Chapter 6

Hannah calculated based on her usual delivery rates—one dollar per package, usually picking up several at once. Darren's was a single trip.

Darren looked slightly surprised, then nodded. "I'll give you twenty. Thanks."

Hannah's impression of Darren improved. His thanks seemed genuine, and he appeared to come from a well-educated family.

While she seemed like a scrappy commoner from a poor background.

She ran to Darren's car in under five minutes. The key unlocked it, but she didn't know how to open the door. After googling, she learned this car's doors opened upward.

With both doors open, the car looked ready to fly.

This time, Darren kept his word. When she delivered the item, he paid immediately.

While paying, Darren added, "I really appreciate your help."

Darren wasn't just being polite—he seemed genuinely sorry for troubling her.

Hannah replied out of habit, "No problem. Feel free to ask anytime you need help."

She hadn't eaten meat in ages. Recently she'd been living on plain bread. This twenty dollars would let her have a proper meal.

Whether Darren's thanks were genuine or not, her gratitude certainly was.

Darren paused mid-step and looked back at Hannah. In simple jeans and a white t-shirt, she carried herself like a goddess—simple yet stylish. Her figure was stunning, but her cool demeanor kept her far from vulgarity, giving her a clean, crisp appearance.

Her offer seemed purely about helping him run errands, with no ulterior motive.

After that, Darren never missed a single one of that professor's classes.

Every time, the seat beside her was available.

Darren studied finance, a different major from Hannah's. They only shared this one class.

Actually, Darren rarely had real errands for Hannah, but he enjoyed watching her hustle through life.

Office workers grinding for survival had a weariness about them, but her hustle always had an upward vitality.

It was refreshing to watch.

Back in her dorm that day, her roommate Jessie pulled Hannah aside. "What's going on between you and Darren?"

"What do you mean?"

Jessie looked gossipy. "Yeah, what's the deal?"

Hannah was always busy. When she returned to her dorm, she just wanted to rest, not chat. She answered dismissively, "Nothing's going on."

Just a work-for-pay relationship.

Not getting the answer she wanted, Jessie rolled her eyes and muttered, "You sit together every International Finance class, and you say there's nothing?"

Quincy, on the top bunk, poked her head down to look at Hannah, thinking who knows what.

After meeting Darren in class for a month straight, it felt strange when he didn't show up one day.

Thinking about her spending money, she messaged Darren: Didn't come to class today?

At the bowling alley.

Darren had just finished a strike and sat down when Carter beside him gossiped, "Is that Hannah from International Trade pursuing you?"

Darren tapped his fingers on the table, his thoughts drifting. "Don't know."

Carter concluded, "She's skilled. Meets your every need but keeps you hanging, waiting for you to make a move. The best hunters often appear as prey."

Darren said flatly, "She's just earning money from me."

Carter scoffed. "Ten or twenty bucks? That's just her excuse to get close to you. Who cares about a few dozen dollars these days?"

Patrick Sadberry chimed in from the side, "Girls are shy. If she didn't say she's earning pocket money, how else could she approach you? If you like her, make a move. Don't leave her hanging, making a delicate girl run errands for you every day."

Darren polished his bowling ball with an arrogant air of superiority. "I like watching her run errands. So hardworking."

Just then his phone chimed—a message from Hannah.

Darren's lips curved into a faint smile as he saw it.

Carter leaned over to peek at Darren's phone and said dramatically, "Still saying you don't like her? You skip class and she's worried about you."

Darren immediately turned off his screen, grabbed his jacket, and headed out.

Carter called after him, "Where are you going?"

"Nowhere special."

He was going to test whether Hannah was really pursuing him.

Hannah was leaving class when she ran into Darren arriving.

"Class is already over, but the professor didn't take attendance."

"Are you free tomorrow?"

Hannah wondered what errands Darren needed now. "I have a part-time job tomorrow. What time do you need me? I'll see if I can work around it."

"Skip your job tomorrow. I'll pay you double."

Double pay? Hannah agreed without hesitation.

Darren told her to dress nicely.

Hannah didn't understand what Darren was planning, but since her employer requested it, she'd dress up.

That evening, Darren picked her up in his scissor-door sports car.

Darren glanced at her outfit, then looked away.

Hannah didn't understand his expression then, nor did she realize her entire outfit cost less than Darren's sunglasses.

When they arrived at the private room, the guys inside started whistling and teasing.

Darren watched Hannah's reaction from the side, pretending to scold his friends. "Stop messing around."

Once Darren spoke, they really stopped their jokes.

Carter approached first, introducing himself with flair. "Darren’s girl, just call me Carter. I've known Darren since we were in diapers."

The term "Darren’s girl" made Hannah look questioningly at Darren.

Seeing Hannah didn't object to being called that, amusement flickered in Darren's eyes.

He kicked Carter. "Stop talking nonsense."

But Darren wasn't actually angry. In good spirits, he played games with Carter.

Glancing down at Hannah, he saw her idly picking at her nails, feet properly placed together.

Darren asked, "First time here?"

"Never been."

When karaoke culture was still popular, her family had faced upheaval. She'd had no mood to sing with classmates.

The singing in the room was too loud. Not hearing clearly, he leaned closer, gesturing for Hannah to speak nearer to him.

"I've never been here. Sorry if I'm spoiling your fun."

Hannah's warm breath on his ear sent an unfamiliar sensation through him.

He stayed in that position, turning to look at her eyes so close to his.

Her long lashes trembled slightly, her dark eyes looking at him with confusion. She wanted to back away but had no room.

Hannah crossed her arms defensively. "Don't get so close to me."

Darren pulled back slightly but kept his gaze on her face.

Darren's eyes seemed to regard prey. Hannah felt uneasy and stood up. "I need to use the restroom."