Luke, Theo, Cade, and the other gang members lined up in the police station. The cops had informed their school advisers about the incident. Some of the boys were still wearing their school uniforms during the fight. But through their connections, they were released in no time.
Luke had to face a bigger problem when he returned home—his dad.
"What did I tell you? Do not let others see your flaws and use them against you!" Mr. Clint Harris said. Luke was kneeling in front of him. He stood from his desk and unbuckle his belt.
"You also told me to not let others step on me without making them pay," Luke replied.
"I also told you revenge must be perfectly executed!" Mr. Harris struck Luke's back with his belt. Luke didn't faze.
"But what did you do? You messed everything up. You used to be meticulous. Now you're just a failure! Show some respect to our family and my reputation." Mr. Harris kept hitting him in every sentence.
"I don't need a fragile boy in this house. Be a man for once! If I hear bad news about you again, you will not get any inheritance from me. And if I see you with bruises again, I will give you three times the pain. Do you get me?" Mr. Harris said in a deep, crisp voice. The only thing Luke could do was clench his fists and grit his teeth, stabbing his father in his mind.
The next day, Theo walked into the hallway while caring his bag on his right shoulder. Some students were staring at the bandaids on his face and hands.
Is it their first time to see a handsome man covered in bruises and still managed to walk elegantly?
"Theo. Mr. Thomas wants to see you in the storage room," Lilian, one of his classmates said.
"The storage room? Not in the faculty office?" Theo asked.
"That's what he said."
The storage room was three times wider than the classrooms where they stored some recycled materials, props, and designs for every event and program, used banners, and other reusable kinds of stuff.
Mr. Thomas was facing the wall while waiting for Theo. He was a tall, old man with strong facial features and a white beard. He was using a long ruler made of wood as a crane.
"Good morning, Mr. Thomas. Do you need anything from me? Perhaps help in choosing a beautiful background for the—"
Theo shut his mouth when he received a hard slap from Mr. Thomas.
"Do you think this is funny? The cops called me, and the director talked to me because of the riot you caused yesterday. Are you having fun?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Thomas. I went there to save a friend. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble," Theo replied in a low tone.
"But you did. You caused me and the school huge trouble. If this goes out to the public, you'll get expelled. I don't need your dumb excuses, Mr. Burton."
Mr. Thomas grinned. "What do I expect? You get in trouble most of the time. The guidance office is tired of you. But this is a bigger case because you are the martial arts club president. You know that what you did is unacceptable. I will tell Mr. Bailey to strip you of your title for your arrogance and misconduct."
Theo bowed his head.
"All you do is misbehave. I guess your parents don't pay enough attention to you. That's why you seek it from other people," Mr. Thomas said while pushing Theo's head with his finger.
"My parents don't have anything to do with my choices—"
Mr. Thomas hit him with the ruler.
"I am a parent. I know a child who lacks love and discipline. You know what? Your future is written on my palm. You will become a burden to society. All you will contribute are crimes and inconvenience. You will reach nothing spectacular. Not even a noble profession that's worthy of respect."
Theo sighed and looked him in the eye. "My parents may not give me the right amount of love I need, but I can say that they are better than you. Because they never slap or hit me. If I report you to my mother, you'll know the type of parent she is."
After their argument, Mr. Thomas immediately searched Theo's mother on the web.
Savannah Skylar Roberson-Burton, the youngest daughter of Edward Robertson. He is the second richest man in London. He has two more children: Wilfred Robertson, the oldest, and Victoria Robertson-Carline. Savanna Robertson-Burton is a well-known cardiologist in London. She also owns a hospital and has a chain of luxurious restaurants.
Wilfred Robertson is a famous actor in Hollywood and a self-made billionaire. His sister, Victoria, took a different path who is a scientist. Victoria married Damian Carline, a prosecutor, and an antique collector.
Theo skipped class and went back to the dormitory. He took a nap for five minutes and woke up when his phone beeped. For the first time, Zara replied to his anonymous messages.
Hi. I think you'd make a good company. I'm starting to like you. I would love to see you in person. Meet me at seven in the evening at my dad's hotel.
Theo's eyes widened. He placed his phone on his beating heart.
"Stan! What should I wear?" He gleefully stood up and looked for him. He paused when he realized Stan was in school. Theo scratched his head and checked his closet. He only had four tuxedos all worth 2,800 dollars each.
I have nothing nice here.
It's her father's hotel. He had to put on a good impression like it was their first meeting.
I don't want to look too dressed up.
Theo picked a simple black suit with white long sleeves. He went to a salon and ordered the barber to make him look gorgeous.
"You already are, boy," the barber replied.
"You're so honest. Then make me look irresistible," Theo said.
At half-past six, Theo was ready to go. He looked at himself in the mirror one last time.
"I think something is missing."
He unbuttoned three buttons on his long sleeves, revealing his defined collar bone and a little preview of his chiseled chest. "Much better."
But he was debating on himself.
How would she accept that I am her secret admirer? Would she reject me instantly? What if I turn her off? Wait. Should I give her some flowers?
Theo massaged his temples. He had been on multiple dates, but he suddenly didn't know how to behave. Theo glanced at the clock.
"Shit."
He hurried and took Stan's car key.
When he walked inside the hotel, some people looked back at him as they passed by. His curtain-thin haircut made him look fresh and charming. Zara was already at their table. She was sipping a glass of wine when she darted her gaze to him. Theo smiled as he approached her. Zara couldn't hide her amazement.
"Sorry I'm late," he said.
"N-no. You're right on time."
"Did you wait long?"
"No. I arrived a few seconds ago."
Theo took a seat while Zara kept staring at him.
"Are you... my secret admirer?" she asked.
Theo began to rub his hands on his thighs.
"Ugh, yeah. Are you disappointed?"
"Oh. No. I just didn't expect it."
Theo drank the glass of wine straight up.
"So you were the one sending me those flowers, letters, drinks, snacks, and the small cute things."
"Was it cringe?" Theo said in an awkward tone.
Zara shook her head. "Remember what I told you before? I like someone sweet, caring, and sincere. I was referring to my secret admirer, which turns out to be you." Zara chuckled.
"Oh. Really?" Theo was relieved. "Zara. You look so beautiful tonight. I found no words to describe how you're making me melt right now."
Zara's cheeks turned rosy. She took her eyes off him and said, "I must admit. You're extra handsome today."
Theo suppressed a smile. "So... Ugh... I like you a lot. You've read my letters. Everything I wrote there is true. I hope you can give me a chance."
There was a stern look on her face. "Theo, I've known you for a short time and you have a great personality. There's no dull moment when I'm with you. You are kind and protective. I like those attributes of yours."
Her words were music in his ears.
"But I can't be your lover," she said.
Theo looked at her in confusion. "Why? Does my overprotectiveness annoy you?"
"No. It's not that."
"Then why? Did I do something wrong?"
"I can't love a womanizer or a Casanova. I can't love someone that is surrounded by women. I don't want to spend my life worrying about when he would replace me or when a girl would snatch him from me. In that kind of relationship, my self-worth is always at stake," she said with little emotion in her voice.
"I can change. I will change," Theo remarked.
"But your past will hunt me forever and I will remain paranoid. So forget your feelings about me or give it to someone else."
Theo dropped his gaze to the floor.
"I'm sorry. I should go," she said.
Zara was about to leave when she turned back and said, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Why do you keep your distance from me? You seem to avoid physical contact with me even during our training."
"Oh. That."
Because I fall harder every time we touch.
"I want to treat you differently because you're not some random girl. You are the girl I really like. I want you to feel respected and valued," Theo said and forced a smile.
Theo drove back at the lowest speed, rethinking his decisions in life. He felt exhausted and his muscle pain emerged. He received a phone call from his mom. Theo was expecting something that would lighten up his day.
"Hey, honey. How are you?"
"I'm driving, Mom."
"From school?"
"From a date."
"You must have been so happy. No girl would ever turn down my good-looking son! Who is she? When can I meet her?"
"Take it slow, Mom. I'll tell you when she's ready."
"You're such a lovely boy, honey. That's why I love you."
"I love you too, Mom. Why did you call?"
His mom was silent for a few minutes.
"Is something wrong?"
"Dear, your dad and I are having a divorce."
Stan was sketching a plan for their science project when the door opened.
"Hey. You didn't ask my permission to use my car. I'm worried sick," Stan said. He looked at Theo and saw the unusual expression on his face.
"What happened?" he asked.
Theo stood there with his hands on his waist, looking at the ceiling and controlling his tears. Stan came to him and held his shoulder.
"What's wrong?"
Theo covered his eyes with his hand.
"Come on, man," Stan said and hugged him. "It doesn't suit your attire right now." Stan tapped his back.
"It's okay, baby. You are my sun and moon." Stan's tone cracked him up.
"You're so gross!" Theo said and pushed him away.
"Now you know how I felt."
"You don't deserve to have a girlfriend, Stan. Your baby talk sucks!"
"Well, my alluring baby talk is reserved for my official baby. And you are not, so you deserve the gross version."
Theo made a face and throw a pillow at him.