Chapter 5. A SECRET ADMIRER.

Saint stood in front of Principal Hale's desk for the second time that week with his arms crossed behind his back and his patience worn thin. His expression really gave him out. He had entered the office and was in this position for ten minutes already while the man just buried himself in his work, intentionally ignoring Saint's presence.

Saint rolled his eyes and sighed gently, preparing to push his issue one more time.

"Sir, I really think this arrangement needs to be reconsidered." He kept his voice level, even though everything in him wanted to slam his palm against the desk and grab the man by his collar. "It's been days and nothing about the situation has improved. If anything, it's worse."

Principal Hale looked at him finally, "How can it be worse though? I had one of the boys in the hostel watch you and he said that both of you are fine. In fact —" He bit the tip of his covered pen as he relaxed against his chair, moving it sideways while making sure to maintain eye contact with Saint. "I also heard you haven't fought or killed each other yet which sounds good to me. It simply means the arrangement is working."

Saint chewed his tongue for some seconds and then shook his head in disagreement.

"I promise you sir, that is not the case."

Principal Hale shrugged. "I don't want to know what the case is then. We've discussed it already and my decision still stands."

"With respect, sir, you didn't even give it a proper thought. You just threw us together and expected to fix things."

'Who does that?' Saint completed in his head.

"Saint, my decision stands." Hale repeated, a bit firmer this time. "I suggest you find a way to make peace with your roommate if you have any issues instead of wasting your energy fighting something that won't change."

Saint clenched his jaw. There was no reasoning with the man. He turned and walked out without another word, more frustrated than when he had walked in.

Just as soon as he had taken a sharp corner, Nicolas popped up from the other side. He adjusted the position of the toothpick in his mouth and smiled. He glanced at the office. There was no need for him to go in there since Saint came out looking agitated. It only meant that Hale stuck to the end of his bargain.

"You're stuck with me, pretty boy." He mumbled and left.

▪︎▪︎▪︎

At lunch, Saint dropped into the seat across from Gabrielle harder than necessary, his tray clattering against the table.

"Noise pollution." She said after almost everyone turned to where the sound had come from. Saint picked up his burger, squeezing it.

"Was it that bad?" She asked, already knowing the answer.

"He won't budge despite the reasons I have given him. I just don't understand."

"You don't understand why he won't budge? Isn't it clear though?"

Saint frowned and Gabrielle gestured with her hand to wait as she swallowed her meal and drank from her glass of water.

"He could have been threatened by Nicolas. I mean, can anyone go against the mafia? So that is the best possible reason." Then she poked at her food, avoiding his eyes for a second too long. "And also...maybe you don't go looking for a fight you can't win."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I mean," she put her fork down and intertwined her fingers, "I never told you to confront him in the first place. You did that on your own and now look...you are stuck living with the guy."

"So, for some reason, this is my fault? I can't believe you are saying that. You are ungrateful."

"No, don't take it the negative way, Saint. I am sorry for sounding rude. I am just saying maybe getting him more riled up isn't going to help you get out of it. I suggest that you and him reach an agreement. One of you two has to lower his pride and meet at the middle point."

"And by lowering one's pride, you mean to beg?"

"If that is what it will take to regain your sanity and peace of mind, why not?"

Saint opened his mouth to argue, then caught movement from the corner of his eye. Nicolas and his crew had just walked into the cafeteria, loud and unbothered as always while drawing eyes the way they did everywhere they went. Nicolas said something to one of his friends, laughed and then his gaze slid across the room and landed directly on Saint.

He winked.

Saint's fork nearly bent in his grip. "I hate him."

Gabrielle didn't even bother looking. "Sure you do." She chewed nonchalantly.

▪︎▪︎▪︎

After lunch, Nicolas made his way to the basketball courts, hands in his pockets and his sunglasses pushed up into his hair. Aaron was already there, dribbling lazily near the free-throw line.

"You're late." Aaron announced loudly without turning around. He threw the ball into the net and rushed to catch it.

"I was busy being irresistible." Nicolas sat on the bench.

Aaron snorted and tossed the ball aside just as a younger student jogged over, holding out a small wrapped gift. "Uh...excuse me, Senior Aaron. This is for you. A girl asked me to give it to you."

Aaron blinked, took it, and the student scurried off before either of them could ask more questions.

Nicolas leaned over, smirking. "Wow, just look at you. You finally have a secret admirer which means there is no need to anoint your head with the blood of your rivals."

"Shut up." Aaron turned the gift over in his hands like it might bite him.

"No, really." Nicolas grinned wider, propping his chin on his fist. "This is the fourth one this month, isn't it? Somebody's got it bad for you, Brendon."

Aaron Brendon was Nicolas' best friend and rumored to be his second-in-command when Nicolas takes over. This was purely because of the family ties, connections and duties their fathers had both run together. But aside from that, Aaron's father owed Nicolas' father for saving his life and lifting him from grass to grace as he was once an Underling.

"Maybe they just have bad taste."

"I doubt that. You are ranked after me as the most eligible and handsome male student in the entire country so what are you talking about? Anyways, open the gift. I want to see what kind of girl is brave enough to chase you down."

Aaron hesitated, then peeled back the wrapping to reveal a small handwritten note tucked beside a keychain. He read it once while Nicolas watched him for a while before speaking up,

"So are you gonna share or is this a solo mystery?"

"Why don't you stay out of my business and focus on your terrible love life?"

Nicolas withdrew and raised both his hands, "Absolute cinema.”