RISE OF THE STUDENT BILLIONAIRE.

Queen like queen bee

Curry started.

“Chinese Fried rice is different, special.. spices in a unique way... It is not common in major restaurants in the city except a few Chinese restaurants like hakkasan and a single plate of the rice costs $2000.

Elijah looked at her, eyes slightly wide.

“That much?" His brow lifted.

Curry nodded, a faint smile. "Yes, young master. That much. It isn't just the rice, it is the ingredients and preparation.

“Wok hei..it is called the cologne of Chinese rice. It gives a sweet and unique flavour...”

The Queen was smiling across the table.

“What is that Wok hei exactly?" Elijah cut in.

Curry cleared her throat and continued. She isn't just an ordinary chef. She allowed her professionalism and years of experience to speak.

“It is the fire, the high temperature that charred the rice yet giving it a special aroma, searing the gains to a good taste..” A pause.

Then—

“Chinese fried rice has really good health benefits...The special Garlic boosts libido..”

Elijah chuckled and leaned back, his hand mid–air, interrupting Curry.

“Heck. I think you should skip the health benefits part.” He said with an edge of humor.

Curry faked a frown then an amusing smirk. "Why, young master? Is it about the libido?"

Elijah shook his head gently. “You're just impossible, Curry. You're really a spicy. And that curry fits you better because you're messing with my appetite right now.” He laughed gently.

“Thanks for the compliment, young master. Glad I changed your appetite. I might think of spicing it up with garlic next time.” Curry caught the joke.

Curry chuckled and even Queen Emilia couldn't help it.

Then she leaned forward, elbow balancing on the table, eyes on the young prince.

“But don't you have a woman..I mean a girlfriend?" She asked him.

The question made Elijah's stomach churn. He lost appetite instantly and the Chinese rice suddenly looked French but he forced a smile. Elena is now in the past but the questions reminded him of her hurt again but it doesn't sting...only venom and it didn't spread. It won't. He'll release it but not yet. Maybe soon.

He smiled, a bitter sweet smile that showed little but spoke more.

“I don't have one, mum. Single.”

Queen Emilia frowned slightly, her interest deepening.

“But why?”

Elijah looked at her. “Why? Who wants to date the poorest boy on campus.”

Queen Emilia frowned now, tight and not fake. “Was that what you're called on campus?” Her voice came flatly.

Elijah didn't talk for a long seconds and the queen nodded gently, twice, noting his expression.

She leaned her back, tapping her finger on the table.

“What's the name of your school?" She asked, her voice flat, razor–thin.

Elijah noticed the shift. There wasn't humour. Not anymore and her expression had changed like a chameleon catching another color.

“Mum.." Elijah called, voice low. More like asking: “Mummy what is wrong”

Queen Emilia breathed and looked at him, her face neutral but inside was a growing storm.

"Just answer.” She persisted.

Curry who stood at a side had worked long with the queen to know when to keep quiet. When the queen is quiet which is unusual for her actual stance, she dares not talk. She knew better.

It was at those quiet moments her anger grew and when unshakable decisions were made. Decisions that can shake the world. She was definitely making one already.

Elijah didn't speak. Not immediately until after 7 seconds.

“Mum, those are just mere words.”

“It's verbal assault. No students of any financial tiers should be mocked.” Her voice grew louder now, anger sharp beneath as he cut in Sharply.

She continued. Louder.

“The rich, the poor, mediocre... they're all the same..no one should be treated differently because we all are humans and equity is deserved! We step on the same soil and walk under the same sky..there is no rule in the world that divides equity."

The room fell into silence. Her words wear sharp–edge like a sword, slicing through the silence with raging anger.

The Queen continued, picking her phone sharply, her voice stinging like bee...like venom.

“Tell me the name. I'll have the school closed down right now. All the teachers who watched, the students who mocked and those who giggled would be under my heat. I'll spare none of them.”

Dead silence followed next.

Elijah sighed. Her mother was serious. The look on her face wasn't joke. Her look was deadly. Not to him, not to Curry, the culinarian...but they could feel the heat. It was for those who looked down on him and made him a thing or ridicule on campus.

At that moment, a phone buzzed loudly, cutting the silence completely but shattering the tension. The piece still hung in the air like dread.

It was Elijah's phone.

He fished out that phone. It was Dave.

Heck.

He had completely forgotten he had a friend who would have been dead worried about him.

A gentle smile crossed his lips. He picked the calls instantly.

"Dude!! Hell! Where have you been!! You fucking got me worried!” His voice vibrated the speaker of the phone.

Elijah took his ear away from the disturbing sound, his face twisting slightly.

"I'm fine, Dave. I'm in safe hands.” He said calmly, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

“Fine?! Dude! You are telling me you are fine in that filthy police station and you sound so calm as hell..when you are about to get rusticated? An extra year Elijah!”

Elijah chuckled.

Queen Emilia couldn't hear their conversation but her ear was wide open as she tapped away on her phone.

“This isn't funny, mehn.” Dave was sickly worried but Elijah on the other hand who should be the one under tension was calm like a still lake.

Dave continued, voice louder.

“And I heard you have been restricted. Meaning you won't be writing today's exam? Fucking ENG 501! That hard hearted grove woman with groovy ass, solid like Rock!"

Elijah laughed out loud.

Then the laughter died down, expression neutral.

"I'll do something about it. I need to do something now. Catch you later.” With that, Elijah cut the call to prevent Dave from protesting.

She slipped the phone into his pocket.

“Who was that?" The queen lifted her head from the phone.