World of Elevators

Chapter 6

"What is your name?"

"Z-Zach."

"You don't have to get involved, Bella." Harris pushed Bella back gently.

Zach was certain, based on Harris' behavior, that Bella was the girl Harris liked.

"How much money have they not paid, Zach?" Bella chose to ignore Harris.

"$200."

Bella took the money from her trouser pocket. She then gave it to Zach.

"Here. Inform me the next time they refuse to pay." Harris lowered his head in shame as Bella glared at him.

"Thank you very much. I'll leave right now."

It would be unfortunate if Bella desired to be Harris' girlfriend. Zach muttered to himself, 'She appeared to be kind and sweet as well.'

Zach's steps were lighter as he approached the booth. Many of his department's students had gathered there. Ben and Lisa are among them.

"Here's the cash, Nin." Zach returned to the back after handing over the money.

"Wait, Zach!" she exclaimed. Her face was flushed with rage.

"Is there anything else?"

"Who was working the booth with you before?"

"Do you recall leaving me alone?" Zach scowled.

"That means he took the money!" exclaimed Eri, Nina's friend who had fled with her.

"Huh? What kind of money are you referring to?"

Ben took a shaky breath. "Zach, we lost $1,000 at this booth. I know you didn't take it but they insisted..."

"No! That must be him! Everyone had not arrived earlier." Nina sneered.

"So, why did you abandon your duty? Look! Zach even accepted money from the two thugs!" Ben yelled.

Zach had never seen Ben upset or angry before. Ben typically always keeps a positive attitude in front of everyone.

"You don't think I'm the leader, do you? It's simple to delegate your responsibilities to others. If something goes wrong, you will blame that person!" Ben exploded.

"Wait a minute, Ben. I'm not sure which money you're referring to. But, before I went to collect Harris's payment, I double-checked that the money here was still correct and that nothing was missing." Zach further explained.

"You mean one of the four of us stole the money?" Nina snorted angrily.

"N-No..."

Lisa, who had previously been silent, spoke at the same time as Zach, "I..."

Everyone was staring at the goddess of the department.

"I saw Zach take something from the drawer before leaving," Lisa said softly.

Zach was astounded. 'Why is Lisa suddenly accusing me?'

If it were someone else, Zach would probably get angry and try to get out of the situation. But it's Lisa!

From the beginning of the semester, he has had a deep admiration for Lisa. Then, out of nowhere, the girl recklessly accused Zach. Destroyed his heart to pieces!

"Zach, is that true?" Ben squinted.

"No! It is not true. But if no one wants to confess, I'll replace the money tomorrow." He responded in a deep tone.

Zach then walked away from everyone. It was pointless to be there any longer. No one would believe what he said. Especially since Lisa had made an unrefutable claim.

'You are so tough on me, Lisa!'

"Zach!"

Bella caught up with him. "I called you earlier."

"O-Oh. Apologies, I didn't hear you. You were Harris' girlfriend before, weren't you?"

Bella laughed sharply. The hurt caused by Lisa's behavior was quickly forgotten thanks to that sweet smile.

"He's just my friend. Where are you going, Zach?"

"Go back home."

"Earlier, I overheard a commotion at your booth."

Zach stopped walking. Was Bella going to accuse him like the others?

"I know you didn't. You don't have to go through the trouble of changing that money, Zach!"

"How do you know I didn't take it? I could have hidden the money now."

Bella laughed again. Zach was uneasy this time because he felt his words were being dismissed.

"You came to my booth earlier wearing only that light shirt and pants. One thousand dollars must be visible from your pocket, Zach!"

With her eyes, Bella pointed to Zach's pants. Zach suddenly covered the bottom of his navel with both hands.

"Hahaha! Zach, you are so amusing! What are you thinking?"

Zach's face heated up. He was aware that his cheeks were already flushed.

"Would you like to join me for a meal in front of campus? Everyone I know is very busy right now."

"I will treat." She added.

Bella didn't want to wait for Zach to respond. The girl yanked Zach's upper arm to follow her.

Zach is both happy and nervous. Eating alone with a beautiful girl like Bella would make him happy. He was just afraid Harris would catch them.

'It's like a cheating date,' Zach thought to himself.

"Thank you," Zach said shyly.

"I want to apologize for my friends' rudeness earlier."

"That's fine. I'm used to hearing things like that."

"Don't say that, Zach. Don't get used to hearing people berate you."

"Yeah."

Bella let out a short breath. "In my opinion, you are too kind-hearted. To the point where you don't dare to hurt others."

"That is not true."

'You're wrong, Bella. I'm just an ordinary coward. I would not remain silent if I were stronger and wealthier than them.'

"That's just my opinion. Please hand over your glasses."

"Glasses? For what?"

"I'd like to see your handsome face without your glasses, Zach."

Zach's face flushed again. This was the first time a girl had ever complimented his appearance.

"Hahaha... You are so funny, Zach!"

Bella grabbed Zach's glasses. Meanwhile, Zach was still dumbfounded.

"Oh, that... I can't see without my glasses."

Zach's vision became blurry. But he could still see Bella walking away from him.

"Bella? Where are you going? Where have my glasses gone? Please don't mess with me. I really can't see anything clearly."

Zach overheard some cafe patrons giggling. His hands fumbled in the air like a blind man. Even from two feet away, he couldn't recognize people's faces.

Employees at the cafe feel bad for Zach. She kindly directed Zach to the cashier.

"Do you see my glasses on the table?" Zach inquired, a little concerned.

"I don't see anything," a girl responded.

"And then Bella? "Where is my earlier companion?"

"Which one? Sorry, but I just arrived as well. I saw no one at your table."

"Could you please take me to the door, please? I'm afraid I'm going to bump into something."

"Okay, but first you must pay. These were the bills. Your table payment is $85."

"Sorry? My friend has already paid for it."

Zach was unable to see the girl's sorry-turned-irritated expression.

"No one has paid for your table yet."

Zach gulped heavily. The money in the pocket may not be enough to cover the bill. Nonetheless, he took everything from the bag and pocket.

Fortunately, Zach couldn't see well right now. So he wasn't as embarrassed about not being able to see the expressions of those who looked down on him.

Your balance is $82.

"Please allow me to leave with my student ID. I'll cover the rest later." Zach remarked.

The girl exhaled forcefully. But her voice remained steady as she spoke. "It's not necessary. I will make up for whatever you are lacking."

"Eh... But..."

"It's fine. I'll take you out right now."

"Thank you very much. I'll return it later today or tomorrow."

"It's up to you. I'll go in because there are still a lot of people in line."

"Once more..."

The girl shut the cafe door without waiting for Zach to finish speaking. He appears to understand that the girl is not sympathetic to him. It's because she doesn't want to argue with customers for too long.

'This is worse than it was before!' Zach snarled on the inside.

After stealing Zach's glasses, Bella left him alone in the cafe. Even Bella, who stated that she wanted to treat him, left an unpaid bill.

Zach was almost in tears. He was still able to see dimly. However, he could have been in an accident if he couldn't see the distance properly.

'Is she going to kill me? Why are people so cruel to me? Actually, what have I done wrong to them?'

Not only did Lisa and Bella ruin his day. Everyone is the same.

'I just need to collect a lot of gold coins in the world of elevators!' You'll see, I'll pay you back!'