The Overnight Student Trillionaire

Chapter 009

Lorenzo hailed a cab, and in due time, he got to his school. As soon as he entered the school dormitory, he saw his friends Evan and… pacing around the room in worry.

"I think I have gotten enough patience. I am calling the police!" Evan said anxiously.

"You... you can't do that yet, Evan. What if Lorenzo just needed space? We never understand how deep these events must have hurt him. Maybe he needs space from everyone, including us. Wait a few more hours, let’s not rush it," Jayson said. Jayson’s voice was calmer, but the tension in his shoulders gave him away. He kept glancing at the door every few seconds, as if willing it to open.

Evan stopped pacing and ran a hand through his hair. “It’s been days, Jayson. Days. No calls. No texts. Nothing. That’s not just space.”

Before Jayson could respond, Lorenzo pulled the door open.

Both of them froze as soon as they saw Lorenzo walk in with his backpack slung over one shoulder, his movements hesitant—as though he wasn’t sure he was welcome in his own room anymore.

For a split second, there was silence.

Then Evan spun around. “Lorenzo?”

Jayson’s eyes widened. “Holy..."

Evan crossed the room in three long strides and grabbed Lorenzo by the collar, pulling him into a tight hug instead. “You idiot,” he muttered fiercely. “Do you have any idea what you put us through?”

“I’m sorry,” Lorenzo said quietly, his voice rough. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

Jayson joined them with his arms folded, gaze sharp and assessing. “You disappear without a word in the hospital, I thought Evan had you, bro. You scared the hell out of us, bro. Where have you been?"

Lorenzo exhaled slowly. He slowly dropped his backpack to the floor. He did not want to tell them about his new identity and his long-lost family; he felt it wasn't the right time.

"I... I… am so sorry, guys. I went to clear my head for a few days," he said.

Malik stared at him for a long moment, clearly unsatisfied, but the relief of seeing Lorenzo alive and standing in front of him won out. He released a sharp breath. “Clear your head,” he repeated. “You nearly cleared us into a panic attack.”

"I am so sorry, guys. I am deeply sorry," he apologized.

Evan let out a shaky laugh, running a hand down his face. “Man… don’t ever do that again.”

Jayson stepped closer, assessing Lorenzo. "Have you eaten, Lorenzo?"

Lorenzo blinked, caught off guard by the question. He shook his head slowly. “Not really.”

Evan clicked his tongue. “Of course you haven't," Malik said jokingly, knowing full well that Lorenzo was not really financially stable for a complete three-square meal and they were the ones always assisting him most of the time.

Malik grabbed his jacket from the chair. “I’ll get something from the cafeteria before it closes."

"No! No! There is no need for that. Do not get me anything. In fact, I would be the one to treat everyone to dinner tonight."

Evan raised a brow. “You?” he echoed slowly.

Jayson studied Lorenzo’s face, his expression unreadable. “You sure about that?”

Lorenzo nodded, a little too quickly. “Yeah. I mean it.”

Malik paused midway through slipping on his jacket, then smirked. “Since when do you volunteer to pay?”

Lorenzo forced a small smile. “Since tonight.”

"Where did you get the money for that?" Jayson asked, surveying Lorenzo keenly. "And come to think of it, Malik," he said, gesturing to Malik, "Lorenzo looks different."

Malik slowly turned back to Lorenzo, his smirk fading as he really looked at him this time. “Different how?”

Jayson stepped closer, his eyes narrowing slightly. “His clothes… they fit better.”

Lorenzo shifted uncomfortably under their gazes. “Ah… you know… there is nothing to worry about. I worked extra hard during the weekend to clear my mind. My boss paid a little extra compensation.”

"Hmm, I see." Jayson nodded immediately. "Well, brother, even if you got paid a little extra, it's best you keep it. You have a lot of expenses on you. And besides, you are our buddy. We are not complaining. You don't have to feel the need to treat us."

Malik nodded. "Yes, he is right. We are treating you to lunch, and we are having chicken wings for dinner."

Lorenzo’s lips curved into a small smile. He looked from Jayson to Malik and felt a warmth he hadn’t realized he’d missed so much.

“Thanks, guys,” he said softly, almost to himself. "You really are the true ones," he said with a smile, his heart swelling in appreciation.