Rivals

by Remy Marie

  Rivals

  An Eastcliff University Romance

  Remy Marie

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2020

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distrusted or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission

  Publisher Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales, products, and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Cover by: Remy Marie/ Canva

  Cover Image: DepositPhotos

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Michael

  “We want the best, and only the best. That’s why we recruit from Eastcliff University. Your school has produced some of the best financial analysts our firm has ever seen. This year we only have one job opening. This spot will go to the best student here.” The recruitment officer for Forrest & Young said. She was an older woman, with blonde hair and a stern face. She looked like she needed at least three vacations. After the class heard her say, only the best and one opening, I felt like all of the eyes in the room were on me. Well, me and one other person, Ali Park, the small and slender Asian woman sitting next to me. Like me, she was quiet and shy. She didn’t speak much unless she was blurting out the correct answer. She’d be cute, hell even dateable, if she didn’t annoy me all the time. Everything was a competition between me and her.

  Which is understandable as I was the number one student in the finance major, she was number two. Everyone knew it. Since freshman year, we’d been bitter rivals, always getting high marks in class, signing up for the same extracurricular activities, and having an enough recommendations from professors and employers to fill a book. If you looked at our resumes side by side, they’d be similar. Only a .005 gpa separated us from number one and two.

  I didn’t have to look to know that Ali’s glare was on me. She hated me. She hated the fact that I was number one and she was two. She hated the fact that I had a better chance of getting the job than she did. She hated the fact that she worked twice as hard just to get to the level I was on. Hell, if you asked her, I’m sure she hated my entire existence.

  After the job recruiter left the class, I noticed Dr. Green was giddier than usual. It was like the idea of competition delighted him. Dr. Green was the dean of the finance department and taught Advanced Finance Applications, the hardest undergrad course at EU. He was an older, skinnier professor with greying hair and black horned rim glasses.

  He clapped his hands and grinned at the class, “well alright! If that doesn’t get you excited, then I don’t know what will. I’m going to be letting the class out early. Remember, your midterm projects are due next week! I expect good things out of all of you!”

  At once the class all got up and exited the room. As I put away my things, the professor cleared his throat and said, “oh, can Ali and Michael see me before leaving?”

  Ali and I both shared a glance knowing that whatever Dr.Green had to say to us wasn’t good.

  We both stood side by side in front of the desk he stood by waiting for the professor to talk to us.

  As he cleared his desk, he grinned, “As you both know, you are both number one and two in the major.”

  I wanted to roll my eyes at him repeating the fact again, while out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ali’s white knuckles as she clenched her bag strap tighter.

  “And while I expect some of your classmates to apply to the open position at Forrest & Young, I’ve already been told that the job will come down to you two.”

  I couldn’t help but to smile. Working at Forrest & Young would be a dream come true. They had the best employee perks and an amazing office tower in midtown Manhattan. It would be a job that any young graduate would kill for.

  “They are however, having difficulty selecting which one to hire, which is why they’ve come to me to help. To help them decide, I’ve created a test that will hopefully separate you. This test is not for the faint at heart. It’s not a test that I expect you two pass easily. You’ll have one night to study for it, then tomorrow, you are expected to meet me in my office to take it. It should take an hour.”

  Both of our jaws dropped at the pop test given to us.

  “How are we…” we both complained at the same time. We both looked at each other surprised that we spoke in tandem. My look was more genuine while Ali’s was filled with fire and brimstone. It was obvious we both didn’t like the idea of a surprise test.

  “You go first,” I offered.

  She rolled her eyes at me and then glared back at Professor Green. “How are we supposed to study in one night for a test that we know nothing of? You haven’t even told us the subject.”

  “It’s general finance.” He shrugged with a shit eating grin. “All stuff you should know. That’s all I’m going to say. The rest is on you.”

  “This is absurd! How are we supposed to know what to review?” She complained.

  Professor Green crossed his arms and chuckled, “If you know the material, you shouldn’t worry.”

  Ali shook her head and growled something foreign. I think it was Korean.

  “So, I’ll see you at 8 then?”

  “Like I have a choice.” She snapped.

  “Perfect. Well, good luck you two.” The professor grabbed his bag then exited the room, leaving only Ali and me.

  Ali looked hotter than the sun, as I swear, I could see steam rise off her skin.

  Smirking, I extend a hand to her and said, “May the best man win.”

  She pushed my hand away and snapped, “the best woman will win. I’ll send you a post card from New York. Get out of my way loser. I’m heading to the library.”

  She shoved me hard as she left the classroom. Watching her stomp out the building, I laughed to myself, and followed her.

  Oh boy, this isn’t going to end well, I thought.

  Chapter 2

  Ali

  Why? Why? Why?

  Why must I summit myself to this cruel game? Why must my fate be subjected to a test I know nothing about. Why me? Not only do I have to suddenly study for a test I now nothing about. The one job that I’ve been busting my ass for will come down to a competition between me and the person I hate most on this earth, Michael Swift.

  Michael fucking Swift!

  God, I hated him. Always one step ahead of me in everything I do. He barely studies in school, yet magically able to get a higher grade on something that I spent hours studying for. God, just thinking of the fact that this job will come down to random test makes my blood boil. Whatever happened to selecting the best candidate based on an interview? Apparently, the only thing that matters at F&Y is intelligence, because Michael Swift had no personality.

  I looked behind me and I saw Michael casually strolling behind me on my way to the library. He had a grin on his face as he ogled me.

  What was with that all knowing grin? If it wasn’t for his smartass comments and shit personality, he could actually be dateable. I mean, he’s really good looking. Tall, slim muscular build, with a shapely afro. However, it just goes to show you that looks don’t mean everything.

  With Michael still behind me, I felt like I was being stalked by Michael Myers himself. He was walking step by step with me, following
every path I took to the library. It was the most annoying thing known to man. Not wanting him to follow me further, I stopped at our school’s fountain. Part of me had wanted to stop there to let him walk ahead to the library, but the true reason why was that I had wanted to stop there to make a wish for a passing grade on my test.

  I’d always gone to the fountain to wish for a passing grade on all my tests. The famous rumor on campus was that this fountain was known for granting wishes. Almost like a magical fountain. There’s been loads of stories of people making wishes and tossing coins in only to find out that they passed their finals or found true love. I didn’t really care for the whole true love part. I don’t have time for love. Never did. If I want to get a good job to support my family, I don’t have time to love. I guess that’s more one thing I’ve sacrificed to get where I am.

  I stopped at the three-tier water fountain and dug in my purse for a quarter.

  “Shit,” I growled as my fingers searched, but was coming up with nothing but broken lead and pencils.

  “Need a coin,” a voice asked behind me.

  “Yes, I…” looking up I saw my moral enemy. He had the largest shit eating grin that has ever been seen. “No, I don’t need a coin. Thank you very much.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “No. I’d rather eat dirt than accept your money.”

  He laughed. God did I hate his laugh, sounded like nails on a chalkboard to me.

  “Seriously, what’s your problem?” He laughed.

  “Everything about you!”

  “What?”

  “Ugh!” I groaned. “Not only do I have to deal with taking a random dumb test to determine if I get my dream job, the person I hate the most on this world is following me! What is your deal?”

  He narrowed his eyes and shook his head.

  “I’m just trying to be helpful. You’re not the only one on campus. I take this route to the library all the time. And besides...” He took out another coin in his pocket and flicked it into the pool of water behind me. “You’re not the only one who likes to make a wish at the fountain. You don’t own the fountain or the campus. Jesus, and you call me the asshole.” He stomped towards the edge of the fountain and slammed the coin on its concrete barrier. “Here’s your damn coin. I hope your wish comes true.”

  He turned and stomped away. He looked hotter than a pepper. Watching him walk away, I began to feel remorse. Perhaps I was too harsh. Until now, our competition was never ugly, but what I said crossed a line. Damn, I was such a bitch.

  Chapter 3

  Michael

  The nerve. I take back what I thought earlier. There’s no way in hell I’ll ever date her. Dateable? Ha! I pity the fool who ever decides to put a ring on her finger.

  I make it to the library and walk to the third floor, left wing of the library. I find my favorite studying spot in the corner and take off my backpack to get begin to study for whatever random test Dr. Green dreamed up. Just thinking of taking a pop test my stomach queasy.

  As I flipped through my book, I felt another presence behind me and was surprised to see Ali standing there.

  “Well, look whose following who.” I mocked.

  She bit her lip and looked down at her hands.

  “Sorry about before.”

  “Sorry? I didn’t know that word word was in your vocabulary.”

  “Seriously? I’m trying to apologize and there you go again being an asshole. And you wonder why I was so rude to you earlier.” She rolled her eyes and walked to another desk.

  My shoulders slumped from my outbreak. It was a nice apology, and then I had to ruin it by being rude to her.

  Watching her remove her stuff, I cleared my throat and she looked up.

  “Can we start over? I’m sorry.”

  A small smile parted her lips and she nodded. “I’m sorry too.”

  Sitting down, she opened her book and bit her lip. “So, I guess we study in the same spot as well. Seems like we both have similar study habits.”

  “Ha, I guess so,” I grinned.

  “How come I’ve never seen you study here?”

  “I work part time, so my study times are different. Since we apparently have a test tomorrow and class got out early, I decided to head to the library early.”

  “Makes sense,” She replied.

  We both stared at each other, both giving a nervous smile. Honestly, this was the most we’ve spoken to each other all semester.

  “So, I guess it’s time to study then?” I stated.

  “Yeah…” her eyes fell to her book and began reading. I should have looked down at my own book but I didn’t. I sat there staring at her longer than I should. I’d seen her read several times, but this was the first time I’d realized how beautiful she looked. I don’t know what was coming over me. This sudden emotion. What to call it, I didn’t know. There was something about her that was suddenly giving me butterflies. The graceful way small eyes shifted left and right as she read. The seductive way her small breasts moved as she took a breath. The subtle way she twirled her hair around her finger. Each sight was a delicious feast for my eyes. The longer I stared, the greater my awakening desire for her grew. I wanted to talk to her more, but what about? As far as I knew she hated me. It’s a crazy notion, but I must try.

  I cleared my throat and said the first thing that popped in my mind, “this is such a stupid test, right?”

  Chapter 4

  Ali

  Wow, he’s talking to me again. Ahh! What do I say back?

  Wait, why am I so giddy? Shit, get yourself together Ali. I mean sure, he’s supposed to be your rival, but rivals can turn into companions, right? Companions? Is that the best word for it? Well, how else would I describe the sudden feelings that I felt for him?

  I don’t know what’s came over me, but in the last few seconds that I’ve sat here, my mind was consumed with thoughts of only him. He was like a virus affecting my brain. I only pretended like I was reading to attempt to get the suddenly sinful thoughts of him out of my brain out. I’d be lying, if I wasn’t suddenly taking an interest in him. His gorgeous smile and handsome exterior were like lighter fluid for my insides.

  “Yeah.” I replied.

  He grinned and scooted his chair closer to me. He was close enough for me to notice his mountain fresh cologne. I’d never smelled it before, but now I couldn’t get enough of it.

  “How are you going to study for it?” He asked.

  I shrugged. “Trying to steal my secrets?” I mocked.

  “Nope, just determining how easy it will be to beat you.” He cheesed.

  Is he flirting with me? Impossible. He hates me. Rivals don’t date.

  “If your thinking that this will be another test that you can skate by and magically pull an A out of your ass, think again. Dr. Green will be pulling out all the stops for this exam.”

  “Is that so?”

  I nodded.

  “Well, then I guess I’m done studying.” He closed his book and began packing up his bag.

  “Seriously?”

  He nodded. “You just reminded me of the fact that I barely prepare for his test anyways. Why should I treat this test any differently?”

  I narrowed my brow, confused if Michael was being serious or if we were still bantering around.

  “So, wait, are you truly not going to study? This test is important.”

  “I know.” He replied boastfully. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Good luck studying.”

  He placed his straps on his shoulders and I shook my head watching him walk away.

  “Lucky you,” I mumbled.

  “What?” He asked.

  “I said, lucky you.”

  “Luck has nothing to do about it. It’s all skill.”

  I rolled my eyes as he reminded me of why I didn’t like him.

  “You’re a jerk. You have so much talent that it annoys the crap out of me.”

  The smile on his face disappeared as if he was shocked by the sudden m
ood of the conversation.

  “Ali, I didn’t mean to offend.”

  “Did you? When you speak, it’s filled with arrogance. You’re so lucky to be able to barely try and get the grades you get. Me, on the other hand, I have to crawl and inch my way to every A. If you only knew what I had to do get the grades that I’ve gotten. The skipped parties, the missed sporting events, the lack of a love life. All of those things were put on hold to get this job.”

  Tears began to well in my eyes as I felt thousands of emotions weigh on me. If it wasn’t for Michael standing there, I would’ve broken down.

  “This job means everything to me. This job is a means to help to pay the bills for my family. With the money that they pay, I can afford to get my parents out of poverty. I can afford to pay for new clothes for my nephews. I can help my sister keep food on the table for her three kids. I’m studying for them. It sickens me to see you take this so lightly.”

  “Ali…” Michael said slowly.

  “Just go, Michael. Live your life. Who am I kidding? I can study this shit all night and it won’t me a difference.”

  “Then don’t.”

  “What?”

  “Let’s make a pact. We both don’t study for the exam and fail it together. Let’s throw a wrench in Dr. Green’s plans. Let them decide who wins the job based on personality, not grades. Deal?” He asked, extending a hand.

  I stared at his hand, unsure if this was ruse to get me to fail in order for him to easily get the job.

  “I know what your thinking, Ali. This isn’t a plan to stab you in the back. I know what it’s like to have family count on you for something. My upbringing wasn’t the best either. I could only attend Eastcliff through a scholarship. I work a part time job to afford food and rent. You aren’t the only one going through hard hardships. I truly understand.”

  “Then why fail the test?”

  He shrugged. “For four years, we’ve been busting our asses to reach the top. I too have missed parties, sporting events and relationships. I’ve sacrificed my college experience to make it to the top. With one more month to go in my college career, I actually want to say I did something fun and crazy. This is our moment to do that.”