My phone was being irritating — who calls this early? On the screen it said: "Little Bastard."
— Yes, — I answered. My throat was dry; it was hard to speak. I'd had too much to drink last night.
— Leon, I just wanted to wake you and let you know your car is ready to pick you up from the hotel. As soon as you're ready, go down to the lobby, the driver will meet you there, — his voice was calm. — Your security is, as usual, outside the door. The car is ready, you're awake, my responsibilities end here. I'm heading to class.
— Riki, — I cut him off, — if anything, sorry about yesterday. You know it doesn't happen often that I lose my temper. But that girl crossed every line and then ran off.
— I know, it's fine, — his voice grew more assured. — Just get home quickly. You know your mother doesn't like it when you spend the whole night at hotels, even if they belong to your family. Don't make her angry. She's terrifying when she's furious. Spare me.
— No, I have other plans. You drag your ass over here too, we'll go to San Eros together.
— What the hell, I'm already almost at the gates! — his mood had come back, so he clearly wasn't offended anymore.
— Kid, drag your ass here. — I could only imagine how mad he was. Ha-ha-ha-ha.
— Leon, you don't have to go after drinking. You could get some sleep at home, the exam's only on Monday.
— Riki, shove your advice where the sun doesn't shine. I'm waiting for you in the hotel lobby. If you drag your feet — I'll tear you a new one!
I needed a shower. I really overdid it last night… All because of that "horror girl." How did she dare to shove me? She has pride, in her situation?
— Mister Leon…
Oh, this girl who'd been bending over backward for me all night was still here.
— What are you still doing here? Why haven't you left? — my voice turned sharp. She'd heard my call with Riki. — Did you forget the rules?
— Mister Leon, we've met five times now, but you still haven't… — she tried to be sweet, but it only irritated me more. — I thought you might like it if I stayed until morning. I can…
Before she could finish, I hurled the glass with last night's whiskey against the wall beside her.
— Who the hell are you? — my anger was rising. — You're only here because you know how to spread your legs properly. Keep the rest to yourself. So shut your mouth and get the hell out.
I opened the door — Arthur was standing there, as usual. He'd obviously heard the glass shatter. My anger hit the ceiling.
— Security, see her out. Pay her. I don't ever want to see this cheap trash again, the kind who can't even follow simple rules, — I gave Arthur, my head of security, a vicious look. — And if you ever let girls like that break the rules again, you'll be next. When I'm out of the shower, everything should be ready.
— Yes, Mister Leon! — Arthur bowed.
The morning was already ruined. Time to freshen up.
Water streamed down my body, but my chest still remembered the pushes from that "horror girl." I touched the spot and felt a faint ache. Her shove had really been strong. Maybe she'd taken self-defense classes? After all, she was being hunted by gangsters. Both times she'd pushed me in the exact same spot — rough, precise. She'd been calm, her eyes cold.
My chest began to burn again, just like yesterday after her shove. Why had she pushed me away so calmly? Her facial features were sweet — why hide them behind thick hair? Her body was slim, toned; I'd felt it even through her shirt. A tempting figure — why hide it?
What the hell? My gaze dropped lower and I realized I was aroused. What the hell was this? I'd just spent the whole night with another girl. Was I turned on by thoughts of the "horror girl"? Don't make me laugh.
— Hey, buddy, cool it and stop pulling stunts like this. It's not even funny, — I switched the shower to cold.
…
The coffee brought me back to life. I was waiting for Riki, but he still wasn't here. For some reason, I couldn't wait to get to San Eros.
— Mister Leon, the car is ready. Riki's already inside.
— Perfect. Clean my room, I'll be back today.
I barely sat down in the car before sleep hit me.
— Wake me when we arrive.
Riki sat beside me with a scowling face.
— Don't frown, you look like an angry puppy, — I heard his annoyed sigh and fell asleep.
…
Why so quiet? The car was stopped. Where did Riki go? In his place there was a note. Still half-asleep, I rubbed my eyes and picked it up:
"First class has already started, didn't want to wake you, drunkard. Join when you're up. This is payback for the puppy thing."
Little bastard. The clock said 10:15 — which meant the second class had already started.
— Arthur, why didn't you wake me? — he was getting too relaxed.
— Forgive me, sir, I thought you needed the rest!
— You don't need to think, you need to just do your job, — he bowed his head. — That's your second mistake today. If you can't handle it, ask for a replacement.
— Forgive me, sir, it won't happen again.
— I'm off. — I walked toward the entrance, Arthur escorting me to the building.
…
The second class was already in session; I couldn't walk in mid-lecture. I went to the lounge, ordered breakfast and coffee. I had forty minutes to spare.
My thoughts went back to Maya. What did I want from her? An insult to my manhood? The whim of a spoiled rich boy? If I went after her again, it would look like I was chasing her. I couldn't allow that.
Did I want her to suffer, or to be crazy about me like the other scholarship girls?
…
Half an hour later, I'd finished eating, but still had no answer. The bell rang. I called Riki:
— What's my next class?
— One moment… Right now it's psychology, 4th floor, room 4.
— Disobey me again and I'll punish you, — I cut him off.
— Bwahaha, — he laughed like a child. I hung up.
…
When I reached the 4th floor, I saw her. Black hair like midnight. She was already seated, reading a book. Her movements were smooth, calm — nothing like yesterday.
The entire lecture passed for me against the backdrop of her image. Maya looked like an ordinary girl, interested in learning. So what was it I wanted from her?
When the bell rang, I stood and left without looking back. The answer was found — it was time to return to my usual life.
I texted Riki:
"I'm done here, heading home. Find me entertainment for tonight. Same place and time."