Now that Ayana had money, she wouldn't let herself go through that again. Even if the money had come from something equally wrong. At least that man didn't know her. And most likely, they would never meet again.
"No, thanks," Ayana declined.
"You don't have to be shy with me. Just accompany me to the movi—"
"I'm buying a new one."
Ayana cut him off, making Harry flush in embarrassment. "I'm going ahead."
Harry walked away quickly, and Ayana simply stared at him with indifference.
When she entered class, Harry—who usually sat beside her—was distant. Kaira, a female friend who often hung out with Ayana on campus, noticed.
"Are you and Harry fighting?"
"Nope."
"Then why isn't he sitting next to you?"
"Does he have to?"
Ayana understood that Harry liked her. As long as he didn't cross any lines, she had no problem staying friends. That was why they were still close.
But other students assumed there was something romantic between them. After all, they were both on scholarships and came from similarly modest backgrounds.
"Don't get the wrong idea. There's nothing between me and Harry."
"It's just... you guys are always together. And..."
Kaira leaned in closer and whispered to Ayana. "I overheard Harry once telling the guys in class that no one else could approach you because you were his."
Ayana let out a deep sigh. So even the guy she thought she could trust turned out to be no different from the rest.
After class ended, Ayana went to the mall by bus.
She headed straight to the bookstore inside the mall. Not once did she stop by any other shops. She found the book she'd been looking for.
Just as she turned around, she heard a man's deep voice.
"Violet."
Leo stood in front of Ayana, his eyes studying the young woman who had just spent the night with him.
She looked completely different now. Her curves were hidden beneath a worn-out shirt, and there wasn't a trace of makeup on her face. And yet, she still looked beautiful.
"You're a student, aren't you?"
His eyes landed on the thick book in her arms. Ayana nodded silently in response.
"I'll be going now," she said politely.
She walked ahead, making it clear she wasn't interested in small talk.
Leo watched the way she walked—slightly unsteady, with a faint limp—and a crooked smile played on his lips.
He was reminded of the night they shared. The way her calm face now contrasted so sharply with the expressions she wore last night—pain laced with desire.
Snapping himself out of the thought, Leo strode after her. Without a word, he slipped his business card between her book and her hand.
"If you ever need money, don't go back to that place. Just call me."
With that, Leo turned and walked away with long, confident strides.
Ayana adjusted her grip on the book, making sure the card didn't fall.
'Leonardo Brasher.'
Maybe... if she ever needed help again, she could borrow money from him. After all, they had already shared something intimate.
...
Ayana's day was far from over. After buying the book, she headed to D'more Café for work.
She winced as she pulled out money for the bus fare. Adding her lunch earlier, she'd already spent fifty today just on transportation.
After sending three thousand to her mother, Ayana had planned her budget carefully: Five hundred for rent, five to seven hundred for food for the whole month, two hundred for books, and six hundred for other school expenses or emergencies.
She couldn't afford another bus ride after this. She needed to save.
"Maybe I should just buy a bicycle," she muttered to herself.
She looked up prices online and was shocked. Even secondhand bikes ranged from 400 to 1,000 DNR.
With a long sigh, Ayana stepped inside D'more Café.
To be honest, she wasn't in any condition to work today—especially since being a barista meant she had to be on her feet constantly.
But she'd already taken her full salary—even the salary for next month—without any approved leave. There was no way she could ask for time off now.
During her shift, Robert, the café owner, kept glancing at her with concern.
"Your legs hurt?" he asked after her shift ended. "Let me drive you home."
Robert had driven Ayana home several times before, especially after the late-night shifts that ended at midnight. But never after a 7 PM shift.
Ayana hesitated for a moment but finally nodded. Maybe her boss just wanted to head home early too. Besides, she still wasn't comfortable walking far, and paying for another ride was out of the question.
"If you're in pain, you should've just taken the day off. Every employee gets days off, you know," Robert said as he drove.
"It's nothing serious, Mr. Brown."
Robert wasn't a harsh boss. He allowed each staff member one day off per week, and an extra day each month, both with flexible scheduling. Ayana usually only took one day off per month.
She understood gratitude. Getting paid in advance like she did was nearly unheard of. She had to prove—both to him and the other employees—that she deserved that kind of trust.
"Are you busy this Sunday?" Robert asked casually. "My son's coming over, and the housekeeper's taking the day off."
"I'm not busy. I'll come at the usual time?"
"Yeah. No rush though—you know how teenagers are with mornings."
Robert had been divorced for a while. His son lived with his ex-wife, but sometimes came over to stay the night.
When the housekeeper wasn't around, Robert called Ayana to help. Still, her tasks were minimal—just making breakfast, preparing a lunchbox, and dinner if they weren't eating out.
Robert usually took his son out, returning late in the afternoon or evening. Ayana's job was easy. She even brought her school assignments along since Robert's house had Wi-Fi.
Ayana knew Robert's kindness wasn't without reason—he was clearly interested in her. But again, she didn't mind. As long as he kept his boundaries—and so far, he always had.
She thanked him when they arrived in front of her apartment alley. The building wasn't far—still visible from the main road.
...