The Billionaire Student's Secret.

14

Jade refreshed her page on Jobbie, the application for job-seekers, and hit the table when she still received zero hires. She was having a study meeting with Harry as usual.

“Why? What's wrong with me?” Jade hollered frustratedly.

Harry took of his glasses with his left hand and rubbed his eyes, “No hires yet?”

“Not one,” Jade replied, “what am I doing wrong?”

“Have you applied for more jobs?” Harry queried, trying to flex his wrist which was still in a cast.

“Yes, but—”

“Just keep applying for any jobs that come your way, even if you know nothing about the job,” Harry advised.

“That would be setting myself up to fail,” Jade countered, “what if I'm hired for a job I can't do?”

“Then you go to the employees and grovel for any job you can do.” Harry suggested.

“Ok,” Jade changed the subject, “how's your hand?”

“Great,” Harry grinned, “I should be out of this cast by next week.”

“That's great,” Jade clapped happily.

Harry suddenly snapped his fingers as though he'd just remembered something.

“Jade, do you know who I saw at the hospital when I went for my appointment?”

From the mischievous twinkle in his eyes, Jade knew it was going to be someone she knew, “I don't know. Tell me.”

“Leroy!” Harry announced happily.

“Leroy, as in, Leroy Hawkins?” Jade's surprise made her jump up.

“The one and the same,” Harry confirmed, “he had a foot in a cast and was using a crutch.”

“For real?” Jade asked jubilantly.

“Yes, I wonder how he got that injury.” Harry smiled.

Jade was about to say she wondered the same thing too, when it finally hit her. Charles must have been the one who put Leroy in a cast. Was that what he'd meant when he'd assured her that Leroy wouldn't bother her again?

Jade was no supporter of violence, but it warmed her to think Charles had injured Leroy for what he'd been about to do to her. In the next moment, she berated herself. Charles would have done it for any girl in distress.

“Earth to Jade,” Harry sang, snapping Jade out of her thoughts, “anything wrong?”

“Not at all,” Jade smiled conspiratorially, “I think I know who put Leroy in a cast.”

“Who?” Harry leaned in, eager to know.

“It was Charles,” Jade told.

Harry was bewildered, “Charles? Are you sure? Why would he do that?”

Jade sighed, “What I'm about to tell you is a secret, and I want it to remain so.”

“You can trust me,” Harry said in a heartfelt manner.

Jade cleared her throat and told Harry everything that happened with Leroy the day before, beginning with their encounter in front of the library and ending with Charles coming to console her in her apartment.

When she was done, Jade looked up at Harry and saw he was practically vibrating with anger. His nostrils were flared, his lips were curled in a snarl, and his eyes had narrowed to murderous slits. The transformation was so abrupt that Jade yelped and shrunk from him.

When Harry spoke, his words came out as a growl, “This shouldn't be a secret, Jade. The fool molested you. He would have r***d you if Charles hadn't intervened and for that, he should be behind bars!”

Jade found herself placating him, “Harry, calm down. He's probably going to miss a lot of games, and his popularity will fade as a result. I think that's enough punishment.”

Harry gaped at her, astonished, “That's not nearly enough.”

“I know, believe me, I do,” Jade rushed to respond, “I don't want the whole thing to blow up. I don't want the attention, please.”

“Fine,” Harry sighed, “I hate that the d**k thought he could put his hands on you that way. I wish I were the one who put him in a cast!”

Jade thought Harry lacked the physical strength to do that but kept her thoughts to herself. Instead, she held his good hand and gave it a squeeze, “All that matters is that Leroy Hawkins got what was coming to him.”

Harry smiled at her, “Yes, but I still think he deserves more punishment.”

They were interrupted by a cough. Jade dropped Tenzin's hand and swerved to see Darin, looking very chic and sophisticated in a form-fitting dress and high-heeled sandals.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Darin asked cheekily.

“What do you want?” Harry asked belligerently.

“Woah! Calm down! I didn't come here to fight,” Darin clarified, sitting on a desk in front of them and crossing her legs.

Tenzin's gaze lingered on Darin's toned long legs before he looked away.

“Why do I find that hard to believe?” Jade asked Darin.

“No, I'm actually serious,” Darin pouted, “I need help.”

“With what?” Harry c****d an eyebrow.

“With my schoolwork,” Darin admitted, losing some of her tough attitude, “It's imperative that I can get an A+ in all my courses this semester.”

Jade and Harry exchanged glances and although she tried her best, she could not stop the laughter that escaped from her. Harry joined in and together they laughed until they were breathless.

Darin's countenance changed to one of unadulterated annoyance and she got down from her perch, “You know what? Forget it. I thought you two were people I could trust to help me, but you're no different from the rest.”

“I'm sorry,” Jade apologized, “It's just—”

“I don't give a f**k about your explanation.” Darin retorted, “just know this, I'll get all As this semester, and I'll be the one laughing.”

With that, she did a hair flick and sashayed away, her heels hitting the floor a little too hard.

“Could you believe her?” Harry chuckled, “parallel As? What the hell has come over her?”

Jade felt guilty for laughing, “I don't know, but do you think it was right of us to laugh at her? I mean, she really looked like she was serious.”

“C'mon,” Harry grinned, “not even God could help Darin all As, we're too far in the semester.”

* * *

“I give up,” Darin slammed the book she was reading shut and threw it on the floor of her sitting room. She'd been trying to read for the past hour, yet she was understanding nothing, because she was distracted by her phone's notifications, and the memories of Charles and those silly peasants; Jade and Harry laughing their asses off at her still stung.

“No one, absolutely no one laughs at Darin Koor!” Darin mused, “I'll prove them wrong.”

Just not by actually studying, she added mentally, leaving her apartment. There had to be another way, there was always another way.

Without a destination in mind, Darin walked around, pondering on her problem at hand. She had half a mind to prostrate herself at her father's feet and beg him not to cut her off, but she knew her father hated it when people gave up without trying. He'd probably kick her out of his office, literally.

Then, she considered getting a sugar daddy, preferably one at death's door who'd cater fully for her and make her sole inheritor to his property, but that was easier said than done. The good ones were all taken, and if her father found out, it was another round of slaps for her.

That left her with the only option of actually passing the semester's courses, which she still didn't know how to go about.

Darin was so lost in thought she bumped into someone. She apologized and groaned inwardly when she found out it was Brummel Cassius.

With his unruly mass of ginger hair sticking all over the place, it reminded Darin of an abandoned bird nest.

“Good evening, Darin,” Brummel greeted.

Darin sighed inwardly, she hated Brummel because he was pretentious and loud.

“Good evening, Brummel,” Darin replied dismissively.

“I just came from visiting Leroy,” Brummel informed, ignoring Darin's dismissive greeting.

Darin wanted to ask him how that was her business but instead she exclaimed, “Ooooh?”

“Yes,” Brummel chuckled, “Charles really did him a number.”

“What?” Darin's eyes widened, “he told you about that?”

“No,” Brummel shook his head smugly, “I was smart enough to reason it out.”

Darin saw Brummel in a new light. So the noble playboy had more depth to him.

“I also have a grudge against Charles, and I think you do too.” Brummel continued.

“So?” Darin shrugged.

“So, how about Leroy, you and I combine forces and cut that arrogant son of a b***h down to size?” Brummel suggested with a grin.

Darin cringed at how disarrayed his teeth were, and what he was suggesting.

“Do you really expect me to team up with you two knuckleheads? No thanks, I'll get my revenge on my own.” Darin announced.

Brummel scowled.

“Oh, and Brummel, use some of that money you claim to have and visit an orthodontist, you really need it.” Darin waved at Brummel and walked past him.