The gaming hall smelled like sweat, neon plastic, and cheap ambition.
Jayden liked it.
Not because it was glamorous.
Because it was loud.
Because it was competitive.
Because everything inside was about winning.
Marcus was already at the currency machine when Jayden walked in.
"You're late," Marcus said without looking up.
Jayden slid his hands into his pockets. "Time is relative."
Marcus snorted. "Money isn't."
Jayden's lips curved. "Exactly."
They weren't here for casual arcade games.
They were at the private corner section digital investment simulators. Virtual stock markets. Risk-based cash tournaments.
A game about multiplying fake money into more fake money.
Jayden loved it.
Not because it was realistic.
Because it felt like rehearsal.
He dropped into the seat beside Marcus.
"Ready to lose?" Marcus asked.
Jayden flexed his fingers once over the console.
"I don't lose."
The game loaded flashing numbers, fluctuating digital markets, timer ticking down from fifteen minutes.
High volatility mode.
Higher risk. Higher reward.
Marcus selected moderate strategy.
Jayden chose aggressive.
Of course he did.
The screen burst into motion — numbers climbing, crashing, currency shifting every second.
Jayden leaned forward, eyes sharp, fingers moving quickly.
He didn't hesitate.
He never hesitated.
Sell.
Buy.
Flip.
Double down.
Marcus glanced sideways. "You're reckless."
Jayden didn't look away from the screen.
"Reckless people stay broke. I calculate."
"You just put half your balance into one stock."
"It'll spike."
"And if it crashes?"
Jayden's eyes gleamed.
"Then I start again."
The stock surged.
Marcus groaned. "Unbelievable."
Jayden smirked slightly.
"It's pattern recognition."
"It's gambling."
Jayden shook his head.
"It's confidence."
The timer hit five minutes remaining.
Marcus was up twenty percent.
Jayden was up seventy.
The neon glow reflected off his face, highlighting that familiar hunger in his expression.
He wasn't playing for points.
He was playing for the feeling.
The rush of multiplying something small into something bigger.
That was the dream.
When the timer ended, Jayden's screen flashed WINNER.
Marcus leaned back dramatically.
"You're insane."
Jayden stood slowly, stretching.
"I'm hungry."
"For food?"
"For more."
Marcus rolled his eyes.
They moved to a side table with plastic cups of soda.
Music thumped faintly from the speakers.
Marcus leaned back in his chair, studying him.
"You think about money too much."
Jayden shrugged.
"People who don't end up asking for it."
"You talk like you're already broke."
Jayden's jaw tightened just slightly.
"I am."
Marcus didn't answer that.
Instead, he leaned forward.
"So how many this week?"
Jayden glanced at him lazily.
"What?"
"Hookups."
Jayden took a sip of soda.
"Three."
Marcus choked slightly. "Three?"
"Two guys. One girl."
Marcus stared at him.
"You're not normal."
Jayden smirked faintly.
"Normal is average."
Marcus shook his head.
"You don't even seem attached."
"I'm not."
"Ever?"
Jayden leaned back.
Attachment slowed you down.
Attachment made you compromise.
Attachment made you choose feelings over opportunity.
"No," he said simply.
Marcus watched him carefully.
"You treat people like temporary leases."
Jayden shrugged.
"People treat money the same way."
"That's not the same."
"It is."
Marcus tilted his head slightly.
"Is that why you only go for older ones?"
Jayden didn't answer immediately.
Then:
"Older ones know what they want."
"And that is?"
"Control."
Marcus laughed. "You like control?"
Jayden's eyes flickered.
"I like access."
Marcus narrowed his eyes.
"That professor?"
Jayden's lips curved faintly.
"What about him?"
Marcus leaned forward, lowering his voice.
"You think I didn't notice? You've been different since his class."
Jayden twirled the straw in his drink.
"He's disciplined."
"That's your type?"
"He's connected."
Marcus blinked.
"Oh."
There it was.
Understanding.
"You're not into him," Marcus said slowly. "You're into what he represents."
Jayden's gaze sharpened.
"That's smarter."
Marcus leaned back.
"You're cold."
Jayden shrugged.
"Cold people build empires."
Marcus stared at him.
"Don't tell me you're actually planning something."
Jayden's smile was slow.
"I'm always planning something."
Marcus hesitated.
"Like what?"
Jayden looked around the gaming hall.
Flashing machines.
Teenagers shouting.
Plastic trophies.
He leaned closer.
"Very soon, I won't be in places like this."
Marcus rolled his eyes. "Okay, billionaire."
"I'm serious."
"Doing what? Sleeping your way up?"
Jayden didn't flinch.
"If that's what it takes."
Marcus stared at him.
"You're joking."
Jayden's expression didn't change.
"I don't joke about money."
Silence settled between them.
Then Marcus laughed nervously.
"You're not serious."
Jayden tilted his head slightly.
"Imagine the headlines. Scholarship student rises fast. Connections. Mentorship."
Marcus blinked.
"You're talking about Roman."
Jayden didn't confirm.
Didn't deny.
Marcus leaned back, stunned.
"That's dangerous."
"Everything worth having is."
Marcus ran a hand through his hair.
"You'll get expelled."
"Only if I get caught."
"You think this is a game?"
Jayden's eyes drifted to the glowing investment machines.
"It always is."
Marcus exhaled sharply.
"And what about Professor Keller? You flirt with her too."
Jayden smirked slightly.
"She respects intelligence."
"You answered one question."
"I answer well."
Marcus shook his head.
"You're insane."
Jayden leaned forward, voice low.
"Very soon I'll be rich."
Marcus laughed again, uneasy.
"Doing what? Hooking up with Mrs. Keller next?"
Jayden's eyes gleamed.
"Why not?"
Marcus froze.
"You're kidding."
Jayden didn't smile this time.
"She's ambitious. I'm ambitious."
"She's married."
"Unhappily."
"You don't even know that."
Jayden shrugged.
"Most powerful women are."
Marcus stared at him like he didn't recognize him.
"You'd risk that?"
"For leverage? Yes."
Marcus slammed his palm lightly on the table.
"This isn't about attraction anymore."
"It never was."
Silence.
Heavy now.
Marcus leaned closer.
"You're going to destroy yourself."
Jayden's voice softened.
"No."
His eyes hardened.
"I'm going to outgrow all of you."
The music from the gaming machines pulsed around them.
Marcus studied him for a long moment.
"You don't care who gets hurt."
Jayden stood.
"I care about not being broke."
Marcus didn't follow immediately.
Jayden walked toward the exit, neon lights fading behind him.
Outside, the evening air felt cooler.
Quieter.
Marcus caught up eventually.
"You really think professors are stepping stones?"
Jayden looked ahead.
"They're doors."
"And what if they close?"
Jayden's lips curved faintly.
"Then I knock harder."
Marcus shook his head slowly.
"You're obsessed."
Jayden didn't deny it.
Money was safety.
Money was respect.
Money was the difference between dreaming about Ferraris and owning them.
As they walked toward the streetlights, Jayden's phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He glanced at it.
Then at Marcus.
"See?" Marcus muttered. "Another one."
Jayden answered calmly.
"Yes?"
A pause.
Then a familiar, controlled voice.
"Mr. Cross."
Roman.
Jayden's pulse didn't spike.
It sharpened.
"Yes, Professor?"
"We need to discuss your participation in class."
Marcus watched his expression change slightly.
"I'm available," Jayden replied smoothly.
Roman's tone was unreadable.
"Tomorrow. After lecture."
The line disconnected.
Marcus stared.
"That him?"
Jayden slipped his phone into his pocket.
"Yes."
Marcus exhaled slowly.
"You're playing with fire."
Jayden's gaze lifted toward the city skyline.
Fire built steel.
He smiled faintly.
"I know."