After parting with Aluna in the Lobby, Kalea now followed Zeline from behind to the car park. Actually, she realized that while she was walking with this girl, many people were looking at the two of them strangely, but of course Kalea did not bother. Zeline pressed the car remote in her hand, then saw a mini cooper blinking its lights at the end of a 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 protested, causing Kalea to panic.
"No, that's not what I meant, sorry ...."
Zeline rolled her eyes lazily, her chin pointing to the front seat for Kalea to sit beside her.
Afterward, Zeline drove the car out of the campus area to a place of her own choosing.
*
They arrived at a luxurious mall that Kalea never even thought she would set foot in. Kalea had of course been in a mall before but this time the interior design was so luxurious that it felt like she was in a different world. She continued to stare in amazement and followed Zeline's steps from behind, just like a duckling following its mother. Zeline's steps stopped in front of a well-known coffee shop, she turned to Kalea, "Is it okay if it's here?"
"No problem, I'll go with you."
They entered the coffee shop, the smell of coffee immediately burst into their sense of smell, the aroma of caffeine was so soothing. People seemed to be busy with their cellphones or laptops, just like what they were about to do. Zeline looked at the menu displayed above, 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 terms she was reading... not only that, the price was so expensive it almost gave Kalea a sudden heart attack.
"Have you decided what to order?" Zeline asked, breaking Kalea's confusion.
"Hmm, what did you order?" Kalea asked back.
"Caramel macchiato and New York cheesecake."
"Ah ... Freshly Brewed Coffee instead." Actually, Kalea was a little hesitant, because she herself did not know what she chose. However, after looking at all the menus only that drink was the cheapest.
Zeline looked at the brunette girl in surprise, "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Then you find a seat over there, I'll catch up later."
"Here's the money." Kalea took out a bill but all she got was Zeline's glare.
"Later."
It felt like Kalea could not argue, as there was a frightening aura in Zeline. Or maybe she didn't know the girl very well.
Kalea finally found an empty place for them to occupy, her eyes locked on one of the tables by the window and she immediately sat down while waiting for Zeline to finish ordering. She began to take out her old laptop and notebook, ready for the discussion that was about to take place. After a while Zeline followed Kalea, "Later the order will be called, you take the order, okay?" she said casually which Kalea immediately agreed to.
"Then let's start first, for-"
"Just wait for the drinks to come," Zeline cut in as she reflected in the small glass she always carried. For about 10 minutes, they were busy with their own activities. Zeline, who was busy taking selfies on her expensive cellphone, and Kalea, who kept looking at Zeline.
Honestly, she was mesmerized by the beauty of the blonde girl and the luxury that was so inherent in Zeline. For some reason, a sense of resentment arose, maybe in the past Zeline did noble things so that now she got all the pleasures unlike her who was so poor in life. Sometimes she wondered if she had done something despicable or violated God to get a less fortunate life. However, even so she must remain grateful and still believe that all will be beautiful in time. Maybe not now, she still has to keep fighting for a better life.
"Freak girl!" called out one of the baristas as requested by the previous customer.
"You're called. Please take the order, freak girl?" Zeline taunted, not forgetting her haughty smile. Kalea wanted to protest but she decided against it because the barista still kept calling her 'freak girl', so it was better for her to take her order first. After she returned to their seats, Kalea scowled at how Zeline could laugh contentedly at her.
"Why was that name 'freak girl'?" Kalea protested.
"So what? I often use weird names to take orders. Do you think it was meant for you?" Zeline replied indifferently. Kalea sighed harshly, she ended the argument because she didn't want it to get long even though Zeline was still laughing at her. Kalea reached for the drink she ordered earlier, and drank it. Hoping that her emotions would subside, but her face frowned strangely after sipping the coffee even a little.
How bitter!
Kalea knew she didn't really like coffee, but she never thought it would be this bitter. She started looking for the water bottle in her bag, hoping to relieve the bitterness that was still lingering in her mouth, but it was empty without a drop of water. On the other hand, Zeline's laughter broke out even more because of Kalea's behavior, which she thought was funny.
"Can you not keep laughing at me? You think I'm joking?" Kalea began to get angry.
"Pfft .. sorry ... I thought you were used to drinking bitter coffee ... haha."
Kalea's face reddened slightly, actually she was at the peak of her embarrassment right now.
"Here, you drink this instead." Zeline handed Kalea a red velvet drink, "I was hesitant when you ordered freshly brewed coffee, so I ordered an extra drink for you," she continued.
Kalea blinked, slightly taken aback by Zeline's behavior. Really, Kalea's view of Zeline instantly changed, it turned out that the haughty girl could do good to her.
Kalea took the red-colored cup drink that looked very delicious, until only half of it was left. Zeline actually wanted to laugh, but she held back by covering her mouth with her hand.
"Thank you."
"Thanks also for the interesting spectacle."
Kalea glared irritably at Zeline, while the perpetrator just smiled nosily.
"Never mind, let's get on with the assignment," Kalea said, changing the topic. Her fingers began searching for journals that she might be able to reference. She also began to explain what assignments they would be doing because Zeline honestly said that she hadn't been paying attention to Mrs. Betty's class at all this morning.
Aluna was right, Zeline would be a group burden for her.
"Did you manage to find the relevant material?" asked Kalea, because Zeline had been playing with her cell phone.
"Wait a minute, my daddy is texting me."
"Oh, okay." Kalea went back to typing the material that she would later transfer to Microsoft Point for next week's presentation. Every now and then she sipped a delicious drink that seemed to be her favorite drink anywhere and anytime. Although it might not be in this cafe because the price is quite draining Kalea's wallet.
"Hey, can we do this another day?" Zeline asked, breaking the silence.
"What's wrong? Your daddy told you to go home?" Kalea asked back. Zeline nodded as she took out her make-up pouch, starting to re-polish her face even though nothing had changed from the last time she polished it. Inevitably Kalea also ended this group work because parents are still number one, who knows Zeline's father currently really needs his son's existence.
Kalea couldn't stop staring at every movement Zeline made, even though the child was annoying but she couldn't deny Zeline was really fascinating. The ridiculous thought of whether Zeline had ever felt working to find a bite of rice, but there was no way she could say it.
"Why have you been looking at me like that? Creepy," Zeline sarcastically
"No, you're so beautiful."
"Haha, I know."
"Can I ask you a question?"
Zeline raised her eyebrows in response to Kalea's words. "Um ... do you have any job openings? I actually need one." Kalea knew this would not work but there was no harm in asking anyone about the job she was looking for.
"Huh? Isn't being a teaching assistant enough that you're looking for another job?" Zeline asked a little mockingly.
"Honestly, yes," Kalea replied 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 it, what would you trade it for?"
"Trade?"
"Well, of course I'm not going to give you the job for free, and I don't want to just get a thank you from you either. So I need reciprocity," Zeline explained. Kalea slightly considered the meaning of Zeline's words, perhaps what was said was not wrong and she could not 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 return." Kalea slightly invited negotiation. Zeline smiled wryly, he knew his interlocutor was smart.
"All you have to do is accompany someone to the mall or somewhere else, and a large amount of money will quickly come into your account."
Kalea furrowed her brows, "Just accompanying gets a lot of money?"
"Yes, it's easy, isn't it?"
"Accompany in what way?"
"Traveling, accompanying them shopping and so on."
"... is it really that easy?"
Zeline glared in annoyance, Kalea's suspicion was too annoying for her even though it was perfectly reasonable. Nowadays getting a job was very difficult and then being offered to just accompany someone for a large salary was certainly suspicious to most people. "I won't deceive you even though we're not close, but what I'm saying is true. The concrete proof is me."
"Eh? You?" Kalea's eyes was wide-eyed.
"Yes, because I'm the same so that's why I'm offering you. I can't tell you more details, so hurry up and give me some feedback!" Zeline said impatiently. Her daddy had been sending her messages all this time.
Kalea thought quickly, what could she give for her deal with this blonde girl. What skills, what strengths did she have. "Oh, what if I do all the work? Presentation too," she said after having an epiphany.
"That's your only offer?" Zeline smiled dismissively.
"Sorry, I just thought of that." Kalea looked down, she knew it was not worth the work Zeline would give her. Naturally disappointed, was it possible that Zeline wanted her to be a slave for several months? No, it could not be like the novels she had read.
"Haah ... actually I want you to be my slave on campus for 2 months. But seeing you as a teaching assistant, I'm having second thoughts. So yeah, I can accept your offer. Aren't I so kind?" Zeline smiled haughtily feeling satisfied with her own words, she was surprised when her wrist was grasped by Kalea suddenly, Kalea's eyes glazed over and even began to shed tears.
"Thank you so much, you're my savior goddess!"
"... W-what the hell, don't touch me!" Zeline released Kalea's grip a little roughly. Staring in surprise at the brunette girl who was wiping her tears, "ah, anyway, you can't tell anyone about this job, not even your friend from earlier."
"Yes, I got it."
"And you can't tell anyone about this job either, not even your friend from earlier."
"Okay."
"I also don't guarantee to get it right away, so don't get your hopes up."
"It can't be, because the guarantee is next week's presentation. I want you to do it quickly."
"Argh, fuck! Okay!"
"Thank you." A sweet, genuine smile was etched on Kalea's face. Honestly, Zeline was stunned by that smile but she did not want to admit it, she rolled her eyes as she flicked her beautiful hair.
"I'll go first," she excused herself.
Kalea also got up from her seat, "Oh! The money for earlier-"
"No need, it's on me," Zeline cut in as she walked out of the cafe, leaving Kalea behind.
It turned out that Zeline was not as bad as she thought, even though she was still annoying. But still the blonde girl was not a bad person. Kalea hoped Zeline would have friends at college, she even wanted to tell Aluna about Zeline's kindness.