Chapter 11 Flipping the Script on the School’s Heartthrob
Walter Zuniga, the guy who had mocked Aether, was so intimidated by the students from Class D that he triedly ordered a few dishes, grabbed his tray, and mushed off without daring totter another wood
Aether continued serving lunch to students In Class D and Class E. Students from Classes Cand B were lined up at window two, while the students from Class A queued at window there
The students from class sized upstates in the VIP lounge, where they didn’t have to wait in line. A walter would come up to them to take their order, and they would simply choose from the menu. The higher the class, the fancier the food.
After serving everyone thele meals, Aether retomed to the staff mom, changed ut of her uniform, and stepped outside, only to find Zachary waiting there.
“Zachan!” Hereyes lit up. “What a coincidence! What are you doing here?”
“Who told you to take this job?” he snapped
Aether was a little confused. “What do you mean? No one did 1 took the job because I wanted to.”
“What I mean Is…“Zachary’s chest heaved with anger. “You didn’t askine formy opinion before doing this Why did you take a job like this in the first place?”
Aether looked more lost than ever. “Why would I need your permission? took the job to cam money, obviously.”
“Are you really that short on cash?
“And what’s wrong with that?”
Zachary was rendered speechless. For some reason, she always had a way of flipping his words right back at him. So, he decided to be blunt. “quit. Come with me and never work at the cafeteria again,”
He grabbed her hand, intending to drag her out of the cafeteria. Aether didn’t resist. In fact, she went with him already signed the contract, Zachary,”
“I’ll pay the penalty for breaching the contract.”
“This isn’t about the penalty” Aether frowned. “I just don’t get it. What’s so wong with this job? It’s just serving food. It’s not that big of a deal!”
“It’s not that big of a deal?” Zachary stared at her, incredulous. “You’re my roommatel Yet, you’re out here serving lunch to those lowlifes? Aren’t you mbarrassed?
“Are you saying that I’m embarrassing you?” she asked tentatively,
cally need money, just ask me. Don’t lower yourself to their level”
For some reason, Zachary didn’t want to hurt Aether’s feelings, so he softened his tone. “If you really ne
Aether flashed him a sale, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry, Zachary, I didn’t mean to hurt your reputation but don’t worry I’ll take care of it.”
Zachary Comer’s favorability -1. Current favorability: -101.]
Aether’s calm and cooperative response pleased Zachary He took it to mean that she would, but he should’ve known better. Aether’s way of thinking was anything but predictable.
That same attemoon, when the Fabled Four retumed to campus, they overheard people talking about going to the cafeteria to see a starfish.
“There’s a startish in the cafeteria wesley made a face. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Soundston “Zachary chimed in. “Why don’t we go check it out?”
Neil politely declined. “I just gotatoesh test subject. I’m heading to the lab.”
Russell, as usual, said nothing and walked off, Zachary and Wesley were used to his indifference, so neither of them asked him where he was off to. In the end, the
two of them went to the cafeteria together.
There, they saw a startish making heart signs and doing a shot dance after serving the meals. Despite the blazing aftemoon heat, they wore a thick mascot
costume and entertained the crowd with enthusiasm and dedication.
Zachary had to acknowledge that whoever was in that costume was putting in the world
Wesley was baffled. “Do you think that that person’s out of his mind? Isn’t he dying in there?”
“He’s probably desperate forttention.”
Zachary was at a loss for words. He was about to walk away when the mascot’s voice caught his ear. The voice was familiar–almost too phone and dialed Anther’s number Right then, the startish’s phone started singing.
Zachary was now sure that the starfish was Aether–the same Aether who had promised to quit and said that she’d manage the si that this was how she decided to handle it.
[Zachary Comer’s favorability–Current favorability:-101|
miliar. He pulled out his
tion appropriately. It seemed
Zachary, who had planned to leave the cafeteria, couldn’t take his eyes off the starfish. Aether, on the other hand, was too busy dishing out meals to notice him or herringing phone. She worked straight through the line, serving all the students from Class D and before returning to the staff com
On her way there, Aether ran into Zachary again. This time, she hesitated for a moment before walking up to him.
Zachary Immediately yanked off the mascot headpiece. Her face was drenched in sweat, her skin flushed, and her chest heaved from the heat. It looked like she was abouts pass out.
Zachary was upurt. But seeing her like that made his heart ache just a little. “What did you promise i 7 he asked lowly.
Exping the Peript on the Schools Heartmel
“I promised I wouldn’t embarrass you,” she answered. “So, I wore the costume. That way, none would see my fake or know that your roommate was the one serving food in the cafeterial Then, you wouldn’t be bothered by it anymore.”
“Do you have lor cubes for organs? Don’t you feel the heat in that thing?”
bghtly embarassed, she hugged her stomach. “Of course I do. Not if it means that you won’t be troubled by it, then can deal with the heat for a little while, “
[Zachary Conner’s Imonbility +5. Ciment favorability: -97.1
“Seriously, what am I supposed to do with you?” His concealed expression softened a bit. “You could’ve it quit. That would’ve solved everything. Why did you go through all this trouble? Who are you trying to impress with your self–sacrificing act?”
Arther lowered her head. “But I still need to earn money.”
“I told you, if you need money, just come to me.” Zachary pulled out his wallet and handed her a credit card. “There’s 100 million dollars in this card. I’ll deposit ten million dollars into it every month. So, spend in however you want.”
Aether didn’t take it. Instead, she asked, “You’re so rich. Do you frequently give others money?”
“Hasamone ever refused it?
“Only one.“Zachary sighed. “And that’s you.”
“Then, I won’t take it,” Arther beamed, “I want to be the only one who doesn’t accept your money. That way, I’ll hold a special place in your heart!” Zachary panicked. His heart fluttered. Without thinking, he showed the mascot headpiece lack over Aether’s head. He didn’t like the feeling of losing control.
1-1’m warning you,he stammered. “I’m not into guys, alright? So, stop playing tricks on mel
(Zachary Conner’s farrability +5. Current favorability:-921
was only being nice to you just so I could go home sooner, would that break your
Aether watched Zachary hurry off, feeling oddly condicted, “If you knew that I was onh heart, Zachary?
That was why she couldn’t accept his money. S felt guilty. Even the words she said earlier were just to win his favor. In reality, she was pretty well–off. She didn’t need his money.
Aether returned to the staff room, grabbed her clothes, and headed into the women’s restroom to shower and change. She packed her work uniform into a bag to take back and wash.
However, on her way back to the dorm, she saw something that made her stop in her tracks. Zachary was up ahead, arguing with a young womart
“Please don’t Inve me, Zachary! My life would have no meaning without you!” Vivian Dunn stood on her tiptoes, trying to kiss him, but Zachary turned his bead
old you from the start we wouldn’t last more than a month. Didn’t you say that it was time? Why are you acting like one of those clingy drama queens now? It’s
“I’m not like them,” Vivian sobbed. I’m the eldest daughter of the Dunn family! When it comes to family background, we’re the perfect match. I know you have feelings for me!
“Our marriage would benefit your family, Zachary. We could help you rise to the top of the Fabled Four!”
Zachary looked beyond annoyed. ‘You could be a goddess or the ruler of the world, and I’d still be sick of you! The month is up, and we’re done. Don’t contact me aver again.”
“Zachury!” Vivian reached for his hand, but he yanked in away and walked off without sparing her other glance.
Aether noticed how trage yet beautiful Vivian looked as she cried. She walked up to the latter, helped her to her feet, and handed her a wet wipe. “Yourmakeup’s smudged. You should wipe it off.”
