Under the sheets of the frowzy-rancid duvet, Sandra drew out her astraddle legs from his lower limbs. Licking her wet lips, she moved towards the vacant space beside him. While his arms were raised as a support to his head, she leaned back to meet his sweaty and firm chest.

“Can I see you again tomorrow, babe?” she requested while tracing the hard planoconvex of his pecs.

“Yeah, sure. Whatever,” he responded with aloofness.

For Grayson, she was a decent fuck, but nonetheless, an empty slut whom he just used to indulge in his proclivities. It was actually a good thing he got to rut out tonight after all the shit that had happened today. And that’s what he really liked about her—She’s on the dole whenever he needed to get off.

Thrilled, Sandra looped a smile. “Great. Same time tomorrow, babe.”

She drifted to his face for a kiss. However, before her lips could meet his, he turned away to look at his watch.

“Ah, fuck,” he grunted, realizing that he had to be somewhere tonight.

Disappointed by his sudden aversion, she shrugged. “Why? What happened?”

In a hurry, Grayson stood from the hotel’s bed and quickly grabbed his car keys, instantly dropping Sandra onto the cushion. “I have to go.”

It startled her, which made her look up at him while he rummaged on the floor, picking up his clothes that were scattered.

“Wait, fuck! What about me, Gray?” She pinned the duvet to her naked body.

While slipping his foot inside his blucher mocs, he answered, “Can’t drive you home tonight, Sandra. I have something to do. You can hitch out another ride if you want.”

Her fervent expression soon morphed into contempt. “Are you fucking serious? You’re going to leave me behind here after I fuck you?”

Grayson ignored her remonstration. Instead, he fished out a wallet from his pockets. “Here.”

Throwing the cash on the bed, he added, “Take a cab, a bus, or whatever. I don’t care. See you later.”

Sandra’s eyes bristled with agitation. Moving her lips sideways, she parted them, trembling. “You fucking piece of—”

Before Grayson could hear the last word of her anger, he shut the door close. Upon getting to his car, Grayson grabbed his phone that was settled in the coin’s drawer.

Pushing its button, the screen lit up with Abigail’s handful of messages. Swiping those out of his notifications, Grayson ignored them like he didn’t give any concern at all.

He then inserted his keys into the ignition, released the handbrake, and turned the stirring wheel. Pulling out of the parking space, he drove away back to their mansion in Caddel Subdivision.

Caddel Subdivision was one of the exclusive subsidiaries in this city. Living there had its own perks for the owners. They are free to use the amenities and facilities like the golf course, clubhouse, and casinos. Only a few men of the higher classes can afford to own this kind of real estate.

After a couple of minutes, Grayson arrived home. Stopping in front of the wide steel gutter, he pushed the button of the intercom on the bricked column.

“Open the door.”

He moved back to his seat as soon as he heard the alarm turn on. Automatically, the gates were opened, letting his car drive inside. When he got to the driveway, he left it there as one of his stewards offered him to valet his car back to the garage.

“Thanks,” he said while throwing the keys at him.

Ambling through the spacious trimmed-grass landscape, he was greeted by a huge cape-cod manor. From the outside, it looked like an imposing residence where only the hefty ones could live. It had white pane walls with over arching windows on both sides and the center. The roofs were made with solar panels, while its doors were made of Milanon sandalwood. A wood that was so rare to acquire by any supplier.

With the stained-glass chandelier’s light burning across the windows of the foyer, Grayson’s eyes flinched.

He thought that though the house looked majestic, as always. It was still empty and lifeless. As he went inside, a winding staircase stood in front of him, which was fully flourished and cleaned. He walked across the hall, going to the left side of the manor, where the kitchen was.

When he got there, the lights were already shut off. Soon, he saw a petite old woman coming over. She greeted him as she paced around the kitchen counter.

“You’re back, Sir Grayson.”

Pulling out a chair from the minibar, he asked, “Can you get me some sparkling water?”

The maid nodded. “Sure, right away, sir.”

After a couple of seconds, the maid went back with two bottles of water that came right out of the fridge.

“Thanks.” He grabbed it while facing the wide pool area near the dining area to get back to his room. As he sauntered to the elevator, which was a few feet away from the dining table, he went up to the fifth floor, where his room was located.

While heading towards his room, dim-lit lights shone above and on the sides of the carpeted walls. As he went to the dark entryway in the right wing of the manor, Grayson noticed that the thick, soundproof door of the theatre was opened. He then immediately closed it with the aforethought that one of their servants must have been watching inside a while ago.

“Sneaky bastards,”

Sighing heavily, he went ahead to his room.

...

Everyone who knew Grayson thought he had it all. Looks, brains, money, and even love. However, not everyone knew he became an orphan at a young age. It was unfortunate for an eight-year-old kid to witness both of his parent’s death with his mother dying from an acute illness, and his father from a shooting incident. From then on, his grandfather took him to his house and became his legal guardian.

Grayson didn’t know if what happened to him actually brought him some luck. He didn’t want to think of that as his parent’s death left him with utter devastation. However, his grandfather, who’s his only family, spoiled him to death in spite of his busy life. He was given everything that he wanted, even if sometimes his requests were quite impossible.

Because of this, he grew up to be a complaisant and obedient, yet irritable kid who was shockingly smart and responsible. However, despite all of what he had, he always felt alone.

When he got to his room, he immediately went to the shower to cool off. After putting on his clothes, he grabbed his accounting book to study. Some people might think of him as a breezy, entitled guy who always got what he wanted, but actually, in reality, he was just a normal fellow who also strived to ace his studies. He knew he needed it, as someday he’d have to take over their business.

...

The next morning, Kendall immediately dialed Charlotte’s number. Charlotte had been her friend way back in high school. Charlotte was the complete opposite of her. If Kendall’s the type of lady who doesn’t care about her appearance, Charlotte is the embodiment of beautification. However, despite that fact, she always got Kendall’s back whether it involved Kendall's eccentric work-life or not, Charlotte was there to help her. Now, this young woman manages a bakery.

Pacing back and forth to her room, Kendall asked, “Hey, Char. I need a favor. Are you busy?”

“Why? You need anything?” she countered in the line.

Kendall bit her lips. “Well, yes. Anyway, can you bring some trendy or, I don’t know, fashionable clothes that young people frequently wear?”

Charlotte chuckled. “What the fuck? What’s happening to you Kels? Am I still talking to my best friend whom I know never-ever took an interest in anything related to fashion?”

“Please! Help me out here, Char. I need it,” Kendall pleaded.

Charlotte asked inquisitively, “Why do you need it badly? Have you decided to join pageantry? You know, I’m telling you all over again that you should. So, why now?”

“No, Char. I’m not joining any pageants or contests,” she groaned slightly. Kendall loved her best friend, but sometimes Charlotte can be a total cray cray.

“Then, what?” Charlotte stingily queried.

Her eyes rose to look at the ceiling. “I... I have... It’s for my job. Just go now!”

Kendall heaved a sigh.

“Okay! You know I’m not your slave that you can ask around anytime,” Charlotte reminded her.

She groaned slightly. “God, I know. Promise, I’ll treat you to lunch or dinner.”

“How about you help me market my cupcakes?” her friend offered.

Kendall pursed her lips. Exhaling, she replied, “Yeah, sure. Of course.”

She imagined her friend’s smile on the other side of the line. “Great! I’ll be there in a jiffy!”

The call ended and Kendall went back to her cabinet to search for appropriate clothes to wear for her undercover assignment. Digging to every piece of clothing, all she could ever find are leather jackets, jeans, black tees, and boots to pair with.

“Ugh... Why don't I have anything colorful?” She grabbed the only formal and decent attire she had. A button-up shirt and a pencil skirt that she wore when she had an interview back then. She tried to look at them in the mirror but was dejected by the thought of using them when she imagined herself wearing them inside the campus of UM.

Her face instantly sank. “Argh, I definitely don’t look like a college student with this.”

She threw them to the floor and slumped her back to the bed. “I’m definitely gonna ruin this.”

All of a sudden, her door creaked open. It was Charlotte, carrying luggage full of clothes. She slapped Kendall’s legs lightly as she placed her luggage beside the bed.

“Is this a house or a garbage dump? Seriously, Kendall! You need to learn how to clean by now!” Her friend opened with a bang.

In an instant, her eyes shimmered with joy. “Help me dress up, please!”

“Then get up, loser. I’m here. What do you need? I don’t know what you need specifically that's why I brought everything.” She opened her luggage and various dresses, tees, and clothes were neatly arranged inside the compartments.

Kendall’s eyes went agape. “Wow, this is a lot, Char! Do you wear all of this?”

“Some, I have worn once but I don’t feel like using them again. Others, I have worn twice or more. So, anyway, going back, what style do you prefer? Young people today wear clothes that manifest their personality. It’s all about being unique today,” Charlotte explained.

The edge of Kendall's lip lifted like she wasn’t really sure how to respond. “I just needed something that will help me get into the zone with teens today. I don’t know, maybe a style that looks expensive? Is there such a thing like that?”

Her friend snorted. “Ugh, okay. Let me look at you first. Will you stand up?”

Kendall obeyed without complaining. Charlotte examined her clothes, and she was wearing an oversized shirt and loose sweatpants.

'Yeah, I look like a fucking hipster,' Kendall thought while picking on her nose.

Charlotte shook her head disapprovingly. “God, I don’t know how we became friends because you’re totally helpless, Kel.”

Kendall's mouth fell open. She clasped her palms together, pleading again for Charlotte to help her. “What? Come on! Please, Char... ”

Charlotte then handed her a dark auburn tulle blouse that was loose in the arms but tight in the waist. “Alright, come here. Wear this.”

“And this,” her friend added giving her a lush-pink tweed suit.

Kendall raised her brows. “This is short. I can see my legs with this.”

“What? You got nice legs! You should parade that. If I have legs like yours, I would use them to my advantage,” Charlotte rebutted.

“But it’s too short…” she said, hesitatingly.

Charlotte raised her arms wide open, resting them on her hips. “Do you want my help or not?”

In resignation, Kendall backed down. “Okay. I’ll wear this.” She headed to the bathroom to put it on.

After a couple of seconds, she went back to where Charlotte was. “I can feel the wind on my thighs with this!” she protested.

However, Charlotte clapped her hands in excitement. “Perfect! It looks good on you!”

Before Kendall could say anything, Charlotte pulled her towards the desk, where her make-up set was currently placed. Seizing the brush from her set, she said, “Now, we do your make-up.”

“Can we make it super light? I can’t stand it. The last time I wore it was on graduation and it was frigging itchy,” Kendall requested while looking at herself in the mirror.

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “God, you’re so fussy! Just let me do this, alright?”

“Okay, take it away. I’m at your mercy, Char.”

Charlotte laughed at her joke.

After a couple of minutes, her friend had finished doing her make-up. Charlotte let Kendall stand from her seat and pushed her towards the mirror.

“Here you go.” She smiled, tucking the curls of Kendall’s hair to frame her face.

Kendall was shocked to see her face while putting on the spy earpiece. She never thought that her face could morph into someone who was totally unrecognizable. Her thick brows were trimmed neatly, her ordinary lips became plump, and her dead eyes looked like a mesmerizing reflection of perfection.

“Whew! Damn girl, you're hot! Never thought my face can leap its limit of ordinariness.” Kendall gave herself a smug smirk while staring at her long, dainty legs and slender waist.

Charlotte crossed her arms. “You owe me.”

Kendall chortled at her response. “Yeah, I do. As long as it’s not attending to one of your blind dates.”

Her friend laughed. “I won’t. Promise.”

Meanwhile, Kendall spoke through the earpiece to get to the other line. Her colleague, Inspector Noah Green, answered.

“Ready, Whitlock?”

“Yup. I will be at the location at 9.”

Noah Green was the chosen inspector to assist her throughout the case. He was tasked with aiding her in the process of her going as an undercover university student at UM. It was actually a good thing that he was the one who will be with her. As such, Green was one of her closest co-workers in the department.

As soon as Kendall had finished packing, she called Charlotte again to drive her off to the university.

“Char, can I have another favor?”

Done fixing, she returned her question. “What again?”

“Can you drop me off at UM?” Sheepishly, she smiled.

Incredulously, she asked, “You’re studying again? Is that why you need my help in styling you?”

“Kind of? Yeah. It's confidential.”

Charlotte growled. “Ugh, fine! Whatever, I don't care. You owe me big time, Kendall.”

“I know. I know. You're the best!” Kendall responded delightfully.

*****

As soon as they reached the university, Kendall went out of her friend’s car and bid her goodbye. She then looked around and noticed the diverse group of people. What she thought about the university being an exclusive school soon vanished when she saw clusters of students that looked like they came from different countries and social classes. However, one thing is for sure, and that is all of these students are smart.

With this, Kendall felt intimidated because she didn’t know how to fit in.

She then walked around the campus with her schedule in hand. Her first subject was at the Alaric building and a few minutes away from the main building. When she got to the room, Kendall recognized that there were already twenty students waiting for the professor.

Reaching the corner of the room, she located her target, Grayson Hoffman. "Target in sight," she whispered to the mic.

"Copy, Inspector, be subtle with your approach," Noah replied.

With no hesitation, she immediately went to him to introduce herself.

“Hi! I’m Hailey!” She brightly greeted him, offering her hand to him while sitting at his side.

Grayson turned to look at her but gave her a dead gaze, like he wasn’t interested in talking to her. He didn’t say anything and went back to focusing on the book he was reading.

Kendall puckered with displeasure. “Hmm, okay. Nice to meet you.”

She was about to turn away when a sturdy and warm palm contacted her skin. Averting her gaze back to Grayson, she was welcomed by his perplexed expression.

“Wait! Aren’t you the nosy woman from the other day?!” he shrieked in astonishment.

She was surprised that he remembered it. Kendall knew that her encounter with him before the case would pose a problem for her undercover.

Faking a confused expression, she replied to him, “Um—”

Grayson cut her off instantly. “You are, aren’t you?”

Kendall didn’t know what to say.

'Ah, fuck it.' She cursed.

Bewilderment drew visibly in him as he gaped at the woman beside her. She might look different and wore rather a distinctive style, but her semblance with that annoying nitwit who helped him was clearly identical.

Notably, as he eyed her from head to toe, he was stunned to see her wearing a genteel and lady-like two-piece suit, which was the complete opposite of her black leather jacket and tight pants.

“So, are you?”

He noticed the faint twitch in her eyes.

“Whatever do you mean?” she awkwardly stuttered, like something had caught her off guard.

'She’s a student here? So, are we the same age? But didn’t she call me kid last time?!' Grayson thought while his eyes were transfixed on her. He never thought he’d see her again or even be in the same class with her.

His eyes dropped ineluctably to her smooth, fine legs, making his thought process stop for a while. Grayson’s eyebrows raised in disbelief, batting his eyes for a clear vision.

'At least this hotch got some nice gams.' He pondered while he scrutinized her. To his surprise, and even though he couldn't admit it, the girl was a dime piece.

Then, all of a sudden, his musings were cut off by her surprisingly direct and outspoken voice.

“Well, you kind of look like you need help that day, but then you whacked me after like I was a swot getting in your way. Didn’t realize you don’t need one.” She shrugged as if it was not a big deal.

'Whatever, I don’t care.' Aggravated, he didn’t respond as he shifted his position away from her.

'Ah, shit. Where was I again?' Grayson asked himself while scanning the book he was reading. It was the first time for him to lose any focus, lest he be distracted by a woman who badgered him to death. He couldn’t explain this odd feeling, but it ticked him off.

Meanwhile, another student came over to her. “Hi! You seem new here! I’m Nancy, by the way,” Nancy Mormount introduced herself.

Kendall did the same, extending her arms to Nancy. “Err—yes. Hailey.”

Grayson lightly gurgled as he heard her. 'She doesn’t look like a Hailey, more like a Schwab rather.' On the other hand, he continued listening to their conversation, while feignedly skimming through the paragraph of the page without comprehending any of it.

Nancy grabbed Kendall's hand and shook it briefly. “You’re ready for the exam?”

Her question made Grayson turn around.

Kendall gasped lightly in shock, as though she didn’t know about it. Then, in an instant, her face changed back into an animated look. “Yeah, right! Completely forgot about it, but yeah, it’s all good, pfft. I studied last night—just so you know.”

She attempted to laugh about it.

Nancy gave her a weird look. She then sighed, ignoring Kendall’s peculiar response. “Hmm yeah. But you know, just in case something happened, you can ask Prof. Blint to excuse you from midterms, since you’re new.”

“Really, can I do that?” Kendall’s eyes lit up.

Nancy was about to answer when Grayson intervened. “No. He doesn’t care if you’re new or you came from another class. He’s never lenient and strict regarding exams, so if I were you, I’d better study while there’s still time.”

The hope on her face plummeted rapidly like lightning.

*****

'Why the fuck they haven’t told me there is an exam? If I only knew about it, perhaps I would have even studied. But yeah, that won’t work because clearly, my relationship with any numbers is purely chaotic.' Kendall slumped her back to the stiff wooden seat and clamped her legs over the other.

'Whoa! I can feel the wind in my thigh. Why does this skirt have to be so short? I can literally feel like my butt is exposed.' She released her legs above her thighs and tried to sit properly.

Meanwhile, Grayson, who was seated on her left side, stared at her with a conundrum.

"Yes?" Her brows rose.

Grayson shook his head, veering back in front.

'Ugh, how am I gonna pass this exam?' She didn’t know it was their midterm exam today and her being an idiot in accounting, she already surmised that she would fail. However, the good thing was that her partner, Inspector Green, was just an ear away from her.

With that in mind, while playing it coolly like a normal college student, Kendall subtly coughed on the mic. “Ugh, God! This allergy is killing me.”

Grayson just lifted his eyebrow as he took a glance at her.

At once, Inspector Noah Green replied, “Got it. Check your bag. There’s a pen there that has a camera. Focus that on the exam questions.”

Kendall crooked a sly smile. While sitting down beside Grayson, she delved through her bag to look for the said pen. After a couple of seconds of incessantly searching, she heaved a sigh of relief when she saw the pen lying in the back pocket of her bag.

Just as the class started, Professor Blint greeted the entire class. Placing the books on the desk, he went to the board, scribbling the start and the end time of the exam.

He then wiped the excess powder of chalk in his hand by rubbing them together. “Get your answering booklets and we’ll start in—” looking at his watch, he continued, “two minutes.”

Kendall was surprised again that she instinctively hissed through her mic. “Booklet?!”

She heard Noah scoffing from the line. “Ah, sorry, Whitlock! Forgot to mention it to you. It’s also in your bag beside the pen. Just find it there.”

Immediately, she took it out and placed it on her desk. When two minutes had passed, the exam papers were distributed. Since Kendall was already seated at the front, she instantly grabbed it and scanned through the papers.

She started to answer it with great difficulty, which was clearly reflected in her actions with the way she would swing her pen in a different direction just to capture the answers of her classmates. As for the other’s answers that she found hard to seize, Kendall had no choice but to read the questions slowly and loudly, like an elementary student so Noah could hear.

“What happens to the balance sheet when a business earns $1500, of which $800 is paid in cash and $500 is sold on credit?”

'The fuck do I know?' She groaned inwardly.

She read another question. “ABC Enterprise used $4,000 worth of supplies this fiscal year, but the expenses were not paid and are still on credit until the next term. What will be its effect on the business profit?”

'I have no fucking idea. And seriously, why would you loan when you know don’t have the means to pay? I mean, that’s why I don’t get these kinds of companies.' She thought while tapping her pen on the test paper.

Meanwhile, the man who was sitting beside her was starting to get irritated by her constant state of irrelevant blabbering. He would shake his head occasionally when he saw her doing something bizarre.

Out of desperation to finish the exam, Kendall turned her head sideways. She noticed everyone was on their paper looking like the exam was just a piece of the pie. On a side note, when she gazed back at Grayson, her eyes widened as she stared at him with awe.

'How did he answer it all in just thirty minutes?' She tried racking her brain to get some answers but was left with a dumbfounded thought.

As soon as she saw him passing the papers and storming out of the room, Kendall panicked, as her real intention swept up into her mind immediately. She yanked her pen briskly and answered the papers as best as she could.

Ten minutes later, she found herself simpering in victory as she stood up from her seat with the booklet in her hand. It was already hard for her to go back to college, lest to even answer an exam she completely had no idea of.

Along with the other students who were already done, she scrambled out of the room to search for Grayson. However, Kendall didn’t think it would get her over thirty minutes to find him. The University of Milanon is big and spacious for him to be spotted easily.

Disappointed, she raised her forearm to look at her watch. Kendall realized that it was already lunch and the man she had been searching for probably was at the food court or some food park, eating his lunch. She asked Noah.

“Where does Grayson frequently go during lunch break?”

A hazy background emerged from her earpiece. After a couple of seconds, Noah went back on the line. “He’s at Deli Lounge with some of his friends. It’s just three minutes away from the Alaric building. Head towards the north gate, then south, to your right.”

“Copy that,” she muttered while walking to the campus field. Right away, Kendall bolted to the said canteen where a lot of students usually hang around.

She examined the whole vicinity and located Grayson waiting in line. She friskily made her move to him as she took a tray from someone and stood beside him.

“What the fuck?! That’s my tray!” the man complained.

Kendall ignored him and focused on Grayson. “Hi!”

Grayson didn’t respond and kept his deadpan face.

Nonetheless, she was so persistent that she asked again. “Do you always have your lunch here?”

Still, he ignored her as if she didn’t exist at all. On the other hand, they got to the counter in just a minute, and the lady asked them. “What for you two?”

“Just the regular, thanks,” Grayson stingily replied while fishing out his wallet from the pockets.

The lady nodded and averted her gaze back to Kendall. “What about you?”

Kendall pointed at Grayson. “Same as what he is getting.”

The lady didn’t respond as she went back inside the kitchen, shouting their orders to the cooks. As soon as it was done, Grayson immediately paid for his food, moving to an empty table far away from the counter.

When Kendall noticed him walking away, she dropped her money on the counter. “Here’s the payment. Keep the change.”

“Whew, Whitlock! When have you become so lavish?” Green teased her on the line.

Kendall’s eyes flickered in annoyance. “Every time, except with you, Green. Anyway, not now. I’m chasing this git who’s always disappearing.”

Noah didn’t answer, and Kendall got back on following Grayson. When she spotted him, she asked immediately, “Can I join you? There are no other empty tables available.”

Grayson veered his eyes to an empty table beside him and went back to look at her with incredulity.

Kendall laughed uncomfortably. “He-he-he...” Scratching the back of her nape, she added, “I’m not used to sitting alone.”

Grayson’s jaw twitched. With his eyes dipped down in infuriation, he snapped. “Just because you saved me once doesn’t mean we can be friends. And please, stop following me. Are you a stalker?”

Taken aback, Grayson’s arrogance rendered Kendall speechless, but she tried to compose herself by keeping in mind the reason she was here.

Ignoring his unpleasant remark, she said. “You don’t owe me anything, and I won’t take it against you. If you want, we could forget that it ever happened. I apologize if you think I’m following you, but it’s just because I don’t know anyone here and you’re the only person I know.”

Grayson taciturnly replied, “I don’t need friends like you.”

Kendall was about to counter his denunciation when someone else arrived. She tilted her head, looking up at the guy besides Grayson.

'Looks like one of his friends.' She surmised.

He was wearing a black shirt and washed-out jeans. His brown hair was a bit long at the branch of his neck and curly at the top.

“Who’s this?” he asked as he sat beside Grayson.

Grayson answered, “A nobody.”

He then dropped his utensils, gazing back at Kendall, intending to drive her out of the table. “Miss, can you please go because this table is reserved for me and my friends?”

Kendall poked her tongue lightly into the cheek and inhaled a long breath. Calming herself not to punch the git, she sweetly smiled and nodded. “See you later then.”

Grabbing her tray, she turned around them. “Ugh, if you weren’t my mission, I had already punched your fucking gut!” she hissed while stopping across the hallway.

Thankfully, she saw Nancy, the student she had just met from the previous class, waving at her.

“Hey, Hailey! I just got a seat for you,” she offered while tapping the vacant space beside her.

A smile was formed on Kendall’s face. Shaking her head to take off the anger seeping out of her, she heaved a sigh and ambled towards Nancy.

Kendall expressed her gratitude to her as she drew down her tray. “Thank you so much, Nancy. Really appreciate this.”

“Sure, no problem. So how was the exam? I was having a hard time with the problems, but thankfully I got it before the time ended,” she told her.

Kendall slightly bobbed. “It was fine. I think I got half of it right.”

Nancy’s eyes bulged in astonishment. “Oh my God, Hailey! The passing is eighty percent. More than half of the answers must be correct!”

Her jaw dropped. “Ah, well... Better luck next time?”

Kendall sheepishly chuckled.

Nancy sighed in defeat. “I wish I were like you. You’re so cool about it. I can’t even let my guard down, as my tuition depends on my grades.”

Kendall softly smiled in concern. “You’ll pass. I’m sure of it.”

“Thanks.” Her lips curved upward.

Nancy then curiously asked Kendall again, “Hailey, why are you following Grayson? Do you like him?”

'No way in hell! My god, he’s five years younger than me! He’s like a younger brother to me!' Kendall snorted.

“God, no! I don’t like him and there’s no way I would like a guy like him. He’s an annoying git who thinks so much of himself,” Kendall said with a chuckle.

Then, as Kendall turned her face to Nancy, she saw the latter's flustered cheeks.

Furrowing her eyebrows, she questioned, "Wait, do you like him?”

Nancy blushed again as she averted her gaze away from Kendall. She then tucked her upper lip before replying. “No... no!” she denied and continued, “And even if I like him, it’s highly impossible for him to like me. I’m—”

She stopped and sighed.

Kendall saw the pain of hopelessness in her eyes. She held her hand, brushing it slightly to console her.

Before she could reply, Nancy turned her gaze toward her and added, "Grayson's type is rich and pretty girls like Abigail or you. I'm nowhere near you guys.”

Kendall was astonished. "Me?"

Nancy nodded. "Yes, you. You dress so well and so pretty. I saw Grayson staring at you in the class."

She couldn't help but be flattered by Nancy's remark.'I guess Charlotte's work paid off.'

Kendall reached her shoulders and gripped them tightly. “Look, you’re not ugly if that’s what you’re thinking. You’re much better than those pretty girls because you have this,” she declared while pointing at the temple of her face.

Her disconcerting face suddenly morphed into a more pleasing one. "Thanks, Hailey."

“No worries! Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder, but in the heart. Besides, you’re also pretty. So, stop pitying yourself for something that is not worth your time.”

Grunting, Nancy answered. "Yeah, you're right. I wish I could be like you, who is so at ease with yourself."

She only smirked at her response.

'Meh, not really. I’m even worse than you, kid.' Kendall commented to herself.

Then, a thought suddenly appeared on Kendall. Dropping her arms, she asked, “How old are you?”

Curiosity etched on Nancy’s face. “Eighteen?”

Kendall’s mouth gaped open as if she had realized something. “See! You’re so young. You still have so much time to mature."

'You guys are lucky that you're still so young! God, sometimes I miss being at your age.' She said to herself wistfully.

Meanwhile, Nancy chuckled at her response. “You’re talking as if we’re not the same age!"

Kendall paused as she realized what she had just said. She then tried to play it cool by snickering. “Yeah! We are, pssh! That’s what I meant!”

It was rather fortunate of her that Nancy just laughed it off.

After finishing their meals, Kendall queried Nancy regarding her next class. “What’s your next class?”

Looking at her phone, Nancy replied. “INTFILO at Busch Building. You?”

Instantly, Kendall felt relieved that they had the same class. “Thank God! I’m also in that class.”

Her new friend’s eyes glimmered with delight. “Great! I’ve just finished eating. ‘You're done with yours?”

Grabbing her bag, Kendall stood up and said, “Same! Let’s go?”

Nancy only nodded at her while inserting the straps of the bag into her arms. “Sure.”

Then, both of them walked out of the food court, heading toward their next class.

Nothing noteworthy or extraordinarily significant happened during Kendall’s reconnoitering of Grayson’s whereabouts. To make it worst, she barely managed to get close to him as the young, obnoxious man was simply too elusive for her to get any information.

Adding to that, Chief Spencer kept on pressing her relentlessly regarding her progress with the entitled, and insufferable swot, Grayson Hoffman. With that bug-bearing thought bothering her, Kendall knew that this would probably compromise her mission, or even worse, become the demise of her career.

She couldn’t let that happen, whilst letting a young man be the reason for her career’s downfall. Kendall believed that if you couldn’t swing it in the most mundane and traditional way, then you would have to seize it by fair means or foul.

So, she decided to come up with an idea to leverage Grayson’s pretensions toward her. By the time the weekend had arrived, she went to the nearest automobile repair shop across the street. Kendall knew the shop as they were known for servicing car modifications and alterations. She had already met the owner, Atlas Miller, when she had them clean the carburetor and repair the coolant on her Tarazon Harley-Davidson bike.

Spotting Altas below the Hannasey pickup truck, she knocked on the hood of the car. “Sup, Atlas. You’ve been quite busy these days, eh?”

A tan-skinned guy with disheveled black hair instantly rolled out from underneath the car. Daubing a quite charming smile, he removed the knitted gloves, wiping his greasy palms on his dark-green overalls. “Hey, Kels! Didn’t notice you there. So, you decided to beef up your baby?”

Kendall bent her lips upward. Looking back at her black Davidson parked on the railings, she replied, “Nah, not now, Atlas. Got other things I have to attend to first.” She then turned back to him. “Anyway, I need your help with something.”

His arms crossed over his chest, making the veins on his tattooed biceps pop out. “Sure, fire away, officer. What do you need?”

“I need a car. Well, not just any car, Atlas.” She stopped to point at the Rimac Nevera wrapped around a silver car cover. “That car.”

Following her index finger, Atlas crooked his head to the side. “For what? Are you planning to go dicing?” he asked while moving towards it. “You know this is my girl, Kendall. I don’t just let anyone take a ride on it.”

She sighed with dejection as she walked toward him. “I know, Atlas. Just this once, please. I promise I’ll give your baby back once I’m done.”

Atlas’s eyebrows dished down, raking a few strands of his hair falling over his eyes. “Is this another one of your confidential cases? Did you remember when you completely shattered the front-rear of Old Joe’s mustang? He was shitty for days, Kels.”

In an instant, Kendall remembered that day when she used Officer Joe’s car amid a car chase. She did, not with any intention, crash the mustang with the suspects’ car along the intersection road.

“Okay, that was an accident, Atlas. Besides, this case is different. I have to teach that git some lessons.” Shoving her hands into her back pockets, she added. “Can you please help me with this? I promise I’ll pay you for renting your baby.”

Atlas breathed out with a slight restraint. There was a pregnant pause for a moment when he went back to his office. Kendall waited for a couple of minutes for him—and as soon as she saw him getting back to her, she noticed the keys in his hands.

“Here.” He threw it at her with slight hesitation. “Just make sure she’ll be back with no scratches, Kels.”

Kendall grinned ear to ear. “Perfect! Of course, Atlas! I promise. In the meantime, can my baby stay here for a while? You can use it whenever you want.”

“Deal!” He agreed, with no objections.

She went to the Nevara extracting the cover above it. Kendall walked around it, checking if it was in good condition for racing. Checking its tires, brakes, and steering wheel, she asked Atlas again, “Hey bro, Can I hit up your baby beyond the limit?”

He scoffed while propping his arms against the car’s roof. “You shitting me, Kels? This baby is souped up with turbochargers, highflow filters, exhaust headers, a remapped ECU for an internal combustion engine, and a RE-71R tire for traction. This is a fucking greyhound. You will never go wrong with my baby, Kels.”

Her lips went wide with glee. “Excellent! Can’t wait to drive this around.”

“Oh, also, I upgraded the clutch to a short-throw shifter. It will be easier to shift the gear lever for a maximum rotational speed,” he explained while his arms were perched on the windowsill.

“Got it. Anything else I have to remember?”

Atlas’ molten honey-glazed eyes turned into admonition. “Bring back my baby in one piece.”

...

Grayson Hoffman exited the Caesaere Restaurant with a lady hooking on his left side. Alongside him was his girlfriend for a year, Abigail Vanderbilt, who was famous for being the only Milanon model who’d worked together with international and luxurious brands.

Like her boyfriend, Abigail was raised in a privileged society. Both of her parents also owned a multi-million dollar company that dealt with expensive and exclusive brands. It was also the reason why Abigail could easily get gigs or shows at the latest Milanon Fashion Week.

“My driver won’t be able to fetch me, babe. Will you mind if I get a ride with you?” she requested as she gazed at him.

Grayson responded to her with a faint beam. “Sure!” Looking at his watch, he added, “It’s five pm. Would you like to go back now?”

Abigail pouted. “It’s too early. I thought we were still going to watch a movie? You said you’ll reserve some seats.”

'Fuck!' Grayson muttered as he grabbed her slender and smooth fingers to intertwine with him. “Crap, so sorry, babe! Totally slipped my mind as I was reviewing for the midterms.”

She heaved a sigh. “It’s fine. I understand. Our finals are also coming up, but I still have a few weeks to do that.” Pulling him to her side, she continued, “Anyway, let’s just see if there are still available seats in the cinema. I’m pretty sure there are still vacant seats.”

Same as Grayson, Abigail was also in her second year. Though, unlike him, she’s taking Mass Communications at Rydell University, which was a well-known private university for students who can afford expensive tuition fees.

“I really can’t today. I gotta review for Econ. How about tomorrow, babe? I’ll pick you up in the afternoon.” Grayson frowned as he held tight to her hand.

To be honest, he felt lucky to have her. The first time he met her was at one of his friend’s parties. He knew that the first time he laid his eyes on her, she was the perfect girl for her. She was beautiful, tall, understanding, and patient. Even his grandfather adored her very much because he was close to her father.

“Really, Grayson? That is just so unfair! You barely have time with me! Also, you’re always out with your friends, and you don’t even respond to my calls or texts. Sometimes, I just think that you’re not really invested in our relationship like I am,” she burst out, having enough of Grayson’s excuses.

“God, no Abigail! I-I'm... Shit! I want what we have.” He gulped as he started to feel the sweats on his forehead. “It’s just I’m so cramped up these past few days with requirements and deadlines.”

His girlfriend bit her lips. “Tch, fine! But please promise you’ll make it up to me after your exams.”

Delighted by her response, he smirked. “I swear, babe.”

Abigail then tiptoed to reach him for a kiss. As she damped her full lips on his cheeks, she said, “I’ll keep that promise.”

Meanwhile, Grayson was shocked by her action. Even though they were together for a year, they hadn’t done it yet. Abigail might seem liberated by the way she dressed, but she was still a conservative woman. She’d never given herself to Grayson fully. They had make-out sessions once in a while, but that was only that.

“I will. Swear to God,” Grayson added as he nipped her lips, trying to appease his girlfriend’s sulkiness.

It was a rare sight to witness him being mushy to anyone. People around Grayson knew him to be a bit aloof and standoffish. Nonetheless, it was different when he was with Abigail. With her, Grayson was more cordial and agreeable.

He loved and respected his girlfriend. Even so, despite this fact, Grayson still would frequently sleep with another woman as his way of indulgence. In his defense, he wanted to enjoy his youth as early as possible. Live life the way he could before time ran out.

As they walked out of the mall, Grayson told Abigail that he would drive her home. It was still early for them to go back, but Grayson still had some other things to do.

“Let’s go. I’ll drive you home.”

“Can we go back later? I still want to stroll around.” Abigail expressed dismay because she wanted to spend more time with him.

He exhaled lightly. “I would love to, babe, but I still have to study for Monday.”

Convinced by his explanation, her face went down in disappointment. “Pfft, fine. I guess we have to go back.”

Grayson clutched her hand again, damping his lips to her warm, delicate skin. “Thank you for understanding, babe.”

Abigail understood and knew how much Grayson cared about his studies. Knowing that he was the next in line to his grandfather’s position, Abigail fathomed that Grayson must be equipped to handle their business. Besides, a multi-billion-dollar company wasn’t like any other small enterprise.

As soon as they were at her place, Abigail suddenly brought up something. Grabbing the car’s door handle, she asked, “Before I go, I just remembered... One of my friends saw you last time at the racetrack with another girl. Is that true?”

Immediately, Grayson remembered that night when he had sex with Sandra. It was also the day when he ignored her texts and calls. He felt uncomfortable with her question, so he rubbed the back of his neck.

“No, I was at home studying. Maybe she saw someone else.” He shrugged, sucking up to his lie.

Abigail stared at him pensively. “Are you sure? She did say that it was really you.”

“I promise, babe, that was not me. I was studying at that time for exams,” he explained, firmly denying it to his girlfriend.

She huffed. "Okay, fine, I believe you. Just—Can you please tell me if you’ll go out somewhere with your friends so that I know where you are?”

Trepid with hesitation, he replied, “O-of course! I will. Sure.”

Abigail didn’t ask any questions after that. She went out of the car and walked towards her house. After reaching the place, he dropped her off, and she got inside.

By the time she was out of his eyesight, Grayson released a heaving sigh of relief as she had almost caught him.

'Whew, that was close.' He thought. It was a good thing that he had an alibi to tell her, or else he would definitely be in a boiling pot of water.

When he got back to his car, Grayson’s phone rang inside his pocket. Grabbing it out, he accepted the call.

“Yep?”

“Where are you, Grayson?” Indistinct yet lurid noises were dominant in the background.

“I’m on my way. Will be there in a buck.”

Minutes later, he had gotten to the racetrack. There were a lot of people already, as music boomed throughout the entire place. Cars were already docked in the open space, and random girls in tight clothes were clinging to their beaus.

Rancid smoke filled the air as the night was brimming with the endless perspiration of vulgarity. Grayson smiled in bliss as he was back in his jungle.

“Hey man! Sup!” Anton called him on the left side of the track.

He then ambled towards his friends while girls at the sideline greeted him with fervor. Of course, a man like him with needs would flirt back either with a smile or a hug. He made his way to his friends immediately as he passed along the way.

When he got to where they were located, Will threw him a beer. “Good that you’re here, bro. You almost missed the fun.”

Grayson jeered. “Fun never starts without me, Will. You know that.”

Will, however, just laugh it off.

He was about to open the beer when another girl approached him. She walked toward him with delight and excitement. It was Agnes, who was one of Grayson’s girls.

“Hi, Gray! Glad you’re here again, baby boy,” a girl wearing a mesh mid-drip cooed.

“Course, where would I be other than here?” he coyly smirked.

She teased, “In me?”

Grayson then pulled her closer to him, kissing her languidly on the lips while brushing his palms to her firm derriere. “Later, babe,” he wooed, before giving her another peck on the lips.

“You promise, Gray?” Her eyes fluttered, alluring him to get on with her.

“Course, sweetpea.” Grayson traced his thumbs on her plump, rosy lips.

Agnes only nodded at her and walked back to her place afterward.

His friend Chester, who was beside him, suddenly snaked his arms to Grayson’s shoulder. “Damn, bro. You’re in it again. You know, since we’re friends, why don’t you give us some tricks on how to get some hot chicks?”

“It’s innate, Chester. You don’t need—” he was cut off when a loud revving of the engine blared in their ears.

All of a sudden, the said car parked in front of them. In a minute, the door automatically opened and a woman in a black leather jacket and tight pants came out of it.

Shocked was engraved on everyone’s faces when they saw Kendall standing in front of them.

As Grayson’s eyes widened, he couldn’t help but release an irritable yell. “Huh? It’s the nosy woman! What are you doing here?”

Kendall inhaled pettily. Placing her hands on her hips, she simpered. “I hear you’re undefeated.” Moving closer to him with a gap of a few inches between them, she added, “You up for a race, Hoffman?”

Anton wooed. “Do it, bro! There’s no way she can beat you!”

On the other hand, Will murmured to him, “Shit bro, the chit got a Nevera. That fucker can kill your car in just a minute. I don’t think your Bugatti can top it.”

'Agh, fuck! I know. If I only just brought my Forza! Nevera is one of the best dragsters with its high-powered combustion engine as an AWD. Damn, that thing can cover the dragstrip in less than 3.7 sec with a speed of 330 mph. I might be able to outrun her, but that will depend on her RT.' He grumbled inwardly.

“You fucking sure about that? I don’t want to get your hopes up, but you can’t beat me,” Grayson confidently replied.

Kendall's eyebrows raised as she devilishly smirked. “Why? Are you scared you’d lose? If you’re that good, then prove it.”

'This girl is driving me nuts! However, if I do it right, I can maneuver her with an early pre-take and maintain my tracking speed to low-down the torque of my engine. Fucking hell, this chit is really annoying!'

Grayson’s fury slowly ignited. “Fine! What are you going to bet then?”

Her eyes flicked back to her car. “If you win, I'll give you my car. But if I do—” Leaning closer to him, her eyes landed on his, challenging him even more. “I'll be a part of your squad."

“Oh shit, Grayson! If I were you, I’d go for it, man!” Chester commented.

“She’ll lose anyway, bro. You got this,” Anton patted his shoulder.

Grayson found her deal quite beneficial to him. If he won, he would get her Nevera which he could add to his collection. He knew that it was an easy win as the girl was entirely clueless about how to drag race.

"Deal!" he said.

Their talk ended briefly as both of them started to burn out their cars in the open space. As soon as both of them were ready, the oval race track was prepared. Bystanders cheered while Grayson and Kendall's cars were next to each other.

The instructions for the race were easy. They just had to complete five laps, and whoever got to the finishing line first would win. Grayson had done it in the past, and surely he could win this without difficulty.

Before they got inside their respective places, Kendall left him with a statement. “Don’t go easy on me, Hoffman. I don’t wanna win it the easy way.”

Grayson scoffed, finding her declaration quite ridiculous. “Even if I go easy on you, you’ll still lose.”

Kendall didn’t respond after that as she went inside her car. A woman wearing a sexy bodysuit appeared in front of them as she waved the flag on the drag street.

“Play it easy, guys!” She reminded them before dropping the black flag.

In an instant, Grayson pushed his gear to launch his car. Luckily, his car moved fast, leaving her behind. While keeping in mind to maintain his fast speed, he paddled the pedal in between with his clutch as he slightly shifted his gears.

Meanwhile, Kendall, who was at his back, didn’t budge to move ahead. She kept her pace at a distance of two to three meters away from him. Grayson laughed at this thought, knowing that there was no way in hell she would reach him before the last lap.

“Knew it. The chit doesn’t know anything,” he muttered while his hand was on the steering wheel. He continued his fast pace, minding the balance of traction on his car's wheel-spin. He didn’t want to throttle his car in an instant, as it might take a toll on him later.

“Go, Grayson! Prove to her you’re the king of the track, fucker!” He heard one of his friends cheer him on the sidelines.

Grayson only smiled at them while keeping his focus on the dragstrip.

A few minutes had passed, and the match was intense. Grayson was still leading after four laps, while Kendall was still behind him. With this in mind, as he got to the start of the fifth lap, he boosted his car, accelerating immensely to 450mph, leaving Kendall behind for over seven meters.

“Fuck yes,” he said triumphantly while tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.

'Easy peasy, baby.'

His consistent speed continued for half of the lap, making him the lead on the front line. Grayson felt that victory was already at his fingertips. The Nevera would soon be his, and the chit would stop bothering him. Everything was going according to his plan when suddenly—“Fucking shit!”

Grayson noticed her car was running beyond the maximum limit. Kendall reached him in no time, overlapping his speed like a child’s play. His annoyance with her grew stronger as he challenged her speed.

Pushing his pedal harder, he half-clutched and switched gears to maximum speed. When his car reached the Nevera, he tried swerving it to hit her bumper, but, soon, was disappointed when Kendall easily maneuvered his attack.

"Ugh, Shit!"

When the driveway beside Grayson opened, the Nevera briskly rushed swiftly towards the finish line. He tried to reach her speed, but to his distress, his car had already reached its capacity. He knew it would blow out soon if he tried pushing it beyond.

To his utter demise, Kendall completed the laps first before him, making her the indisputable winner.

Grayson was dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe that she had won. He thought the chit knew nothing about racing, or at least was clueless about it. Trying to process it through his brain, he couldn’t swallow the bitter pill that had punched him unexpectedly.

He then got out of the car in disbelief as soon as he saw Kendall moving out of hers.

Still shocked, Grayson stood there, frozen, as Kendall strutted towards him with a cunning smirk.

"Bull’s eye! Got you, Hoffman.”