Chapter 654 - Back on campus

Later that morning, Sarah and Aiden went to do last checks of their dorm rooms and get any items that were still left behind before returning the keys.

Graduation is tomorrow and they don't want to leave this task for the last day. If they don't return their keys by graduation, they will need to pay penalty fees.

Two of them went first to Aiden's room.

He told her it will take only few minutes, but Sarah was not willing to wait outside and she was curious about men's dorm.

With permission from the resident advisor, she joined Aiden inside. They passed through common living area before reaching elevator to go up to the fourth floor where his room is. Of course, two of them attracted gazes of five guys who were lounging in the common area. Hallway on the fourth floor was empty. She thought it's not so bad and didn't understand why Aiden said that it's better if she does not go in.

Aiden's room was clean with no personal belongings. He told her that he never had there more than three changes of clothes, basic toiletries and two laptops which he packed long time ago. Even the bathroom was completely empty. He still did a last check just to make sure nothing is left behind before locking the door of his room for the last time.

Way out of the building was much livelier, because it seems that word was spread around that Aiden got a girl up to his room. That piece of news started either from those five guys they met on their way in or from resident advisor. Possibly from all of them. Sarah was surprised that common area on the main floor was packed and all the guys present were openly curious about her. Aiden internally facepalmed and pulled Sarah close to him while walking out.

Luckily, guys present didn't cause a scene, but whispers became much louder as soon as Aiden and Sarah stepped outside.

Sarah wanted to ask what that was about but decided that it's better if she does not know. It's probably some guys thing and she will be disgusted if she knows about it.

Aiden joined Sarah to her room, and their experience was similar with few exceptions: Sarah still found two full boxes of personal belongings.

She was shocked to see how many of her things lingered behind.

"I could swear that last time I cleaned up this place! I believe that someone came and returned my things back… that is the only reasonable explanation for all this…", Sarah grumbled while packing things.

Aiden laughed. He sat on the bed and enjoyed watching her while repeatedly refusing to help her pack things. "No rush… take your time. I packed mine, you pack yours."

"Don't forget this…", he handed her a book which was flat on the top of the bookshelf.

"Oh…", Sarah absentmindedly smiled while looking at the worn out pages of 'Anna Karenina'. "I read this so many times and used it as a deterrent for nosy people… I didn't use it at all since two of us are together."

Aiden looked at her with a complex expression. "Did you indirectly call me a deterrent?"

Sarah laughed.

Seeing his reaction, she didn't dare tell him that he is the strongest deterrent ever. Did he miss the part that when he is with her no guys approach her?

On the way out, he carried her boxes while Sarah internally facepalmed due to all young women in the common area who obviously gathered only to get a good look at Aiden. She wanted to slap silly all those shameless women.

'This Greek God is mine, alright!?' , Sarah huffed internally. The only good things about the whole situation were that they passed through that common area rather quickly and that view of him was mostly blocked by the boxes he was carrying.

They returned their keys in the office located in the main administrative building of the University.

On the way out, Sarah stood in front of the bulletin board and observed posts. She remembered that she found numerous jobs here, including the one that Aiden gave her… and they never finished work on that project because he made it up only to get close to her.

Sarah glanced at Aiden. "Thinking about that project… you never paid me."

He frowned slightly. "You want $200? You didn't finish the work!"

"I finished my parts. Your parts are missing and integration…" Sarah glanced around, making sure no one is close by. She lowered her voice: "…I see that you are a stingy man, and not willing to part with your money. How about you pay me with your body?"

Aiden was entertained seeing that Sarah is playful. He pinched her nose. "Young lady, is that what you think of me? Just how do you see me?"

Sarah showed a mischievous smile. "I see you as a walking-talking pleasure factory, and I will gladly accept your… services in exchange for money."

Aiden laughed. He observed that since they are 'holding back their urges' Sarah is much better at openly flirting with him. He likes that. "I will keep that in mind. In the meantime, how about one last lunch in the cafeteria?"

Sarah could not refuse such request.

Two of them enjoyed lunch and remembered sweet moments they shared in this cafeteria.

Sarah almost choked on a potato when she spotted a familiar person.

Vivian passed right by their table and casually glanced at them without stopping her steps. Her gaze paused on Aiden, but it was more like 'good looking guy' than 'I know this guy'. Vivian's eyes were vacant and there was no trace that she knows who two of them are.

"Why does it look like she does not recognize us?", Sarah asked when Vivian was out of the earshot.

Aiden was confused just like Sarah. "After we left her there… Your mom took care of her, right?"

Sarah was not sure how to respond to this. Stella said that she will take care of everything, but Sarah never asked her mother what that means. She didn't want to know.

Sarah pulled her laptop and hacked into student records to see information about Vivian. "She is repeating courses… also… she was absent for two months due to car accident… and she has amnesia."

"Stella is arriving in the evening, right? We can ask during dinner.", Aiden suggested.

Sarah was hoping that they don't need to talk to Stella. Ever since she refused to share information related to King, Sarah is reserved toward her mother, and hopes that they don't need to depend on her for anything. "If there is anything I would ask my mom, that would be why did she spare her. We can look into hospital records where she was admitted and find out more details. Her student record contains notes from the University nurse, and it has information that Vivian spent three weeks in Municipal North Hope Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. It also has contact information for the doctor who diagnosed her amnesia."

Aiden frowned. "Iowa? That is a long way from here. How did she get there?"

Sarah shrugged. "Does it matter?"

"Not really. I thought you want to know." Aiden admitted.

Sarah shook her head. "She is not my friend. She never was. Considering what she wanted to do to me, why would I care about her?"

Even thought Sarah spoke in a cold voice, Aiden can notice sadness in her eyes. He knows that she really trusted Vivian and that Vivian's betrayal hurt her deeply. Aiden reached over the table and held Sarah's hand, unsure how to comfort her.