The Engineer (Batchelor Series #2)

36

I was standing in line at the campus printing shop, my arms crossed, trying to keep my irritation in check. The line was moving at a snail's pace, and I had an essay due tommorow. Typical.

The shop's printer always broke down, and it was always packed with students like me, cramming in last-minute printing. I sighed, watching the clock on my phone, feeling the time tick away.

I glanced around, spotting a few familiar faces from my class. But it wasn’t them that I was dreading. I knew someone else had been watching me lately. That someone who always seemed to show up wherever I was.

And just like that, speaking of the devil, I heard his voice.

"Drakon, what the hell are you doing?" Renz's voice came from behind, loud and clear. I didn’t even have to turn to know it was him. I could practically feel his grin radiating from across the room.

I groaned inwardly and turned my head slightly. There he was, standing like some sort of king surveying his subjects. He had that smug expression on his face, one that screamed trouble. Ano ba ginagawa ng burgis na 'to dito?

“What does it look like I’m doing, Renz?” I muttered, not really in the mood for his teasing. “I’m in line, trying to get my paper printed.”

He walked right up beside me, ignoring the glares of the people behind us. He leaned in close, voice lowering just enough so only I could hear. “You’re still using these ancient services? Seriously? I thought you were smarter than that.”

Edi s'ya na mayaman. Burgis ampt.

“Not everyone can afford a luxury setup at home, Renz,” I shot back, already annoyed by his tone. “Not all of us are swimming in money.”

Renz leaned back, arms crossed, his smirk widening. "Well, you’re not going to wait in line like this anymore. You’re coming with me."

I blinked at him, narrowing my eyes. “What are you talking about?”

Without another word, he grabbed my arm, pulling me out of the line. I struggled against his grip, trying not to make a scene, but he was persistent as always.

"Hoy, Renz, ano ba? Let go! Bukas na ang submission non." I hissed, but he didn’t let up.

We walked through campus, Renz acting like we weren’t attracting stares. He dragged me all the way to the parking lot, where his car was parked—his shiny, black luxury sedan. He popped open the passenger door, motioning for me to get in.

“Get in, Drakon. I’m taking you shopping,” he said, as if that explained everything.

I raised an eyebrow at him, not moving. “Shopping? For what?”

He just smiled. “For a new setup. You’re not going to be stuck using shitty campus printers anymore.”

I stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “You’re joking, right?”

But his expression didn’t change. “Nope. You need a proper computer, Drakon. I’m tired of seeing you in places like that,” he said, gesturing vaguely back toward the printing shop. "It’s embarrassing."

“For who?” I shot back. “Because it’s definitely not for me. I don’t need—”

“I do,” he cut me off, his voice taking on that familiar possessive edge. “You’re with me now, remember? You’re not waiting in lines. You’re not doing stuff like that anymore.”

I felt a surge of irritation rise in me. “Who said I’m with you? We’re not—”

“You are,” Renz interrupted again, his voice firm. “So get in the car.”

I hesitated, staring at him. This guy was impossible. He wasn’t asking—he was demanding. And the worst part? I knew there was no winning this argument. Renz never backed down once he decided something.

I sighed, getting into the car. “Fine. But don’t expect me to just accept whatever ridiculous thing you buy.”

He grinned, clearly satisfied with himself, and closed the door behind me. “Don’t worry, Drakon. You’re gonna love this.”

—

Forty-five minutes later, we were standing in front of one of the fanciest tech stores I had ever seen. It looked expensive even from the outside. I stared at the sleek glass windows, wondering just how much money Renz was planning to throw around.

We walked in, and the staff immediately swarmed us, probably recognizing Renz by now. He greeted them like it was nothing, like he was some sort of regular in this absurdly luxurious place.

“Alright, let’s get this started,” Renz said, walking straight to the display of high-end desktops and gaming setups. He didn’t even glance at the regular office setups, going straight for the top-of-the-line, best-of-the-best models.

“Renz, I don’t need all this—” I started, but he waved me off.

“Just trust me. You’ll be working faster, printing from home, doing all your projects with ease. You’ll thank me later,” he said, picking out a set that looked like it belonged in some professional gamer’s house.

I frowned, watching as he casually pointed at one of the setups. A custom-built desktop, dual monitors, mechanical keyboard, the works. “This is too much.”

Renz turned to me, that cocky smirk back on his face. “Nothing’s too much for you, Drakon.”

I was about to argue, but he handed the cashier his card before I could say another word. I just stood there, stunned, as the cashier finalized the transaction. Ano ba 'tong pinasukan ko? Pero okay na rin, kaysa sa mga babae n'ya mapunta.

When the transaction was done, Renz turned to me, looking too proud of himself. “There. Now you won’t ever have to line up again for printing. You’re welcome.”

I scowled at him, trying to ignore the flutter of something unfamiliar in my chest. “I didn’t ask for this.”

“I know,” he said simply, shrugging. “That’s why I got it for you.”

We carried the boxes out to the car, and the whole time, Renz didn’t stop teasing me. “You’ll love it once you set it up. Just imagine—you, sitting in front of that setup, thinking of me when you type.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”

But deep down, I knew I was screwed. Because he was right—now I was stuck thinking of him every time I’d use the damn thing.

Fuck. I'm literally whipped at him.