Corruption

Lily and TJ

TJ was named after the first letters of his parents' names. Taylor and Jason Carmen, the wealthiest business people in the entire city. They only decided on having one child and, to the husband's delight, it was a son. They were the prime examples of what business people should be like and those qualities shone brightly through their business and their son. 

In short, they were ruthless, carefree and egotistical. However, they understand that hard work will take people places and want that in their son. Even though their son has never had to work for anything in his life and will never have to work for anything for the rest of his life. Not even relationships. With the collective genes of his parents, girls practically fall to their knees if he smiles at them. A wink would just end their lives.

His caramel skin and smooth, straight hair contrasted very well with his bright blue eyes. All packed with a sharp jawline, deep voice and muscular figure and there was something for the girls to go wild about. He just about had the style of rich and poor combined, with his designer hoodie and ripped jeans, only someone who knew designer brands and knew he lived on the rich side would recognise him. 

When he joined combined school, he knew that William Apex would be there. If he could convince him to ask his parents to make a medical-business partnership, not only will TJ's parents be proud, TJ would be allowed to take over the business once his parents pass away. It wasn't going to happen originally but they allowed it if he could complete this one task. 

"So, William Apex, right?" TJ asked, taking a seat next to him during their morning break.

"Yes. I presume you are TJ Carmen" William replied, not looking up from the book he was reading.

"Wow, I'm honoured. The son of the Apexs knows me?" He replied, plastering shock on his usually smug face.

"What do you want?" William said, sighing a bit.

"Listen, my friend, I was wondering-

"Since when were we friends? I never signed up to that" William cut him off.

TJ's right eyebrow twitched in slight anger, but his smile remained plastered on his face. "You didn't let me finish. I was thinking about that, to be honest"

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, like most things, a business sometimes needs more than the company it already has. Collaborations are the collective keys to success, my father always said. In this scenario, a friendship must be made in order to rise above the rest of the school" TJ explained.

"And what if I refuse?" William still didn't look up at him.

"If you really wish to deal with millions of crazy fangirls and annoying people the entire time you're here then be my guest. Mind you, we are completely alone now that I am here"

William looked around to find that TJ was correct. Everyone that was surrounding him before had fled, shaking in their seats.

"That's the problem with being too famous. You see, they don't respect your boundaries so they hover around you like bees to a hive. With me around, you won't have to worry about that ever again" TJ grinned.

"TJ, this may be a business partnership that I would not mind having. On one condition" William seemingly glared into TJ's soul, TJ cracked a smile.

"That condition being...?"

"Don't call it a business partnership" 

"No problem, William" TJ beamed. 

No problem at all.

Their next class was an English class. TJ took his seat next to William and, like mice to a sleeping cat, the crowd dispersed. William still didn't smile. He didn't want to give anyone the opportunity to hurt him, in any way. Then he was plunged into the world of his own mind. All he could see was red. All around him, fiery, scorching red blazed and burned in front of him.