Chapter 3

Chapter Three: Seduce Him

ANABETH COLLINS

From that day on, I often bumped into Irah King and I've been seeing him everyday. If it's not in the hallway, it's in the Gym, or even just in the cafeteria. We are in the same university after all, but I'm a nursing student and he's taking up business for their company. Not that I'm expecting him to but Irah never looked at my way again. 

What was I expecting anyway? That an accidental bump and an eye to eye contact will make him magically interested in me? Someone wake me up from my dream before I get too disappointed. 

Days passed, days turned to months and months turned to years and before I knew it, we will be graduating soon. The last two years of my college life just passed by with unending drama, bullying and me admiring Irah King from afar. I was content with that. Although it hurt a little to see him happy with someone else. 

That's the price of an unrequited crush. 

"Ugh, I can't wait to get out of this hellhole." Monique complained for the nth time. She's not really fond of studying ever since they became friends. 

I thought I was lazy but my friend is on another level of laziness. It's a wonder she reached this far and be a nurse if she passes the exam that is.

"With your grades, that would be a little impossible. Who knows, you might stay for another year with Mr. Jacobs." I giggled while reading today's notes. 

I wanted to be a nurse because of my mother and to be practical because of the salary. Monique's reason is a lot more absurd than mine. She actually thought that nursing is easy, but she's wrong. Oh so wrong. That's why she's been regretting her decision now. 

Monique's expression automatically turned into disgust at the mention of our perverted Science professor. The balding man has a boner for my friend and he's not even hiding it. What a pervert. 

"That man gave me the creeps. I'm just letting it go because he hasn't really approached me yet but once he does, I will sue his ass."

"Be very careful around that man. We never know when he'll actually attack," I warned Monique while pointing my pen at her. I shifted the pen to the books in front of us. "Study."

Monique groaned before laying her head down on the table. "Whatever! I'll just find a dying old man and marry him so I won't have to work my ass off. And then I will build my own restaurant and hire the best chef."

I stared incredulously at Monique. "That is dangerous. Besides, old men are smarter now, my friend. That beauty of yours will get you in trouble one day." 

Monique scoffed and was about to pick her notes up when yellow flyers fell down from the top. I looked up but failed to see them because of the sun. I squinted my eyes to try and see clearer but they were already gone. I frowned up at the person before picking up a piece of paper. 

"You are all invited to the King's mansion to celebrate his birthday?" I read outloud. 

"Oh my God, Oh my God! This is my chance, Beth! This is it! This is the old man I wa—"

I cut her off before she can finish talking. "He's just two years older than us."

"—s saying! I'll marry him and I will give him an heir." Monique continued in determination. 

I cleared my throat pretending to be reading the flier.

"Oh, right! Come on, Beth. I was just kidding. I know how much you're drooling over his six packs."

"I am not," I stopped when I realized how defensive my voice sounded and continued in a low tone. "I am not drooling over him."

Monique rolled her eyes. "Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that and you'll eventually believe it." 

I ignored her words and took a sip of water from my bottle while my eyes were still glued on my notes but they will shift to the flier from time to time. 

"You should seduce him."

I spluttered the water all over the place in shock, glaring at my friend before looking around to make sure no one heard her. 

"Are you out of your mind?" I asked her in annoyance. 

"No. Look, Anabeth. You're beautiful and amazing. I have been there to watch you watching him. You've followed his footsteps. What you feel isn't a high school crush anymore. You are in love with the man and you got to admit it. You've never even let anyone close enough to capture your attention because all this time, your eyes have always been glued to Irah King."

I opened my mouth to respond but closed them again because I couldn't find the right answer to that. Am I? I knew my feelings weren't that of a crush anymore. It's beyond that, it's more dangerous. More impossible. Reality slapped me so hard in the face at Monique's words. 

"I must be crazy. Oh, I'm out of my mind." I bit her lip in frustration and grabbed my hair.

"That's love for you, honey." 

"No, this feeling isn't going anywhere! How could I not figure it out? All this time I thought I was just admiring him for being so perfect. I thought it's just an overdue crush."

Monique slammed her hand on top of the flier. "Now act on it!"

"Nope, nuh-uh."

"Why not?" Monique whined. 

"Why not?" I repeated before gesturing at myself. "Look at me and ask me that again. Have you seen his girlfriends? I look like an ingrown compared to them! There is no way he will like me!" 

Monique stared at me with narrowed eyes and hand rubbed her chin. "Hm, you do look a little plain compared to them."

"See!" She exclaimed and sighed. 

"Well, I think I have an idea." She suggested while motioning for her to lean closer and she did. 

"What?" She asked with interest. If she could get her long-time crush, then why not?

"Seduce him."