Rebate System: From Poor Student To Billionaire Playboy

Chapter 15. An Eye On Alicia

When Harry pulled up to the Agency, he immediately noticed something different, fewer cars in the parking lot. Yesterday, the place looked alive. Today, it was quiet, almost too quiet. Still, he didn’t dwell on it. His mind had a strange way of keeping track of useless details, but this one didn’t matter.

Inside, he was greeted by Rita, who nearly jumped when she saw him.

“Oh, Mr Farrow! I didn’t know you’d be coming in today,” she said, quickly straightening her posture.

Harry gave her a polite nod. “Good to see you too.”

She wasn’t wrong to look surprised, he hadn’t told anyone he’d be dropping by. But then again, he didn’t need to. He owned the place. He could walk in whenever he felt like it.

He looked pretty casual that morning: plain T-shirt, simple jacket, jeans. Nothing about his outfit screamed “Millionaire.” Even the watch on his wrist looked like something from a discount store, not the kind of thing you’d expect to see on someone who owned an agency and drove a luxury car. But that was Harry’s thing, keeping people guessing.

“Is Susan in?” he asked.

“Yes, sir. She’s in her office,” Rita replied quickly, leading him through the corridor.

Harry followed, his thoughts briefly drifting back to his old job, the boss he used to hate. That man had been lazy, arrogant, and manipulative. Harry remembered working endless hours for him, the pay never matching the effort. Every time he complained, there was an excuse waiting. He’d been desperate back then, too broke to argue. That memory alone was enough motivation to be the kind of boss he’d once wished for, someone who treated people fairly.

When Rita knocked on Susan’s office door, the response came almost immediately.

“Come in!”

Susan looked up from her desk, surprised. “Oh, Mr Farrow!” I wasn’t expecting you today. Is something wrong?”

Harry smiled faintly and shook his head. “No, nothing’s wrong. I just prefer to handle things face-to-face.”

He couldn’t help but notice that Susan looked different from the last time he saw her, more relaxed, less corporate. She wore a loose, light brown turtleneck and fitted black jeans, practical yet flattering. She looked comfortable, confident.

“Of course,” she said, motioning for him to sit. “In that case, you came at the perfect time. I have something that’ll make you very happy.”

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh?”

But before she could go on, he interrupted. “And please, drop the ‘Mr Farrow.’ part. Just call me Harry. It makes things less stiff.”

She blinked, then smiled. “Alright then, Harry.”

That sounded better already.

She turned her laptop around so he could see the screen. “Look at this,” she said, her tone brimming with excitement.

Harry leaned forward, scanning the page. “What am I looking at?”

“Our applicant list,” Susan said proudly. “We’ve had over sixty new sign-ups in just twenty-four hours.”

Harry’s eyes widened. “Sixty? That’s… impressive.”

“Right?” Susan beamed. “I think it’s the new ranking update, it’s drawing a lot of attention. We’re getting messages left and right.”

Harry nodded thoughtfully. He had to admit, she was doing a solid job. But his mind was already moving elsewhere, to someone specifically.

“Can you search for a name for me?” he asked.

“Sure. Who are we looking for?” Susan said, turning the laptop back toward her.

“Alicia,” Harry said quietly.

“Alicia…?” Susan repeated as she typed. “Do you mean Alicia Morgan?”

Harry’s lips curled into a smirk. “That’s the one.”

Of course, she’d apply here. The thought made him almost laugh. Alicia, the woman who once thought she was too good for him, now wanted a spot in his agency. Life really did have a sense of humor.

“Found her,” Susan said. “Want me to open the file?”

“That’s not necessary,” Harry said, still smiling. “Just make sure her application gets accepted.”

Susan paused. “Understood,” she said, though her expression betrayed a hint of confusion. She didn’t ask questions, people in this business had learned that sometimes it was better not to. Still, part of her couldn’t help but assume there was something personal about this. Maybe Alicia was someone from his past. Maybe not. But the look in Harry’s eyes said plenty.

“Done,” Susan said after a few clicks. “Alicia Morgan is officially on board.”

Harry leaned back in his chair. “Perfect. That’s all I needed, Susan. You’ve been very helpful.”

She nodded, a little disappointed that the meeting ended so abruptly. “Anytime, Harry.”

As he stood to leave, a random thought flickered in his head, one he quickly dismissed before it could fully form. I wonder if she’d flirt back if I tried. He mentally slapped himself for that one. Not appropriate. “Don't shit where you eat, Harry,” he muttered to himself.

“Have a good day,” he said before walking out.

When the door closed, Susan exhaled and muttered under her breath, “He really could’ve just called.”

*********

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Melissa was sprawled across her bed, kicking her feet in the air like a teenager. She couldn’t stop smiling. Last night had gone… well. Really well.

She was in the middle of replaying everything in her head when her bedroom door flew open.

“Who the hell—?!” Melissa yelped, sitting up in panic.

Rhianon leaned against the doorway, grinning like she owned the place. “Relax, it’s just me. Or were you expecting someone else? Don’t tell me I just walked in on you doing something naughty.”

Melissa groaned, throwing a pillow at her. “Not everyone is naughty like you, Rhianon!”

“True,” Rhianon said, sauntering in and plopping down on the bed beside her. “I am one in a million.” She grinned, rubbing her stomach dramatically.

Melissa squinted. “What the hell happened to your belly?”

“I think I might be pregnant,” Rhianon teased, patting it with exaggerated care.

Melissa shot her a look. “You’re disgusting.”

Rhianon laughed, pointing toward the fridge. “I finished the leftovers from last night.”

“You what?!” Melissa jumped out of bed, rushed to the kitchen, flung open the refrigerator door, and it was empty. Completely empty.

“I can’t believe you ate everything!” she shouted.

Rhianon shrugged from the doorway. “You should’ve hidden it better. Survival of the fittest, babe.”

Melissa groaned, pressing her palms to her temples. “You’re impossible.”

Rhianon smirked. “Speaking of impossible, when am I going to meet this mysterious boyfriend of yours?”

Melissa froze, her back still turned. “Why do you care?”

“Because,” Rhianon said, walking over, “if my best friend is dating someone, I have to make sure he’s worthy of her.”

Melissa turned around slowly, crossing her arms. “Right. You mean you want to see if you can steal him.”

Rhianon gasped in mock offence. “Steal? Me? Never. I just have… high charisma.”

“Exactly my point,” Melissa said, rolling her eyes.

Truth was, she wasn’t ready for them to meet. Rhianon was effortlessly beautiful, with sharp features, bright eyes, and that kind of confidence that made men orbit around her. Melissa knew it wasn’t jealousy, exactly, but she’d seen this pattern too many times before. Guys always said they liked her, but the moment Rhianon entered the picture, their attention shifted.

“I’ll let you know when the time is right,” Melissa said finally.

Rhianon grinned, sensing her discomfort but choosing not to push it. “Sure you will.”