ROMANCE: Billion Dollar Question (BWWM Billionaire Bad Boy Romance) (African American Alpha Mail Order Bride New Adult) (66 page)

Chapter 2: The Dinner Debate

Cory sat at the dining table playing with his food, oblivious to the discussion going on and his mother’s chatter; the word ‘Vogue’ and ‘editor’ kept coming up over and again. But he was just waiting for an opportunity to break the news, but the timing just didn’t feel right. He didn’t want to ruin his mother’s happiness and excitement, although it was quite commonplace.

Cory looked at his father, who raised an eyebrow and gestured with his face to start talking to his mum. Cory shrugged, uncertain, so his father took the lead.

“Cory,” he said, “I believe there’s something you want to tell your mother about.”

“Is there, now?” said Georgiana. Then she looked at Cory and continued, “Good heavens, I don’t like the sound of this. What’s going on, Cory?”

“Dad…” Cory said, looking at his father, wishing he would tell his mother.

“Tell her, son, it’s okay.”

“Or you can tell me,” said Georgiana fixing her gaze on her ex-husband.

“I am going to college, mom.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I want to go. I want to study.”

“But, but, but… that doesn’t make any sense. People go to college to study so that they can get a job and make money. I can get you modeling jobs easily and you can make way more than you ever will by studying and those ordinary jobs. This doesn’t make any sense.”

“Mom, I want to study. I want to do this. It’s not about money or jobs; it’s about what I want. Please don’t make a big deal about it.”

Georgiana heavily dropped her fork and knife on the table.

“Don’t make a big deal about it? Don’t make a big deal about my son going away to college for no reason at all? Tell me what you need, what you want, is it a car? A computer? Just tell me.”

“For god’s sake, Georgiana, just listen to what he’s saying,” interrupted Cory’s dad.

“Did you put him up to this? Listen to him? He doesn’t make any sense. He’s a child and I know what’s better for him, I am his mother!”

“Mom, I am going to college. I am leaving tomorrow. Let’s not ruin my last dinner here.”

Georgiana’s eyes opened wide with disbelief.

“Leaving tomorrow? But how will you…”

“He’s taken care of everything already. He’s gotten admission in a college, arranged a place to stay, etc., so don’t worry. The boy is growing up, let him do things his way.”

“That’s fucking crazy, both of you, father and son, are going to drive me crazy,” said Georgiana, starting to lose her temper.

“Mom, calm down,” said Cory.

“Gina, relax, it’s only for a few years. He’ll be back for holidays and everything. Calm down!” said his father, trying to reduce the drama.

“This is all your fault!” shouted Georgiana and stormed off to her room.

“That went as expected,” said Cory’s father.

“Yeah.”

At night, as Cory was packing, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” said Cory.

Georgiana came into the room.

“Mom, please don’t start again,” he said.

“I won’t,” she said, resigned.

“Look, I just want what’s best for you. And I still don’t think you’ll be able to adjust into college life. It’s really different, trust me.”

“I know, mom, I know,” he said. “I know it’s going to be different, and that’s exactly what I want. I want to live my own life, in my own way. And that won’t happen here. Trust me, I have tried.”

“Well, if that’s what you want. I wish you all the best, but you have to come home during your vacations.”

“I will, mom.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

Georgiana gave him a hug and left the room. For a while Cory just sat there thinking. He wondered why he’d really wanted to go to college. Was it really because he wanted to learn or something else?

Deep in his heart Cory knew the answer, but he did not dare bring it to his lips. Somehow the words just failed to form, and every time he thought about it, it was like a storm inside him: turbulent, violent, and disturbing. It disturbed his inner peace and threatened to destroy the bubble he had been living in, so it was best when he just ignored it completely.

He just hoped that when he went to college, perhaps he will be able to find more people like him. People who could understand where he was coming from and support him, be on his side, and help him somehow. For most people it was really hard to understand because Cory seemingly had everything. He was gorgeous, had a famous mother and a super rich father, and enjoyed the ‘lifestyle of the rich and famous.’

Cory woke up in the morning, hopeful and dreadful at the same time. Today was the day when he left and began his new life, and he had no idea what awaited him.

Will he be able to become one of the popular guys, fit into the cool crowd, or will he be picked on and bullied? Or will he become just another invisible kid in the college? But he calmed down by telling himself that the possibilities were endless and he will cross the bridges when he gets to them. He smiled to himself and went downstairs to join his family for breakfast.

Both of his parents were at the table, and his sister also made a rare appearance, although quite clearly hungover from the party she went to last night. They ate together and everyone wished Cory well. Then it was time to leave and his father offered him a ride. On the way to the train station, Cory’s father made a rare speech.

“Cory, my son, don’t be afraid; never be afraid of being yourself, no matter where you are or who you are. If people don’t like you for who you are, change the people around you, but never change yourself to become someone you are not.”

Cory looked at his father and wondered if he knew about Cory.

“And here’s your stop,” he said.

He gave Cory a tight hug and a pat on the back.

“Off you go, son!”

“Bye, dad!” said Cory, hugging him back.

“Bye!”

Chapter 3: The Jock

Cory had high expectations from the college and everything that came with it. He expected extreme professionalism, groups of intellectuals, fashionistas, etc., and a neat little room that he would be sharing with another guy. But all of that shattered as soon as he stepped into his dorm room.

The room was dirty, filthy even, with empty gin bottles and condoms strewn all over the floor. On one corner was a pile of dirty laundry. Two beds were placed together to make a double bed. Cory stood motionless as he took it all in, wondering how the hell on earth could someone live in a place so messy.

“And how the hell did he make such a mess so quickly, or do they not clean the rooms here?”

He was still standing there, wondering, when the door opened and a guy stepped in.

“Hey there,” he said, looking slightly startled.

“Hello, I am Cory.”

“I am Liam, your roommate,” he said.

“Pleased to meet you.”

Liam didn’t seem the least bothered by the mess he had made or was living in. He threw his dirty clothes on the already huge pile he had gathered and then turned around to get dressed. He threw his wet towel on the bed and turned around to look at Cory.

“You don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course not,” said Cory quickly.

He wasn’t sure what he was feeling. Whether he was disgusted by the filth around him, or aroused by the God standing in front of him. Liam was, without a doubt, the most handsome boy Cory had ever set his sight on. He was 6’2”, had blue eyes, a totally buff and ripped body, a six pack, and muscles that would be easily visible through whatever clothes he wore. His hair was dirty blonde, dark, and cut really short and messy. His lips were dark, indicating that he was a smoker. He had light freckles on his face, and slightly hairy body. And his cock was nearly 8.5 inches!

As he was putting on his boxers, he had a semi-erection and was struggling to fit his cock into his boxers. He turned to Cory again.

“Shit happens,” he smiled and then looked at his cock, “Go in, you hornmonster!”

Liam put on a pair of shorts with the university logo on it, ditched the shirt, and then collapsed on the bed.

“Don’t just stand there, buddy, come on, sit,” he said.

Cory sat in a corner on the bed, and then they started talking. Cory found out that Liam was a senior and played soccer in the university team. He didn’t ask Cory anything except what course he’d applied to. As Cory sat in bed talking, he noticed that Liam’s hand was in his boxers, moving slowly. Liam caught him looking at his erection.

“Welcome to college,” he said, grinning like a wolf.

“Thanks,” said Cory.

Liam broke out into a laughter.

“God, what’s your name again?”

“Cory.”

“Cory, you are so…naive. Or innocent or something. It’s weird, hahaha.”

Cory wasn’t sure whether this was a compliment or an insult so he didn’t respond.

“Anyway, it was nice meeting you, Cory!” Said Liam, and then forced his other hand inside his boxers as he pulled the bed sheet over him. “But I need to sleep now. Was up all night last night. Chicks, you know,” and started thrusting in the air.

Cory understood what he meant. He felt awkward as Liam started thrusting in the air. He had clearly taken his boxers off, because the tent he made with the sheet left nothing to the imagination.

“Alright, sleep well. I will go take a walk around.”

Cory closed the door behind him, and when he turned around, he saw two girls standing right outside his door.

“Hey, is Liam in there?”

“Yeah, he’s sleeping,” said Cory.

“Alone?” said the other girl and then they started giggling.

Again, Cory wasn’t sure what to say. One of the girls started banging the door.

“Open up, Liam!”

When Liam opened the door, Cory saw that he had a strip of condoms in his hand that he waved in front of the girls.

“These are flavored,” he said. “Who wants a banana-na-na?”

The girls went in and closed the door behind them, and Liam knew what was going to happen next. He left the dorm and walked out of the campus to see the area around. He wondered if coming to college was a good decision, because he was in the suburbs now and the town seemed like it was in the middle of nowhere. The life was quiet and peaceful, but also appeared very boring and dull. He walked to a small restaurant to have dinner and sat quietly as he ate alone. He spotted a few familiar faces, a group of guys that he’d seen in his college.

After dinner, he headed to a small bar nearby. The bar was nearly deserted. Whether it was because it was early, or because no one visited it, Cory wasn’t sure. He ordered gin, although he’d never had it before. He probably had it because he had seen so many gin bottles lying around in his room. Surprisingly, he liked the taste. It reminded him of the vacation he had taken with his family, of forests, and herbs and trees.

He was a bit buzzed and tipsy after a few drinks and decided to head back to his room. It was only 22:00, but he wanted to rest before starting classes the next day. He walked slowly, familiarizing himself with the town, looking at the new things he would soon grow accustomed to.