Run, while you still can!

I've prepared myself, I've gotten ready, and my body, clothes, and face are in a strange order, not like before. 

I texted Canim to wait outside the gate and meet me there. Nadia has a strict schedule, and she sticks so much to it, and she comes to school at the same time every time. She's so easy.

When I arrived at the gate, Nadia was also getting out of their car and a smirk formed on my lips because the show had started. It's Showtime!

I walked sexily to Canim, grabbed his necktie and planted a quick kiss on his cheeks. He seemed so surprised as well as Nadia, and that's what I love about her. She's so transparent and predictable. I looked at her and I winked, but she just scoffed and continued walking.

I left after having the encounter with Canim, and then we were done.

"Let's go."

"Where to?" he asked in surprise, but I immediately turned away from him.

"To our separate ways. I did my job very well today." I replied while waving my hand in the air.

That felt satisfying. But I got goosebumps all over me afterward. I didn't even know I had that side of me. That really felt weird and disgusting. 

"What a great show we had sweetie pie," Alex said jokingly, while approaching us with coffee.

I noticed that Lara's forehead was furrowed as if she wanted to say something, but she was holding herself back. "Spill it, Lara."

"What is your relationship with Canim?"

I gave her a reassuring smile. "What you saw and what you are seeing are all not true."

"You mean you two are faking?" Alex intervened.

"More like role-playing," I replied.

"What's going on? Can you enlighten me?" Lara, with her face still so confused. Lara paced back and forth, anxiety evident on her face. While I sit calmly on the couch.

"Lara, I understand you're worried, but please trust me. I know what I'm doing. I'll tell you everything in due time."

"But why can't you just tell me now? I need to know where we stand." she frustratedly stated. 

"Hey, hey, what's all this seriousness about? Let's lighten the mood. How about we talk about something fun?" as usual, Alex is the lighthearted Alex.

Lata and I exchange a glance and the tension is momentarily broken.

"Okay... but I still want answers, Kaesu." Lara reluctantly replied.

As much as I badly want an answer from you too.

"I promise, Lara. I'll explain everything soon. Trust me." I hope when that time comes, there'll be no secrets, and we'll figure out each other. I place my whole trust in you guys. I hope I am not putting it on a cliff.

"So, who's up for a game night this weekend?" excitement was evident in Alex's eyes, but I knew that he was also trying to steer the conversation away from the heavy topic, hoping to ease the tension in the room.

Lara's expression softens, a small smile forming on her face.

"Game night sounds fun. Send me the address and expect me there." Antonio is Antonio who keeps on appearing all of a sudden and disappearing in thin air.

I rolled my eyes at him and was about to punch his chest when he caught my hand. "Careful there, this is delicate."

Ugh! Antonio and his cringe jokes.

"Get lost." 

"But before I do, Can I talk to you for a minute?" he suddenly became serious, so I signaled Alex and Lara to go, and I would follow them later.

"I found him."

"Who?" Can't this man get any more straightforward?

"The CCTV guy."

I composed myself, pulled him somewhere isolated and let him continue.

"He is in some province living a simple life with his family. I think he is harmless. We just have to have a good talk with him." 

"How can you say so?"

"Can you come with me? This weekend? I promised to protect you and I will not bail you. You have me 24/7 protecting you from anything."

I facepalmed at what I heard. "Can you quit being so cheesy and cringe? You're giving me goosebumps." 

He chuckled and flicked my forehead again, so I rubbed it and groaned.

"Oh, did I do it so hard this time?" he looked so worried and went closer to see my forehead and blow it softly.

I could feel his breath and my heart seemed to be in a bad state, so I cleared my throat. "I think I had better head off, I have classes."

He just chuckled and it was annoying.

It was a very long day and it was so tiring. I can't wait to lie down in my bed right now and---

"Look who we have here."

Oh yeah! I was so distracted by my thoughts that I didn't realize that I was now on the part of the road that was so isolated that I almost got kidnapped before and here I was feeding myself to the prey.

"Yeah right, Nadia. Look who you just got." I sarcastically replied. 

"You got me back there with your little funny scare off fun, but do you think you can scare me off just like that?"

Ah right, Antonio said he settled things with Nadia, but it seems like it just provoked her more. Great! Don't let me see you Antonio, or you're dead meat.

"Isn't it quite a motivation to be stronger sweetheart?" 

"How about this?" She showed me a picture of Antonio and me earlier while Antonio was blowing my forehead, and it was really a good angle that it looked like he kissed it.

"Nice angle, by the way." I tried to keep it cool, but I didn't know how long I could keep it.

"You're hitting on both men, Kaesu, and it's not fun. Are you trying to steal mine while hitting the other hottie too? Are you trying to hit two birds with one stone?" That was a long speech of hers. She must feel brave only because of her minions around her, but they are all so useless. Especially with those thick red-lipped girls.

"Actually, you can count yourself in to make it three." I winked at them and with that, I quickly ran as fast as I could. I saw them trying to keep up, but how could they possibly do so if they were on their heels? 

I laughed while running, and it felt perfect not until Antonio's big bike stopped in front of me. He threw his helmet on me and was glad I caught it.

"Hop in." 

I didn't hesitate to hop in, and I shouted as loud as I could while he was driving fast and then we both laughed afterward.

"That felt good."

"I was about to help you earlier, but I didn't think you needed it."