LACROIX BUSSINESS SCHOOL-E

When the clock strikes 5.30 pm, they made their way to the market at Westwood Street. Astrid greeted Mrs Farrow while setting up her stall. Girra and Enlil went for a dinner date after much persuasion from Astrid, leaving her behind to man the stall. She sold quite a lot of essential oils today and by the time she closed her stall, her revenue stood at $645.

She was early for class and took her seat at the back of the room. Hidden from pesky people. Even though her class was always half full, she rarely communicated with anyone and was always the first the rush out. You never know who woke up on the wrong side of the bed and end up making a mickey out of you.

A few minutes later, the professor for Business Studies walked in. `Good evening, everyone',

`I have some news for you. I am aware some of you are graduating in 2 months' time and this will be your last term class with me. So, for your final year project, I will assign you to a group of 2 and it will carry 25% towards your grade'.

Groans and voices of dissatisfaction echoed around the room. Astrid was getting nervous. Oh dear, I don't want history to repeat itself.

`Let us see. We have 12 people graduating from this class. Dustin Scott and Jessica Jones, Alfred Lazar and Lim Jong, Kavita Sivam and Romero Lopez, Astrid Kaija and Eli Edwards, Melanie Ford and Victor Kim.'

Astrid turned her head around the room to see who Eli Edwards was. She never knew who the guy was because she never bothered to talk to anyone in the class. Making friends was not her forte, her experience cementing her disbelief and lack of trust in people.

She noted a black-haired boy, combed slick with gel, a leather jacket on his shoulder, blue jeans and a white undershirt staring at her. His piercing brown eyes searching hers for confirmation if she was Astrid. Astrid mouthed her name and he pointed to himself as Eli. Both nodded in acknowledgement.

`Alright, so I will pass you the assignments and release you 30 minutes earlier so you can get together and discuss your projects. Dustin, Lim, Kavita, Eli and Melanie collect your project paper'.

Astrid sighed heavily and straightened her legs below the table. She texted Ace.

Astrid: My class is finishing @ 9.30 pm.

Ace: Miss me?

Astrid: Not yet. Got assigned 2 someone 4 FYP. Looks like biker boy.

Ace: Meet me @ curbside. Discussion in MY PRESENCE. Safety imp.

Astrid: Thanks.

Ace: You owe me a night full of kisses and cuddles.

Astrid blushed at his last text and buried herself in her books to hide her face.

Ace hastened his office paperwork and pressed his secretary Gordon to produce a soft copy for their Japanese business partners by tonight. His mood downturned when Astrid texted him. He did not want her to be alone with just any guy, be it her classmate and by the looks of the texts, she was not pleased either.

Astrid waited patiently until the lecture finished and she grabbed her books, dumping them in her bag. She turned her head behind to see Eli's eyebrows raised at her. `Let's meet outside', she spoke a little louder and he simple nodded, bewildered by her actions. Where is she rushing to? Can't she discuss here in the lecture room like others?

She turned to the door and walked outside to see Ace standing with crossed legs against his Harley Davidson. He strode towards her, hugging her tightly and pecked her lips, earning a blush from her.

`So, what is this project about?', Ace questioned, staring right into her.

`I have no idea. I told Eli to meet me outside', she shrugged.

`Wise choice.' Ace held her hands and took a few steps towards his bike and leaned against it.

Eli Edwards saw Astrid with an unknown man and paced towards them. He was puzzled as to why she did not want to discuss their project in the classroom, but he did not know a thing about her, so he decided to introduce himself first.

`Hi, I am Eli Edwards', he shook hands with Astrid.

`Astrid Kaija. And this is my-', Ace cut her short.

`Boyfriend, Ace', he held his hand out and shook his firmly.

`Alright, I did not make a copy of the project. Do you mind taking a picture?', he held the paper to her, and she read it. It said to create a business model on clothing apparel.

`Fuck me, it sounds difficult', Astrid spoke her mind and took a picture of the paper. When she looked up, both men were staring at her open-mouthed. She realized her grave mistake in her words and grimaced. She spoke her thoughts aloud again.

`I did not mean it. Sorry', she was horrified. Eli merely shook her head, the corner of his lips uplifting.

`By all means, it would be an honour for me, cupcake', Ace smirked at her and pulled her closer to him, her back facing him. He buried his face in her hair and inhaled her lavender scented oil. Ace loved the way her soft hair felt in his fingers. He started nuzzling her neck, oblivious to Astrid who was turning beet red.

`Erm, can we talk somewhere to prepare a guideline and assign each other to some tasks?', Eli asked feeling out of place with the PDA.

`There is a café nearby, Mint n Meat. It's 2 blocks down from here. We can meet up there', Ace replied and held a helmet for Astrid.

`Alright, see you guys there', Eli put his hands into his pockets and walked to the parking lot, to grab his bike.

`So, Astrid. Did you mean what you said earlier?', Ace teased her and earned a slap on his back.

`Don't think so mighty of yourself', she grinned and hugged him, loving his warmth. Ace gunned his engine and it roared alive before he sped to the café.