Chapter 8

What Ray needed to do.

Just after Mr. Ramson left the classroom, Ray remained on his chair bewilderedly as he counts the days remaining for him to lose his game. He had barely a month and some days now and Jessica seemed to be a tough meat. Moreover, the guy beside her some minutes ago was another thing for him to care about. That guy seemed rich and he seemed not to understand the chemistry between them. He also wondered how the guy could be so close to Jessica like that to the point of holding hands together.

Nasani and Eric walked up to Ray on his seat with a burst of mockery laughter. They were always there to make life worse for Ray. He was beginning to get tired of them.

" oh, my God, your poor lover knows mathematics, I couldn't believe it, " Nasani told Ray and laughed rigorously.

" That reminds me, did you remember that Ray's ambition is to become a mathematician? " Eric said, adding more waves to the laughter.

" you could probably learn mathematics from your poor lover " Nasani spoke before Ann came into view.

Ray dismissed their jest and focused on his phone. He was used to his friend's nonchalant attitude.

"what's up guys, what's all the jest for?" Ann asked with her two hands in the air.

"Ray's lover is a mathematician so we are congratulating him ahead" Nasani and Eric added.

"There is nothing special about what she did, she was just lucky," Ann said and looked away.

"But who was that guy she came inside with a few minutes ago?" Ann asked shooting a treasonous glimpse around.

This caught Ray's attention and made his heart beat but he had to hide his weakness from his friends.

Nasani and Eric must have probably forgotten about the guy but Ann paved the way for another jest.

" oh, that's true! Ray, maybe your lover has finally seen a poor boy like her" Nasani spoke and laughed.

" And remember you have few days left for your father's company to be taken?" Eric sneaked into Ray's ear.

" I think the guy is rich, I saw Jessica coming down from his SUV car," Ann said jealously.

" nobody is richer than I do in this whole campus, I can buy the poor girl and the guy with my money," Ray said in his seat with a lethal voice.

" But you could not bring her down, rich guy," Eric and Nasani said.

" I am sick and tired of all these Bullshits," Ray said and walked out of his friends. His friends laughed at him.

Ray went under the green parking slot where he packed his car and sat on the bonnet of his car. He was becoming obsessed with Jessica. He seemed to have a sudden affection for her and that made him saddened the more. His friends taught he was saddened by the ongoing game not knowing he was becoming obsessed with her.

-----

"Wow, good and emotional story, Hudson must be a very good friend," Serah said and bite the buns in her hand.

" yes, a very good one " Jessica added and bite hers too.

Serah and Jessica were in the campus garden where a lot of students in the campus always go for relaxation after lectures.

Jessica just told Serah more about Hudson and how he had contributed positively to her life.

" so do you love him?" Bethel asked in a low tone.

Jessica looked at her and curled her lips childishly before she responded, " I think I like him "

Bethel was wide-eyed. Serah could see that Jessica was probably in love with Hudson and that was a great disadvantage in Ray's game.

Serah taught of sneaking Ray's matter into their sweet conversation.

" I think Ray loves you better," Bethel said but just as she pronounced Ray's name Jessica's smile vanished like a ripple of the sea.

" guess what?" Bethel asked Jessica.

"What?" Jessica asked in a raw voice and crinkled her nose. She knew Bethel would talk about Ray again.

" Ray bought this dress for you," Bethel said in a diplomatic tone and pointed her hand at the dress she was wearing.

"Oh, my goodness! You didn't tell me this I would not have worn it" Jessica said so painfully and right now she hated Bethel.

" I am off to class," Jessica said and left Bethel on her seat angrily.

Bethel stood up and ran after her as she walked in haste back to the classroom.

" come on, Jessica. You shouldn't behave this way you should at least appreciate him for the dress even if you don't like him " Bethel said just as she met up with her.

Jessica froze up by Bethel's recent words but still, she find it hard to make a friendship room in her heart for Ray.

" you should thank him for the dress, Bethel, because I never knew he was the one that bought it for me," Jessica said and moved angrily to the classroom.

----

Ray sighed at Jessica as she was coming out from the Campus garden from his car. He also saw Bethel walking right behind her. He noticed they were not on good terms.

He decided to walk towards Jessica but this time he walked boldly towards her.

" Hello, Jessica" Ray greeted and offered his hand.

" Hi," Jessica took the hand hesitatingly and responded forcefully.

" You look good on this dress, Jessica, I knew you will like it that's why I bought it for you for thousands of dollars," Ray said with a smile but Jessica's got more dampened by his words.

" Thanks but I don't beg for it," Jessica said and walked out of Ray.

Ray stood there disappointedly. He gritted his teeth and slam a fist on his cheek before Bethel got to him.

" You caused all this, Bethel, look at me a rich and fine boy like me running after a poor girl like she and she is turning me down, I should not have played the game that day," Ray said and removed his cap. He scratched his head and looked away before returning his cap.

" This is the main reason why Jessica will never date you, you always feel too big and pompous. You call yourself a series of names in front of her and she hates it" Bethel shouted at Ray before she continued, "For your information, that guy you saw with her is someone she loves so you better clap down your ego or you lose your father's company, remember you have a month and days left"

Bethel said this and walked out of Ray. Ray ran after her and held her hand.

" Bethel, please, help me" Ray requested with a serious look for the first time.

Bethel rolled her eyes and asked, " Do you love her?"

" No! I just want to secure my father's company, she is not my type of girl" Ray said and looked away.

" I saw you staring at her in the class hours ago, Ray, are you denying it?" Bethel said to his face.

" I can never stare at that thing, what do you take me for? I have other girls hovering around me on the campus" Ray said.

" You are a freaking liar, Ray" Bethel spoke boldly.

" If you want to capture her heart then you do as I say," Bethel said and walked away