The Treasurer Is Coming

Cheska’s eyes flicked up after hearing something controversial. She’s at her table now while reading the book for their quiz later on.

But even if she’s focused, the gossips didn’t escape from her sharp ears.

“The president and Lorenzo are best friends?” she asked.

The two girls who’re gossiping turned their heads to her. They instantly ran to her since she looks interested in what they’re talking about.

"Right, you don’t know about that since you’re a new student!”

She nodded slowly. That’s pretty obvious. “But is that really true? They’re…friends?”

“Yes! I'm telling you! The university was less chaotic when those two are still working together. Their friendship was a big gem here! It’s such a shame that Lorenzo dropped his title last year.”

How surprising. She sensed no memories of friendship from the two of them back then.

“Why did he leave? Do you know it too?”

“Uh…we don’t know his exact reason but as far as I remember, a fight occurred between him and the president before the news about him leaving the student council spread."

"Everyone witnessed the fight since it happened in the hallway. Lorenzo almost threw a punch at the president that time! It’s a relief that his cousin went inside the picture right away.”

“Cousin?”

“The one he’s always with too! What was his name again? Kenneth?”

“Not that one! His name is Ralph!”

She blinked twice. She’s absolutely not expecting that.

What’s more unforeseen to that, it’s the guy who talked to her and asked her not to accept Lorenzo’s invitation.

Now that explains his concern that time. He’s not just a friend. He's a family relative.

“I wonder what happened…”

Even if she doesn’t want to be bothered by it, she still can’t help it. Just what happened between the two?

How worse is it that they act like complete strangers now? Like they’re mortal enemies?

She still remembers how Lorenzo acted when Cj came to save her from her situation with him. They both hate each other’s existence.

Those two were really best friends before? That’s hard to believe.

Well, she’s in a strange university so…perhaps it’s fine?

“The rumor is, they fought because of a girl. Love triangle, they said.”

“Love triangle?” her brows arched. “They don’t look interested in love? Who’s the girl?”

“Alexandra!”

She sighed. “Why did I even ask…”

In every problem in university, Alexandra’s name cannot be there, it cannot be the last one on the line. It’s proven and tested after she figured out that she has something to do with the kunai who got buried on Lorenzo’s back.

“The president likes Alexandra? Or Alexandra likes him?”

“I don’t understand either. But it’s clear to all of us that Lorenzo and Alexandra are for each other!”

“For? Each? Other?” her brow arched even more.

“Well, it’s obvious. They’re living in the same world while the president is not. It’s the universal law for every leader! They’re not allowed to get involved with someone who’s not part of their world.”

Who would have thought there’s such a law like that existing in the world she’s living in? She only sees it in movies, read it in books.

“Let’s stop talking about them! Let’s talk about something new! I heard the treasurer is coming tomorrow!”

The whole class literally turned their heads to the one who spoke about that.

Even Sophia who’s naturally unshakable from surprising and intriguing gossips turned to that classmate of theirs.

“Really?!” everyone asked.

Waves of questions can be heard everywhere. That classmate explained that she only heard it from other students while she’s on her way to their classroom.

It can be true. It can be a pure rumor as well.

“Who’s…the treasurer?” Cheska asked hesitantly. The other one is busy answering the questions so she asked that one to the other one.

“It’s Sebastian Azarcon!” she said with enthusiasm. “He’s the treasurer of this university for like…2 years? Or three? He’s close to Lorenzo and Cj. He is the chosen since he is richer than Cj? Of course, Lorenzo is the richest but he’s fit perfectly to the vice president position so the position was given to Sebastian.”

“Why wasn't he the chosen one for the president position? If he’s the richest?”

“Wealth isn't necessary for the presidency. The president we have today has a strong sense of leadership! And that's enough!

"Besides, Mafia World is like the leading world so it’s inappropriate and unfair to choose a Mafia to lead this university. It's like giving chance to others.

"Abusing of power might occur. Unlike the president, he’s fair to everyone. As you can see, on your first day, he didn’t falter to Lorenzo. He’s like you!”

“He didn’t falter because they’re friends before.”

“Well, make sense..." she muttered. "Oh! Did you know! The president also went in the same situation as yours on your first day? When you faced Lorenzo?"

"What about that?"

"Just like you, he faced Lorenzo bravely even he's burning wildly that time. He doesn't care about the flames. We're expecting him to run away but god, he did not!"

The other one finally returned her gaze to them. “What the? I said let’s stop talking about those two! Let’s talk about Sebastian instead!”

Cheska looked at the other side of the window and wondered. An idea suddenly came inside her mind and she doesn’t know why and how she thought of it.

Cj is not afraid of Lorenzo. It’s obvious since the first day and it’s proven now that she heard the story of what happened between the two.

The night at the casino flashed on her mind.

Those guys weren’t afraid nor intimidated by Lorenzo too. Just like how Cj acts in front of him.

That made her wonder, is it possible that…

She winced and closed her eyes, convincing herself.

That can’t be true. There's no way that's true.

According to Kenneth, that night, they were fighting against the current leaders of the Underground World. For short, Grounders.

But Cj is a Commoner, right?

But then, Joshua’s words rang to her ears.

“After all, the Underground World and Outside World are open worlds.”

Her lips slightly parted. Now, the possibility rate has risen.

Could it be the ones they fought against were being led by Cj? Or maybe just he’s one of those guys?

The reason for such an accusation is still too shallow but she has a different feeling about this. She felt like she just hit the bullseye and she doesn’t know why she can’t tell why.

Maybe that’s the reason why she’s familiar with the voice? When she heard it, she knew, she felt that she heard it before.

Now that she’s thinking of it again, the voices match perfectly.

But what could be the reason for it? What is his reason? And if he’s the leader of the Underground World, that means he’s tough? Strong?

She silently gasped. But Lorenzo had a hard time fighting against them. That means those three are stronger than them.

If he’s stronger than Lorenzo then…

She closed her eyes tightly and held her head, having a headache again. She tried her best not to whine in pain.

Since yesterday, she constantly gets a headache. Did she do something wrong? She sleeps early. She’s not that stressed too.

“Cheska?”

Her eyes flicked up when someone held her shoulders. Brittany welcomed her eyes, looking at her with slight concern.

“I—I thought you won’t be able to come,” she said trying not to show the pain she's feeling. “Why are you late? You’re lucky. Our teacher isn’t yet here.”

She pouted and went to her chair. “I slept late last night because of our quiz!"

When the first period ends, Cheska instantly went to the restroom just to breathe. The aching has stopped so she can move freely again without wincing because of pain.

Again, she started to think of what she was thinking earlier.

She remembers what she and Cj talked about last time about the Mafia World. But he said he heard it from the students, right?

Wait, who is she kidding? Of course, he can lie about that?

If Cj is indeed a Lee…like a Lee from the Mafia World…then Lorenzo is closer to the truth than he knows?

The Lee he’s looking for was…was his best friend?

But she knows Lorenzo—though not that much.

He is not shutting down the idea of the possibility that Lee University is owned by a Lee. Yet he didn't say anything about suspecting the president as one of them.

Lorenzo is the kind of man who doesn’t let a single ‘what if’ pass to him. He never shuts down possibilities. He always assumes. He always doubts.

So why? Why he is not suspecting the president?

Was it because they were best friends?

Or perhaps…he already knows about it? That’s why he left the student council? That’s why he decided to cut his ties with him?

But that can’t be true. If Lorenzo already has a lead, he should have stopped right here. Making an effort to steal the Underground World’s throne is useless and just a waste of sweat and time. He shouldn’t be still looking that is already found?

So maybe that is not the case?

What's the reason then? Trust? Pure trust? Their friendship before?

That’s hard to believe. Lorenzo is a man with lots of doubts. He doesn’t trust anyone easily. He always leaves room for doubt. She knows that especially after her meeting with Kenneth.

They’re cautious. They’re always on their guards. They don’t relax.

So why does he trusts Cj deeply? To the person whom he cut ties to? Whom he hates?

Perhaps there's a story behind that?

Or maybe none of what she is thinking is true? Perhaps she's just overseeing things?

She rested one hand on the sink and the other one went to her head. The aching of her head is coming again.

Why does she always feel this whenever she’s thinking deeply? Carefully?

She never feels that when she’s studying or reviewing to her death. So why? Why now?

On top of that, it’s still hard to assume to accuse. There’s no single certainty to her hunches.

Well, it’s a hunch after all. She doesn’t even know where those thoughts are coming from.

It is just coming to her mind without stopping. Without any reason.

There’s a lot of people who don’t shake to Lorenzo. There’s no way it’s just them.

For sure, someone out there doesn’t shake to his name, to his presence as well.

There’s a lot of people who can be behind those masks.

Why is she accusing Cj anyway? So what if he doesn’t shake to Lorenzo? So what if Lorenzo can’t make him shake?

It doesn’t mean he's one of those guys wearing disguises. It doesn’t prove anything.

There’s are billions of people on earth and she’s there suspecting someone innocent.