Chapter 47: Favor
Zein's Point of View....
Seems right, feels wrong. I only have two choices, still I chose the most painful one. Even if it hurts, I need to accept that we can't be together.
I know, we'll never be the same again.
It's just sad that everything happened on her birthday night. The pain will always be remembered, and the scar will always be inside us. I am sorry, I had to give you up. Hoping someday, the pain would fade together with the feelings.
I don't know how I managed to bathe and now I'm dressed. I know I'm late for my next subject because I also woke up late. They didn't wake me up because I know they also wanted me to rest well.
I fell asleep quickly last night because of all the crying. I cried every scene in every moment we had. Moments that will always remain inside of me. I don't need to forget everything, I will never forget all our time together. That's already embedded inside my heart.
My chest tightened again, so I decided to just dismiss it all. I am so tired of tears.
When I stepped out of the dorm, a strange aura greeted me across the entire campus. The surroundings were very dark. Even though I was nervous, I continued walking when someone grabbed my arm.
"Don't leave the dorm yet."
Even though I was confused, I managed to stop Mia from trying to pull me back into the dorm.
"Please,"
"What's going on?" I asked, confused.
Mia's serious eyes were replaced with worry. I just felt that people had already surrounded us. Damn!
"Where are you taking that bitch?" Roxane said to Mia, arms crossed.
Mia didn't bother to answer; instead, she tightened her grip on my arm. I wanted to ask but I didn't know how to start. What happened again? I thought everything was over after what happened last night? Why do they look at me differently now? They look disgusted and furious.
"Come on, Zein." Mia tried to pull me again, but some students blocked her way.
My mouth remained shut. "Seems confused huh?" Roxane said with a smirk, as if she had read my mind. "Well, the whole campus already knows about what happened between you and Supremo. The exemption he made for your rule violation."
I just smirked before shaking my head. "Then, congrats." I replied, which made her grimace.
"Such a slut. I am sure she seduced our Supremo."
The girl who spoke backed away when I looked at her. I raised an eyebrow at her. "I will accept that as a compliment. At least, I managed to seduce Supremo... what about you? Can you?" I said laughingly, which dropped her jaw.
"See? She seduced our Supremo! Will you let this pass?" Roxane said happily, as she gained the sympathy of the people.
Pathetic. It's pitiful that she can't fight me alone, so she's asking for sympathy from others. Well, they all know everything, why should I stop myself?
Some stepped closer to me, ready to attack all at once. I remained standing and didn't flinch, even though Mia's hand gripping my arm was trembling.
"Wait..." I stopped them. "I just want to ask something." I laughed softly. "Do you know the punishment for hurting me?" I asked, which made them all stop.
Roxane grimaced as if she hadn't expected what came out of my mouth.
"I am the Queen of this University. The current 4th Highest. The Supreme Student Government Secretary. What kind of punishment do you want?"
Others bowed their heads, and others just backed away. What is the purpose of the power I have if I won't use it? They treat me as a disgusting whore when in fact I am one of the highest in this hell? I could even be one of the devils in their nightmares.
"Don't be afraid!" Roxane shouted.
"T-This is wrong. We can't hurt her."
"I can't either."
"I don't want to anymore."
In an instant, all the students surrounding us disappeared. Only the three of us, Mia and Roxane, were left. She was trembling with anger, but sadly, she couldn't hurt me.
"I am sorry to tell this, but you will never be an exemption to the rule."
She smirked at me before slowly laughing. I don't know why, but suddenly the bad aura that enveloped her disappeared. "Samantha."
I froze when I heard that name again.
"You know what? I'm annoyed at you. From the very beginning, I hated you."
My mouth remained shut, and my attention was focused on her.
"Because you are insecure." Mia said.
She laughed softly. "Maybe so, but I'm annoyed that I see her in you. I'm annoyed that every time I see you, I remember her. I see in you one of those I considered friends in this hell." She said.
I didn't let on that I was surprised by what she said. I know who she's referring to when she says she sees me, Samantha, but it's surprising that they were friends. She's annoyed at me because she sees her old friend.
"A friend who also left me in this hell. I thought she wouldn't leave me, but I was wrong." She quickly wiped away the tear that fell from her eye.
"S-She didn't leave you, they killed her-"
"I don't care! She still left me alone. I hate her! I hate you! I despise all of you!"
She ran away from us, leaving the two of us with Mia stunned. I didn't know she felt that way. Somehow, I understand her now, she's like a rebel. Maybe we shouldn't judge based on what we see because we don't know what's inside them, just like Roxane.
But that doesn't mean I'll treat her like an angel now. Psh.
Mia and I parted ways because she still had class and since my class was later, I decided to go to the SSG Office first.
From afar, I immediately saw Supremo standing at the door of the SSG Office. My nerves quickly consumed me, but I braced myself.
I still can't face him, but I can't run away from him either. I need to face what I did and prove that I can stand by my decision.
I am now standing next to him, but his gaze remained distant, as if he was lost in thought. I couldn't go inside because he was blocking the way.
I cleared my throat to get his attention. I didn't fail because he came back to reality.
"We're summoned to the Admin Office." Supremo said.
He walked ahead while I remained looking at his back. I expected him to be cold towards me, but I still couldn't help but feel hurt. I'm not used to it.
I drew strength before following him. When we arrived at the Admin Office, Madame Violet, Francisco, Teacher Kath, and Vice Ty were there.
There were two vacant chairs that were clearly meant for Supremo and me. I sat down before he did.
I almost ran out of breath. The air inside was suffocating and very tight. Add to that their gazes on the two of us with Supremo. I slightly bowed my head to avoid their stares while I felt that all of that didn't matter to Supremo who was presently just leaning back in his chair.
"The past has repeated itself," Francisco said first.
"I already warned you, Supremo." He added.
"I won't prolong this, I called you here to tell you... I am stripping Supremo Ace Craige of his power." Madame Violet said.
My gaze quickly went up, and my mouth slightly opened. I wanted to object, but I didn't know how to begin it all.
"T-That's too much!" Teacher Kath said.
"You know the rules! An SSG President shouldn't be involved with anyone! An emotion will just be a hindrance and President Ace broke that rule!"
"We don't have enough evidence that there was anything between them. How do we know it's not all just speculation." Teacher Kath continued to object.
I was very grateful to Teacher Kath for covering for Supremo and me. My tongue seemed to curl up because I was still shocked by what Madame Violet said. I had already put an end to what was between Supremo and me, so they couldn't do this.
"Speculation?" Francisco laughed a little, looking at us. "Is it true?" He asked us.
They all looked at us, especially at me. My chest tightened again. It wasn't all speculation, Supremo and I really loved each other, but I couldn't shout it in front of them because all my pain and sacrifice would be meaningless.
I won't let everything be ruined.
"I saw how you looked at each other, I know there's something between you." Madame Violet insisted.
My whole body was shaking.
"You saw it already. There's no sense of hiding the trut-"
"Stop it!"
They were surprised when I shouted and I knew Supremo looked at me too, which is why I really couldn't breathe anymore. I gasped for air.
They were all looking at me so I had no choice but to meet their gazes.
I will do anything for you even if I have to hurt you over and over again, I will. Supremo, I know you will hate me for this but sorry. You can't stop me.
"Supremo and I were never together. Nothing happened between the two of us."
I bowed my head after saying that. Deafening silence enveloped the four corners of this room after I said that. My chest was so tight.
I lied.
"T-That can't be! I always see you tog..."
"Because I am his secretary. A fucking secretary of this hell!"
In my denial, I knew I was hurting him again. I know an apology won't be able to heal all this, but I'm still sorry.
Forgive me, my love. I love you, so much. Others don't need to know that because it's enough that I know in myself that it's all true.
"One question, one answer... Did you ever love Ace Craige?" A question from Francisco.
FUCK!
"No."
I just closed my eyes when I heard the chair fall next to me and the door open and close loudly. I smiled unconsciously.
I denied everything.
I want to chase him and apologize but I can't. Even if I want to, I really can't.
"That should be enough to say that none of it is true." Teacher Kath said.
I couldn't understand anything and the only thing I was doing was biting my lip to stop the tears from flowing from my eyes.
Why did everything have to end up like this? Maybe, it's really wrong for love to blossom in this place.
"Alright!" Madame Violet stood up. "Still, Supremo Ace Craige is suspended for a week." She said.
That's better too. At least, only one week. I quickly ran out of the Admin Office.
I scanned my eyes around, hoping to see him and at least apologize but he was gone.
I hate myself. I know you, too.
Lutang went to the secret garden and sat on the roots of the big tree there. I hugged my legs and bowed my head.
I'm tired now. I want to give up but I can't.
"You know what hurts the most than being left alone?"
I remained bowed over my knees and did not lift my gaze. Hearing his voice makes my heart shuttered into pieces.
"Being denied by the girl I am willing to scream the most."
I just closed my eyes as my tears fell. I tried to stop my sobbing but I couldn't stop my body from shaking. I feel like I'm going to collapse on the ground now.
Even though I was shaking, I still forced myself to speak.
"Just leave me alone. I don't wanna hear your voice anymore." I said.
Sorry, I have to hurt you for you to wake up on this nightmare.
"Is that all it is?"
"Yes!"
I stood up and met his gaze. I shouldn't have done it, not now that I can see the continuous flow of tears in his eyes that he quickly wipes away.
"D-Did you really love me?"
"Loved?" I laughed even though my heart felt like it was being ripped apart. "Who would love you? You are such a poor pathetic heartless man. How can you expect someone to love you? You are a devil!" I scream out of my lungs.
Even though I was shaking, I forced myself to be strong but my knees felt like they were really giving up after seeing his smile-a bitter smile.
OH.MY.GHAD! Should I now nominate myself as the world's most notorious liar, ever?
I heard his hollow laugh. Every forced chuckle from him was like a sharp object piercing me.
I tightly closed my eyes.
"Stop it, Ace. You are just a pain in the ass." I gasped before saying one more thing. "I am contentedly happy without you." I said.
Neither of us moved after I said that. The only thing I could hear was the loud thumping of my heart, and the pain that enveloped my whole system.
"Can you do me a favor?" He asked. "Just this one." He added
I remained silent because I knew I no longer had the strength to speak. I just waited for what he would say.
In just a one swift move. My heart stopped beating and all I can feel right now is my shaking body, mind, soul and heart. He kissed me.
"Fight, Zein. I want you to fight, not for me but for your friends and most especially, fight for yourself. Don't worry, I am still your knight, your bulletproof and no matter what happens, you are still my Queen."
He turned his back on me while I could only watch him until he disappeared from my sight.
I'll fight, but not just for myself or for my friends. I'll also shed every blood I have for you until I drown, and until I die, my King.