Ch 10: Accepted

Zein's POV

That president is a jerk! He even gave me a headache! I thought to myself as I left Principal Carmie's office.

I didn't take his words seriously. Apparently, that man might just be trying to trick me and wanted to make my head hurt.

"Miss Shion!"

I turned to the person who called me.

"Yes, Sir Alvarez?" I asked when he got closer to me.

He was holding three books and slung a black shoulder bag over his shoulder. He was probably 25-30 years old.

"Can we talk?" He asked seriously.

I nodded. It looks like what he has to say is important. We went to the cafeteria, and he ordered two juices. We sat at the far end of the cafeteria, where we weren't seen much.

"I need your help."

I was surprised by what he said. He was very serious, and his eyes pleaded for me to help him.

"Where is it, sir?" I leaned back in my chair. This may be another problem.

"I am not just a teacher. I am also a detective. They sent me here to rescue all the students here in HU. Help me."

My eyes widened. I didn't think he was a detective because it wasn't obvious. But what does he mean by he's going to rescue us?

"What do you mean?"

"Listen, Zein, I am a detective and, at the same time, a secret agent. We have been monitoring this place before, but we haven't received any information. We also couldn't interfere with the university because it is not under the government's jurisdiction. That's why we secretly found a way to enter here. I've been here for a month, but I still can't find a way to save you. I know I can't do it alone, so I need your help."

I just stared at him. I wanted to refuse, but I also wanted to help. "I can't help you, Sir." I took a deep breath. "I'm just an ordinary student. I don't know anything about HU, so I can't give you any information. Besides, we're newbies, too."

"You can help a lot, Zein. Please accept their offer."

My forehead furrowed before thinking about what he meant. "Being a secretary?"

He nodded before drinking his juice.

"If you accept that position, you'll know what others don't know. Find out where the Hidden Laboratory is."

"Laboratory?"

He brought his face closer to mine. "Yes. Their laboratory is very secret and that's where they're studying the formula they got before Dr. Quizon died."

I was even more confused by his explanation. "I thought they hadn't gotten the formula yet because Dr. Quizon died without anyone knowing except one of his students?"

How did the formula end up in their hands?

"Dr. Quizon didn't die. They killed the doctor to get the formula," Sir Alvarez whispered.

I was horrified, but their greed made my anger even stronger.

"They already have a copy of the formula, but something is missing. Dr. Quizon hid the most important ingredient with one of his students. They're still looking for it, but they're also looking for a possible replacement for it, and that's what they're doing in the secret laboratory."

The story is messed up! It seems like there's always something wrong! Is it possible that, like Celine, Sir Alvarez wants to mess with my mind?

"Zein, we must find the laboratory before it's too late. We must stop them. I really need your help, Zein Shion."

__**__

I walked in a daze towards our dormitory. So much had happened today. I accepted Sir Alvarez's request for help. I had to help because it was for the good of everyone.

"Zein! What did they do to you?! Did they torture you to make you confess? Did you confess?"

I looked at Vanessa with a frown. She was overreacting again. I sat on the sofa and leaned my back on the couch. "Where are they?"

"Classes. I stayed behind so you could have someone with you." She handed me some water.

I set the glass aside before sighing. This is too much for an ordinary girl like me.

"Zein, what is it?" She was clearly eager for my answer.

"What we talked about earlier is not connected to what happened. They are just forcing me to accept the position."

"Then? Did you accept it?"

"Not...yet." Vanessa's eyes widened.

"Not yet? So you're planning to accept it?! OMG!"

I sighed again. What would happen to me if I accepted that position? How could I help Sir Alvarez? What new trouble have I gotten myself into?!

__**__

"Here, this is your new uniform. Wear it, and I'll show you our office."

I lifelessly accepted the paper bag Ace gave me. I looked at the contents, and it was a secretary's uniform. I went into the bathroom and changed. I cringed when I saw that the mini skirt was shorter than before. The white blouse had been replaced with an ocean-blue blouse. I also had a nameplate on my chest. I came out of the bathroom after I got ready. Ace looked at me as if he was bored of waiting for me.

"Nice, good. Let's go." He walked first.

I followed him with a frown. Everyone we met avoided us and made way for us. That's what I don't want.

"That uniform... is she the new secretary?"

"How? She's just a newbie! That's unfair!"

"Right! She must have charmed Supremo."

Unable to hold back any longer, I approached the people who had been whispering earlier. It looked like they wanted to fight, but they cowered, especially when they saw something written on the side of my uniform that looked like the pen used was blood.

"N-Number 9?" they tremble.

"You're part of it? S-Sorry."

"Sorry, miss. We didn't think you were the ninth."

I stared at them. They lowered their heads, terrified.

"All of you, get the fuck out of my sight!"

They quickly ran away from me. It makes me want to laugh out loud.

"That's my line. Psh. Let's go." Ace pulled me away.

The smile on my lips disappeared when he held my hand—not just holding it because our fingers were intertwined.

I pulled my hand, but he didn't let go. It was even tighter. He only let go when we were in front of the SSG Office. We went inside.

Onel Ty stood up at his desk when he saw us. Teacher Kath was at the far end of the office and raised her eyebrows as she looked at me. I looked at a desk where a woman was sitting—Fritzy. That must be the secretary's desk.

"The new secretary is here," Onel said.

"What's that woman doing here?" Fritzy asked, hand on the hips. "And why is she dressed like that?"

"Get out of her chair," Ace said weakly but with emphasis.

"President Ace. Fritzy is still my chosen secretary." Teacher Kath said.

We were surprised when Ace slammed the desk next to him, causing a deafening noise. The table almost broke.

"Sit on your respective chairs and get out of here, Ms. Fritzy Saldivar," Ace ordered.

Teacher Kath and Onel did nothing but return to their seats. Fritzy stood up and grabbed her things before walking towards the door. The witch bumped into me before finally leaving.

"Bitch!" I whispered.

President Ace made me sit at the table that Fritzy Bitchy had been sitting at. Then, he stood in front of us. What's up with him, and why didn't even Teacher Kath do anything?

"Never. Question. My. Decision." He said.

His aura was intimidating. He truly asserted his position as one of the highest in HU. Number 2 was emblazoned on the hem of his polo shirt.

"From now on, Zein Shion will be the new secretary of HU, and I don't want to ask any questions about that. Respect her as you respect me. She is now in the 9th spot of the Highest 10. Low compared to you, Mr. Ty, who is ranked fifth but still deserves respect. This is my decision, and it's FINAL."

__**__

I frowned as I bit into my hamburger. I simply glanced at Ace, who was busy eating rice while Onel and Fritzy were eating ice cream.

"I didn't know there was such a rule," I whispered with an emphasis. I didn't know that when you become a member of SSG, your parents should be the only ones with you all day. I'm not allowed to talk to my friends. UGH!

Onel laughed slightly while Fritzy sneered at me.

"Well, now you know."

"Fuck you."

I bowed my head when Ace glared at me for cursing at him. How annoying!

I looked at the other table where my friends were eating quietly. Dave and Jerome glanced at me while Vanessa and Mia stared at me with their foreheads furrowed. Matt didn't even glance at me.

I sighed before putting down the burger. I had lost my appetite.

"Fine!" I turned to Ace when he spoke. "You're allowed to be with your friends, but you must come quickly to me when I call you. Are we clear?"

I smiled before nodding. I hurriedly sat down at the table of my friends who had been frowning earlier.

"Good thing you thought about joining us?" Vanessa asked, clearly sulking.

"Yes, you have new friends. We were snubbed first." Mia said.

"That's the rule of SSG. Once you are a member, you are not allowed to talk to your friends all day unless the president lets you. That's why I don't want you to accept their offer." Matt said, apparently unable to bear to speak anymore.

I just want to help, but why must I sacrifice something? Like my friends?

"Sorry." Was the only thing that came out of my mouth.

I just felt Mia and Vanessa hug me.

"It's ok. We're just not used to it." Jerome said.

I felt Matt grab my hand, making my smile widen.

"Let's go."

I almost jumped out of my seat when Ace appeared next to me.

I stood up again, frowning. My friends had also lost their appetite.

I silently left my friends. Before we could get far, my eyes widened when a man suddenly bumped into Ace. His orange juice spilled on Ace's shirt without even reacting.

The entire cafeteria fell silent, and for the first time, I felt fear and worry—fear of Ace and worry for the man who was also frozen in place.

"S-Sorry, Supremo." He apologized.

Ace didn't answer. Instead, he took the notebook he was carrying.

"Name." He said emotionlessly.

Oh shit! This is bad. His demonic nature is showing again.

"F-Ferry Marcos."

Ace searched for the name in the notebook before crossing it out. It looked like this man was about to die.

"Follow us. The Dark Hell Jail is waiting for you."