Jason and the Enigmatic System

Chapter 4

I watched as she drove out of sight. I wonder how I was going to see her again if we had struck a bargain. I looked at the clothes she picked up for me and a card fell off from it. I looked at it and saw her phone number. I looked a little puzzled. Did Paulina know I was going to ask for her help?

I waved down a taxi and went back to my dorm. I was still the same loner who ran school errands for the school bullies, nothing changed. I looked at my time the following day and my eyes opened in shock. I was five minutes late for my class. I rushed into the bathroom and hurriedly took my bath. I looked at the scatter and rumpled clothes inside my closet and I decided to wear something nice. I picked a cloth from the one I bought at the boutique and styled my hair. I looked at the full-length mirror standing in front of me and I couldn't believe I was staring back at myself. I hummed as I slung my bag to my back. I walked out and was almost getting to class when I was stopped by both Carlos and Dominic. I looked at them and almost wet my pants. " No way! Jason?" Diego taunted walking closer to me 

" Who can believe an ugly duckling could turn into a peacock?" He said laughing

My mind raced with all sorts of thoughts. Did Dominic tell Carlos about what I did? I knew I would be preyed on by all the bullies if they made it official that I was one of their prey. Most of the student see me as their bitch because I was always running errands for them but now everything was about to change. I held my phone tightly because it was my lifeline. I knew Dominic would make me send all the money into his account even though he didn't need it. 

Carlos walked closer to me and looked into my face " I hear you are throwing some cash around. Guess you are a rich kid after all." He said staring at my fancy clothes. Xavier walked closer to me running his hand over my hair. I clenched my fist in anger and looked at him. He saw the look in my eyes and gave me a laugh " Did you just glare at me?" He shouted and the student laughed and it made me fidget. 

I saw Sophia laughing beside Dominic and I felt like a complete loser again. " Make him strip. I want to see him strip." Sophia said childishly looking at Dominic 

" Let him strip. I wonder what is beneath those two legs ." Diego taunted and I immediately fell to my knees pleading. I robbed my hands together but it looks like my pain was giving them joy. I saw Diego and Xavier walk closer to strip me then I looked back to see the students with their cameras up. 

" Guess you are going live on TikTok. " Sophia laughed 

" I can't believe you still behave immature." I heard a feminine voice and I looked back. " The voice sounded like that of Paulina. I looked through the crowd trying to catch a glimpse of her. She walked closer to me and pulled me up. " How dare you treat my boyfriend like this?" Paulina shouted with rage in her eyes. I have never seen her so angry before. I wondered if she had started with the deal we made but I wasn't sure. I haven't even sent her the money yet. I saw the look on Dominic and Carlos's faces. 

Many of the students whispered and wondered how I was able to date the richest and prettiest girl on campus. Many of the rich boys wanted Paulina. I wondered why she chose me. 

I looked at her and dusted my trousers. " You need to start behaving like you own the university ground itself. Otherwise, you would be preyed on by the weaker students." Paulina advised and told me to meet her after closing hours. 

I looked at my phone and I was just having 8 hours to spend the rest of the money. 

I hurried to the school department and paid off some of my school levy and I was left with just Paulina's money. I knew I might have to pay her if she asked for it. 

My mind wasn't in the class as I wondered why Paulina wanted to see me. 

As soon as the lecture concluded, I bolted out of the classroom and made my way to the lobby. I was determined to make a good impression and show Paulina that I was ready for whatever adventure lay ahead. Spotting her striding confidently with her car keys in hand, I couldn't help but admire her poise.

"Gosh! I need to get myself a car," I muttered to myself as she approached.

"Get in," Paulina commanded without waiting for me to say a word.

"Where are we going?" I asked, studying her expression for any hints.

"Would you rather I throw you out of my car? You promised not to ask me any questions, remember," Paulina snapped as she ignited the car. "Seat belt," she added tersely before reversing out of the school grounds.

I noticed the whispers among the students, but I felt a sense of relief knowing I was no longer under the grip of Carlos and Dominic. However, Paulina, the woman I was falling for, seemed to be even more intimidating than my former enemies.

As we drove, my phone emitted a gaming sound, reminding me of the urgent need to spend the money. "Can I have your account details?" I blurted out.

Paulina glanced at me, her expression unreadable. "What's the rush? We have all the time in the world," she replied casually.

"I need to send it now!" I insisted, feeling the pressure mounting. Paulina halted the car abruptly and fixed her gaze on me. "Fine," she relented, providing her account number, and I transferred the money.

"Wow! I thought you were kidding when you said you have the money," she remarked, furrowing her brows.

"You're rich and handsome. Why would you want a woman who cheated on you back, anyway? You could have any woman you want," Paulina questioned, clearly puzzled about my fixation on Sophia.

I clenched my jaw, my anger flaring. "I'm going to make her pay for toying with my emotions. She'll wish she had never crossed paths with me," I declared, my anger fueling my resolve.

"Do you know what tomorrow is?" Paulina asked, her eyes fixed on me. I shook my head in confusion.

"Dummy? Don't tell me you don't know Saturday is the school's prom night," Paulina exclaimed as she ignited the car.

She whisked me off to a salon for a fresh haircut and even splurged on an Italian suit for me. "You owe me big time for this," she remarked, eyeing me intently. I realized I had already transferred her the last of my cash, making it awkward for her to pay for me. "Don't tell me you don't have the money for this?" Paulina questioned, disbelief evident in her expression.

I forced a smile. "I do. The problem is that I've exceeded my daily limit," I lied, finding it to be the perfect excuse.

Paulina dropped me off at the dorm and glanced at me with determination. "Let's make them all jealous," she declared before speeding away.