A Business Transaction

The lecture had come to an end, but Lucy could not stop thinking of everything Jonathan had said to her. A slave. She tried to forget about it as she packed her books into her bags ready to leave the class. Just as she was about to leave, she saw Zoe and Adrian. Adrian was whispering something to Zoe… probably about the project.

They looked happy. The looked… like a couple, like they were meant for each other.

“I would see you at the library tonight Adrian”. Zoe screamed, so loud Lucy was sure everyone heard her.

“Sure Zoe” Adrian said.

Zoe turned to wave goodbye to Lucy and hurriedly left the class. That was it, Lucy could hear her heat beating loudly in her chest. She forced herself to go after Adrian.

As he was about to reach the end of the hallway, Lucy called out. “Adrian”

He didn’t stop or even slow down. He turned to the right wing and walked even faster.

“Adrian please.” She said as she tried to keep up to his pace.

He finally stopped, but the look he gave her made her wish she had stayed back in class. He looked impatient,He looked at her like she was bothering him.

"What is it Lucy ? I have a meeting at my father’s office."

"You ignored me this morning," she said, trying to stay strong and hide her voice from shaking. "In the hallway, in front of everyone. You didn't even say hello. And in class, you didn't even look back at me."

Adrian sighed out in frustration. He shifted and looked at his watch. "Is this what this is about? A hallway greeting? I was busy, Lucy. The world doesn't stop just because you walked into a room."

"It’s not just a greeting, Adrian! You haven’t spoken to me in weeks, you’re always ignoring my texts and calls. You’re my fiancé Adrian. We’re supposed to be…"

"Supposed to be what?" he snapped as he stepped closer to her. Lucy used to like that Adrian was much taller than her, but now his height just made her feel insignificant. "Im supposed to be head over heels with you? Supposed to play house like we’re still ten years old?"

Lucy was shocked. "I thought you said you loved me. We had plans. We talked about the house, the travel, the…"

"Those were your plans Lucy," he interrupted, his voice had become low and cruel. "Those were the stories you told yourself while you played with your dolls. Look at me."

She looked up, her eyes were already filled with tears.

"This engagement isn't your perfect little fairy tale," Adrian said, his face was indifferent. "It’s business. It’s a signature on a page to keep your father’s failing assets from being liquidated. It’s a business transaction. Nothing more."

Lucy could hardly breathe. "A business transaction? But... but, the memories we have, the years we spent together..."

"I am not interested in any of your stupid and meaningless memories anymore. I have serious things to deal with. He walked passed and his shoulder brushed hers aggressively. "Stop being so pathetic, Lucy. It is becoming embarrassing. Put on a smile, play the part of the Quinn heiress, and stop demanding for emotions that I don't have for you."

"Adrian please wait…" She reached out for his arm and her fingers brushed his sleeve as he tried to walk away.

He turned around, his eyes were filled with anger. "Don't touch me. Go and find your little scholarship friend to cry to. I saw the way he kept looking at you in class. Maybe he’s interested in your so called loyalty and love, because I'm certainly not."

He turned and walked away angrily. He didn't look back, not even once.

Lucy stood alone in the corridor. She had never felt so rejected in her entire life. She felt hot tears fall down her cheeks. She leaned her back against the cold wall and sat slowly on the floor as she buried her face in her hands.

The life she had always dreamed about was slowly tearing apart. The man who promised her forever just looked at her with disgust. He just said she was pathetic. She couldn’t help herself from crying.

She felt foolish for believing in her fairy tale love. Every word Jonathan had said in class, about her being a slave, about her being unrealistic kept replaying in her head.

She didn't hear the footsteps at first. She was still in tears, her shoulders were shaking as she bent her head crying. But then, a shadow blocked out the dim hallway light.

"You're still here," a voice said.

She hoped it was Adrians voice but it turned out to be Jonathan.

He was standing really close to her. His hands were in his pockets, he didn’t offer her a tissue or even ask why she was crying. He just kept staring at her.

"Go away," Lucy yelled. She did not want anyone to see her like this…. especially not Jonathan.

"I would," Jonathan said, his voice was lower than usual. "But you're sitting in the middle of the floor and you're making it very hard for me to get to the library."

Lucy looked up, her face was already red and her mascara had ruined. "Don't you have something mean to say? Like how you think that I am a coward for crying?"

Jonathan looked down at her for a long while. Then, he sighed and stretched out his hand

"No," he said, his expression softened just a little. "I think today you’ve had enough people being mean to you. Get up, Quinn. The floor is cold, and you look like you need a drink."