Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Under the sheets of the frowzy-rancid duvet, Sandra drew out her astraddle legs from his lower limbs. Licking her wet lips, she moved towards the vacant space beside him. While his arms were raised as a support to his head, she leaned back to meet his sweaty and firm chest.

“Can I see you again tomorrow, babe?” she requested while tracing the hard planoconvex of his pecs.

“Yeah, sure. Whatever,” he responded with aloofness.

For Grayson, she was a decent fuck, but nonetheless, an empty slut whom he just used to indulge in his proclivities. It was actually a good thing he got to rut out tonight after all the shit that had happened today. And that’s what he really liked about her—She’s on the dole whenever he needed to get off.

Thrilled, Sandra looped a smile. “Great. Same time tomorrow, babe.”

She drifted to his face for a kiss. However, before her lips could meet his, he turned away to look at his watch.

“Ah, fuck,” he grunted, realizing that he had to be somewhere tonight.

Disappointed by his sudden aversion, she shrugged. “Why? What happened?”

In a hurry, Grayson stood from the hotel’s bed and quickly grabbed his car keys, instantly dropping Sandra onto the cushion. “I have to go.”

It startled her, which made her look up at him while he rummaged on the floor, picking up his clothes that were scattered.

“Wait, fuck! What about me, Gray?” She pinned the duvet to her naked body.

While slipping his foot inside his blucher mocs, he answered, “Can’t drive you home tonight, Sandra. I have something to do. You can hitch out another ride if you want.”

Her fervent expression soon morphed into contempt. “Are you fucking serious? You’re going to leave me behind here after I fuck you?”

Grayson ignored her remonstration. Instead, he fished out a wallet from his pockets. “Here.”

Throwing the cash on the bed, he added, “Take a cab, a bus, or whatever. I don’t care. See you later.”

Sandra’s eyes bristled with agitation. Moving her lips sideways, she parted them, trembling. “You fucking piece of—”

Before Grayson could hear the last word of her anger, he shut the door close. Upon getting to his car, Grayson grabbed his phone that was settled in the coin’s drawer.

Pushing its button, the screen lit up with Abigail’s handful of messages. Swiping those out of his notifications, Grayson ignored them like he didn’t give any concern at all.

He then inserted his keys into the ignition, released the handbrake, and turned the stirring wheel. Pulling out of the parking space, he drove away back to their mansion in Caddel Subdivision.

Caddel Subdivision was one of the exclusive subsidiaries in this city. Living there had its own perks for the owners. They are free to use the amenities and facilities like the golf course, clubhouse, and casinos. Only a few men of the higher classes can afford to own this kind of real estate.

After a couple of minutes, Grayson arrived home. Stopping in front of the wide steel gutter, he pushed the button of the intercom on the bricked column.

“Open the door.”

He moved back to his seat as soon as he heard the alarm turn on. Automatically, the gates were opened, letting his car drive inside. When he got to the driveway, he left it there as one of his stewards offered him to valet his car back to the garage.

“Thanks,” he said while throwing the keys at him.

Ambling through the spacious trimmed-grass landscape, he was greeted by a huge cape-cod manor. From the outside, it looked like an imposing residence where only the hefty ones could live. It had white pane walls with over arching windows on both sides and the center. The roofs were made with solar panels, while its doors were made of Milanon sandalwood. A wood that was so rare to acquire by any supplier.

With the stained-glass chandelier’s light burning across the windows of the foyer, Grayson’s eyes flinched.

He thought that though the house looked majestic, as always. It was still empty and lifeless. As he went inside, a winding staircase stood in front of him, which was fully flourished and cleaned. He walked across the hall, going to the left side of the manor, where the kitchen was.

When he got there, the lights were already shut off. Soon, he saw a petite old woman coming over. She greeted him as she paced around the kitchen counter.

“You’re back, Sir Grayson.”

Pulling out a chair from the minibar, he asked, “Can you get me some sparkling water?”

The maid nodded. “Sure, right away, sir.”

After a couple of seconds, the maid went back with two bottles of water that came right out of the fridge.

“Thanks.” He grabbed it while facing the wide pool area near the dining area to get back to his room. As he sauntered to the elevator, which was a few feet away from the dining table, he went up to the fifth floor, where his room was located.

While heading towards his room, dim-lit lights shone above and on the sides of the carpeted walls. As he went to the dark entryway in the right wing of the manor, Grayson noticed that the thick, soundproof door of the theatre was opened. He then immediately closed it with the aforethought that one of their servants must have been watching inside a while ago.

“Sneaky bastards,”

Sighing heavily, he went ahead to his room.

...

Everyone who knew Grayson thought he had it all. Looks, brains, money, and even love. However, not everyone knew he became an orphan at a young age. It was unfortunate for an eight-year-old kid to witness both of his parent’s death with his mother dying from an acute illness, and his father from a shooting incident. From then on, his grandfather took him to his house and became his legal guardian.

Grayson didn’t know if what happened to him actually brought him some luck. He didn’t want to think of that as his parent’s death left him with utter devastation. However, his grandfather, who’s his only family, spoiled him to death in spite of his busy life. He was given everything that he wanted, even if sometimes his requests were quite impossible.

Because of this, he grew up to be a complaisant and obedient, yet irritable kid who was shockingly smart and responsible. However, despite all of what he had, he always felt alone.

When he got to his room, he immediately went to the shower to cool off. After putting on his clothes, he grabbed his accounting book to study. Some people might think of him as a breezy, entitled guy who always got what he wanted, but actually, in reality, he was just a normal fellow who also strived to ace his studies. He knew he needed it, as someday he’d have to take over their business.

...

The next morning, Kendall immediately dialed Charlotte’s number. Charlotte had been her friend way back in high school. Charlotte was the complete opposite of her. If Kendall’s the type of lady who doesn’t care about her appearance, Charlotte is the embodiment of beautification. However, despite that fact, she always got Kendall’s back whether it involved Kendall's eccentric work-life or not, Charlotte was there to help her. Now, this young woman manages a bakery.

Pacing back and forth to her room, Kendall asked, “Hey, Char. I need a favor. Are you busy?”

“Why? You need anything?” she countered in the line.

Kendall bit her lips. “Well, yes. Anyway, can you bring some trendy or, I don’t know, fashionable clothes that young people frequently wear?”

Charlotte chuckled. “What the fuck? What’s happening to you Kels? Am I still talking to my best friend whom I know never-ever took an interest in anything related to fashion?”

“Please! Help me out here, Char. I need it,” Kendall pleaded.

Charlotte asked inquisitively, “Why do you need it badly? Have you decided to join pageantry? You know, I’m telling you all over again that you should. So, why now?”

“No, Char. I’m not joining any pageants or contests,” she groaned slightly. Kendall loved her best friend, but sometimes Charlotte can be a total cray cray.

“Then, what?” Charlotte stingily queried.

Her eyes rose to look at the ceiling. “I... I have... It’s for my job. Just go now!”

Kendall heaved a sigh.

“Okay! You know I’m not your slave that you can ask around anytime,” Charlotte reminded her.

She groaned slightly. “God, I know. Promise, I’ll treat you to lunch or dinner.”

“How about you help me market my cupcakes?” her friend offered.

Kendall pursed her lips. Exhaling, she replied, “Yeah, sure. Of course.”

She imagined her friend’s smile on the other side of the line. “Great! I’ll be there in a jiffy!”

The call ended and Kendall went back to her cabinet to search for appropriate clothes to wear for her undercover assignment. Digging to every piece of clothing, all she could ever find are leather jackets, jeans, black tees, and boots to pair with.

“Ugh... Why don't I have anything colorful?” She grabbed the only formal and decent attire she had. A button-up shirt and a pencil skirt that she wore when she had an interview back then. She tried to look at them in the mirror but was dejected by the thought of using them when she imagined herself wearing them inside the campus of UM.

Her face instantly sank. “Argh, I definitely don’t look like a college student with this.”

She threw them to the floor and slumped her back to the bed. “I’m definitely gonna ruin this.”

All of a sudden, her door creaked open. It was Charlotte, carrying luggage full of clothes. She slapped Kendall’s legs lightly as she placed her luggage beside the bed.

“Is this a house or a garbage dump? Seriously, Kendall! You need to learn how to clean by now!” Her friend opened with a bang.

In an instant, her eyes shimmered with joy. “Help me dress up, please!”

“Then get up, loser. I’m here. What do you need? I don’t know what you need specifically that's why I brought everything.” She opened her luggage and various dresses, tees, and clothes were neatly arranged inside the compartments.

Kendall’s eyes went agape. “Wow, this is a lot, Char! Do you wear all of this?”

“Some, I have worn once but I don’t feel like using them again. Others, I have worn twice or more. So, anyway, going back, what style do you prefer? Young people today wear clothes that manifest their personality. It’s all about being unique today,” Charlotte explained.

The edge of Kendall's lip lifted like she wasn’t really sure how to respond. “I just needed something that will help me get into the zone with teens today. I don’t know, maybe a style that looks expensive? Is there such a thing like that?”

Her friend snorted. “Ugh, okay. Let me look at you first. Will you stand up?”

Kendall obeyed without complaining. Charlotte examined her clothes, and she was wearing an oversized shirt and loose sweatpants.

'Yeah, I look like a fucking hipster,' Kendall thought while picking on her nose.

Charlotte shook her head disapprovingly. “God, I don’t know how we became friends because you’re totally helpless, Kel.”

Kendall's mouth fell open. She clasped her palms together, pleading again for Charlotte to help her. “What? Come on! Please, Char... ”

Charlotte then handed her a dark auburn tulle blouse that was loose in the arms but tight in the waist. “Alright, come here. Wear this.”

“And this,” her friend added giving her a lush-pink tweed suit.

Kendall raised her brows. “This is short. I can see my legs with this.”

“What? You got nice legs! You should parade that. If I have legs like yours, I would use them to my advantage,” Charlotte rebutted.

“But it’s too short…” she said, hesitatingly.

Charlotte raised her arms wide open, resting them on her hips. “Do you want my help or not?”

In resignation, Kendall backed down. “Okay. I’ll wear this.” She headed to the bathroom to put it on.

After a couple of seconds, she went back to where Charlotte was. “I can feel the wind on my thighs with this!” she protested.

However, Charlotte clapped her hands in excitement. “Perfect! It looks good on you!”

Before Kendall could say anything, Charlotte pulled her towards the desk, where her make-up set was currently placed. Seizing the brush from her set, she said, “Now, we do your make-up.”

“Can we make it super light? I can’t stand it. The last time I wore it was on graduation and it was frigging itchy,” Kendall requested while looking at herself in the mirror.

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “God, you’re so fussy! Just let me do this, alright?”

“Okay, take it away. I’m at your mercy, Char.”

Charlotte laughed at her joke.

After a couple of minutes, her friend had finished doing her make-up. Charlotte let Kendall stand from her seat and pushed her towards the mirror.

“Here you go.” She smiled, tucking the curls of Kendall’s hair to frame her face.

Kendall was shocked to see her face while putting on the spy earpiece. She never thought that her face could morph into someone who was totally unrecognizable. Her thick brows were trimmed neatly, her ordinary lips became plump, and her dead eyes looked like a mesmerizing reflection of perfection.

“Whew! Damn girl, you're hot! Never thought my face can leap its limit of ordinariness.” Kendall gave herself a smug smirk while staring at her long, dainty legs and slender waist.

Charlotte crossed her arms. “You owe me.”

Kendall chortled at her response. “Yeah, I do. As long as it’s not attending to one of your blind dates.”

Her friend laughed. “I won’t. Promise.”

Meanwhile, Kendall spoke through the earpiece to get to the other line. Her colleague, Inspector Noah Green, answered.

“Ready, Whitlock?”

“Yup. I will be at the location at 9.”

Noah Green was the chosen inspector to assist her throughout the case. He was tasked with aiding her in the process of her going as an undercover university student at UM. It was actually a good thing that he was the one who will be with her. As such, Green was one of her closest co-workers in the department.

As soon as Kendall had finished packing, she called Charlotte again to drive her off to the university.

“Char, can I have another favor?”

Done fixing, she returned her question. “What again?”

“Can you drop me off at UM?” Sheepishly, she smiled.

Incredulously, she asked, “You’re studying again? Is that why you need my help in styling you?”

“Kind of? Yeah. It's confidential.”

Charlotte growled. “Ugh, fine! Whatever, I don't care. You owe me big time, Kendall.”

“I know. I know. You're the best!” Kendall responded delightfully.

*****

As soon as they reached the university, Kendall went out of her friend’s car and bid her goodbye. She then looked around and noticed the diverse group of people. What she thought about the university being an exclusive school soon vanished when she saw clusters of students that looked like they came from different countries and social classes. However, one thing is for sure, and that is all of these students are smart.

With this, Kendall felt intimidated because she didn’t know how to fit in.

She then walked around the campus with her schedule in hand. Her first subject was at the Alaric building and a few minutes away from the main building. When she got to the room, Kendall recognized that there were already twenty students waiting for the professor.

Reaching the corner of the room, she located her target, Grayson Hoffman. "Target in sight," she whispered to the mic.

"Copy, Inspector, be subtle with your approach," Noah replied.

With no hesitation, she immediately went to him to introduce herself.

“Hi! I’m Hailey!” She brightly greeted him, offering her hand to him while sitting at his side.

Grayson turned to look at her but gave her a dead gaze, like he wasn’t interested in talking to her. He didn’t say anything and went back to focusing on the book he was reading.

Kendall puckered with displeasure. “Hmm, okay. Nice to meet you.”

She was about to turn away when a sturdy and warm palm contacted her skin. Averting her gaze back to Grayson, she was welcomed by his perplexed expression.

“Wait! Aren’t you the nosy woman from the other day?!” he shrieked in astonishment.

She was surprised that he remembered it. Kendall knew that her encounter with him before the case would pose a problem for her undercover.

Faking a confused expression, she replied to him, “Um—”

Grayson cut her off instantly. “You are, aren’t you?”

Kendall didn’t know what to say.

'Ah, fuck it.' She cursed.