Chapter 3

I forced out a stiff "Thank you."

After getting my blood drawn, I felt dizzy. I hadn't eaten breakfast, and coupled with childhood malnutrition, my health had always been fragile.

Mason walked over holding a warm cup of oatmeal. "Drink this first. I'll take you to get a real meal in a bit."

He leaned in close, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, Elena? Are you moved yet?"

I looked into his teasing eyes and said nothing.

To be honest, a part of me was. It was the first time I had ever experienced how effortless life could be with someone powerful clearing the path.

Over the next few days, I became the center of campus gossip wherever I went.

"That's her, the law major. Mason Vance has been pursuing her for over a month and still hasn't closed the deal."

"No way. That's Mason Vance! He's never chased any girl for more than a week. Is he actually falling for her?"

"Totally! I think he's really down bad. Someone saw him waiting on her hand and foot at a private clinic the other day!"

"Seriously? Elena looks so plain. What does Mason even see in her?"

Sensing that my defenses had softened after the clinic incident, Mason doubled down on his efforts.

Imported snacks, designer handbags, delicate jewelry - thanks to him, even my roommates got their hands on luxury treats.

"Elena, are you really not going to say yes?" one of my roommates gushed. "I've never seen Mason treat a girl this well."

No, I told myself.

Every single gift he gave me, I returned completely unopened.

I couldn't afford to accept them.

Maybe if I worked myself to the bone, I could eventually buy a designer bag of my own. But the lifestyle attached to those labels? I could never afford that.

The Vance family belonged to high society. We lived in two entirely different worlds.

"Mason, stop sending me things. I don't use them, and I don't like them."

Being rejected in front of so many people finally bruised his massive ego. For the first time since he started chasing me, he actually lost his temper.

"Elena, you really don't know what's good for you, do you? I personally picked out every single one of those."

He sneered, his tone sharp with condescension. "Tell me, do you really not want them, or are you just too terrified to take them?"

Hearing his mocking edge didn't humiliate me, nor did it hurt. On the contrary, I breathed a massive sigh of relief.

I had never planned on getting involved with him anyway.

So I replied calmly, "You're right. I am terrified to take them. So please, leave me alone and stop bothering me."

Mason let out a scoffing laugh. "Fine, Elena. You're definitely a challenge. But I'm not going to roll over and do what you want. I'm going to keep chasing you."

After that day, Mason disappeared from my sight for a while.

I was grateful for my own clear head.

Dating wasn't on my radar. Working shifts and studying hard were what my reality was supposed to look like.

The medical screening had cost nearly two hundred dollars, which severely depleted my living budget.

With the long weekend coming up, I hunted for extra gigs well in advance.

I landed a temporary server job at a busy family restaurant, making about fifteen dollars an hour.

On the first day of the holiday weekend, the restaurant was completely packed.

I navigated through the crowded dining room carrying heavy platters. Suddenly, a kid's rubber bouncy ball rolled under my shoe. I couldn't dodge in time and stepped right on it.

My balance gave out, and the ceramic plates shattered all over the floor.

Gasps echoed across the dining room.

Another server had been walking right behind me carrying a massive metal pot of boiling soup. As I fell flat onto my back, that scalding soup was about to pour straight down onto me.

Yet, the agonizing burn never came. A body lunged over me, shielding me completely.

"Fuck!"

It was Mason.