Chapter 10

The midday sun hung high in the sky, casting a radiant glow over the bustling schoolyard. 

Arthur was wearing a casual shirt and ripped jeans. He was sitting by a corner.

 His bag on his thighs. He was watching the students play basketball.

His eyes were focused on the ball being thrown from one player to the other. 

Arthur's lips widened every time there was a win. 

He envied them greatly.

Although he should have been one of them, but his marriage to Daphne has made students make a mockery of him in college. 

Arthur's eyes unconsciously became moist and started to blur, But then-

The ball suddenly hits his face, and his eyes sparkle.

He held the ball, and all he could see at that moment was the backboard.

One of the players ran to Arthur, "Throw the ball, Arthur." 

But all Arthur thought at that moment was to make a basket. 

Just before they could reach him, Arthur jumped and threw the ball. 

Everyone's eyes followed the ball, and to their surprise-

It was a goal!

"Yes!" Arthur screamed as he jumped. 

His happiness was short-lived as a student walked to him.

"What was that for?" 

Arthur's eyes met the students, and it was Caleb. 

Caleb was the heir to one of the wealthiest men in the city. His family contributes significantly to the university, making his influence widely known.

Arthur shook his head and said, "I'm sorry."

Caleb frowned. "I don't want your apology."

Arthur's jaw tensed up, and his gaze wavered. Before he could speak, Caleb walked closer to him, "Don't you think you should be taught a lesson?" 

Arthur didn't know what to say for a moment there, but he clenched his fist. "I don't think I did anything wrong." 

Caleb tilted his head back and laughed from exasperation, "You are always so full of yourself." 

He removed the belt on his pants and stepped forward. The other players walked behind him.

The students in the schoolyard soon gathered around as they watched with curiosity.

Caleb shoved Arthur, making him stumble backward and almost fall. 

"I've been here, and I don't think he did anything wrong." 

A female student walked closer and grabbed Arthur by his arm. 

"I've been here, and I'm a witness." 

"Who the hell are you?" Caleb laughed.

"I'm Ruby. You guys should leave now." Ruby smiled, but then-

Caleb clenched his fist and threw his punches at Ruby, but Arthur quickly bent Ruby over, making Caleb's fist hit Arthur's cheek.

He spat out blood, and his cheeks instantly became swollen.

"Woo." Caleb's friends laughed.

"He took the punch for her." Philip, one of Caleb's friends, mocked.

"He's such a romantic guy."

Another mocked, and they laughed.

Arthur was angry as he pointed at Caleb and his friends. He threatened them, "Stop now, or else I'll teach you guys a lesson."

"Oh, he wants to teach us a lesson," Caleb tells his friends, and they all laugh even harder.

“What are you going to do? You loser!”

“I am warning you,” Arthur told them.

Caleb and his cohorts laughed at his warning, “Your warning sounds weak, just like you.”

Caleb stepped closer and pushed Arthur on the chest, making him stumble back.

“I will teach you a lesson In front of your little girlfriend.” Caleb sneered.

Arthur risked a look at Ruby and shook his head when he found her watching him.

Ruby stepped forward, a snarl on her lips, “who do you think you are, Caleb?”

“Get out of here,” Caleb said.

Arthur tried to pull Ruby to the side, but she stuck her ground, her hands on her hips as she stared at Caleb.

“You think you are all that? Bullying people to feel good about yourself? You are the loser here, Caleb, and Arthur is a bigger man than you would ever be.” Ruby sneered.

Caleb chuckled and stepped closer to Ruby, but Arthur quickly pulled Ruby behind him, coming face to face with Caleb.

“Move!” Caleb said.

“No, Arthur answered.

The schoolyard was buzzing with tension as Caleb and his friends stood waiting for Arthur to make a move.

"Caleb, he wants to play basketball. Why don't we teach him?" One of his friends called out.

"Let's teach him." Caleb grabbed Arthur's hand, about to push him into the pitch.

But Arthur shoved his hands off Caleb, making him fall face flat on the floor.

Caleb's chest tightened. 

He stood on his feet and took the basketball from the player behind him. 

 His grip tightened around the ball as he threw it at Arthur's face.

Arthur quickly grabbed the ball and then hit his head against Caleb's. 

With the ball in his possession, he aimed at Caleb's face, but then-

The ball slipped from his grasp, veering off course. It struck a student from the crowd.

"James!" A girl named Diane screamed in shock.

Her face twisted in anger and frustration as the ball smacked her boyfriend right in the face.

James clutched his throbbing nose, wincing in pain. The impact had surprised him, and the unexpected injury was nothing short of a shock.

Diane's eyes bore into Arthur, who had caused the incident.

"Are you okay, James?" Diane's voice was quivering, but her eyes never left Arthur. 

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Diane yelled at Arthur. She closed in on him.

Her gaze was terrifying.

Arthur was lost for words as he stared at James' reddened cheeks.

Caleb didn't miss the opportunity to mock Arthur, "He is a wild animal and shouldn't have been admitted."

Diane walked closer to Arthur and asked, "Shouldn't you apologize?"