CHAPTER SIXTEEN: WHO’S FOR THE GAME?

After my return, the days got hectic with preparations for the quiz after the Easter holiday. Although we see each other on the days for the study sessions, I still feel like I haven't really seen him. Even after our run-in with Ren, he hasn't changed one bit. I did expect him to hold back but he still comes over, like nothing ever happened. I don't know if it's possible to admire a man even more than I already do, but, I am beginning to.

"Alright, guys. Mr. Fairchild has an important meeting he had to go to and so he won't be going via coach with us." A chorus of disappointed sighs echoes throughout the conference room. I mean, I understand the girls because they're missing out on eye candy but I had to hold back my laugh for the guys who also moaned. Popular much, Sensei.

"Is he alright sir?"

"Yeah, don't worry. The Head just wanted to talk with him about tomorrow."

"Ah, alright."

"Now everyone. Are you ready for tomorrow? Did you all make sure to pack everything?"

"Yes!" The shouts of annoyance all rang together. Can't blame them. He's asked the same question over ten times already.

"I'm just checking," he laughs, putting his hands up, "don't blame me if you realize you've forgotten anything. Anyways, the coach is outside so let's get going. Jason's driving so he'll meet us there." Without waiting for replies, he leads us to the coach and everyone settles in as we get ready to set off. It was to be a two-and-a-half-hour drive to the city. Fun. As we get onto the main road I catch a glimpse of the silver Mercedes pulling out of the parking lot and falling into the lane a couple cars behind us. Honestly old man. You're way to persistent. I can only imagine his reasoning while trying to figure out why I'm doing the quiz. A shadow falls over me and I look up meeting Jon's eyes.

"Mr. Wilson?"

"Are you ready Atlas?" He asks as he sits down.

"I'm assuming Mr. Fairchild told you why I'm doing this?" He arches his brow and smiles.

"That's not the only thing he's told me." The grin that stretches along his face annoyed me and I roll my eyes.

"I'm sure I can sue him for discussing my private matters without consent." At this, he laughs and I can't help but smile along with him.

"He's a good guy. I can vouch for him." He replies almost immediately.

"He is a good man. One with mysteries though."

"Does his secrets make him bad?"

"No. Intriguing." His eyes narrow and I shrug.

"What do you know about Jason?"

"Enough that I trust him."

"Did you do a background check..."

"I did not…"

"Then how were you able to quote his paper on Forensic Science before he even started working here?"

"I read a lot."

"Atlas." Sigh. They really are friends. They're both very annoying.

"What if I said I knew him before." Shock registered in his eyes as he stares at me.

"W-What? You knew him..."

"Mr. Wilson I said 'what if'." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"If you're thinking I brought him into the school only for fun, you wound my pride. I only realized… after."

"How much about him do you know?"

"Other than what everyone else knows? Not much."

"What do you mean?"

"I know his Japanese name."

"The full..."

"Yes."

"You," he looks at me, disbelief, written all over his face, "know his family name?"

"Yes. Given name, Yuzuki. Family name, Sakamoto." His eyes widen at my statement, hands sliding through his hair.

"Don't worry, I didn't look further than that. Well, I didn't really have to look that hard."

"And how exactly did you know about his paper in the Forensic Science Journal?" His brow arching with the question.

"He told me he'd write one someday and I had a lot of free time. So, I waited."

"You actually read his paper based on Pathology?"

"Isn't that what started this conversation, Mr. Wilson?" I arched my brow and he smiles sheepishly, caressing the back of his neck.

"Don't worry. That's all I know. If I'd known he was the same person I wouldn't have brought him here, but now..."

"You can't let him go." He smiles, patting my shoulder.

"Don't patronise me, Jon." I replied rolling my eyes.

"Ugh," he puts his hand over his heart feigning injury, "you wound me. Known each other for over four years and I still can't touch you." He laughs when I arched my brow and I roll my eyes again looking out the window.

"Have you read any of his other works?"

"For someone who basically skipped grades like the system was his playground, I'm surprised he didn't write more papers after his first. I mean his books weren't bad so I forgive him. I guess he was just playing the field as usual." He stares at me silently as though searching for something before finally speaking.

"You've read his books?"

"Both of them. I'm rather curious as to why, even though he's so knowledgeable in medical science, he still chose to become a professor. And why even though Ivy League colleges and universities want him, he chooses to be a temp. A man like that makes it hard to read him."

"I suppose, that makes you two more alike than you think."

"How so?"

"You may fool everyone else but I've been marking your papers for over four years Atlas. I can tell you purposely stay in the top five but never go for first place." I stare at him for a while before smiling and looking out the window.

"Stop writing novels, sir. It just means I'm smart but not that smart."

"Says the girl that quoted from a paper that I highly doubt any other student has read."

"I just like Biology and Chemistry. And I read a lot."

"Are you referring to your erotica novels and manga's." Rolling my eyes, I shrug still not meeting his eyes.

"Atlas. He really seems to care for you a lot. I don't want the old man to hurt him."

"Did he tell you that he's had a tail for the past couple weeks?"

"He did."

"You think I'm putting him in danger?"

"No. He's my friend so I'm just worried. He may choose to just be a temp, but he really does like teaching. He's not good at staying in one place for long, so being a temp means he can leave whenever. If the old man does something that..."

"Don't worry. The old man can't do anything to hurt his job."

"What if he gets to..."

"The Head won't do anything."

"You've won over the old man?"

"Are you surprised." Arching my brow, I look at him and smile. After searching my eyes he smiles too.

"How in the world...?"

"He's a businessman. And one who loves his job." I shrug, turning away again.

"You really are something else, lassie."

"Promise me one thing."

"What?"

"I have a feeling father's going to do something to him soon."

"And?"

"If that happens, you mustn't tell him anything. No matter how much he begs. If he knows who my father is or that I know his real name..."

"It'll hurt him more."

"Father won't bat an eye even if someone could lose their job."

"Have you told him it's dangerous."

"I have. But that man is as stubborn as a god-damn mule."

"That I know all too well. What if he finds out about everything before you get the chance to tell him?" He had a point. Yuzuki wasn't an idiot. I may try to be as vague and evasive as possible when he asks me to tell him more but he wasn't stupid. From the way he responded to Ren following us that night and how he's been both before and after finding out about the game and my fathers dog following him, he's been calmer than I would've expected.

I can't help feeling like he's more capable than he lets on. The words he said that night played through my head. 'The safest place is by your side A-Chan. If you ever need my help, with anything... Come find me, okay? Just as you have your secrets, so do I. I can protect myself, and you, so believe in me.' I could feel the blush creep across my face at his words. Curse that man for those lines he uses. Him and his cliché Ikemen lines. Covering my face with my hand, I push back the heatwave that threatened to come out. God just thinking about him makes me hot. Swallowing hard, I press my legs tightly together as the thoughts of him in bed floats into my mind. For fuck sake. Give me a break hormone monster.

"I..."

"Atlas." Looking away from the window, I see Jackson stood above us. I couldn't care less if he heard our conversation but I hope he didn't.

"Yeah Deputy?" I could tell my voice was hoarser than before and Jon looks at me arching his left brow.

"Can we talk?" His smile was flat and I could tell he was worried about something.

"Sure. Mr. Wilson."

"Uhh. Sure, sure." Getting up, he moves to the front of the bus and Jackson sits down.

"You look like you're about to puke Jay." He laughs nervously, clearly avoiding my eyes.

"And you look like you'd rather be at home in bed."

"Wouldn't we all?"

"True."

"Umm… why'd you choose me Atlas."

"Straight in I see."

"I'm serious Las." He sits back in the chair, crossing his arms.

"Because I don't really trust anyone, but you're the person I don't trust the least... I suppose." He laughs and I could tell he was less stressed.

"Let's win this thing yeah."

"Was there ever a doubt?"

"When it comes to you, no." He grins and I nudge his shoulder playfully.

"You really are an idiot."

"An idiot you chose to help you win this important competition. So who's the real idiot here exactly?" He laughs louder than he probably intended and everyone turns to stare at us causing him to place his hands over his mouth in embarrassment.

"And I'm the idiot?" I arched my brow knowingly and chuckle at his embarrassed face.

"Shut up. I don't think the seniors are too pleased with having us here if I'm honest." Looking up I see a few of them still staring and it was quite obvious the others were talking about us.

"Since when do you care."

"I don't. I'm worried about you. You've already got those five clowns on your back… and you despise crowds."

"Awe. Are you worried about me Jay."

"No. I know you're smart, maybe even smarter than all of them. I know why you have to win, they don't. I'm just saying don't step on anyone."

"I won't. I'm not here to make enemies. They're all pretty smart and I know I need them more than they need me. That's the only reason I'm confident."

"You know when you first started here I thought you were just going to be another annoying rich girl."

"And now?" He smiles, looking from them to me.

"Well now, I suppose, I somehow admire you."

"What's there to admire?"

"A lot. I mean you've got a lot of secrets and I know you haven't exactly told me everything, but, I respect you."

"Is it just because I know how to keep my mouth shut?"

"No," he seems to think for a moment, "I'm not going to lie, that quality has a part to play, yes. But, you're also very smart and honest and although you shoot everyone death glares you are somewhat kind in your own way." I couldn't help the chuckle that escapes me and he clears his throat looking away shyly.

"Stop writing novels."

"Yes, President." Rolling my eyes at his address, I turn to face him.

"How's your brother?" His shoulders drooping slightly and a heavy sigh escaped his lips.

"Much better thanks. If it weren't for you..."

"I've known you guys since I moved here, so I was just helping a... I was just helping." His eyes widened before a playful smile forms at his lips.

"Were you about to call me a friend?"

"No." He laughs, playfully punching my shoulder.

"Meanie."

"I like to think I'm nice."

"You are extremely nice, kind and considerate."

"You exaggerate too much dude." He chuckles, looking at me again.

"After that misunderstanding why didn't you..."

"There was no point."

"Why?"

"One, I thought the less she knew the better for them both. I wasn't going to be responsible for some silly financial war."

"And two?"

"If she could easily trust the words of someone else completely and not even ask me for the truth, someone she called a friend, then there's nothing to explain to someone like that."

"I see. Whatever your reasons, thank you."

"He didn't know who she was. He was drunk from what he told me and luckily although he was drunk he used protection."

"Have you guys spoken after that? He never really explained it in full to me."

"No, we haven't. I saw him after a negotiation meeting, drunk off his tits. I was taking him home when someone saw us together and that's when everything got out of hand."

"Girls are scary though. How the hell do you go around drugging people and still want to play the victim?"

"I don't think she's the one who drugged him. One of her puppies if I had to guess. When he came to and realized who she was he couldn't just leave." I do admire him for that, but it was rather foolish.

"I don't know why but I can't help but feel it was done on purpose."

"I thought so too. But they haven't acted since then so let's just believe they've given up while still being cautious. He'll be safe where he is for now so don't worry too much." I pat his shoulder and he smiles warmly.

"Thank you, Atlas. I feel like I'll be forever indebted to you." He sighs again staring at his phone lock screen. I knew it was a picture of his brother and I couldn't help but smile along. Although what happened between myself and May was a misunderstanding of the things hiding beneath the truth that annoys me more than most. Who the hell drugs someone and brings them to their bed? Especially when that person won't be able to escape no matter how hard he tried. Jackson's family company relies heavily on investment support from A.D Group which is owned by Mays' father. By tying Ian to May, their business would've been placed in their grasp since he was the heir. Normally a coincidence would sum it up but the timing it all happened didn't do much to smooth any one's suspicions.

Why did he end up tangled around Mays' finger the moment her fathers' group was putting an economic strain on their company? I hate people who abuse and manipulate their power on people who can't fight back. Since he's also the heir to Watts Law firm, he couldn't just leave or even fight back. That rumour, although completely false, did work brilliantly as a foil for him leaving safely. So I never corrected nor denied anything. It wasn't my place and I hope Jackson gives up on the thought of owing me a debt.

"I can assure you, you won't. I didn't ask for your help only because I knew you'd help to repay me. I asked because you're smart and if there's anyone I put my faith in to win with, it'd be you. Plus, you holding the status of Deputy of the Student Council benefits me too." He looks away, coughing nervously and I think I catch a glimpse of a blush. This guy's too cute, but, Yuzuki is... another wave of heat rushed through me and my breath catches causing me to cough. Why am I thinking about you right now?!

"Anyways, let's win this." It was said louder than I intended but I didn't have time to care.

"We definitely will."

"Well aren't the newcomers blooming with confidence." Looking up we see one of the senior guys looking at us over his seat a few rows ahead.

"In situations like these, confidence is both one's greatest ally and enemy. Being on a team with you guys, who wouldn't see confidence as an ally?" I replied staring at him.

"I swear you're the Silent Student aren't you? You betray your name kid." I smile. If only he knew that's what he was to me.

"Just because everyone calls me that doesn't mean I'm incapable of speaking. I suppose everyone simply forgot I knew how to speak." He smiles and I notice everyone is now looking at us. Getting out of his seat he moves to the seats in front of us peering over the chairs.

"Your name's Atlas, am I right?"

"Yes."

"I've read some of the assessment papers you've written for Science you're quite smart aren't you? Maybe even smarter than some of your seniors." He pointed at a girl sat further to the front and she rolls her eyes, returning her gaze to her phone.

"I'm smart enough to be on the same team but I don't know about smarter." I say returning his smile.

"So you're not only cute and smart but modest? I like that. The names Myles by the way." He stretches his hand out and I take it. His grip is firm and I return his shake.

"I know who you are, Myles with a y." He smiles, still holding my hand.

"Right, we've been together for weeks haven't we?" Not wanting to speak anymore, I simply nod.

"Leave the poor girl alone Myles," another senior who's now standing, hits him across the head with a book she's holding, "not every girl falls for your snake charms." She smiles at me and I return it.

"Nic, I'm just saying. I've watched her a lot and feel like she's our wild card. So I agree with you, let's win this." Leaning over his seat he ruffles my hair before pushing Nic back to the front with him.

"Well, that was fun." Jackson says laughing, his brows arching as he looks at me.

"H-He touched me. My hair." I stare at Jackson and he smiles at my annoyed frown.

"Please don't kill him. He's known as The Academy playboy, so it's in his character."

"Ugh. I'm going to go count sheep." Smiling he digs into his bag to get his notes, sinking back in his seat.

"White or black ones?" He asks chuckling.

"You idiot. Anyways, if you get hungry there are doughnuts in my duffel."

"Alrighty." He grins as he digs into my bag and I put my headphones on sinking back in my seat also, as a comfortable silence fell between us.