Chapter 142: Mildly Curious

With their first day of college set to begin in three days’ time, the boys had spent the past two days simply getting to know their surroundings.

Aiden especially, felt it imperative to knocking out his daily quests, more so since his building didn’t have a shared gym space.

Even if it did, the youth doubted he’d ever use it.

He was so accustomed to his organic home workouts and the rushing breeze against his face every morning, he honestly felt weird just thinking about walking into an establishment to do it.

Besides, he spent a good chunk of that time clearing his head every morning.

One he was pretty certain the quiet din of a gym where everyone else was doing the same thing as he was, would ultimately prevent him from doing by constituting as a source of distraction.

To that effect, he’d mapped out the area with perfect precision on the evening of the very first day he’d arrived to account for the route he was going to be running through on a daily basis.

He’d spent most of the day after sprucing up his apartment by heading over to the IKEA store just down the street.

Though his place had all the necessary appliances, down to his own personal washer and dryer, there was still a couple important things he didn’t have.

Bedding stuff, dishware, cutlery and cooking wares, bathroom essentials, cleaning tools, some extra furniture, power strips and extensions, and some entertainment appliances… amongst other things.

Though Aiden had been well-aware he would need them long before he ever arrived, he couldn’t exactly go around chucking them all into his travel bag, now, could he?

Lest he wanted to be held back at the airport, he’d known better than to do that.

Then there was the peculiar blandness to the place he couldn’t quite get behind, one he wanted to add some splashes of color to–not in the literal sense, obviously.

He loved the minimalist design, sure, but it didn’t quite feel like his own space.

Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t the only one feeling the same way as he and Casper ran into each other at the store.

…only for them to run into Clyde, Benjamin and Larry whom were just about to leave with a few things they’d purchased as well.

Later that day, amidst their discussion on the group, they’d even found out that Theo had done the same, though he happened to have gone much earlier in the morning.

The one thing they’d all complained about? No vehicles to easily transport their stuff so they couldn’t really get all they wanted.

That would have till wait till next week when their respective rides finally arrived as it was still in transit.

Nonetheless, Aiden’s apartment now looked a bit more lived in and homely, an inviting warmth to the place.

Today, however, happened to be the second day since his arrival in LA, and he had a lot of free time on his hand.

So, he took to investing it into one of his newer hobbies.

Currently humming to himself, the youth touched his paint brush against the blob of color on the palette in his hand, his hands following the motion as he dabbed it against the canvas to complete the piece.

His very first piece.

A really beautiful one, nonetheless.

It was an almost one to one painting of his home in New York, complete with all the tiny details one would expect and wouldn’t, in fact.

–

[Skills updated!]

–

Ignoring the notification, Aiden stepped back a bit to assess his handiwork, a satisfied smile on his lips.

It was also at that moment that his phone buzzed in his pocket.

Setting the brush and palette aside, Aiden retrieved the device from his pocket, his gaze curious as he joined in the conference video call from his buddies.

“Hey guys. What’s up?” he casually greeted.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Larry remarked, a clear mischievousness to his tone.

“Just thought to remind you of the bet you lost,” Clyde indifferently remarked.

“First restaurant, remember?” Benjamin shamelessly chipped in.

Aiden’s lips twitched.

These little shits definitely wanted to have a buffet at his expense.

“And you’ve decided which?” he curiously asked afterwards, his gaze squinty.

“You bet!” his chubby friend replied with a clear anticipation to his voice, the youth rubbing his palms with a devious chuckle.

“And guess what?” Casper poked at him, his gaze smug as all hell and his fingers executing a ‘drumroll please’ gesture, only for him to pass the honors to Theo with a gesture of his palm.

“It happens to be a branch of your former workplace. Haute Cuisine, just a couple blocks up the street from your place.” Theo revealed with a light chuckle.

No sooner had Aiden heard that, his internal reaction was unmistakably a pleased gloat.

On the outside though, he remained a smooth operator as he briefly rolled his eyes and let out a resigned sigh;

“Well, a bet’s a bet…”

“…even though you all did cheat, you backstabbing traitors!” he called them out again, one that had the curly-haired youth admittedly scratching the back of his head in mild guilt.

“Excuses, excuses,” Clyde shamelessly shook his head in mock disappointment.

“We’ll be expecting you in ten minutes.” Larry informed him.

“See ya soon, chum~.” Benjamin toodle-ooed with a gesture of his hand.

“Don’t be late, and do not fail us.” Casper did his best Sith Lord impression, one that did a good job of ending the call on humorous note.

As if they’d planned it, they all dropped the call one after the other and Aiden found himself shaking his head in mild amusement at their shenanigans as he placed the phone aside.

Picking up the canvas and leaving it to dry by the balcony, Aiden packed up the easel and the rest of the stuff, neatly placing them in a corner of his laundry room.

The youth had just stepped out of the room when he heard his phone buzz again from the living room, this time with the familiar ringtone he’d allocated for his girlfriend.

Swiftly walking over and picking it up, Aiden teasingly spoke;

“Your Highness, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Sir Adorkable, I request you save me from the incessant gossip of my fellow nobilities!” she immediately demanded over the phone in an audible whisper, her tone reflecting her urgency.

“That bad, huh?” Aiden found himself chuckling.

“When I tell you they’ve only been talking about their celebrity crushes, college parties and the latest fashion products in vogue for the past three hours–“

Clarissa hadn’t quite finished that sentence when one of the ladies on the other end of the line called her out;

“Hello! We’re right here?!”

“Well, that’s the point, isn’t it, Veronica?” his girlfriend defended without batting an eye, one that had him quietly chuckling yet again as she and the lady went into a sassy back and forth.

“I’d love to save you, sugar plum, but unfortunately, the boys and I already made a reservation at Haute Cuisine,” Aiden soon replied, his tone honest.

“Aww~. I’d have loved to visit there too,” Clarissa poutily remarked.

“What about tomorrow?” her voice turned hopeful.

“We’re going studio hunting.” Aiden poured cold water over her head.

“Alas, my fate is sealed!” she theatrically declared over the line, only for her voice to suddenly carry a fuel of determination;

“So, bring it on, gals! I can take it–“

“You make it sound like we’re chewing your ears off!” the other lady interjected.

“Well, it’s because you are, chica!” Clarissa doubled down, and Aiden had to say that he was growing fonder of how unabashedly honest his girl was every blessed day.

Clearly enjoying their harmless banter from the other end of the line though, Aiden simply remained quiet and allowed them their moment.

Then, after they’d all settled down, the youth spoke, his voice thoughtful;

“So… butter pecan ice cream? I could bring some for you, once the boys and I are done dining.”

“I love you, Aiden North.” Clarissa cooed sweetly from the other end of the line.

“As do I, Your Highness. I’ll see you soon.” Aiden reciprocated, his smile loving as he hung up the call.

Casually, he made his way over to his room, slipped on a pair of comfortable loafers and proceeded to head out.

Just before he did though, he pulled up his system to assess the new skill.

–

[Aiden North] – Life Points – [1.815]

⸢Stats

› Mind — S

› Strength — A-

› Stamina — A-

› Agility — A-

› Charm — A-

⸢Skills

› {Type Designing – A}, {Digital Illustration – A}, {Drawing – A}, {Cooking – A}, {Brewing – A}, {Singing – I}, {Dancing – I}, {Writing – I}, {Lettering – I}, {Driving – N}, {Programming – A}, {Riding – N}, {Video Editing – I}, {Directing – N}, {Web Designing – I}, {Painting – I}.

⸢Special Skills

› {Insight}, {Midas Touch}.

⸢Titles

› {Expand}

⸢Achievements

› {Expand}

⸢Shop

› Browse Catalogue.

⸢Daily Quests

› {Expand}

⸢Exclusive Quests

› {None}

⸢Time-limited Quests

› {Expand}

–

⸢FAQ⸥

–

“Definitely expected.” Aiden nodded to himself in satisfaction, dismissed the panel immediately after and headed right out.

Meanwhile, at the privately-owned, high-class suite-style dorm on campus that Clarissa and her cousins had secured much earlier in the year, they’d resumed their gossip.

Granted they knew that the lady had a boyfriend (obviously), they didn’t really feel inclined to press for information about him.

For one, Clarissa wasn’t interested in sharing more details about him.

No sooner had the call ended, she’d picked up the script of the movie she would be filming in a week’s time and had begun perusing through it for the umpteenth time, a lingering warmth on her features.

Secondly, the ladies just couldn’t be bothered to care, if they were being honest.

Veronica and Valerie Hale were twin sisters whom were slowly making a name for themselves in Hollywood and the music industry at large as a rising singing duo.

Safe to say, they’d seen their fair share of wealthy, drop-dead gorgeous youths in their age bracket, so their standards were very, very high, to say the least.

With the filter they also had on, it made it impossible for them to believe their cousin’s boyfriend was anything to be remotely interested in, especially since he wasn’t in the industry like they were.

The name Aiden North, didn’t ring a single bell to them, and they weren’t interested enough to begin searching his name up.

Still, they were mildly curious about him, they’d admit.

More so, when the very same Rissa whom they’d known to be rather ‘picky’ when it came to her taste in men, looked utterly smitten when she’d been conversing with him over the phone.

Thank you for reading!