The Ace and the Four Kings
Xyrine Jean's POV
I woke up abruptly, my body jerking upright as an eerie sensation surrounded me—a presence, unseen but unmistakable. Just as I attempted to move, the icy touch of a blade pressed against my neck, halting me in place.
"XJ, how have you been?"
A familiar voice slithered through the darkness, making my pulse hammer against my ribs. My breath hitched, and I swallowed hard, my throat tightening with unease.
How did I not sense them sooner? Had my instincts dulled this much?
"Why are you here?" I asked, my voice stripped of emotion, a practiced calm masking the storm brewing within me.
"Are you sure you don't already know the answer?"
A cold sweat traced down my spine as I turned toward the voice. From the shadowed corner of my room, a figure emerged—unyielding, dangerous, and all too familiar.
Uncle Julyo.
His expression was unreadable, but the weight of his gaze bore into me like a sharpened edge.
"What happened during your last mission, child?" His tone was controlled, yet beneath the surface lurked something more—authority laced with quiet disappointment.
Child. That single word sent a sharp pang through my chest. He only called me that when things were serious.
"If you came here to kill me because I disobeyed you, then get it over with."
He chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "You? Kill you?" His voice softened, but the steel within it remained. "You know I could never do that. To me, you are the most important person alive—someone who must continue to exist in this world."
He took a deliberate step forward, the shadows shifting with him. "That being said, I don't appreciate your irrational decisions. So tell me, what was your reason?"
I inhaled deeply, steadying myself. Telling him the truth was out of the question.
"It was personal," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Julyo's eyes darkened, his patience razor-thin. "You really think I don't already know what 'personal' reason you're talking about?"
I barely had time to react before his fingers brushed a few loose strands of hair from my face. I stiffened at the touch, every nerve on high alert.
"Just kill me if that's what you want," I muttered, lowering my gaze, a futile attempt to mask my vulnerability.
"No, Xyrine." His voice softened, almost gentle. He took my hand, his grip firm but not forceful. "I want you to live a normal life."
My breath caught in my throat as I lifted my head to meet his gaze.
"What do you mean, Uncle?"
He exhaled slowly, his grip tightening slightly. "The moment we leave this place, you are no longer an assassin. You are now just an ordinary person."
I blinked, unable to fully process his words.
"I've been an assassin for thirteen years. Do you really think it's that easy to just let go of all that?"
"That's the consequence of breaking the rules."
My lips parted, ready to argue, but no words came. My mind reeled as the weight of his decision pressed down on me.
When I met his eyes again, I expected anger. Instead, I found sorrow.
"I'm happy that, finally, you're beginning to live a normal life." His voice was almost wistful as he reached out, cupping my face with both hands. "So please… forget everything and be free."
"But what if I can't?" My voice cracked, the vulnerability I had fought so hard to suppress slipping through.
He stood abruptly, the warmth in his touch vanishing. I watched as he turned away, pausing only to glance at me over his shoulder—this time, with something colder in his expression.
Disgust.
"Do it, or everyone you care about will suffer," he warned, his voice devoid of the tenderness it once held. "Remember, this is all for you, XJ."
And just like that, he disappeared into the darkness, taking the other members of the BBO with him.
I remained frozen, my room suddenly too vast, too suffocating.
Forget that I was an assassin? Convince myself I was just an ordinary person?
A bitter laugh escaped my lips, empty and hollow.
How was I supposed to do that?
Montreal University
"Did you hear? Xyrine Jean got kicked out of Class A."
"Yeah, apparently, she faked her financial status, so they expelled her."
"Tch. So she's a fraud? Serves her right!"
The whispers grew louder around me.
"Ignore them, cousin," Ella said with a reassuring smile as she placed a hand on my shoulder. I responded with a small smile of my own.
"This is all that witch Monique's fault! Just because she's about to become Mr. Montreal's stepdaughter, she thinks she can do whatever she wants!" Ella huffed before turning to me. "By the way, which building did they transfer you to?"
That was when I realized—I hadn't even thought about where I had been reassigned.
"Fourth building."
Her eyes widened in shock. "A-Are you sure? You got transferred to the fourth building?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Insan, I think you should request a transfer to the second or third building," she said seriously.
"Why? What's wrong with the fourth building?"
"Are you serious? I told you before—all the buildings in this school are controlled by the Four Kings! And the fourth building belongs to Ren! That means it's filled with gangsters, thugs, and all the delinquent students of Montreal!" she rambled.
Ah. Now I remembered. I had actually been there before—during my first week at Montreal.
"Whatever."
"Ugh! Well, I guess as long as Ren is in control, things won't get too bad. But honestly, I'm curious. No one from the first, second, or third buildings is allowed to step foot in the fourth, and vice versa. I even heard they have their own separate campus!"
"How does that even work?"
"From what I know, the Nagasa family owns that place. They handed its management over to Ren—who just happens to be a gang leader." She suddenly gasped and glanced at her watch. "Crap! I'm late! Insan, I gotta go! Good luck, okay? Fight! Fight! Fight!"
She sprinted off toward the first building.
Now alone, I started making my way to the so-called hellhole.
As I walked, I felt a strange sense of unease. I used to despise Class A, yet now, I found myself oddly missing it. My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing of my phone.
I froze when I saw the caller ID.
Jacob calling…
"I just heard that you got kicked out of Class A."
"They expelled me because of issues with my financial screening."
"They only accepted you in the first place because of your connection to Julyo Guevara. But if you had used his surname legally, you could have made everyone in that school kneel before you."
"I can survive just fine without using Uncle Julyo's surname legally."
"Hmph. Well, either way, your name is still tied to that school."
Call ended.
After ending the call, I put my phone in my pocket. I'll just pretend he never called and never said anything. I took a deep breath and started walking again. I only stopped when a large signboard in front of me caught my attention.
"Only students from the 4th building are allowed to enter."
Really? I kept walking when suddenly, someone bumped into me.
"FVCK! Watch where you're going!" the person snapped, making me look at him.
Improper uniform, studs on both ears, tattoos on both arms.
"What are you staring at?" he asked arrogantly before bumping into me again and aggressively walking past.
I could only watch him walk away. Are all the students here like this? I exhaled heavily.
As I stepped into the 4th building, a sudden chill ran down my spine. Each step I took felt like I was walking straight into hell. I observed the corridor I was passing through. It was a mess! It looked like an abandoned building turned into a gangster hangout or a place for delinquent students.
Is this still part of Montreal University?
As I climbed the stairs, I was startled when someone suddenly blocked my way.
"Looks like we've got a newbie here! Which building threw you out? The 3rd, 2nd, or 1st?" he asked.
"Class A," I answered plainly, not wanting any trouble.
They all seemed stunned by my response.
"Class A?" he repeated before laughing.
"This is interesting, bro! She's from the 4KINGS' section," one of his companions grinned. I ignored them and walked past.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! Don't be rude!" He grabbed my arm, and my blood instantly boiled.
"From now on, you're no longer an assassin."
"Do it if you don't want the people you care about to get hurt."
No. You must endure this. You have to obey Uncle if you don't want anyone around you to suffer.
I quickly pulled my arm away, shoved him, and walked away—until I broke into a run. I just kept running until the faces of those delinquent students were out of sight.
Wait, where am I now?
Panting, I looked around the hallway and saw students hanging around.
Is this a school or a hideout?
I started walking with my head down, not wanting to draw attention, but I hadn't taken many steps before someone called out behind me.
"Hey, you! Stop!"
I ignored it and kept walking as if I heard nothing.
"I said stop!" he shouted again.
I suddenly felt something flying toward me, so I quickly dodged.
BLAG!
My gaze shifted to the shattered glass on the floor. They threw a bottle at me.
"Didn't I tell you to stop?" One of them approached and grabbed my arm tightly.
"What's your name, you disrespectful brat? Don't you know who we are?"
"I have no interest in knowing—" BLAG!
I was stunned as the taste of iron filled my mouth after he slapped me.
Blood?
I clenched my fists, but…
You're not an assassin anymore, Xyrine! Engrave that in your mind if you don't want Spade, Ella, and the others you care about to get hurt.
I took a deep breath and looked at them seriously. "Just let me pass," I said, lowering my head.
"What if we don't want to?"
I was about to respond when I suddenly felt someone lift my cap.
"Woah, what a catch. She's pretty!" one of them grinned while staring intently at my face.
I flinched when he suddenly grabbed my shoulder. "Her skin is so smooth, bro! Looks like we hit the jackpot!"
"Ah, shit! She smells so good! Is this how girls from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd buildings smell?" another one said as he sniffed my hair.
You're not an assassin anymore, so you can't rely on yourself. And now, you're in the 4th building…
I shut my eyes tightly. What should I do?
"Oh, what are you waiting for? Start the initiation for the newbie!"
The students around me cheered. I kept my head down when suddenly, someone yanked my coat, making me flinch. At this moment, only one person came to my mind. I swallowed hard as I pictured his face.
"Where are you...?" I said in a low tone, hoping my voice would reach that person.
My heart pounded in my chest. In the next instant, a male student fell to the ground in front of me.
As my eyes widened, my heartbeat quickened. I didn't know why, but when my eyes met his, I couldn't stop my tears from welling up.
"Spade?"
His expression darkened when he saw my condition.
He took a step closer and put my cap back on my head. I was about to speak when he suddenly touched my lips. He shut his eyes tightly, clenched his fist, and punched the wall behind me.
"Spade, oka—" I stopped mid-sentence when he pulled my cap down to cover my eyes.
"Stay still." he whispered seriously into my ear.
Even if I wanted to speak, I couldn't—his presence was overwhelming. He really looks pissed.
"Who?"
It's only one word but Spade's voice was laced with a deadly edge, so sharp it nearly sent a shiver down my spine.
"I'll ask one last time. If no one confesses…"
I swallowed hard as he stepped on the guy on the ground, making him cough up blood.
"…then all of you here will be finished."
"Shit! Why are we scared of you?! Hey, Spade! Don't forget, you're in the 4th building! Stop acting tough!" one of them bravely said.
"What are you all waiting for?! Attack him!" he commanded, signaling the others to start the fight.
The cap blocked my view, but I was sure the scene in front of me was brutal. I raised my hand to remove my cap, but someone stopped me.
"Hey, give me two more minutes…" he panted against my ear.
"Just two minutes, then you can take it off," he added.
I took a deep breath. "Okay, I trust you," I whispered.
Minutes passed, filled only with the sound of fighting. Then, finally, everything fell silent.
I was about to remove my cap when someone stopped me again.
"Let me," he said, quickly taking my hand away. But before I could even see his face, he suddenly grabbed my nape and pulled me into an embrace.
"I'm sorry." He hugged me tightly.
"I will make sure that today will be your first and last day here." His voice was calm, yet the anger was still evident.
I smiled and hugged him back.
"I'm fine." I really am.
"Uh-oh, it seems we're late."
I turned to the voice. It was Ren.
"Whoa, Spade! Look at what you did to them! Tsk tsk!" Ten said, shaking his head as he nudged one of the beaten guys with his foot.
"You guys handle this. I'm taking her to her room," Spade ordered as he firmly held my hand.
All the students in the hallway whispered among themselves about what they had just witnessed. We had only taken a few steps when Spade suddenly stopped.
"All of you, listen up!" His expression turned serious, and his gaze sharpened.
"There are three rules you need to follow. First—if you dare look at her, you're suspended. Second—if you dare talk to her, you're immediately expelled. And lastly—if you dare lay a hand on her, you're dead!"
All the students looked away in fear.
I hadn't even fully processed what he said when we started walking again.
"Spade," I called.
"What?"
"Please, don't do this again."
He immediately stopped and stared at me. "What do you mean? Didn't you see what they did to you? You shed blood! Ah, fvck! I'm going crazy!"
I quickly grabbed his hand. "I'm scared. I'm scared that someday, I won't be able to move without you. In fact, I think I already can't," I whispered.
Minutes passed, but neither of us spoke.
I was startled when he suddenly patted my head. When I looked at him, he no longer seemed tense.
"Ha, Xyrine, what am I gonna do? I think I'm going to explode."
"Huh?" I asked, confused.
"I said, I think I'm going to explode."
"W-why?"
"I think I'm going to explode because of so much happiness."
I was slightly taken aback by what he said.
" Even if I do this every day, I won't get tired of it, I won't leave you," he said with a smile, looking at me seriously.
"Ah, God, I think you've turned me into a madman. Earlier, I was going crazy, and now, I'm too happy. Is this even normal?"
I just chuckled slightly at his words.
We continued walking down the hallway when his phone suddenly rang. My heart skipped a beat when I saw that his smile had disappeared again.
"Xyrine, I'm sorry. Looks like I can't walk you to your class. Let's just meet at the cafeteria of the 4th building later."
"Huh? I thought—"
"Go on now. I really have to go." As soon as he said that, he turned and left.
I couldn't do anything but watch him run away from me. I forced a bitter smile.
It's annoying. You suddenly appear, and then you suddenly leave. But you know what's more annoying? I'm mad at myself because the longer this goes on, the more I feel like I can't... I can't bear to lose you.
4th Building's Cafeteria
So, the 4th building has its own cafeteria?
As I walked, I noticed that the students I passed by were avoiding me. Some wouldn't even look at me. It seems they really took Spade's rules seriously. Speaking of, he said we'd meet here today, so where is he?
"Xyrine, over here!"
I turned to the voice and smiled when I saw Ten and Ren.
"Why are you guys here? Aren't you supposed to be at the main cafeteria?"
"Wherever you are, you can expect us to be there too!" Ren said with a grin and a wink.
"That's right. Come on, sit here," Ten invited, tapping the seat beside him.
As I sat down, I noticed that all the students in the cafeteria were staring at me again, but I ignored them.
"Wait, where's Spade?"
"Don't look for him yet. We're your boyfriends for now," Ren joked.
"Where is he? He said we'd meet here today."
"Actually, he went to pick up his dad at the airport."
I immediately looked at Ten. "His dad?" For some reason, I suddenly felt uneasy. "Why does it seem like his dad's return was so sudden? Is he just on vacation?"
The two of them exchanged glances, as if I had said something wrong.
"Vacation?" Ten repeated.
"You don't know? Didn't Spade tell you anything?" Ren asked.
"Why? Was he supposed to tell me something?"
"Huh?" Ren suddenly turned pale. "Nothing! Nothing! Hahaha! Just forget what we said," he replied nervously.
"Yeah, hahaha, never mind!" Ten added.
Weird.
After we ate at the cafeteria, I went back to my classroom.
During class, I kept glancing at the window, and even by the time our last subject arrived, he still hadn't shown up. I lowered my head as different thoughts raced through my mind.
I was about to doze off when my phone suddenly rang. Without looking, I answered, thinking it might be my brother, Jacob, again.
"Hello?" I said, still looking down.
"Busy?"
"Huh?" I asked, unable to hear clearly due to the noise in the room.
"Who is this?" I asked when I saw that the number was unregistered.
"Look to your left."
Because of what he said, I turned to my left, only to frown when I saw that there was just a wall.
"What kind of prank is this?" I heard him laugh at my reaction.
"Look to your right."
Slowly, I turned to my right, feeling like an idiot. Absentmindedly, I stared at the guy leaning against the doorframe, holding a phone in his right hand while his left hand was in his pocket .As usual, he looked like a damn model caught in the middle of an imaginary photoshoot
I wasn't even surprised when he walked toward me.
"Where are you gonna sit? There's no seat available," I murmured.
"There is—right in front of you."
After saying that, he walked up to the guy sitting in front of me. "Move," he ordered, and the guy immediately got up.
I shook my head at his antics. He grabbed the chair and turned it toward me before resting his chin on his hand.
"Don't try to act cute. It doesn't suit you."
"It's fine. You're cute enough for both of us," he said with a smile.
"Ugh! You could just wait outside or at the back of the room, right?"
"Nope. I wouldn't be able to see your face from there," he complained before yawning.
"How am I supposed to study properly with you here?"
"Then study something else."
"And what exactly should I study?"
"Study how to love me," he said, almost making me choke.
Ugh, he knows too much. So irritating. Fine! I'll humor him.
I moved my chair closer to him. "Mister, there's no need. I've already studied that. I think it's even my major now."
His grin widened as if he had just won the lottery. "Damn! Even when it's not a pickup line, if it's you saying it, it still hits hard." He clutched his chest dramatically.
I looked around, noticing how everyone was staring at us. I just shook my head.
Class ended with Spade staring at me the whole time.
"Give it to me," he muttered as we finally walked toward the parking lot.
"Give you what?" I asked. Instead of answering, he suddenly took my backpack and walked ahead.
I stared at his back as we walked.
Geez! If I'm not lucky being his girlfriend, I don't know what is.
"Spade, how tall are you?" I walked closer to him.
"Are you wondering how I fit in your heart with my height?"
"I'm serious."
"One kiss, one question."
"Okay, I'll go first."
"Hahaha! Fine, I'm 6'3". Be careful, you might fall even harder for me."
"Your face!"
"Wait, give me back my bag. I just remembered I'm supposed to ride with Ella."
"No way. You're riding with me." He quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me toward a parked motorcycle.
"Why are you on a motorcycle?" I asked, puzzled.
"You're so excited because now you can hold onto my precious abs."
"Haha! So funny." I was about to turn away when he suddenly pulled me back.
"Are you riding, or should I ride you?"
Because of his dirty mouth, I had no choice but to get on his motorcycle. During the ride, I leaned against his back.
Being at his back makes me feel safe.A feeling I've never had with anyone in my entire life.A feeling I hope no one will ever take away from me.
When we arrived at Ella's place, I immediately got off his motorcycle, but I was surprised when he suddenly hugged me.
"Xyrine..."
"Uhmm?"
"Starting tomorrow, you'll be back in the 1st building. Sorry I couldn't get you back into Class A."
I stepped away from him. "How did—"
"You don't need to know. What matters is that we're in the same building again," he said with a smile.
"Spade? Where were you earlier?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.
"Sorry I couldn't go to the cafeteria earlier," he avoided my gaze.
"It's okay," I smiled at him. "I'm going in now."
I had just turned my back when he suddenly shouted.
"MRS. SY."
"Huh?"
"From now on, you're my wife, okay?"
I paused for a moment but then smiled. "Yes, mister. You're so corny."
"Go inside, my wife."
"Go away, ugly!"
"Wow, harsh! Hahaha!" He laughed slightly before waving at me with a smile.
Spade's POV
I knocked on the door of Xyrine's house. When she finally got inside, I let out a deep sigh.
"Come out now." From out of nowhere, my father's men emerged.
"Young Master Spade, please get in the car. President Sy has been asking for you."
I got off my motorcycle and got into the car. The whole ride, there was only one person on my mind.
"Xyrine..."
When I arrived at the mansion, I headed straight to his office. "When did you get back?" I asked.
The truth was, when I left earlier, I didn't actually meet my father. I went to the admin office to fix Xyrine's papers so she could return to the first building.
"Enjoying playing with someone's life, Spade?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Stop messing around with those kinds of people, my son."
"Do I look like I'm playing around? You don't even know her, so stop talking nonsense about her."
He just laughed at my words. "Where's the man who cared for nothing but power? The arrogant, greedy man who never hesitated to trample others to get what he wanted?" His voice was relentless, each word sharpening the weight of his accusations, making my jaw clench.
"If you have nothing more to say, I'm leaving." I turned my back on him, but then he spoke again.
"Bastard! I let you do anything you want! I even let you decline your engagement with Althea, but this is enough! Now, this is the right time for you to do what I want!"
"To do what? To become one of the most powerful names in the business world? How? By merging our company with another? And through what means? A fixed marriage?"
"In this world, nothing is more important or powerful than money! It's good that you already understand. The reason I'm here, aside from celebrating my birthday, is your upcoming engagement."
"Do you really think I'll let that happen?"
"Would you still be able to say that if I had your beloved woman under my control?"
I clenched my fists. I wasn't wrong—he was behind all of this.
"Aside from getting her expelled from CLASS A, what else are you planning to do!?" I shouted.
"Credit goes to Mr. Montreal's soon-to-be heiress—she's the mastermind behind that brilliant idea. But you already know that's just the beginning of what I can do if you don't stop playing around."
"Leave her alone if you want me to do everything you ask," I gritted out, my fists tightening even more.
"Good. Do the right thing before things get even worse."
I walked out of his office because I could no longer breathe.
Fool! Don't expect anything from me, because I have never obeyed anyone.
Kring*
I pulled my phone from my pocket when I heard it ring.
Ren's calling...
"Spade, is President Sy already at your mansion?"
"Yeah."
"Did he say anything to you?"
"Why?"
"Xyrine might be in danger, Spade."
A sudden wave of panic hit me. "What do you mean?"
"The students from the 4th building earlier... They're your father's men—"
I ended the call and punched the wall beside me.
"Well, you know that's not the only thing I can do if you don't stop playing around."
I clenched my fists tightly.
If I break up with her, will you leave her alone?
"I'm scared. I'm afraid that one day, I won't be able to move without you. I think I already can't."
"AAHHHHH!" I punched the wall in front of me several times.
Xyrine...
I don't know what to do anymore.
I just don't know.