Chapter 20 Project pressure
Chapter 20: Project Pressure
The next couple of days were critical to the project.
Every group was working tirelessly to get everything ready for the final submission. And with just a week and three days left to the final showdown, the pressure was mounting like a hill too steep to climb.
Alex lived closer to OCU than Golden did, and with the deadline drawing near, the girls spent more time at her house than at the Nixon Estate.
Varney was out of town for business, and for the very first time, he was comfortable leaving Golden alone because she had Alex with her.
Golden sat cross-legged on the study floor, her laptop balanced on her knees, surrounded by scattered notes and printed articles. Alex perched on the edge of the desk, scribbling into her notebook while sipping a mug of steaming coffee.
“We need a plan, Gigi. This project isn’t going to finish itself, and all we have is a bunch of scattered drafts,” Alex said, adding a bit more sugar to her coffee.
Golden nodded. “Right. Allan handles the literature search. I’ll organize methodology and data collection. You focus on analysis and writing summaries. We’ll combine everything by Wednesday night.”
Alex sighed loudly. “What I want right now is a deep dive into the pool. My head feels like it’s about to explode from all this research. Meanwhile, I bet Linda’s all over Fabulous, playing mind games. That girl thrives on games. Poor Fabulous.”
“If you want, we can head to the Estate when we’re done here and relax by the pool with wine and steak,” Golden replied. “And as for Fabulous, I don’t think he’s at a disadvantage. So leave her be. We’ve got brains, strategy, and zero drama.”
She yawned. “So what do you say? Let’s finish up and head to the Nixon Estate. But you’re driving. I’m exhausted.”
Alex gave a dramatic smirk. “Why do I feel like ever since I got my license, you’ve been looking for every excuse to make me drive?”
Golden raised both hands in mock surrender. “I’m doing you a favor. Slowly turning you into a badass driver.”
“Wow. Thanks, Gigi. You’re too kind,” Alex muttered, rolling her eyes.
Golden stuck out her tongue in response.
Across campus, in the quiet library, Linda was busy plotting her own strategy. Fabulous Lawrence hovered over her laptop, typing furiously.
“Trust me, Linda. With my calculations and your charm, we’re guaranteed a perfect score,” he said.
Linda smiled too wide. “Of course. Allan Renshaw won’t even know what hit him. Golden thinks she’s the star, but she has no idea we’re coming for the win.”
Fabulous paused, staring at her. “You know she doesn’t even care if you win, right? You’re the only one competing. Golden just wants an A. And I hope Renshaw notices all the efforts you’re putting in… to get his attention.”
Linda rolled her eyes. Her voice dripped spite. “Whose side are you on, Lawrence?”
He chuckled softly. “Yours, obviously. It’s my grade too. Not that it’ll affect my GPA, but who cares?”
“Good. Then stick to the plan,” Linda said with her usual sass.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Later that evening at the Nixon Estate, Golden stretched out on a pool chair and yawned.
The sun had gone down by the time they arrived perfect timing to chill by the water.
“Do you think Allan will make it today?” she asked. “He’s been so busy at the tattoo parlor. I don’t want him burning out.”
Alex smirked. “You’re worried about him? The guy who calls himself a ‘play boy’ and scares half the campus?”
Golden ignored the teasing. “He’s more than that. He’s… dependable. And I need him on this project.”
Just then, Allan’s call came through. His video feed popped up. Golden quickly pulled a towel over her body, she wasn’t about to let him see more than necessary.
The screen showed Allan looking exhausted but determined, a streak of ink on his forearm from his last client.
“Good evening,” he said, rubbing his eyes. “I’ve compiled all the articles I could find. Sent everything to your email.”
Golden’s lips curved into a small smile. “Thanks, Allan. That’s a huge help. We’ll divide the work from here.”
Alex leaned forward, playful but pointed. “Seeing you act like a responsible team player is… unsettling. You might need to warn people before doing that again.”
Allan smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll go back to being a menace next week. Today I’m just trying to save your grades.”
Golden’s smile lingered a little longer than necessary.
After the call, the girls relaxed in the pool just long enough to reset their minds before diving back into work.
Soon the night was filled with clicking keys, page flipping, and focused silence. Golden and Alex worked like a synchronized machine, while Allan’s organized compilation gave them structure.
But peace never lasts long.
Around 5 p.m., Golden’s phone buzzed. A message from Linda:
“Hope you girls are ready to lose. Fabulous and I already started drafting. Don’t fall behind.”
Golden frowned and showed Alex. “She’s already gloating. What goes on in that girl’s head?”
Alex shook her head. “That’s Linda. Let her have her moment. We’ll outsmart her in the end.”
Almost immediately, Allan called again. He held up a handwritten chart of the data he compiled.
“Don’t let Linda intimidate you. You’ve got this,” he said with a smirk before ending the call.
Golden felt her cheeks warm even after the screen went dark. Something tugged at her heartstrings. There was something about Allan’s quiet dedication that tightened her chest in a way she wasn’t prepared for.