Chapter 6:
Ace's Point of View....
I am currently packing all my belongings in my bag. Notebooks and thick books. The smile on my lips won't disappear as I recall the kiss on my cheek from Zein.
Unexpected kiss from her is damn better than requested one. I want to be surprised, again.
"Ace, I'm leaving first." Matt said goodbye, clearly excited.
I just nodded because I haven't finished arranging my things yet and almost all my classmates have left. Only I remain inside.
I stretched my arms as I let out a heavy sigh of relief. Finally, this day is over and I want to see her again. I want my stress reliever.
I turned back. The dark outside greeted me. I just shook my head before putting my bag on my back.
Shit!
I just shook my head again when I remembered she might have been waiting at the waiting shed for a while now. She might be pouting now with her arms crossed.
I laughed while imagining her face but the smiles quickly disappeared when I found no one at the waiting shed.
Where is she?
"You're still here after all."
The expression on my face quickly vanished as I blankly stared at Cedric who was standing in front of me with both his hands inside the pocket of his pants.
I didn't bother to respond. I just briefly looked around with my two eyes, hoping to see her, but she really wasn't there. I couldn't see any trace of her.
"Are you waiting for Zein?"
I faced him with a smirk on my lips. "Right. Did you see her?" I asked.
There's nothing wrong with asking this guy because maybe he saw her. He's the President of the SSC so he's likely one of the last students to leave this university.
He frowned. "Uh? Earlier but she was in a hurry sy- Hey, why don't you call her?" he said, which made me shake my head.
She doesn't have a phone because I'm going to buy her one tomorrow. It's impossible that she already went home or maybe she really did go home. But a part of me says I won't find anyone in the condo. I have to stay here.
"Why don't you just call her?" He said, slightly irritated.
I glared at him. What's wrong with this guy and I feel like even he is worried about Zein. Psh.
"She doesn't have a phone."
He frowned as if there was something wrong with what I said.
"She has one... She even showed it to me earlier." He said, as if thinking about it.
It's my turn to frown now. The cold night wind blew. As time passed, the darkness intensified and she still wasn't here.
"Why do you know more about her than I do?" I said, slightly irritated. "I threw her cellphone last night." I don't know why I'm explaining myself to this guy.
I was about to leave to find her when he spoke again.
"I am not blind, Ace Craige. She waved her cellphone with Dora as her casing earlier." He said, which made me stop.
I faced him with a confused look. What the hell is he talking about? I already threw t- Shit!
"What?" He asked me.
I quickly took my phone from my pocket and looked for her name on my contact list. I nervously pressed the call button... My hand trembled more when it rang.
Shit! This can't be! I'm sure I turned off her phone before throwing it in the trash and if someone picked it up, I'm sure they already replaced the sim card to stop the communication but still-Not again, please.
I bit my lip hard when she hung up on me. I tried to call her again but the line was already unattended.
"Hey--- Is there something wrong?"
My eyes narrowed as I looked at Cedric who swallowed. I'm nervous and I don't know what to do. I don't know where to start.
My heart was pounding so hard as I remembered Zein. I don't want to think about any useless things, but I failed because they penetrate and I can't do anything to stop the fear forming in my chest that's tightening it.
My gaze flew to a car across the street. I could clearly see the capped man smiling at me. I couldn't clearly make out his face but I suddenly realized I was already running towards where he was. I heard Cedric call me but I ignored him.
I cursed when he suddenly started the car. I don't know if he was deliberately slowing down so I could follow or just annoying me. I'm annoyed that I'm still following him even though I'm just running. I can't feel the fatigue even though I'm running and running.
I will never be get tired on running just to be with her. I will still chase after her even it's way to hell.
And I don't know what's the relevance of that in this current scenario.
I just kept running after her. I don't know where this is going but my two feet just won't stop running.
he's far from me and I was about to stop running when suddenly her vehicle stopped. My feet quickened and I felt my insides churning. I don't know who he is but I know he has something to do with what's happening.
I was almost able to reach his car when he suddenly sped off. I just winced as I watched the red taillight of his car disappear into the darkness.
I felt the sweat on my forehead and the pain in my knees and legs but I had no time to get tired and give up. I bit my lip hard when I felt my knee give way.
I sat down on the side of the road. Very tired, my eyes dropped and fell on a paper on the floor.
I don't know what pushed me to pick it up. My hand trembled as I read it.
You are too slow, but thank you for following me. And as a reward, look at your left side. I have a surprise for you.
Ps. It was just a glimpse of something worse than a nightmare.
Hell.
I crumpled the paper and looked to my left. All the fatigue I was feeling disappeared in an instant as I looked at a woman bowed over a round table and hugging a box.
I could clearly see her inside a cafe because their wall was made of glass. She was fast asleep.
I let out a sigh before standing up and entering inside. I was shaking when the stereo around started playing.
Now playing. Christmas won't be the same without you.
I briefly scanned my eyes over the arrangement of the cafe. It suits the Christmas season theme.
My eyes landed on Zein again. I just smiled when she lifted her head. She probably woke up because of the music.
Her eyes softened as she scanned the surroundings. She hasn't seen me yet.
I approached her. Her eyes fell on me and her lip drooped. Her eyes turned red. I want to hug her but it seems not good if I initiate it.
"Zein..."
She looked away. "Is someone talking? I think I hear someone whispering." She said.
I bit my lip again as a tear quickly fell from her eye. My chest tightened and I was about to hold her hand when she suddenly stood up and avoided me.
"It's better if I leave here. There might be a ghost here-" She bit her lip to stop the tears but failed. Like an open faucet, tears flowed continuously from her eyes. "I have to go." Her voice cracked and she was about to leave when I held her arm and pulled her.
I pulled her into my arms. She didn't fight back but her sobbing grew louder in sync with the song. I don't know what happened and what she's doing here but I kept whispering the words sorry.
"You're so unfair... I thought you brought me here to surprise me..." Her voice cracked again and it felt like a blade repeatedly stabbing me. "You just made me wait for four hours..." Her voice softened.
I turned her to face me and wiped the tears from her eyes. Her face was still very red and it was obvious that her eyes were tired.
"I am sorry... Darling, I am really sorry."
"SORRY?! Sorry again? Ace, really! Do you really love me?!"
"I Do, I Do All I am, all I'll be Everything in this world
All that I'll ever need
Is in your eyes
Shining at me When you smile I can feel All my passion unfolding"
I smiled when she stopped and looked down. I went closer to her and lifted her head to see her face. I will never get tired of staring at this woman.
"Your hand brushes mine
And the thousand sensations Seduce me 'cause I"
She is a dangerous girl. The type of danger I want. All I can say is... I love that danger.
"I do cherish you
For the rest of my life You don't have to think twice I will love you still
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control I've waited so long to say this to you"
It annoys me that I'm always not by her side. It annoys me that I can't protect her. It annoys me to see her crying.
"If you're asking do I love you this much, Darling I do"
I closed my eyes when she suddenly pulled the back of my neck and claimed my lips. I opened my eyes and looked at her face that was so close to mine.
I smiled as I responded to her kiss.
In the darkness. In the middle of sadness. Our lips met. I promise... You will pay more than what you did. You made the biggest mistake... You made my girl cry.
I'll chase you... I accept your game... Let's play... Hell.