As Aria and Ace continued to gaze lovingly into each other's eyes, Reyan let out a sigh and walked away. He had his own girlfriend, and he wasn't about to stand around watching the two lovebirds be fed "dog food."
In the lunchroom, Aria and Helena made their way to their seats. Helena giggled and had a small smile on her lips as Aria recounted what had happened the previous day when Ace called her.
"Oh my, this is what people call love revenge," Helena said, chuckling.
Aria took a seat and pouted. "I love him even more now. I don't know how, but I think I'm even missing him right now."
Helena cooed. "Awwww, you're so cute, Aria. You should make that face in front of him; I'm sure you'll get a kiss with your lips pouting like that."
Aria stuttered, "Y-you stop saying that. What if someone hears you?"
Helena smiled mischievously. "Forget about them. Isn't he your boyfriend? Let them hear it."
After quietly eating, the two friends left the lunchroom and headed toward their classroom. As they walked, Helena said, "Aria, go on ahead. I'll go to the toilet first."
"Okay, let's meet in class," Aria replied and walked away.
Just then, Marcel approached her. "Hey, Aria."
Aria turned to him. "Hey, Marcel."
Marcel frowned, noticing the small bandage on her forehead. "What happened to your head?"
Aria brushed it off. "It's nothing serious. Don't bother."
Marcel looked concerned. "There's a bandage on your forehead, Aria. Of course, it's serious."
Aria reassured him. "No, Marcel, it's seriously nothing."
Marcel nodded. "Okay, hope it's not painful."
Aria smiled. "Yes, it's not."
Marcel hesitated before speaking up. "Aria, I want to talk to you about something."
Aria's curiosity was piqued. "Okay, what is it?"
Marcel glanced around before responding. "Not here. Somewhere quiet."
Aria hesitated but followed Marcel to a quiet corner.
As they stood there, Marcel began, "Aria, I know you have a boyfriend, but I still want to tell you something."
Aria's ears perked up, sensing where the conversation was headed. "Okay, go ahead."
Marcel took a deep breath. "Aria, I have feelings for you. I mean, I love you."
Aria's eyes widened in shock as Marcel took her hand in his. She tried to pull it back, but Marcel held tight.
Feeling her struggle to free herself, Marcel's heart ached. "Aria, I know you like him, but you have to reconsider your choice. Ace will tarnish your reputation, and he's rich – you're not from the same social class. He'll dump you."
Aria tried to reason with him. "No, Marcel, you're mistaken. Ace isn't like that."
Marcel continued, "And didn't you hear about the scandal he was involved in with a girl back then?"
Aria stood firm. "Ace is a good guy, and he won't dump me. We love each other."
Though she sounded confident, Aria couldn't shake off the doubts creeping into her mind. Her father had left her mother after marriage; what guarantee did she have that Ace wouldn't leave her too?
As Marcel held her hand, Aria felt a surge of unease. She tried to pull her hand back again, but Marcel's grip only tightened.
Just then, a voice interrupted them. "Marcel, let go of her."
Aria turned to see Ace standing behind her, his eyes blazing with anger.
Marcel's expression turned dark, and he pulled Aria closer, his lips crashing down on hers forcefully.
Aria struggled to push him away, but Marcel's grip was too strong. She felt a wave of panic wash over her as Ace's fists clenched at his sides.
In an instant, Marcel's body was flying through the air, and he landed on the ground with a moan.