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Novel Catalog
Chapter 13
Mentor?
The group turned to see who Kay Steele was talking to, and all eyes widened in astonishment when they realized it was Bonnie.
Bonnie, unbothered by the stares, recognized Kay instantly. Kay was the girl who had begged to learn kickboxing from her, though Bonnie had refused.
“Just give up, okay? I’m not going to teach you anything,” Bonnie had told her before.
But now, Kay was staring at her with wide, desperate eyes. “Come on. I promise I’ll be a good student. Please? I’m begging you!”
Everyone—including Dwayne—stared in shock. Was this really the VVIP who had intimidated Dwayne, begging Bonnie for something?
Dwayne hesitated, still trying to make sense of it all. “Your mentor?”
“What’s this about, Ms. Kay? Why do you want her to be your mentor?” he asked, his voice tentative.
Kay rolled her eyes at him, dismissing his question as if he were beneath her. “It’s none of your goddamn business!”
Turning back to Bonnie, she continued to plead, “Please, Ms. Bonnie. If you agree to mentor me, I’ll do anything you say.”
Her sudden shift in attitude only added to the tension in the room. It was clear she had no regard for Dwayne anymore.
Bonnie didn’t immediately respond, her expression unreadable as she gave Kay a long, appraising look. “I told you already, I’m not taking students.”
Kay’s face fell at Bonnie’s words, but she quickly regrouped. “Are you here for karaoke? Why don’t you join us?” she asked, clearly trying to change the subject.
Bonnie glanced over at Sacha, who had been uncharacteristically quiet since they arrived.
Kay shot Sacha a pointed look. Sacha, visibly uncomfortable, forced a smile and responded, “Since Ms. Kay has invited us to join her, why not?”
Kay chuckled, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “She said yes, Ms. Bonnie.”
“Alright then,” Bonnie said, reluctantly sitting down next to Kay, who wasted no time talking Bonnie’s ear off.
Sacha’s smile faltered as the attention seemed to shift entirely to Bonnie. After all, it was her birthday, and yet it was Bonnie who was getting all the focus.
“Are you okay, Sacha?” Tilda asked, noticing the change in her mood.
Sacha, playing the victim, shook her head dramatically. Tears welled up in her eyes. “I’m fine.”
But anyone who was paying attention could tell she wasn’t fine at all.
The group of Sacha’s friends whispered among themselves, clearly annoyed.
“Bonnie is so inconsiderate! She knows it’s Sacha’s birthday, but she’s trying to steal the limelight,” one of them muttered.
“But why would Bonnie know a VVIP like Ms. Kay?” another wondered.
“She must have done something shady to meet her, of course. What a conniving, shameless bitch!” one of them spat.
Kay, hearing the whispers, wasn’t about to let them get away with it. She stood up abruptly and shot the group a fiery glare.
“Hey, assholes! If it weren’t for Ms. Bonnie, you wouldn’t even be able to have your party here!” she snapped.
The others, caught off guard by her outburst, lowered their heads in awkward silence.
Kay turned back to Bonnie, her mood visibly lightened. “Do you mind if I kick them out?” she asked, a wicked grin forming on her lips.
Bonnie raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Go ahead.”
Sacha, fuming now, finally spoke up. “How could you, Bonnie? They were just talking. Don’t be so petty.”
Bonnie smiled sweetly at her. “You’re done? Good. You can leave now. You too, Dwayne.”
Dwayne and the others gaped at her, disbelief and frustration written across their faces.
“Hey, what are you waiting for? Get lost!” Kay waved her hand, and a couple of bodyguards stepped forward, signaling the end of their stay.
Dwayne and the rest of Sacha’s group quickly hurried out of the room, muttering curses under their breath.
Once they were gone, Kay turned back to Bonnie, her excitement palpable. “Do you like the way I handled that?”
Bonnie chuckled. “Thanks for getting rid of them. I don’t like to owe anyone favors.”
“So, will you mentor me?” Kay asked, her voice full of hope.
Bonnie leaned back in her chair, thinking for a moment. “I need to check with the guy who taught me kickboxing first.”
“Who is he? I bet he’s a master!” Kay asked eagerly.
Bonnie’s expression softened a little. “His last name is Burns. He lives in the mountains.”
Kay’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you talking about Cary Burns, the guy who’s over a hundred years old?”
“Uh-huh,” Bonnie confirmed.
“Oh my God! He’s the greatest kickboxer in the country! So that’s why you’re so good! I heard that all his students are kickboxing experts,” Kay gushed.
At that moment, Bonnie’s phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Cary.
“I don’t mind if you start teaching,” the message read.
Kay craned her neck to look at the screen, her excitement reaching a new level. She jumped up in shock when she saw the message.
The phone dinged again as another message from Cary popped up. “My second student has just returned to Arvandor. You should meet up with her.”
Bonnie furrowed her brow. “His second student? I’ve never met her before. I’ve only heard that she’s an amazing kickboxer.”
“Okay, I’ll go see her when I’m free,” Bonnie said, her curiosity piqued.
With that, she agreed to teach Kay kickboxing, though she wasn’t sure yet what to expect from Cary’s mysterious second student.
The 28th arrived, and the press conference for the new nanomaterial was about to begin.
Bonnie arrived at the venue early, the air thick with anticipation. She was about to head backstage when Vera intercepted her.
“Bonnie? How on earth did you get in here? You didn’t sneak in, did you?” Vera asked, her tone sharp.
Vera’s worry was evident. “You should leave right now. Ms. Bonita and her team will be holding the press conference here later. This is no place for you to fool around.”
“I didn’t sneak in,” Bonnie replied coolly.
She needed to get backstage quickly. Industry leaders were filing in, and reporters were ready with their cameras and microphones. As the leader of the research team, Bonnie had a speech to give.
Vera scowled, still not convinced. “Why do you lie so much? You—”
Before she could finish, the host’s voice rang out from the stage.
“The press conference is about to begin. Please take your seats, ladies and gentlemen.”
As the VIPs took their seats, Vera glared at Bonnie.
“What are you standing there for? Go find a seat!” she snapped.
Bonnie frowned, unimpressed. “I have things to do.”
Vera tugged at her wrist, trying to pull her toward the seats. “Just come with me!”
Bonnie shook her head, her patience thinning. “I have things to do, Vera.”
“Just come with me!” Vera repeated, ignoring Bonnie’s protests.
“Why are you still standing here? Go find a seat!” the host called again.
Bonnie sighed. She was not in the mood for any more interruptions today.
As the host continued his announcements, Bonnie braced herself for what was about to come. This press conference wasn’t going to be like any other.