Chapter 27 Part–time
ARDEN
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“Shit.” Tessa cursed as soon as we entered our dorms. I was still a bit distracted by what had happened in the showers. I couldn’t shake it from my mind–especially the look on his face.
Owen
I wondered if he was alright.
“Owen, answer me!” Maisey exclaimed, snapping me out of my thoughts.
At first, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The guy from the showers, Owen, was actually right in front of us, getting scolded by Maisey and two big, burly men who looked ready to strike at any moment.
“You’re behind by a month now, Maisey reprimanded. “Our funds are already low as it is. I really don’t want to kick you out. but we need the money. If you can’t pay for it, then we have no choice but to give it to someone else.”
Owen pursed his lips and scratched the back of his neck.
“I thought you had the money!” Maisey pressed on.
“I did,” Owen muttered, almost inaudibly. “I lost it
That was when everything clicked into place. The money my brother had taken.
I felt guilt wash over me, despite knowing I hadn’t done anything wrong.
“We don’t tolerate late payments, Maisey warned, and it seemed those big men were about to coerce him into something I wasn’t prepared to witness.
“I’ll give it to you by next week,” he promised. “I swear.”
Maisey bit her lip and gave him a piercing look. “You better keep your promise. You’ve already broken the last one.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry,” Owen muttered, and once again, my heart felt squeezed by guilt.
With that, Owen turned and walked away from the tense scene, heading toward the door. Tessa stepped aside, but I couldn’t bring myself to move. In the end, our shoulders bumped against each other.
He paused for a moment, looking into my eyes. His were bloodshot, as if he hadn’t slept well in ages.
But aside from that, it felt like I was staring into a reflection of my own struggles. Suddenly, lus eyes turned cold, a flash of disdain crossing his features, making my breath hitch.
“Move,” he mustered, giving me a gentle push. Tessa caught my shoulders, steadying my stance.
With that, the two of us walked to our room.
“Isn’t it a bit… brutal?” I murmured, turning to Tessa as she opened the door.
“What do you mean?” she asked, glancing back at me.
“Maisey Treplied, my voice low
pretty harsh,” she conceded, closing the door behind us. “However, I get where she’s coming from. The dorms operate the fees they collect from residents”
This dorm is already the cheapest option among everything here at Elite, but we still have to pay the same dues to the school. That’s why our utilities are so subpar.”
1/3
10:44 AM c
Chapter 27 Part–time
“What about those two men?” I inquired.
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They’re residents here too, Tessa explained. “I don’t think they’re going to harm anyone. They’ll just coldly throw out those who don’t pay on time.”
I sighed and leaned against the wall, feeling utterly drained. My worry for Owen lingered, and I wanted to do something to help. However, I realized that I was in the same predicament as him.
I was fortunate to have paid the deposit, so I had until next month to come up with next month’s rent. But I needed to save up money now,
“We can work during our free time, right?” I asked, capturing Tessa’s attention.
She turned to me and nodded. “Yeah, I guess so. Do you need a job?”
“Desperately.” I muttered.
Her expression softened. “Don’t worry. Although it’s rare, it’s not impossible. I think the café running near the premises is hiring.”
My ears perked up at her recommendation.
“Really?”
“Yeah, it’s a newly opened place. I heard it from some of my classmates from this one class.“”
I quickly threw on a jacket before grabbing my keys.
“Wait, where are you going?” she asked, her eyebrows raised in surprise.
“To go and ask if they need more people,” I replied innocently.
Tessa shook her head in amusement. “Alright, I’m cheering for you.”
–
Fortunately, it seemed that the café was in dire need of new employees. It was called “Evermore, and it had experienced a soft opening just last week; the demand was far greater than they had anticipated.
The manager took one look at me and declared that I was perfect for the role. I wasn’t sure whether to take that as a compliment, but I was glad I could begin the next day.
I tied the apron around my waist and pushed my hair back, smiling at my reflection in the mirror. Glancing around the staff quarters, my smile widened. With this job, I would be able to cover my dorm fees and start saving up for my tuition for the
next semester.
As I shut my locker, I was greeted by a surprising sight. Owen, the guy from the showers, walked into the room, making his way to his locker while sipping from a water bottle.
He wore an apron, a hairnet, and had flour dusted all over his clothes, so I assumed he must be working in the kitchen.
“You’re working here?” I blurted out before I could stop myself, eager to strike up a conversation. Having a friend on the job didn’t seem like such a bad idea after all.
roon I
However, he merely glanced at me, closed his water bottle, and shut his locker before exiting the room I puffed air into my checks and shot a semi–glare at the dour as it swung closed.
“Would it hurt to answer with just one word?” 1 muttered under my breath.
“Quit trying to make friends with random people, honey. Why would you need to do that when I’m already here?”
A startled scream escaped my lips as I turned to the side–or rather, to the ground. There, on the bench in front of the window, someone was sleeping with a book covering his face.
2/3
Chapter 27 Part–time
My heart raced. Since when had he been there? I hadn’t sensed his presence at all!
He lifted the book from his face, and I instinctively stepped back.
“What are you doing here?” I exclaimed, staring at him in horror.
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Rowan merely smirked, casually lounging as he leaned his elbows against his lap. He looked me up and down, licking his lips in an appreciative manner.
“You look really nice in that apron.
“Answer me.” I insisted, attempting to brush off his compliment
A loud laugh erupted from his lips. “You never fail to amuse me,
My brows knit together in confusion. What was there to find amusing?
“Answer me, or else I swear I’m going to report you to the manager.” I warned, frustration bubbling inside me.
He simply smirked and leaned back against the wall. “Sure, go ahead. I’m sure the manager will only report it back to me. though.”
“Huh?” I stammered, taken aback.
“I’m the owner of this café, honey.”
