The Campus Belle Rejected the Rich Boy's Black Card. I Took It.

The campus belle, pure and principled, swatted the black card from the rich boy’s hand. “Don’t insult me with your dirty money!” I, being even more destitute, picked up the card that had landed at my feet. I carefully handed it back to the rich boy, Caleb Thornton. Caleb’s eyes swept over me. “You convince Riki to take the card,” he said, his voice low and bored, “and I’ll sponsor you, too.” Afraid the card might actually end up with me, Riki snatched it. And just like that, both Riki and I began receiving financial support from the Thornton family. The difference was, I got my sponsorship by groveling to Caleb. Riki got hers with Caleb groveling to her. Years later, Riki went abroad for her master's, and I started my career. Caleb pulled me into his bed and made me her substitute. Until the day Riki returned. “Riki’s a little uncomfortable knowing about us,” he told me. “You should go find a boyfriend.” I said, “Okay.” 1 No one knew Riki was coming back early. The night before, Caleb and I had been tangled in the sheets until the early hours. I fell asleep curled in his arms. The next morning, a message buzzed on his phone. He shot up in bed, ripping the covers off me. I was completely naked. The sudden cold made me shiver, and I mumbled without opening my eyes, “What’s wrong?” “Riki’s back. Get up, now. Clean this place up, erase every trace of yourself from this room. I don’t want her to find anything. Hurry.” He was already pulling on his pants, his voice urgent and sharp. I was wide awake now. I sat up, acutely aware of my own naked, mark-covered body. The shame hit me like a physical blow. I felt like a dirty secret, a mistress who couldn't be seen in the light of day—even though he and Riki had never officially been a couple. “Hurry up. I need you gone before I get back with her.” He strapped on his watch and, without another glance at me, strode out the door. After I’d meticulously tidied his apartment, I left quietly. Not long after, my phone rang. It was Caleb. “Riki’s back and she’s craving your cooking,” he said. “Come over and make dinner.” I paused. “Okay.” I returned to Caleb’s apartment, let in this time by the housekeeper. Riki was lounging on the sofa, dressed in an elegant but comfortable-looking loungewear set, the very picture of effortless beauty. “Ava, it’s been so long. You haven’t changed a bit,” she said, her greeting lazy but polite. I managed a small smile. “You’re even more beautiful.” Caleb emerged from the hallway. “Ava, get started on dinner. Riki’s getting hungry.” Riki smiled, shifting over to make room for Caleb beside her. “You know,” she sighed dramatically, “the one thing I missed desperately while I was abroad was your cooking, Ava. I’m so glad I can finally have it again.” Caleb chuckled. “See? If you’d come back sooner, you could have had it every day.” “Hmph,” she pouted. “I had to finish my degree. You’re always trying to distract me.” They bantered and laughed, their joy filling the room while I toiled in the kitchen, just as I had countless times before. After dinner, Riki went upstairs to rest in the room Caleb had always kept for her, right next to his. As she left, she asked if my room was still the small maid’s room downstairs. I said yes, but added that I had my own place now. A few days of this routine passed. As I was leaving one evening, Caleb stopped me. “Riki found out about us. She’s… a little uncomfortable.” “Ava, go find a boyfriend. It’ll put her mind at ease.” I stood there for a long moment, the words hanging in the air. Finally, I nodded. “Okay.” “I’ll do my best.” 2 Riki was hired at Stellar Corp, a key subsidiary of Thornton Holdings, which Caleb personally managed. The position of Associate Director in the Strategy Department, a role I had fought tooth and nail to achieve, suddenly had a new Director. She was my boss. I took a few team members to her office to walk her through our current projects. As she flipped through a file, she looked up at me. “Ava, could you get me a coffee?” The other two people in the room shot us a surprised look. They were clearly wondering why the new Director was asking her second-in-command to do a coffee run instead of her assistant. I just nodded. “Of course.” I had always known my place in our little trio. I was the add-on, the bonus prize. I was the lackey trailing behind them, the gofer who ran their errands. Even now, as adults, Riki’s attitude hadn't changed, and I had learned to accept these small humiliations. On Friday, Caleb announced a get-together to welcome Riki back, telling me to be there early. As I approached the private room, I heard my name. I froze. “Caleb, are you really done with Ava for good?” one of his friends was asking. “What else? Just watch what you say later,” Caleb replied casually. “Don’t bring this up in front of Riki.” “Damn, Caleb, you’re a true romantic,” another voice chimed in. “From high school until now, it’s only ever been Riki. You were just using Ava as a stand-in, right? To keep your family off your case until you could make it official with the real deal.” “To be fair, Ava’s not bad,” the first friend mused. “She’s cleaned up well—good-looking, poised, nothing like that timid, mousy girl from high school. And she’s utterly devoted to Caleb, so obedient. Does anything he asks. You sure you want to let that go?” Caleb laughed. “I had no choice. Riki is my moon, the only one. Ava was a decent way to pass the time, I guess. She’s obedient, compliant.” “But now that Riki’s back, everything else has to be swept clean. I’m just waiting for her to officially say yes.” The friends erupted in laughter, praising his unwavering devotion. “Ava? Why are you just standing at the door?” Riki’s voice came from right behind me. 3 Everyone in the room turned to look. Seeing me, they remembered what they’d just been saying, and a wave of awkwardness rippled through the group. Even Caleb stiffened for a second, a rare sight. But when he saw my neutral expression and Riki walking toward him, he relaxed. He kicked the friend next to him, motioning for him to give up his seat for Riki. I walked in and quietly took a seat in the farthest corner. “Ava, what are you doing all the way over there? Come sit here!” Riki called out magnanimously. I shook my head with a smile. “It’s fine, I can see everything from here.” After the initial awkwardness, the party slowly came back to life with drinking games. Riki, having been away for so long, was rusty and lost several rounds. Caleb drank for her every time. At one point, someone laughed and said, “The last time I got that drunk, I made a total fool of myself. If it hadn’t been for Ava—” He cut himself off abruptly. The atmosphere turned tense for a split second before someone quickly changed the subject. Later, on my way back from the restroom, I heard familiar voices coming from the fire exit stairwell. “Hmph. I don’t like how familiar you and your friends are with Ava,” Riki said, her voice laced with displeasure. “Ava was part of our group for years, of course we’re familiar,” Caleb said, a note of weariness in his tone. “Besides, if you’d just agree to be with me, none of this would matter. You saw how they were all cheering for us tonight.” “Hmph. I’m still observing you,” she cooed. I quickly tiptoed past, making no sound. During a lull in the party, Caleb cornered me in the hallway. “How’s the boyfriend search going?” he asked immediately. He seemed to suspect I was just paying him lip service, and that my lack of action was affecting things with Riki. Impatience flickered in his handsome features. “I really am trying,” I said softly. “Don’t worry, I’ll stay out of your way.” He looked at me, and for a moment, a hint of guilt seemed to cross his face. “Well… make sure you find someone suitable.” “I will.” 4 That weekend, I had dinner with Mark Thompson. We’d met through a corporate partnership. He was the Director of Marketing at his company, tall, good-looking, and had been pursuing me for a while. I hadn’t been interested, but… I sighed internally and forced myself to focus, to engage in conversation, to actually give this a chance. After a couple of dates, we grew more comfortable with each other. When Riki found out, she cornered me in the breakroom, her eyes wide with feigned surprise. “Wow, you already have a boyfriend? I thought you were so in love with Caleb you’d never be able to accept anyone else.” Her words were a casual, stinging slap. I felt my face flush. I forced a smile. “The past is the past. You have to move forward.” “Well, my birthday is this weekend. You should bring him,” Riki said with a bright smile. “Caleb will probably be happy to see you’ve found someone.” I nodded. “Okay.” … Caleb spared no expense for Riki’s birthday party. It was extravagant, a grand affair. Mark and Caleb exchanged pleasantries, Mark eagerly shaking Caleb’s hand and calling him “Mr. Thornton.” Caleb gave him a brief, assessing look, then glanced at me before giving a cool, noncommittal nod. After the main celebration, the party moved to the riverfront to watch the fireworks display Caleb had arranged for Riki, lighting up the entire southern skyline of the city. I watched them from a distance. Riki and Caleb stood in the best viewing spot, her eyes on the glittering sky, his eyes on her, a look of such tender devotion on his face he seemed ready to pluck the moon from the heavens for her. I looked at Caleb’s tall, imposing figure and saw it merge with the image of the arrogant, vibrant boy from all those years ago. The day he said he would sponsor me, he changed the course of my life. Back then, my gambler of a father kept showing up at school, trying to drag me out, trying to marry me off to a fifty-year-old limping widower to pay off his debts. One afternoon, he was beating me right at the school gates, and no one dared to intervene. Caleb saved me. “I said I’d sponsor you,” he’d declared, “and that means I’ll protect you.” He was the one who helped me escape my father for good. It was the Thornton family’s money that got me through high school and into the university of my dreams. My life finally began to have color. I knew I was just an accessory, a means to an end so Riki would accept his money, a runner he could keep by his side. But the boy who descended from the heavens in my dreams was also the moon I gazed up at. And in that moment, watching the brilliant fireworks explode and fade, I felt something inside me fizzle out and disappear along with them. 5 There was a disaster at the company. A structure at a venue Riki was in charge of collapsed, nearly injuring several major clients. Those clients and a few corporate partners immediately demanded compensation and terminated their contracts. Stellar Corp was hit with a flood of complaints and a full-blown credibility crisis. Thornton Holdings headquarters demanded an explanation, and heads were going to roll. Caleb summoned me to his office. Riki was in his arms, sobbing pitifully. When Caleb saw me, he hesitated. But then Riki tugged on his shirt, and he spoke. “Ava, Riki just got back. It’s her first time managing a venue this big, so it’s understandable she’d make mistakes. As the Associate Director, you should have been assisting her properly. This wouldn’t have happened if you had.” A bitter, ironic smile tugged at my lips. Everyone in the department knew Riki had rejected every single one of my suggestions. “Riki’s professional reputation can’t be ruined by this one incident,” he continued. “She has a bright future, she needs the clients’ trust. And I can’t have my father thinking she’s incompetent.” “You, on the other hand, have a great reputation with our clients, Ava. One mistake like this won’t affect you too badly.” “So, Ava… you’ll take responsibility for this one. Give the public and headquarters an answer.” “I’ll make it up to you later.” I listened to his words, my expression unchanging. I wasn’t even surprised. It was the same role I had played back in school. But still, I couldn't help it. I stared at him, searching his face, hoping for even a flicker of regret. All I saw was him avoiding my gaze as he comforted Riki. “Forget it,” Riki sniffled, pulling away from him. “If Ava won’t do it, I’ll take the blame. I’ll just leave the country. I can’t stay here and be a disgrace.” “Riki,” Caleb said, pulling her back into his arms. He frowned at me. “Ava, is this really so difficult for you? You’re the best at handling these kinds of situations. Are you saying you won’t do it?” I watched his entitled, impatient expression. My lips moved. “Fine.” Caleb let out a breath of relief. He cooed at Riki, “See? It’s all sorted. Don’t worry. Ava will handle it. The partners trust her the most.” “Ava, thank you,” Riki said, offering me a faint, triumphant smile. I turned and walked out of his office. I went to headquarters. Mr. Thornton Sr. threw a file at my head and screamed at me for ten minutes. He ordered me to personally win back every partner, every client, and to cover all the damages. I left Thornton Holdings in disgrace and began the humiliating process of begging. I was belittled, mocked, and thrown out of offices. I bowed and scraped and pleaded for forgiveness. Finally, I posted a public apology on Stellar Corp’s official website and announced my resignation. My colleagues in the department knew the truth. They felt sorry for me, but they were powerless to say anything. I went to Caleb’s office one last time. “I know it’s been tough these past few days,” he said. “You don’t have to resign. I’ll give you paid leave. Take a good long rest.” I shook my head. “I want a permanent rest.” He sighed. “Fine. When you want to come back, just let me know.” I didn’t answer that. Instead, I said, “I’ve transferred some money to your account. It’s to repay you for your sponsorship and care over the years.” He sat up straight, stunned. “I never expected you to pay that back. You don’t have to.” I shook my head again. “I should. I’ve been saving up for this. Thank you, Caleb.” Thank you for giving me a new life with a single sentence. Thank you for saving me from hell. And thank you for finally giving me a reason to sever all ties, to leave without a single lingering feeling. Caleb stared at me. “Are you angry that I asked you to cover for Riki?” “I already explained, it would have had a huge impact on her career. You’ve been in the industry for years, everyone trusts you. You even handled the fallout perfectly.” “Why are you making such a big deal out of one little thing?”

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