Chapter 6 He Is a Piggy Bank

As she walked past me, she deliberately lifted her chin, gave me a once-over, and let out a soft snort before sashaying over to Colin's side. I heard her put on a delicate tone and say, "Colin, you've been waiting long, haven't you? Sorry, I spent forever picking out an outfit. Do you think this looks good?" She even did a little twirl as she spoke. What a pretentious woman, I cursed inwardly. To be fair, Tiffany's looks were above average. With makeup, she could be considered beautiful, though her philtrum was a bit long, and her tall frame with broad bones made her look more mature than her actual age. Still, she had a great figure—slim waist, full chest—her tight dress hugging every curve. Compared to her, I felt a little dejected. She had more money and a better body. No wonder Colin's feelings had changed. I couldn't be bothered to watch her flaunt her relationship, so I turned to head upstairs. But then I heard her say, "Colin, did you see what she was wearing just now? That outfit must've cost at least 8,000. And yet, the clothes she bought for you were only a few hundred per piece. To think you stayed with her for three years ... Come on, let's get you some new shoes today." I suddenly didn't feel like holding back anymore. Turning around, I let out a cold laugh. "That's right. Excluding gifts, I lent him half my living expenses every month—450 dollars a month. In three years, that's more than 15,000. Since you're so eager to take care of him, why don't you settle his debt while you're at it? You love him so much—surely you wouldn't mind such a small amount." Colin's face instantly turned red. To protect his pride, I'd never told anyone about covering half his living expenses every month—except for Yara. Everyone was stunned by my outburst; even Tiffany looked surprised. The classmates around us, upon hearing my words, started looking at Colin differently. As the school heartthrob, he was well-known, but no one had ever realized that I had been covering his living expenses all this time. Colin and I had been classmates since junior high school. He was not only good-looking but also a top student—practically the dream guy that every girl secretly admired. Meanwhile, I was short, hit puberty late, and my grades were only above average. I never even dared to imagine that he would like me. I was just one of the many who secretly had a crush on him. He came from a single-parent household, living with his mother and younger sister in an old, run-down apartment. Every year, the school showcased him as an inspirational figure. During the end-of-year assemblies, he'd stand on stage giving speeches while the girls in the audience gazed at him with starry eyes. Then, after the SAT, he suddenly approached me. "Marcella, I've actually had a crush on you for a long time. If you're willing to be my girlfriend, I want us to go to the same university together. Would you?" I had always been a sucker for good looks; I even picked fruit based on how pretty they were. And Colin? He was tall and lean, resembling a tragic yet beautiful character from a novel. His confession felt like winning the lottery. No, more like being hit by a five-million-dollar jackpot. I was so happy I nearly lost my mind. "I do! Of course, I do!" My tone was so earnest, it sounded like I was taking a wedding vow. "I applied for Agreste University's fashion design program. You haven't submitted your application yet, right?" "Well, then I'll apply for Agreste University's computer science program. We'll stay schoolmates," he said. Then, in a softer voice, he added, "And if possible, I'd like for us to get engaged after we graduate." His smile was so warm under the sunlight that it nearly melted my heart. Back then, I felt like the heavens had truly favored me. I had been doted on by my parents since I was little—my dad ran a small clothing factory. We weren't filthy rich, but we always lived comfortably without worries. My grades had always been average, and I had only expected to get into a second-rate university. But somehow, I performed beyond my usual level in the entrance exams and barely scraped past Agrete University's admission cutoff. Later, I asked Colin, "If I hadn't done well and could only get into a second-rate university, would you still have applied to the same school as me?" He had simply smiled and said gently, "Marcella, there's no 'if' in life. Just remember that I chose Agrete University for you." Yeah, he applied to Agrete University for me. For three years, plenty of girls had chased after him, but he never wavered. My roommates all envied me for having such a loyal, devoted school heartthrob as my boyfriend. Yet it only took Tiffany three months to win him over. That was when I finally realized—his so-called devotion had only existed because he hadn't met someone better. My family's annual income of 200,000 to 250,000 was considered excellent in our small town. But in Agreste, a global metropolis, it was barely enough to make a splash. Rumors at school said that Tiffany was the only daughter of Agreste's richest tycoon. It was probably true. If Colin married her, he wouldn't need to struggle. He'd instantly reach a level most people could never attain in their lifetime. Now that I had exposed the fact that Colin had relied on my support for three years, people around us started whispering and pointing at him. He shot me a venomous look, but I couldn't care less. "Colin, do you really owe her 15,000 dollars?" Tiffany asked in surprise. He really is a top student—his reaction was quick. With a guilty expression, he said to me, "Marcella, we grew up together. You know my family's situation. My mom has been raising my sister and me on her own, and it hasn't been easy. I'm truly grateful for everything you've done for me over the past three years, but I've always seen you as family." "I promised that I'd pay you back after graduation, but now, just because I fell in love with Tiffany, you're forcing me to return the money immediately? That really hurts me. I can't go against my conscience and give up on my love for Tiffany just because I owe you money." As he finished speaking, he cast a deep, affectionate gaze at Tiffany and took her hand. "I know the difference between gratitude and love." I couldn't help but laugh in exasperation—turns out, being a manipulative flirt isn't exclusive to women; men can do it too. I didn't even want to say anything more to him. "Three years and three months, a total of 17,550 dollars. I'm sure your girlfriend wouldn't want any lingering ties between us, so how about she pays it back for you? Then we'll be even. What do you think?"