Leo didn't bother with anything else after Felix left. He just dropped into bed and let sleep take him.
The alarm buzzed at 5am.
Leo opened his eyes without much hesitation.
He sat up, swung his legs down the side of the bed and headed towards the bathroom.
The mirror reflected a face that still looked half asleep with hair sticking up in all directions.
He turned on the faucet and splashed cold water all over his face and grabbed a towel to wipe his face as he walked towards the direction of his closet.
He pulled on a plain black tee, joggers and his running shoes, grabbing his phone, earphones and a half filled water bottle before leaving his dorm.
He got into the elevator and headed straight for the dorm's gym.
The gym was quiet when Leo walked in, save for the occasional clank of weights.
A couple early risers were already locked into their routines, so no one really paid him much attention.
He grabbed a set of dumbbells after his stretches and started with curls.
From there it was presses, rows, then the bench.
By the time he hit the treadmill, it was already 6am.
Bythe time he slowed, sweat clung to his temple and collar, his shirt sticking slightly at the back.
He took a long drink from his water bottle, tossing a towel over his shoulder and started making his way back to his dorm room.
By the time he got to his dorm, it was 6:42am.
He dropped his bottle on the counter, pulled off his damp shirt and stepped into the bathroom.
The shower hissed on, steam filling the space he stepped under.
Fifteen minutes later, he came out with a towel wrapped around his waist, his hair pushed back.
He dressed quickly: white shirt, tie, blazer, black slacks, a pair of well-polished shoes and a Rolex watch.
By 7:05 he was ready to go but didn't.
Leo dropped his bag on the couch and poured himself a glass of water, taking a slow sip while leaning against the counter.
He scrolled through his phone, flicking past unread emails and a flood of messages he didn't care to answer.
Nothing was really worth his time.
The silent stretched, heavy but surprisingly calm.
And then...
BANG, BANG, BANG
"Rise and shine, Ashford!" Felix's voice echoed through the door, loud enough to wake up the whole floor.
Leo set the glass down and rubbed his temple. Of course.
Leo ran a hand down his face exhaling, then pushed off the couch to get the door.
Felix stood there, leaning against the frame, tie loose, blazer in hand, his hair incredibly messy looking like he'd just rolled of bed.
"You're annoying early in the morning" Leo said flatly.
"Good morning to you too" Felix shot back, walking past him and flopping unto the couch.
Leo gave him a look. "it's not even eight yet"
"Which means we've got enough time to eat breakfast before class". Felix stretched out, arms behind his head. "Unless you plan on surviving the morning on water and sarcasm".
Leo shut the door with a sigh. "You act like this is your room".
"Please", Felix shot back, as he got up and walked towards the counter. "If it was mine, there'd be takeout boxes stacked to the ceiling".
Leo set down his phone and dropped into a chair.
Felix yanked open the fridge, humming like he owned the place. He came up with the eggs, bacon, and a carton of orange juice, balancing them in one arm.
"Perfect" Felix said, tossing the bacon on the kitchen counter. "Low effort, high reward".
"You planning to cook or just commentate?" Leo asked, leaning back.
"Cook obviously". Felix cracked two eggs into a pan with the grace of someone who'd probably done it a thousand times but just never cared to do it neatly.
Oil popped, bacon hit the pan, and soon the room was filled with a sharp, savory smell that made even Leo glance over.
"You know", Leo said, "For someone who acts claims to be lazy, you're putting in a lot of effort".
Felix shot him a look over his shoulder "This? Effort? Please. This is artistry." He tapped the spatula against the pan. "One day you'll grow to appreciate the genius with perfectly crisped bacon."
Leo hummed, unimpressed. "Looks like an ordinary breakfast to me."
Felix clutched his chest dramatically. "Cold. Absolutely heartless."
"This one is different though, it's fried bacon made by these" Felix wiggled the spatula. "beautiful hands."
Leo scoffed and shook his head. "You're unbelievable."
They ate quick, plates balanced on the counter. Toast, eggs, bacon; simple but it definitely worked.
Felix downed his juice in one gulp and leaned against the counter.
"So", Felix started, a piece hanging between his fingers, "What do you have first?
Leo wiped his hands with a napkin. "Global Business Strategy".
Felix grinned. "Same. Guess you're stuck with me longer".
Leo slung his bag over his shoulder, shooting him a dry look. "Lucky me".
Felix just laughed, clearly unbothered.
Leo just set his mug in the sink and headed for the door without another word.
"Oi, seriously?" Felix muttered, snatching up his blazer from the back of the chair and swinging his bag over one shoulder.
He jogged out after him, catching up to him in the hallway.
"You really couldn't wait like two seconds", Felix said, a little out of breath.
Leo side-eyed him but didn't slow down. "Give me one good reason why I should wait".
Felix shot him a look, clutching his bag strap. "Because without me, you'll die of boredom before class even starts".
Leo's mouth twitched. "Not a strong reason".
Felix groaned. "Your impossible", matching Leo's pace.
The elevator ride was quiet, neither of them saying a word.
When the doors opened, they stepped out, crossing the lobby without much of a pause.
A few students also leaving glanced their way, but Leo didn't spare anyone a look.
Felix shoved his hands into his pockets and just followed silently.
They pushed through the glass doors and walked across the courtyard.
They slipped into the main school building, shoes echoing faintly against polished floors.
The hallway was crowded, students filing towards their classes with either books or phones in their hands.
Leo and Felix were halfway across the hallway when a voice called out.
"Leo…"
He turned. Anya Rivers stood a few steps behind, clutching something close to her chest.
Her blazer was clean now, but her shoulders were stiff, like she'd been debating for hours whether or whether not to open her mouth.
"I… I wanted to talk to you", She said, eyes flickering towards Felix before dropping back to Leo "Alone".
Leo continued walking but slowed down to allow her to catch up. "If it's important, you can just say it here".
His tone wasn't harsh, just flat like he had no time nor patience for drama.
Anya swallowed, and then held out the neatly folded jacket. "I just wanted to thank you. And… to give this back. I washed it".
Leo glanced at the jacket for half a second, then back at her. "Keep it".
Her lips parted, surprise flashing across her face. "But-"
Before she could finish, Felix smirked, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"Careful, Rivers. Keep that up and people might actually start thinking He likes you or something. This isn't some Ashbourne remake of Romeo and Juliet anyways, so don't go getting the wrong idea".
Anya flushed, clutching the jacket tighter.
Leo ignored Felix's jab, already turning towards the classroom.
Felix caught up beside him, the smirk still plastered across his face.
As soon as they stepped into the door, a couple girls slipped around Anya like sharks sensing blood.
"Seriously, Rivers?" One of them said "You didn't actually think that Leo would keep wearing something that you touched did you?".
"Not just touched", another snickered. "She'd practically used it. Like he'd ever."
Olivia, the girl who had tripped her in the cafeteria yesterday, grabbed her chin tightly. "It's really bold of you to think you even belong near him, Know your place, Rivers"
…..
Leo pushed open the door to the lecture hall, Felix trailing a step behind him.
The room was sleek, tired rows of desks, glass walls that looked out over the courtyard, and a massive screen glowing at the front.
Every head in the class turned when the door clicked shut.
At the front stood, Professor Maddox in a sharp suit and a silver watch that cost more than most cars.
He was a billionaire who'd built half his empire off international logistics, now teaching because apparently running the world's largest logistics corporation wasn't enough of a hobby.
"Leo Ashford" His voice smooth but pointed. "Three minutes late".
The silence in the room was deafening.
Leo slid his hands into his pockets, meeting Maddox gaze. "Got held back".
A pause. Then Maddox gave a single nod, like that was good enough. "Don't make it a habit, same applies to you Kessler".
Leo inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement, then moved down the aisle, with Felix following right beside him.
They took two open seats halfway down.
The lecture picked back up, Maddox pacing the room while slides of global trade routes lit the screen.
He spoke with ease and conviction, giving a few real life situational examples.
About twenty minutes in, Maddox stopped mid-sentence and let his gaze sweep the room. It landed squarely on Leo.
"Mr. Ashford", he said, his tone being very casual. "Say a company wanted to expand into the Southeast Asia's emerging markets. What's the first barrier they'd face?".
The class shifted, everyone curious to see if he would actually deliever.
Leo leaned back in his chair, not rattled. "Depends on the sector. But broadly? Regulatory red tape. Every country in the region has different compliance laws. If you don't adapt fast enough, you'll bleed clash before you've set up".
Maddox'smouth curved faintly, like he'd expected no less. "And the workaround?"
"Local partnerships. You find the players already embedded in the market, cut them a deal, let them handle the groundwork while you leverage the brand."
Silence hung for a beat, then Maddox gave a small nod.
"Correct". He turned back to the screen, continuing the lecture without missing a beat.
Felix leaned back in his seat, whispering just low enough for Leo to hear. "Show off".
Leo didn't even look his way. "I just answered the question".
Felix smirked, shaking his head. "Yeah, flawlessly. Girls two rows up are practically writing your fsn club application as we speak".
.....
Author's Note
Thanks so much for reading ❤️.
I don't really have much to say but... I hope I see you in the next chapter.
Bye for now 👋