The listing deal from the village was an overwhelming success. I got a decent extractor home and didn't even need to pay a single coin.
I wanted to buy a computer right away and start creating videos, but a court date was near, and I needed to be ready. Besides, I had no idea which PC components were good in this world; I needed to take Sadie with me to buy a new computer.
So I just focused on creating content footage for my projects as imagination memory pieces.
I did go to a faraway tattoo shop the very next morning and had my coin-sized Amplification mark covered with a dark ring. Had to pay extra because it was at a sensitive place. The woman at the shop was in a daze the whole time she was touching my erect cock and even asked for my number afterward. I declined politely and left immediately.
On the ninth day after my initial expulsion, we were standing before the judge, presenting our documents. I saw the two rich mothers and a couple of other women in suits representing the academy. Only Jackson was present; no one else I knew from the academy was there. Not even the dean.
The judge heard our claims and gave us a week to present our evidence. At least the judge wasn't completely biased. The mail the academy sent me, demanding an apology and issuing an ultimatum, was proving very beneficial for me. Even the judge raised her eyebrows as she read it.
Verbal insults were not a valid reason for expulsion. The opposition lawyer had built her entire case on the argument that took place in the dean's office. They were saying I wouldn't listen to reason and apologize; instead, I said bad, disrespectful words to both mothers, Dean, and Jackson. They even claimed I threatened Jackson.
They said the expulsion thing was just an empty threat to get him to apologize.
Once the date was set, the two rich mothers stared at me as if I were their divorced husband. Trying their best to intimidate me. I simply smiled at them mockingly and walked away with my lawyer and Sophia on my side.
The only thing we were worried about was the judge dismissing the case right off the bat. With the mail, the chances of that happening were low but not zero. By allowing it to proceed further, Ryes and Cobroy had dug their own graves. The case was as good as won.
"Your poor money-making tricks will not work, brat." Mrs. Cobroy called out to me outside the court. "Hundreds before you have tried to take advantage of the rich and failed. 1 Million? You won't even get 1000 from me!"
"With your pretty face, you had potential. I hoped you wouldn't go through with it. But it's all over after this. Are you happy now?" One of the women representing the academy commented.
"Huh? You call yourselves an educational institute? What do you teach? How to act like a bitch and get away with it as long as you are loaded? Your academy is done for you bastards!" Sophia pushed me back and raised her finger towards the lady in the fancy suit, gnashing her teeth.
The anger in her voice was too real. I knew she cared for me, but for her to go this far.. I felt a strange warmth in my chest. Years ago, I had felt the same feeling when my friend stood with me against a school bully. I patted her back with a smile on my face, and she looked back at me in surprise.
"Let's just go," I said, "Words are meaningless to these people."
We returned to Sophia's car and drove away. Sophia was fuming for a while but eventually calmed down. Her phone rang twice, but she didn't pick up.
"Ben, I am sorry, but there is a lunch meeting I must attend. Do you want to tag along or want me to drop you near the subway station?"
"Won't you be late?"
"A few minutes are nothing,"
"Let's just go. I am not in a hurry to go back."
She glanced at me and continued driving in silence. The meeting place was a fancy restaurant opposite Sophia's cafe. When she parked, and I got out with her, she stared at me. I asked, "What?" But she just shook her head and continued walking. Only after getting in the lift from the basement did I realize she didn't expect me to join the dinner.
"Ah, I should wait in the car. Silly of me to not realize that.." I murmured.
"No, no, no.. You are fine. I'm just meeting an old friend, and I was just worried you might get bored. But you should eat as well, it's well past lunch time." Sophia patted my shoulder with a reassuring smile.
Well, as long as it wasn't an issue, I could indeed eat, so I decided to tag along. Sophia wore a silky, long green dress. The loose fabric clung to her body like a second skin, accentuating all her curves. Should have realized sooner that it was not a courtroom dress. The friend, or the couple waiting for us, wore beautiful, costly dresses as well.
The woman was slimmer and shorter compared to Sophia, with average-sized tits. Her frilly white top made her look younger than she really was. The makeup looked too fake. She was the same age as Sophia, in her 30s. The man beside her was anything but impressive. He was tightly fitted in a light pink suit; his tall, lanky figure was perfect for the sharp-jawlined, long face. His hair was thinning, but it was much better than Mel's.
"Oh, who is this handsome? Your son?" The lady asked after greeting Sophia.
"Ah, no.." Sophia glanced at me, not sure how to answer.
"A good friend," I replied with a welcoming smile.
Sophia smiled in reply, "Yes, a friend."
They talked about college, their common friends, each other's lives, and whatnot. I just silently ate the amazing wild mushroom ravioli in brown butter sauce. The husband was also focused on eating and said very little. Suddenly, in the middle of their discussion, the middle-aged man stared at me and said,
"Now I remember, you are that acting student who sued Ryes!"
I kept chewing, not sure what to do, and took a sip of my wine. "Yes,"
"This place is so rotten as always. Such blatant discrimination just because of a person's sexuality." Shophia's friend said to mitigate the awkwardness.
I remained silent. Sophia continued the conversation with less enthusiasm than before. I saw her gritting her teeth when the clueless husband opened his mouth again and asked me directly,
"Must be tough being gay in such a small town."
His own wife was staring at him with disbelief. I didn't care much, but there were a few signs that the guy was constantly irked by my presence. Nothing personal.. just jealousy of my young age. When no one said anything, I stared at the guy and replied,
"You are mistaken, sir. I am not gay, but bisexual."
To be honest, I am straight. But after getting so much sympathy because of my sexuality, I couldn't go telling people 'Actually, all that was a lie'. I added,
"There are only a select few good-looking and good-natured people that I like."
"Of course," The man replied and continued eating.
Conversations between the two women no longer flowed as naturally, and after a short while, everyone was full. No one ate the dessert, so we left early. Before leaving, Sophia and I stopped at her cafe; she had a few things to take care of, and I just looked around. It was quite a nice business.
Back in the car, she was driving me home. I offered to leave alone, but she was heading home anyway, perhaps to change. I was enjoying the passing view when Sophia suddenly asked,
"What you said back then.. was it real or not? You really like women?"
"It's true. The picture is of a time when I was trying something. Turns out I really do like women more than men."
"I always thought you didn't like us.." Sophia replied.
"You are the same, right? Being bi?" I asked.
She was surprised but did not show, "Not really.. I feel bad for Lin; she knew things weren't great between Mel and me. One day, she just offered, and I didn't say no. It's always her doing things; I have never done anything for her."
"Problems with Mel?" I added.
"Nothing, just ignore it." She had a sad smile.
"Come on now, you stood for me against the most powerful person in this city. Hearing your issues is the least I can do for you as a friend." I was goading her to hear some juicy gossip, but it was the truth as well.
"When we first started dating, Mel was already ten years older than me. Slowly, his interest in night activities decreased, but I am still.. active. He never denied me, but there is no.. passion anymore. He just stays there, letting me do whatever I want. We even talked about opening our marriage, I included Lin as an experiment with us, and still, he just wished to be done with it as soon as possible. It's not his fault.. but we eventually stopped doing anything. The sounds of youngsters make me feel things.. so that's how Lin and I started doing that shameful thing."