Riki was already waiting for me in the hotel lobby when I was lazily making my way down, still drunk. The alcohol was still roaming through my body, but, as Riki had said, if I didn't show up for the exam — we'd both be finished. I didn't feel like starting a fight with my mother and father, so it was simpler to come in and take this damned exam.
In the lobby I saw Riki surrounded by some girls, chatting with them pleasantly.
— Hey, — I called to him and headed for the car.
The first five minutes of the ride passed in complete silence. Riki handed me a cold bottle of water. Ah, cold water… how I love you.
— Leon? — Riki's voice was uncertain. I stayed silent, waiting for him to speak.
— Leon, are you alright?
— Yeah, just had too much last night, so don't buzz in my ear, my head hurts.
— That's not what I mean, — he looked at me with worry.
— Huh? Speak plainly, my head hurts… — This brat gave me a sweet, now comes the whip? What does he want?
— Just look at yourself. Even after drinking, after girls, whatever — you've always been neat: uniform in order, hair styled, shaved. What's with you?
— The stubble doesn't suit me, is that it?
That's the thing. I'm handsome, successful, influential, rich. The world's magazines want me as a model — cheekbones, nose, eyes, everything perfect. I've been named more than once among the most handsome young men on the planet… So why…?
— I'm rugged now, — I smirked. — I want to be rugged and I don't care.
— What, whiskey fried your brain? — Riki muttered.
— Listen, if they cancel the exam today, I'll kill you!
— Did I cancel it last time? What do I have to do with it? — he looked again like a disgruntled puppy. — And by the way, today's the finals in the swimming competition. The administration decided to finish all sports events by the end of November, so in December the students can focus on exams.
— Today? — only a week had passed, and I'd get to see you again… — So the Christmas Games are cancelled?
— Yeah, — Riki flipped through his notebook. — Your game's on Saturday. Also, the Shanghai youth team is offering a friendly match.
— Riki? — he looked at me questioningly. — Why do you do this?
He turned his gaze to the window.
— You know your mother assigned me to keep an eye on you. I'm your personal assistant.
— Not that. You could've refused. Or is your family's financial support so important?
— It's not just about the money. I could've just studied at San Eros, that alone would've been enough.
— Then why?
— Even when you saved me from being beaten up by the older guys, I never felt pity from you. Despite your status and my position, you never humiliated me. I work for you, take your orders, but you've never crossed the line.
— So your loyalty is measured in wages?
— They don't pay me that much for what I put up with, — he smirked slyly.
— You're still the same little bastard.
I turned to the window, but the question still itched in my mind: *Why you?*
…
The car stopped, Arthur opened the door. I just had to take this damned exam and be free. Riki went to his classes, I to mine. Honestly, I couldn't be bothered. With my IQ, exams were just a formality, but my parents demanded discipline.
I was dragging my feet, barely moving, when I accidentally bumped into a passing student. She fell right in front of me.
Was that you, Maya?..
I froze, unsure whether to help or just walk past, but in that moment Kai appeared in front of me — the future head of the Eastern clan and Hope's fiancé. He gently helped her to her feet, Maya's hands trembling. She was so strong, why would she suddenly need his help? He brushed off her skirt, adjusted her sleeves, pulling them over her fingers. He did it out of pity, but there she was. Maya looked at him with those cold eyes. She looked *right* at him. Not *through* him, like she did with me, not down at the floor, but *at him*. Why didn't she push him away?
— Annoying, — I exhaled and went on.
— Leon! — Kai called. — It's not manly to treat a girl like that.
— Where do you see a girl here? — I threw back and stepped into the classroom.
…
Maya sat in front, her hair covering her face. Whatever. I wanted water.
The committee and Mr. Lo were announcing the rules, but I wasn't listening. When I asked for water, the assistant handed out drinks to everyone who wanted them, and the exam began.
— Miss Maya, — said the teacher, — tie your hair back, the committee wants to see everyone clearly.
She smoothly tied it in a ponytail, hid her hands under the desk, and fixed her gaze on the sheet. Her left ear was scratched… Did I do that? And why did I care?.. She sat like that for another fifteen minutes, then finally picked up a pen and began filling in the sheets.
Why did she look at Kai like that? I'd been polite with her, and she just ignored me. Or did she think: *Helped me up — must be a good guy*? Something so trivial could touch her? Hah… naive. That guy's worse than me.
It took me no effort to write down all the correct answers — I'd mastered this course at eighteen. My eyes and brain memorized things much faster than any ordinary student. Problems solved themselves with ease: a glance at the example, and a few seconds later the correct answer was ready. The advantage of geniuses — time saved. We don't need hours cramming books, hunting rare sources, or hiding in the library for answers.
These days, many dream of being smart — the biggest corporations buy brains, not looks. But I'm not in that number. Maybe that's why I don't use my abilities at a hundred percent.
Thirty minutes later, my answer sheet was full. I was dying for water.
— Mr. Lo, I'm done, may I leave the room? — The committee began whispering again.
— You may hand in your answers, — Mr. Lo's voice sounded doubtful.
I walked to the committee and handed them over. Meanwhile, Mr. Lo came up to me and said quietly:
— You could at least sit until the end for appearances' sake. If you're going to show up, you should follow the discipline.
I stayed silent. In essence, I didn't care about his remark. I'd done the bare minimum required. I turned and headed for the exit.
Blue eyes followed me. Her eyes, like ice, were finally looking at me. But that look was soulless and cold. She looked straight at me. I couldn't look away. She was looking at me. She…
I stepped out of the classroom. My feelings were tangled. Why did it matter to me that she was looking at me? Why?
— Annoying, — I breathed. My whole heart was irritated by these feelings. The situation irritated me. The thought that I cared irritated me. — So damned annoying!
Message from Riki:
*"Races at 3 p.m. I'll be in Room #4. Waiting for you. And bring Maya."*
Today I'd get rid of this nonsense. I wouldn't let anything keep bothering me.
I had time to put myself in order, have lunch, and even nap in the lounge. And now, 3 p.m. I was in my usual VIP Room #4, with wine and snacks, waiting for Riki. Would he be able to bring her to me?
The door opened. Riki came in, and I heard hesitant footsteps. It was her. Maya had followed him after all.
— Sit, — I gestured to the chair Riki usually took.
He extended a hand, as if to guide her to the chair. She hesitated, but sat. My feelings were mixed: I was surprised she was here, but also angry. I poured her a glass of wine.
— Drink, it'll help you relax, — but there was only silence in response. She just sat beside me, staring off into the distance.
Again: I was polite, and she just ignored me. You looked at Kai — why won't you look at me? I stood and went to the window.
— I don't want you under any illusions, — I said, watching the start of the first race. — All of us, the elite — me, even Kai — already have our fates. So don't flatter yourself if we're kind. People like you should accept our kindness and use the chance to improve your lives.
Silence in response. She just sat there, motionless.
— The girls swimming right now, they have better chances, and they're always grateful, — I went on.
I heard her steps — she came to the glass and started watching the girls.
— Some of them are elite, they could be our future wives. Some are scholarship students who can improve their lot by being close to us. But you, Maya, you're neither. You know who I am, and still you push me away. You think you'll survive that?
The scoreboard lit up with the names for the next race.
— Even Kai, who seems sweet, has a girl far above your level. You can see for yourself, — I glanced at the girls coming out of the locker room. My Hope wasn't there. — Riki, where is she? — my heart was beating faster than usual. — Riki, find out where she is!
— What, the mafia girl didn't show up? — her calm, even voice struck like a thunderclap. She turned and looked at me just as calmly.
My hatred for her finally outweighed my curiosity. My body burned with rage at this Maya. I couldn't hold back — I slapped her.
— Who are you to open your mouth? — I wanted to destroy her. To crush her right there. — How dare you, you pathetic nothing, speak of her like that? You're not even fit to stand beside her!
After the blow, she turned back to me and looked through me with her cold eyes. Her face was utterly indifferent.
— Do you like that mafia girl so much? — again her calm, even voice.
She was nothing. I wanted her silent forever. I raised my hand to slap her again, but a trembling hand stopped my swing. Her fingers shook, but were hard and strong, like steel. This little wretch had no trouble pushing my hand away.
— You do realize you've just dug your own grave, — I ground out. My teeth clenched, hatred blooming in my mind. Mad hatred.
Maya bowed.
— Mister Leon, forgive me for the disturbance. You don't need to remind me who you are and who the others are. And certainly not tell me who I am. I know that I am no one, and that my name is nothing in this world. So please, allow me to remain no one and just study, as I did before we met. If you hate me so much, I'll simply request a transfer to another group and do everything I can so that you don't see me. So I ask you — stop.
She straightened and calmly left the room.
— Bitchhh! — my rage began tearing apart everything around me. Table, chairs, wine, food — everything infuriated me. But more than anything, she did.
It took me ten minutes to more or less calm down.
— Where is she? — I glared at the sullen Riki. — I'm asking, where?! — my shout cut into my own soul.
— I found out just before the start, so I didn't have time to tell you…
— Where is she?! — my teeth ground in fury.
— Her clan canceled all her visits to San Eros until next year. No reason given.
My anger surged back. I wanted to hurl the table, smash the glass. I wanted to find that upstart and bury her in the woods.
— Leon, — Riki's hesitant voice stopped my thoughts, — please, leave her alone. She's already had a hard life. Please.
— What the hell?! — I flew at him, grabbing his collar. — You've all had a hard life. What, am I supposed to bow to every arrogant bitch? — my eyes drilled into him with fury. — I thought you were on my side!
I threw Riki to the floor. Just as much a sellout. The same.
— You're no longer my assistant. Find yourself another master, mutt.
I headed for the exit.
— Please, Leon… she's my cousin… please, — that was the last thing I heard from Riki. From someone I'd thought was a friend. He'd just betrayed me.
***
14:00.
— Hello, Mom? — I was surprised she called at this hour. Maybe something urgent?
— Riki, — her voice sounded troubled, — I found a folder with information about a girl named Maya on your desk. Where did you get it?
— It's for Leon. He asked me to find out. Is something wrong?
Silence.
— Hello, Mom? Are you alright?
— Riki, do you remember when you were ten, your cousin came to stay with us for a couple of months? Remember?
— Yes, Mom, but what does that have to do with anything? — I didn't understand why she was bringing up the past.
— Well, that Maya Simpson — she's that cousin.
How was that possible? I barely remembered that time, because after it came the hard years. But how…?
— Riki, you know she only brings trouble. Please, stay away from her.