Chapter 18: The Burden of Secrets
Andrean had always prided himself on being able to keep his personal life separate from his school life, his friends, and his family. But with the recent "surprise" in the cafeteria, that wall was beginning to crumble. It wasn't just the fact that his classmates were starting to suspect something—it was that they were beginning to notice that Andrean wasn't like everyone else. He didn't come from a rich family, and yet, his lifestyle seemed to scream otherwise.
It had been a week since the cake celebration, and Andrean had spent every moment since trying to keep his composure. Richard still hadn't brought up the topic, but the way he looked at Andrean now—like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop—was unsettling. Every time they hung out, Richard would glance at him with a raised brow, as if expecting Andrean to say something. But Andrean didn't know what to say. He had no way of explaining the cashback system without revealing the entire truth, and that wasn't something he could afford to do.
On the other hand, Mara had been incredibly insistent about organizing more "surprise" events. She wanted to show her appreciation for Andrean, and while it was heartwarming, it also felt like a trap. The more they showed their gratitude, the more questions were raised. How was Andrean able to afford all of this? What was he really up to?
One afternoon, while Andrean was walking home, his phone buzzed with a message from Athena.
"Hey, Andrean. Can we talk?"
His heart skipped a beat. It had been a while since he had heard from her directly, and his stomach churned with the thought that she might know something. He had no idea what she wanted to talk about, but he couldn't shake the feeling that this might be the moment where everything changed.
After agreeing to meet at the nearby park, Andrean paced around, trying to calm his nerves. When Athena finally arrived, she didn't waste any time.
"Andrean, I've been thinking a lot about you lately," Athena began, her voice serious yet calm. "And I need to ask you something."
Andrean's throat went dry. "What's up?"
"I've noticed that things are different with you recently. You're more... generous. More confident. And it's not like you're just giving money away for no reason. I've seen the way you act—like there's something bigger going on. I'm not stupid. There's something you're not telling us." Athena's sharp eyes locked onto his. "So, what's your secret?"
Andrean felt his chest tighten. There it was. Athena had caught on, and now, there was no way out.
"I... I don't know what you're talking about," he stammered, his voice cracking slightly. "I'm just trying to be helpful."
Athena shook her head slowly. "Come on, Andrean. Don't lie to me. I've seen the way you act when you buy stuff, how you're always able to do things for people without hesitation. It's not normal. And you know it's not. So tell me—what's really going on?"
Andrean's mind raced. He could lie, continue denying it, but Athena wasn't someone easily fooled. He had to find a way to explain it without revealing too much.
"I... can't tell you, Athena. It's complicated," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And it's not something I can share right now."
For a moment, Athena just stared at him. Her expression softened slightly. "I get it. You're trying to protect something, and I respect that. But know that you don't have to carry this burden alone. You're not the only one with secrets, you know?"
Andrean was taken aback. Athena had never seemed this vulnerable before. "What do you mean?" he asked, genuinely curious.
She shrugged slightly, her gaze turning distant. "It's not easy being the smartest person in the room. People always expect things from me—like I have all the answers, like I have everything together. But I don't. I've got my own pressures to deal with."
Andrean nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. It was comforting to know that even someone like Athena had her own struggles. "Thanks for understanding," he said, finally letting out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Athena offered him a small smile. "You're welcome. Just... be careful with whatever it is you're doing. People notice more than you think."
After a long pause, Athena turned to leave. "Take care, Andrean. And remember, if you ever want to talk... I'm here."