Chapter 8 – Racing Against Time
Ethan checked his watch—7:53 AM.
His first lecture started in seven minutes.
"Shit!"
He yanked on a hoodie, grabbed his backpack, and bolted out the door. His sneakers slammed against the apartment stairwell as he skipped steps, nearly tripping in his rush.
The morning air hit him hard as he burst onto the street. The city was alive—horns blared, coffee shops bustled, and students moved in swarms toward campus.
Ethan's eyes darted around—he needed a ride. Fast.
A yellow cab was idling at the intersection.
He sprinted forward, yanking the door open and throwing himself inside.
"Beacon University," he panted.
The driver, a burly man with a thick Brooklyn accent, glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "Runnin' late, kid?"
"Big time."
The driver chuckled and hit the gas, weaving through traffic.
---
Beacon University-7:59 AM
Beacon University loomed in the distance—a prestigious private institution known for its towering neoclassical buildings and sprawling quads.
7:59 AM.
As soon as the taxi stopped, Ethan shoved a twenty-dollar bill forward. "Keep the change."
The driver whistled. "Delivery guy's makin' bank, huh?"
Ethan smirked but didn't answer. He wasn't rich—but no one needed to know that.
He dashed through the main gates, dodging students.
---
8:01 AM.
Ethan pushed open the heavy doors of Lecture Hall 3, slightly out of breath. Hundreds of students sat in neat rows, their eyes flicking toward him as he walked in.
A sharp voice cut through the murmurs.
"Nice of you to join us, Mr. Cross."
Ethan winced. Dr. Howard.
A strict man in his 50s, dressed in a perfectly pressed suit.
Muted chuckles rippled through the room.
Ethan slid into a seat beside Jayden, who raised an eyebrow.
"Late night delivering pizzas?" Jayden smirked.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Ethan muttered.
Dr. Howard continued. "Now, as I was saying—today, we will cover quantum mechanics and its real-world applications…"
Ethan exhaled and focused. No distractions.
But in the back of his mind, one thought lingered.
The money. The inheritance. The changes coming his way.
And whether he was ready for them.
---
By noon, Ethan and Jayden sat in the cafeteria.
Jayden tapped his fork against his plate. "Alright, spill. Something's up with you."
Ethan hesitated before sighing. "It's… complicated."
Jayden smirked. "Come on, man. You're a delivery guy. You've been hustling since freshman year, then out of nowhere, you stop taking orders? Either you won the lottery, or you've got a sugar daddy."
Ethan choked on his drink. "What?!"
Jayden laughed. "Hey, no judgment. But seriously—what's going on?"
Ethan hesitated. He couldn't tell Jayden everything—not yet.
"Let's just say… I had a financial windfall," Ethan said vaguely.
Jayden leaned back. "Huh. Well, good for you, man. Just don't get caught up in anything shady."
Ethan nodded, grateful Jayden didn't press further.
But before they could continue, Ethan heard whispers from the next table.
"That's Ethan, right? The delivery guy?"
"Yeah, but I haven't seen him working lately."
"Maybe he finally quit. He was pulling crazy shifts before."
Ethan kept his face neutral, but inside, he was on high alert.
People were already noticing.
He had to be careful.
---
Classes dragged on, but Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him.
By the time he reached his apartment, the sun had dipped below the skyline, casting the city in an orange glow.
As he neared his building, his steps slowed.
A black luxury car was parked across the street. Tinted windows. Engine idling.
Something about it felt off.
Ethan kept walking, pretending not to notice.
As soon as he stepped inside, his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number.
His pulse spiked.
He hesitated, then answered. "Hello?"
A deep, unfamiliar voice responded.
"You need to be careful, Mr. Cross."
Ethan's grip tightened on his phone.
"Who is this?"
A brief silence. Then—
"You're drawing attention."
Click.
The line went dead.
Ethan stared at his phone, heartbeat pounding.
What the hell was going on?