Eliza's POV

  "What happened?" Ethan asked.

  "Mom called. They are staying at Arthur's house for tonight," I said. I looked at the book beside him.

  "Don't tell me you read it without me," I asked.

  I didn't want to read it together either, I thought. Only Arthur's secrets were we going to find, but it seems like my own life is very much entangled with Arthur's.

  "No, but I'm curious. Let's see what you got in this," he said, turning the page and reading it aloud.

  Arthur's POV

  She sat there silently on the bed when I entered the room. She didn't seem scared, but a little uncomfortable, I guessed.

  "Hey, you asked for me?" I asked.

  She blinked and answered, "Yes, I'm hungrier than I thought. I just drank some juice, that's it. Can you please get food here if you don't mind? I thought it would be disrespectful to ask your mother. Actually, I'm avoiding everyone right now. Please?" she said.

  "It's a small favour, it's fine. I will get it for you," I said.

  When I reached the door, she looked at me and said, "Please don't forget to bring ice cream and cake too; they are serving it on the other side," she said seriously.

  Oh my god, I couldn't laugh. I was really controlling myself as much as possible. If she saw me smile, then it would be fine, it's just a smile. I nodded calmly, holding back my laughter.

  "Omg, seriously, Eli!" Ethan laughed.

  "Come on, it's not that funny," I said.

  I know it's embarrassing, but everyone loves food. We are back to the book again.

  I bought what she asked for and left her alone in her room. It seemed like a perfectly chaotic evening until I saw my mom crying in the kitchen.

  "Mom?" I said.

  She just stood in front of the island, holding a glass.

  "Are you okay?" I asked.

  "Yeah, everything is fine. Why don't we go home now? It's already late. You talked to Eli, right? Poor girl, her first period on her birthday," she said.

  I knew she was hiding something. After we got home, there was a strange man in front of the house. Upon seeing my mother, he immediately approached us.

  "See, I'm here. You said let's talk at my house, so I'm here now. Let's just put an end to this," he raised his voice.

  "Let's just get inside. We can't..." My mom pleaded.

  "I've already heard enough. I'm paying for your son's academics not just because you work in my bakery and I pity you. I want something more," he insisted.

  I now understood the situation.

  "See, I thought you were a nice person. You are helping me with money so I can pay you back later. I didn't know you had other thoughts about this. Since you are giving me money, I helped your daughter with picking up duties and your family's laundry. If I have to do more of it, I can, but never ever am I going to sleep with you," she replied, tears in her eyes. She looked at me, terrified that I had heard all these things.

  She held my hand and dragged me with her. She opened the lock, and we entered the house, locking it behind us. The man... the hell should sort him out with an effective punishment he deserves or i will.

  The next day, school seemed even more hectic with all the encounters from the previous night. Eliza started to avoid me as much as possible. I didn't force her; I knew she was worried if I would bring up that thing. I didn't know why she was concerned about that fact.

  Every day seemed like a punishment in my mom's life; she was suffering, and I could see that. What should I do? Some kid gave me an idea of working in a game club, so I joined. I just have to serve drinks and noodles when they're ordered. It's a pretty easy job. I got through half the month easily.

  As the days passed, my game obsession came to light. I quit some of the classes and went to play games on bets. Suddenly gaining money and seeing a lot of it in hand made me realize why everyone is so eager to earn it. It wasn't an obsession; it was real, it was heaven, I understood.

  So, don't blame money; it can do anything. I told my mother to quit her job as I was working part-time. She didn't ignore me this time; she said yes, but she stopped doing other work for income. She just wanted to continue in a different bakery, so I didn't stop her. I knew she wasn't really okay with me working.

  We seemed to be financially okay for some time, at least for food and studies.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Classes... slowly I started attending all of them when I realized I could earn a lot in betting in one sitting. And now I had more friends, even I lost count of them.

  "Hey, did you hear that?" Chris, my friend (not close, but he's the one who got me the part-time job in the game club), asked.

  "About what?" I asked, not surprised that he was always focused on money.

  "That teacher, Mara, asked the kid who can get stuff online for a diamond ring? With a low price? Is that even possible? Diamonds are diamonds, bro," he said.

  "What are diamond rings?" I asked, having never seen one in real life as far as I knew.

  "Hey, they are the costly wedding rings, so far. Are you from another dimension or what?" he said mockingly.

  "So she wants one. What's the big deal? She'll get one. I heard the kid is nearly good with online sales," I said.

  "No, they are going to be fake, trust me," he said.

  I nodded, as I knew everything about them. He just laughed, hitting my shoulder.

  "Hey, Arthur," someone called me out of nowhere.

  Eliza? What was she doing here? She was still in her uniform.

  "Hey, what are you doing here?" I asked, surprised.

  "Yeah, actually, I called you. Never mind. Anyway, can I talk to you privately?" she said.

  I was stunned. What did she want to talk about?

  "Yeah, see you in the club," I said to Chris, just nodded, and left.

  "Yeah, actually, my mom said something like 'mature kid' or whatever, so we are having a party with all my girlfriends," she said.

  I interrupted, "So you're not going to invite me there, are you?" I asked, confused.

  "No, I just want to thank you. So, do you want to have a snack with me right now?" she said, her eyes so beautiful with excitement.

  "It's not such a great thing, but I appreciate your offer. Actually, I have a part-time job I should be at," I clarified.

  "Oh, at least I can buy you something," she said.

  "Fine," I said, not wanting to push her offer too much.

  She bought me cupcakes and some strawberries for my mother. Was she serious? Who likes cupcakes and strawberries? But I didn't say anything.

  "Thanks, actually, they are sweet," I said anyway.

  "That's good to hear. Don't forget to share," she said, waving goodbye with a smile and leaving in a cab within a minute.

  She hurried through the entire process so I wouldn't be late for work. Wasn't she so cute?

  "Sir, your card," the shopkeeper said.

  "What? She paid with a card?" I replied confusingly to clarify if it was hers or not.

  "Yes, sir, the girl in uniform with you. It's hers," he said.

  "Thank you." I reached and took it from him. She didn't know the card should be given back, or did she just forget? I laughed. Was she serious? How could her mom trust her with her card?

  My smile didn't fade throughout my club activities. She was so dumb. Later, after my duties, I was on my way to Eliza's house to give her the card. When I saw all the cars in front of her house, I realized it was the party. I just went inside and immediately spotted Eliza's mom on the sofa with some parents, I guessed. I went near them; they were talking about diamonds. Were they that hot of a topic?

  "Mrs. Hawthorne, sorry, actually Eliza forgot this when she was with me," I handed her the card.

  "Oh, that's so nice of you. I'm sorry you can't meet her right now, she is... Anyway, want some snacks? I can pack you some, come," she continued walking towards the kitchen even though I wanted to interrupt, I couldn't.

  "Give my greetings to your mother. I rarely see her nowadays," she said.

  "Yeah, she is good," I said. She packed every snack in a basket; I think it was one of the gifts from a parent. While I was saying thank you, an aunt came near and took her away. I should just step out. As I was taking a step, I automatically took a step back. When I touched it, I realized it was a ring. It was a diamond ring, as far as I knew.

  Should I just place it as it was? I avoided each and every encounter without thinking twice. Twenty steps, I was out of this place. I don't know why I did it, but I did. I opened my phone, called Chris, and asked how much that teacher was going to offer for a ring.

  I didn't consider any consequences, anything except money here. Why? I returned the card. Why this? Because the card contained proof, but this didn't? Or am I always like this? What am I thinking? What am I doing? I'm nervous about everything right now.

  The cell buzzed. I was on the road, hanging onto some shop pole. I lifted it. He said it was 700,000 in rupees.

  "So you got one?" he asked. I just cut the call.

  Quickly, I put it in my bag and left for home. Early morning, I visited the teacher's office. I wanted to get rid of it as soon as possible.

  "So, it's 7L then. Is it fine with you?" she asked.

  "Yes," I said without making eye contact.

  "Which online site did you get it from?" she asked firmly.

  "It's none of your concern. If you don't want it, I can sell it to others. That's it, it's just a product," I said confidently with a glare. She just transferred my money and took the ring, saying,

  "And there it is. Anyone know about this? Okay," she said, which I wanted to say to her too.

  I nodded and left the office.

  Three days passed without any worries, but my nervousness was at its peak. Thank God she didn't wear that diamond ring to work. More surprisingly, I saw my mom enjoying eating cupcakes and strawberries. I never knew she liked them that much. Did Eliza always know about this?

  As I was thinking, I found Eliza near a food stall with her friends, crying. I was concerned about what it was this time.

  "Hey," I said to all at once.

  "Hey," one of her friends with silky hair and who looked like a parrot replied.

  "What's going on?" I asked, looking at Eliza.

  "She thinks her parents are going to get a divorce," the same girl replied. I was shocked at that sentence.

  "They are not talking, they quarrel sometimes, and they are avoiding each other," Eliza replied, looking into my eyes.

  "Why suddenly?" I asked again.

  "I don't know. This is all happening after my mom loses her ring," she said angrily now.

  "Maybe there are other reasons. Why don't I just take you home now so you can get some rest?" I said, seeing her eyes were all red and she looked thin.

  I helped her carry her bag. She said bye to her friends, and we walked together.

  "How do you know it's about that thing or what?" I asked.

  "Yeah, it is too expensive, and it is my grandmother's last remains, so... and in that party that day, my mom was going to give it to me as a gift passed down through generations," she said, crying.

  I realized when she said "that party day." I was doomed.

  Is this how I'm paying for that?

  Ethan and I were glued to the book, neither of us daring to look away. I'm in an utterly unspeakable condition, completely floored by what I just read. The tears are streaming down my face, an unstoppable flood. Ethan's looking at me, and I know I should pull myself together, but the sobs just keep coming.

  "Hey, hey," he murmured gently.

  What is this I am reading? This is unbelievable. I simply cannot believe what I'm reading.

  Continues.....