Chapter 31
Lady Madison rose to her feet, her eyes blazing with determination. She wanted to use this opportunity to see Ethan in the field tonight, and at the same time she will be there to greet him. And she would have embraced him, in front of the entire school, and proudly declared him as her grandson. and told him the time for secrets and shadows is over.
Ethan deserves to know that he has a family who loves and supports him, no matter what.
But she can't do that again now, because it would be too much for her to take in all at once, it's better she does it slowly.
Then lady Madison sat again.
"I will be waiting here for the Match to get started"
Immediately Harrington nodded his head, he didn't know what to say anymore, he started praying, knowing he would get a heart attack soon.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Ethan trudge wearily towards his dormitory.
The weight of everything that happened today seemed to grow heavier with each step he took, he couldn't believe he managed to get all of that done just today, with a smiling face he said.
"Soon I will be swinging in greatness"
He pushed open the door to his room, ready to collapse onto his bed and let the exhaustion of the day wash over him. But as he crossed the threshold, he froze, his eyes widening in surprise.
Seated on the worn sofa, was a familiar figure.
"Marcus"
The notorious errand boy sender in the dormitory, upon seeing Ethan he grinned up at him, a predatory glint in his eye.
"Well, well, well"Nôv(el)B\\jnn
he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Look who finally decided to show up after 20 years of being absent."
immediately his tone changed.
"I've been waiting for you all day, Ethan, don't you know you have errands to run for me today, and you kept me waiting for you."
At that moment Ethan's shoulders slumped, a wave of resignation started washing over him.
He knew all too well what Marcus wanted.
The boy had made a habit of exploiting Ethan's kind nature and desperate financial situation, sending him on endless errands and paying him a pittance in return so he could mock him.
Marcus held out a crumpled wad of bills, waving it in front of Ethan's face.
"I need you to get me something, but I'm not gonna give you any money for it, because I have been waiting for you, and for my time you wasted, I will not pay you to do it for free."
Ethan looked at Marcus and without saying anything he shook his head and gave a Straight answer.
"No way, Marcus. I'm not doing it, the old me you have been taking advantage of is gone, You should leave right now."
Ethan's voice was firm without blinking.
Ethan's roommates all looked at each other with wide eyes. They could not believe what they were hearing.
Ethan rejected Marcus.
Even Marcus was taken aback for a moment. He couldn't believe what he just heard. Someone he's trying to help now has the guts to talk back at him and even reject his errant.
He couldn't believe it, however he couldn't take the shock anymore he threw his head back and started laughing loudly.
"Ha ha ha! Oh man, look at how serious Ethan is right now! just because I said I wouldn't be paying you for this errand, you look like someone he is about to explode, oh poor you"
Marcus wiped a tear from his eye. "Okay, okay, listen. just to Fulfill all righteousness because I know you're poor, and depend on me so strongly for your Survivor, I'll give you a dollar so you can buy some food today.
But you have to get here on time, I will give you one bucks, but if you can get me what I need in just ten minutes, I'll give you five bucks instead. How's that sound?"
He paused for a moment and then he added.
"I know you don't have a Choice"
Ethan's roommates at that moment started to shift uncomfortably.
They glanced at each other, trying to decide what to do because they know Marcus isn't someone they can just joke around with, he's not just an ordinary student compared to them, whom their Parents are Struggling to pay school fees. Finally, one of them spoke up softly.
"Um, Marcus, ten minutes is not a lot of time. Even if Ethan just goes right outside the school, he probably can't make it back that fast. Please consider adding more time to it."
Another roommate chimed in, "Yeah, it's not super far, but still, ten minutes is really fast he's not going to make it, we know he's Angry but please don't let it get to you."
The third roommate added.
"And five dollars isn't that much money, Marcus. Could you maybe make it twenty instead? and add more time for him, you know Ethan has been the one doing all your errant, please don't let his recent attitude get to you"
The roommates at that moment all held their breath, hoping they hadn't made Marcus angry and he would decide to do something to them for interfering.
They knew what he could do, and he wasn't just a regular guy, and they didn't want any trouble.
However Marcus just chuckled and shook his head.
"Twenty bucks you say? I wouldn't give Ethan twenty dollars even if he got down and kissed my feet."
He turned back to Ethan.
"So what's it gonna be, boy? Do you want the five bucks or not? If not, I'll just find someone else to do it."
However Ethan drew in a deep breath, he's tired of all of the nonsense, his fists clenching at his sides.
Something inside him, a small, stubborn flame that had been slowly gaining strength, flickered to life.
He straightened his spine, looking Marcus dead in the eye.
"No."
The word hung in the air heavy again. Marcus at that moment grin faltered, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"What did you say?"
Ethan took a step forward this time, his voice growing stronger with each word.
"I said no, Marcus. I'm not running any more errands for you or anyone again. I'm done being your errand boy, your punching bag, the one you direct all your frustrated on, your source of cheap labor. It's over go look for someone else"
At that moment Marcus's face contorted with rage, his cheeks started flushing deep, his jaw tightened.
without holding back either Marcus said.
"You ungrateful little shit"
he snarled, rising to his feet.
"After everything I've done for you and your poor little head, this is how you repay me"