Chapter 1

"Coral!"

I woke up to my mum shouting at the top of her voice telling me I'm going to be late for college. Why do we bother with the outdated shitshow when we have prepubescent TikTokers making millions sitting at home and wagging their asses?

I hated going. I didn't really have any solid friendships from my time there. Shocking, I know.

I wasn't a star student. I wasn't your typical popular person. I was an introvert and I enjoyed my 'me' time. Also, a bit of a misanthrope. I'm a loner and I actually, truly love my own company. I never felt like I needed anyone else.

My parents were rightfully worried about my social life but I wasn't. I could hold my own and fight my own battles. Sure it got tiring but letting someone else in is painful. Humans are deceitful and my default is to be suspicious. I have got my own secrets that I wish to keep hidden as well. People who underestimate me tend to be surprised.

I have a somewhat small family. Grew up in an extended family so I have to check in with my nosy aunts every few weeks even though their kids don't have the same inclination to my parents. For some reason, the same rules don't apply to them. My father's side is fun and I enjoy my cousins' company but their parents are the problem - arrogant control freaks that get offended by the way you live your own life because they couldn't make the same choices.

I did my bathroom business and put on my eyeliner to wake my face up before I sped downstairs, grabbed my protein bar, and settled down to prank my mum. She was a busy doctor who still found the time to dote on me. I wasn't one of those kids that complained about my mum not being there for my cheer or game or whatever. I knew she was an ambitious woman and it was great to have her as a role model and see her excel at what she does. My dad, also a doctor, was more laid back but we still butt heads over things a dad and daughter would. He was a doctor too and a little more old-fashioned than my mum. Together, they balanced each other out. For all the shit I have been through with them, I was still fiercely protective of them. I counted my blessings because not everyone has the same privileges.

Just as I finished my bar, my mum screamed out loud. I cackled loudly knowing that she found the rubber cockroach I left in her usual mug. I am a child. I know. But it keeps her young. LOL.

"Coral, I should have sent you to military school when I had the chance!", my mum screeched. But I know it was all in fun. My family and I shouting at each other was considered normal conversation. I loved it.

"You should thank me, mum, it keeps you young and alert", I replied. My mum just scoffed and fed me some more before waving me off. I said something snarky to my dad and then left the house dramatically to go catch the bus.

For all my disinterest in the general world, I was still considered with interest. I read a lot and spoke three languages including English. I didn't think I was a nerd but I loved learning new things and I was always busy with something or the other. Anyways, it was comical how the usual girl cliques existed and didn't really like me but I really couldn't care less. I was also on good terms with everyone somehow and my offish nature served to make people curious more than anything else. Not to mention, I wasn't so bad on the eyes either.

I had thick black hair and big almond eyes highlighted by my eyeliner. I was pretty curvy though my top was flat and I was pretty unbothered by it overall. I tend to think women uphold standards of patriarchy and then turn around to blame it on patriarchy. I mean if women can make their own choices and have agency, then that collides with the theory that patriarchy affects their choices. Maybe don't use that standard eh? Especially in this day and age, when you can be a whistleblower and nothing really holds you back. But I digress.

It would be one more year till I graduated from my 4-year college and then had to figure out what to do with my life after that. That was scary. Because I didn't fit any particular mold at college, most of the faculty wished to put me in my place. If anything, this place has made grow the thickest skin ever.

As I got off the bus and ushered towards my next class, I bumped into Sasha. I liked Sasha. She was sorely misunderstood and had a good heart. She was pretty innocent and cute, and that naturally had tongues wagging. She and I would get together sometimes to study and I genuinely enjoyed her company. But I would often pull back from getting too close.

"Hey, Sasha. How was your weekend?", I asked.

"It was okay. I wish it was longer."

"I know what you mean. One more year, Sasha. One more", I quipped.

Once we stepped into our first class, I sat down and started reading an article about "Endless", the AI company that was making big strides in the business and tech space. They had figured out a way for AI to make lives easier while displacing the least number of jobs. In fact, their whole angle was that AI shouldn't dictate society but just make it easier. They didn't promise to save anyone money but something far more important - time. They had proved it in theory and therefore, Endless was the darling of both society and Wall Street.

I frowned as I started reading about their restructuring and why I had never heard rumors about that before. Before I could read further, my phone was snatched out of my hands and I stared into very striking green eyes that challenged me.

"Ugh, give me back my fucking phone, Amos".

"What is so interesting to you first thing this morning, Coral?", he replied with a smile.

I had a very small gauge for patience so I snatched it back after making a threatening gesture. Amos was a very intelligent guy and aspired to become a pediatrician. Good for him. Right now, I wanted to read in peace. I wasn't kidding about me being a misanthrope.

He sat down and peeked into my phone. "Endless is quite the company. But why would you be so interested in it all the time? I mean if you plan to work there, I think they only take like..really smart people", he said without thinking. I was pretty mad already so when I gave him the death stare, he realized his gaffe and started apologizing. I shut him out. Ugh, humans.

My lab professor filed in. I liked to take classes in science though I didn't score the best in them. I wasn't a really good test-taker. I often choked and I gave up trying to prove anything to anyone. I was content learning even though I didn't have the test scores to show for it. I also really didn't participate much in class and would clam up if called on. Yep, I know. A great mix of personalities there, but I am who I am.

My lab professor treated me like Snape treated Harry Potter, so suffice to say, I hated him. He sneered at me and often made remarks at my expense in front of the whole class. Thick skin, remember?

Today he took note of my disinterest yet again and said, "I see another day is wasted on you. If you hope to get a job of any kind, at least have the decency to try and learn something, Coral", he replied coolly, to which I mentally flipped him off. I heard some snickers from the back but I didn't care. I was used to being underestimated.

One more year.

At the end of the class, the professor piped to say, "There will be a voluntary trip to the company Endless as a part of the class. It was extremely hard to convince them and reach them in the first place but they gave us a chance. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I expect everyone to show up and be on their best behavior. This is a great networking event so be sure to put your best foot forward. They bring in just about any profession on board to consult for them and only the best can crack that", he finished as he gave me a look of disdain.

Meanwhile, the other girls in the class were chittering about the hot brooding CEO that they wanted to catch a glimpse of. He was always serious and didn't make statements unless they were important. He didn't even have any social media and was a very private person. All the boys were hoping to kiss his ass if they saw him. He was also a part of a very elite force that served as a line of defense against high-level threats that the country anticipated. No one knew in what manner they trained but they were aware of the threat of war that existed. There were rumors that Endless also would play a key part if that threat ever came to be. The world was a bit on edge and watching Endless as it grew.

I was busy being in shock. Endless didn't normally allow these trips. It shouldn't, given the high-level projects that they work on. I know for sure their founder wouldn't have signed off on this.

I should know. After all, I am the founder.

-End of Chapter 1-