4. Jonas

“Hey Riley…” He drawls, and I almost roll my eyes.

“Hey Jonas.”

Jonas is a typical playboy… ‘Gorgeous’ is the first word that comes to my mind whenever I look at him. But that doesn’t matter right now. His gorgeousness doesn’t hide the fact how much of an ass he is. He only talks to people when he needs some work done. Or some favor. The last time he talked to me was when… I try to think.. Nope! I don’t even remember.

Oh wait. He asked me out for a date in freshman year.

Most times he has other girls at his disposal and girls happily oblige to do his assignments for him. They want to be in his good graces. He is the future heir of Josef corporation after all. A favor here and there could end up a consideration in a job application after a few years later. But considering how many peers swarm around him, I don’t think he will consider any of them.

I can bet he will eventually tell them it’s not in his hands. His company treats everyone fairly and they will only hire someone if they are worthy and shit.

I wish I could bet. I will be rich in no time.

Now it makes me wonder why he is standing in front of me, smiling?

“So… how’s your assignment for business analytics going so far?” He asks and I eye him.

“Why are you asking?”

“Because dear Riley… we are project partners now…” he says and puts his arm on my shoulder as if we are long-lost friends.

Wait! What?

I shrug his hand and move away from him. “What?” I ask him, dumbfounded. “No.. I am not… I am with Ashley,” I exclaim.

He gives me a sympathetic smile.

“I know I am hard to work with but she quitted your group..”

She what?

“But why?”

I turn to spot her. She is Natalie’s roommate. It’s easy to partner with her because we are in the same dorm building. It’s easier to work even if it’s late at night.

“Oh c’mon... I can be helpful…”

I look at him warily. Jonas is the definition of unhelpful. And Even if he tried to help, how would we manage our schedules?

He notices my expression and says, “Oh Riley you are such a heartbreaker… I am still reeling under the pain of the date you rejected a year ago… If you reject me as your project partner.. my heart will bleed all over again.”

He puts his hand on his heart, faking a hurt. It’s almost funny. But my cheeks burn because others are watching our exchange.

“You are not that special, Jonas.”

He squints his eyes at me and I clarify. “I am not interested in dating anyone.” That’s why I rejected his date offer too.

“and about this project—” I don’t want to offend the future CEO or director or whatever of ‘Josef corporation’. I take a pause and form my words in my mind, carefully. “—Jonas, no offense… But you are kind of famous for not sharing the load.”

He gasps and I roll my eyes. I am sure his charms work on girls. But he has to hear my peace of mind.

“I know you are probably busy with your family business but I have side jobs too.. so I need someone to work with me.. I don’t have enough time to do the assignment by myself.”

My family has been tight on money lately. I wasted all their savings and income on my counseling and laser treatment appointments. I stopped doing both when I realized I was draining them of money.

God, how naïve I was.

Now I am doing a part-time job at a diner and a babysitting job in the evenings. I cannot send them back money, nor will they accept it. But at least I can bear my own expenses.

“I need an equal partner… not some dead weight.” I add to make sure he understands he cannot be a freeloader.

“Wow!” he says, and I frown.

“You can talk,” he remarks.

What?

“Excuse me?” I look at him, confused. He tilts his head and fixes his blue-eyed gaze on me. I roll my eyes and try to focus on my notes, not his brunette curls falling on his face. I will talk to the professor about it.

“I never thought you could defend yourself. That’s all…”

My face goes warm, and it becomes harder to breathe as I suddenly remember that I couldn’t defend myself that day.

I was weak and pathetic that night.

I try to read the text written in my book to distract myself, but I cannot focus. I grab my stuff and walk out of class before I make a mockery out of myself by crying in front of everyone.

……..

–That day–

As Jacob leaves to meet Natalie, I smile. The relief on his face was phenomenal. He was uncertain, but happy that there was a sign to save their relationship. I am happy for him.

Sometimes I try to find signs too. I want to go back to my ex, West, so badly. But I know it’s not right. He is a terrible human being.

I swallow hard and try to ignore that he was always nice to me. I know he still cares for me.

I shake my head. But I have to remember that I broke up with him not because he mistreated me… No… I broke up because I could finally see how he mistreated and tormented Natalie… and somehow, I was responsible for it.

I have to confront him. I think to myself and hail a cab. When I gave the Cab driver address for West’s house, Little did I realize I will regret visiting him that evening my whole life.