Chapter 21
As Daniel submitted his application form, the receptionist smiled and handed him a towel. "Welcome to Elite Fitness, Daniel! I'll assign you a personal trainer to help you get started. His name is Max, and he's one of our best trainers."
Daniel nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. He looked around the gym, taking in the sights and sounds of people working out.
Just then, a handsome young man with chiseled muscles and a charming smile walked up to him. "Hey, Daniel! I'm Max, your personal trainer. Welcome to Elite Fitness!"
Daniel's eyes widened slightly as he took in Max's physique. He couldn't help but notice the way Max's muscles rippled beneath his skin as he moved.
Max, on the other hand, couldn't help but notice Daniel's handsome features. He had piercing blue eyes, chiseled cheekbones, and a strong jawline. Max felt a spark of attraction, but he quickly pushed it aside, focusing on his professional duties.
As they began their training session, Daniel couldn't help but notice the attention he was receiving from the ladies in the gym. They were all staring at him, whispering to each other, and giggling.
Max noticed it too, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. He pushed the feeling aside, focusing on helping Daniel achieve his fitness goals.
As they worked out, Daniel and Max chatted about their interests, hobbies, and goals. Daniel was surprised to find that he had a lot in common with Max, and he felt a sense of ease and comfort around him.
As their training session came to an end, Max smiled and patted Daniel on the back. "You're a natural, Daniel! I'm looking forward to our next session."
Daniel grinned, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. He couldn't wait to see Max again and continue their training sessions.
As Daniel and Max finished their training session, they decided to relax and grab some refreshments at the gym's juice bar. As they sat down at a table, Daniel couldn't help but notice the admiring glances from the ladies around them.
Just as they were about to take a sip of their drinks, one of the ladies made a move on Daniel, flirting shamelessly and trying to get his attention. Daniel felt uncomfortable and was about to politely decline when he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Hey, Max! What's going on?"
Daniel's heart skipped a beat as he turned around to see none other than Maya, his school best friend. He hadn't seen her in a while, and he was overjoyed to be reunited with her.
Maya's eyes widened in surprise as she took in Daniel's new physique. "Daniel? Is that you?"
Daniel grinned, feeling a mix of happiness and embarrassment. "Maya! It's so great to see you!"
As they hugged and exchanged greetings, Max looked on with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "Wait a minute... Daniel, you're the 'Dan' Maya's always talking about at home?"
Daniel's face turned bright red as he realized the connection. "Uh, yeah... that's me."
Maya laughed, playfully rolling her eyes. "I guess I should have known you two would meet eventually. Max is my big brother, you know."
Max chuckled, shaking his head. "I had no idea, Maya. You never told me Daniel was your friend."
Maya grinned mischievously. "I guess I wanted to keep some things to myself."
As they caught up and reminisced about old times, Daniel couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected reunion with Maya. And with Max being Maya's brother, Daniel felt like he had found a new family connection.
As they continued to chat and catch up, Max suddenly grinned mischievously at Daniel. "Hey, brother-in-law! Let's exchange numbers so we can stay in touch."
Maya's eyes widened in embarrassment, and she quickly shook her head. "Max, stop it! Don't embarrass Daniel like that."
Daniel's face turned bright red as he laughed awkwardly. "Uh, yeah, sure. I guess we can exchange numbers."
Max chuckled, clearly enjoying the awkward moment. "Awesome, brother-in-law! I'll make sure to keep in touch and give you a hard time whenever I can."
Maya rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Max, you're such a tease. Leave Daniel alone."
As they exchanged numbers, Daniel couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed by Max's playful teasing. But at the same time, he was grateful to have reconnected with Maya and to have met her brother, who seemed like a great guy.
As they said their goodbyes and parted ways, Daniel turned to Maya and whispered, "Sorry about your brother. He's a bit of a handful, huh?"
Maya giggled and playfully nudged him. "Yeah, Max can be a bit much sometimes. But he's harmless. Don't worry about it."
Daniel smiled, feeling relieved. "Okay, thanks for understanding. I'll talk to you soon, okay?"
Maya nodded, smiling back at him. "Definitely. Take care, Daniel."
As they went their separate ways, Daniel couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected reunion with Maya and the new connection he had made with her brother, Max.
As Daniel stepped out of his mansion, he was greeted by his bodyguards, who were standing at attention, waiting to escort him to his new university. His house manager, Mr. Jenkins, approached him with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Master Daniel. I trust you're feeling well and ready for your first day of school?"
Daniel nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "Yes, thank you, Mr. Jenkins. I'm looking forward to it."
Mr. Jenkins handed him a folder containing his class schedule, map of the university, and other important documents. "Here's everything you need for today, Master Daniel. Your bodyguards will escort you to and from school, and I'll be available to assist you with anything you need."
Daniel took the folder, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Mr. Jenkins. "Thank you, Mr. Jenkins. I appreciate everything you do for me."
As he turned to leave, Daniel paused and turned back to Mr. Jenkins. "You know, while I'm in school, I want to start building my empire. I want to make a name for myself and create a business that will last for generations."
Mr. Jenkins's eyes widened in surprise, but then a warm smile spread across his face. "I couldn't be prouder of you, Master Daniel. You have a vision and a drive that will take you far. I'll do everything I can to support you on this journey."
Daniel nodded, feeling a sense of determination and purpose. "Thank you, Mr. Jenkins. Let's make it happen."
With that, Daniel set off with his bodyguards to start his new life at university, ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
Chapter 22
As Daniel settled into his new university routine, he made a conscious decision to keep a low profile. He didn't want to draw attention to himself, especially since he was still getting used to his new life as a billionaire's son.
He instructed his bodyguards to watch from afar, rather than following him closely around campus. "I want to blend in with the other students," he told them. "I don't want to stand out or draw unnecessary attention."
His bodyguards nodded, understanding his wishes. They kept a discreet distance, watching over Daniel from afar as he attended classes and navigated campus life.
Meanwhile, Daniel also asked Mr. Jenkins to find him a female assistant to help him manage his business ventures. "I need someone who is smart, efficient, and discreet," he told Mr. Jenkins. "Someone who can help me grow my business empire without drawing attention to myself."
Mr. Jenkins nodded, taking note of Daniel's requirements. "I'll find someone perfect for the job, Master Daniel," he said. "Someone who will be able to assist you with your business needs while also maintaining confidentiality."
Within a few days, Mr. Jenkins introduced Daniel to a young woman named Mei-Ling. She was a recent graduate with a degree in business administration, and she had a sharp mind and a keen eye for detail.
Daniel was impressed with Mei-Ling's qualifications and her professionalism. He hired her on the spot, and she quickly became an indispensable part of his business team.
As Daniel settled into his new routine, he felt a sense of excitement and purpose. He was building his business empire, and he had a great team behind him to support him every step of the way.
As the semester progressed, Maya's popularity continued to grow. She was known for her stunning beauty, sharp intellect, and charming personality. Many students, especially the guys, couldn't help but be drawn to her.
As a result, Maya's schedule became increasingly busy. She was always attending club meetings, study groups, and social events. Daniel, on the other hand, was focused on his business studies and building his empire.
Despite being in different departments - Daniel in Business and Maya in Health - they would occasionally cross paths on campus. When they did, they would exchange warm smiles, but they rarely had time to talk.
Daniel was happy to see Maya thriving, but he couldn't help feeling a little left out. They used to be inseparable in high school, but now it seemed like they were drifting apart.
One day, as Daniel was walking to his next class, he caught a glimpse of Maya walking in the opposite direction. He smiled and waved, and Maya smiled back, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
For a brief moment, Daniel felt like they were back in high school, when life was simpler and they had more time for each other. But as they went their separate ways, Daniel couldn't help but wonder if they would ever be as close as they used to be.
As Daniel's business empire continued to grow, he made a bold move by purchasing a 5-star hotel worth millions. He instructed Mei-Ling, his secretary, to take care of the day-to-day operations and ensure that the hotel ran smoothly.
Meanwhile, back at the university, Daniel's reputation as the second most handsome boy in his class had not gone unnoticed. Many girls and female lecturers couldn't help but be drawn to his charming smile and chiseled features.
However, Daniel's humility and low-key demeanor kept him grounded, and he never let the attention go to his head.
In his class, there were four other rich boys who were known for their wealth and arrogance. One of them, a slightly overweight boy named Reginald, loved to flaunt his wealth and brag about his family's business empire.
Despite being surrounded by these rich boys, Daniel kept his own wealth and business dealings a secret. He preferred to blend in with the crowd and avoid drawing attention to himself.
Only Mei-Ling and a few close associates knew about Daniel's true wealth and business empire. And Daniel intended to keep it that way, at least for now.
As the semester progressed, Daniel found himself growing more and more comfortable in his new surroundings. He was making friends, excelling in his studies, and building his business empire in secret.
But little did he know, his anonymity wouldn't last forever. Soon, his true identity and wealth would be revealed, and everything would change.
Chapter 23
As the semester progressed, Daniel's charm and good looks had caught the attention of the class president, a beautiful and intelligent girl named Mei-Xing. She had fallen deeply in love with Daniel, but he remained oblivious to her feelings, focusing instead on his studies.
One of the rich boys in the class, Reginald, had also noticed Mei-Xing's affections for Daniel and had become jealous. Reginald was known for his love of parties and luxury, and he saw Mei-Xing as the ultimate prize.
Reginald challenged Daniel to a spending competition, determined to prove that he was the one who deserved Mei-Xing's love. "Let's see who can spend the most money on a night out," Reginald sneered. "If you can't even afford to take Mei-Xing out on a proper date, then you don't deserve her."
Daniel, however, was not interested in playing along. "I'm not interested in competing with you for Mei-Xing's attention," he said calmly. "I'm only interested in my studies, and I don't have time for petty games like this."
Reginald's face turned red with anger, and he became even more determined to prove his worth. "Fine, then I'll show you what a real night out looks like," he sneered. "I'll invite the whole class to the most expensive restaurant in town, and we'll see who Mei-Xing really wants to be with."
Unbeknownst to Reginald, the restaurant he had chosen was actually the 5-star hotel restaurant that Daniel owned. Daniel watched with amusement as Reginald made his plans, knowing that he had the upper hand.
Daniel had been looking forward to spending a quiet evening with Maya, and had invited her to join him for dinner at the 5-star hotel. But to his surprise, she had refused, saying she had too much work to do.
Disappointed, Daniel decided to head to the restaurant anyway, where he knew his classmates would be gathering. As he arrived, they spotted him and called out for him to join them. But Daniel lied, saying he was on a date, and declined their invitation.
The class president, Mei-Xing, looked somehow displeased by Daniel's response, and Reginald, never one to miss an opportunity to mock Daniel, laughed and hurled some abusive words in his direction. But Daniel ignored him and headed upstairs, not wanting to engage with Reginald's childish behavior.
As he reached the top floor, Daniel's heart sank. There, in the luxurious private dining room, was Maya, sitting on a date with some other guy. Daniel felt as though he had been punched in the gut. Earlier, she had turned him down, saying she was too busy, but now it seemed she had been busy with someone else all along.
Maya saw Daniel standing there, a look of shock and hurt on his face, and she quickly got up to try and explain herself. But Daniel didn't want to hear it. He turned and walked away, his heart heavy with disappointment and betrayal.
Heartbroken and feeling lost, Daniel decided to take a break from everything. He requested permission to leave the university for a month, citing personal reasons. His professors, concerned about his well-being, granted him the leave.
As he spent his days holed up at home, Daniel was bombarded with emails, phone calls, and text messages from Maya. She was desperate to explain herself and apologize for hurting him, but Daniel was resolute in his decision to ignore her.
For the past two weeks, Daniel had been listening to depressing music, feeling sorry for himself, and struggling to come to terms with what had happened. His secretary, Mei-Ling, had been checking in on him regularly, trying to persuade him to get out of the house and take care of himself.
Occasionally, Mei-Ling would arrange for a therapist to visit Daniel at home, hoping that talking to a professional would help him process his emotions. But Daniel was resistant to the idea, and the sessions often ended with him feeling more frustrated than helped.
As the days turned into weeks, Daniel's friends and family began to worry about him. He had always been a strong and resilient person, but now he seemed lost and broken. Mei-Ling, in particular, was concerned about Daniel's mental health and was determined to find a way to help him heal and move forward.
One day, a friend from Daniel's class, a warm and themed boy named Alex, decided to pay him a visit. Alex had been worried about Daniel since he saw what happened at the restaurant, and he wanted to check in on him.
Alex had managed to get Daniel's address from his phone, and he was surprised to find himself standing in front of a luxurious mansion worth millions. The cars in the yard were sleek and expensive, and Alex couldn't help but wonder how Daniel's family had amassed such wealth.
Despite feeling a bit intimidated, Alex decided to approach the house and see if Daniel was home. When Daniel answered the door, he was surprised to see Alex standing there.
"How did you find me?" Daniel asked, looking at Alex with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
Alex explained that he had seen Daniel's address on his phone, and Daniel couldn't help but laugh at his own carelessness.
"I guess I wasn't careful enough," Daniel said, shaking his head.
Alex smiled and said, "I'm just glad I was able to find you. I've been worried about you since what happened at the restaurant."
Daniel nodded, feeling a bit touched by Alex's concern. "Thanks, Alex. That means a lot to me."
As they stood there, Alex couldn't help but notice the luxurious surroundings. "Wow, your house is amazing," he said, looking around in awe.
Daniel smiled and said, "Yeah, my family has been fortunate enough to do well for ourselves."
Alex nodded, feeling a bit more at ease now that he had met Daniel in person. "I'm glad I came to visit," he said. "You're not as scary as I thought you'd be."
Daniel laughed and said, "I'm not scary at all. I'm just a normal guy who happens to have a lot of money."
Alex smiled and said, "Well, you're definitely not normal. But I'm glad we're friends."
As Daniel invited Alex inside, he gestured for him to make himself at home. "Hey, make yourself comfortable," he said with a smile. "We can hang out in the living room."
Alex's eyes widened as he took in the opulent decor, but Daniel just chuckled and said, "Don't worry about it, just relax."
As they settled in, Daniel suggested they play some video games together. Alex's face lit up, and they spent the next few hours engrossed in a heated gaming session.
The house manager, Mr. Jenkins, was surprised to hear the sound of laughter and shouting coming from the living room. He poked his head in to see what was going on and was taken aback by the sight of Daniel and Alex completely absorbed in their gaming session.
As he watched, a smile spread across his face. It was good to see Daniel smiling and laughing again, especially after the heartbreak he had suffered recently.
As the afternoon wore on, Daniel and Alex took a break from gaming to grab some snacks from the kitchen. As they munched on chips and popcorn, Alex turned to Daniel and said, "Thanks for inviting me over, man. I'm having an amazing time."
Daniel grinned and said, "No problem, happy to have you over. I needed a break from my own thoughts, anyway."
Alex nodded sympathetically, knowing that Daniel had been through a tough time lately. But as they clapped each other on the back and headed back to the living room for another gaming session, it was clear that Daniel was finally starting to heal.