Chapter 10

Ignoring Gordon's question, Mayra took the mop and went to mop the corridor. She said, "Aren't you ignoring me? You better not speak to me until we graduate." She returned to the classroom from the back door and wrapped up her cleaning duties. Just as she had picked up her backpack to leave, Gordon suddenly grabbed her hand and cornered her. Mayra carefully studied his features. He was just 18 years old, but he looked way older. His looks were ordinary, but she knew that he'd grow to be a popular bachelor in the future, even counting the mayor's daughter and even international models among his admirers. Gordon was the type of man who aged like fine wine. The gentle and determined glow in his eyes remained the same in this life. He retorted, "What else could I do? I'm just a poor bastard who has nothing going for me except for my good grades. I'm pestering you like a fly, and that disgusts you. Shouldn't you be glad that I'm staying away from you?" "No, that's not it!" She anxiously grabbed his wrist. "Gordon, I'm sorry for what happened before. Sorry… I said those words in a fit of anger, but I have never thought of you in that way." She apologized again, "Gordon, I'm sorry!" She teared up at the thought of Gordon, who in the past life shouldered her crimes and served a life sentence. "I'm… I'm sorry, Gordon Thorp. I am very sorry!" Her barrage of tears flustered Gordon, who was usually calm. "What are you crying for? People might think that I've bullied you. "Stop crying! I promise never to ignore you," he remarked with a calm look in his eyes. "Someone told me that they saw you being called to the teacher's office. Was it because of me? Did I cause you trouble?" She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. Then, she clarified, "N-No, it had nothing to do with you. I was called to the teacher's office because of my poor grades." He frowned upon hearing that. "Where's your exam paper? Show me." Mayra was sure that a smart guy like Gordon would immediately recognize that she had written his name on the paper. Therefore, she stammered, "T-The teacher is still grading our papers. We'll only get them back tomorrow." He questioned, "Did you memorize all the key points in the notebook I gave you last time?" She shook her head. She hadn't had time for that before the exam. Gordon lowered his gaze to observe the girl in front of him as he appeared to hold back his emotions. "You have the basics down, and liberal arts subjects are not that stressful either. You have two more years before your SATs, so take your time. You'll surely get into a good college if you memorize all the key points that I shared with you. "I'm leaving now. You should go home too. Remember, you can always call me if you have any questions." When he turned around, she suddenly took his hand, touching his tanned skin. He could be perfectly described as a proud gentleman from the look in his eyes. She said, "Gordon, I'm sorry for what I said to you last time. I will never say that again. Please forgive me, will you?" "Got it." Mayra went silent. Gordon stared at her hand on his wrist. "How much longer are you going to hold my hand? Do you want to be caught and get one more penalty?" She quickly let go of him. Watching him leave, she felt as though an invisible burden had been lifted. She did not feel as heavy-hearted as before. She promised to herself, "Gordon Thorp, I will not get you in trouble in this life again." … After a meeting at the Everton Corporation, Shane opened the meeting room doors for Anderson. Anderson, clad in an expensive black tailored suit, placed his hand in his pocket and marched out of the room with a haughty air. Shane followed closely behind Anderson while reporting on the upcoming schedule. The Barlows' weekly family gathering fell on Friday, which was tomorrow. It was a long-time tradition that the family observed. Anderson turned down the other events for the day. Then, he went into the president's office. "Have you gotten the info I asked you to research?" Shane nodded. "I got them. Gordon Thorp was originally from Danesville but moved to Belchester because of his mom's uremia. His father, the sole breadwinner, ran a small clinic that didn't make much money. They have to deal with the hefty medical fees every month. "Gordon Thorp's greatest source of income is his stipend from a full-ride scholarship to the University of Belchester. "Apart from that, he works part-time jobs after school and tutors on the weekends to make some money. He got to know Ms. Sadler at the start of the semester, and they got into a fight about a week ago." Anderson's dangerous eyes were filled with indifference. Looking unbothered, he sat at the study desk. He grabbed some documents beside him, which he signed after reading. After listening to the updates, all he said was, "You don't have to report these updates anymore. Transfer Mayra's allowance to her bank account every week, including her school fees for the next two years." Was Anderson planning to let go of Mayra from now on? Shane was intrigued, but he agreed that Anderson had pretty much repaid the Sadlers' favor after these years. Mayra came from a different world from Anderson. Now that Anderson and Isabel were about to get engaged, there was no place for Mayra in his life. "Got it!" Shane nodded and left the office. He felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. Someone texted him with Mayra's school updates from an unknown number. Shane briefly scanned the text and saw the attached photos. In the photos, Mayra stood on a stool in front of the whiteboard while Gordon stood beside her. Shane noticed the look in Mayra's eyes when she stared at Gordon. She certainly did not exhibit any resentment toward him, and their relationship did not look as innocent as he previously found out. In one of the photos, Gordon had cornered Mayra in the classroom. No matter how Shane looked at it, something fishy was happening between Gordon and Mayra. Anyway, it was common to experience puppy love in high school. Even if Mayra was expelled from school, the money in her bank account could last until her marriage in the future. Clutching the phone, Shane glanced at the closed door of the president's office. Then, he looked away and texted back, "No need for future updates." He shoved the phone back into his pocket and put those photos at the back of his mind. Meanwhile, Mayra had bought and munched on some light snacks on her way home. Once home, she took a shower. When she exited the bathroom, she saw her phone on the table. Drying her hair with a towel, she hesitantly picked it up and scrolled to the only contact in her phone. Finally, she mustered her courage and called the number. She held her breath for the next three seconds.