Airine

Airine frowned, "What do you mean by a problem? I have known her for a while; she is always full of smiles and energy. Being around her always makes me feel better."

"Did you ever see her with wounds or bruises?"

"No, never." Airine then started to understand what Rafael was afraid of. "You think she is abused?"

"In one way or another, I don't know. I just feel she is in some kind of problem. Like that card. SuiYin got a full scholarship; I don't believe she doesn't need that money."

$1k is quite a lot for people like them. The average cost of living for him and his sister is around $1.5k to $2k a month. This money can alleviate almost 75% of their expenses.

Airine's hand shook hearing Rafael's words. She grasped the card as she felt what Rafael said was not wrong. 

"If this is true, please tell me. I will do my best to help her. I met with Olivia last year when both of us were applying for the scholarship. 

Since you also have one, I am sure you know how many tests we need to pass."

"Yes, I know. So you failed?" Rafael asked. He always felt curious about how Airine ended up working in the library. 

As he knew, it was illegal for the school to hire her, except she was helping in her capacity as a student.

"No! You think I would be here if I failed?" Airine replied with a glare. 

She took a short pause, then continued, "Look, I am very poor. I got the scholarship, but it only paid for a quarter of all the expenses. So even with that, I couldn't enter the school. That is when Mr. Velkan came and offered me to take care of his library."

"So, are you a student here or not? With Mr. Velkan helping foot the bill, shouldn't you spend time in class rather than here?"

"You think I don't want that? That is why it annoys me to see you loitering in the library when you should be in class. 

It's not that simple. Mr. Velkan pulled some strings. He said I would take any test given to the students in this school. As long as I could pass them all, I could join the class in the second year."

"I still don't understand. Why do you need to take care of this library then?"

"Heck, you think I know his real reason? Basically, it's like I am working for him, but all my wages are saved to pay for my second and third years at school.

As long as I complete all the school tests and do my work well."

"It's still weird. You do know you working here is illegal, right?"

"Illegal, legal, you think they care about this? Even if someone complains, will that have any effect? 

I don't know how you live your life, but I sure know people like me should just take any opportunity.

Is it weird? Yes, I know. 

Can he have ulterior motives? Maybe. But do you think I have a choice in this?"

"I am not judging you,u or anything, and my name is not 'you,' I am Rafael. Since you are close to SuiYin, we will probably meet often. 

Isn't it better if you just drop this unreasonable animosity toward me? And if Mr. Velkan really has ulterior motives, I will help you."

Airine's eyes softened a bit hearing Rafael's words, "Hmph! I hope it's not just all talk. Well, you are right; I will try not to hate you too much."

Rafael's lips twitched, "Fine, that is enough. In that case, what is your phone number?"

Airine's eyes turned into a glare, silently asking what he needed it for.

"You think too much. I just want to put you in the chat group with me, SuiYin, and another student named Aiyden. 

You may not realize this since you are now staying in the library, but this school is not easy. 

We scholarship students are the minority here, surrounded by the rich and elite. I believe you don't want to spend your time at school living as a target, bullied left and right."

Airine's glare didn't diminish, but she took out her phone and showed her number on the screen. "You better not share my phone number around."

"Why would you even think I would do that?"

"Do you think I know what runs through your mind? I am not saying this to pick on you. 

It already happened multiple times; do you even know how many creepy messages I got?"

Rafael sighed, "I swear I won't ever give your number to anyone else, satisfied?"

"Good. Have you finished? I want to return to my job."

"Yes, you just need to approve. I already added you." Rafael replied as he saved Airine to his contact list. 

Till now, she never told him her name, but he had heard SuiYin call her that.

Rafael then excused himself, "I will go now, thanks for looking after the briefcase. But seriously, Airine, if you have any problem, chat in the group. 

For me, friends are not just people we spend fun time together with. 

It's a group of people that are there for each other no matter the situation. I can't promise I will always be able to help you, but I will try my best."

Airine could see Rafael really meant what he said, so she replied, "Thanks… answer me this first though, do you by chance like me or something? I just want to make it clear."

"The sun may rise from the west, but me like you? No way, never." Rafael said with a chuckle as he left the library.

He could hear Airine curse him from behind,

"BASTARD! Don't you ever return!"

Rafael just laughed louder as he walked in the hallway. Based on her appearance and what she said before, Rafael didn't feel weird when she asked him that question.