GHOST TRILLIONAIRE OF VANDERBILT

Chapter eight: The plan to strip

"What the heck?"

Lucas's eyes widened in shock.

Thompson loomed over him like a shadow, his voice menacing.

"You got beaten by a nobody and ran back here like a coward? Are you crazy?!" His voice sent shrill into their spine— commanding, loud and angry.

No one breathed.

Even when they belonged to the same group, Thompson remains the boss and they know better arguing with him when he's enraged.

"I..he broke my finger.." Lucas's voice cracked.

"Shut the fuck up you idiot!" Thompson hissed. His finger snapped into the air. "Your ass is being mocked out there in front of two hundred students because you acted pathetic in front of one nobody. One man got you on your knee and you came back here without his finger on my table. Are you mad!"

Lucas trembled perceptibly.

"I—i am sorry..I'm sorry.." His voice cracked. 

Thompson walked to the window, still boiling in rage. He took a long drag of smoke, allowed it stay for some seconds before puffing it out.

The hall was silent behind him. The room felt the tension rising in the room like a living thing.

Someone had the guts to challenge one of them. It was a slap to the group— a big blow to their face and the sheer weight of it made Thompson mad with rage.

He turned back. His eyes darkened. 

"Get me his name. Whoever he is, he must fall in front of the entire school, stripped naked and apologize to you crawling at your feet." That wasn't all. He simply paused, allowing his command sink. "He'll face this throughout his period here and he dare not run away. I give you twenty-four hours." 

They nodded without any other words, understanding the task perfectly because they've done this before.

Thomson dropped the cigarette and stepped on it, walking out of the room without looking at any of them.

The door clicked shut behind him.

"You heard him," Vincent broke the silence, his anger bubbling, his temper flaring. "We move now. Whoever the hell he is, he's going down."

Lucas fumed in the silence, a quiet promise in his eyes— Caius is going to regret this for the rest of his life. No one messes with the blue  blood and remains unscathed.

They moved out of the classroom to prepare without really knowing the man they were dealing with.

Meanwhile at Grand view Restaurant, Caius and Arabella walked inside greeted by two Securities at the door. 

Arabella paused, her eyes slightly wide as she took in the decadence of the restaurant— uniformed staffs, Polished surfaces, and illuminants that made everything look breathtaking.

A waitress walked up to them and bowed gently. Immediately she turned to Caius, her eyes widened instantly in surprise and confusion. She hasn't noticed him immediately he walked in due to his unusual outfit.

"Good morning ma..Good morning... Young—"

Caius shook his head, unnoticed by Arabella. The waitress shifted his voice immediately. "Is it the usual spot, Sir?"

Caius simply nodded. "Yes." He said.

"Do you come here more often?" Arabella turned to him.

"Not really." He simply said with a smile.

"You're being cryptic." She said.

"I'm being serious. I just seem to get familiar with people and places  easily." He said. But Arabella wasn't convinced. The way the Waitress looked at Caius like he was some kind of King. Then she simply nodded with probing, forcing the thought away. 

The waitress took them to the third floor of the Restaurant where most people could only dream of affording. It was even more serene and lavish than the first and second floor.

Cutleries clinked gently from the velvet table, rich people in fancy attire having meal in the quiet space, some engaging in muffled conversation and quiet laughter while staffs in clean uniforms weaved through the space with orders.

Arabella couldn't help but to take in everything in astonishment. Her breath caught.

The waitress led them to a table at the end of the Hall. Caius pulled the chair back for Arabella to sit. 

"Thanks." Her cheek flushed at his kind gesture, almost romantic. She sat down, her eyes still taking in the place. 

"My pleasure." Caius sat across from her.

"You're welcome, Sir, Ma." She bowed. "What would you like to have today?" She pulled out a tab.

"Please take the order." Caius said. "Whatever you like."

"Are you sure about this. I mean this place?" There was doubt in her eyes.

Caius leaned forward and nodded. "It's affordable, Dear. Trust me. You just make your choice. Whatever it is." He said firmly but  Arabella wasn't believing any of it. She'd heard how expensive it was here and a place looking so clean like a palace would definitely cost more. But she didn't want to make the moment feel awkward. 

"Alright." She took the tab, staring into the screen, and immediately her eyes widened in shock.

She turned to look at the waitress. "Can you please excuse us for a seconds." She forced a smile.

As soon as the Waitress walked away, she leaned forward, saying in hushed tone.

"This is too expensive. A single plate of Fried rice here cost $500? That's outrageous. We can't afford it."

"I can manage, Bella. You need something good for your body to get better. You know that right?" He held her gaze.

"Yes, but—"

"No but." He cut her words off gently. "Just place the order." He said.

She nodded gently accepting to further the order seeing Caius's firm resolve. "Okay. Okay. But we'll split the Bill." 

"Unacceptable." Caius shook his head. He gestured at the waitress to return.

"You're taking fried rice?" Caius asked her. Arabella nodded gently. "What drink?" 

"Just water."

Caius frowned slightly, understanding her hesitation. He turned to the waitress.

"Just bring the full rice course and the drinks you have. She'll make her choice."

Arabella's eyes dropped in shock, 

"What?" She gasped.

Caius smiled lightly. "It's just necessary, Dear." 

"It's expensive." 

"We'll manage." 

Caius simply said.