Achan's P.O.V
Tuesday, 6 am
Why didn't you text me back last night? -Young Monster
I was out with Elle, we've been drinking so I forgot!
Something wrong? Why are you drinking on a Monday night? -Young Monster
No, nothing, everything's fine!
You have class today, right? Don't forget to drink plenty of water, reply to this if you see it >3< -Young Monster
Tuesday, 12 pm
Where are you? Why are you ignoring my calls? -Young Monster
Achan? What happened? Did you forget about me already? -Young Monster
Babe, are you mad? -Young Monster
Tuesday, 1 pm
Please answer my call -Young Monster
I'm here, where are you? -Young Monster
"Hoy, Achie, let your phone breathe, you're choking it to death!" I was brought back to the present when Oto, a classmate of mine, talked to me.
I slowly put down my phone on the desk and turned to him.
"Have you ever had a problem with your girlfriend before?" His expression changed upon hearing me.
"Why'd you ask? Did you two have had a fight?" His lips curved, and took a chair to sit next to me.
The class had already ended, only the two of us were left… Oh. Plus Elle, who was fast asleep next to me.
"Not really, I just want to ask if Christine tried to keep something from you?" I asked.
This guy's been chill since I met him, though he was friends with those guys who tried to make fun of me before; we kind of just clicked. He's the only one who reached out to apologize.
"Not really, my girl didn't, or more like, couldn't keep anything from me. She's an open book, she always says what's on her mind. That's why I fell for her!" His eyes twinkled, this dude's deep in love…
"Really? I heard she's a model, right? Aren't you jealous of her business partners?" My mouth slipped.
He thought for a second and leaned closer.
"Business partners? You mean the boys who get paired with her? Not really, I mean, look at me?" He pulled back and put his hands on his face.
"Fine, fine, Mr. Actor! Thanks for telling me." I rolled my eyes and laughed.
Thanks, you're no help. Why did I ask him about that anyway? Am I losing it? We literally have only just known each other for a month!
"I'm sure if he won't do anything that would hurt your feelings, right? I don't know him personally, but he seemed pretty serious about you!" He shrugged.
"I don't know about that!" I forced a smile as I stared back at my phone.
"We should head out, Imma go now, my girl's waiting!" Oto tapped my shoulder before heading out.
I just nodded as I continued to scroll through my phone.
13 unanswered calls to Young Monster
Wednesday 9 am
Uther, are you free?
I'm sorry I missed your messages and calls yesterday, I was out of town, a family matter…
Hello? Why are you not answering?
I'm sorry!
Are you mad?
Uther?
Hello?
Can we talk?
"That's tough, he must be angry about yesterday!" Elle suddenly spoke beside me.
"So now, you're eager to talk? You've been avoiding this topic since our first subject!" I yelled at her.
"Why are you screaming at me? I already told you, I don't know what happened yesterday, he just left when he couldn't find you here. We didn't have an opportunity to talk, I'm also banned from the company!" Elle sighed.
Tsk!
This is bad, I don't know why Uther's mad at me, shouldn't I be the one he'd try to console? Not the other way around?
I tried to call him earlier when I found out he went to my school yesterday, but it went directly to voicemail. I was supposed to talk to him, but how can I do it when he's not in his company? Even Miss Irene's no help, I have been trying to find Uther since this morning!
"You said you haven't talked to him about what I told you last Monday, right?" Elle rested her head on my shoulder.
"No, I haven't had the chance to…"
"Then why are you two avoiding each other? Did something happen the night we got drunk? Did you two talk already? I know for a fact you didn't leave the city yesterday just because of some 'family matter'!" Elle looked at me. She seemed exhausted, Miss Irene must have given her hell for telling me about this Maine woman.
But what can I do? I don't want to tell her what I saw.
Flashback…
[Two days ago, Monday evening!]
"Can we go home now? We have an early class tomorrow." Elle pleaded for the third time, but I just ignored her.
She sat back down at our table and drank the remaining alcohol in her glass.
"Fine, I'll tell you!" She sighed.
"So, who's this Maine woman?" I asked as I poured another shot in her glass.
"Nothing, just a potential business partner. She's from Beucraf Integrated Security Solutions, they are the ones who helped us find you in exchange for a potential deal with our company!" Elle explained, yet it seemed like she was not fully telling me everything.
"Really? Why do you look stressed out, though?"
She fiddled with her glass and stared at me.
"It's 'cause, Boss kept on warning me not to tell you, but I slipped. I shouldn't have been too assuming!" Elle squealed.
"What is there to hide? They're just business partners, right?" I tried to stay positive.
She seemed to be too worried about this, I almost thought it was something else-
"Fuck!" I mumbled after seeing Elle's reaction.
She stayed still, her eyes staring at me like a sad little puppy.
"I don't know that much, but they seemed to be seeing each other every day. But don't think too much of it, I'm sure Boss could explain this to you much better! Can we go home now? I'm a bit tipsy." Elle begged, once more.
"I think I should make sure you get home safely. How can we call Baby?" I asked before helping her stand up.
If I need clarity, I should seek it from the source himself!
"Careful!" I huffed after Elle almost tripped both of us with her clumsy walk.
We slowly got out of the elevator and went to my old room, I heard she's been using our office since I left; no one else wanted to take it, so Elle took the initiative.
"I'm going now, are you all set for the night? Do you want anything?" I asked her after placing her on the living room's sofa.
She was dead silent, so I just let her be.
After scanning the entire room, it seemed like nothing had changed, even my room was kept untouched. She still might be waiting for my return, but what can I do? I have to straighten up my life, I have to change for the better, right?
"He's not here?" I whispered after a few more rings in Uther's penthouse.
Defeated, I chose to get off the building on foot. I don't want to use Baby going home, the company might sue me if I do.
As I exited the building, a familiar silhouette of a man caught my attention.
"Uther!" I sighed in relief.
Finally!
"Uther, here!" A woman suddenly called to him.
I stopped my advance and stared at the gorgeous woman before him, with long brown hair and fair skin.
"It's nice to see you too, let's go?" The woman yelled in excitement, her voice overwhelmed the entire parking lot.
Before they could get to her car, she suddenly looked my way.
With those cold stares, I can confirm it. She's the woman Elle talked about, Maine.
A beauty, what can I do? I definitely don't stand a chance against her!
"Tsk!" The only sound I could produce was before running in the other direction.
"There's no other person in this world that I would fall for, you have saved my life, and my heart. I would do anything to make you happy, for it's because of you, you're the one who taught me how to love again!" Uther's words rang in my head like a broken stereo.
"Again? Again?!" My voice trembled.
Why didn't I realize that thing he said before? And with the woman's willingness to find me using her agency? There's no doubt they had a history!
"Fuck!" I yelled in the empty parking lot before raising Ori's Sigil.
Sending me back to my flat.
End of flashback
[Two weeks passed]
"Mister Allare, what a wonderful presentation!" My professor clapped, and the entire class followed.
I just bowed my head before unplugging my laptop from the big screen.
"I truly appreciate your dedication to uncovering the darker side of our medical history. It's refreshing to see thorough research brought to light! For the institution, Azuden University goes beyond just teaching what the Department of Education suggests. Because this school follows the work of our world's greatest researcher of life, Khein!" Our professor yelled.
I just thanked her and went back to my chair.
"Damn, the semester only started, but it seems like our professors already found their favorite student!" A guy behind me whispered to his friend.
"Then y'all better follow his footsteps if you want to be recognized, it's a big deal for an Azudenian, after all!" Raine scolded them again.
She's right, though. Being recognized by the school staff could lead to better opportunities with top companies after graduation. Every one of them is either world-renowned or among the greatest in their field across different countries. But I don't care about that, I just need to get perfect grades so that I can feel some kind of achievement. I need to do something to keep my mind busy, after all.
"Achie, are you busy? Do you wanna hang out?" Raine sat next to me after the bell rang.
"Pres?!" I waved at her before going back to collecting my things.
"I told you, you can call me Raine when we're alone!" She sighed.
I closed my bag and looked up at her.
"I am!" I smiled at her, pointing at my head.
"I wanna hear it, the day has already ended. I'm no longer the Health Science Faculty's president!" She playfully cried in front of me, her hands swinging in the air like some child on a tantrum.
"Are you bragging? To the person who voted for you?" I couldn't help but laugh at her childish behaviour.
"Well, I won by a landslide, can't I have the bragging rights?" She giggled.
She's only like this when we're alone, it must be tiring for her to be expected as a role model for the masses. And now that she has become our Faculty's student association president, she needs to act more well-mannered.
"I'm sorry, Raine, I'm kinda busy, can you ask my good friend, Elle, instead?" I pointed at Elle, who had just come back from the restroom.
"Dude, are you selling me off? Didn't we have plans today?" Elle's eyes widened as she walked to us.
"But we can't be alone? Something could happen to us if you let me stay at the union, alone?!" Raine scoffed at me.
What can the other Faculty Presidents do to them? We're all decent students here, aren't we?
"But I am not an official? This is why I didn't run! It's Elle who got voted as your vice, go with her and invite your male officials!" I sighed.
"But you're my trophy husband?" Her voice squeaked.
"Can you stop calling me that?"
"What? But you are!" She replied.
Elle took a deep breath and turned to me.
"Oh my gosh, Achan? Can we just invite your friends to hang out there instead?" She asked, no, she demanded.
Tsk!
"Achie! Welcome, welcome, please, sit with us!" The Head of the Union's friend greeted us from outside.
We're currently at the heart of the university, where the dormitories and staff buildings are located. Fortunately, the school allows all student associations from each Faculty to use their mini buses to navigate the campus. This way, I don't have to commute, and I don't own any vehicles after all.
And now that Gramma has settled everything from the Society, I have stopped taking Ori's Teleportation Sigils. I wouldn't want to bother him too much.
"We're packed today, huh?" Raine said after we got inside.
All Presidents from all 10 Faculties were present, some of them also brought their friends or division representatives with them. Even the Head of the Union. brought his friend, Khein, a long-haired guy who's been friendly with everyone, including me.
"Today marks our second week since we were elected to our respective positions. I know it's a very hectic job, yet you all still managed to attend our second meeting." The Head of Union, President of the Faculty of Science, a Biology student, uttered.
He looked at all of us and paused.
"I know some of you are busy with your school and faculty work, but you still haven't given up on our Union. I know it's too early to say this, but I am hoping that you all won't stop attending these meetings, it's crucial for all of us. This way, we could strengthen the bonds between our Faculties, support one another, and lead this school toward a brighter future!" He smiled and raised a cup of the fruit punch that their staff prepared.
Damn, I know this ain't my first time here, but everytime I see how fancy this Union is, I can't help but be awed by everything.
From the building's pristine appearance to the presence of maids throughout, even the dormitories have maids assigned to each floor. I know, these kids are rich, rich! I've seen it!
"Cheers!" Khein giggled, his hair swaying with every move he made on the dance floor.
While the Union officials are talking in their meeting room, Khein invited us to "party" at the Head of the Union's office. We cannot refuse, he's too kind to us, I can't hurt his feelings.
"He's not that bad, I always thought that kid's a spoiled brat!" Sorene smirked as she chugged her drink.
"Anyway, is my Totem still working?" I turned to Ori, who was silently drinking on the side.
They just arrived, yet they already looked like they wanted to get out immediately.
"Yeah-Yeah, anyway, about Mister Moralez…" He sat properly and looked at me.
I prepared myself, I have been waiting for him to tell me the update, I've been waiting for too long!
"I-I can't find him… Something's blocking me off-" Ori fiddled with his thumbs after saying it.
I stood in silence, I thought-
*Ring* My phone rang, but I couldn't hear it. It's as if the world went into silence.
"But you're my only hope?" My eyes heat up.
I have been waiting for his update for days, I have been silently waiting, just like what Elle suggested. I only wanted to ask him why. Why is it so hard to find answers to?
Even his entire company doesn't wanna tell me!
"I'm sorry, Achan!" Ori stood up to hug me.
Is this how it would end?
"But I thought you're the best tracker out there? You managed to always track me?!" I whispered to him.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" He kept on apologizing.
It's my fault, I shouldn't have opened my heart for anybody too soon!
"What happened? Did y'all make him cry?!" Khein stopped the music and ran to us.
"I should have chosen you instead of him!"
"Don't say that, no matter what you saw that night, doesn't mean he cheated. You have to hear it from his mouth himself, have faith in him dude!" Khein patted my back.
Both Ori and I pulled back from our embrace and turned to Khein.
"What did you say?!" We said in unison.
Elle and Sorene slowly walked into us and tried to hear the conversation.
"What? Isn't that what you wanna hear?" He shrugged and drank the rest of his drink.
"No! I am asking, how do you know about that?!" I looked at Elle and Sorene, yet they quickly shook their heads, saying they never told him.
"Oh? Mister Uther's a famous one, I just stumbled upon a post about his quote on quote secret lover- but don't believe in such shit. Uther's a good egg, I don't think he'd cheat on the person who saved his life, right?!" He just winked at us and returned to the Union Head's table, and turned the music back on.
"It's okay, guys, false alarm, they're just heartbroken!" Khein shouted as he went back to dancing and getting drunk.
It's Friday, after all.
"He's weird!" Elle mumbled.
"Yet, he's right!" Sorene added.
"We should head out first, that guy's giving me the creeps!" Ori whispered to us.
"Really? He seemed very kind, I think you're just jealous of his gorgeous hair!" Sorene teased him.
"What did you say?!" Ori started chasing her out of Union Head's office.
Before I followed them, I just stared at Khein, who was busy dancing with the other students.
I was caught off guard when he suddenly turned to me and mouthed the song lyrics.
I got you, girl!
"Achan, go back inside!" Elle suddenly pushed me back inside after I had just gotten out.
"What the fuck?!" I screamed at her, confused by her sudden panic.
She slightly opened the Union building's door and crept outside.
"No-Nothing, you good?" She slowly opened the door and stared at me.
"Elle, why did you run? Isn't that guy your colleague?" Sorene said, waiting for us to catch up.
"Oh, the Moral Ez Enterprises' Director of Internal Affairs?" Ori asked.
Elle suddenly ran to Ori and tackled him to the ground.
"ELLE?!" We tried to stop her, but she's too quick with it.
"Dude, what's wrong with recognizing the man you all call Manager?!" Ori struggled.
Manager?
"Manager's here?!" I whispered.
Why is he here?
"Shit!"