"What are you doing here?!"
Ashley shifted her attention to the other person standing near Ike and frowned deeply. She marched inside, stopping in front of Basty.
"It was you, right?" she accused, pressing a finger on Basty's chest. "You're the one who dragged him here — tell me the truth."
"Why do you sound like a wife confronting your husband's mistress?" Lala sneered, warranting a glare from Ashley.
"In any case, good work." Before Lala and Ashley get on another round of nonstop bantering, Kiara chimed in the conversation. This time, she closed the laptop, showing she was finished with whatever she was working on.
The rest slowly shifted their eyes to her, only to see Kiara standing up from her spot. She faced them squarely, tipping her eyeglasses up.
"Check on Mav later while we deal with the referee and the witness," she said monotonously, eyes fixed on Basty before shifting his eyes to the person on the couch. "Let's go, Parker. We still need to get information to not waste this opportunity."
Parker, the one who was reading a book on the couch, slowly closed the book. He lifted his head, setting his gaze on the young lady, Kiara. He said nothing as he peeled his feet from the center table, standing up and then nodding at Kiara.
"Very well." Kiara picked up her laptop, marching away without going through long ceremonies. As she was about to walk past the people near the entrance, she stopped. She first gazed at Ashley and then her gaze landed on Ike.
Ike's brows rose, knowing she was assessing him. Kiara said nothing to him as she resumed her steps, walking past them. Following behind her was Parker, ignoring everyone as if they weren't there in the first place.
"Hey! Don't leave me here!" Lala jumped out of the table she was sitting on, gasping in disbelief. "Hey!"
She huffed, stomping her way out. But unlike the first two, Basty and Ike had to take a step to the side as Lala stormed out.
Basty and Ike gazed at the entrance that Lala shut closed before Ike slowly looked back to the eyes on him. As soon as he did, he locked eyes with Ashley, who was frowning deeply.
"Well." Ike shrugged, unable to continue whatever he was saying, as he didn't have to explain himself.
"Ley, it's not what you think it is, alright?" Basty saved Ike the time to explain, facing her squarely. "He was throwing a bunch of presents in the back of the school, and it just so happened that I was there waiting for Mav. Things happened, and since he was late, I'm trying to salvage the student organization from getting on his bad side."
"The student council didn't need to be on anyone's good side, though." Ashley quirked a brow and folded her arms under her chest.
"This is why you cannot recruit him into joining, no matter what you do." Basty shook his head, dragging his feet toward the long table in the middle of the office. He dragged the chair and spoke as he sat down on it. "If not for this coincidence, I'm afraid Ike Lobo would've looked at the student council differently."
Basty cast Ike a look. "Come, sit down."
"I have to refuse." Ike raised a hand while Basty cocked his head to the side.
"We still have, err… five minutes?"
"Six," corrected Ike. "But it would take me that much time to get into class on time."
"Wait, you're going back?" Ashley chimed in, seeing Ike nod.
"Of course. I have to return to my normal life since I already spared thirty minutes of my life to get a glimpse of the life of the student organization." Ike flashed her a short smile.
"Oh…" Ashley rocked her head in understanding.
Ike assessed her for a moment before turning his head in Bernis's direction. The latter didn't have any reaction which was expected, so Ike returned his attention to Basty.
"I'll see you around," said Basty, offering him a big smile.
"Sure."
With that being said, Ike slowly turned on his heel to walk away. No one stopped him or told him to hang out with them. All they did was stare at his back until he stepped out of the threshold.
Ashley stared at the shut door for another minute after Ike closed it behind him. "I guess you also failed," she said, turning her head in Basty's direction.
"Not really." Basty shrugged while Ashley and Bernis joined him at the table.
"Why would you say so?"
"Because he said spared his time," Basty stressed Ike's remarks while the corner of his lips stretched from ear to ear. "If he disliked the time he spent with me, he would've said wasted, not spared."
Recalling Basty's words upon inviting Ike, he specifically worded his invitation to lessen Ike's expectations. After all, he didn't know if he would amuse Ike enough. But hearing Ike's last remarks put Basty at ease.
"So, what do you think about him?" this time, Bernis broke his silence as he sat down beside Ashley.
"Hmm… I think he is just as interesting just like the two of you said. No wonder even he intrigues you, Bernis." Basty leaned back comfortably, tapping his fingers on the armrest, pondering. "It will be a challenge to recruit him, but he will be a great addition to the student organization."
"See? I told you!" Ashley clapped. "Ike is strange, but everyone in this student organization is strange. Only Bernis and I are the normal ones."
"You should change your approach." Basty ignored her shameless claim since he already knew that was nothing but crap. "Or rather, just continue looking after him. Larza will be discharged today and who knows what that guy had in mind."
"Huh?"
"I think there's only one person who could make him agree to join the student organization." Basty slowly leaned forward, propping his arms on the edge of the table. His expression turned solemn. "No offense, but if it was just you and Bernis or even me, he will stick to this normal life he was so obsessed about. I can only think of one person who can make him join us."
Ashley frowned slightly, leaning back as she lowered her eyes. "The president?"
"Mhm." Basty nodded, smiling. "I think if it's him, it would be possible."