Chapter 16

Alitha's POV

"Can you not tell Daddy about today?" He is silent on the other line. I knew he wouldn't agree to my request so I thought of another excuse. But I was surprised when he spoke.

"Okay, Ms. Alitha." I didn't expect him to agree right away. That he would make it even harder for me to convince him. Well, I was surprised but glad as well.

"Thank you, Cliff. Besides I am fine and I enjoyed a lot." I said smiling while looking at the ceiling.

"I understand. But please be reminded Ms. that we are after your safety. If anything bad happens to you, Mr. President will know."

"Yes. I know. Thanks again, Cliff. Goodnight." That was it and I turned off the call. I am confident that nothing bad will happen to me. Even the two with me were members of the fraternity. I proved earlier that despite being bullied at school, they also have good qualities just like other teens have.

Third person POV

Alec knocked three times before he opened the door.

"Come in." He saw the President was busy reading the papers on the table. The President didn't even look at him and he made sure he was serious because of a frown on his forehead.

"What is it, Alec?"

"Good evening, Mr. President." He took a few more steps to the President's desk. It's late but he was still working. Indicating his dedication to his position. "We have received news from people we trust. Maximus is said to be here in the country. He arrived this evening on his own plane."

It was the moment that the President looked at him. He thinks his forehead furrowed even more because of the bad news he brought.

"Why so sudden?"

"His wife died last week because of lung cancer. That's the reason why he came back after how many years of living in Madrid." The President nodded and lean back on his chair.

"Send him a warrant of arrest. Tell the designated person about that."

"But, Mr. President, you know how dangerous it is if we sent him a warrant of arrest. That man is violent and kill the will immediately." The President stood up and walk to face the window. The window is tinted and there's nothing to worry about him standing in there.

"We will arrest him in legal ways. But if he does that, I will be forced to arrest him illegally." That was all he was waiting for. He knew the quality of Maximus's mind and he wouldn't just follow if the police went and brought a warrant. And of course, he knew the President too well.

He was about to take a step backward when the President called him.

"Yes, Mr. President?"

"How's your student?"

"She's doing great, Sir. We will have practice tomorrow."

"Good to hear that. Make sure she comes tomorrow. I want her to learn more, to know everything I have taught you."

"Yes, Sir."

"How about my eldest? How is she?"

"She's okay, Sir. You have nothing to worry about."

"They you tell her what I told you?"

"Yes, Mr. President."

"Okay. You can go."

He nodded and bowed a little before he went out of his office. He still has work to do and must watch. He picked up the cellphone and called Alitha. There were three rings before the girl answered his call.

"Alec?" Her voice was raspy. She was probably asleep.

"I am sorry to call you this late, Ms. Alitha."

"It's okay. What is it?"

"It's about your stalker. We've got his name." The girl on the other line was silent for a moment.

"Who is he, Alec?"

"His name is Marc Cortez."

Alitha's POV

What?

"Marc Cortez?" I sat up from lying down when I heard Alec's report.

"Yes. That's his name. You know him?"

"No. I don't know him. But seemed familiar though."

"Is that so?" I was unable to answer him because I was still surprised at what I found out. I really thought.. I really thought that it was Nikolai. But then I was wrong. My God. I embarrassed myself in front of him. Accused him of texting me. OMG, Ali!

"Ms. Ali?"

"Ah, yes?"

"Seems like you have a stalker. Do you want us to take care of him?"

"No. Just leave him alone. I will block his number again."

"You must do that, Ms. Ali. Anyways, I will see you tomorrow at seven sharp."

"Okay. See you."

I placed the cellphone again on the bedside table. I'm really ashamed of how I treated Niko. That's why he totally denied my accusation. Why was I foolish that day?

I lay down again and stared at the ceiling. I remember him again. His face especially when he asked about my tattoo. That's why he was staring at me earlier. Because of my tattoo.

"You have a nice tattoo." He said while looking at my arm.

"Thanks. It's a symbol."

"For what?"

"No reason." I just told him that so he wouldn't ask any more questions. I also don't know if my reason is valid.

"Okay. You look hot because of that." I was speechless. I didn't expect him to tell me that.

"Thank you though."

I just closed my eyes when the scene of us talking earlier flashed in my memory. He even caressed my tattoo that made my inner being shudder a little for the contact. Why did he do that? Didn't he even think my reaction in case his hand landed in my skin?

I already had it when I was only fifteen years old. On my left arm there is a tattooed symbol. Symbol that I do not know for what. My Dad tattooed it for me.

He told me once that this symbolizes my bravery. My bravery upon accepting Alec to train me for I don't know what reason. Dad told me that it's for my safety and security that I soon believed.

Before my mind could go away, I again forced myself to fall asleep. I'm still confused until now. Nikolai offered to be my friend aside form Glaiza. The sudden change of his attitude. Or is it just me who thinks that he changed?

I don't really know him that much. He just got my attention everytime he did something wrong. Punching our co-students, fighting his professors, hurting the feelings of lots of girls in the campus, etc. That was all not good for knowing him. I only found out yesterday and today that he has some good qualities somehow.

I didn't realized that I fell asleep thinking his good qualities. It's already morning when I opened my eyes. And stunned when I read the first message that I have received.

Unknown number: Hi, beautiful ❤️

Marc Cortez? Where did you get my cellphone number? I didn't think twice, I blocked him. I forgot to blocked him last night. Ugh!

I am on my way now to Alec's apartment. Today is another hectic day. My training for my safety purposes as what Dad told me. Alec called that he went inside already and preparing his basement for our lesson for today. He thought me how to shoot, how to disassemble and assemble different kinds of guns. He taught me tae kwon do and jujitsu. That's our usual routine every Saturday for almost two years now.

"Good morning." He said as soon as I opened the door. He's sitting on a couch while a mug of coffee on his right hand and a newspaper on his face.

"Morning. What are we doing for today, Alec?"

"Judo."

"What?"

"I will teach you that later."

"Judo? Why would I learn that? I have mastered tae kwon do and jujitsu already. Why judo now? What's the difference of that three? They're all self defenses."

"I think you forgot the difference, Ms. Alitha." He folded the newspaper and placed it above the table.

"No. I didn't forgot. What is this judo?"

"It emphasizes the use of quick movement and leverage to throw an opponent."

"While tae kwon do characterized especially by the extensive use of kicks. Jujitsu, on the other hand, employing holds, throws, and paralyzing blows to subdue or disable an opponent." I cut him off. Of course I couldn't forget that.

"That's good to hear. Now, sit down ang take a rest first for an unending battle later." He is smirking.

"Really? Do you plan on killing me, Alec?"

"Nah, don't bother. You're not worth my time."

"Hah! How about if I call Eden and tell her that you're looking for her." His face became stoic. "Don't try me, Alec." And now my time to smirk. I show him my most annoying smirk that I know he doesn't like.

Actually, Alec and I are friends. Close friends only if we're alone. He treats me like a little sister here while he treats me like a madame outside his apartment. I knew about him and Eden. Sometimes Eden came here not until something happened between them.

And I have no idea what thd hell is happening to them. All I could see is that they're both lonely. Eyes are sad and they're both look tired that I didn't see in them before.

"Fell free to make yourself a cup of coffee or juice or whatever you prefer to drink."

"Okay." I put my backpack on his couch and walk towards the kitchen. I always do this whenever I came here. I haven't been last week and I called him telling I was not in the mood to for training. He just said okay and rest. It was Dad who was so overreacting. He wanted me not to miss even a single day of my training.

We started the judo session when we finished his reading newspaper and sipping his coffee session every time I came here. Judo is more on hand movements. However, I found it more easy. Maybe because I already have knowledge on fighting. He taught me tae kwon do and jujitsu for a long time.

"Mr. President won't allow you to join any competition, Ali."

"What?" We're back on his couch after the last sparring we had.

"He told me that."

"Why? I mean you were there when he told me that when I turned eighteen, I can join any competition I want to."

"He has reasons why you still not allowed to."

"Like what?" I suddenly felt frustrated.

"I don't know. He didn't tell me the reason. You should ask your father instead."

"I can't believe this!" I rub my temple as if my head is aching when in fact it's just my mannerism every time I need to think harder. "I am really disappointed right now, Alec. All I thought that I could join the Olympics next year."

"I was thinking that too. But he told me last week not to let you join the competition. Neither shooting nor fighting." I take a deep breath and think what was his possible reason right now.

"I will call Dad later. Anyways, I need to go." I look at the wall clock and halted when I see that it's five thirty already. I stand up and take my backpack.

"Should I take you home?" He offered. He stood up and walk before me across the front door.

"No, thanks. I brought my car."

"Ah, yeah." He opened the door for me. I walked outside and so is he. When we reached my car, I turned to him and looked at him.

"Are you sure you don't want us to talk about you and Eden?" I asked him unhesitating.

"Ms. Alitha, please stop mentioning her name." He closes his eyes as if he's in great pain.

"Why? You know, it's better if you have someone whom you can talk to and share your problems with."

"I don't need that, Ms. Alitha. I can handle myself well."

"You sure? Because you're a mess. I mean, have you seen yourself in the mirror? You're losing weight. You have eye bags. Your beard and mustache are growing. You have no plans on shaving, have you?

"Oh, come on. Ali? I don't want to talk about it right now. I will tell you some other time. Okay?"

"Fine. Okay, it's up to you. I gotta go."

"Bye." He sounds sarcastic but I know he's ashamed to talk about my sister.

I was smiling as I turn to face my car but I was surprised to see the person across the street looking at us. He's sitting on his motorbike as if he was there for a long period of time.