Chapter 17:Treading the Fine Line

Chapter 17: Treading the Fine Line

The days passed in a blur for Andrean. School events, family gatherings, and his growing secret were beginning to blur together, and it felt as if his entire life was now a careful balance of being present and playing it cool. As the weeks went on, the money continued to pile up through the cashback system, and while Andrean was using it for good, there was a creeping anxiety that he could no longer ignore. His secret was becoming more dangerous to keep, and the pressure of staying under the radar was mounting.

He could see it in the faces of his classmates—especially Richard. His best friend had started noticing that Andrean had more than a little extra cash to throw around lately. Richard had a good eye for detail, and he wasn't one to ask questions, but Andrean could see the subtle looks his friend would give when they went out to eat or when Andrean paid for something without a second thought.

One day after class, Richard pulled him aside.

"Hey, Andrean," Richard said, his tone casual but probing. "I've been meaning to ask you something for a while now."

Andrean's stomach tightened. He had no idea what Richard was thinking, but he had a feeling it was related to the cash he'd been handing out lately.

"What's up?" Andrean asked, trying to keep his voice light.

"I don't know if I'm overthinking it, but lately, it feels like you've been... I don't know, making it rain with money? I mean, it's cool and all, but how are you doing it? You don't exactly come from a rich family or anything, right?" Richard's gaze was direct, his voice laced with concern.

Andrean forced a laugh, trying to brush it off. "Nah, you're imagining things. I've just been making some smart choices with my spending, that's all."

Richard raised an eyebrow. "Smart choices? Dude, you're paying for everything—our meals, our events, the new equipment for the school. It's a little suspicious, don't you think?"

Andrean's heart skipped a beat. He had to act fast before Richard started putting the pieces together.

"Really, it's nothing," Andrean said, shaking his head with a smile. "I've been doing some freelance work on the side. I've been saving up, doing small gigs here and there. That's all it is. Nothing special."

Richard didn't seem entirely convinced, but he nodded slowly. "Alright, if you say so. Just... be careful, okay? People talk, and if they find out you've got extra cash, they might start asking more questions."

Andrean gave a reassuring grin. "Don't worry, I've got everything under control."

But as Richard walked away, Andrean felt his pulse quicken. The more he tried to deflect, the more he felt like he was living a lie. He had to keep it up, though. If anyone found out the truth about the cashback system, everything could come crashing down.

That night, Andrean sat alone in his room, staring at the phone screen, watching the balance in his account grow. Another 8,000 pesos (about $145 USD) had accumulated over the course of the day, and it was almost frightening to see the numbers climbing so quickly. For a moment, he considered using the money for something grander—something more obvious that could help people in a bigger way.

His thoughts shifted to his mother, Cicil, and the struggles she faced every day as a blind woman. She had always been strong, resilient, but Andrean knew that sometimes, even the strongest people needed help. His desire to help her, to give her the life she deserved, was one of the driving forces behind his secret wealth. But even with all the money, there was only so much he could do without revealing the source.

He pulled out his phone and opened his messaging app. There, he saw the message from his classmate Mara, who had thanked him earlier for the donation towards the new study room chairs.

"Andrean, we were talking about the event next week, and I just wanted to say thanks again for everything. You've done so much for all of us, and we really appreciate it. I think it's time we show you how much we care. We're planning a little surprise for you, so get ready!"

Andrean stared at the message, a knot forming in his stomach. A surprise? What did they mean? Did they know something?

He quickly texted back, trying to brush it off.

"Haha, no need for surprises, Mara. I just wanted to help out. You don't have to do anything for me."

But as he sent the message, Andrean's heart raced. Could this be the tipping point? Could his classmates finally discover the truth?

The next day, Andrean sat at his usual spot in the school cafeteria, picking at his lunch as he watched his friends chatter around him. Richard was there, along with Mara, and a few other classmates. As the conversations flowed, Andrean couldn't help but notice that everyone seemed unusually excited about something. Their whispers seemed more urgent than normal, and there was a sense of anticipation in the air.

Then, Mara suddenly stood up, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Alright, Andrean, here it is!" she said, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention. "A big thank you from all of us for everything you've done!"

The entire table turned toward him, and Andrean's stomach flipped. This was it—his secret was about to be exposed.

Mara gestured toward a large cake on the table, and a few of his classmates began clapping. But it wasn't just the cake—it was the elaborate gesture that made Andrean's heart drop. It was more than just a "thank you" for helping them with school projects; it was an appreciation for everything he had done anonymously.

"Here's to the one who's been secretly making all of this possible! We know you've been behind the scenes making sure everything goes smoothly for everyone," Mara continued, her voice full of excitement.

Andrean's face turned pale. He had tried so hard to keep his generosity a secret, but somehow, they had figured it out. His heart pounded as he stood up, a nervous smile spreading across his face.

"Uh, guys, you really don't have to do this," he said, his voice shaky. "I just wanted to help. It's no big deal."

Richard gave him a puzzled look, but it was Athena who stepped forward next, a sly smile on her face. "You know, Andrean, you've been doing so much for everyone, and it hasn't gone unnoticed. We might not know exactly how you've been doing it, but we can tell you've got a big heart."

Andrean's mind raced. Athena knew. They all knew. They were just being polite, pretending not to ask questions. The surprise wasn't just an appreciation—it was a declaration that his secret was no longer just his to keep.

"Thanks, everyone," he said, trying to keep his voice steady, but inside, his thoughts were in turmoil.

Could this be the beginning of the end for his hidden wealth?

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