WARNING: You might notice lots of wrong
grammar and typographical errors and I am sorry for that. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
Zein's Point of View
"Zein, wake up." I shifted my position, ignoring someone squeezing my cheeks. I almost shouted in anger when the jerk grabbed my comforter. I opened my eyes, but I was the one who gasped when I saw the man with the poker face looking down at me.
Shit! I forgot!
"Shhh." His expression was annoyed.
"What are you doing here?" I almost covered my face with a pillow so he couldn't see what I looked like. Damn it! I almost forgot—we are staying here in the condo that he bought for the two of us. We moved here so we don't have to travel long distances every day, since our school is close by.
"To wake you up," he said, turning his back on me. "Get dressed and have breakfast." He left my room, and I quickly ran to the mirror to check my appearance. Oh my god! I looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge backward. I snorted when I saw the wall clock; it was only six in the morning and we had class at eight.
I forgot that I'm living with the President now. It seems like my sleep is going to be ruined every day because I'm with someone for whom every second is important. Great! Ugh!
"Faster!" he shouted from outside, as if he knew I hadn't moved yet. I stretched a little more before grabbing a towel and heading to the bathroom. I froze as the cold water enveloped my body. Today is our first day as college students and, yes, we are at the same school. I'm taking HRM while he is taking Business Management so he can help Raze manage the company their father left behind. The President is richer than me, and honestly, I think that's a bad sign.
After drying my hair, I left the room and found Ace sitting on the sofa watching cartoons. His eyes landed on me, and a small smile peeked out from his lips.
"You're still beautiful in the morning."
I wanted to frown, but I couldn't. I just smiled. It was a nice start to the day; my annoyance with him vanished just because of that smile. Damn his smile!
"Breakfast," he said, ushering me into the kitchen. I closed my eyes as the familiar scent made my stomach churn with hunger. "Adobo?!" I cried happily and immediately sat down. He served me rice and the dish, and I devoured it. I could feel his gaze on me, but I didn't care. I was hungry and didn't have time to be shy.
"Slow down." I glanced at him as he slowly chewed his food. I felt embarrassed for him; he acted more poised than I did. After we ate, we sat on the sofa and talked about the "dos and don'ts." Seriously? I'm not a kid anymore!
"Here," he said, handing me a cellphone he had bought. When I saw the casing, I felt a wave of shyness.
"Don't be shy," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You love Dora, right?"
"Yes, but... damn it! You didn't have to buy me a Dora casing!" I shouted, making him laugh. He waved his own cellphone at me. "I am your Boots," he said. His casing was a monkey.
I snorted. He really wouldn't leave me alone. "You are Dora and I am your Boots; therefore, you are not allowed to go on an adventure without me by your side."
"Fine, but you really do look like a monkey." His eyes narrowed, and I knew he was getting serious. It was awkward; I was the only one laughing. My killjoy boyfriend.
"I am dead serious, Zein."
"All right, all right," I gave up. I opened the phone. The wallpaper was still the default, and there was only one number saved.
*Darling: 09******** *
"That's my number," he said. "I don't have yours yet."
I raised my eyebrows. He hadn't taken it yet? "Then save it." I reached for my phone, but he just looked at it and snorted.
"Text me," he said. "It has credit."
"All right."
"It should say 'I love you'."
I laughed and did as he said. His phone beeped, and he showed me the text. "I love you, too," he replied.
After clearing up our things, we headed to the parking lot. "We'll go home together," he reminded me while driving. I just nodded and turned on the radio. The song *If You Are Not The One* was playing. I closed my eyes as Supremo and I sang along at the same time. It felt like all the memories of the past were flooding back. I admit, I miss that place.
"The Business Building is far from the HRM Building!" I noted as we walked onto campus.
"I know."
"Then leave me be! You'll be late!" He was giving me a hard time, and I just shook my head. We had been talking so much that we hadn't noticed the time, but he didn't seem to care.
We were stopped by a man with a wide grin. I don't know why, but I had a bad feeling about him. "You two are late," he said.
"And we are aware of it," Ace said coldly. The man frowned, clearly annoyed by Ace's attitude. Who was he? Why was he stopping us?
"I am Cedric Lastimosa. The President of the Supreme Student Council."
Ace and I showed zero interest. We didn't care who he was. "Excuse us, my girlfriend is late." Ace pulled me away. "He acts like trash," he commented. I couldn't help but laugh. Ace used to be the President of a much more "unusual" school; comparing him to this man was an insult to Ace Craige.
We stopped at Room 321. The door was closed, so I knew the class had started. "I'm fine," I told him. Ace looked at me for a moment, examining my face. He let out a sigh and ruffled his hair angrily. "You are driving me insane."
Sometimes I really don't understand him—he's so vague. "You'll be late, Ace."
"Zein, is it okay if I shift to—"
"Ace!"
"All right! Just kidding, Darling." He suddenly hugged me. "It's just that I am afraid. I'm afraid of being away from you. Sometimes you're so rash."
I pushed him away in annoyance, and he laughed. "See you later," he called out. Once he was out of sight, I knocked. I didn't get scolded since it was the first day, so I just introduced myself and sat next to Vanessa.
"Why only now?" she whispered.
"Because we were late," I replied, taking out a notebook.
"Did you and Ace do something?"
I thought about it. "Yes, we ate."
"What did you eat?" I didn't answer because I knew where she was going with this. She has such a dirty mind. "What course is Jerome taking?" I asked to change the subject.
"Civil Engineering... just like Dave." I nodded. Matt was taking Business like Ace. Mia was in America; she didn't want to go, but Dave convinced her it was for the best.
After a few subjects, it was break time. Vanessa went to find Jerome, so I headed toward the cafeteria. My attention was immediately drawn to a man with a poker face being teased by a woman. I narrowed my eyes and approached them. "Is there a problem?"
Ace quickly came over and held my hand. I raised an eyebrow at the woman, who was smirking at us. I wrapped my arm around Ace's. "What do you need from my boyfriend?"
She just grinned and walked away. My cheeks flushed, and Supremo raised an eyebrow at me. "He was forcing me to join the Dance Club."
"Do you want to?" I asked, annoyed.
"No—"
"Then why didn't you just tell him off?"
He put his arm around me. "Don't be jealous. Let's go, I'm hungry." I stopped acting up because I knew Supremo wouldn't trade me for anyone else. It would be like trading gold for mud.
"How is it?" Ace asked while we were eating.
"Nothing special," I answered. The university was huge and crowded. Every seat was occupied.
"That's because I wasn't there with you," he teased. I raised my eyebrows, but he just smiled back. I shrugged. He's so full of himself, but he's right—it isn't special when we're apart.
"Can I sit here?" It was President Cedric again, holding a tray.
"No—" Ace started.
"Sure," I interrupted. Ace sneered at me and pulled my chair closer to his, leaving a wide gap between me and Cedric.
"I don't eat people," Cedric laughed, looking at Ace.
"I know. But I do."
Cedric was stunned. I elbowed Ace; he was being too harsh, and I didn't want to make enemies on the first day.
"Fatty foods, huh?" Cedric commented,
looking at Ace's plate. Ace doesn't like people interfering with his business. Wrong move, Cedric.
"I am not a goat, unlike you, dude."
"I am not a goa—"
"Then a cow? Sorry, my mistake."
"Ace!" I grabbed his arm. Ace ignored him and put a spoonful of food in my mouth.
"Darling..." I quickly ate it to keep him quiet. I heard Cedric chuckle.
"So, you are?"
"Zein, and this is Ace—"
"Her boyfriend," Supremo finished. Cedric nodded, but I noticed he hadn't touched his food. He'd lost his appetite.
"Zein? Nice name. Suits you, babe."
Uh oh.
"Are you stupid as fuck? Haven't you heard her name? It's not 'babe,' and don't you dare call her that," **Ace said with a heavy, threatening tone.** "I am Ace, but if you try to interfere with us, you can call me Devil, and I'll give you hell." Supremo stood up and pulled me away.
I guess studying here won't be easy—not because of the professors, but because of students like Cedric.
By the afternoon, I was waiting at the shed. Ace hadn't arrived yet. The mosquitoes were starting to bite.
"Sister..." A child approached me. "A man told me to tell you that your boyfriend already went home."
My forehead furrowed. Supremo wouldn't leave without me. "Who said that?"
The child pointed to a man wearing a cap. He noticed us looking, jumped into a car, and sped off. Weird.
Ace's Point of View
It's annoying that our professor dismissed us so late. Zein is waiting. I almost ran to the waiting shed. I promised him we would always go home together. If he finishes first, he waits for me; if I finish first, I wait for him.
I frowned when I saw the shed was empty. It was impossible for him to leave without me. I waited for half an hour, thinking he might be nearby, but then I decided to call. He didn't answer. I called several times. No answer.
Damn it! He's making me worry. I ran to the parking lot. Maybe he got bored and went to the car? But I know Zein—he wouldn't do that. As I drove, my mind raced with dark possibilities. I pressed my hand against my head.
I ran up the stairs to our condo, skipping the elevator. I was out of breath. The lights were on. Is he here? I ran to the kitchen and found Zein cooking. I breathed a massive sigh of relief.
"I said wait for me!" I snapped, my voice thick with irritation and relief. He turned around, surprised. "We had an agreement!"
He raised his eyebrows, still holding a spoon. "What are you talking about?! You're the one who sent word for me to go home!" he shouted back. "I was waiting for you! Where have you been?!"
I didn't say anything; I just hugged him. I was so worried. My hands were shaking. Who told him I was going home? What is happening?
"S-Supremo..."
"I love you, Zein."