Game Plan

"Max!"

A familiar voice caught Maxene's attention as she was about to enter their department building's hallway. When she turned, she saw Lianey getting off her brother's car who had just parked outside.

Maxene put her hand inside her pants and smiled while waiting for her. Lianey wore her uniform today. Unlike other departments, the Architecture and Fine Arts female students' fitted blouse is paired with black slacks Instead of a skirt.

The students passing through were in awe when they saw Lianey; no one can blame them for that. Lianey is actually 2 inches taller than Maxene despite being younger. With her 5'5 height and slender body, she looked like a model in her uniform even her effortlessly short black wavy hair with pink highlights underneath. Maxene just noticed that Lianey has dyed her hair since she let her hair untied.

"Hi, Max! Woah you looked so good today," Lianey said, marveling at her from head to toe. Maxene is likewise dressed in her uniform, and it suits her hourglass figure just as well as Lianey's, while her straight silky jet-black hair glides with her as she walks like a living doll. "Nah, even the first time I saw you, I knew you were one of the prettiest girls I've ever met. How could someone look so perfect?"

Maxene smiled at her compliment and replied, "Thank you. You know, I feel the same about you. I bet almost every girl that meets you would be envious of you."

Lianey froze because of what Maxene said and tried to change the subject. "So, you've finished your homework?"

Maxene nodded her head but her attention was taken by Ridger who just went out of his car. He looked their way as he carried his laptop case with him. Meanwhile, Dave who came with them, waved at Maxene with a cheerful smile.

Lianey seemed to have noticed where Maxene was looking at and said, "My brother insisted on going to school with me. He even said, he would pick me up after class." Lianey's face looked annoyed as she sighed.

"Oh, that's why he parked in front of our department building…"

Ridger just glanced at them one last time before leaving with Dave.

"But don't worry about him bothering our plans. He even insisted to take you home as well later," Lianey said while smiling from ear to ear.

Surprised, Maxene looked at Lian and replied, "Are you sure he wanted to? You probably forced him." Then the two started walking inside the building as they went on with their conversation.

"Of course not!"

Maxene chuckled but on the inside, she badly wanted to smirk at what she heard. Everything is going to her plan.

Flashback:

Chairman A raised an eyebrow, and looked at Rachel, full of doubts. He touched his chin with his thumb and rest his back on his swivel chair. He heaved a deep sigh and uttered, "I'm not sure about this plan of yours, Raven."

She grin upon hearing his response because she expected this. "I knew you would say that. But there are reasons for all of this."

"So… you are saying, you want me to enroll you late and pay double so you could enter the university, make you an average student with no influence? I don't understand. You are supposed to blend in, not stand out. If you give them a shady background, they would chase after you. Didn't you make your own research about Falcon's eldest son?"

"I did, and that is the very reason why I am asking you to do this. Mystery is one of humans' greatest weakness. Thriving to uncover it could either be the cause of new discovery or their greatest downfall. Just do as I say and trust my judgment. I know what I am doing. You know I've never failed even once," she replied, refusing to explain everything.

Guys like Ridger and his father have one weakness, and that is the unknown. Give them something without an answer, and they would turn the world around just to solve it. They are attracted to something they find mysterious and will cling to it until they know what it is.

Maxene knew that if she tries to look perfect with no faults, Ridger would not be interested in gaining her favor and would probably just ignore her. If that happens, she will have to work hard in order to gain his attention and actually be close to him. But if she makes sure he finds some faults in her, he would surely come and get close to her in his own will to know whatever it is she's hiding.

Ridger would then probably think that he's manipulating her but it is the other way around. And Maxene knew that no matter how Ridger tries, he won't find any proof of his suspicions because each time he finds a thread, she will cut it before he could follow. Maxene would then use that chance to show him that she's fragile and opposite to what he thought she is.

Ridger isn't the kind of guy to open up to ladies, according to her investigation and observation of him. He exclusively interacts with Dave and Nathan, two other men who have probably been in the Falcons' residence, as his two closest male friends. Therefore, he won't be vulnerable to common antics. Maxene bet a lot of girls have tried to get close to him, and Rosie is the best example. Maxene will need to forge a solid connection with him.

If she succeeds in earning his trust and being part of his circle. She would then proceed to the next stage.

Present day:

Maxene and Lianey's morning classes went well except they have a research to work on. Good thing the professor didn't ask them to group up because Maxene finds it easier to work alone. Besides, she doesn't intend to excel in her class but she'll make sure it will be decent.

The next professor for their Art course finally came 10 minutes after the first one. She seemed to be in her 50s and has been working at the university for awhile.

"Hello, class. It seems like everyone is here. Very good," she remarked with a smile. "The other sections are either late or absent," she added with a disappointed expression. She is known to be a very dedicated professor, working on different tasks and teaching classes from freshmen to senior students.

"Anyway, you all know that the election of the Student Council will happen next month right? Is anyone here running for a position or wants to run? If you do, please inform me and I will help you through," she stated.

Meanwhile, that took Maxene's attention while Lianey, who was sitting beside her, said, "Why don't you run for the election?"

"Should I?"

Lianey's face seemed serious. She actually wanted Maxene to be close to her brother. If Maxene runs for the election and wins, she will be around Ridger more. Lianey thought that maybe that way, he would learn to trust her and see that she is a good person.

Lianey looked at Maxene in the eye with determination and replied, "You should! This is a good opportunity. Besides, I think you are a capable leader. And if you decided to run, you will have my 100 percent support."

Maxene smiled at her humbly, "I'll think about it first. It's a big responsibility and I am not sure if I can handle it at all. And besides, no one knows me so… who would someone they don't know?"

Lianey grinned at her and replied, "Leave everything to me. I will make sure everyone knows your name."

Upon hearing that, a meaningful smile escapes Maxene's lips as she stares at Lianey who seemed excited about the whole idea inside her head opposite to what Maxene had in mind.

Maxene uttered, "I wasn't wrong about you, Lian," smile sweetly and thought, "You really are useful."

"Of course! We are best friends now. I got you," Lian responded and hugged her tightly.

"It seems things will be easy for me," Maxene pondered to herself.

—

End of Chapter 12