Not My Chocolate

By sunrise, Blackthorne Heights had found a brand-new hobby as usual. I'm getting used to being their favourite topic. 

I don't give a fuck anymore, about them destroying my reputation.

Apparently, according to the latest campus rumors, I wasn't just Kaizen Arclair's tutor, I was now his secret side chick.

Absolutely wonderful, All because Seraphina had apparently witnessed me outside his room.

Now everyone suddenly believed I was using tutorials as an excuse to seduce him.

The stupidity was almost impressive. LoL 

*****

The moment I entered class, whispers followed me everywhere.

"That's her."

"The scholarship girl."

"The tutor."

"The homewrecker."

“Boyfriend snatcher”

I clenched my jaw and ignored them, they seemed to be more focused on her life than their studies… anyways they're rich kids, they've got generational wealth. 

If I started fighting every idiot on campus, I'd never graduate.

Fortunately, something unexpected happened,

The lecturer walked into class, adjusted his glasses and immediately spotted me.

His face brightened.

"Miss Solenne."

The entire hall turned….I froze.

The lecturer smiled,

"I've been hearing quite a lot about you."

Oh no. Please don't let it be the rumors.

My heart skipped a bit. 

Then he continued,

"Top scholarship scorer."

Relief flooded through me instantly, the class became quiet.

"Excellent results."

The lecturer nodded approvingly.

"Blackthorne Heights is lucky to have students like you."

For the first time since arriving at this university… someone saw me for my academics.

Not for rumors, Not for Kaizen, Not for scholarships.

Me. Just Me! 

A smile slipped onto my face, a real one.

And honestly?

That compliment carried me through the rest of the morning.

---

Unfortunately...Kaizen ruined it before class even started.

Earlier that morning, he had cornered me outside the penthouse elevator.

"I need a favor."

Those were the first words he'd spoken to me.

No greeting,

No explanation,

Typical Kaizen.

"What now?"

He handed me his attendance card.

"Mark me present."

I stared.

"Excuse me?"

"I don't feel like talking to lecturers today."

I blinked.

"The great Kaizen Arclair is afraid of lecturers?"

His expression remained blank.

"I'm tired."

For some reason, that answer bothered me, He genuinely looked exhausted, Dark circles sat beneath his eyes…The usual arrogance was missing.

Still...I wasn't letting him off easily.

"You have a girlfriend."

I folded my arms. "Ask Seraphina."

His eyes narrowed slightly, he wasn't expecting that response. 

"We're not in the same department."

Then he shrugged.

"Otherwise I'd ask her."

That sentence irritated me more than it should have.

Of course, always Seraphina.

Everything somehow returned to Seraphina.

Not that I cared, At all!,

Absolutely not.

*****

During attendance, I proudly raised my hand.

The lecturer looked at me.

"Yes?"

I stood.

Holding Kaizen's card.

Then proceeded to explain everything.

Every Single detail.

"Sir, Kaizen is currently unable to attend because of recent circumstances involving his temporary absence from campus and he requested that I kindly……"

The lecturer's smile grew wider.

Around me, students started laughing.

I stopped talking. Looking confused. 

"What?"

The lecturer chuckled.

"You could've simply marked him present."

My face burned as The laughter increased.

"Nerd."

"Scholarship girl should learn that were aren't kindergartens."

I sat down immediately.

Humiliated.

Needless to say...

I never marked his attendance.*

By evening after all my lectures, I was exhausted, Emotionally…Mentally and Physically.

All I wanted was food and silence.

The universe had other plans.

The moment I entered the penthouse, I nearly walked straight into someone.

"Whoa!"

I looked up and froze…

The guy standing before me looked suspiciously familiar.

Golden-brown skin, gray eyes, with Dark curly hair.

Only younger, Friendlier, Softer and chill Fr!.

Like someone had taken Kaizen and removed all the attitude….

He grinned.

"Oh."

His eyes widened.

"You're the famous scholarship girl."

I groaned immediately.

"Please don't."

He laughed.

"I like you already."

The boy extended a hand.

"Auren Arclair."

Kaizen's younger brother.

Interesting…

“Nyra”

“We're Lodgemates”

Very interesting.

*****

An hour later, we were sitting in the living room talking like old friends.

Auren was impossible not to like, He talked too much, Laughed too much….and somehow managed to make every story entertaining.

Unlike his brother, who looked permanently irritated.

***

The front door opened.

Auren immediately jumped up.

"Big bro!"

My heart did something stupid, because Kaizen was carrying a large gift package.

Chocolate….Expensive chocolate.

My eyes immediately locked onto it, a smile threatened to appear.

Oh.

He bought something for me.

How surprisingly thoughtful.

Maybe guilt finally got to him.

Maybe….still drooling in my thoughts 

Kaizen walked straight past me…

Straight….Past …….Me 

Then handed the chocolate to Auren…

"Here."

My smile died instantly.

Auren gasped dramatically.

"No way!"

My face twitched very slightly.. Okay maybe not slightly.

A lot….I am visibly pained. 

Kaizen noticed, 

Of course he noticed.

The corner of his lips lifted barely…his annoying Jerk.

*****

Auren threw his arms around him.

"You're the best."

Kaizen rolled his eyes but hugged him back anyway.

And suddenly...I saw it.

The bond.

The genuine love between them, The kind family should have, The kind I lost years ago.

For a moment, something inside me ached.

*****

Then Auren's smile disappeared, Completely.

The room became quiet.

"Big bro."

Kaizen immediately looked at him.

Something shifted, something serious.

Fear…..Real fear.

Auren swallowed,

"We have a problem."

The air suddenly felt heavier,

"What happened?"

Auren looked down, His voice became smaller…Almost broken.

"It's Mom."

Every muscle in Kaizen's body stiffened.

My stomach dropped instantly, Auren's eyes glistened.

"The doctors called again."

Silence.

"They said we don't have much time."

The room stopped breathing, For a second, nobody spoke.

Nobody moved….

Then Auren whispered the words that shattered everything.

"Big bro..."

His voice cracked.

"Mom is dying."

The color drained from Kaizen's face.

And for the first time since meeting him...I saw genuine fear in his eyes.

Not anger, Not arrogance, Not pride.

Fear, Raw and terrifying.

My chest tightened painfully, Because I knew that look…

I knew exactly what it felt like, The helpless terror of losing your mother.

Why was his mom dying when his father was Fucking rich? 

Well, sometimes money can't buy good health.

And suddenly...For the first time...I wasn't looking at the Campus King, I was looking at

a son who was running out of time.

"What's wrong with her?" I asked quietly.

Auren lowered his head, Kaizen released a slow breath.

The kind that sounded exhausted, defeated and broken.

Then he finally answered.

"Her heart.” And somehow...

The way he said those two words frightened me more than anything else…

“That's serious”. I managed to mutter