Lara
I let out a frustrated sigh when I arrived inside the school. The third period had already started, and I didn't want to be the center of attraction when I stepped inside the room. So, instead of attending my class, I went behind the school and sat there and waited until the third period was over.
I leaned my back on the tree and closed my eyes. I smiled when I saw Scott's smiling face behind my closed eyelids. He loves me. The only problem is Blade. Why hasn't Grandpa contacted me about whether he agreed or not to meet me? I thought he was searching for me. Now that I wanted to meet him, it seemed he was avoiding me. It's been five days since I called Grandpa, but until now, I haven't got any words from him. I sighed, smiling. I won't let Blade ruin my happy mood today.
I grinned and hugged my bag tightly in front of me. Scott would pick me up later, and he said he loved me. Oh god, help me. I had almost fainted earlier when those words came out of his plump and kissable lips. And he kissed me. I squealed inside and felt giddy.
"Booo!!!! I screamed at the top of my lungs in fright when Owen's face suddenly appeared in front of me, startled. He burst into laughter, but it didn't last when I jumped at him, tackled him on the ground, and threw punches at his shoulder, ensuring I didn't punch him too hard.
"Ouch, Lara." He winced, trying to block my punches.
"Why do you always appear out of nowhere, scaring the hell out of me," I screamed and punched him one last time, making sure this punch would hurt him before removing my body from him.
"You are so mean. That last one is so painful." He whined, rubbing his shoulder.
"That's my intention, causing you pain." I scoffed. Why does he always appear when I'm daydreaming of Scott? Stupid Owen always caught me in my daydreaming of Scott.
"Why are you still here? The fourth period will start in a few minutes, but you are still here, grinning like an idiot alone. I'm sure you are thinking about the gift in front of your door. Am I right?" He asked with a teasing smile on his lips. I threw him a death glare, smacked him with my bag, and marched away from him without uttering a word.
"Lara! Your room is on the other way," he said, laughing. My face turned beet-root when I noticed heading oppositely from my room. Stupid Owen, and damn hot Scott, are making me crazy.
During lunchtime, Owen brought Cherry to our table to join us for lunch. She is the picture of a real nerd—thick-rimmed glasses, braided hair, with braces. I smiled at her, and she smiled back before she settled beside me.
"Do you love your appearance?" I whispered to tease her, to see her reaction. I laughed when she threw a deathly glare at Owen.
"This is his fault." She pointed at Owen, who just shrugged his shoulders, eating his food. "For real, I hate all these things. God, I look like a beggar." She said and shuddered for effect.
"And one more thing I hate the most is acting like a shy, timid, and weak nerd. I wanted to punch that bitch Scarlette every time she and her cronies bullied me. God, I wanted to see my five fingers on her face."
"I know the feeling." I giggled.
"Lara, please help me."
"Help you with what?" I asked, confused.
"To convince this moron to let me wear my proper clothes." She said, glaring at Owen.
"No!" Owen instantly said.
"Why?" Cherry and I asked in unison.
"That's your disguise, Cherry. That's the only thing that's covering you. We don't want anyone to recognize you. You've been to a mafia party before, and someone might recognize you," Owen explained. Cherry's shoulder deflated in defeat.
"Fine, but let me beat that bitch. I hate her so much. She thought of herself as the Queen of this school, despite not having any skills for being a Queen. She's dumb, who couldn't answer a simple equation 1+ 1 =11." She said furiously. I burst into laughter that caught others' attention. I quickly covered my mouth and lowered my head, embarrassed.
" Look what we have here. A nerd, join forces with another nerd." Scarlette's mocking voice said behind us. I saw Cherry fist balled beside her. She looked at Owen, and I grinned when Owen shrugged his shoulders. I felt excited when Cherry stood up and faced Scarlette.
"Oh! The nerd was mad." Scarlette said, grinning. Cherry raised her fist before her, rubbing it with her other hand, her face void of emotion. I bit my lips, looking at Scarlette, who stepped back.
"Look at her hair. It looks like a bird's nest." She said, trying to be brave. Her cronies laughed, but not as loudly as they usually did. They are scared of Cherry. I thought, grinning inside.
"And what is this?" Scarlette snatched Cherry's glasses, threw them on the ground, and stepped on them. The breaking glass echoed inside the cafeteria because all the students turned quite instantly. Her cronies laughed again.
"Pick it up," Cherry said, silencing everyone.
"What?" Scarlette asked.
"I thought you were just dumb, but you are deaf too. I said pick it up." Cherry said.
"She talks," Scarlette said, laughing. It's the first time Cherry speaks in front of her. She had always ignored the bullying that Scarlette did to her.
"Yes, I can. And I can punch too. Now pick it up if you don't want me to make your face like a floor sweep." I saw fear in Scarlette's eyes, but she instantly hid it. She laughs to cover her fears, as well as her cronies.
"I'll count to three. I will count, and If you don't pick it up after, I'll make your face a mop on the floor." Cherry threatened. All the students in the cafeteria's eyes are now glued on them, quietly waiting for what will happen next. Owen propped his elbow above the table, palm supporting his chin with an amused smile on his lips, while I continued eating my lunch, glancing once in a while at Cherry and Scarlette.
"One! I almost laughed when Scarlette's cronies jumped from their spots when they heard Cherry's loud voice.
"I want to see you do it." Scarlette challenged chin up.
"Two!" I grinned when Scarlette's cronies slowly moved backward while Scarlette stayed in her place, arms crossed over her chest. Her stance changed, and I strengthened in my seat and Owen. I looked at Cherry, and I knew she noticed it too. So this Scarlette girl has some skills too. I thought and waited for Cherry to finish counting.
"Three!" Cherry said and quickly grabbed Scarlette's hair, but she promptly slapped her hands. Cherry grinned like a devil. She grabbed her hair again, Scarlette tried to hit her hand again, but Cherry moved her other hand and grabbed her hair. She quickly kicks her behind her knees, causing Scarlette to fall to her knees. Students gasped around them, but no one tried to break them.
Cherry quickly pushed her head to the ground, but Scarlette threw a punch at Cherry, hitting her on her right cheek. She doesn't even flinch. Instead, it angers her more and slams Scarlette's head to the ground. Her cronies screamed when they saw the blood and ran away.
Scarlette elbowed Cherry, which caught her off guard. Her hold on Scarlette loosened, and she grabbed that chance to push her away. She quickly stood up, with her forehead bleeding, and threw a kick at Cherry, but she blocked it. They exchanged punches and kicks, and Scarlette did a number to Cherry. She's good, I can tell. Cherry hit her as well, but she hit Cherry more.
The students formed a circle, and I knew Scarlette was holding herself. Cherry also did, but you can see that Scarlette is more skilled than Cherry. No one falls or is thrown away, both holding their strength. Who are you, Scarlette? The way you move, I know that you are skilled.
"What is happening here?" The principals burst through the students that crowded Cherry and Scarlette. They quickly broke apart and fixed themselves.
"Nothing, sir," Scarlette said. She quickly picked up her bag and left, ignoring the principal.
"Miss Lee, what do you think you are doing? You want to lose your scholarship?" The Principal said, glaring at her.
"Sorry, sir. It's just a misunderstanding. This thing will never happen again."
"Make sure of that because when it happens once more, you are not part of this school anymore." He warned. "The show is over. Go back to your class." He said before he left.
"You lost?"' Owen said, mocking Cherry, but I quickly smacked his head. Cherry just looked at him, then her shoulder sagged, letting out a defeated sigh.
"That girl is good. I know she's just holding, but still good." She muttered.
"Wow! I never expected you to compliment her." Owen said, arms crossed over his chest. "Watch her starting today. It doesn't feel right. Scarlette doesn't only know self-defense, but she is good at it. Check her background." Owen said seriously. Cherry nodded her head without arguing. She has a bruise on her face and arms, but she doesn't mind it. She took out another spectacle from her bag and put it on.
"I'm off." She said before leaving.
"Be extra careful around Scarlette starting today," Owen whispered. I nodded my head in reply and slung my bag over my shoulder.
"I need to go. I don't want to be late again," I said, and a teasing smile suddenly formed on Owen's lips.
"Go, just bear in mind what I told you." I nodded my head and went to my next lesson.
As promised, Scott was already outside the school when I stepped out of the gate. I smiled when he stepped out of the car, when he saw me and opened the door for me.
He looked so handsome despite his casual clothes and, as always, smelled so good.
"Thanks," I muttered before getting in the car and buckling my seat belt. He went to the driver's side, then got in.
"Hi! He greeted, smiling.
"Hey!" I replied shortly. He chuckled and started the car.
"How's your day today?" He asked eyes focused on the road.
"I haven't attended my first, second, and third periods. Thanks to someone." I replied, full of sarcasm, but a smile was on my lips.
"Oh, why? What did that someone do?" He asked, feigning innocence, but he smiled on his lips.
"I don't know. Why don't you tell me?" I challenged. He chuckled and stole a kiss on my cheek. I glared at him, but he just grinned in return.
"Where are we going anyway? If you want to take me somewhere, can you at least let me change my school uniform?"
"Okay, we will stop at your house so that you can change. I'll wait for you." He replied, glancing at me for a while and smiling.
We arrived in front of the house after thirty minutes, and I invited him in.
"Where are we going? What do I wear?" I asked as soon as we stepped inside the front door.
"Just wear something warm." He replied shortly.
"Okay, feel at home. If you want some drink, go to the kitchen.", I told him and left him in the living room. I went upstairs and took a quick bath pulling some clothes from my closet. It consists of a pink sweater, ripped-washed fitted jeans, and running shoes. I put it on, blow my hair dry, let it down, then wear a white bonnet. I apply some face powder, pink lipstick, and mascara. I smiled, satisfied with my appearance in the mirror.
I picked up my phone and put it in my pocket and some extra cash just in case. I sprayed Cologne, ran downstairs, and saw Scott on his phone. His head quickly looked up and smiled. He stood up from the couch, not hiding that he was checking me out. "You look so cute and adorable in this outfit." He said, grinning, touching the bonnet over my head. "I like the bonnet on you, and I like it when you let your hair down." I blushed but covered it with a shrug of my shoulders. He chuckled. I'm sure he saw the blush on my face but didn't comment about it.
"Ready to go?" He asked, smiling. I nodded my head, grinning. He held my hand and led me outside. I locked the door, and we went to his car. He opened the passenger seat and let me in before going to the driver's side. He smiled at me, started the car, and drove off.
"Where are we going?" I asked, looking at the scenery outside the window.
"It's a surprise." He answered eyes focused on the road, but a smile was on his lips. I pouted and just fixed my eyes outside the window. I frowned when I noticed that we were not heading for the city but away from it.
"Where are you bringing me? Just tell me if you want to murder me secretly so that I can say my goodbyes to my grandpa." He chuckled and stole a kiss on my cheeks.
"Yah! You are taking advantage of me." I said, glaring at him.
"Why should I do that? You know I love you. I would kill just to protect you." He had a playful smile on his lips, but I could hear the sincerity in his words. He didn't even look at me, but I could hear that he meant what he said. I scoffed, pretending that I was not affected by his words.
"Who knows, you are just luring me into your trap, and you are just hiding your real identity from me." I joked, but the smile on his lips suddenly vanished, and I saw him tense up but quickly hide it and smile again.
"You think?" He asked now, smiling, that knee-dropping smile. Did he tense up briefly, or did my eyes play tricks on me? Maybe I just saw it wrongly. I knew him. He is Scott Miller, the owner of Miller Corps. He doesn't have another identity. I'm sure of it, not like me.
Is Grandpa right about what he said, that I am dragging Scott into my dangerous life? But I love him, and the mafia doesn't know about me, and as long as no one knows about me, we will be fine, and I hope it will stay like that. But if one day, We can't avoid the mafia anymore. I'll protect Scott with my life, and I will let him go if he wants to.
"We're here." I snapped out of my thought and found ourselves just below a hill. I frowned and looked at Scott, but he smiled and stepped out of the car. He went to the trunk and took something. I followed him, and I saw him carrying a basket and a blanket in his other hand. He smiled at me, held my hand, and guided me to the other side of the hill.
"Wow!! I quickly pulled my hand away from him and rushed to the falls ahead of us. It was dark already, but solar lights were scattered around, lighting it. Some lilies float on the water, and some wild orchids hang on the trees.
"This place is beautiful. How did you find this place?" I asked, looking around.
"This is my property. And this place is my secret sanctuary, but now it's our secret place." He said, smiling and spreading the blanket on the ground, taking out whatever was inside the basket. My mouth waters when I see the food lying in front of him. It has all the prawns on it. Pasta with prawn, garlic prawn, tempura, and a chocolate mousse for dessert. He even brought that red wine the last time we ate dinner.
"Wow! You impressed me." I said, sitting down beside him.
"That's my goal." He said, smiling, then handed me a paper plate full of food and a fork and spoon. I quickly dug, and I moaned about the delicious taste of the food.
"Did you cook all these?" I asked.
"Of course not. I don't know how to cook. Sorry, but it's a take-out."
"It's okay. It's still very delicious." He filled his plate with food, and we ate silently, watching the beautiful scenery around us.
We were sipping our wine, digesting the food inside our tummies, when Scott started a conversation.
"Let's play rock, paper, scissors. stone"
"What are you, a kid?" No, I don't want." I quickly declined.
"Listen first. Every time you win, you can ask me a question or whatever you want me to do, or you can ask something from me, and vice versa."
"Still, I don't want to."
"KJ." He huffed and poured wine into his glass, and gulped it. I chuckled and poked his cheek.
"Who's the young one here? It seems like it wasn't me." I teased.
"Just want to know you more." He said and gulped his wine again.
"Drink slowly. You need to send me home later."
"Then let's play. Come on, Lara. I'll do whatever you want me to do and answer all your questions honestly if you win."
"Fine!" I said, giving up. He grinned and quickly faced me, our knees touching each other.
"Okay! Ready?" He excitedly asked, like a child.
"Yes!" I answered, rolling my eyes.
"Rock, paper, scissors, stone" I jumped joyfully when I won. I am a scissor and his paper. I laughed before I settled in front of him, grinning.
"Okay, let's start with the easy one. Do ten push up. " He shrugged his shoulders, smiling, then did a push-up before me and finished it without breaking a sweat. I giggled and stuck my tongue at him, and then we continued to play.
"Rock, paper, scissors, stone" This time, I lost. He grinned so wide, with his eyes sparkling with joy.
"Okay, what do you want me to do?" I asked.
"No, it's boring. I want a kiss."
"Yah, that's cheating. You said you wanted to know more about me."
"It's not cheating. It's under the rules," he reasoned.
"Fine!" I glared at him with my arms crossed over my chest. He grinned, then leaned closer to me, and I quickly pecked his cheek. He smiled and returned to his place.
"Rock, paper, scissors, stone." I made a dance move in front of him when I won, making him burst into laughter.
"Hmm!!! How many ex-girlfriends did you have?" He smirked at my question, but I glared at him.
"None!
"None? As in nothing?"
"I haven't had any serious relationships before." He answered. " Come on. I'm inching to win here." He grinned. I pouted, and we continued the game, and he won.
"Yes!" He said, first up in the air. I giggled and waited for him to ask me what I would do.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" He asked and grinned when I glared at him.
"No!" I answered shortly, and the game continued.
"Do twenty sit up," I smirked.
"Yah! You're making me do exercise." He whined but did it nonetheless.
"Give a hug."
"You're taking advantage of me. Now, I'm sure of it." I pouted but wrapped my arms around his body.
"Who is inside your mind right now?" I asked to tease him.
"You!" I blushed.
"Run up to the hills, then come back," I told him when I won again, to get back at him for making me blush and make my heart skip a beat. He glared at me but did what I asked him to do. It's still bright over there because of the solar light. After a few minutes, he's back panting. I giggled, but he glared at me.
"You'll pay for this." He warned, and I felt instantly nervous when he won. He bites his lower lips looking up at the sky, thinking of whatever he wants me to do.
"Okay! Here it is. Who was your first kiss?"
"Yah! I won't answer that." I said, blushing.
"You can't. I did everything you asked me. I even ran over that hill. Now answer me, who was your first kiss? Don't worry. I won't murder that guy." He said, chuckling.
"Umm!!! I twiddled with my finger, and my head hung down. " You," I said. I don't know if he heard it, but I don't care. I looked up when I didn't hear any movement from him, and I smacked him repeatedly when I saw him grinning like an idiot.
"I'm honored and happy." He seriously said, holding both hands to stop me from hitting him.
"Okay, let's continue."
"I don't want to play anymore."
"Come on. Two more, and we stop. I have two questions I'm dying to ask you."
"Why not ask it earlier?" I glared at him. "Just ask. I don't want to play anymore."
"It's no fun if I just ask it. Come on. If you want to know my question, just let me win." He grinned, but I smacked his head, which only made him laugh.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Rock, paper, scissors, and he wins.
"Okay, ask those two questions. Hurry." I told him. He strengthens his posture, then looks directly into my eyes. He held both my hands and squeezed them.
"My first question is, do you... Do you love me too? If yes, my second question is, can you be my girlfriend?"