Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Offer

After parting ways with Aluna in the lobby, Kalea is now following Zeline from behind to the car park. Actually, she realized that while she was walking with this girl, many people were staring at the two of them strangely, but of course, Kalea didn’t care. Zeline pressed the car remotely in her hand, then saw a Mini Cooper flashing its lights at the end of the row of other cars.

“Come in.”

Kalea nodded, opening the rear car door.

“Hey! Why are you sitting in the back? You think I’m the driver?” Zeline’s protest made Kalea panic. “No, that’s not what I meant, sorry ...”

Zeline rolled her eyes lazily, her chin pointed to the front seat so that Kalea sat beside her.

After that, Zeline drove her car out of the campus area to a place she had determined herself.

***

.....

Arrived at a luxury mall that Kalea never even thought she would step foot into that place. Kalea, of course, had entered the mall, but this time the interior design of the mall was so luxurious it felt like being in a different world. She continued to stare in amazement and continued to follow Zeline’s footsteps from behind, really like a duck following its mother. Zeline’s steps stopped in front of a coffee shop that was quite famous, she turned to Kalea. “Is it okay if it’s here?”

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“No problem, I’ll go with you.”

They entered the coffee shop, and the aroma of coffee immediately entered their senses of smell, the aroma of caffeine was so calming. People seem cool with their phones or laptops, just like they normally would. Zeline looked at the menu displayed above and, without thinking, she immediately knew what she wanted. Unlike Kalea, she didn’t even understand the menus up there, Grande, Venti, Tall, what kind of term she was reading... not only that, the price was quite expensive, it almost made Kalea have a sudden heart attack.

“Have you decided what message?” asked Zeline, breaking Kalea’s confusion, “Hmm, what did you order?” Kalea asked back.

“Caramel Macchiato and New York Cheesecake.”

“Ah ... Freshly Brewed Coffee only.” Actually, Kalea was a little hesitant, because she herself didn’t know what she had chosen. However, after looking at all the menus, only the drinks were the cheapest.

Zeline looked at the black haired girl in surprise. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Then you find a seat over there, and I’ll follow.”

“Here is the money.” Kalea took out a bill, but what she got was Zeline’s cynical stare. “Later on.”

For some reason, Kalea couldn’t argue, as if there was a scary aura within Zeline. Or maybe she doesn’t really know her.

Kalea finally found an empty place for them to occupy, her eyes locked onto one of the tables near the window, and she sat down immediately while waiting for Zeline to finish ordering. She started to pull out her old laptop and notebook, ready for the discussion to take place. After a while, Zeline approaches Kalea. “Later the order will be called, you take the order, okay?” she said casually, which was immediately agreed upon by Kalea.

“Then let’s start first, to-”

“Just wait for the drinks to come,” Zeline cut in while looking in the mirror at the small glass she always carried. For about ten minutes, they were busy with their respective activities. Zeline who is cool to take selfies on her expensive phone, and Kalea, who doesn’t stop staring at Zeline. Honestly, she was fascinated by the beauty of the blonde girl and the luxury inherent in Zeline. For some reason, jealousy arises, maybe in the past Zeline did noble things until now she gets all the pleasures, unlike her who was so unfortunate in her life. Sometimes she wondered if she had done something disgraceful or violated God in order to live a less fortunate life. However, even so she must remain grateful and still believe that everything will be beautiful in its time. Maybe not now, but she still has to keep fighting for a better life.

“Freak girls!” calls one of the baristas.

“You’ve been summoned. Please take the order, Freak girl?” sneered Zeline, not forgetting her haughty smile. Kalea wanted to protest, but she couldn’t because the barista was still calling her ‘Freak Girl’, it was better if she took her order first. After that, she returned to their seats, Kalea scowled in annoyance that Zeline was currently laughing contentedly mocking her.

“Why was the name ‘Freak girl’?” Kalea protested.

“So what? I do use strange names to take orders. You think it was really meant for you?” Zeline replied nonchalantly. Kalea sighed heavily, she ended the debate because she didn’t want to be late, even though Zeline was still laughing at her. Kalea grabbed the drink she ordered earlier and drank it. Hoping for her emotions to subside, but her face scrunched up strangely after sipping the coffee, even if only a little.

So bitter!

Kalea knew she didn’t really like coffee, but she never thought that the coffee she ordered would be this bitter. She started looking for a drink bottle in her bag, hoping to relieve the bitterness that was still in her mouth, but unfortunately, the bottle was empty without a drop of water. On the other hand, Zeline’s laughter broke even more because of Kalea’s behavior, which she thought was funny.

“Could you not keep laughing at me? You think I’m joking?” Kalea got emotional.

“Pfft ..sorry ... I thought you were used to drinking bitter coffee ... haha.”

Kalea’s face was a little red. Actually, at this moment, she was really very embarrassed.

“Here, have a drink.” Zeline handed Kalea a red velvet drink and said, “I was hesitant when you ordered Freshly Brewed Coffee, so I ordered an additional drink for you,” she continued.

Kalea blinked, slightly taken aback by Zeline’s behavior. Really, Kalea’s view of Zeline immediately changed, it turned out that this arrogant girl could do good to her.

Kalea took the red drink that looked so delicious until only half of it was left. Zeline actually wanted to laugh, but she held it in by covering her mouth with her hands.

“Thank you.”

“Thanks also for the interesting spectacle.”

Kalea glared at Zeline in annoyance, while the culprit just smiled noisily. “Never mind, let’s go straight to the division of tasks,” said Kalea, changing the topic.

Her fingers began to search for journals that might be used as references. She also started to explain what assignment they were going to do because Zeline honestly said that she hadn’t paid any attention to Mrs. Betty’s class this morning.

Aluna is correct; Zeline will be a burden to the group.

“Did you manage to find the relevant material?” asked Kalea, because Zeline had been playing with her phone all this time.

“Wait a minute, my daddy needs me.”

“Oh, okay.” Kalea returned to typing materials which she would later transfer to Microsoft Point for next week’s presentation. She sips a delicious drink now and then, which appears to be her favorite drink anywhere and at any time.Although it is impossible at this cafe, because the price is quite draining on Kalea’s wallet and brain.

“Hey, can we do it another day?” Zeline asked, breaking the silence.

“What’s wrong? Your daddy sent you home?” Kalea asked back. Zeline nodded as she took out her make-up pouch, and started polishing her face again, even though absolutely nothing had changed since the last time she polished. Like it or not, Kalea also ended this group work because parents are still number one. Who knows, Zeline’s father really needs his son’s presence, Kalea thought.

Kalea constantly stares at every move that Zeline makes, even though the child is annoying, but she can’t deny that Zeline is really charming. The ridiculous thought occurred to Zeline that she had ever worked for a bite of rice, but she couldn’t really say it.

“Why did you look at me like that earlier? It’s scary,” sarcastically Zeline.

“No, you’re beautiful.”

“Haha, I know.”

“May I ask?”

Zeline raised her eyebrows in response to Kalea’s words. “Um . . . do you have a job opening? Actually, I need that.” Kalea knows this isn’t going to work, but it never hurts to ask someone about the job openings she needs.

“Huh? Aren’t you good enough to be a teaching assistant to find another job?” Zeline asked a little mockingly.

“Honestly, it’s not enough,” Kalea answered seriously, making Zeline stunned. Zeline closed her lipstick and put it back where it came from, her eyes looking straight at Kalea.

“If I had one, what do you want to exchange?”

“Exchange?”

“Yeah, of course, I wouldn’t give the job away for free. And I also don’t want to just get a thank you from you. So I need reciprocity,” Zeline explained. Kalea slightly considered the meaning of Zeline’s words, maybe what she said was not wrong and she couldn’t protest. After all, Zeline held the key she needed.

“But can you tell me what the job is? So that I can give you what I have in exchange.” Kalea invites a little negotiation. Zeline smiled lopsidedly, she knew the other person she was talking to was indeed intelligent.

“You just need to accompany someone to the mall or some other place, and the money will quickly enter your account in large amounts.”

Kale furrowed her brows. “Just accompanying someone earns a lot of money?”

Zeline nodded quickly. “Yeah, it’s simple, isn’t it?”

“Accompany in what form?”

“Take them for walks, accompany them shopping, and so on.”

“... is it really that easy?”

Zeline glared in annoyance, Kalea’s suspicions were too annoying for her, even though it was very natural. These days, getting a job is very difficult and then suddenly being offered just to accompany someone to get a big salary is certainly suspicious for most people. “I won’t deceive you even if we’re not close, but what I say is true. The concrete proof is me.”

“Eh? You?” Kalea’s eyes rounded.

“Yeah, since I’m the same as that’s why I’m offering you. I can’t give you more details, so quickly give me some feedback!” Zeline said impatiently. Her Daddy had been texting her all this time.

Kalea thought quickly about what she could give for her deal with this blonde girl. What abilities does she have? “Oh, what if I do all this work? Presentation too,” she said after getting enlightened.

“Is that your only offer?” Zeline smiled disdainfully.

“Sorry, I was just thinking about that.” Kalea lowered her head, she knew it wasn’t worth the work Zeline would give her. It’s natural to be disappointed, could it be that Zeline wanted herself to be a slave for a few months? No, it couldn’t be like the novels he had read.

“Haah ... actually I wanted you to be my slave on campus for two months. However, seeing you as a teaching assistant, I thought again. So yeah ... your offer is accepted. Aren’t I so kind?” Zeline smiled proudly, satisfied with her own words, she was surprised when her wrist was grabbed by Kalea. Kalea’s eyes filled with tears, and even started to shed tears, “Thank you very much. You are my savior goddess!”

“...w-what the hell are you doing, don’t touch me!” Zeline let go of Kalea’s grip a little rough. Staring in wonder at the brunette-haired girl who was wiping her tears. “Anyway, you can’t tell anyone about this job, not to mention your friend earlier.”

“Okay, I got it.”

“I also don’t guarantee that I’ll get it right away, so don’t get your hopes up.”

Kale shook her head disapprovingly. “You can’t because it’s guaranteed a presentation next week. I want you to do it quickly.”

“Argh, okay, okay!”

“Thank you.” A sincere sweet smile was etched on Kalea’s face. Honestly, Zeline was flabbergasted by that smile, but she didn’t want to admit it, she rolled her eyes while parting her beautiful hair.

“I’ll go first,” she said as she bid her farewells.

Kalea also rose from her seat. “Oh! The money for earlier-”

“No need, I’ll treat you,” Zeline cut as she stepped out of the cafe leaving Kalea.

.....