Chapter 2 JOB OFFER

I started working part time at the coffee shop close to the school.

It was convenient for me and the pay wasn't so bad.

When I told Lily about it, her face showed disappointment and she told me she didn't know people could be paid such a meagre amount of money for work.

When she told me how much her gardener back home earned, my mouth dropped.

What I saw as enough money to go by was nothing to Lily.

She could spend times ten of it in a day if she wanted to.

But I had to survive, so I ignored her snide comments and focused on my work and studies which was important for someone without privileges like me.

I would return home sometimes and meet an empty room, and she wouldn't return until early the next morning. She tried countless times to take me to one of her all-night parties but I always refused. I was either very tired from working, or had an early class the next morning.

One day, while working, I sighted Lily sitting at one of the tables. Knowing she would never just come here, I walked up to her to ask what's up.

She waved when she saw me approach the table.

"Hi El!"

Only Lily cut my name short. I've asked countless times that she calls me by my full name but she constantly refuses.

"Why are you here, Lily?"

She frowned at my lack of enthusiasm.

"Brighten up El, you look like a sad puppy."

She pointed at the guy sitting opposite her. "This is my boyfriend, Jason."

I only nodded at the guy, I didn't smile at him because I was pretty sure he'd come here before with another girl.

"Can we talk in private?" I took her hands and dragged her to a corner.

"When did you start dating Jason?"

"He asked me out last night," she blushed hard as her memories traveled back. "We met at the party and our vibes just matched. Can you believe that?"

Of course I couldn't.

"What if he's with you because of your money?"

Lily only smiled. "What are you saying El? People come around me BECAUSE of my money. It's nothing new. They overlook my bitchy attitude because of what I have to offer."

I thought about it. It sounded kind of sad that if her father wasn't Damian Blackwell, she would be a loner.

But on another thought, she wouldn't be such a bitch if her father wasn't Damian Blackwell.

"What are you thinking about? Are you also my friend because of my money?"

My jaw tensed and I hesitated.

"We're not friends. We're just roommates."

I couldn't tell if she was satisfied or hurt by my answer because her face showed no reaction nor emotion.

"Before I forget why I came here," she started. "You have to stop this job," she gaze swept over the place disapprovingly. "I have something better for you."

I wanted to lash at her for thinking she could just come around and tell me what to do with my life. But I calmed myself to hear what better offer she had for me.

"Tell me why you came here. I have to go back to work."

"It's about my father."

My heart stopped at the mention of her father. I had tried so hard to stop thinking about the man, Damian Blackwell. And I was so grateful that Lily hadn't mentioned his name for days now.

"My father wants me to get a tutor."

"What has that got to do with me?" I asked, reminding myself to breathe.

"I want you to tutor me."

For the first time that day, I laughed. "Me?"

She blinked once, slowly, as if trying to remain patient. "Are you dumb? You're so smart, who else would I choose to tutor me?"

"Your sentence is contradictory."

"Stop showing off El, I don't have all day. Are you in or out?"

I sighed. At this rate, Lily would make me lose my job. "Why do you want a tutor?"

She flipped her hair. "Daddy and I were talking, and he said that if I got a very good score this semester, he'd let me live off campus."

"Our dorm is the nicest on campus."

Her chin lifted in a smug way. "I thought I'd love staying in a dorm to socialize but I don't like it anymore. There's too many rules and Lily Blackwell doesn't like rules."

Staying with Lily, I realized that rich people's problems were mostly always insignificant and often not real life problems.

Unfortunately for me, Lily and I studied the same course but for different purposes.

I studied business management to later become a corporate lawyer one day, Lily studied it to take over one of her father's numerous companies in the future.

"Are you doing it or not?" She looked like she was running out of patience with me.

"How much are you offering?"

"How much do you want?"

I hesitated, how much could I possibly charge a rich kid like Lily without it seeming like a rip-off.

"Uhm...eighty per hour?"

Lily's eyes widened in surprise.

"I meant hundred...hundred per hour."

"Okay," she smiled. "I can only spare three hours a day. I still have my social life to attend to."

I tried to hide the shock in my face.

A hundred per hour?

I knew I had hit the jackpot when I got Lily Blackwell for a roommate.

Who else would pay a hundred for tutoring? I wasn't even a certified tutor or a senior student.

"That concludes it then. Can I go back to Jason now?"

I nodded, still in shock. "Yeah. I'll submit my resignation here today."

She smirked. "Good."

"Oh...lest I forget. Get ready to talk to my dad tonight."

I grabbed her before she walked away, my hands trembling.

"What- what did you just say? I'm going to speak with your father?"

Lily brushed off my hand from hers. "You don't get a job without an interview. Do you? If my father is going to pay someone a hundred dollars per hour, he's going to want to know if that person is capable enough."

She walked over to Jason, gave him a kiss and walked out of the cafe.

Jason grabbed her bag and his, running after her like a dog following its owner.

And me, I remained still like a statue, my mouth agape.

My heart beat accelerated just by hearing his name.

I wasn't ready to talk to him!

Not in a million years!!