CHAPTER 1 - Look
I've been awake for long, but I choose not to get up. Though the sun rays hit my skin painfully, I choose to ignore it, since my mind is somewhere else.
Oric's still enjoying his freedom. He should be jailed since he hasn't paid his sin yet.
I wasn't served justice because they were as rich as hell dad was blinded by it. It also seemed dad can market me to others just to satisfy his filthy cravings.
I sided to change my laying position but I was startled something pained me. I looked at my bruised arm and smirked.
Aside from physical bruises, there are so many things Oric did bruised me. And the only thing that has not recovered yet is my relationship with dad.
Wounds heal, bruises heal, but sad thing is it'll leave a scar. Healed but not totally recovering. So bad I still can't get used to it.
I can't die without revenge, Oric.
Knowing he might assault other women is another thing I can't accept. What if he will victimize other women and kill their dreams for themselves?
I habitually cupped my face to crumple due to frustration, but I winced. Something on my forehead's a bump. My face contorted as I confirmed that there is as I touched it again. I also realized my whole body ached like I was battered to death last night. I shrugged it off because maybe I just fell from bed.
This might be normal for a hangover, right?
My clock alarmed reminding me of my class. I am late, but hangover is still creeping in, so I decided to ignore it. I'm tired. I checked my phone and it says 3 unread messages and five missed calls.
I first look at my missed calls. It was three from Mirth, one from Cindy and the other one is an unknown number which happened to call just now.
Who's this? Another secret admirer? Tss. I opened my messages and I immediately realized the unknown number who called me actually texted.
Hi! Good morning. Your car was driven home by your personal driver last night. In case you might wonder.
My forehead crinkled. What the heck is this arsehole talking about? Who the heck is this?
I didn't waste time and called Anita. Maybe she know something about it.
"Good morning, Aki! Why?" She greeted courtly.
"Uhh, same." My head suddenly ache I massaged it. I smelled like shit. "Can you come and bring me a hangover soup or something?" Truth is I just wanted to ask her what happened last night. I was so drunk I can't remember a thing.
She agreed and did what I said. My attention got back to the stranger when the call ended. Who's this again? And how did he get my effing number?
I can't take my curiosity off so I called the number.
"H-hello?" A baritone and DJ-quality voice welcomed me. It was soothing actually.
For a moment, I was shocked with my thinking and shook it away. "Who the heck are you and how did you get my effing number?"
There was a long pause. "Ahhhh..I, uhh," he stuttered. Did I just say DJ-quality? No! I get it back. Gosh! He disappoints me.
"What ah I ahh?" I angrily mimicked. "Is this your front to get my attention because you know what? It isn't working." I ended the call losing my good mood because one of the things I hate is when my time is being wasted. I am precious and so is my time.
Don't..you..ever..reach..out..to..me..again!
I almost yell it as I harshly type those words on my phone. As I was done sending it, I threw my phone on my bed and dived there. My time was wasted. Moments later, Anita knocked and entered in.
"How are you feeling?" She was holding a breakfast table with a hangover soup, fried rice and milk mixed with coffee. Milk with coffee is great! I just find the combi soothing.
"A little bit bad but it's all well," I was relived a bit, the long sleep helped. It's my eyes that are swollen. She lay the breakfast table on my bed and picked up the fallen blanket. I am a very movable person when asleep and she knows that.
"Seven asked how are you," out of nowhere, Anita asked folding the heavy blanket now.
My forehead creased. Seven? Who's that? Is he an alien?
"Who the heck is that?" I asked, caring less. "I don't know anyone named Seven." I drank my milk and I almost spit it out because of the words that came out from her mouth.
"Seven? You don't remember a thing, do you? Your friend, the one who drove you home last night using his bike." There was a ghost of smile on her eyes.
"A friend?" I unbelievably asked as my eyes widened. "A bike? Last night?"Some sort of details about it flooded nonstop.
"Aki, its Seven, he was also the one who told your personal driver to get your car left at the dark road. He was worried because you have fallen from a," I noticed she tries to hard not to show a laugh. My brows raised, it seemed I wouldn't like what she will say. "…from a canal."
Canal? Oh shit!
I slammed my head in disbelief and winced when I hit my forehead's bump. I couldn't contain my annoyance about how careless I was and this bump didn't helped, I cussed consecutively.
"I'll just get an ice pack," with that, Anita left.
I could feel my blood running until my face heated with incredulity and shame. What the heck? It was a big shame! Like super duper shameful. I don't want anyone to know that I, Achaia Zonde, the coolest kid in town seen hanging out with an ugly nerd. The total opposite of me.
I immediately stood and looked for my phone. I need to call him! No! Warn him! I checked my phone and it says it's twelve. I counted time and it's possible that he had five hours spreading the news about us together last night. Classes starts at seven so basically, if he got a 7:00am class, probably its spread like wildfire now.
Oh no, oh no. I can't help but freaked out. I walked to and fro. Trying to remember even the smallest details about it last night. He was butt out on the road literally I almost bumped it, I got out of my car, got near him then tumbled over! Wait, I fall above him literally and then... we both fell on the road's canal. And then, I puked. And….and…. my mouth hanged open. Then, I cried. I don't clearly remember what I said but I knew I cried. I shrieked in shame and horror! I just let someone see my defenses down.
How stupid of me!
Am not overacting! Definitely not!
I called his number, but he didn't respond. I called Mirth instead.
"Hey girl, we're having a quiz later, don't forget," her voice was full of warning.
"Uhh, yea! Well, my head aches. Can you please check if…," if there's a rumor going around about me? I wanted her to find the words. Or maybe I'm just paranoid.
"What? Wait! Did you know that—"
"What!?" I immediately cut her off thinking it might be me she's going to talk about.
"HAHA," she laughed halfheartedly. "Are you nuts? Jax fcked Cindy last night. And you know what, they haven't used protection. What the fudge, right? Gosh, what came to their noob minds to indulge in sex without using protection---"
"Wait, that was it?" My tenses calmed. I can't hide my relief. Well, it doesn't mean I agree to sex before marriage but dang, I don't mind. Heck. It's their life.
"What's your 'that was it' for? Jax! It's Jaxen Corton, bitch. Your hottie suitor from downtown," I can picture already she's biting her red-coated lips saying that.
So what? Jax is just a male version of me. I don't like him. Period. Negative plus negative, result would always remain negative. It's my own theory, don't me.
"I really don't care, Mirth," in fact, they look good together, both negative. If their result would be negative, it is fine with me, as long as it's not me. And why was I even thinking about them? This is useless. "So, w-what issues do you have there? That was it?"
"Hmmm, there's still another one," a tone of malice was evident on her voice. I started to feel nervous. Sometimes, when I have an instinct about something fishy going around, I am mostly not mistaken about it. Explains my nervousness can't be helped.
"The fudge! What is it?!" I angrily spat.
"Oww, someone's losing control. Excited? Hmm, why? Did something filthy happened last night that you haven't told me about it?"
What the freaking fell! Surely, we're friends. She definitely knew I was struggling for something.
I cleared my throat and tried to regain my composure. Calm your tits down, Aki. You become too obvious. What if she'll get to know you were with a loser last night? Worst, you even cried in front of him. I can't help but bit my fingernail.
"Really, Mirth? What's the buzz? Tell me. I won't mind whoever it is. Just tell me, and please, my time is precious. Stop accusing me of something filthy, too. I just went home straight last night because my head hurts. Period." I am not lying, probably the reason I went home late was when I had an interaction with the loser guy.
"Hmp, I changed my mind. I won't tell you."
"Mirth!" Don't end the call you manipulative nutshell.
"I'm hangin' up now! I need to study. Bye-ye!"
She immediately ended the call without letting me say anything. I finger-combed my hair in frustration. I then remembered I got that guy's number so I dialed it with no trace of double-mindedness.
"Nerd, meet me at the school's backyard fence. Be there or you'll be dead!" Without letting him say anything with my face as bad as the heaviest season of typhoon in the whole world. It took me seconds to decide then headed to the shower and got changed. I was wearing a sheer sleeveless-floral Gucci jump-short. If fashion could kill, many people might be dead now. My fashion is so expensive nobody can reach it.
Minutes passed and I received a text message from him saying he's already there. How fast! He might be excited seeing me. I fully understand. I'm a colossal beauty.
As the driver dropped me at my university's gate, I secretly paved my way to the place where we agreed to meet. It's secluded there. It was located at the school's back so I am not entirely worried. The breeze almost took of my summer hat with a big ribbon on top. I need this to cover up my identify as well as the bump on my forehead. Realization dawned at me that it was way better to wear low key. He might probably think I prepared for this because we're meeting up. He wishes!
I arrived on time. We were surrounded by long, thick concrete walls full of dirty vandalism and graffiti. A safe place to meet someone ugly. I was facing his back and noticed he was like talking to someone. I raised my neck to check only to see no one's there. Is he self-talking? Psycho. If he causes me harm, I will definitely scream at the top of my lungs for help. I've been through worse but whatever happens now, I won't let it pass.
"Hey, arsehole!" I called.
He turn to look at me shocked. His glasses almost fell because of the force he gave in when he did that.
"H-hi." He didn't smile. His greetings didn't seem to be showing some cuteness to pull of a show and hit on me. He seemed relax yet it seemed not. Six-footer,not too skinny but it seemed he got some little muscles. Just the usual nerd type, but my lips formed a big O. Okay, I admit, he is good-looking. Not the usual one. Something like the Chis Evans younger version type of guy. Tanned-skin. Which helped him a lot, really. It complimented his facial features that made him look ruggedly handsome in a nerd way. Rugged and nerd. I didn't know the combination would get along pretty well.
But by the looks of it, his presence screamed low self-esteem.
"Shut up." I rolled my eyes. "I'm here to ask if you ever tell anyone about what happened to us last night," directly, I said.
He looked away shyly. Like he remembered something. Why can't you look at me? Are you having an emotional attachment towards me right now? Tss, blame my beauty. Wait, I've got no time for this. I have an exam later.
"No one." He softly said. His eyes can't be fixed on one thing.
"Are you sure about that? How can I make sure you're not lying to me?" It's better to be careful. He looks good but he can be deceiving.
"You can ask our schoolmates about--."
"Hell, no!" I haven't lose my mind yet for doing that. Everyone in the campus knows me too well, I think he is not an exemption. It's no good you make a Zonde angry. "Fine. But the moment I'll learn you're spreading humors about us, you're dead." I looked at him, bottom to top before turning my back against him. But I remembered something I faced him again. Stepped closer to him only inches apart. "By the way, I was sorry for last night." I softly massaged his broad shoulders and tapped it lightly as I was searching for his eyes. "And please forget everything that happened. You'll remain blind and deaf and mute about what, when, how between us happened," intentionally trying to seduce him. "Okay?" I sexily whispered. Hoping my charm and sexiness worked. It mostly worked for all men.
He nodded twice in a slow motion. And dang, he smelled nice. Those deep-set browned eyes will definitely hunt me tonight. He's tingling me! I then stepped away trying to brush off thoughts about him.
"What's your name again?"
"Seven."
"Seven. Wait, let me guess. Is your family name eight?" HAHA. I laughed at my own joke and he tried to laugh along with me. I could sense he was just laughing because of courtesy. "Are you laughing at me?" His eyes widened in disbelief at the shift of my mood. "Good," I raised my brow again. I was about to go when I remembered something. "What year are you in?"
"Fifth year."
"Taking up?"
"Engineering."
His a good conversationalist. Note my sarcasm!
Great! "Do you have any notes for Calculus?" He nodded. I get to freely stare at him. He really is not that bad. I must admit he got that face that suits for a fancy magazine. "Give it to me then. I'll borrow it." I readied my hand.
"A-a moment," he bowed to positioned himself for digging his bag with his other leg raised. I was given another time to stare at him freely, this time, much longer. Weird haircut, hoodies, loose jeans, damaged shoes. Nothing really special. Nothing, I tried to convince myself. "Here." I caught a glimpse of his fingernails and it was clean. A turn on.
Wait. The heck!? What am I saying? Am I nuts? Maybe my head was badly damaged when we fall at the canal last night?
I looked at his notebook and noticed it was also clean and the design is manly. I think this gal is an organized freak.
"Thanks," as I scooped it in my Chanel bag with nothing on it. I smiled at him. "Have you been here in this university for long?" Red alert! I don't know what the heck is this conversation leading me to. I just think I need to loosen up a bit. He helped me up last night, kept it a secret so I guess he's not bad at all. Not to mention I cried in front of him. Am I remembering a hug? Oh noes! I brush off my thoughts about it again.
"I got transferred here when I was on my fourth year," fixed his glasses and looked down. Shy-type.
"I just noticed you now." I need to go. I'm getting creepier by each moment. I don't want this conversation much longer, I need to go, but my tongue just keep on talking nonsense.
I need to get his complete name first. Maybe there are a lot of Seven in our campus.
"What's your name again?"
"S-seven."
"Seven?"
"Vercoza."
I mentally gasped. My whole world stopped.
Earth-shattering. It is the exact description.
No. This. Can't. Effing. Be.
"H-how are you related to the Gomez's? Do you know Oric?"
His forehead creased.
"Why are you asking?"
"Just answer me!" I shouted. He was shocked at my yell, even I. Back to your senses, bitch! "Uhh, well. I, ah.. He's a.. he's a family friend. So? How are you related to him?"
"He's my older brother."
My eyes widened in disbelief. I can't believe it. I was in a relationship with Oric for two months and from there, I learned some private things about him. That includes his long lost younger brother on his father's side. I heard they were both so desperate to find him. Including Oric, he was so obsessed looking for his long-lost brother.
"W-well, that's great!" I tried to sound casual. I cleared my throat because it feels like something is blocking it proper breathing is hard to find. I studied his physique, they are two different beings. I admit Oric's got a big appeal because of his social status and the way he clothes. But this Seven guy is different. There's just something about him I can't name. I wasn't aware I was staring at him for quite a long time now.
"Is there a problem?"
I was taken aback.
"N-nothing. I just remembered something. Explains why you seemed somewhat familiar, it's because you are related with the Gomez. Saw them in the news and they are really rich. Like filthy rich." my phone ringed. It registered Mirth. "I, I gotta go. Thanks a lot. And please let me have your notes for the meantime." I tried to smile to hide my disbelief and discomfort. My knees are shaking.
As I slowly took my steps away from him, an idea crossed my mind.
I turned at him again.
"Keep in touch." I subconsciously said. "S-so that I can return your notes." I gave him my sweetest smile then he nodded. But his expression was saying something. Confusion.
As I finally turned my back against him, for the last time, I brought back my serious face.
It's payback time, Oric.