Chapter 9 - Chapter 9

"That isn't what happened."Cherry's voice broke the silence in Mister Martinez's office.Gilbert had asked what was going on. Before she could answer him, Dean Lee stepped forward."Explain this, Mister Martinez."The guidance officer rose from his chair."I apologize for the misunderstanding."Cherry tightened her grip on her folder."Miss Blaire has been overly persistent," he continued. "She's come here several times asking for special consideration. When I explained that we have rules, she became upset.""I only came today because your office called me," Cherry said.Mister Martinez did not look at her.Gilbert's gaze moved between them."It appears your faculty and students need serious reevaluation."Cherry looked at him, hoping he would ask to see her documents or let her explain.Instead, he turned and left.She watched the doorway.His words had not made clear whom he believed. But he had walked away while Mister Martinez's accusation remained unanswered.One of the directors turned to Dean Lee."Handle this.""Yes, sir."The directors followed Gilbert out. Only Cherry, the dean, and Mister Martinez remained."Miss Blaire, leave this office," Dean Lee said.She stayed where she was."He isn't telling the truth.""You expect me to believe that after what we saw?""You saw me standing beside his desk. You didn't hear our conversation.""You've embarrassed the university."Cherry's fingers tightened around the folder."I brought the forms he requested. He didn't even open them."Mister Martinez adjusted his glasses."You came to me," he said. "You told me you admired me."Cherry stared at him."That's a lie.""Enough," Dean Lee said."He offered to help me keep my scholarship, but he wouldn't explain what he meant. When I said I would speak to the scholarship office, he warned me to be careful.""Miss Blaire, lower your voice."Cherry drew a breath.Both men were watching her. One had changed the story, and the other was refusing to hear hers."I want my explanation heard too.""I've heard enough. Leave."Tears burned behind her eyes.She looked at Mister Martinez."You know what you said."His expression tightened.Cherry held the folder against her chest and walked out before either man could see her cry.She kept going until she reached the restroom. Inside, she gripped the edge of the sink and bowed her head.Overly persistent.Special consideration.You told me you admired me.He had turned her refusal into an accusation.And Gilbert had been there to hear it.The next morning, students were gathered around the bulletin board when Cherry arrived.A few looked at her, then quickly turned away.She moved closer and read the notice.Her scholarship had been suspended as a disciplinary action.For a moment, she could not make herself read beyond those words.Then she hurried to Dean Lee's office."You suspended my scholarship?"The dean looked up from his desk."This is a serious matter, Miss Blaire.""You didn't let me explain.""The university's reputation was questioned because of that incident.""Mister Martinez lied.""That hasn't been proven.""You haven't investigated what I told you."Dean Lee leaned back."Be grateful you weren't expelled. Suspending your scholarship was a lenient decision."Cherry stared at him.Yesterday, she had arrived with high grades and completed forms. Today, she was being told to be grateful that she could still attend a university she might no longer afford."What am I supposed to do now?" she asked."The decision has been made."She left with the notice held tightly in her hand.In a quiet corner of the courtyard, Cherry sat on a bench and read it again.Luke was still unconscious. Her savings were gone, and every day brought more expenses.Now she had tuition to worry about too.She pressed the paper flat against her knees. Crying would not change the notice, but she could not stop.Around her, students walked to class, laughing and talking. She watched them through blurred eyes until she could breathe steadily."I can't give up," she whispered.Luke still needed her. Losing the scholarship could change how she finished her degree, but she could not let it take away every plan she had made.She folded the notice and stood.By evening, she returned to the boarding house she shared with Abby.Abby looked up from the clothes she was folding."Cherry, what happened?""I'm fine."The answer failed as soon as she said it.Abby set the clothes aside."Come here."Cherry sat beside her and told her everything. Mister Martinez's offer. His accusation. Gilbert leaving. The notice on the bulletin board.Abby listened until Cherry had no words left.Then she reached for her wallet and put a bank card in Cherry's hand."There's ten thousand pesos in that account. Use it."Cherry tried to give it back."No. You worked hard for this.""I know. It's a loan.""Abby—""Pay me back when you can."Cherry looked at the card, then at her friend.Abby pulled her into a hug.This time, Cherry's tears came with relief."Thank you.""Don't make me cry too."Cherry gave a weak laugh and held her tighter."I'll repay you when my loan is approved.""We'll deal with that when it happens."Abby drew back."My boss also needs more waitresses at the Imperial Hotel and Casino. You could work with me after class.""How long are the shifts?""Three hours in the evening. Five hundred pesos a day, plus tips."Cherry thought of her other jobs and the hours she spent at the hospital. There was little room left in her days.But there was no room in her budget for tuition either."I'll do it.""Are you sure?""Yes. I need the work."That evening, Abby helped her prepare for her first shift.Cherry tied on her apron and listened carefully to the instructions. She could not afford to make mistakes.Upstairs, in the private lounge, Gilbert sat with Knox and Eros.Soft jazz played beneath the conversation. Other guests drank and talked while servers moved between the tables.Gilbert had come because business contacts expected to see him there. His attention kept drifting back to the university.The Ace Carter Group had funded a new campus building. He had been there for its groundbreaking ceremony, then accompanied the dean and directors through the university.He had not expected to find Cherry in the guidance office.He remembered the folder against her chest and how quickly she had denied Mister Martinez's claim.She had wanted to explain.He had left."Someone's staring at you," Knox said.A nearby server looked away.Eros glanced at Knox."Try not to cause a scene tonight.""I'm only talking.""You're always only talking."Gilbert took a small sip from his glass.Eros leaned back."A young woman came into the emergency room last week. She looked barely out of school."Knox stopped smiling."She'd been hurt," Eros continued. "The injuries weren't severe, but she was badly shaken."Gilbert's fingers stilled around the glass."She said someone had forced her into something she didn't understand. I tried to talk to her, but she left before we could finish. She didn't give me her name or sign the report."Gilbert looked at him.The words stirred an uneasy memory: a night he could not clearly recall, tears, and confusion.It was not enough to connect the patient to anyone he knew.Still, he wanted to ask more.Before he could, Eros's phone buzzed.Eros checked the screen and stood."I have to go. There's an emergency at the hospital."Knox shook his head."You need a holiday.""Someone has to work while you throw parties."He reached for his coat.The lounge door opened as he moved toward it.Cherry entered carrying a tray with a bottle of wine and two glasses.Eros slowed when he saw her. His eyes lingered on her face, and she wondered whether she had met him before.Then his phone buzzed again.He answered and hurried past her.Cherry continued toward the table she had been assigned.She kept the tray level and watched her footing. This was her first shift. If she did the work properly, she might be able to keep it."Good evening, sir."The man on the leather sofa raised his eyes.Gilbert.The bottle shifted in her hand. Cherry steadied it before it slipped, then lowered her gaze.Of all the tables she could have been sent to, she had been given his.She had last seen him leaving Mister Martinez's office. He did not know about the notice posted the next morning, unless someone at the university had told him.She could not guess what they might have said.Cherry began pouring the wine.A middle-aged guest lifted his glass."Could you refill this, Cherry?""Yes, sir."She moved the bottle toward him, keeping her attention on the rim of the glass.Knox gave a quiet laugh."Relax. She's new."Heat rose in Cherry's face.She wanted to tell him she knew how to pour a drink. Instead, she finished carefully and set the bottle down.The guests continued talking. Cherry answered when spoken to and kept working.She needed the wages. She needed the tips.Whatever Gilbert thought of her being there, she could not leave because she was embarrassed.When she finished, she lifted the tray.Gilbert had not taken his eyes off her.Cherry made herself look at him.His gaze moved over her uniform and returned to her face.Then he placed his glass on the table."Cherry."The guests nearest him paused and turned toward her.She held the tray against her waist."Yes, sir?""How long have you been working here?"Cherry hesitated.She had accepted this job because her scholarship was gone. Explaining that meant returning to the accusation he had heard in Mister Martinez's office.Gilbert waited.Would he listen this time, or would he decide she had brought this on herself?