" The game will now begin?"
Abby read the envelope for the twentieth time.
After I got this letter this morning, the first name that came to my head was Abby's. I couldn't let the news to travel to unwanted places, so I waited till recess.
The boys are gone for some sort of sports meeting, but they should be here soon.
" Can't we use the cameras? To see who put this in your desk?"
Ave suggested, taking the envelope from Abby's hands and giving it to me.
" That would require principal's permission. And if he calls my dad for this, then my schooling days and over."
I told them as I kept the envelope back in my pocket.
" Can this be a prank?"
I asked.
Abby replied confidently,
" No chance. Jason has made it very clear that no one can pull a prank on you, inside or outside the campus, in anyway.. and there aren't many people who go against him. The only one, being Natalie. As for Natalie, I don't think she's the 'threat letter' kind of person."
Abby has a point here. But is Jason's warning really enough to keep people away from me?
As if to answer my question, Jason and Noah walked inside the cafeteria with Hayden in tow.
Hayden still has a bruise on his left cheek, from the knock out punch I gave him yesterday. I too, have a bruise formed on my knuckles, but it is in better condition than his.
Right from the time he has entered the cafeteria, Hayden was throwing a murderous glance towards me. He walked to the other table, while Jason and Noah came towards us.
Me and Jason are still not in good terms.
I stood up and was about to leave, till Jason spoke,
" No, don't. I'll be joining that table with all the team members over there. I just came to tell you something."
I didn't utter a word and kept looking at him with a dead face.
He continued,
" Noah told me what happened yesterday. I know it's nothing big but we have filed a complain against Hayden. Don't worry, we didn't write the actual reason. Coach has approved of it. If the situations aren't acute, he won't be allowed to play."
I didn't expected this from Jason.
I no longer know what to think of him. At times he is this caring guy, with whom you can spend your entire day. Other times, I'm even afraid of his shadow.
Jason left after he was done, and silence hung at our table. The tension between me and Jason has affected the entire group's mood.
Ave tried to break the silence and asked Noah,
" Where's Kyle? Shouldn't he be here by now?"
" He wasn't supposed to be in any of the meetings today. He should have been here long ago."
" Abby, why don't you text him?"
Ave suggested Abby.
Abby took out her phone to text Kyle, and as if on cue, two huge speakers entered the cafeteria, and following them, entered Kyle, with a mic.
Abby looked at him confused as he spoke in the mic,
" Congratulations! To everyone present in this room. You guys are going to witness this year's first prom proposal!"
He walked straight to Abby and said,
" Roses are red
My girlfriend is bomb.
What do ya say?
Come with me to the prom?
And yes..."
He took out a small box with a glazed donut inside it. He held it open in front of Abby like a ring and said,
" Please, 'donut' say no."
Abby jumped in excitement and hugged Kyle.
" I'll take that as a yes!"
Kyle joked in the mic and the entire room burst into applaud.
" Don't you think it's too soon? Are you sure you want to go with me?"
Abby asked mockingly.
Kyle smirked and replied putting the mic aside.
" Nah. I'm pretty positive. But in case you aren't, just let me know. I'm sure I can still find someone stupid enough to date me."
Abby gave a playful slap to Kyle's shoulder and the group's mood was finally improving.
After the school was over, I was walking alone towards my car, when I heard someone calling my name.
It was Jason.
" Grace. Can we please talk?"
" Only if you promise to be quick."
" Okay. The thing is, that I broke up with Natalie. This time for real."
" How many times do I have to repeat this? I never asked you to do that!"
" I know, but I wanted to. I don't want anything, coming in my way of supporting you."
I exhaled audibly, and asked.
" That's it?"
" No.. actually, next month we have a match. It's in the neighbouring city. Abby and Ave will be there, so I thought you might like to come as well."
" Jason, I know what you are trying here, but it's not going to happen. Not so soon at least."
" I know. And I won't force you. But let's not be awkward in front of everyone please."
" Yeah... That can be done, I guess."
" So.. you'll come to the match?"
I thought a little before asking,
" Will Hayden be there?"
Jason took a moment to before he answered,
" Yes. But I assure you, he won't commit anything stupid again."
Between the threat letter i received, and the problem with Hayden, I had no intention of finding any new adventures.
Neither I was interested in sharing the same transportation with Hayden, no matter how many of my friends are there. Nor was I going to drive those one hundred and twenty kilometers, alone, through the forest.
Jason suggested that Ethan can give me a lift. He'll be traveling to the same place for some of his work, and I didn't see any problem in it.
I know he has acted like an arrogant brat in the past, and his driving skills are not the best, but I have a feeling that he isn't a bad person.
Don't ask me 'why', because I don't have an answer.
Jason said that he'll talk to Ethan about it himself, and then left happily.
After that, I went to my car and sat inside. I got comfortable in my seat and was soon welcomed by a painful sting in the back of my neck. It made me curse. I touched the spot with my fingers and felt liquid. When I pulled back my hand, I saw blood.
Turning around, I took out three insanely huge needles from the space between the backrest and headrest of the driver's seat.
One of them had a note attached to it, which said,
" Smaller starts lead to bigger ends."
I threw the needles away but kept the note.
Now I know, whoever is sending these letters, isn't joking at all.
When I reached home, I found dad baking cookies. He didn't allow anyone to enter the kitchen, hence me and Mom were waiting for him to be done in the living area.
Mom appeared deep in thoughts and I couldn't help but ask,
" Mom? What's bothering you so much?"
" Gigi, your dad is planning to retire."
This Hit me like a train. Why would he do that? He's the best in his field and he loves his job. It's not like he's too old either, then why?
" But why mom?"
" You know how our work is, Gigi. We both need to travel a lot, and he can't afford to Leave you alone. I suggested him that I can compromise, but he believes, that since his job is creating the problem, he'll quit."
" But both of you used to work earlier. It wasn't a problem then. Why is it now?"
" Now you go to school Gigi, you must attend your classes. We cannot take you everywhere we go. I believe it's good as you can now learn to be independent, but your dad doesn't agrees."
" But that doesn't means he'll quit!"
" I know Gigi, and I've tried my best to make him understand, but he just won't listen. His next client is Haruto Yamamoto. He said he'll have to leave for a week or two if he wishes to take the case. But he can't stand the idea of leaving. So he dropped it."
" But that's just one case right.. aren't there any other offers?"
" Plenty. But nothing is close enough. You know he never takes any case just like that. He has a habit of chalking it out, and for that, some study is required."
" I'll go talk to him."
I said and went to the kitchen.
I'd never forgive myself if dad did this to himself because of me.
" Hey! Don't Come in! I'm not done yet!"
" Dad.. why are you quitting your job?"
He put the cookie dough on the counter and said in an experienced way,
" I'm sure your mom must have told you that as well."
" Dad, don't do this. Or I'll forever feel guilty."
" Somethings have to be done, Grace. And work isn't as important as you are."
" But Dad, I'm fine! And it's not like both of you will be gone together, forever.."
" Yes. You are right. But still, are you sure you'll be fine by that?"
Sharing school with a guy who tried to rape me, receiving threat letters, and witnessing acute mood swings of a friend. Of course I won't be fine. But I can't let that hinder his happiness either.
I nodded at him with a smile as my answer and he smiled back.
After some brief talk, he shooed me out of the kitchen.
It's been three weeks.
Dad agreed to work on Haruto Yamamoto's case. He'll still have to study the case, but he says he'll manage something easier.
Thankfully, I didn't receive any new letter, so I was more confident about going to the games. I couldn't stay back anyway as mom is out for shooting, and won't be back till the next week, and dad has to leave on that exact day. Relief washed over his face when he discovered I won't be alone.
So there's no chance that I can back out from this plan, and honestly, I think it'll be fun.
Jason too is behaving. As outrageous as it sounds, but he actually avoids Natalie.
Does he still flirts ?
Yes, he does. But to a limit, it's cute.
There's one week left to the game and I'm struggling with a group assignment. Turns out, the rumors of, the group project being done by a single person isn't completely true. Ours was completed by two.
The group had four members, and two were active. That's fifty percent.. a good start if you ask me.
Our group had Jason, Kiara, Lucas and me. Me and Lucas did all the work. The other two? They didn't even bother to get it printed for themselves.
Kiara lived close to Lucas' house and Jason was close to mine, hence it was decided who will be going where.
I rang the doorbell of the Reyes' mansion and waited for an answer.
The doors soon opened and a middle aged lady appeared with a humble expression.
" How may I help you?"
" I'm Grace, Jason and I share the same class. Is he home? I have to give him these files and discuss some school work."
" Oh yes, we've been expecting you. Master Jason is asleep but you can wait for him inside."
She opened the door wider and let me in.
" So you knew I'll be coming Mrs? Ma'am?"
" Just call me Hannah"
" Okay. Hannah. Jason told you I'll be coming?"
" Yes. He told us to take very good care of you in case it takes him long."
That's surprisingly very sweet of Jason.
When we reached the hall, which took us quite long because of the dramatically long and lavish corridors of the Reyes' mansion, we heard the sound of glass breaking.
Hannah ordered me to stay there and followed the source of noise, but I followed her anyway.
We stopped at the kitchen, which was thrice the size of what we have, and saw two people there.
One of them was madly pacing in circles while trying to make a call and shouting at the other guy, who was cleaning the mess on the floor, which I suppose he has created himself.
" What's the matter here?"
Hannah asked as we entered.
The man on phone stopped pacing and shouted the answer.
" This baffoon over here spoiled the entire breakfast! Charlie isn't here, and won't be here until noon since I can't contact him! And none of us know how to cook!"
" I can cook."
I said from the background.
All of them looked at me as if noticing me for the first time.
" You can?"
He lowered his voice as he said in a smooth but authoritative tone.
" She can but she won't! She's a guest! We can't let her work.."
Hannah objected.
" It's fine Hannah. Cooking is a hobby, it never bothers me."
I replied in an assuring voice.
The short tempered man took out some charts and rushed towards me.
" Okay, so today we are supposed to make two ingredient chicken for master Ethan's breakfast."
" Umm.... Can't we make something else? Like avocado toast with smoothie or something?"
" I appreciate your suggestion miss, but it doesn't works that way. Every member has his diet specifically designed for them, according to their energy needs, by the best nutritionist."
" Now I know why he's such a Grinch."
" Pardon?"
" Look, I don't take orders while I'm cooking. That somehow spoils the taste. If you want me to cook, I will. But I'll decide what I'll cook. Or else, you can make whatever you want for Ethan."
The grumpy guy fell silent and took quite some time before answering.
" Fine, you can make what you want. But-"
I don't like that 'but' there.
" -you'll have to take the breakfast to his room yourself."
" That's.... Okay. I guess."
The two men gave me a sly smile and left the kitchen, only Hannah stayed behind.
" You can still back out if you want. We'll figure something out. Master Ethan isn't know for his politeness.."
" Yeah, I've seen that. But how bad can he be? He can't be that stoic, right?"
Hannah just shook her head and asked me to call her if I needed anything.
I was soon done with my job. I made avocado toast and kale smoothie with mint.
Hannah told me the way to his room, which was through an elevator.
Yes! Richie rich over here has an personal elevator in his house.
Show off....
His room was in the excluded region of the house. And since the house is so huge, if someone got shot in the hall, Ethan won't have a hint about it. It appears he's a fan of silence.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. It had a message from Jason. He was asking where I was. I just texted him that I'll be there in a while and entered Ethan's room.
I immediately felt like I've time travelled back to the Victorian era. It was an elegant combination of black white and gold, and without doubt was the most extravagant room I've ever seen. It was attached to a balcony which was almost the size of a lawn. The only odd thing about this room was, though it was a bed room, there were no pictures. Not even a single.
Before I could think further, Ethan entered the room through one of the doors I didn't even notice. He looked swanky in his all black business look.
He saw me with surprise and said with some humor in his voice,
" And to what do I owe this obnoxious visit?"
" I think you meant pleasant."
" No. I meant obnoxious."
His lips curved from the sides in a victorious smile as I narrowed my eyes at him.
" Anyways.. I'm leaving. Hope you enjoy your meal."
" Did you make it?"
He asked with a confused face, but soon changed it back to normal.
" Yeah?"
" I hope you didn't add something you shouldn't have?"
" You are such a-"
" Don't complete the sentence Grace. I insist."
I cannot believe this guy!!
I didn't wish to further waste my time on him, so I left the room with a huff, giving him the satisfaction of winning.
It was when I got outside the elevator, that I realized I don't have my phone with me.
I went back and knocked on his door. He soon permitted me to enter.
Without any word, I started looking around the room for my phone. I noticed Ethan had eaten the breakfast I made for him, and was peacefully drinking the smoothie standing by the balcony door.
That made me feel satisfied in a very different way.
Another thing I noticed was , that the phone Ethan was scrolling wasn't his, it was mine.
" Ethan. You can't go through my phone like that!"
I don't keep a password. People around me never tried to look into my phone without asking me.
" Just a second."
He said and continued scrolling down.
Is he serious? It's been quite a few minutes now. What is he even looking at?
I found his phone on the bed. I took it and walked straight to the balcony's railings. I hanged it out as I said,
" Ethan, give me my phone or your's will suffer."
" You won't seriously do that will you?"
He said in an uninterested tone.
" Don't be so sure.."
I said as I flipped it and caught it in mid air.
" Grace. Don't act silly."
Ethan said sounding somewhat alarmed.
I ignored him and tried to flip it once again, but couldn't catch it this time.
" Oh no..."
My blood ran cold because of what I've done.
Ethan gave, more like threw my phone towards me and walked inside his room. He took out another phone from a drawer and ordered someone to find his lost property.
" Ethan, I'm so sorry.."
I said as softly as possible.
He turned around with pure rage on his face and said almost shouting,
" Sorry? Do you even realize what you've done? Each file, each contact on that thing was worth millions! Will your sorry, cover all the loss I might have?"
" Ethan you know I didn't mean to-"
" All I know, is that 'you' couldn't keep your childish behavior in control, and now 'I' have to face the outcome of that!"
I don't know weather it was anger or sorrow, but my voice cracked as I spoke.
" Ethan Ace Reyes! For once I thought you are better than what people tell me about you, but you immediately proved me wrong!"
I'm not sure which of my word did it but all of his anger was gone in a snap. He looked at me with a mixture of surprise and sympathy as I continued,
" I've never been proven so wrong in my entire life! I don't even remember what I ever did to you!"
There was silence after I was done. Ethan kept looking at me and I tried to avoid his gaze and prevent myself from sobbing and looking pathetic in front of him.
I couldn't take this unease anymore and started to leave.
" Grace please-"
" Save it Ethan. It won't work."
And with that. I stormed out of his room.
I was so mad that I didn't even took the elevator, and ran down the stairs.
I found Jason on my way but totally ignored him and drove straight to my home.
Another surprise was waiting for me there.
I went inside my room and found an envelope stuck to the window. I took it out from there and read in horror. It said,
" Can't wait to see you at the match."