Today after lunch everyone is gathering for the boys' basketball game of our "San Eros." And that means the computer and student halls will be empty. I will be able to study in silence and read interesting works by graduates. Yes, yes, yes, how wonderful that is!
— Miss Maya, — my secluded happiness was interrupted by the voice of Mr. Lo. — I would like to speak with you. Follow me.
I had no choice but to meekly go after him. In his office, bright and cozy, he settled at the desk and began shuffling through papers.
Oh damn… those are exam sheets.
— Miss Maya, your results are simply astounding, — he spoke with an intonation that made it hard to tell whether he was serious or mocking. — You scored the lowest possible mark.
Ah… so it's sarcasm after all.
— If you do not make an effort in December and April, then most likely you will be asked to leave "San Eros." There are plenty of candidates eager to take your scholarship spot.
— I'm sorry, I struggle with my studies, even though I spend all my free time in the library, — I exhaled. Hopeless.
— You do not shine in sports either. They will not be able to keep you even for athletic merit, — he continued, as if finishing me off. — If things go on like this, I will not be able to write a positive recommendation for next year.
Am I really that stupid? What should I do?..
— Mr. Lo, I will work even harder. Please, do not make conclusions before the final exams, — I looked at him through my overgrown bangs. Perhaps I should be sweet — maybe he will take pity? But he only winced, as if my appearance repelled him.
— I'll give you a hint in case of failure. — Oh yes, here's a bonus, I should grab onto it. — If your results turn out low, the only chance to continue studying is to find yourself a Master.
Nooooo…
Half an hour later the game was starting, and the academic building was deserted. Silence and peace — like in a cemetery. The perfect time to read graduates' works. Yes, I have obvious problems with my studies. I will have to read and learn more… perhaps even sleep in the library.
But what if even that doesn't help? I so enjoy studying here: so many books, so many informative works. But interest alone is not enough. Gaps from elementary school are making themselves felt. How I want to get a diploma, at least some document of education. Will I be able to finish? All the problems around do not let me concentrate, my memory fails me…
Hm… someone is here. Voices. Didn't everyone go to the game?
— Mr. Leon, you really…
— Don't talk too much. Just work with your mouth, satisfy me, and I will reward…
What bad luck? Why do I keep running into him again? Maya, keep going where you were going, pretend you see and hear nothing. The office I was heading for was nearby, but there was no other route — back was the only other way. Fine, I'll get to the books, by then they'll be done.
I began leafing through the graduation works. Their research and analysis — that was another level. Such minds! My work will probably never end up on these shelves. Let's start with the problematic subjects… there are too many. Hm… "Psychological Manipulation" — perhaps I'll start with that. 150 pages. I won't manage it in one sitting. Fine, are there at least pictures? Ehh… hopeless.
The lock clicked. A shiver ran down my spine.
— Well, well, well… — the voice was familiar. — The scary girl is trying to study? Are your grades really that bad?
That mocking voice… why you, of all people?
— You didn't even go to basketball, and my team is playing there, — he was circling around like a hawk over prey. — Or is it not interesting to you?
I hid behind my hair.
— You interrupted my relaxation. I think it should be compensated. Tie your hair back, they're frightening, — he tried to tuck them behind my ear. I brushed his hand away.
— Still biting… Think twice: if I force you, and you so much as scratch me, will anyone believe you?
He thinks he has me trapped. Leon, why do you do everything so that I start to hate you?
— Don't worry, you can just please me orally, that will do too. I have a game, I need to get back for the second half.
I raised my head and looked straight at him.
— I finally got your attention, — he grinned. — Looks like you're quite the pervert.
That's not what I meant, idiot.
— Maya, you're blushing. Are you shy, or already aroused?
I've never had a man. I'm a virgin. Satisfied now, idiot?
He took my hand and sat me down on a chair.
— So you're a virgin… Don't be afraid, I'll teach you everything, — his voice was velvet. He gathered my hair into a ponytail and tied it with an elastic band. Touched my cheek. — For the first time, I'll forgive inexperience.
Why are you doing this, Leon? I placed my palm on his hand, searching for an answer in his eyes. I found only surprise. He froze. His breathing quickened. We stood like that for several minutes until he brushed my hand away.
— Don't flatter yourself, — he threw over his shoulder and left, slamming the door loudly.
My hand was burning.
Alcohol, music, beautiful girls — I had it all. So why couldn't I relax?
— Mr. Leon, let's have a drink, — the girls were serving me, for to get into such a VIP party was a chance to earn well. They were laying it on thick.
— Why so serious? Want me to cheer you up? — one began to dance, slowly taking off her clothes, trying to make me want to fuck her. She sat down on my lap and, with lewd movements, brushed against my groin. — We have free rooms. Don't you want to be alone? — she whispered, leaning to my ear.
But I didn't care. I just wanted to get drunk. I pushed her away and reached for the whiskey.
— Tonight I'm here to drink, — I said and drained the glass. I was pathetic.
It had been a week since I touched anyone. That dark-haired girl… Anger ran through my veins. I needed to drink. Back on Monday I had wanted to destroy her so badly that the gangsters chasing her would seem like a fairy tale. But today… I needed to drink.
Glass after glass, and now the bottle of expensive whiskey was empty.
— More! — I signaled to the waiter.
The girls kept dancing and pouring for me. I had everything, so why did I care about that girl? Her touch today nearly tore my chest open. Was she ready to go all the way? And that blush on her face…
— Damn it… — I took out money, tossed it on the table, grabbed the bottle, and headed for the exit.
I needed to see Soup. She would put my thoughts back in place.
I got into the car and ordered to go to "San Eros." Arthur repeated the address, but I shot him a dark look. Was it hard to follow my order the first time? All the way I kept pouring down whiskey.
I wanted to see Soup.
Twenty minutes later we arrived. My legs could no longer hold me, Arthur escorted me to the entrance. The security rushed to meet us.
— Mr. Leon? — they were clearly surprised at my night visit. — Why are you here at such an hour?
— I need the sports complex, — I took another swig of whiskey.
— But…
— I won't be long, — I simply pushed past them and headed toward the pool.
I needed to pull myself together. Needed to refresh. I wanted to swim in the fourth lane. I wanted to see her… I wanted to, but couldn't. Ha-ha-ha.
By the time I reached the entrance to the hall, I had already removed my shirt, shoes, and socks. I was left in trousers. The light was dim, only the perimeter lights of the pool were on. Everything was swimming before my eyes.
Someone was here?
I saw a figure in a swimsuit gathering her things.
— Wait! — I called out. — Stop!
She froze. I came closer… hands with tattoos… it was her. Soup… is that you?
I ran, but she pushed me away. A shove with both palms to the chest. I knew that feeling already. It couldn't be…
She hurried to leave. But I needed her. Let me be lost, but I wanted to hold her. I rushed after. The floor was slippery, and in chasing her, I slipped, knocking her to the ground. My body wouldn't obey. My head was swimming.
I lay on her, on a slender and strong body, propped myself up on my hands and looked down. She was covering her face with her palms.
— Please… just for tonight… let me be with you. Let me see you this close, — I slowly removed one hand. The skin was tender, the facial features so familiar. I removed the second hand.
That face… so familiar. Everything swam. I strained to focus my gaze.
She opened her eyes… cold as ice.
I shifted my gaze to the tattooed hands. Back — to her eyes. Cold. Tearful.
— You… youuu… — the words stuck in my throat.
She lay motionless, silent.
— Maya… why have you been crying?..
Arthur was at his limit. For twenty minutes Leonardo had not appeared and was not answering calls. He approached the "San Eros" security nervously.
— Excuse me, as Leonardo's head of security I am invoking red code. My team and I are going in to check his location.
— Yes, Mr. Arthur, — the guard nodded. — We will report this to the director. You have fifteen minutes. After that, we will send our own agents.
— Thank you.
Without wasting time, Arthur ran onto the "San Eros" grounds and made his way quickly to the pool complex. He didn't like the silence in the corridors, nor the dragging feeling that something was wrong.