Chapter 1

Aiden Cole had never thought he would end up back at the same university where he once studied. When he graduated with top honors, his professors had told him he had the kind of mind that belonged in research, maybe even teaching. He took the words to heart. After earning his master’s degree, he returned, ready to prove himself.

It wasn’t an easy job. The pay wasn’t great, the workload was heavy, and the rules were strict. But he loved teaching. There was something about explaining a concept, seeing the moment when a student finally understood, that made the long hours worth it.

That was his normal life, until the phone call came.

It was late one evening. He had just finished grading a stack of essays when his office phone rang. He almost didn’t pick it up, but something made him lift the receiver.

“Professor Cole?” The voice was deep, controlled.

“Yes, this is he,” Aiden answered.

“This is Richard Harrison.”

Aiden sat up straighter. He knew the name. The Harrison family was one of the most powerful in Chicago, owners of a massive company. He wondered why a man like that would call him directly.

“I was given your name by one of the department heads,” Mr. Harrison continued. “They tell me you are capable. My son is failing, and I need him to graduate on time. I want you to tutor him privately.”

Aiden hesitated. “With respect, sir, there are other tutors...”

“I don’t want other tutors,” Harrison cut in sharply. “They all failed. I want someone who takes education seriously. Someone who doesn’t give up easily. Can you do that?”

There was no room for argument in that voice. Aiden thought carefully before answering. It wasn’t the kind of job he usually took, but the pay could help cover bills. More than that, it sounded like a challenge, and Aiden had never been one to back down from a challenge.

“Yes, sir,” he said finally.

“Good. I’ll send you the details.”

The call ended. Aiden sat in silence, staring at the papers on his desk. He wondered what kind of student drove away every other tutor. He didn’t know then that Julian Harrison would be unlike any student he had ever taught.

Now, two days later, Aiden sat across from Julian in the study room of the Harrison estate. It was their first official tutoring session.

Julian lounged in his chair, tossing a pen between his fingers. He hadn’t opened a single book.

“Do you always sit like that in class?” Aiden asked.

Julian smirked. “Do you always sound this serious?”

Aiden ignored the remark. He opened his folder and pulled out a set of practice problems. “We’ll start with these. Basic economics review.”

Julian glanced at the paper but didn’t move. “Why don’t you solve them for me? You’re the professor.”

“That’s not how this works.”

“Then maybe I don’t want it to work.” Julian leaned back, waiting for a reaction.

Aiden had expected this. He had dealt with students who tested boundaries before. The trick was not to take the bait. He slid the paper closer. “Question one. Define opportunity cost. Five minutes. Start writing.”

Julian rolled his eyes. “Boring.”

“Three minutes,” Aiden said firmly.

Julian looked at him, as if trying to figure out whether he was serious. Aiden didn’t blink. Finally, with a sigh, Julian picked up his pen and scribbled a line on the paper.

When Aiden checked, he saw only: Opportunity cost is dumb.

He didn’t react. “That’s your answer?”

Julian shrugged. “That’s how I feel.”

Aiden placed the paper back on the desk. “Then let’s try again. Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative when you make a decision. If you choose to waste this session, the cost is what you could have learned. Do you understand?”

Julian tilted his head, a small frown crossing his face. For a moment, he didn’t reply.

Aiden tapped the desk lightly. “Your turn. Example.”

Julian grumbled but finally said, “If I spend my night at a party, the cost is the sleep I lose?”

“Exactly.”

Julian looked almost surprised when Aiden nodded. It was the first time a tutor hadn’t snapped at him for being lazy.

“Alright,” Aiden said. “Question two.”

The session went on like that. Julian dragged his feet, made sarcastic comments, tried to push limits, but Aiden stayed calm. Every time Julian threw out a remark, Aiden answered with focus. By the end of the hour, Julian had filled half a page with answers. They weren’t perfect, but they were something.

When the time was up, Julian leaned back with a sigh. “You didn’t quit. Most people quit by now.”

“I don’t quit,” Aiden said simply as he packed his things.

Julian watched him closely, as though waiting for a crack in the calm. But there was none.

As Aiden left the room, he reminded himself of the promise he made when he took the call: he would get this boy to pass, no matter how stubborn he was.

What he didn’t know was that this was only the beginning and things would get tougher.