The week slipped by quietly. Alfred had sent in all the paperwork Mel needed, and soon she found herself checking out of the hotel and into her new apartment for her new school—The British College of Brazil.
Her new condo in São Paulo still smelled like fresh paint, like a place waiting for memories to be made. Mel sat on the edge of her new bed that night, staring at the ceiling.
"New city… new school… new life," she whispered to herself. "I hope I'm making the right choice."
Meanwhile, miles away in another city, Lucas stepped off his private jet with tension in his jaw and determination in his eyes. He had discovered Mel was somewhere in Brazil—though he didn't know where exactly or why.
His assistant tried to stop him. "Boss, what about your meetings?"
Lucas didn't even look back.
"If living a normal life is what she wants," he said softly, "then I'll give her that… even if it means leaving everything behind. I just need to be near her."
He didn't know where she was yet, but his heart refused to stay still.
---
Monday arrived too fast.
Mel walked through the gates of the college, clutching her map and her tiny folder of documents. The school was stunning—tall white pillars, glass buildings reflecting sunlight, and gardens filled with bright Brazilian flowers.
"This place is… beautiful," she murmured, turning in circles as she tried to find her the principals office.
But after ten minutes of wandering, the halls all started to look the same.
"Oh no," she sighed, staring helplessly at the map. "I'm already lost…"
A gentle voice broke through her frustration.
"Are you… new here?"
Mel turned to see a boy around her age, with curly dark hair and warm, friendly eyes. He held two textbooks against his chest and looked genuinely concerned.
"Yes, I'm new," Mel admitted. "Very new. And very lost."
He gave a small laugh. "Don't worry. Happens to everyone. I'm Andre."
He held out his hand, and Mel shook it carefully.
"I'm Luciana."
"Nice to meet you, Lucy. What class are you looking for?"
She handed him the map as if it were a complicated puzzle.
Andre glanced at it and smiled. "You're actually really close. Come on—I'll walk you."
Mel felt a wave of relief. "Thank you. I was starting to think I'd never find it."
As they walked through the bright hallways, Andre glanced at her thoughtfully.
"You moved here recently?"
"Just a few days ago," she said. "I'm still trying to get used to everything."
"That's tough," Andre replied gently. "But… you'll be okay. Sometimes the best things happen in new places."
Mel looked at him, surprised by the warmth in his words.
"Yeah… maybe you're right."
What she didn't know was that someone else—someone she never expected—was already on his way to the same city, searching for her with a heart full of hope.
And somewhere in the city —lurking in the shadows was her worse nightmare.
Mel and Andre stopped right at the entrance of the administrative wing. Students walked past them in a rush, but for a moment everything felt calm.
"Well… this is it," Andre said, pointing to the wooden door with the silver sign Principal's Office.
Mel nodded. "Thank you so much for the help."
He smiled—a soft, encouraging smile.
"No problem, Lucy. If you need anything… I'm around."
"Goodbye, Andre."
"See you soon," he replied before disappearing back into the hallway.
Mel took a deep breath and stepped into the office.
The room smelled faintly of books and lavender. The walls were lined with framed certificates, and behind a large polished desk sat the principal—an elegant woman with short grey hair and sharp, observant eyes.
"Yes? How may I help you, dear?" the principal asked.
Mel handed over her folder carefully. "Good morning, ma'am. I'm here to submit my application documents."
The principal adjusted her glasses and flipped through the pages.
"Your grades are excellent," she said, sounding genuinely impressed. "But I notice something… You arrived alone? No family or legal guardian present?"
Mel felt her throat tighten slightly. She clasped her hands together.
"Yes ma'am," she said quietly. "I came alone. My situation is… complicated, but I'm managing."
The principal studied her for a moment—not with suspicion, but concern.
"You must be very brave," she said softly.
Mel didn't know how to respond, so she just offered a small, polite smile.
The principal continued reviewing her transcript . "Everything looks good. Now… what would you like to major in once you begin college-level classes? With grades like yours, you have many options."
Mel straightened her posture. "I was thinking about Business Management… but I'm open to any recommendations you might have, ma'am."
The principal nodded thoughtfully.
"That's a strong choice. I'll review everything and get back to you by the end of the week."
She closed the folder and handed Mel a temporary school pass.
"Have a nice day, Luciana."
Mel blinked. No one had called her by that name in a long time.
"You too, ma'am," she replied softly.
The principal pressed a button on her desk.
"Clara, please come in."
A moment later, the secretary entered with a warm smile.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Please take Miss Madrigal to her class," the principal said. "She'll be joining the senior group."
"Yes, ma'am." Clara turned to Mel. "Come with me, dear."
As she stepped out of the office, she felt a strange mix of relief and loneliness. A new school, a new path… all on her own.
But what she didn't know was that someone—someone whose heart had never stopped searching for her—was already getting closer.
Mel followed her through the long hallway. Her heart thumped with a mix of nerves and excitement.
New school. New people. Please let today go well, she prayed silently.
When they reached the classroom door, Clara knocked twice, then opened it.
Inside, the class quieted immediately.
"Miss King," Clara announced, "this is the new transfer student who will be joining your class. I'll take my leave now."
The teacher, Miss King—a tall woman with kind but alert eyes—smiled.
"Thank you, Clara."
As the secretary left, Miss King turned to Mel.
"Well then, dear, come forward. Please introduce yourself."
Mel swallowed softly and stepped to the front of the room. Dozens of eyes stared back at her. She forced a little smile.
"Hi… I'm Melody Luciana Madrigal. But you can call me Lucy," she said gently. "I'm Italian and British."
A few students whispered among themselves—some impressed, some simply curious.
But at the back of the class, leaning casually in his chair, a guy with dark, unreadable eyes watched her more intently than everyone else.
His lips curved into a slow, intrigued smile as he murmured under his breath—
"…this will be interesting."
Before Mel could even wonder what he meant, she noticed someone waving faintly from the middle row.
Andre.
Her heart eased instantly.
He whispered, barely audible, "Over here, Mel."
She smiled back—grateful, relieved, and unaware of how many new stories were about to unfold in that one classroom.