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CHAPTER 1

Her eyes flew open and were blinded by the sharp morning rays seeping into the room.

Her gaze fell on the wall clock in her room. "F*ck! I'm late again!"

She sprang up from the bed into a sitting position. "I need to be on time or that old pot-bellied thwart will fire me!" Luciana lamented in haste as she got off the bed and rushed into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, she emerged fully dressed.

Tying her hair back into a pony she ran out grabbing her sneakers, purse, and keys before locking her door.

"Evelynn!" She yelled.

When she got no response, she went to her room and hammered on the door making Evelynn wake up with a jolt and fall of her bed.

BADUM! BADUM!

Her heartbeat raced a mile a second in her chest because of the shout that threw her out of sleep. But as much as it disturbed her, it wasn't comparable to the heavy landing her butt got when it kissed the ground. "Ouch," she winced.

"Evelynn!" she heard the all too familiar voice scream her name again. Evelyn reluctantly got up to answer the door, rubbing her butt.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Hearing the ferocious banging, Evelynn felt scared. Was the building on fire?

Was the neighboring building on fire?

Did that mean her life was in danger?

She had to escape!

Oh my God!

Evelynn ran to her door hurriedly and opened it.

"Which building is on fire? Is it ours? Wait… let me get my valuables," Evelynn said in a rushed tone, her appearance disheveled with panic.

"No building is on fire," Luciana hollered.

"Then why the hell did you ruin my sleep?" Evelynn retorted in anger, flinging the door wide open.

"My life is on fire!" Luciana responded flatly.

Evelynn looked at her neighbor turned bestie from top to bottom. From the way, her friend panted, to her flushed cheeks and her frantic, wide eyes. Not to mention, her outfit, she could see the urgency.

"Oh! It's race time! I got it! Give me a minute. I will change and come!!" she rushed inside.

Luciana sighed in relief when Evelynn agreed to help her.

In a minute, she emerged out of her apartment dressed. They descended the flight of stairs in the low-cost apartment.

Even though they were comfortable, the lack of a lift drove Luciana mad.

"Let's go!" Evelynn says as she pulls Luciana closer to her bike which had always been her lifesaver at critical times like this.

"Babe! We only got fifteen minutes! Make it fast," Luciana urged.

"Shit! Fine! Hold on tight!" Evelynn half-yelled as she sped up.

"Why are you so desperate to reach your office so fast today?" Evelynn asked as they drove.

"That old man, he said he would fire me," Luciana said.

"Then get fired. You don't need to run like this daily as if your life is going to end in the very next second!"

"Then what about my master's degree?" Luciana rolled her eyes.

"You know I can lend you money. Any amount you need." Evelynn said.

Since they have been friends, Evelynn knew Luciana did not have a family due to an unfortunate situation. However, she became the closest thing to a family the girl had.

"You know being in debt scares me," Luciana reminded.

"Then do you have another way to survive this crisis?"

"The only way is to allow that old sucker inside my pants. I don't want him inside me. Ewww… can't even bear his presence."

"How dare he!?! Show him to me once, and I'll beat the living daylight out of him." Luciana maynot have money, but it shouldn't be the reason for that old thwart to bully her like this! She felt disgusted at his thought! She wondered how disgusted her friend could be with his presence around her. She wasn't as patient as her friend... she would just beat the shit of that man! Hmph! Evelynn will have a chance one day!

"Babe, behave sensibly." Luciana scolded.

She rolled her eyes in response. Her friend was too much of a goody-two-shoes. At times she should take from her. "By the way, how many months are left before the admission closing?" Evelynn asked.

"Four months."

"How much do you need?" Evelynn inquired. "Nearly forty grand. And at least five grand more for this and that," Luciana replied honestly.

Her eyes flew open when she stepped on the breaks.

"Girl!" Luciana yelled.

"Sorry but that's so much! I don't think you make it in so little time."

"If I can't, I'll have to choose a distance course. I've saved enough for that at least."

As much as she wished to help, she knew Luciana would refuse her. She was just too stubborn for her good.

Letting out a sigh, Evelyn increased her speed. Although they were riding at an alarming rate, she did not mind. They were used to this already and the fact that Evelyn was a racer, only made it safe, so they sped on.

The police were the last thing on her mind. Saving her friend's career was her only goal.

Turning her head to the side, her eyes dimmed a fraction as she began to scold, "If you were not so stubborn and you allowed me to help you, then perhaps you would not be in this…"

"Watch out—"

Those were the words Luciana could muster, causing Evelynn to press on the break clumsily and directly drive into the car next to them.

SCREECH!

BOOM!

Although she'd tried to maneuver away and avoid it, her bike still crashed into the Mercedes in front.

"Shit!" they both cursed loud.

"Can't you fucking see!?!" Evelynn hollered as she stood up.

She quickly assisted her friend back onto her feet and without waiting a second, Evelynn marched to the door and banged on the glass with her fist.

Luciana's eyes widened. She knew her friend was crazy but this…?

"Evelynn! Are you fucking crazy!? Your hand is bleeding!" Luciana exclaimed, rushing towards her.

She took out her water bottle and washed her hand. "Silly, you can't break things when you are angry," Luciana reprimanded.

"Babe, this man damaged my bike. My darling is hurt now," she whined.

Suddenly, the doors of the car swung open and a man stepped out from the driver's seat.

"Are you mad!? How could you do this?!" His roar seemed to awaken them, shifting their gazes in the direction of the damage caused.

"First, you hit my car and now you break the car glass!? Acting like barbarians!?"

"You, shut the fuck up, clothpole! Why are you yelling like a mad dog?!" Evelynn fired back.

"Who are you calling a mad dog?" the driver roared.

"My dear mad dog, are you dumb or deaf? Who else do you think it could be? Do you see another dog beside you?" Evelynn said, provoking him further.

"You! I will kill you!" he yelled in anger.

She scoffed, "You can try. Cameras and police are mere jokes to you, right?" Evelynn asked with a sarcastic laugh.

"You!" He pointed a finger at Evelynn, his nostrils flaring.

"Callum," Luciana and Evelynn heard a husky, unamused voice from the car.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Sir, these two women are making a fuss when they are clearly in the wrong," the driver explained. "Maybe for the money," the driver added, looking at them up to down in disdain.

Just from the maddening look, he gave them, Luciana's rage was kindled. It was one thing to insult them but…never would she stoop to that level for money. How dare he!

"Who do you think you are? How dare you say that we need money?" Luciana approached the driver.

"If not money then what do you want?" the same voice rang out.

All three turned their heads to the source of the voice. Just then a long leg stepped out of the car followed by the body and he was out.

Even though the car was damaged and in bad shape, it didn't hide the dangerous aura that oozed from this man, not to mention how handsome he was.

His sharp features, piercing eyes, and calculated movements combined with his dangerous aura and arrogance made him look breathtaking, stealing the hearts of everyone around him.

However, Luciana was too mad to let it deter her. "An apology!"