Alice's POV
It was already Friday, and neither Nancy nor I had received a response from the football team. We were getting a bit anxious. We discussed whether we should send another email, but then we thought about the fact that the team had only won the championship last month.
They must have received numerous interview requests, and the staff might not have had the chance to process them all yet.
Publications like "Sports Times," "Football World," and many other unnamed magazines were likely competing for their attention. After all, the championship fever was still hot, and the short videos of the victory were continuously racking up record-breaking views on social media.
In order to maintain a positive first impression, after an agonizing week, we decided to give it more time. We didn't want to come across as bothersome, but it felt unfortunate to let such a great opportunity slip away.
While having lunch in the cafeteria, my right eyelid started twitching. Even though such things were usually dismissed as baseless superstition, my mind couldn't help but connect it to the situation.
I put down my fork and looked at Nancy with concern, "Is there something wrong with our interview request? Why am I feeling so uneasy?"
"There shouldn't be any issue. We're using the university paper's name, and when they see..."
Nancy's words were muffled as she chewed on the spicy and succulent Indian chicken curry, but her reassurance didn't seem to ease my mind. In fact, the more she spoke, the more uncertain I felt.
"If we still haven't heard back by Monday, should we just go directly to their facility? What do you think?" I asked.
My response was concise, "Let's go!"
Yet, my right eyelid continued to twitch incessantly.
Later that evening, Nataly got all dressed up to attend a party hosted by Henry's roommate at their off-campus apartment. She asked if I wanted to join.
Nataly studied fashion design and knew a lot of classmates who were from affluent families or were rebellious, unique geniuses. With her and her boyfriend's fun-loving personalities, it seemed like they were chasing parties almost every week.
"Henry mentioned that a really handsome trust fund kid is also coming to the party. He warned me not to fall for him, haha. If you decide to come, I can have Henry introduce you," she said.
I hesitated for a moment before sharing with her the puzzle I had been contemplating for two days.
"Really?" Nataly leaned against the doorframe, wearing glossy pointed-toe high heels and carrying a diamond-patterned leather bag. She still had the same expression from Tuesday night.
"So, if you crack the code, does your 'association' offer a reward of a white knight?" she teased.
I couldn't blame Nataly for her tone. She truly didn't understand why I had secluded myself this way. At 18, with a charming appearance, it's easy to effortlessly engage in a romance that does justice to one's youth. It's either spending each day studying at the library or staying cooped up in your room tackling assignments.
She just really, really didn't get it.
Moreover, which girl hasn't encountered a scumbag guy before? If you stop believing in love just because of encountering a scumbag, aren't you just losing out on your own terms?
I answered Nataly without annoyance, "Nataly, it's the Cryptogram Association."
However, upon seeing my smiling face, she understood that this was my way of playing dumb to avoid an argument.
Last September, I joined the university's Cryptogram Association. It was founded over a decade ago by three students who shared an interest in deciphering cryptograms.
Initially, they used to gather to decode unknown cryptograms left behind by suspects in real criminal cases. As more students became interested, it officially became a club and even organized competitions.
The reason I joined the Cryptogram Association was quite simple - to unwind. I enjoyed the feeling of problem-solving, and the more challenging the cryptograms were, the longer they occupied my thoughts. The satisfaction of finally cracking the code was unparalleled.
I used this interest as a way to destress, but Nataly teased that it wasn't relaxation at all; it was just me inviting trouble upon myself.
Just as my train of thought was about to gain momentum, my phone rang. I was startled by the sudden sound, and I quickly checked the caller ID. Ruby. My stepbrother. There was no need to think; I knew it was the call of that trouble-prone young man seeking my help to solve his problems.
Ruby only came home during summer and winter breaks, so our relationship wasn't particularly close. However, I was okay with that, because for some reason, Ruby was quite afraid of me - genuinely scared.
Despite his bravado, whenever I got angry, his confidence vanished. I had pondered it many times, but I couldn't figure out what was so intimidating about me.
But due to my stepfather's care for me, I took care of Ruby after I came to the United States. However, the spoilt young man was truly unruly and difficult to manage.
Looking at Ruby's name on my phone's screen made me sigh. Well, I hadn't cracked the cryptogram, but at least I finally knew why my right eyelid twitched during lunch.
"Alice, come over quickly, I need your help!"
Ruby seemed to be talking to me from the side of a road, and his end of the call was extremely noisy - a mix of wind and background chatter. I couldn't quite hear him, so I asked, "Say that again."
"I'm so annoyed! I told you to come over right now, I'm seriously about to lose it!"
Hearing his unreasonable tone, my frustration flared up. "Ruby, watch your tone. I'm not obligated to help you every single time."
The ruby, who was both a bully and fearful of strong resistance, was unexpectedly more flexible than a spring in terms of bending and retracting.
Upon hearing my cold tone, he quickly apologized, proving once again that he was truly afraid of me and immediately adopted a submissive and apologetic attitude.
"Alright, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I messed up, okay? Please come over quickly."
I got up and grabbed my coat from the hanger. "Alright, spill it. What's going on, and where are you?"
"My friends and I wanted to go to a party, but the security here won't let us in."
Just hearing the word "party" from Ruby made my head ache. "A party? You're going to... "
"No, Alice, don't jump to conclusions. This time, it's not about sneaking into a bar. It's a party at someone's house. I wasn't planning on asking you for help, but this person is from your school, and I thought you might have connections..."
I let out a sigh. A sigh that seemed to have no end.
"Who is this person?"
"His name is something like William, William Hank."
"Well, I can't help you then. I don't know him."
"Don't say that, we're standing outside his mansion right now. Here's the address..."
Just as Ruby finished giving me the address, he let out a miserable scream. "Damn, my phone just died—"
The call abruptly cut off, and I took a deep breath instinctively.
I had a bad feeling about this. Of all the parties he could've gone to, he just had to go to William's party. He better not stir up trouble, or else, this time, no one could save him.
I rushed there and it took me twenty minutes. During that time, I did only one thing - pray that Ruby didn't get into trouble, that he wouldn't end up with a face beaten to a pulp by that group. Otherwise, I wouldn't even recognize him, let alone save him.
No, wait, the scene that came to mind made me laugh out of frustration.
William's party must be really lively.
If Ruby got beaten up and ended up looking like a pig's head, he'd actually be easier to recognize.
He really did need a good lesson.
But, despite everything, his heart was truly not bad.
The security in the mansion complex was being thoroughly vigilant. I got stopped right at the first checkpoint by one of the security guards.
Glancing around and not spotting Ruby at the entrance, I wasn't sure whether he'd managed to sneak in or had thrown in the towel on getting in altogether.
Since I couldn't get a hold of him, I didn't want to risk unnecessary trouble by asking the security guards. So, I decided to venture in and search for Ruby myself.
Of course, if Ruby wasn't here, that'd be the most convenient scenario. If he wasn't here, I could just leave.
With my ST student ID card stashed in my coat pocket, I presented it to the guard for inspection. Once my identity was confirmed, they waved me through.
Although, the guard couldn't help but give me a couple of extra looks, possibly because of my casual attire - jeans and a thick coat.
The lavish mansion was encompassed by an expansive garden. Spring had just begun, and the weather hadn't quite warmed up yet.
There wasn't anything particularly eye-catching about the scenery in the garden, but even if there were, I wasn't in the mood to take it in at that moment.
I sprinted all the way to the entrance, the music emanating from inside the mansion growing more thunderous.
Right before stepping through the door, the name "William Hank" suddenly popped into my head.
Was I really going to wade into this murky situation for Ruby's sake?
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