“What are you doing here again, J?” I couldn’t help but laugh at whatKalix said when I entered his office. My cousin was always busy, nothing new there. He was always busy, it seemed like he did nothing but work. He might as well replace the security guard of this company. “Come on, Lix, I know you like me being here. I’m the one who makes you happy while you bury yourself in your work,” I teased, but he just rolled his eyes at me and continued working at his desk. “Don’t you have a business to run, J? You’re like a mushroom, popping up out of nowhere,” I sat down in his receiving area and poured myself some tea. He always had some, of course, he’s a businessman. “Well, my secretary can handle that, and if not, he will call me,” I glanced at Kalix, took a sip of the tea, and winced a bit because it was hot. “Spill,” he suddenly said, which made me laugh. “Don’t look at me like that, it makes me shiver. I have my gun here, so don’t try anything.” “Fuck you,” I replied, raising my
“Bossing, do you have anything for me to do? I’m so bored, I’ve cleaned every corner of the house, cooked meals for the next four days, went grocery shopping, and bossing doesn’t have work today, which means it’s my day off, but I don’t want to go out, I’m feeling lazy.“It’s your day off, Samantha. Why would I let you run some errands? We have talked about this, right?” he replied while focused on what he was watching on iflix. “Go out and breathe some fresh air.”I sighed and sat on the sofa beside him, then glanced at what he was watching. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Wow, you’re watching that, bossing? You’re so uncool, that’s for kids, how old are you, thirty? Forty?”He immediately looked at me, with accusing eyes. “You’re exaggerating! I’m only twenty-nine! I work out and take care of my body, why would you assume that I’m older than my age, huh?”I raised both my hands, still laughing. “Okay, sorry, sorry, you’re just so fierce when it comes to your age.”“It’s because, what if
“What else do I need?” I asked Charlotte. We were at the national bookstore because I needed to buy school supplies.“Binder, like that one, ball pen,” she replied, rolling her eyes at me, while browsing through books. I had the basket, and as I roamed around, I left her there. I didn’t know what kind of magic my boss used, but two days after I agreed to go back to school, she came home last night with my certificate of enrollment.She said that to keep me away from any issues, she made me a scholar, a full scholarship. This morning, before she went to work, while I was preparing breakfast for her, she handed me her ATM and told me to buy what I needed.At first, of course, I didn’t agree. I didn’t know what I needed. I’m an undergraduate Business student, but I can’t remember why I chose t
“Maybe you should switch faces with your cellphone screen, huh?” I ignored what James said and continued tinkering with my new phone. “It’s not for the clueless, you know.”“If I slap you right now, would you shut up? I’m quiet here, why don’t you go over there? You stink, you smell like a woman,” I retorted sharply.“Wow, you smell so nice, it’s embarrassing. There are so many girls swooning over you—”“Who told you I’m a girl? Get out!” I shouted, ready to kick him, but he stood up and quickly moved away from me. “Ugh, so annoying,” I muttered, then refocused on what I was doing.I was in Kalix’s office; he was late for his lunch, so I brought it for him. But this freak—James, that is—said he was in a meeting, so he was also waiting.“I heard you’re back to school, are you planning to cut classes already?” I rolled my eyes, took a deep breath, fate was testing me again, and the demon was here again.“Yeah, and I’ll come to tie you up,” I replied. “Yes! I retrieved it, damn it,” I had
“How’s your second day?” Boss immediately asked as I slipped off my shoes and collapsed onto the long sofa upon finally entering. “You look exhausted. Is it really tough catching up with the lessons you’ve missed?”I nodded and shifted in my seat. “It’s not just the lessons that are challenging to grasp, but also some of my classmates, can you believe it?” I sat up and faced him as he continued to glance at his phone. “There’s this kid there, almost the same age as my sibling, just a bit older. And you know what? He’s bitter. He’s been picking on me since yesterday, but luckily, I’ve got a thick skin and a quick mind. I already know what he’s up to, so I manage to avoid him. But still…” I shifted positions, catching his attention, and he finally put away his phone. “It’s exhausting, you know? Constantly wondering if he’s going to do something or if he’s just in a bad mood. Just the thought of having to deal with him for a few months tires me out,” I slumped back onto the sofa.“But yo
“Hey, Samantha!” I paused in writing my notes when I heard someone call my name. I looked up and saw Dexter, my classmate, waving and running over to my desk. “What are you doing?”I just nodded and smiled slightly. “Notes for the exam,” I replied briefly, but I answered his question.“Cool, would you mind if I join you here?” I just shrugged, but he didn’t meet my gaze. “Who are you having lunch with later?”“I have something to do during lunch, so I might just grab something to go,” I pointed out the rice meals around the campus. It’s a common practice, especially when you’re short on time.“Midterms is approaching, do you have the scope you have to study, since you’re a late enrollee, right?” he asked again, causing me to pause and look at him. He let out a soft laugh. “I see, still catching up? Here, I can help you with that.” He said, taking off his backpack and pulling out a sheet of yellow paper. He handed it to me. “These are the scopes, you can find them on our portal, just c
“Okay, class dismissed,” I lazily stood up from my seat. I’ve been hungry since earlier, but I couldn’t decide what I wanted to eat. I winced as I felt a pang of pain in my abdomen, it was really uncomfortable.“Hey, Samantha!” I didn’t even bother to look back and just kept walking. “Hey, I’m calling you, why aren’t you answering—whoah! What’s with the eye bags? Looks like the panda is embarrassed for you,” he said with a smirk.“Not now, don’t joke around when I’m on my period,” I replied, continuing to walk.He walked alongside me, and because he’s well-known in the university, many people were looking at us as we walked. Most of them were probably wondering why we were together, of course, it’s an issue. But what they didn’t know is that my companion is also looking for a scapegoat, perhaps I’ll be the one to take the fall when they find out this guy’s dark secret.“And now, you’re smiling like a creepy guy or something,” the smirk faded from my face as I looked at him, his eyebro
“What the fuck are you doing, Samantha?!” I heard Kalix shout, but I ignored him and continued packing some clothes into my bag.All that’s on my mind now is to go home because of what my mother said. I can feel my hands trembling.“Samantha!” I was startled when two hands grabbed my shoulders and turned me around. “Samantha, tell me, what the hell is happening?”My heartbeat seemed to slow down, and the surroundings fell silent. “Kalix,” I whispered involuntarily.“What’s happening, Samantha? Why are you packing your things?” This time, his voice was calmer than before.“It’s dad,” I murmured, but I knew he heard me. My knees felt weak, and I sank onto the bed. “It’s my fault he died,” tears streamed down my cheeks, “Because of me, he wasn’t treated in time, they didn’t admit him to the hospital because they didn’t have the money.”Kalix sat in front of me, and I couldn’t tell if he was worried or confused. I couldn’t read his expression. “Okay, calm down first, Samantha,” I took a d