3. Compensation

Maria walked hurriedly into her classroom, she didn't even pay attention to the curses of the person she bumped into.  Her current goal was her class.  She had to hurry in before Miss Claire was there.

 But her steps slowed when she saw Miss Claire was already in her class.  She hesitated whether to enter or not, but finally she decided to knock on the slightly door.

 Knock ... knock.... 

 The whole class looked at her, including the teacher.  Maria could only smile grimly, her best friend sitting in the corner laughed because he saw Maria's behavior.  The girl who is usually barbaric is afraid of the killer lecturer figure who always lowers her grades if something goes wrong in her eyes.

 Miss Claire, a middle-aged woman with a slightly stocky build.  Hair above her shoulders and wearing glasses turned towards the door.  Saw one of her students who came almost half an hour late.

 "Aren't you skipping?"  said Miss Claire curtly.

 Maria walked in with a limp, causing Miss Claire to raise one eyebrow.

 "Sorry Miss, there was an obstacle on the road. I had an accident," said Maria with a pitiful face.

 Miss Claire sighed softly looking at Maria.  "Just treat your wound first. Then ask for a copy of your friend's assignment so you don't fall behind on your grades."  she said.

 Maria cheered in her heart, actually the only scratch was on her hand.  Her leg didn't hurt, but the pants she was wearing earlier were torn from dragging on the asphalt.  Makes Miss Claire feel sorry for her.

 "Thankyou, Miss," she said and turned to leave the class still with a limp.

 But when she got out of class, she covered her mouth so that her laughter wouldn't be heard, she walked back to normal and headed to the infirmary.  The wound was starting to hurt.

 Maria's behavior was seen by her friend Ashley, he shook his head and smiled.

 Currently Maria is in the cafeteria, sitting alone under a shady tree.  She took off her torn jacket, looking at the wound on her hand, which was red and stinging.  It must be getting stiff soon enough, she thought.

 Suddenly a man sat in front of her with a drink and put it on the table.  He smirked when he saw Maria's wound, he thought that Maria was just acting so she wouldn't be scolded by his lecturer, but it turns out he was wrong, Maria was hurt.

 "What happened to you?"  asked the man named Ashley.

 "Why?"  Maria asked back.

 Ashley immediately flicked Maria's forehead, always hiding what was happening to her.

 "Come with me," said Ashley, standing up and taking Maria's hand.

 "Hey, my drink."  whining Maria

 "I'll buy it again later," said Ashley, still pulling Maria, he turned and smiled when he saw Maria's sullen face.

 "Don't pull it like this, it doesn't hurt, doesn't it?"  said Maria pursed her lips.

 "Really? I thought you couldn't feel pain," Ashley said mockingly and Maria pursed her lips even more.

 She always couldn't dodge Ashley's words.  They have known each other since high school.  Unexpectedly it turns out that Ashley followed her at this university even though he got a scholarship from a more famous university.  But he refuses and prefers to be with Maria.

 Turns out Ashley brought herself to the infirmary, Maria frowned, she was already here, why did Ashley bring her back here.  But she not complied and followed Ashley who sat her on one of the beds there.

 Ashley moved to get the first aid kit in the cupboard that hung above the bed.  After that, he pulled up a chair and sat in front of Maria.  Take a cotton swab and pour a little alcohol on the cotton, then point it at the wound on Maria's hand.

 "Ow.. This hurts. Can't slow down?"  asked Maria, groaning in annoyance.

 But those who were asked were silent, still cleaning Maria's wounds.  Ashley put a hand plaster on a small wound, when he was about to apply a bandage, Maria refused.

 "You want me to look like a cripple, huh!"  she cried, squinting her eyes at Ashley.

 Ashley just laughed at that, he moved to clean up the first aid kit, putting it back in its original place.  He stood in front of Maria and ruffled Maria's hair.

 "Ish, you," said Maria, turning away from Ashley's hand which she thought was making her hair messy.

 "You have another class?"  ask Ashley

 "There's still one more course," Maria said, getting out of bed.  Walked out and was followed by her best friend.

 "Okay, I'll wait for you. After that, accompany me to buy books," said Ashley, who was behind Maria.

 Maria wanted to accept Ashley's invitation, but suddenly she remembered having an appointment with the person she bumped into this morning.

 "I can't, I have an appointment later," Maria said, shaking her head.

 "Who?"  asked Ashley, he walked at Maria's pace and turned to her.

 "With the person I hit earlier," said Maria again.

 "Want me to take you?"  asked Ashley.

 "No, after all I won't be working later. Father asked me to come home early," said Maria, she looked at the clock in her hand.  It was time for her to enter the next class.

 "Was he rude to you again?"  asked Ashley, he knew very well that Maria's stepfather had always been rude to Maria.  Several times Maria came to campus with a bruised face, every time she was asked she always avoided it.  Finally Ashley, who was curious at that time, came to Maria's house and asked the maid at Maria's house when the house was empty.

 "No Ashley, why are you so fussy today," Maria said, frowning.

 "Never mind, I'll go to class first. See you tomorrow," she added and ran away from Ashley, sometimes she turned around and mocked her best friend.

 Ashley chuckled, always Maria never spoke when it came to her personal life.  But this is what Ashley loves about Maria.  Even though she looked fragile, she tried to stay strong and cover it up.  Ashley had liked Maria for a long time, but he didn't want their friendship to be ruined because of his feelings.  Because he knew, until whenever Maria only considered him a friend.

 **

 In the afternoon, Maria went to the office address the man had given her this morning.  Intend to take responsibility for what happened this morning.  She rode her motorbike, driving following the GPS on her cellphone that was attached to the handlebars of the motorbike.

 When she reached her destination, she gaped at the very tall building.  She put down her motorbike and took off the helmet she was wearing.  Move inside, and go straight to the reception desk.

 "Good afternoon, I want to meet with sir.." Maria said. She saw the business card and read it.  "Maxime Jaccob Ainsley," she continued, turning to the woman in front of him. 

 "Have you made an appointment?"  she asked.

 "Um, not yet. But let's just say, I hit him this morning," said Maria, scratching the back of her neck that didn't itch.

 She was very ashamed of her appearance, torn jeans with a slightly dull t-shirt, a backpack in her arms, not commensurate with the women here who looked beautiful and well-groomed.

 Seen this woman in front of her making a call, after that she spoke according to Maria's words and then closed the call.

 "Come with me, the boss has been waiting for you," said the woman politely.

 The woman then asked Maria to follow her, they got into the elevator and the elevator moved up.  Arriving at the top, they immediately entered the room in front of it.

 Maria admires this place, the walls are made of glass making the scenery outside look very beautiful.  She could see the surrounding buildings that were parallel to this place.  Maria was so busy in her world that she didn't realize that the door in front of her was already open.

 "I'm sorry boss," said the woman who escorted her away leaving Maria who was in front of the room.

 Maria went inside, saw the man who this morning, sitting at his desk looking at her from top to bottom, made her uncomfortable.

 "I thought you weren't coming," said the man who turned out to be Jake.

 "Sorry sir, I won't run away from trouble. I'm sorry for coming late, I still have business on campus," said Maria, who was still standing in front of the table.

 "Sit down," said Jaccob.

 Maria obeyed, she immediately sat in front of the man.

 "Since what you hit was my newest car, you have to pay compensation. Pay for all my car maintenance."  said Jacob.

 "How much should I compensate sir?"  asked Mary.

 Jake handed over a paper detailing the cost of his car maintenance, Maria immediately read it and suddenly her mouth fell wide open.

 "600 million?"  she choked.  She stared at the man in front of her in disbelief.

 "Is this all I have to pay for?"  said Maria again, she was surprised by the cost written on the paper.

 "Yes, and if you can't pay I'll report you to the police," said Jaccob smugly.

 "But ... but, Sir , may I repay it. I will pay for everything but please give me time," said Maria.

 "No time, and you have to pay for it now,"  said Jacob.

 "Okay, please just imprison me," said Maria languidly.  She leaned back, bending slightly so Jake couldn't see her face.  Where did she get that much money, let it be in prison, Maria resigned.

 Jaccob looked at the woman in front of him, her body was okay too.  What if she was left to work here as his secretary, yet she was tired of seeing Kenzo's face all the time.  He needs refreshment by putting a woman beside him every time he works.

 "Okay, how about you work as a secretary? You can pay 3/4 of your salary to pay off the debt."  said Jacob.

 Maria lifted her head, she looked at the man in front of her.  She thought a little about his words.  If she works here, what about her college and previous jobs?  But if she refuses, will Maria be able to live in prison?

 "But, may I ask for a condition?"  said Mary.

 The woman's words made Jaccob raise his eyebrows a little, he wanted to hear what conditions the woman put forward.

 "I only ask for an afternoon schedule, because in the morning I have to go to college first, I don't want to drop out of college," Maria said quietly, she was afraid her request would be rejected and this man would cancel the offer.

 "Only that?"  he asked.

 "Yes, Sir, that's all."  said Maria excitedly.

 "Okay, come back to the office tomorrow at this hour,"  said Jacob.

 Maria thanked the man, even though her cell phone was returned, her ID card was still being held.  It's okay, the important thing is that Maria doesn't go to jail.

 Maria said goodbye to her new boss candidate, then left the room.  She will go home, one problem is solved and after that she will solve the problem with his father.

 **

 Sinokmput