Chapter 3. Pen pal

Betty's POV

“I’m sorry, Betty, but we cannot allow you to march on the stage if you don’t pay your balances,” Miss Cristine, the cashier, explained.

My shoulders dropped. I try to see if they will let me march on stage before paying my balances, but it seems impossible. It looks like I can’t make it by the deadline.

“I see you as my own daughter, Betty. You’re very intelligent and a full scholar at this University, set to graduate as Magna Cum Laude in the Department of Education. If I could do anything to help, I would, my child, but I also struggle financially.”

“Don’t worry, Ma’am. I’ll look for money to pay my balances. Thank you very much.”

“I know life is hard, Betty, but I know you can manage things. Good luck.”

I smile weakly as I walk away. It’s hopeless. I don’t know who to turn to for help.

“Betty!” Jason calls me. He’s approaching me brightly.

“Here, I have something for you. Dad sent me a box. It’s harvest season.”

Rambutan is a sweet tropical fruit that tastes like lychee but is juicier and sweeter.

“Thank you.” I sit down and open one to eat. Jason sat next to me. We’re both quiet.

“Are you okay? You look down. Is everything alright?”

The fruit tastes sweet and juicy, a stark contrast to my life. Right now, my path to success is unclear. I need to step onto the stage and focus on my school curriculum to secure a well-paying job so I can help my parents.

I sighed, not listening to Jason.

“What’s this?” He grabbed the paper that was sitting on my lap.

“What the. . . your credit is still big.”

I exhaled softly while chewing. “I know... hand me that.”

“Do you need help? I can help you,” he said, sweetly looking at me. His eyes were shining brightly as he stood up.

I twisted the side of my lips. “No! And give me that, I said.” I stood up, trying to get it from his hand.

He smiled wickedly and raised his hand in the air, out of my reach.

“I can really help you, Betty. I’m easy...” he looked at me intently.

In that instant, I gaze at Jason seriously. I believe he can assist me, but Mom and Dad already owe a significant amount of money to his father. I don’t want to increase that debt further. It’s too embarrassing.

“And how will I pay you back? Huh?”

Jason is known as a playboy, a fact I’ve observed firsthand. He and his brother Wade are very similar, like two peas in a pod.

He chuckles as he looks at me brightly.

“I’m easy. We can negotiate.” He bites his lower lip as he looks at mine.

“Forget about it!” I push him, causing him to nearly fall back as he loses his balance, and I quickly snatch the paper from him. I laugh really hard.

“Darn, come on, Betty!”

“No. Go away! Go back to your girlfriend, Jason. She’s probably waiting for you.” I turn away from him and move on to my next subject.

He follows me.

“And who will help you? You have no one to help you, Betty.”

No one will help me. Yeah, spot on! But I will not let him do it, because I don’t want something from him.

Jason is a kind guy who follows me like a puppy, upsetting Maxine. Now, she bullies me, believing I’m stealing Jason from her.

“Betty!”

I pause to gaze at him.

“I have someone that will help me!” I smile. I need to make an excuse, or better yet, make a story for this.

His forehead furrowed. “And who?”

I blink. “Uhm, my...my pen pal!” I swallow hard.

Darn, pen pal. What the heck did I just say?

“Pen pal?” He scoffs. “A pen pal?” He shook his head, not believing what I just said.

I composed myself. 

“Yes, a pen pal, Jason... I have a pen pal from Italy. I’ve been talking to him in secret, and he will help me!” I said with a grin. I smiled as I walked away from him. Then I looked back, and he was still standing there, confused, looking at me intently.

***

Drake's POV

I found her. It was easy.

Long straight hair, slim figure, olive skin, and a beautiful, innocent smile. A far look from the picture Eagle gives me.

Elizabeth Del Canor, known as Betty, is 22 years old and a full-time scholar graduating this year with magna cum laude honors. Her parents work as farm laborers, and they face financial hardship. Betty works part-time at a food chain and resides in the ladies’ dormitory near campus.

I smirk, taking a sip of my amber drink.

This is perfect. All the cards are properly arranged, and now it's time to introduce myself. Although she’s not my type or my ideal woman. But a mission is a mission, and asking why is forbidden. I must do what Eagle expects of me.

I visited her parents first, checking the type of living they have.

“Hang on, sir... uhm, I didn’t know that our daughter has a pen pal?”

Diego suggested introducing me to Betty’s mother as her pen pal.

That damn lunatic. I don’t know where he got the idea of it, but he does make sense at times.

He’s currently watching Betty discreetly. That is the mission I assigned to him here. His role is to serve as Betty’s bodyguard.

Betty’s mother looks at me innocently. Her hair is nearly grey, very thin, and her eyes are almost sunken.

"What’s that? A pen pal?”

I clear my throat, and Jet steps in.

“It means they’re more than friends, to exchange secrets.”

My eyebrows slightly meet.

What the heck is he talking about? We’re more than friends, and we exchange secrets? I chuckled.

“Oh, I see... so, you’re Betty’s pen pal," she stammers, struggling to pronounce the last word. However, she eventually smiles and nods in response. She steps closer and gently extends her hand.

“W-Welcome to our home...”

I accepted her hand, and we shook hands.

She examines the tattoos around my hands. They’re covered, but she still holds my hand without letting go. I don’t believe she’s afraid of me. Rather, it’s the opposite.

“Your hands, your fingers, they’re... cool,” she smiles and slowly let go.

“I’m sorry, but Betty is not here. She's in the city, at the university, studying and working hard. That poor baby of mine is working hard to the bones to achieve her dreams. I’m so proud of her.”

“I know that. I'm not here to see her. I'm here to negotiate with you, Madam," I said, and the negotiation started.