Chapter 11. Hand in Hand
Everyone in the room was unable to contain their laughter at what Leon said.
At that moment, Rachel's impression of Leon changed. For the first time, Rachel felt that Leon wasn't a nerd everyone could push around.
Gerald is not giving up; he isn't going to embarrass himself in front of the crowd.
He forced himself to down one more bottle and lost consciousness.
"Slap!"
Leon landed a slap on Gerald's now swollen face.
"Get up, have some more!"
Gerald could no longer react. He didn't even remember his initial plan to confess his feelings to Rachel.
"Leon, stop beating him." Rachel pleads while trying to stop Leon. "Once he's awake he'll come after you for revenge!"
"If he's not going to find me, I'll go after him!"
Leon landed another slap on Gerald's face.
He came back to his seat after he was satisfied with beating Gerald's face.
"Leon, are you alright? You just drank a lot."
"I am fine."
Yenni, who is Rachel's close friend, sat beside her and realized her relationship with Leon.
"Rachel, nowadays everyone's reminding girls to choose their partners carefully. You must be realistic and not be blinded by love too easily. You have a load on your back, don't be with someone who has no future. Also, he was a rapist, people will talk about that too."
Without guessing, it is obvious she is referring to Leon.
Rachel felt embarrassed and explained to her.
"Yen, what are you thinking? With my mom's current condition, I wouldn't even think about dating. My only wish is to quickly graduate and find a job to fund her medications."
"Well, you can still date. Gerald is a great choice. I heard he was supposed to confess to you tonight. He even brought fancy gifts but sadly he's down on the floor already!"
Leon secretly laughed at Yenni's thoughts.
While it is real that Rachel made Leon want to protect her, Leon isn't the type to be easily attracted to the opposite sex. Unless they have gone through unforgettable moments together.
Leon is also sure he will come across many people like Yenni, who likes to talk about people behind their backs.
"Rachel, are you listening to me? You look great with Gerald! If I had your looks, I would surely choose him. Look at his car and his family-owned five-star hotel. He is wealthy and better off than you-know-who!"
Yenni was impatient. She can't wait to see Gerald and Rachel become a couple. Seems like Gerald often gives in to what Yenni wants.
In reality, Rachel has no intention of dating a man, not even the sly Gerald.
"Yenni, please cut it out. I have my right to choose," Rachel replied seriously.
Rachel may be kind to Leon, but it is nothing more than sympathy.
Just because Rachel didn't like Gerald does not mean she is attracted to Leon.
To everyone's surprise, this super-elite Club is owned by Leon.
Although so, Leon doesn't need to show it off. It's not worth letting people like them know.
***
The clock showed 2 a.m. already.
Gerald has regained his alertness, although his head still hurts a little.
"Go to the car. Rachel, I'll drive you home alright? I'd like to take you for a visit to my house. I live in Pantai Mutiara."
Yenni was surprised. "Wow! It's an elite estate! Rachel, you're so damn lucky!"
Not only Yenni but her other friends are also jealous.
The life of a conglomerate's son is so different. Living in elite housing and driving fancy cars gets everyone jealous.
When they were walking out, a very posh super sportscar parked by the entry caught their attention. His friends immediately recognized the car.
"It's the Hennessy Venom that's viral on Tik Tok!"
"What a coincidence, the car was also around campus a few days ago!"
"This car is way cooler than Gerald's Porsche!"
"Of course! There's only three of them in the United States!"
"I bet someone like Liam or Jerry drives this car!"
The name Jerry sounds new to Leon, but he's sure they are talking about Jerry, who owns the Sports Car Club.
Even though Leon thinks his car is nothing more than a scooter, Liam obviously could not afford it yet.
Right now, Liam is enjoying the motorcycle Leon gifted him. Even if Leon will give him a carriage, he is sure Liam will love it nonetheless.
Yenni posed in front of Leon's car and uploaded herself to Tik Tok.
Leon laughed at the sight of her antics.
Looking at how Leon laughed at her, Yenni proceeded to attack him.
"Why are you laughing? It's not like you can buy this car!"
In Leon's eyes, Yenni looks like an obnoxious guinea pig.
Leon decided to prank her.
He reached for the car key in his pocket and pressed its button.
"Beep..."
The car doors open as if it's a pair of spread wings ready to take flight.
Yenni shrieked in surprise.
Seeing the car doors open means, the owner is somewhere close by,
But no one expected Leon to be the car's owner.
Leon didn't mean to show off; he just wanted to surprise Yenni.
Yenni felt embarrassed and pulled Rachel into Gerald's Porsche. But Rachel refused. No matter what happens, Rachel is not going in his car.
"Rachel, hop on. Let's go check out Gerald's house!" Yenni shouted.
Rachel shook her head in disagreement, "Maybe next time. I'm exhausted I rather go home."
"Let me drive you home." Leon offered.
A blast of laughter came from Gerald and Yenni.
"How are you going to deliver her? A bus?"
"Most probably the bike since he's a delivery boy!"
"Rachel quit being dumb! Why choose a motorcycle over a Porsche? You're being ungrateful!"
All the teasing meant at Leon made Rachel feel worse. She didn't think Leon's offer would invite so much negativity. But Rachel has made up her heart not to come home with Gerald tonight.
"You all can go! I like riding the bike!"
What she said caused her friends to turn away in disappointment, and everyone parted ways.
After everyone was gone, Rachel turned to Leon and said to him, "Leon, please drive me home."
"Alright, let's go."
Leon took Rachel's hand and walked to his car.