[|]

I was still in the elevator, trying to remember if I had paid my loan somehow in an unconscious state or if I was currently dreaming. I had read the mail on my phone one too many times to try to grasp what had happened. On one hand, I was happy at such a miracle, knowing I had hoped for one but on the other, I was not comfortable with this.

"Who could have done this? How is this even possible for the person to pay it off without my permission," I said and wracked my head. "It can't be Axel or Maddy."

Once the elevator doors opened, I stepped out and paused when I realized who might have paid it off.

"No... No, it can't be." I was angry right now and needed answers.

With the newfound discovery on my mind, I ran through the hallway until I got to Lucas' apartment door. I pushed it open and walked in. I saw Lucas in the kitchen, pouring juice into a glass cup, and clenched my hands before marching over to him.

"Who gave you the right, Lucas!" I said and he looked at me in confusion while setting the jug down.

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you like this? What is even wrong with you? You have no right to invade my private life like this just because we've kissed one or two times!" My body was shaking in anger, he had no right to go ahead and do such without my permission.

Even if he had my permission, I would still not have allowed him to do such a thing. I was dependent on myself alone.

"What are you talking about?" He asked and went around the counter to stand beside me.

I faced him and took out my phone then showed him the mail. He took my phone and went through the content before looking up at me.

"I don't understand."

I scoffed. "Can you stop pretending for once? Lucas, why did you pay off my student loan? Why would you do such a thing."

"I—"

"No! You have no justification whatsoever! Just because you took me shopping for just one day and because you are aware of my financial state, does not give you the right to think you can become my knight in shining armor. I am not a charity case! Stop trying to help me! I live with you and that's just it! We share nothing special for you to think of doing something like this!"

Lucas suddenly glared at me, I could see the anger on his face as he silently stared at me.

"And who told you about my student loan? How did you even find out about this? Have you been going through my private life?"

"Well, did you forget you left your student account logged into my laptop and you didn't even close the page! Now, what if I did?! You are the same person who was about to sell your fucking body for a measly amount of money because you're too much of a weak person to ask for help! You are in constant need and you have people around you that will genuinely help without asking for anything in return! What if I paid off your loan? You need help anyway! You should be thankful and not be a bitch about it!"

I gasped at the audacity and hissed.

"Did you just call me a bitch?!"

"I apologize for that. I am just angry at the way you're making me feel like shit! I took you under my roof when I saw how vulnerable you are and I never took advantage of that! I've tried so many times to assist you but knowing you have a pride the size of your head, I can't!"

I mentally wondered if I had a large head at his comparison but brushed it aside when he handed my phone back.

"I want you to take it back, Lucas. I don't care how it's going to work but go back to our school and take it back! I will pay off my loans myself without the help of anyone! You are not my boyfriend or husband to have the right to save me from problems!"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

"Enough! I don't want you doing anything for me anymore! Just because you spend your parents money doesn't mean I cannot find a hustle for myself to pay off my own debts. Don't flash your silver spoon lifestyle in my face, I'm not that type of person!"

With that, I walked past him and left the house, banging the door in the process. I was extremely angry that tears were in my eyes. I wanted to be the one to work extra hard to cover my expenses, to pay off my debt. I didn't want a man or anyone to do that and tomorrow, they made me feel they were entitled because they helped me. I have trained myself all these years to be someone who can do things on my own and it hurt my pride that he did because he was born with a silver spoon.

I felt tears on my cheeks and wiped them before walking away.

Two hours later, I saw Jared walking into the apartment building's compound. I was sitting on a bench close to the building and hoped he didn't see me. It was too late as he looked in my direction and walked over.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm flying," I sarcastically responded and he rolled his eyes before sitting beside me.

"I'm serious, Jackie. What is up with you. You have a long face and Lucas called me asking where you were."

I scoffed. "He should not care if I get lost or not."

"Are you two fighting or something?"

"Yes," I said and he sighed.

"What happened? Because Lucas refused to tell me why he was worriedly looking for you."

"I don't want to talk about it," I muttered and Jared groaned.

"If you two won't tell me anything then stop bringing me into this lovers spat because I love gossip and hate when no one tells me anything."

I chuckled and shook my head at his comedic behaviour. He looked serious which only made it more funny. I exhaled and pinched the bridge of my nose then told him everything. He was stunned with an open mouthed look on his face.

"Wow, Lucas did that? Wow, this is surprising," he said and I nodded.

"I just didn't expect that from him. I didn't tell anyone about this but he should have at least told me. He has no right to do such."

"Come on, Jackie. Lucas obviously cares about you. He is someone who barely does such for people and if he could pay off a loan that's probably expensive as fuck, it shows he truly cared for you and his feelings for you are strong."

I froze at his last sentence and turned my head slowly to look at Jared who was now looking like he was not supposed to say what he said.

"Lucas has feelings for me?" I whispered and he scratched the back of his head.

"I should not have said that. It slipped out but it's my own discovery, not directly from his mouth. I just know that he does and I know that you do too, am I right?"

"You don't know that," I denied, looking away.

Did Lucas truly return my feelings? If he did, that would be the happiest discovery for me. If he truly had feelings for me, his reason of paying off my debt came from a good place but still I hated how he didn't tell me anything.

"Hey, Jackie. I know you two are trying to fight the feelings but understand that Lucas is someone who I'm sure can do anything for someone he cares about. I've seen how he behaves with his sister and I know he'll do more," Jared said and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"I don't know how to react to all these. Are you even sure he has feelings for me? He's a playboy, a bad one and he could just be doing all these to make me swoon for him. He did it with a new phone back in highschool," I said and Jared kissed his teeth in annoyance.

"Nobody knows that but him but why don't you hear him out? Lucas might act tough and all but there's a man that is vulnerable and cares for his people inside of him. Besides, when bad boys love, they love hard."

I mulled over what he had said and nodded my head. Maybe I overreacted. Lucas was the one who gave me a place to stay, he made sure I was fed even though I barely contributed to the house with what I made from cleaning Clark's place. It was wrong of me to attack him without listening to him but I was still angry at his act.

"I gotta go upstairs. I'm too tired and need a nap. If you need to talk, you know where to find me," Jared said and rose from the bench.

I watched him leave until he entered the building. I looked away and stared at my phone, thinking of calling Lucas and apologizing but the stubborn side of me needed him to come to me and apologize for crossing the line.

With that in mind, I relaxed on the bench and stared at the cars zooming back and forth outside the short gate and fence of the compound.

[|]

Night time fell and I made it back to the apartment after staying at a library. As I stood outside the apartment, my heart was beating fast. I didn't know how to face him after our fight. I took a deep breath and opened the door then walked into the house.

The place was dark and I got confused, wondering if he was home or not. I touched the switch on the wall beside me and turned on the light. There was no one in the living room or kitchen. I looked upstate and saw no sign of him so I shut the door and went to the living room. I sat down and turned on the television.

Two hours went by and there was still no sign of Lucas and I was getting worried. Anytime he was staying out late, he would send a text but there was nothing from him. I started to feel guilty and stood up from the couch. I paced around the living room, wondering if I should call or text him.

"Maybe I should wait for another hour," I said and sat down on the couch.

Before the hour went by, I rose from the couch again from worry and tried calling Lucas but he did not answer. I got more worried than before and left the house. I locked the door and ran over to Jared's apartment. Before I could think of knocking, the door opened, revealing a shirtless Jared with bed head and sleepy eyes.

"I was about knocking."

"I was about to come borrow salt from your place. What is it? Did you have another fight with Lucas?"

I shook my head. "No. I came here to ask if you've seen or heard from him. I'm worried about him because he hasn't called or texted me like he does if he's staying out late or not coming home. Please, tell me where he is?"

Jared groaned. "I know where he is but I can't take you there. You'll have to wait until later tonight or tomorrow."

"No! Just tell me where he is. I just want to apologize for how I behaved and know if he's doing alright. Please, Jared. I beg you," I pleaded and Jared rolled his eyes.

"All I wanted was salt to cook my dinner now these lovers are trying to bring me into their mess," he whined, a pout on his lips that made me chuckle behind my hand.

"Sorry," I said and he smiled before walking back into his apartment.

I turned away, thinking of if Lucas would accept my apologies. I would apologize anyway until I understand why he paid off my student loan.

"Let's go," Jared said, now wearing a shirt and with his car keys. "I didn't want to bring you there but whatever."

"Thank you."