Their eyes met mine. Some were horrified, but some were just pissed. The look on Davis Fuentes' face was unbearable. He was triggered as I made the fight stop. The fight which he claims is his excitement in life but stopped since I came. Cheesy little bastard. I did not open up any emotion as they kept on staring at me sharply, I didn't return any sharp look. An expression is barely visible to me. Some had their second thoughts of backing up, and some didn't. They don't wanna postpone a fight, well, they want excitement? I'll break them. Isn't that exciting?
Now, one of them attacked. I hit him with my elbow, hitting his back neck, he fell. As they saw me, some hesitated to attack, but some were unstoppable. Another batch of them approached me with their signature moves. One of them decided to begin with a flying kick which I easily grabbed his leg and twisted it hard and only resulted in his body propelling mid-air and badly fell to the floor, face-first. The other attackers backed out but some stayed, I gave the first one a knee strike, he spitted blood the other way. The second one was quite muscular, but it didn't stop me from punching his jaw. His head turned the other way, I grasped some of his hair which affected his whole body, and made it follow where my hand went, I pushed him down to the floor and kicked his head hard.
As another flock of gangsters went on my way, I tugged one of them and threw it to the rest of them. I kept on jabbing, and punching the rest of the attackers, as I knocked down the majority, Davis broke into the scene.
"Hey, you broke my heart and now you dare to—" I cut in. Geez, what a crybaby throwing a tantrum. I shook my head.
"I also still dare to break your bones if you'd like. Dude, you're making a big scene here, the guards can't even stop you, but the police can..." I hung off... Yes! The police, they're probably coming. Damn it. I better not get caught.
So, I marched off the ground and went straight to my car. The guy in leather jacket knocked on my window—
"What's your name—" I drove the car away, ignoring his question. I can still hear his voice as he yelled over and over again. I did not care. Who is he for me to risk getting caught by the police, huh?
Damn, we're not in high school anymore.
I sped off out of the school's gate, certain that the policemen are coming. Shit. I need to get out of this, my dad will sue me if ever I get dumped in the police station. Well, getting sued by my father is a bit of an exaggeration. At least not lawfully.
I left skid marks on the road but there is only one thing on my mind right now— to get out of this mess.
I did not get that far away from a black car that was chasing me. It kept on honking its car's horn at me. It was a sound saying that he was prodding. He? How am I so sure? Ugh. He must be the guy, of course. I drifted my way making my car as a barrier so he won't go past me. I got out of the car and slapped his car's window hard. He lifted it down.
"Miss, why the fuck—"
"Why the fuck are you following me, mister?" Yes, I was right. It's him.
"I was running away—"
"Nope," I cut in.
"Okay, okay. Who are you?"
"Who are you?" I fired back.
"That's not an answer."
"Neither is that," I smirked. "Now tell me, why are you that interested?"
"It's a usual thing, miss." I turned my back at him, gesturing that I'm not that interested in him the way that he is in me.
He grabbed my hands, tugging me in his direction. His grasp got me bumped into his car door, I arched one of my brows. "What the hell?" I said. I don't have time for this. I need to get away.
"You're not into me, huh?"
"Mister, if you don't mind, I need to go," I said intimidatingly. If I wasn't in a rush, I would probably bite into his charms. He has looks, you know, but he did not give me the urge to risk my fragile reputation in the eyes of my dad just for this freakin' guy.
I pushed him away. "C'mon."
I did not give in, I immediately rushed towards my car. In the first place, why did I even bother to see who this guy actually is? Just to make sure if he really is the guy? Oh well, now I got the confirmation I wanted. I need to go—
Before I could even open my car's door, the group of the gang that I have encountered was already jogging their way towards us. And worse, there's not only one group, everyone has been mixed, maybe two to three groups has collided.
I stared at them, I got stunned. Shit. "Oops, Miss. I think we're gonna be forced to fight." He grinned. I groaned in annoyance.
"Fuck off. Get ready!"
I opened the car's door and grabbed my brass knuckles under the driver's seat. I stared at the number of gangsters coming our way. My eyes roamed until my sight reached this guy beside me. Fuck him. Well, I might actually have to.
I could've already fled if it wasn't for him! I wish I just ignored him, damn it. My reputation in dad— a disaster!
One by one, they attacked. Troops were cut in half since there were two of us that needed to be taken care of. Damn it, I hope this ends fast. Rapidly jabbing them with my brass knuckles on, they got knocked off fast. I don't have the time for an exhibition kind of fight anymore, what I need is to go home without anyone tailing me. I can't stay here long.
For the reason that they got knocked off fast one by one, only a few of them just remained. I had to endure some of the attacks I received. I have some cuts on my face, especially on the part around my lips including my actual lips.
The remaining people backed off, including Davis Fuentes.
Everything sank into me immediately. They've now surrendered. I can see the hate on Davis' features. The way he looked at me— I looked at the boy beside me— and the way Davis looked at this guy. He'd be upset, for sure. The guy beside me smiled.
"Gorgeous," he said under his breath but I heard it. His eyes were full of... admirations. It was like stars, twinkling up the sky. He has simple yet beautiful bright eyes that could just light up this whole if had he not be such a dork. I don't know, why am I even thinking this way? How could I bother myself for that? I don't even know this guy, how could I see those through his eyes?
I rolled my eyes. "Back off, lad. You made a disaster," I said with arms crossed. I slowly moved inside my car— but he got in the back seat. I was about to argue—
"Drive, Miss. The police will get you." He smiled teasingly. My eyes were burning in both aggravation and frustration. I let him as I realized that I don't have ample time.
I drove fast, assuming that I can get out of this mess— but it was too late. Sirens were already everywhere. Police cars surrounding us. I smashed the steering wheel, "All messed up!" I raised my voice in disappointment and frustration.
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"It was self-defense!" I reasoned out in front of the police officers, Davis Fuentes with his guys, and this guy here. I'll probably nickname him Mr. Guy here as long as I don't know his name yet. Or whatever, I'm not planning to know him anyway. "What would you expect from a girl like me if I was attacked by a group of a gang? I wouldn't be that stupid not to fight back!"
"Miss McNe—" I stopped what he was about to say.
I waved my hand no with an indication of sarcasm. "Officer, there's no such thing in here to put me in detain or jail. I have proven that all of this mess is not my fault. All I wanted was to protect myself. So"— I stood up—"If you may excuse me, my dad is looking for me this time of the night."
The officer who accommodated us scratched his bald head. Mr. Dimson, the police officer who has the highest rank, has now arrived. He's a family friend and I hope, that will give me the freedom to go.
"You attacked us first, girl," Davis Fuentes said, I turned back.
I arched my right brow. "Oh, stop making up stories just because I broke up with you!" I derided him.
"Go now," Mr. Dimson said, nodding at me.
"Don't tell dad, officer," I noted. He just nodded, and also gestured me to walk outside. He followed. I think he wants to talk.
"Brinley, you should stop having these encounters or perhaps just stop being caught," he cackled. "Just kidding, get straight with your life, Brinley. Sort it out. Your dad wants you to be a part of his company. Your brother wants that too— that you become a big part of it." He tapped my shoulder. I got this poker face now. "And, one more thing, I told you that you should just call me Tío or uncle, whatever you prefer."
"Sure. Thank you, Officer—Tío." We shared a laugh.
I was ready to walk away but— this guy, again! He tugged me in his direction.
Until now, these kinds of scenarios always flashes back in my mind. It always shows something— something I just wanna left behind, but I just couldn't.
His arms around me, his eyes full of interest. I don't know if it's about me, but I can see it. That was the only thing I can see through. He was hard to read and that's all I could manage.
He held my cheeks.
I restrained.
Memories kept on flashing back.
"Stop," I also halted for a moment. "What are you doing?" I asked in annoyance. Everything bothers me when it comes to this. When it comes to him. Well, yes, I just met him, but yeah, he gets into my nerves.
How could I forget that if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be forced to fight with those thugs and get arrested? I could've just went away without looking back. If it wasn't for him!
"S-sorry," He was stuttering. Was he nervous? I couldn't read him. It was just hard. His face was void of any emotion. "I just want to know who you are."
I stopped for a moment. For what? He wants to know me, and then after some time, it's gonna go deeper and soulful, day by day. Oh, this guy doesn't know that I also play the game he wants. I'll give him that, anyway.
"Brinley McNeill." His face seemed to be amused, I rolled my eyes.
"Such a nice name," he said then combed his hair backward. "Ashton Vans dela Cuesta," he offered his hand in front of me. I just looked at it.
"I don't remember asking your name," I said, not caring if I sounded really mean.
"Oh, you don't know me?" He asked. He likes stating the obvious though.
"Of course, I know you. You are the guy who lured me here. I just fucking want to go home, Mr. dela Cuesta," I prodded, I just want to disappear in from the presence of this guy. Who the hell does he think he is? A man of power? A man above all else? Oops, sorry but he'll not get above me.
I strode my way to my car. Not caring about him. He was left frozen there— I left him frozen there.
As I arrived home, I am still hoping that they're still there.
I walked my way to the basement, and yes, they're still here.
I sat directly and grabbed a glass of wine.
"Uhm, what happened? You seemed..." —Keana scratched the back of her neck, finding the right words to describe— "...Stressed out."
There was a pause, a moment of silence. I roamed my sight around.
I told them everything. And if I say everything, I meant every detail.
"He is a dela Cuesta, Brinley!" Keana scolded. What's with a dela Cuesta? Do they overpower me? Does he?
"I don't know him," I said, chilling with my handful glass of wine.
"That's the point, you don't know him!" Keana was like a mom in front of me, hell? As if I know how it feels to have one. Why is she overreacting to this?
"Yes, she's right. He's a dela Cuesta," Clover inserted. I looked at him, he just shrugged.
"So?"
"Dela Cuestas are inclined in the business of weapons—" I cut off Zaylee's statement.
"I'll fear him if I want to, or need to." This time, I shrugged, lacking interest in this. I wasn't savvy about them, the dela Cuestas.
"You're out of your mind, Brinley. Never underestimate anyone. Especially that he is a dela Cuesta. He must've wanted something from you, to bring you and your family to your downfall." I rolled my eyes upon hearing what Tina has to say. What the heck is going on? This shrewdness is starting to make me insane.
"Here's a trivia, Brinley. They are the ones who raided one of your hideouts and robbed everything they can get—" I cut in Keana's sentence.
"I'm not yet in my brother's and father's position to worry all about that, that's why I'm here, 'cause I don't want to get fucking wrecked up between all those— whatever you call them. That's why I am with you guys, remember? I don't want to follow in their footsteps, not yet." I slammed the glass of wine on the table, I had enough. "Besides, it was a long time ago, the debt has been paid, am I right?"
"Yes." They were almost in a chorus when they said that. Everything was good and smooth. There is no way he'll end up harming me.
I stood up, pacing my way between the two windows.
"Still remembering him?" Clover asked. I turned to face them. I voided my face of any emotion. I just stood there, looking at them.
"I have something in mind," Zaylee started. All eyes were on her.
"What?" Keana asked.
"If you still can't get over that guy from two years ago, then maybe, this dela Cuesta is the answer," she said with broad shoulders, broad as her smile. I arched my brow. What?!
"What are you sayin'?" I asked. I'm deducing now. As if it was a crime. I am musing as if it was important.
The last two years of my life were heartbreaking. It broke almost the whole of me. Of course, it was just half of me who died, because if I didn't really die, then I'm half alive. I figured out, no one could really swallow me whole, but still, it was painful. I never expected anything like that, a slap in the face. To know that I put my trust in him. To know that I was falling for him. He knew how fragile I was and he took advantage of that. All of it, including him, is a façade I bought into.
"This will be a good..."— She paused, thinking for a moment — "An opportunity or whatever. Just accept this." My mind was like a maze trying to find my way to Zaylee's thoughts. What is she up to? Something to do with a dela Cuesta.
"I'm daring you," she said.
"Daring me to what?" I was still impassive. Everyone was attentive.
"I dare you to hook up with Ashton Vans dela Cuesta," Zaylee winked at me.