Chapter 1: At The Library

It was around seven o'clock pm at Elysian University. The night had a festive air, with students enjoying themselves all around. Meanwhile, as the students enjoyed themselves, in the quiet Elysian library sat Benjamin Hayes, a young student with a book in his hands, deeply engrossed in reading.

Despite his handsome appearance, Benjamin's clothes could tell from a first glance that he was poor. The truth is the 24 yr old student was an average student, juggling various jobs to make ends meet. At times, he would run errands for wealthier students just to earn a few extra bucks, and this made him one of the most looked-down-on students on campus.

Suddenly, a loud noise echoed through the campus, shattering Benjamin's peaceful reading. He closed his book with a frown and rose from his seat. Since the library was on an upper floor, he approached the glass window to see what the commotion was about.

"Huh!"

The sight that met his eyes was astonishing. More than a hundred college students had gathered, all shouting and clapping in unison. Their chant,

"Say Yes, Say Yes," reverberated through the air.

Benjamin couldn't help but chuckle. "I wonder what's drawing such a crowd," he mused to himself.

Right after his words fell, the library door swung open, and a young man who seemed in a hurry to retrieve something and be on his way.

Benjamin cleared his throat and inquired,

"Excuse me, what's happening down there?"

The young man turned, a hint of surprise in his expression. "Oh, you don't know? Maverick Stone is actually proposing to one of the campus beauties." He explained before promptly exiting.

"Maverick Stone?" Benjamin muttered, the name sounding funny to him.

Maverick was a well-known, affluent figure on the Elysian campus. Flashy cars, extravagant meals, and a lifestyle steeped in luxury were his trademark, thanks to his rich parents.

His reputation as a playboy was no secret; he seemed to change ladies on a weekly basis. Even though they were all in the same Campus, Benjamin himself had once carried out an errand for him, discreetly delivering a package of condoms, just to earn a little extra, so, the news of the renowned, wealthy playboy actually proposing left him shocked.

"Well, it seems the wind's taken a different turn today. Maybe I should go out and watch this Indian drama happening live in my school." Saying this, he closed the novel he was reading, placed it back on the shelf, and walked out of the library.

The more Benjamin pressed forward, the deeper the reverberating chant became: "Say yes, say yes, say yes."

Benjamin forcefully squeezed through the crowd, eager to catch a glimpse of the unfolding scene.

In the midst of the clamor, Maverick Stone knelt, in the middle of the surrounded students clutching a bright, exquisite ring.

Before him stood a young lady with a svelte figure, and looked captivating even from behind. She appeared bewildered, caught off guard by Maverick's sudden proposal in front of the entire campus student.

Benjamin, observing from where he was standing, couldn't help but smile. "Is this lady going to accept this playboy? Oh my God, money must really be something. You can have anyone you want anytime and anyday." he mused, his voice just above a whisper.

Then, in a moment that hushed the entire gathering, Maverick began to speak. His words carried through the silence, directed towards the lady.

"Dorothy, you should consider this proposal. You know I am wealthy, and I'll provide you with a life of comfort, getting you anything and everything you desire," he said.

"Dorothy?" Benjamin was slightly taken aback upon hearing the name, his mind racing to fathom who this Dorothy might be since the name sounded familiar.

"Well, it's either she's going to say yes or no; I don't really care," he muttered, deciding to distance himself from the unfolding scene.

He had taken about three steps when a voice from the cluster of onlookers caught his attention.

"Maverick Stone will be very happy when Dorothy accepts," one of them exclaimed.

Another chimed in, affirming, "Yes, of course, Dorothy Foster is a campus beauty, and Maverick is also a campus rich guy. I think it will be a success."

Gasp!" Benjamin who was walking away stood still all of a sudden, the mention of the name Dorothy Foster seemed to hold him, sending shock through his entire body.

Swallowing hard, he turned around to look at the guys who were having the discussion. Approaching the boy who had spoken, he asked, "What name did you mention please?"

The boy scanned him curiously before answering, "Dorothy Foster, why? What's wrong?"

Boom!" Benjamin's body vibrated instantly he was so stunned that his heart racing. Without a word, he turned and hastily made his way back through the crowd to his previous spot.

In that crucial moment, Dorothy Foster who was one of the campus beauties couldn't ignore the insistent chants of "say yes." She nodded and extended her hand and said, "Yes, I'll be your girlfriend, Maverick Stone," displaying her finger for the ring.

Maverick hearing this was happy. He had seen Dorothy on campus and had talked to her a few times and was attracted to her beauty. Although he was a playboy who had slept with countless ladies, he wanted Dorothy to be his permanently because of how beautiful she looked, that was why he decided to give her a surprise proposal.

He held Dorothy's finger with a smile, looking very happy and ready to put the ring on her finger and make her his girlfriend, but everything changed when a loud voice pierced through the air.

"Dorothy Foster!" Benjamin's voice pierced through harder, eclipsing all other sounds. The loud voice caused Maverick's hand to tremble. He trembled so hard that the ring he was holding even fell on the floor. Shocked, all eyes turned towards the direction where the voice noise came from, including Maverick who was shaking in anger.

Turning in that direction, all eyes fell on Benjamin, standing at the center wearing an old looking shirt. Dorothy and Maverick both turned to gaze at him. Dorothy was surprised whiles Maverick was annoyed.

Gulp!" Dorothy swallowed hard as her eyes met Benjamin's, her face displaying emotions that left her feeling exposed and embarrassed.

For Benjamin, it was heartbreaking. He silently prayed when he called out her name hoping it wasn't her, but reality sank in—it really was Dorothy Foster, his girlfriend.

Maverick's face twisted into a frown staring at Benjamin. "Here here comes the popular campus poor guy. "Benjamin Hayes, what's wrong with you? Why did you have to shout her name? Are you out of your senses, or is poverty creeping up your spine, clouding your brain?" Maverick's taunts cut deep as he asked."

Boom!"

The words struck a nerve in Benjamin; this time, he couldn't control his anger. His blood boiled, and his body quaked. In a fast move, he walked towards Maverick.

Bang! Boom! Bang! Benjamin delivered a resolute kick, followed by forceful blows.

"How dare you spoiled rich brat speak ill of me? Are you mad?" He kept kicking Maverick.