Chapter 7 His Fiancé
"IS that Zoe the commoner?"
"Wow, she's hot, dude!"
"A commoner is always a commoner. Even if she wears luxury clothes."
"Right."
Zoe is aware that the people are eyeing her. Murmuring about her.
Well, who wouldn't?
She was known to be the commoner. She has been bullied ever since because of her mother. But all of these, she tends to ignore.
And she was quite aware that her entrance, with the two men beside her, walking with her, would literally catch attention.
She stopped walking and faced the man on her right. "Maybe it would be best if you would wait for me in the parking lot? I know you understand my situation," she said and smiled. However, she got no response.
She looked to her left, and still, the other man had no response.
'Seriously?' she thought.
"Look, sir. You will put me in trouble if you don't stay away-"
"We need to follow sir Lincoln's order, ma'am. I'm sorry," finally the man on her right talked.
Zoe pinched the bridge of her nose to calm herself. Afterward, she wandered her gaze around and saw her fellow students gossiping, whispering through their ears. And she's aware that it is all about her.
She heaved a deep sigh and continued to walk to the left wing of the university.
'Damn, you got this, self," she thought.
"Hey, bitch!"
Zoe stopped when she heard that voice-that familiar voice came from the cheerleading team leader at the University, Mira.
"My, my, Zoe..." Mira walked towards Zoe, but the two men on her side went in front of her, seeming to protect her.
"What on earth?" Mira, for sure, was baffled. "Hey, Zoe. Can you tell them to stay-"
"State your business, young miss," the man on Zoe's right talked.
Zoe heaved a deep sigh and moved to the side. She slightly pulled the man and smiled at him. "I got this."
She looked at Mira, and the latter arched her brow as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "What's going on? As far as I remember, you're not born rich, and the last time we see each other, you're not with them."
Zoe smiled faintly and nodded. Guess Helios's idea is really gonna create a scene and will probably humiliate her.
"Trust me. I have no idea."
Mira snorted. "Have no idea? Are you fucking kidding me?" she moved closer to Zoe, but the man stopped Mira, making Mira complain and glare at him.
"And what's with their sunglasses? They're inside the school premises. And I can't see the sun?" Mira reacted and rolled her eyes.
Zoe let out a soft chuckle. "I'm sorry..." she glanced at her watch, "-I'm gonna get late-"
"Are you avoiding me now? Don't tell me you already forget that you owe-"
"I certainly not forget about it, Mira. But please. I have a class to attend-"
"In ten days, we're gonna climb to the stage and get our diploma. But your debts on me have not yet been paid," Mira warned as she glared at Zoe.
Zoe could feel the blood rush towards her cheeks, and her heart started to thump fast.
"I... I know. I will pay you. But I still don't have the money. I don't have work-"
"Says the woman who has bodyguards and dresses like she was a real princess," Mira interrupted.
Zoe knew that she needed to pay Mira.
The thing was, she had no job yet. It was her mother's debt to Mira's father but Mira, being a bitch who always bullies her, still saves Zoe and her mother. Long story short, Mira saved them, but they need to repay.
"Ten thousand dollars is just a small amount, Zoe. I'm sure your new sugar daddy can give you that."
Zoe frowned.
'Sugar daddy?'
"Sugar daddy? What makes you think that I have-"
"Then what? Don't tell me your mother sell you and a rich guy has bought you?" Mira asked, making Zoe's eyes widen in surprise.
She was rendered speechless.
Mira let out a disturbing chuckle. "Oh, did I hit the trigger?"
Zoe's lips parted, and she let out a chuckle. "Of... Of course, I'll pay you. I'll tell him-"
"Great. Anyway, I don't care about who's your master, bitch. I just want to get my money," Mira said before she left, which made Zoe feel a little mystified.
Mira is not like that, and it's the first time that she confronted her and did nothing to her. Despite the two men beside her, Mira will always be Mira, and she should make a way to do things for her.
But why?
Zoe sighed and looked at the two.
"Do you know her?"
The two looked at each other and nodded.
"Huh?"
"She was Helios's cousin, ma'am."
Zoe's jaw dropped; eyes filled with shock.
Cousin?
Does it mean she knew that Helios- "so, she's familiar with you-"
"Indeed," the two said in unison.
'What the hell?!'
In class, Zoe's mind is flying somewhere; her thoughts are full of questions, and she basically wants to know the answers.
How on earth did Helios and Mira have connections?
She shook her head and closed her notebook as she dropped her pen on the desk.
The whole thing will feed her curiosity. Then suddenly, she remembered the phone that was inside her bag.
'Great. I need to ask Helios,' she thought.
Zoe waited for her classes to end in the morning, and afterward, she went to the garden, where she usually spent her lunch alone.
But this time, she was with what they call 'bodyguards,' and she found it a little bit awkward.
"Can you please stay away from me for a moment? My apology, but I wanted to have privacy."
"But ma'am-"
"At least give me time to talk with Helios. I will gonna call him."
They nodded. "We're gonna watch you still, ma'am," the man said before they walked away.
Zoe sighed in relief when the two kept their distance from her. She then let out the phone and tried to figure things out with it.
This is her first time. Although she tried to tap it last night, still, she needs more knowledge about it.
Helios's instructed her that the only contact on the phone was his number, and all she needed to do was to click the designated app.
And she smiled when she successfully did it.
She heaved a sigh and calmed herself while waiting for Helios to pick up his phone.
Well, Nana told her that Helios might call. However, it seems like the man is quite busy.
She sighed once again when no one answered, but after a few seconds, she heard his voice over the phone-deep, velvety, and husky. It was Helios's charming tone.
"Baby."
Zoe pressed her lips and smiled. "Helios."
"Mm..."
"C-Can I ask something?" Zoe started.
She heard Helios's soft chuckle. "Seems like something is bothering my baby?"
Zoe shook her head, well as if Helios could see it.
"How are you related to Mira?"
The line went silent for a few seconds before Helios responded. "Mira, what?"
"Mira Riverdale."
Helios let out a soft chuckle. "She's my cousin. Second. In the mother side."
Zoe nodded.
"Oh, I forgot, she's at the same university as you. Is she bullying you? Tell me. If so, I'm gonna punish that-"
"Hey, it's okay. She's no harm. And she's good. She even saved mom and me just like you did." Zoe needs to let it out. She feels like Helios must know.
"Oh. I know Mira; she's a bitch, and helping is not her cup of tea."
"She did, Helios-"
"Calling me 'baby' is fine, wife. Besides, we're gonna marry-"
"Enough with it, Helios. I am not exerting a joke here," Zoe stated, making Helios laugh on the other line.
"Sorry, baby. So... what about Mira?"
"I owe her ten thousand and-"
"She wants the money?"
Zoe nodded. "Yes."
"No problem, baby. I will transfer it to her account. That's nothing. And-"
"Helios..." she sighed, "-you don't understand. I just want to-"
"No. It's fine, baby. Your fiancé will take care of it."
"Helios, are you still making fun of me? How did you become my fiancé? I know you save me-you bought me is the term. And sooner, I will make amends-"
"Who said that I will let you make amends? I want to marry you not because of pity, Zoe. It's because I love you. Now, let's talk when I get back...."
Zoe was about to interfere, but Helios didn't let her.
"-Oops. I don't wanna hear a thing about you, undesiring my offer. Let's talk about the marriage when I get back, baby. I'm not fond of jokes, Zoe. So, wait for me."