Chapter 2

“Cattleya...”

I heard Loren mumble my name again, but I still don't have the enthusiasm to glance at her.

“Catt, are you okay? You seem too preoccupied today. Our class has been dismissed and we can now go home.”

Only then did I move my eyes to look around.

Loren was right. Our professor was no longer inside. There were also only a few students left in the room.

“Did something happen, Catt?”

I turned to Loren and was greeted by her sad and worried eyes.

“M-My little brother... Charles. He was rushed to the hospital last night after he passed out.” I mumbled. “The doctor informed us that my brother inherited the disease that took the life of my father… C-Charles also carries Thalassemia. And if he won't be given an immediate surgery, it can get worse and spread throughout his blood.”

Loren kept quiet and responded with empathy by tapping my shoulder.

“Today, my mother is waiting for me at the hospital, hoping that I will be able to bring some money to pay Charles' bills. But, where can I even get that much money? I just paid my tuition fee last week. If I only knew this would happen, I should've...” I deeply sighed to at least lessen the weight building up on my chest.

Our life has been terribly difficult ever since my father passed away and left my mother, Charles, and I. Every money that I earn is merely enough for my education and our daily needs.

Then now, the disease was also passed on to my youngest brother, Charles.

“Even if I want to help you Cattleya, you know I am neither capable of helping with money. Why don't you ask for an advance payment from Manager Sol in the club?”

I just threw her a short glance before shaking my head. “I already owe a lot to Manager Sol. He's the one who helped me fulfill my tuition fee and overdue bills by lending me an advance payment last week.”

Silence engulfed us for a moment and only a loud series of sighs could be heard.

“Here,” Loren pulled a small piece of paper out of her bag and squeezed it into my hand. “Perhaps, you will need this. It's the only thing that I can help you with, now. I took that calling card from the guy in the club. Didn’t he say he would wait until Friday? This will be your last chance, Cattleya. It's Friday today. That man looks like someone who is raised with money, and he certainly looks interested in you.”

I gaped at Loren, with my mouth wide open. I can't believe the words that are coming out from her.

“I know it will be hard because you have a lot of self-respect and morality, Cattleya. But... Honestly… Do you have any other options at these times?” she added.

After leaving the card with me, she began to put away her belongings and left the room without turning back.

My eyes gradually dropped to the calling card that Loren had left in my hand.

“Ruegold…” I whispered, reading what was written on the card. My forehead furrowed as I seemed to have heard that name but I couldn’t remember where.

I twisted the calling card with my fingers and watched it dazely.

It is true that I am left with no other choice but to go with that man and accept his offer.

I’m not sure what he wants to do with me. But, a wealthy man like him would have no other reason to invite someone like me to go out for a night, if not to do something filthy, in bed.

Whether it is right or wrong, I have to take aside my morality. There is no other way to pay Charles' hospital bills so they can discharge him for now.

I will find a way for his treatment as soon as I can. But for now, it is better to take them home first.

I immediately picked up my phone and started dialing the number on the card. My hands trembled as I placed the phone to my ear, waiting for him to answer.

My heartbeat quickened in uneasiness so I quietly took a deep breath to compose myself.

[“Hello, this is Ruegold Corporation. May I know who's calling?”]

I pulled the phone away from my ear for a moment when I heard an unfamiliar voice.

“U-Uh… Is…” I lifted the calling card that I am holding. “Jaxson Madrigal, t-there?”

Both my brows raised, waiting for her response.

[“Yes, miss. Mr. Madrigal is in the office today. May I know the purpose of your call, please? Do you have any scheduled appointments with Ruegold Corporation?]

“H-Huh? A-Appointment..? Schedule..?” I bit my lip in tension. “I-I do not have any actually-”

[“Who's calling?”]

I was startled to hear the familiar voice coming from the other line. I am certain he was the man from that night. No one bears the same raspy and cavernous voice as him.

[“Hello, miss? May I know your name, please?”]

“U-Uh… Cattleya.” I nervously uttered. “Cattleya Santos.”

[“She said her name is Cattleya Santos, Mr. Madrigal.”]

[“Transfer the call to my office.”]

I just listened to their conversation from the other line. I can't stop biting my lips as my nervousness lingers.

[“As I expected, you changed your mind.”]

I flinched when I heard his voice closer. “Uh… I-It's just that uh… I want to accept your offer!” I shut my eyes tightly out of extreme embarrassment while waiting for his response.

[“Send me your location.”]

“Oka-” I was interrupted when he suddenly hung up.

After sending my location, I immediately began to grab my stuff and leave the classroom. I will just wait for him outside the university.

I waited merely a few minutes before an attention grabbing car caught my eye. It is obviously expensive and seems to shine exceedingly spotless.

This might be that man from the club. It's not like every day that such a car passes by here in front of the university, even though there are also some rich students who go here.

When it stopped in front of me, the window of the extravagant car opened at the same time. I don't know much about cars, but I can definitely tell that this car in front of me can buy an entire building. Clearly worth a king's ransom.

The guy from the club bent down a little so he could show me his face, before the car door opened spontaneously.

My actions were timid because of self-consciousness as I kept trying to avoid his eyes.

“You're still a student?”

He instantly greeted me with a question as soon as the car door closed.

I just simply answered with a nod without throwing him a glance.

I feel like my heart is about to explode with the mixed emotions I’m currently feeling. I am vastly nervous and afraid of the approaching events.

“In what year?”

“Fourth year.” I could hardly open my mouth properly because of the estrangement I am feeling.

It is indeed embarrassing to be with a true wealthy person. It feels suffocating to be near them. It's as if they are excessively clean, fresh, and they smell very expensive.

I vaguely take a glimpse at the hand of the man next to me while it is resting on the steering wheel. I was stunned by his fair complexion. It appears to be smooth and flawless, obviously not used to do any chores.

How I wish.

Not to an extent, but his hand looks even more feminine than mine.

“So, you’re a graduating student. Okay.”

I merely smiled a little in response, but I still couldn’t look directly at his face.

A deafening silence enveloped us once again. I even hold back my own breathing as I seem to be hearing it, weirdly.

“You look scared. Just relax.”

After saying that in a cold deep voice, it didn’t help me at all and only made my heartbeat race.

“I-I'm nervous…” I growled.

“Nervous? Why?”

“H-Huh? Ah— cause... This is my first time.” My head bent down slightly as I lowered my gaze to my hands clasping tightly while resting on my thigh. “I'm sorry. I had never experienced anything like that before, so I couldn't help but feel anxious and scared of pain. I also thought that I will do my first time with the person I truly love...”

“You never had dinner before?”

I was stunned by his question, feeling like my body has gradually become a big block of ice.

“D-Dinner?” I mumbled while slowly turning my head to him and examined his face.

He nodded in response. “I know that you should be with someone you love for dinner. But, you have never been to a dinner with your family or friends before? It won't hurt you. I promise.”

“U-Uh?” my jaw completely dropped with my brows raised.

“You look so confused over a dinner. Are you perhaps expecting a different scenario?”

I shifted my gaze back to the front.

What does he mean by dinner? Did I mislead it?

“Didn't you want to take me out for a night? I thought…”

“What? That I will take you to bed?” I heard his weak laugh. “God! Your mind is pretty wild. Do I really look like someone who would actually buy a woman for those kind of pleasures?”

“B-But why? Why are you taking me out? We don't even know each other-”

“I know you heard everything about my current situation.”

I was silenced.

“—It will be easier for you because you already know what's going on and I don't need to explain further. I just need you to play as my date for dinner together with my family. I want to show them that I am not affected by what they have done.” I noticed the sudden drop in the tone of his voice as well as its return to the dark and raspy voice. “After this one night, I can pay you any amount that you desire. I also promise that I will never show my face to you again.”

I came quiet for a moment because of what he said. I was right, he noticed me listening to their conversation.

“Is attending a dinner your only condition?”

I regretted my question when a sly smile flashed across his lips.

“Don't expect anything else.”

This man's behavior is totally confusing me. His persona changes suddenly from serious, to fatuous.

“—Oh, and one more thing.” he added. “You have to act as my girlfriend. Be sweet to me and do as much as you can to look like you are in love with me. Take note that the person that you should convince more is my father.”

“W-What?!” I ejaculated in shock.

“Calm down for now. You should relax before our dinner tonight. Also, I'm bringing you for some transformation. You can't attend a dinner looking like that, with all your papers and filthy uniform. I don't want to hear them say that my new girlfriend looks like an nasty hideous person. I didn't personally pick you just to be called like that.”

I was just stunned by the absence after hearing what he said. I never thought that this is where I could use everything I learned in contemporary arts.

Nevertheless, this is better than I first thought we would do. This is not really bad to make money tonight, at least it's better than giving my body to this man.

I just hope the dinner won't take much time. The money I left with my mother for their food won't be enough until tomorrow. I also want to take them home tonight because our hospital bills will only increase as they stay there longer. And, staying in the hospital will only make my mother remember what happened to my father. I know she’s struggling just as much as I am struggling now.