Chapter 12: Chase

Zephyr Romeo's POV

I went straight to the bar after class. I needed to relax after everything that happened today. As soon as I entered, I took a seat and ordered a drink.

It had been a while since I last came here. I glanced around, searching for Trina, but she was nowhere in sight.

"Here's your order, sir," a woman said, placing my drinks in front of me with a smile. I recognized her—she was the same one who assisted me last time, a friend of Trina.

"You're Sammy, right?" I asked, making her eyes widen in surprise.

"Oh my gosh, sir! You still remember me?" She sat beside me, catching me off guard.

"You're looking for Trina, aren't you? I knew it!" She playfully poked my side, making me a bit uncomfortable.

"Where is she?" I asked, and her brows furrowed.

"Sir, she didn't tell you? She resigned last week."

Her words took me by surprise. Was it because of me?

"Did she say why?"

"She didn't give me a reason, just that she wouldn't be coming back. Maybe she had a fight with our boss," she said, grabbing some beef from my table and eating it.

"Stay with me for a while. Tell me more about her," I said, smirking.

She raised a brow at me. "Just talking, sir. I don't do that." She made a hand gesture, rubbing her index finger against her palm, making me chuckle.

"Don't worry, just talking," I assured her. She immediately called a waitress and ordered a drink.

We spent almost two hours talking, but Sammy didn't know much about Trina since they only met at the bar.

It had been two weeks since Trina found out my real motive for approaching her, but something felt different. I felt guilty—something I shouldn't even be feeling.

Trina was kind. She was different from the other women I had known. I was an idiot for realizing her worth too late.

At school earlier, I was about to talk to her. I followed her to the garden, but Liza saw me. She blackmailed me, saying she would expose everything she knew if I didn't entertain her. I had no choice but to kiss her and almost have sex with her, but it didn't push through because Trina suddenly arrived.

Liza was desperate. She wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted from me. She was starting to get on my nerves.

What if I kill her?

Nah, too early for that.

"Sir?"

I snapped out of my thoughts when Sammy waved her hand in front of my face.

"Stop overthinking. She loves you," she said, smiling.

'I hope so,' I thought to myself.

We had already finished several bottles, but we barely felt the alcohol, probably because we were deep in conversation and the music in the bar was too loud.

Then I saw Andrew approaching, looking troubled. He sat at our table, sighing.

"What's the matter?" I asked, taking a sip of my drink.

"Dad told me to let go of this business," he said.

"No way!" I put my glass down and glanced at Sammy.

"But sir… what about us?" Sammy asked sadly.

Of course, if the bar shut down, they would lose their jobs.

"No, that's not what I mean. Marcus Bar is looking for a new owner and management."

My eyes narrowed at his words. He looked at me with a pleading expression.

"I think I already know what you're about to say," I said, leaning back in my seat.

"Please, dude. I don't want my hard-earned business to fall into the wrong hands. If I have to let it go, I'd rather have you take it."

I considered his offer. Managing a business wasn't a bad idea, especially since I was always here anyway.

But my only problem was my identity. If I became the new owner, too many people would recognize me.

"Dude, you know my situation. I can't let people find out who I really am."

"Why not?" Sammy chimed in.

Andrew and I exchanged looks before she quickly caught on.

"Oops, sorry," she said, miming zipping her lips.

"Yeah, I know. I guess I should start looking for someone else," Andrew sighed, looking defeated. I started feeling guilty.

"Why did your dad suddenly tell you that?" I asked.

His frown deepened. "Because I'm getting married."

"Are you serious? Who's the unlucky girl?" I teased, taking another sip of my drink.

He glared at me. But it was true—whoever married him was doomed, considering how he was since elementary school.

"I don't even know her yet. It's an arranged marriage."

I choked on my drink.

"What?! Are you stupid? Why did you agree?"

"I'm shocked too, okay? But do you think I have a choice? Dad is obsessed with expanding his businesses. He's willing to sell even his own son just to make them grow."

Thank God my dad wasn't like that. He never interfered in my life as long as I didn't do anything reckless. That's why I loved him so much.

"Condolences, dude," I said, patting his shoulder.

"I'll head out. I need to find a new owner for this bar," he said, standing up, but I stopped him.

I knew I'd curse myself later for this, but I owed him. Ever since we were kids, he had always been there to help me. It was time to return the favor.

"Don't bother looking. I'll buy the bar from you."

His eyes widened before he hugged me.

"Sh*t, get off me! People might think we're a couple!"

"Thanks, dude. You're a real friend."

"And you're really a gay," I shot back, making both of us laugh.

"One question," I said.

"What is it?"

"Did Trina submit a resignation letter?" I asked, making him frown.

"No, why? She just said she wouldn't come back. I told her I'd give her final salary and bonus tomorrow."

I smirked.

"Don't tell her I'm the new owner," I said.

Now, I had a reason to see her again. And this time, I'd do everything to win her back.

Trina's POV

Gail approached my table at the canteen, carrying a tray of food.

"Mind if I sit here?" she asked.

I just nodded, continuing to eat as she did the same.

But she kept glancing at me from time to time, making me suspicious.

"Is there something you want to say?" I finally asked. She put her spoon down and adjusted her posture.

"I just have a question… Is Zephyr your boyfriend?"

I almost spat out my food.

"W-What are you talking about? He's not my boyfriend," I said, flustered.

She smiled knowingly, making me uneasy.

"Do you know which department he belongs to? I mean, he studies here, right? Even though he owns the school?"

"He doesn't actually—" I stopped myself just in time, my eyes widening.

I almost revealed Zephyr's secret.

"Ah, nothing. I mean, I don't know which department he's in. Why?"

"Because I have a crush on him," she said with a dreamy look.

I suddenly lost my appetite.

"He wouldn't even consider you." I rolled my eyes at her. Sorry, Gail, but you can't fall for that demon, or you'll end up like me.

"Haha, yeah, I mean, who am I, right? It's not like I'm pretty anyway." She laughed, but I could tell my words had hurt her.

"Gail, that's not what I meant. You are beautiful, and you'll meet someone far better than Zep. I just don't want you to get hurt." I held her hand and looked into her eyes, hoping she'd feel my sincerity.

"Why would I get hurt, girl? It's just a crush, nothing serious. It's not like I plan on dating him. Now, let's eat." She laughed, and I joined in before we continued our meal.

Before I returned to my room, my phone rang.

"Hello, Sir Andrew?"

"Trina, come to my bar after your class!" he said quickly before hanging up.

What was that? He didn't even wait for my response.

I felt a surge of excitement—Sir was probably going to give me my salary.

"Jackson, wait!"

I turned around at the sound of Pat's voice. She was running after Jackson, and from the looks on their faces, they were arguing.

"Leave me alone!" Jackson shouted at her, and I saw the hurt in Pat's eyes, as if she was about to cry.

"What do you even see in Trina, huh?" Pat demanded, shocking me. So I'm the reason they're fighting?

"What does she have that I don't? Even though she's with someone else now, you still can't forget her?"

"Don't compare yourself to her! You're nothing."

Jerk! Why would you say that to her?

Pat grabbed Jackson and clung to him, but he struggled to pull away.

"Please! Love me. I can't bear to see you with someone else."

Jackson ran a hand through his hair—a habit of his when he was frustrated.

"Look at yourself! You look desperate. Stop acting like you're the victim here! Weren't you the reason Trina and I broke up?" Jackson snapped.

I froze. What?

Ever since I found out there was something between Jackson and Pat, I had cut him off completely. I was too hurt, especially after seeing them kiss.

"You kissed me when I was drunk, even though you knew Trina would see! You ruined our relationship!"

So that's what really happened?

I turned to Pat, who was now sobbing uncontrollably.

"Because I love you! I've loved you for so long, Jackson!"

"Bullsh*t!" he cursed.

"Trina?"

I hadn't realized they were both looking at me now. Jackson took a step toward me, while Pat, looking devastated, ran away.

"Trina, please… just this once, hear me out." He took my hands in his.

"Jackson, I heard everything," I said quietly.

A smile broke out on his face, and he pulled me into a hug.

"I'm sorry for everything. I never stopped loving you. It was all Pat's fault."

I gently patted his shoulder, making him pull away and look at me.

"But Jackson, I don't think we can go back to the way things were. I was hurt too much. I lost my trust in you, and I cried countless nights over what happened. I can forgive you, but don't expect us to get back together. That's just… impossible now."

His expression darkened.

"Trina, you still love me, don't you?" he asked.

"I'm sorry," I said simply before walking away.

Love? I don't even know what that word means anymore.

If I were being honest, Jackson had only made one mistake. I knew he wasn't the sweetest boyfriend—the type to always express his feelings or whisper I love you every chance he got.

But despite that, I had always felt his love.

If I hadn't met Zep or Romeo, maybe I would've taken him back—especially now that I knew the truth. But I hesitated. I was afraid of getting hurt again, afraid that next time, I wouldn't survive it.

Now, I stood in front of Sir Andrew's office at Marcus Bar, ready to claim my final paycheck and the bonus he promised. I needed it to help pay for my mom's medication.

I knocked before stepping inside.

Sir Andrew was seated, his back turned to me.

"Good evening, Sir!" I greeted.

Slowly, he turned around—and my eyes widened.

It wasn't Sir Andrew.

It was Zep.

"Good evening, Trina," he said with a smirk.

To be continued…