I’m going to marry the one who gives me a son, Max said, grinning like hed just read the headline of a tabloid.
What’s there to inherit, Mr. Sultan? So we all rush off to be his little brides, like in those Turkish dramas, snorted Tessa, rolling her eyes.
Like a sagging sofa and half of mums old council flat, obviously, chimed in Lena, her tone flat as a Manchester drizzle.
Pretty bracelet, Dasha muttered, though shed heard that line a dozen times already.
She didnt want to hear it while she was washing her hands in the washroom, checking her reflection to make sure the lipstick and mascara shed slapped on that morning were still intact she wasnt sure theyd survive past the third lecture.
Thanks, she said politely, even though the comment had grown stale.
Where do you all get these things? asked a freshman, clearly still figuring out the course catalogue.
Its handmade, Dasha answered casually. A gift from a lad not precious metal, but unique. You wont find anything like it elsewhere.
Actually Ive seen two of those today, piped in Zoe, looking puzzled.
No way, Dasha raised an eyebrow. You must be mixing them up. Maybe theyre just similar. I suspect Max didnt design them from scratch; probably copied a template off the internet and added a few tweaks.
A rookie jeweller would struggle to pull that off without a proper guide, relying only on gut feeling.
No, theyre spoton, Lena insisted. Im sure of it. My classmates boyfriend gave her that one. Hes not rich, but he came up with something clever, and she loves it.
Tell me about him. Whats his name?
Max, of course.
Have you seen him?
Not in person, no, but Lena showed us the photos when she was bragging, the sophomore went on, oblivious to Dashas shifting mood.
She unlocked her phone and held up a picture on the lock screen.
This Max?
Oh the girls face went pale; she realized where the wind was blowing and fell silent.
Dont worry, Im not going to do anything to you or Lena. But with Max, I think the conversation will be a bit different. By the way, who else has that bracelet? Maybe the same Don Juans been handing them out, and we should warn the girls theyre not the only ones.
I dont really know her, the girl admitted. Shes just a flashinthepan around campus, probably from the upper years, but I have no idea which department or group.
Alright, if you spot anyone else with those bracelets, send them my way for a chat Im a thirdyear economics student.
I cant promise theyll listen to me, but Ill pass the info along if I hear anything, the girl promised.
And she kept her word by the end of the day four more girls approached Dasha.
All from different courses and faculties, as if Max had deliberately picked them so theyd never cross paths or learn about each other.
He hadnt counted on the fact that once they received the intricate jewellery, theyd all wear it to lectures, and any nosy onlooker would spot the matching bracelets.
Whats this now, a weekly schedule? Monday me, Tuesday you, Wednesday her, and the rest of the week? complained firstyear Marissa, deadpan.
Thatd make seven of us, added the psychology freshman, unfazed. She seemed to have the thickskinned resilience needed for her future profession, not sighing like Lena or overanalyzing like Dasha.
Fourthyear Angelica had already called her mum, three sisters, two brothers and even a distant aunt, venting the same tired lines about mens nature.
The girls didnt quarrel none of them even knew the other four existed. They all blamed their limited meetups on Maxs hectic schedule; between lectures, parttime jobs and exams, a weekly facetoface seemed reasonable.
Max had moved to their town earlier that year for work, so the whole thing had only just begun.
Now the question was what to do about it. They all agreed they couldnt beat him up, but they could give him a proper embarrassment.
Lets plan a little showdown, they decided in unison.
Marissa, being the toughest, was appointed the executioner, the one to lead the victim into the unexpected gathering.
Since tomorrow was supposedly her day, they didnt have to wait long to set the plan in motion.
***
Hey, mouse, long time no see, Max greeted, as he always did, when he opened the door of the café.
She wrapped her arms around him as usual, then tugged his hand toward the doorway, saying there was no point standing out in the cold.
Inside, four chosen ones were already waiting at the first table, each with the freshly gifted bracelet laid out in front of them.
Well, look whos here, Casanova, Dasha sneered as Max, looking a bit flustered, tried to make a joke.
Tell us, how do you plan to marry all of us when the law only allows one wife? Were you thinking wed all line up for your harem? Tessa jabbed, twirling a fork like a makeshift dagger.
Actually, I was thinking Id marry the one who gives me a son, Max replied, a little defensive. Its the most important thing for a bloke an heir to carry on the family name.
What inheritance are you after, Mr. Sultan, that we should be sprinting to become your bridetobe, like in those Turkish soaps? Tessa repeated, mocking.
Half a sagging sofa and mums council flat, obviously, Lena added dryly. Congrats, youre now the towns hero. Ill upload the video tonight to my socials and the uni group wherever it needs to go.
You have no right, Max shouted.
I do. Filming in public spaces is allowed, regardless of your wishes. Your face might be blurred, but Ill make sure everyone knows who you are.
Future solicitor, I see, Marissa said quietly, her psychologist instincts kicking in. Id advise you to sort out your mental health before you start courting any girls.
Just give me a son, mate. Get an implant and keep the baby factory running, and stay away from the girls with your dodgy moves.
At that moment, Tessa accidentally knocked a steaming coffee onto Maxs lap. Oops, sorry! she stammered, looking mortified. The girls considered their petty revenge complete.
Word spread like wildfire through the town of fifty thousand, and Maxs reputation went downhill fast. He didnt stand a chance in that little community unless he moved somewhere else for work.
In the end, Tessa, Marissa, Angelica, Lena and Dasha became good friends. They each found better guys than Max, and life turned out for the best.
All that because of a few unique bracelets a little brainpower might have saved the wouldbe Sultan a lot of trouble.
