The Long-Awaited Heir

Chapter 08 The University Forum

Cindy is surprised to bump into Matthew. Matthew finds it strange how Cindy reacted.

“What happened, Cindy? Did you think it was a thief?”

“No, I just didn’t expect you here.” Cindy fixes her hair and clothes, afraid of catching the smell of fried oil even though Matthew has taken a shower.

“By the way, I’m sorry for the unnecessary exposure,” Matthew says in a neutral tone.

Cindy looks at Matthew in disbelief, “I don’t believe it.”

“What?” Matthew narrows his gaze.

“Are you still feeling sorry for me, worrying about me, when the main target was you?” Cindy says in a dismissive tone, “You know, Matt, I think that’s one of the things that make me despise you. You have no self-respect. You’re always thinking about the well-being of others.”

Matthew is horrified by Cindy’s idea, “Did you want me to be selfish and insensitive? And then you go around complaining that men are no good? Did you want me to be like David Rocha? He’s definitely laughing in your face and helping share the gossip!”

“I didn’t want you to be like David, but I wanted you to strike a happy medium.” Cindy stops fixing her hair, “Worry a little about yourself too. And don’t worry about me because we’re not boyfriends anymore.”

“But I worry because—”

“RICARDO!”

Cindy has a sudden transformation that even Matthew couldn’t keep up with. The sullen and sour Cindy transformed into a docile and loving girl, walking towards Ricardo Montegrande with open arms.

Ricardo smiles like a 1950s Hollywood heartthrob and hugs Cindy, causing sighs and expressions of admiration among the college girls passing by in the hallway.

“Aww, what a beautiful couple!”

“Why is everyone talking about it in the university group like it’s something sinful? They match!”

“Yes, that’s why I think the one who lost the most was the grill cook!”

Matthew hears the mocking comments from the surrounding university students and decides to leave.

But Ricardo’s voice reaches him, “Hey, excuse me!”

Matthew freezes his steps and turns to him, nonchalantly, “Yes?”

“Don’t you have shame?” Ricardo’s gaze is cold, “It wasn’t enough for you to lose your girlfriend; did you need to defame her on the university’s online forum as if she were a Jezebel?”

Matthew gapes, feeling lost, “Ehr... Can you repeat that? You said that... IT WAS ME who spread the gossip? I don’t even participate in those groups or forums!”

“Really? How will I know?” Ricardo smiles from the corner of his mouth, “You can very well create an anonymous account or a pseudonym and say whatever you want. I just know that there is only one person who would benefit from trying to defame my girlfriend: the ex-boyfriend who doesn’t accept the end of the relationship.”

“Who told you that—”

“Just yesterday, you claimed in front of countless witnesses and to David Rocha that you are Cindy’s boyfriend. Isn’t that true?”

“Yes, but I said that to—”

“That’s why I received an anonymous message just yesterday reporting this, and now I received the message with the photo taken from the hotel we were in. You could be arrested for harassment, my friend.”

Cindy starts to shake in a mix of anger and fear, “Matt... Were you following us? WAS IT YOU? I thought it was David Rocha!”

“David Rocha said it was me?” Matthew glares at Cindy.

“No, he told me he helped to share the photo, but he didn’t say he was the one who TAKEN the photo.” Cindy screams angrily, “I’ll never forgive you for that, you poor bastard!”

Ricardo wraps his arm around Cindy and pulls her close to him. Cindy feels safe again and no longer remembers that she had the same feeling yesterday when she was with Matthew.

“Alright, think what you want!” Matthew turns on his heel and heads to his classroom.

However, during the journey, Matthew seemed to see everything distorted and red. He couldn’t believe the succession of bad things happening all at once in his life. What is happening?

******

Abner heads to another office, one equally furnished in a classic and sober style, to continue monitoring what is happening with Matthew. Evan enters soon after.

“Mr. Meirelles must be happy to have his office back.” Evan jokes.

“So, any news?” Abner doesn’t have time for games.

Evan becomes serious, “Mr. Sterling, something serious happened. Mrs. Silva... Sheila... She got sick and was admitted to Blue Cove Public Hospital.”

“WHAT?” Abner turns to the secretary with a complicated expression, “That... Ugh... No, what do you mean, what happened to her?”

“It looks like she had an allergic attack because of the conditions they live in.” Evan explains, “Their house is dark, poorly ventilated, and a lot of the sheets and clothes are dusty and moldy. That’s bad for anyone.”

“Of course, given their conditions... They can’t dream of paying for a dry cleaner.” Abner sighs, “We need to do something.”

“What?” Evan’s eyes widen. What does your boss want to do?

“We’re going to transfer Matthew’s mother to the family clinic of his best friend, young Mr. Andrade.”

“Sir, they don’t have health insurance at the clinic.” Evan demurs respectfully, “Matthew will be surprised and suspicious.”

“We’ll find an explanation later.” Abner shakes his hands, “Besides, this is an excellent opportunity for us to collect some blood for DNA testing. We need to make sure this woman is indeed my son’s widow.”

“Yes, I understand. If we find the mother, we find the son.” Evan nods.

“And we need to get something for Matthew too.” Abner remains serious and determined, “It’s obvious that he wasn’t able to buy any pills for his mother. In other words, the income he gets from the kiosk isn’t enough. We’re going to get him an internship at one of our companies, without him knowing at the time.”

“Excellent, sir.” Evan smiles satisfied. It’s time for the real test!

Evan leaves to arrange Sheila’s transfer. Abner, after being alone, smiles lightly, satisfied.

******

At the kiosk, Matthew just narrated to Clayton what happened to his mother.

“Matt, if you want, you can take the day off to see your Mom.”

“Mr. Saldanha, I thought better of it.” Matthew scratches his head, “Don’t you want me to stay here for a few hours? I think it’s too busy today.”

“You know what I really wanted?” Clayton smiles in camaraderie, “I wanted you to seriously think about finding even an internship to compensate for your studies. Those who study Business don’t plan on being a grill cook for the rest of their lives.”

Matthew feels awkward. He doesn’t believe he deserves praise, so he’s always embarrassed.

Clayton continues, “Don’t look like that. I’m serious. I like you working here, Matt, but sometimes I feel like I’m holding up your future.”

Matthew lifts his head, “Absolutely, sir! Don’t ever say anything like that again! If it weren’t for your kiosk, I’d probably be starving.”

“OK, you’re not starving, but you also can’t pay the bills at the end of the month.” Clayton asserts, “I’m sorry, Matt, but I can’t pay you the salary you deserve. While you visit your mother, think about what I told you.”

Matthew swallows hard. He nods silently and leaves, removing his apron.

Upon leaving, he meets Patricia.

“Patty, I’m going out. My Mom is sick at the hospital.”

“Oh, Matt, I’m so sorry. Walt showed up here earlier and told me everything.” Patricia suggests, “He said your Mom had an allergic reaction to mold. Is it true? Maybe I can stop by your house and help with the cleanup.”

Matthew shakes his head violently, “Cut the nonsense, Patty. You know damn well I don’t have the money to pay you—”

“Money, money, MONEY!” Patricia responds in kind, “Is that all you can say? Doesn’t it cross your mind that I can do some cleaning for free? It’s a favor I’d do.”

“I’m not a fan of free labor, Patty. If you wash one of my briefs, I’ll have to pay you. I’m sorry, but my mother would say the same thing.”

Patricia tries to hide her blush at the mention of Matthew’s underwear and continues, “But you guys keep saying you don’t do what you need to do because you don’t have money. You don’t have a decent washing machine because you don’t have money. You don’t buy medicine for your mother because of lack of money. You won’t accept my favor because of lack of money. Matthew, frankly, you need to sort your life out!”

Matthew is surprised by Patricia’s vehemence, “Wow, friend. I’ve never seen you so fierce.”

“There is a first time for everything.” Patricia crosses her arms, “So go visit your mother and tell her I’m waiting for her to give me the go-ahead to help her.”

Matthew chuckles to calm his angry cat-like friend, “OK, I’ll give the message.”

******

Later, with classes over, the university students go down the stairs and spread out across the square. Some go to the parking lot to get their Mercedes or BMWs. Others go to the trees and benches to study a little more or spend time with friends.

And others go to the kiosk.

Bryce is holding his cell phone in bewilderment. David provokes him.

“My friend, be careful! You’re going to trip over a rock and fall, and I’m going to laugh and record it!”

“But you won’t be able to post on the university forum!” Bryce exclaims in horror.

David and the other friends freeze their steps, intrigued.

“What do you mean?” David asks with a frown.

“Access the forum, all of you!” Bryce exclaims in amazement.

Everyone obeys Bryce. Some of them even sit.

David has sparks of hatred in his eyes when he comes across the following message pinned to the top of the comments: FROM TODAY, THE OFFICIAL STERLING UNIVERSITY FORUM AND ALL ZAP GROUPS RELATED TO ACADEMIC MATTERS WILL BE USED SPECIALLY FOR THIS PURPOSE. THE USE OF THESE PUBLIC SPACES FOR SLANDER AND DEFAMATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. THOSE WHO REPEAT THE OFFENSE AS THEY DID TO MATTHEW SILVA AND CINDY CARDOSO WILL BE BANNED FROM THE NETWORKS AND DRAWN ATTENTION TO THE RECTORY. ASS: ABNER STERLING.

Other university students who casually accessed the forum or Zap groups also came across the message and were left speechless.

Once again, Matthew Silva, the poor grill cook, was being saved by the rectory, with the approval of the university owner!

David’s hand trembles so much that his cell phone falls to the floor.

“David, your cell phone!” Another friend warns him.

But David appears to be under a hypnotic trance. What is happening...?

******

In the LCN parking lot, Ricardo is parking his car while Cindy is checking the news on her cell phone.

“Any news, dear?” Ricardo performs the maneuvers without difficulty, not because he is an excellent driver, but because his car has an approach sensor.

Cindy’s cell phone starts beeping like a carnival whistle with countless messages from her friends, “OUCH! I can’t read so many messages, my friends have gone crazy!”

“What are they trying to say?” Ricardo laughs.

Cindy selects a voicemail from one of her friends, “CINDY, MY FRIEND! You won’t believe it! Abner Sterling, the owner of the university, had all conversations about you, Ricardo, and your loser ex-boyfriend deleted, saying that the forum is only supposed to be a public space for academic matters! Anyone who tries to spread gossip will be banned from social media and reprimanded in the dean’s office! You got away with a scandal, my friend! Looks like we’re wrong about Matthew Silva, huh?”

Cindy is stunned by her friend’s audio, insinuating that she was wrong to end her relationship with Matthew. Ricardo, in turn, clenches the steering wheel furiously.