CHAPTER 2 - The Alliance

CHAPTER 2 – The Alliance

Ringo Dingo is an application that provides academic service to students. I created this app two years ago to help me with my financial expenses. How does this app work?

Basically, a potential client must receive an invitation from me before he/she can d******d the application and use it. But I just don’t simply accept clients. They have to pass the “screening” first. The screening will test how well-off they are and if they can afford the rates we give.

After that, I’ll hand them a contract containing all the rules and conditions when using my services.

I am the founder of this app. As my business grows, I can’t cater all the clients anymore that’s why I have three employees under me. Namely: Eunice, Josh, and Samantha.

Josh is my classmate while the other two are from different sections. We’ve been working together for a year and a half already. All three of them have an excellent performance in class that’s why I picked them. They are good in every subject and want to earn money as well.

With Ringo Dingo, students will have more time in doing things other than their school works. They just have to put their request on the app and anyone from my team can either accept or decline it.

For example, a client requested us to make a research paper. If I accept it, I will input the amount it costs. A client couldn’t turn back anymore. Or else, he/she will be on the blacklist of the application. Simple. But this kind of system is prohibited in school. There are ethical considerations that aren’t valued in this kind of system. I don’t care. I need to make money.

I had considered working on fast-food chains or selling products but I wouldn’t earn much money from that. With Ringo Dingo, I can easily earn because I charge a large amount of money from my clients. Not that they actually care. They are so much well-off and what they pay isn’t too much for them. Besides, they are too lazy to do their school works and would prefer to have fun outside.

After meeting with Eunice and Arabelle, I immediately went to my apartment. I unlocked the door and changed my school shoes to a pair of slippers.

My apartment wasn’t that large but it is good enough for me because I don’t have to share it with anyone. Upon entering, a small living room will greet you and on the right side is my bedroom.  I don’t have many things and appliances because I won’t need them. I just have a rice cooker, a small air-con, a mini-fridge, and a flat iron. I don’t even have a television in the living room since everything I need to watch can be seen online.

I prepared an omelet with rice for my dinner and went to my room. After eating, I finished my school works and proceed on doing the request of my client.

Blue_Berry requested a narrative report which is due tomorrow. It is not that hard because it is my forte. In the midst of working, my phone vibrated. I paused for a while and looked at it.

“Why are there so many requests? Aren’t my team accepting it?” I said to myself. There were requests from hours ago and no one is still accepting them. I sent a message on our group chat inside this application.

Ysa: We got lots of requests today. Why is no one accepting it?

Eunice: I’m sorry. I’m still not done with the request of my other client :(

Josh: I have extracurricular activity today. I might get home late.

I waited for Samantha to reply but she still hasn’t responded for minutes. I can’t decline these requests. The money. I need the money. I had a limited number of people on my team. Guess I have to hire a new one. But, who? Ugh.

I decided to accept two more requests from Lady Lilac and Roxyy02. These are the codenames they put when creating an account in Ringo Dingo. This will secure their privacy because only me and my team knew about their real identity.

It was 2 AM when I finished the activities with my client. I am so tired. I checked my phone and saw that there are just 3 requests left. I’ve seen that Josh and Samantha started accepting requests already. That’s nice.

The next day, I woke up feeling sleepy. I couldn’t get enough sleep last night. I get dressed and decided to have breakfast at my apartment since I still have time left before the class starts.

I arrived at school on time. I was about to hold the knob on my classroom door when someone did it before me. I looked on my left side and saw Hannah, one of my classmates. She opened the door and looked at me with irritation written all over her face. Okay? What was that? I just shrugged and went to my seat.

I was seated at the back and from here, I can see everyone. They are busy copying notes from the lecture. My eyes landed on Hannah.

Hannah Beltran. She’d easily fit the nickname “IT Girl” just by looking at her face and her sense of fashion. Not just that, she’s also very rich. She always has the latest model of phones and other gadgets. Where is she getting all the money? From her parents, probably. I couldn’t even invite her to join my business because she’s doing good academically. I mean, not that she excels or what, but at least she can pass the subject.

I looked at my other classmates and realized that almost half of them are part of my business.

Hah. I’d really get in trouble if our professors find out that they are just asking other people to do their school works. I do not have to worry. I took every measure possible just to keep the privacy of my business.

During our morning break, I went to the club office. I was shocked once again to see Yuji there. What the heck is he doing here is?

He never hangs out at this place before. He is sitting on the sofa with a laptop on the table. He paused for a while and looked up. We just exchanged glances and he continued what he is doing.

I sat on the sofa in front of him. I surfed the net on my phone and eventually got bored. I decided to sit beside Yuji and peaked at what he is doing.

“What are you doing?!” he exclaimed and closed his laptop.

“Woah. Easy, man. I just got bored and decided to look at your laptop.” I said, not sounding apologetic. “So you are looking… for a job?” I added.

“What if I am? Why do you care?” he asked.

I smirked. An idea came into my mind. “Work with me.”

He was confused for a moment. Then let out a small laugh, “You’re kiddin’, right?”

“I’m not.”

I stood up and locked the door of the club office. I told him the concept of Ringo Dingo and explained how does it work. For a minute or so, he was utterly shocked.

“But that’s illegal!”

“I know.”

“And we are a Catholic school!”

“I know.”

“Then why are you still doing it—“

“I have to earn money. And this is the fastest way. You want to earn money as well, right? You don’t have to decide now. Meet me later at the student lounge, 6 PM, and give me your answer.”

I walked out of the club office and headed back to our classroom. As I walked, I realized how impulsive I had been.

But Yuji is indeed a good catch. He excels in every subject, though he isn’t that approachable. But come to think of it, I offered an illegal business to the class president. To the class president, for holy’s sake! I just hope that he will accept it because I badly need a new employee. Business would run slow if I lack manpower.

I saw Yuji entered the classroom but he did not even bother to look at me. He never did it before anyway. But I thought that today will be an exception. I couldn’t focus on the class because I’m worried about his response later.

Class ended later that afternoon and my eyes immediately searched for Yuji. He wasn’t here anymore. Okay, that was fast. Maybe he already went to the student lounge.

To my surprised, he wasn’t there. I looked at my watch and realized that I was a bit early. I sat down and waited for him to come.

5 minutes.

10 minutes.

15 minutes.

Argh! I couldn’t wait any longer. I’m not used to this. I have very little amount of patience. I stood up and—

“Mia.”

I turned around and saw Yuji standing at the entrance of the student lounge.

“I am accepting your offer,” he uttered which made me smile.

“Good decision. You can start by tomorrow.”

“But in one condition.”

Huh?!

To be continued…