Repulsive word

Neil's gaze remained fixed on Liam as he seriously spoke. "Cut to the chase, Liam. You said there was no record of the Harrison family in Vertexa?" he asked, his tone firm. Mia had told him that she was born in downtown Vertexa but Liam's investigation said otherwise. His curiousity had been piqued when she said she had never lived in Mirage mesa before, when he was sure she had been born there.

Though Neil didn't give a damn about Mia Harrison, he just wanted to get his doubts cleared and feed his curiousity. He wanted to know what happened to that little innocent girl his younger self had once cherished and even sworn to marry someday.

'If you play the guitar well, I will marry you when I grow older and become successful like my father.'

As he thought back to his younger self, the image of a boy sitting by a man-made lake in a beautiful garden with a guitar in hand flashed to his mind. His mother would often spend her time in this garden, either singing or tending to the flowers she had planted herself, despite the numerous servants they had in their estate. In front of him stood the girl he knew as Mimi, with her hands on her hips and a pout on her face.

On that day, she reminded him, 'You already promised to marry me that day. You said if I learned how to sing that beautiful song your mama used to sing, you will marry me when you grow up, but now you are saying it again. You are unfaithful!'

Reflecting on these silly memories, Neil couldn't help but smirk. He realized that back then, he was too young and foolish to understand that love and marriage didn't guarantee happiness. Although he may have changed since those days in the beautiful garden, he still wondered what had become of the girl who once brought him joy. When he saw the dilapidated apartment where he had left her that night, he hadn't cared. But now that he knew she had once been the girl who wore expensive gowns to his house, he wanted to know what had happened to her.

Neil leaned against the wall, crossing his well-defined arms against his chest, the tattoos inked on his arm catching the light. His expression stayed stoic, revealing no hint of the thoughts that runs beneath the surface.

"Yes," Liam replied to Neil's questions. "Her family never lived in Vertexa, infact there was no record of where they lived before they moved to Zen and to that place. What's it called again_oh yeah, whispering way street." Liam sighed, "I don't know why you are suddenly curious about a girl that lives in a slum. Though I'm not trying to judge, but if you are finally getting interested in women, I can recommend a few beauties who come from a good family with good..." Liam swallowed his suggestion as Neil shot him a deadly glare.

"What else did you discover about her and her family?" Neil asked as he gulped down the remaining wine in his glass. With a nonchalant toss, he discarded the wine glass into the bin, along with a few dirty plates on the kitchen island beside Liam.

Liam's eyes followed the expensive sliverware's that his friend discarded into the bin, but he refrained from commenting on it. He knew Neil's dislike to cleaners or housekeepers invading his privacy, a trait that extended even to cleaning up after himself. He never let anyone into his house nor does he do the cleaning himself. Instead, he would throw away anything dirty and buy new ones. The other time in his main mansion, Liam had watched his friend discard a whole expensive big screen television because it was too dusty. Not to waste such an expensive thing, Liam had carried the television on his way back home and gave it away to one of the servants in their house. The poor servant had been so grateful to receive such a gift from his generous Master.

Shaking his head, Liam proceeded with the report on Mia Harrison. "Her mother, Elizabeth opened a small Eatery when they moved to that street. No one knows what happened to her husband, she had moved there alone with her daughter fourteen years ago." He said. Then as if recalling something he added, "One of my men also discovered that Elizabeth took a huge loan to cover her daughter's school expenses and hadn't been able to pay them back. Yesterday the people came to harass the family."

Neil's attention remained unwavering as he listened, his gray eyes revealing nothing. However, he couldn't help but recall how the girl had ran out of his office yesterday afternoon. It seemed she had been called because of the harassment. From a daughter of a rich man, to a daughter of an eatery owner. How interesting. Neil thought as he absorbed the information with a quiet intensity, arms crossed, leaning against the kitchen wall.

As Liam delved into Mia's history and social circles in the town she lived in, Neil pushed off the wall, unfolding his arms. "Anything unusual?" he monotoned, his interest masked.

Liam carefully considered all the information before replying, "There isn't anything noteworthy about her, she's just an ordinary girl. Considering how you suddenly became interested in her, I'm curious to meet this Mia in person. Although I have seen her picture, I doubt she is as beautiful as the picture, especially since she lives in a place like Whispering Way. Those photos must have been edited. I know_hear me out, man."

Neil's purposeful stride towards the kitchen exit indicated the end of the conversation. Liam sighed and hopped off the kitchen island, following closely behind Neil. "Have you suddenly fallen in love with the girl? Is that why you want to know more about her background, you-"

Liam's words trailed off as Neil abruptly stopped in the living room. Neil's eyes were icy cold, and Liam felt a shiver run down his spine as Neil turned towards him. He had almost forgotten about his friend's principles. Neil's voice was strained and dark as he spoke, "I'll say this one last time, Liam, never associate me with that repulsive word, love." Then, without another word he stroked up the stairs.

"Damnit, that was a slip of tongue." Liam hit his head and threw himself on the couch of the living room.

***

Mia had been trying to look for a part-time job in the city, but no one was willing to hire her for it. Ever since she'd been given permission to work, she had been happy to finally be able to help her mother, but now that no one was willing to offer a full-time student a job, she was dejected. However, she had decided to ask in the school library if they would offer her a job as a librarian, that way she would be able to study along with work.

Mia took a deep breath and approached the stern woman in charge of the library. The woman was sitting behind her desk, she pulled up her glasses and eyed Mia with a hint of judgment.

"Good afternoon, ma'am. I was wondering if there are any opportunities to work here as a librarian? I'm really passionate about books, and I think it would be a great fit if I could get to work in the library along with my studies."

As Mia expressed her interest in working as a librarian, the woman behind the desk frowned deeply, assuming Mia to be just another privileged student looking for amusement. It was well-known among the students of Ivy Grove institute that they did not offer any job opportunities to students, not for any reason but because all the students in the University come from wealthy and influential families. The woman scrutinized Mia, taking note of her modest sweater and jeans, and quickly realized that she did not belong to any influential family based on her simple attire and appearance.

In a curt manner, the woman dismissed Mia, stating, "We do not hire students for library work. Ivy Grove institute does not accommodate part-time jobs."

Mia's last hope shattered, but she forced a smile and turned to leave, only to be met with Diane and her lackeys. Mia sighed, she wasn't really in the mood to deal with this spoiled young woman. She hadn't encountered Diane ever since the girl had warned her to stay away from her man. However, this morning in class, Mr. Bennett had asked a question and Diane had eagerly stood up just to impress him, unfortunately the answer she gave was not correct.

Mr. Bennett had sternly instructed her to sit down and refrain from raising her hand if she didn't know the correct answer. Mia, on the other hand, had raised her hand and provided the right response. Mr. Bennett had then looked at Diane and remarked, "Learn from Harrison next time."

Diane felt insulted and embarrassed by those words, evident by the glare she shot at Mia. If looks could kill, Mia would have dropped dead in class. After the lesson, Mia had instructed Rayne to proceed to her next class while she made her way to the library. However, it seemed that Diane had also followed her there.

Diane, who had followed the plain jane to give her another warning, had overheard Mia's conversation with the woman in charge of the library. She smirked mockingly and said, "So, our school's plain Jane is looking for work. Don't worry, I can give you a job at our place. You can be my personal maid and clean up after my crap. I'll pay you generously, what do you think?" She laughed along with her lackeys.

Mia, who was not easily intimidated, responded sarcastically, "Oh, Miss Foster, I had no idea you were kind enough to offer me a job. However, I must apologize for bursting your bubble. I have no interest in working for a thief."

Diane's amusement quickly vanished as Mia's retort struck a chord. Her once beautiful face contorted with anger as she invaded Mia's personal space and declared, "You may think you're clever, but it won't last. Sure, you may have voters for the contest, and the praises of my heartthrob, but you will always be a nobody. And rest assured, I will put you in your rightful place soon enough. Remember my words, your time in this school won't be long."