~~Daniil's POV~~
I walked out of the room only to find three men in white dress shirts tucked in black suit pants and black bow ties around their necks for the icing on the cake; Andrei's lackeys, I presumed. They were reserved to drive me if and whenever he was indisposed. I scanned them thoroughly, their shoes were lustrous to a fault. 'Of course, anything below perfection is unacceptable.' With my eyes, I searched the room for Andrei but couldn't find him anywhere. I didn't ask. For whatever reason, if I was going to be spared his clingy presence today, I certainly didn't mind.
I had breakfast.
The men walked me out to my car. I was using the black Tesla Model X today.
I got in the backseat and plugged my Air pods in. I didn't bother to trace the men's movements. I just assumed one of them went around to take the driver's position until…
"To the International University of Chicago, boss," the familiar voice came from the front. I raised my head only to see Jason.
"Jason!" I hailed, my dim eyes lit up with avidity within seconds. "When did you get back?"
"I ran here the moment my plane landed on Chicago's soil, boss," he replied jovially, staring back at me from the rearview mirror.
"It's so good to have you back, man!" We shook hands.
Jason was my friend, my only friend. Like Andrei, he's worked for my family for as long as I can remember. I've had them both by my side from when I learned to speak until now. Unlike Andrei though, Jason was free-spirited and worked more for me than my father. He was my personal aide before Andrei came into the picture.
Jason was the first to accompany me down here, to Chicago. All my deeds were kept secret and only divulged when I gave my consent. I usually did that to avoid breeding suspicions in my dad's mind but it didn't work. Full of doubts about anything and everything, my dad suspected Jason was in cahoots with me instead. He was asked to take a break – suspended – for about two weeks and Andrei was sent to take over in his stead, until he returned at least. 'As if.' With Andrei's sworn allegiance to my dad and the Smirnov family, he was a useful tool to keep around me. Nothing I did around him ever went unreported.
"Meanwhile where's Andrei?"
"In his place." Through the rearview mirror, he gave me a wry look I well understood. I smiled back sardonically.
••••••
Andrei was all dressed, waiting in front of Daniil's room for him to come out, as usual. Little did he know the morning was pregnant with surprises.
His stoic expression was pushed aside by shock when he saw Jason head towards him surrounded by three uniformed men. Slowly, anger crept in. He looked disgruntled to see him.
"What do you think you're doing here?" he asked sternly, almost whispering.
"Good morning, bro!" Jason replied with open arms, rather cheerful and unbothered.
Yes, those two were brothers by birth but not by bond. They'd worked for the Smirnov household since they learned to speak, growing alongside Daniil. Their families they did not know. While Jason was one stuck up on rules and hell-bent on sucking up to Mr. Smirnov, Jason on the other hand was simply 'cool.' Rather than monitor Daniil, he befriended him instead. Rather than fear him or loathe him, he found Daniil fascinating, hence their close bond. Andrei usually attributed that to the fact that Jason was just as crazy.
Andrei's ideologies were different from his brother's. He believed gaining Mr. Smirnov's absolute trust could earn him greater heights but Jason couldn't care less about any of that. He only lived for the fun of living and loused around with Daniil when the opportunity came. That's why he was a friend after Daniil's heart, and a brother yet a sworn enemy to Andrei. He always wished Mr. Smirnov would fire him, as there were plenty of reasons to do so but as always, he'd only get suspended for a while and would be back before he knew it.
"You cannot be here."
"Why?... You're not happy to see me?" he asked with puckered lips at first, then switched to a sarcastic gasp in no time. Andrei looked him up and down, condescendingly at his loosed personality portrayed in his plain appearance. He was simply putting on a white sweatshirt over blue jean pants – with red-threaded patterns on them – and a pair of white sneakers to match with it.
"They cost fifteen dollars," Jason spewed when Andrei's eyes glued to his shoes. He then raised those frigid eyes of his to meet Jason's but he wasn't flustered even a tiny little bit.
"You're not allowed to be here."
"And you're only allowed to be here until I return," Jason retorted, his gaze stiffened.
"Leave before the young master comes out."
"Oh… my boss?" he turned to the gigantic door then back to him. "I'm sure he'll be delighted to see me here." He rubbed his nose, his lackadaisical attitude couldn't cheese Andrei off more. That was made evident by the scowl that intruded his face when 'my boss' was mentioned.
"Mr. Smirnov asked you to leave."
"And I'm back now. Get some rest, bro. These boys will walk him out." He gestured the guys he came in with.
"And if I don't leave?"
"C'mon, bro." Jason put one hand on Andrei's shoulder. "You really shouldn't covet your little brother's things so shamelessly," he scorned, looking so relaxed and unfazed. He clapped his shoulder twice like he was showing some form of superiority.
"Get some rest," he leaned in to whisper. He then tilted to hold his brother's blistering eyes, a sardonic curve came across his lips.
••••••
"I'm hurt though. How could there be a party without the master of ceremony?" Jason asked. We exchanged looks through the rearview mirror.
"Now he's returned, the party continues as usual," I replied with a smirk.
"That's more like it," he replied, almost whispering.
The International University of Chicago…
"You don't mind me leaving, right?"
"You never got enough of L.A girls huh?" I teased Jason, knowing him too well.
"I also want to check out some Chicagoan hotties, you know?"
"The American accent slowly slipping in, I see." He gave me that mischievous smile he had on whenever he was up to no good. "You can go wherever."
"And the car?" It went quiet as we exchanged glances through the rearview mirror.
"Your brother would skin you alive if you scratch it," I finally reminded, giving him my consent.
"Thanks, boss!" he hailed vibrantly. I loved the sound of that. Way better than being called "young master." 'Ughhh...'
My door swung open and I alighted.
It was already two weeks in IUC. I'd spent my past week rotting in the library, after the fight with Yoshida and of course, apologizing with compelled sincerity. The thought of that still made me cringe, honestly. I was made to seize socializing with anyone if I wasn't going to be in my best behavior. Everyone stayed away from me, some actually began to fear me, while some other girls still drooled over me. Yoshida for one kept her distance, quite frightened of me now. I loved that feeling; the idea of staying away from everyone as they annoyed me anyway. But I wished to get more of "Ashley."
Ashley.
Speaking of which, she only ever hung out with one person. That guy…what's his name again? Archer. And as for Yoshida, she abhorred Ashley. For some reason, she made her feel inferior as the only girl who wouldn't worship her as the "Sakura of IUC." Ashley was rather indifferent to her fame and prestige; typical.
Before I forget, Yoshida was actually the Alpha in her relationship with Jordan. Yes, they were dating. Nevertheless, I could clearly see she dated him just for the benefits of being the class representative's girlfriend. Maybe if I were to become the class representative tomorrow, who knows? 'Ewww.' I shrugged, shaking my head firmly.
Suddenly the view around me became rowdy. The students were leaving. I then came to realize the lecture was over and they were all retiring to their respective classes. We were having PLSC 28701 jointly with other students in fields related to our major, in one of the general lecture theaters on the ground floor. The lecturer wasn't from within, but invited given the lecture's location.
I scanned the room for a girl in grey sweat shirt and black palazzo pants, for Ashley, and saw her leaving with Archer as usual. I felt a pang of jealousy if I'm being completely honest right now. She never looked at any other person besides him. Or maybe because he made an effort, not out of lust or desire, as I could sense the platonic nature of their relationship.
I finally decided to mess around with Ashley for the first time. I'd get her to look at me today. With Andrei temporarily off my back – for he would be back after tattling to my dad – I thought I'd use some freedom.