The Rubicon

Harley

It's so annoying when someone sits at your table without permission, when you are purposely avoiding everyone.

I was studying the computer screen in front of me and not really looking around, so I was surprised when he sat down across from me. I looked up from my screen and then was doubly confused. The man sitting there didn’t seem to belong here, nor was he welcome, honestly.

I was a freshman and I’d just arrived on campus earlier today. Tomorrow was the official freshman meet-and-greet shit, but tonight I had just wanted to check out a local coffee shop and start getting some things lined up. That meant going over course syllabi, making sure I knew where buildings were, and sending an e-mail to my best friend telling her about my dorm room and all of that.

The coffee shop had been rather full of students; some looked like a fish out of water, rather like myself, and then some looked like they knew what they were doing and where they were going, and were very obviously upperclassmen.

I hadn’t engaged anyone in conversation after I had grabbed a cup of coffee; rather, I’d decided to just be a silent observer tonight. So, I’d found a small booth off in the back corner away from everyone to not encourage conversation. This way, I was also in a prime location just to watch and not engage.

Now, however, it seemed as if someone had decided he would engage me anyway. I was extremely confused, though. This was no student. He was older, had an air of sophistication about him, not to mention a killer, seemingly way too expensive suit on. His hair was immaculate, and he had a very well-groomed beard. His chocolate brown hair was the proper business length and combed in a side part with a swept-back top. His cerulean blue eyes were boring into me in a rather unnerving way, honestly.

“Ah, can I help you?” He grinned at that, and I had no clue why.

“I am very sure you can help me; the question is, will you?” That just confused me all the more.

“I am sorry, I’m not sure what you are talking about. I’m new here, and this is my very first day, in fact. I am a freshman, so I wouldn't be able to give you any information really.” I thought maybe he would nod and get up, leaving me in peace once again.

Instead, his smile seemed to grow. “Oh, I’m not seeking out knowledge of the school. I know enough of that. No, the information that I would like is your name.”

“You want to know my name? Why?” I was genuinely confused. I was not anywhere close to this guy’s type, so why was he wanting my name?

“Yes, I very much want to know your name, well, to start with.” I tilted my head at him and thought about that. I thought he was full of shit but couldn’t figure out if it would be a problem to tell him my name.

“My name is Harley.” He nodded.

“Your last name would be what, Harley?” I shook my head.

“Look, I have no clue who you are or why you are talking to me, but my first name is far more than enough. I’m not interested in anything you might be offering, and I just want to finish this e-mail to my best friend.” He smiled a bit more at me.

“Oh, Harley, I can assure you that I very much want to talk to you. You may think you are not interested, but I have a feeling that will change. Since you are new and all of that, I’ll let you get back to what you are doing right now. I’ll be seeing you around, Harley.” With that, he left just as abruptly as he’d come over here.

I shook my head and went back to my computer screen, sure that I would never lay eyes on Mr. Handsome but creepy again. He very much didn’t seem like he’d be someone who would be in the places I would normally be while attending college, so I just blew it off. I was the very last girl who would ever interest a guy like that. I hadn’t even interested the normal boys in High School, so this was way out of my league.

Cooper

I couldn’t even tell you why she originally caught my eye. Perhaps it had more to do with her unusual color of hair. Her hair was a deep vibrant red, but not the kind that came from a box. No, I would bet money that was all natural, and money was something I didn’t lose.

When she’d walked by, my eyes had been drawn to her, and I found myself unable to look away. Normally, she would not be anything like I would be the least interested in. The women I surrounded myself with were sleek, elegant, and sophisticated. I wasn’t interested in anything that wasn’t simple physical gratification, so they had to be very aware of that from the beginning. I didn’t do attachments.

So, what in the hell was it about this young woman that drew me to her so thoroughly? She hadn’t flirted with me at all. In fact, the opposite seemed to be true. She’d looked me over, but I hadn’t seen lust or dollar signs light up her eyes like I usually would. Of course she didn’t seem to know who I was either. She had no clue I was one of the richest men in the world, so perhaps if she’d known that, the results of my sitting in front of her would have been different.

One thing I knew was that I fully intended to find out. She had intrigued me, and I was curious. I didn’t deny my curiosities; I thoroughly indulged in them. So, Harley would most definitely be seeing me again, and probably much sooner than she thought.

I was, after all, a major financial backer of the college. So, my popping in to see the new class of freshmen for orientation would not be frowned upon. In fact, I had a feeling that the administration would be falling all over themselves to accommodate me. They usually did. Everyone did when you were as rich as I was. Tomorrow would be no different.

Therefore, I would be seeing Harley there, no doubt. She very much seemed like the type of girl who would attend such an event to get all of the information she would need to be successful in her new environment. So, tomorrow, I would find out much more about her one way or another. Once I had her last name, I’d be able to have my head of security, Duncan, run a full background check on her.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Harley.” I smiled as I climbed into the back of my limo and had my driver continue home.