Hadyan turns to Lea next, expectant.
He's clearly ordering in French to prove to the others what an uneducated rube I am. Well, I do remember a little French from high school, and Hadyan needs to stop underestimating me.
"J'aimerais la salade a'la vinaigrette, le tartare de salmon et un verre d'eau. Merci "
Everyone stares in shock, except Amira. She turns to Hadyan with a grin.
"So much for trying to show off, huh? "
"I wasn't trying to show off, Nes "
"Suuuureee, you weren't "Hadyan turns to Lea, more respectful than he was previously.
"You know French? "
"You forget. I beat out hundreds of thousands of people to come study here "
"So, you did, farm girl "he wears a grudging look of admiration. "I think I'm done "
"But you haven't even eaten "he just shrugs, noncommittal.
I don't want him to starve on my account.
Lea shoveled most of the breadbasket into her mouth. Hadyan watches her, grinning.
"Glad you're enjoying the food ". he takes a few half-hearted bites of the bread before stopping. He sighs, pushing the basket away. He stands and leaves the lunch table, heading towards the exit.
"Lea, do you like Hadyan? "
"What? No, of course not. Why would I when he seems to hate me? "Kevin, Dito, and Amira all exchange glances.
They keep doing that. They know something, and they're keeping it from me.
"You're all hiding something from me. What is it? "
"It's better for you if you don't know? "reply Amira
"I can decide that for myself "
"Maybe you can, Lea, but it's not up to us to tell you, " Kevin said
"I've already told you, Lea. All this, it's for your protection "
"Protection for what? "
"Your life "
Amira has just told her that Hadyan is trying to protect her life. "Let me get this straight. Hadyan is being mean to me because he's trying to save my life? "
"It's not that simple, Lea "
"Then simplify it for me "
"How's this for simple? Hadyan does his thing, and you stop asking so many questions "Duta says
The waiter returns with everyone's order. The waiter places an order of Salman Tartare with a side salad in front of Lea.
"Oh, this looks delicious "
"I second that. Will you share with your second favourite person at Elite, Lea? "Said, Kevin
"Better not let Hadyan catch you flirting with Lea, Kev "sarcasm Amira.
"I'm not flirting. I'm just asking her if she wants to share food. You know, like friends. Good friends "Kevin blurted in his defense in pushing his plate of beefsteak over to That hat does look delicious.
"Sure, why not? "
"Kevin does like to slum it sometimes "
"Shut up, Dito! "Amira reproves
"Yeah, shut up, Dito! "Kevin grinning
Dito grudgingly stops talking. Kevin grins at Lea. "don't worry, Lea. I know you're just using me to make Hadyan jealous "Lea Kinandita stand up in a huff. She nods goodbye to Amira, ignoring both Dito and Kevin as Lea leaves.
Lea headed back to her dorm. As she approaches the room, she overheard some of the mean girls gossiping. "I heard is total to sleep with Hadyan. Can you believe her? "
That is not true! I can't believe they're still spreading lies about me.
Holding her head high, Lea walks past them.
I must find a way to nip these rumours in the bud. I can't risk my reputation getting ruined.
Frustrated, Lea enter her dorm room. She starts to take off her clothes when she hears Hadyan's voice echo from across the room. "
"Please don't let me interrupt "
Hadyan is lounging on Amira's bed, grinning at Lea.
What the hell! He's in my room, watching me undress?
"What do you want? "
"Not a striptease, but thanks for the offer. "
"I was not... "Lea measures
I must calm down. Arguing will get me nowhere with Satan. Lea takes a couple of deep breaths, quickly throwing her clothes back on.
"Why are you here, Hadyan? "
"I'm waiting for my sister "
"You just saw her at lunch "
"And now I want to see her again. Do you have a problem with that? "
"This my room, too "
"A fact which brings me no small amount of pleasure, Lea "
"You can't just barge in whenever you feel like it! "He grins, wagging a finger at her.
"Au contraire. It absolutely-freaking-does. I run this school, remember? "
Ah, the stupid Elect. I almost forgot.
"You can run this school from somewhere else. Now please leave "
"You should be glad I'm here; Lea. Things would be worse for you if I wasn't "
Hadyan's ice-blue stare bores into Lea as he speaks. "Did those girls call you cowgirl today? "
No, they just accused me of having an affair with you. But I can't tell you that.
"No, they didn't call me a cowgirl today "Hadyan nods, satisfied.
"The reason they stopped is because of me. The reason no one is doing worse is because of me. It's all because of my protection, Lea "
Why does everyone keep mentioning protection?
"Why should everyone listen to you? "
"Because everyone in this school listens to the Elect. And if they don't, they pay the consequences "
"Which are? "
"Trust me. You don't want to know "
"You think you have that much power? To protect me from them. Do you think you're that much better? That what you do is better than what typical college kids could do to me? "
"Care to make a wager? You admit you need my help; I win. "answer Hadyan confidently.
He wags his eyebrows at Lea, daring her to play his game. "Hmmm, fine. Let's bet on it ". Hadyan stops smiling, surprised.
"You want to bet on it? "
"At least I'll do it on my terms "
"Do you understand what that means? "
"Try me "
"If you lose, then you owe me. Do you get that? "
"Owe you what? "
"Your choice. You can sweep my floor, clean my dishes, or vacuum my bedroom "
"Fine. I'll vacuum your bedroom. At least that's quick "
"Not if I have any say in it " Lea blush
"You know you want it "
"What, to be treated like your servant? No, I don't want that. "
"Too bad, Lea. That's the wager "
"If you do this, the rumours will get worse "
"What rumours? "asked Hadyan curiously
He doesn't know what those girls said to me. "What rumours, Lea? "
There's a strain of worry to his tone you've never heard. "They think I'm trying to sleep with you. "Hadyan raises his eyebrows. The worry quickly disappears, replaced once again by the familiar wisecracking.
"Are you trying to sleep with me, Lea? "
"What? Of course, not "
"I don't know if I believe you "
"Hadyan, I do not want to sleep with you "
"But you want to kiss me "
"What? Why would you think that? "
"Call it a sixth sense "
"Well, my first sense is telling me that your sixth sense is bullshit! "
"Alright then. What if I tell you that my first sense is telling me that I want to kiss you? "
Wait for what? Did say that?
"You can't. you'll break the rules "
"They're my rules "
"And if you break them, I win the wager "Hadyan abruptly stands from Amira's bed.
"Alright, Lea. We'll do this your way. Just remember, I'll be waiting for your apology when you lose "he leaves the room without another backwards glance. A moment later, Amira returns to the dorm room.
"Guess what? "
"You killed your brother? "