By the third day, Jayden had already adjusted.
That was his talent.
New environments didn't scare him.
He studied them. Positioned himself. Adapted fast.
And professors?
Professors liked him.
Not because he flirted.
Because he answered well.
Because he looked prepared.
Because he made eye contact when speaking and never stumbled over his words.
Professor Keller had already told him, "You think like a strategist."
Professor Hawthorne had said, "You have potential."
Even two minor lecturers greeted him by name in the hallway.
That was deliberate.
Jayden learned names quickly.
Complimented intelligently.
Stayed after class with smart questions never dumb ones.
People in authority liked feeling respected.
He gave them that.
Respect was currency.
And Jayden collected currency everywhere.
But Roman?
Roman was different.
Roman didn't smile at him.
Didn't soften his tone.
Didn't offer encouragement.
He treated Jayden exactly like every other student.
And that annoyed him.
Not emotionally.
Strategically.
Roman was the highest-value asset in that building.
And Jayden refused to be just another name on his attendance sheet.
—
Three days after the first lecture, Jayden stood outside Virella Grand Mall.
Glass walls.
Luxury stores.
Security in fitted suits.
The kind of place where money moved quietly.
He adjusted his jacket before walking inside.
He didn't need to be here.
But he wanted to be seen here.
He passed stores he couldn't afford without blinking.
Rolex.
Gucci.
Tom Ford.
He walked through them casually.
Touched nothing.
Observed everything.
He checked his phone.
No messages.
Good.
He stepped into a high-end menswear store.
Not to buy.
To calculate.
A navy blazer caught his eye.
Perfect stitching.
Subtle luxury.
He checked the price tag.
He didn't react outwardly.
But inside?
That number could cover two months of rent.
He smiled faintly.
One day.
Not today.
But one day.
He picked up a simple black wallet from a display stand.
Clean. Minimalist. Expensive-looking.
Then
He saw him.
Across the store.
Roman.
In a fitted dark coat.
Speaking quietly to a sales associate.
Calm. Focused. Effortless.
Jayden didn't smile.
Didn't wave.
He pretended not to see him.
But inside?
This was perfect.
Not coincidence.
He had checked Roman's faculty profile.
Board advisor.
Consultant.
Men like that shopped here.
Jayden hadn't known the exact time.
But probability worked in his favor.
He picked up the wallet.
Walked toward the cashier.
Roman stepped into line behind him.
Close enough to feel the presence.
Close enough to smell that same refined cologne.
Jayden kept his expression neutral.
The cashier rang up the item.
"That will be eight hundred and twenty."
Jayden reached into his jacket pocket.
Paused.
Brows furrowed.
Checked the other pocket.
Then the back pocket.
Then the inside lining.
Slowly.
Controlled.
Not overdramatic.
He clicked his tongue softly.
"Seriously?"
The cashier looked up. "Problem, sir?"
Jayden patted himself down again.
Then looked mildly embarrassed.
"I think I left my wallet in my other jacket."
He exhaled sharply.
"Great."
He didn't turn immediately.
Let Roman decide.
There was a pause.
Then Roman's voice, calm and unreadable.
"Add it to mine."
Jayden turned slowly.
As if surprised.
"Professor?"
Roman's eyes were steady.
"This is a small city," he said evenly. "You should be more careful."
Jayden's lips curved slightly.
"I didn't expect to see you here."
"That makes two of us."
The cashier processed the payment without hesitation.
Roman handed over his card.
Black.
Minimal.
No hesitation in his movement.
Jayden watched carefully.
Men who didn't check prices were different.
Roman took the shopping bag from the counter.
Then handed it to Jayden.
Their fingers brushed briefly.
Not accidental.
Not prolonged.
Just enough.
"I'll transfer you," Jayden said smoothly.
Roman studied him.
"You will."
It wasn't a question.
They stepped aside from the counter.
The store lighting reflected softly off polished floors.
Jayden tilted his head slightly.
"I didn't know professors made enough to shop here."
Roman's gaze sharpened just a little.
"You're assuming my salary."
Jayden smiled.
"I'm observing your lifestyle."
Roman stepped closer.
Just enough to lower his voice without making it obvious.
"You should focus on your own."
Jayden met his eyes.
"I am."
A beat passed between them.
Heavy.
Measured.
Roman glanced at the bag in Jayden's hand.
"You don't need that wallet."
Jayden didn't flinch.
"Want and need are different things."
Roman's eyes flicked back to his face.
"You are ambitious."
"Yes."
"Dangerously so."
Jayden shrugged slightly.
"Danger is relative."
Roman exhaled quietly.
"You arranged this."
It wasn't a question.
Jayden didn't deny it.
"I go where opportunities are."
Roman's jaw tightened.
"I am not an opportunity."
Jayden's voice lowered.
"Everyone is."
Silence.
People moved around them.
Luxury music playing faintly overhead.
Roman stepped even closer now.
"Be careful, Mr. Cross."
Jayden's pulse quickened — not from fear.
From thrill.
"Of what?"
"Overplaying your hand."
Jayden smiled softly.
"I never bluff."
Roman held his gaze a moment longer.
Then straightened.
Professional mask back in place.
"I expect reimbursement tomorrow."
"You'll have it."
Roman turned to leave.
Jayden watched him walk away.
Confident.
Unhurried.
Controlled.
And for the first time
Jayden felt something shift.
Because Roman hadn't been flustered.
Hadn't been impressed.
Hadn't been seduced.
He had been aware.
And that made it interesting.
Very interesting.
—
Jayden stepped out of the store and into the mall corridor.
His reflection followed him in the glass panels.
He looked composed.
Unbothered.
But inside?
He was calculating again.
Roman had seen through the setup.
And still paid.
Not out of weakness.
Out of choice.
That was power.
Back in his apartment that night, Jayden placed the wallet on his desk.
He didn't even open it.
It wasn't about the item.
It was about the exchange.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He stared at it for half a second before answering.
"Yes?"
"You will not attempt that again."
Roman.
Jayden leaned back in his chair slowly.
"Attempt what?"
Silence on the other end.
Then
"You know exactly what."
Jayden's lips curved.
"You paid willingly."
"That does not make it acceptable."
Jayden's tone softened slightly.
"You didn't have to."
Roman's voice dropped.
"I know."
That was the dangerous part.
Jayden looked at the wallet again.
"You said I was ambitious."
"Yes."
"Is that a bad thing?"
A pause.
"No."
"But ambition without discipline becomes self-destruction."
Jayden smiled faintly.
"Then maybe I need guidance."
Silence.
Thicker this time.
When Roman spoke again, his voice was colder.
"This conversation ends here."
The line disconnected.
Jayden lowered the phone slowly.
He wasn't upset.
He wasn't embarrassed.
He was entertained.
Because Roman hadn't blocked him.
Hadn't reported him.
Hadn't drawn a hard boundary.
He had warned him.
And warnings meant engagement.
Jayden leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes briefly.
Money wasn't just currency.
It was leverage.
And Roman Ashford had just stepped into the game willingly.
He just didn't realize it yet.