Chapter 22: Chapter 15: Dollars and Signs

Vell’s trio of roommates sat arrayed before Lee in a tight triangle. After getting the biggest of the confessions out of the way, Lee had figured it was only fair that everyone in their group of friends knew the truth.

“So you’re super rich,” Cane said.

“In simple terms, yes,” Lee said.

“Wait, was this supposed to be a secret?” Renard said.

“Was it...not?” Lee asked.

“You and your parents used to come to my parent’s restaurant all the time,” Renard said. “I saw you at least once a year.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t recall,” Lee said. Her parents had visited Parisian restaurants quite frequently, so there were many possible places she and Renard may have crossed paths.

“Oh yeah I was in the kitchen, you probably didn’t see me ever,” Renard said.

“Well, thank you for not saying anything, then,” Lee said.

“I figured if it was important somebody would’ve mentioned it.”

All present nodded in unison. That sounded like Renard. Luke crossed his legs and got to the real matter at hand.

“So, Lee, I don’t ever want to give you the impression that we are only interested in you for your money,” Luke said. “We love and appreciate you as a person.”

Lee nodded gratefully, and Luke continued.

“You are, however, buying drinks from now on.”

“Understandable,” Lee said. “Would you like a drink tonight?”

“No, that’s fine,” Luke said. Cane nearly said something to the contrary, but Luke elbowed him in the ribs.

“Are you sure? I was contemplating asking for some money regardless. I usually donate it to a charity I feel my father would disapprove of, but if there’s anything you want or need I’d happily help.”

Luke bit his tongue.

“I really don’t want to take advantage of you,” he insisted.

“Oh it’s not taking advantage of me, it’s taking advantage of my father, which everyone can and should do,” Lee said. “I appreciate you trying to be conscientious, but- you know what, just a moment.”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Lee stood up and pulled her phone out of her purse. Cane tried to act casual. Vell put his hand on his chin and waited.

Lee pressed the phone against her ear, and her demeanor changed in an instant. She stood upright, her posture stiff as a board, and held her arms close by her sides with equally wooden rigidity. She balanced on her toes and strode lightly across the room as she spoke.

“Hello Father,” she said, in a voice even more British and more artificially cheery than Vell had ever heard. “My friends and I were thinking of taking a ski trip to Colorado on the next monthly break, and I was wondering-”

Lee was cut off as her father started speaking words none of them could hear. Cane leaned a little closer, trying to eavesdrop, but his attempt failed.

“Yes, some of them are working on potentially profitable- Well, yes, I know Switzerland has better ski resorts, Father, but- Yes of course I remember, networking is important,” Lee said. “Yes of course. No, that’s fine. That’ll be fine. Thank you so much. I love you Daddy.”

Lee pulled the phone away from her ear and made a violent retching noise, to the point Vell was genuinely concerned she was about to vomit all over their dorm. Her mock disgust eventually got reined in, and she pulled up her phone and started scrolling through apps.

“So. My father just sent me forty thousand dollars.”

Cane bit his tongue hard enough to draw blood.

“Joan, name a charity,” Lee said.

“Aktion Mensch.”

Lee pressed two buttons.

“Beep boop,” she narrated. “Thirty thousand dollars to them. Now, who has ideas on how to spend the remaining ten?”

A profound silence fell upon the room. Everyone knew how they secretly wanted to spend ten-thousand dollars, but fewer people were certain how they wanted to publicly spend ten-thousand dollars.

“Well shit man, now I feel weird about not giving the rest of it to charity too,” Cane said. At times like this he really hated having a conscience.

“Come on guys, there’s a lot of way to spend money and get something out of it that’s still productive for everyone,” Renard said. “We can patronize online startups and other small businesses.”

“Yeah, but mom and pop don’t make Playstations,” Cane said. Lee tapped her phone several times.

“Playstation for Cane, anyone else?”

Cane held up his hands as if to signal that he had not, technically, asked for it, and was therefore guiltless. He had, however, broken the ice, and everyone present started making suggestions on how best to abuse the newfound wealth.

----------------------------------------

After a minor spending spree by his roommates, Vell had joined Harley to make what he considered to be the more significant revelation. He was keeping his undead nature from his roommates for now, but he could no longer keep it from Leanne. If they were going to be working together, Leanne needed to know the whole truth.

“And that’s about all I know,” Vell said, concluding his explanation. “The only clue I have is that rune on my back, but I’ve got no idea what it means.”

Leanne stared blankly at Vell, blinked twice, and then gave a thumbs up.

“Okay. Uh. Do you, like, have questions?”

Leanne shook her head.

“You’re taking this very well.”

“She’s been in the loops for four years, man, she’s probably seen weirder shit than this,” Harley said. Leanne nodded in agreement. Then she stood up, gave Vell a pat on the shoulder, and walked away. About two steps around the corner, Leanne quietly mouthed the words “what the fuck” and then started walking away faster.