***

I woke up at six thirty AM the next morning. I was still so tired but I had to leave before anyone saw me leaving Lucas's room. By six I knew all the boys would still be sleeping like dead people because of the drinks they'd had the night before. Now was the chance for me to get away.

I turned to Lucas who was sleeping by my side. He looked so comfortable. I caressed his cheek and his eyes fluttered open. I stared at him. Even waking up from sleep he looked good.

"I'm leaving." I whispered.

"Wh– why?"

"Wouldn't want to get caught. Catch you later, rich kid."

I got up and wore my panties, bra and dress. I held my shoes in my hand to be able to move easily.

Lucas sat up, running his fingers through his morning hair.

"Will we meet later today?" he asked.

"I don't know."

Without further ado, I sneakily left his room.

***

I'd succeeded in leaving the house without anyone seeing me. All the guys were fast asleep.

When I arrived the beta house, I waisted no time. I ran up to my room and collapsed on my bed. I needed more sleep.
--
I woke up hours later due to the sound of rain drops hitting my room's window. I yawned and sat up.

Checking the time, I saw it was eleven and decided to shower. I smelt like good sex. I was still really tired but I preferred to shower first before continuing my sleep, and so I got out of bed, got rid of my clothes and headed straight for bathroom.

I grabbed my plan B pills from the sink and popped one. I'd been so carried away with Lucas the previous night that I forgot to ask him to wear a condom.

I was soon done and all comfortable in my sleeping shorts and huge T-shirt. Just as I got on the bed and prepared to take off from where I'd ended, I received a call from Yasmin.

"Hello, Yazz." I said, yawning.

"Hmm, someone does sound tired. I bet there was a party yesterday."

"Yup. I got headache right now."

"You drank too much?"

"Not really."

"You fucked too much?"

"Hahaha! Bish, shut up."

"Then what??"

"I did something I'll regret throughout my relationship with Rick and throughout my stay here in Greenwill."

"What is it?"

"I'll tell you later. Gotta sleep."

"Okey. I'll be waiting. Don't forget!"

"I won't."

I laughed and hung up. I then texted Lucas,

-You up?-

He didn't reply and I knew he was still sleeping. I put my phone down before quickly returning to sleep. Damn I was tired.

***

Monday morning, we all sat in class patiently waiting for our professor to arrive and return the test papers. There was fidgeting and laughter as always. I took a pencil and began to draw in my note book.

I was carried away in my work that I didn't realise when Lucas entered class and moved up to me.

"Hey."

I looked up at him.

"Hey."

"Scoot over please."

I shifted and he sat close to me.

"Good morning." he smiled and began to take his books out of his bag.

"Good morning, Lucas. You do look happy this morning." I mused.

"Oh, I've been happy since the day before yesterday."

I knew what he was talking about but I didn't answer him. I simply nodded and continued to draw.

At that moment, I received a call from Rick. We'd not spoken to each other since Saturday night.

I picked up.

"Hello baby?" I said with a smile. Lucas immediately looked at me but I ignored him.

"Hello sweetheart. We haven't discussed since that night. I've been trying to reach you."

"I'm sorry. I slept the whole day of yesterday and so I switched off my phone."

"Oh okay. If you're free tonight, I want us to go out. Just to eat and relax. What do you say?"

"I say yes."

"Good. I wanna have you in my arms as soon as possible."

"Yeah. Catch you later, handsome."

"Alright."

I hung up and put my phone down.

"Your lover?" Lucas asked.

"Who else do I call baby or handsome?"

"Me."

I turned to him.

"Lucas, please don't start." I pleaded.

"Hey. Just saying."

"You promised to leave the relationship I share with Rick in peace." I rolled my eyes at him. He stared at me in a serious way.

"When did I promise that? I said that if my feelings for you which you mistook for lust, disappeared after I slept with you, then I'd leave you."

"So?"

"So surprise surprise, they haven't disappeared." he got his bag and stood up.

"What? You wanna get angry now?" I asked in disbelief.

"No, I'm not angry Harl. I'm just gonna go sit with Ian. See you during breakfast."

I simply nodded and he walked away.

Almost immediately, I received another call from James.

"Hello James. Sorry for the delay. I'm gonna paint more."

"Hello, Harlem. That's not why I called you. I have a great surprise for you. When will you be able to come today? That is, when are you free."

"Oh. I think I'll be free as from three. What kind of surprise is it??"

"Something that'll make your mother even more proud of you. That is, if you make the right decisions."

"Great, now you've got me anxious."

"Don't worry. Be here as soon as possible."

"Alright."

I wondered what news he had for me.

**

After school, I went to meet James in his gallery as soon possible.

"Hello, James." I greeted, entering the gallery.

"Hello, my dear. How are you??"

"Alright."

We hugged.

"I have a surprise for you." he pulled out a card and gave it to me.
I took it. There was a number written on it.

"What's this? There's only a phone number on it. No name, no address." I stated confused.

"Yes, cuz you're the only person to know to whom this number belongs."

"And it belongs to??" I asked.

James smiled.

"To Kadij Koon."

"What?? The Kadij Koon?!" I couldn't believe my ears. Kadij Koon was a worldwide known artist. Her works and paintings cost over a million dollars. I knew her because she was an Israelite who'd succeeded greatly in the United States.

"Yes. She saw one of your paintings from a friend of hers who'd bought it here. She was impressed and would like to talk with you. She gave her card and asked that you call her anytime you want."

I couldn't believe my ears. This was a blessing!