped you this morning,” Miles replied with a smile.

“But that was so long agooo!” Hope pouted dramatically.

Asher, always more composed, stepped forward. Then, noticing Celina standing behind Miles, gave a tiny bow. “Hello, Big Sister Celina.”

Hope looked up curiously at the stranger beside her brother, her head slightly tilted and her eyes blinking wide. “Who’s that, Big Bro?”

Miles stood up, one hand resting on Hope’s shoulder. “This is Celina. She’s a friend.”

Celina smiled warmly, kneeling down to their height. “Hi, Hope. Hi, Asher. I’ve heard a lot about you two.”

Hope looked her up and down with comically narrowed eyes, then whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, “You’re pretty. Are you Big Bro’s girlfriend?”

Miles blinked. Celina’s eyes went wide.

Asher facepalmed.

“H-Hope!” Miles coughed. “No, she’s not—”

Celina laughed, hiding the pink rising in her cheeks. “Just a friend,” she said, brushing Hope’s hair gently. “But thank you.”

Hope nodded solemnly. “Okay. But if you hurt him, I’ll karate chop you.”

“Oh, I’m terrified,” Celina grinned.

Asher tugged on Miles’s sleeve. “Big Bro, can we get snacks on the way?”

“Sure,” Miles said. “If you promise not to interrogate my friends next time.”

“No promises,” Hope declared proudly.

The group walked off together, with Hope and Asher each holding one of Miles’s hands. Celina walked beside them, glancing occasionally at the three—her eyes lingering longer than she realized.

For the first time in a while, she felt something she didn’t expect:

At peace.

…

[A/N : Chapters might get shorter as I will be adding 2 Chapters within 24 hours from now]

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