Chapter 10: Accepted
Zein's Point of View...
I walked out of Principal Carmie's office in a daze. That damn president! She gave me a headache!
I didn't take what she said seriously. She was probably just teasing me and wanted to give me a headache thinking about it. Hmp!
"Ms. Shion!"
I looked in the distance at who called my name. I quickly approached him.
"Why Sir Alvarez?" I asked.
He was holding three books he used while his black shoulder bag was slung over his arm. I could say he really had looks, around my guess of mid-25-30 years old.
"Can we talk?" he asked seriously.
I didn't know what we would talk about, but because I knew it was serious and obviously important, I agreed.
We went to the cafeteria and he ordered two juices for the two of us. We sat at the far end of the cafeteria where we couldn't be easily seen when new people came in.
"I need your help."
Unconsciously, I bit the straw of my orange juice because of what he said. He was serious and you couldn't see any expression in his eyes except for a plea for me to help him.
"For what, sir?" I asked.
I leaned back in the chair and stared into his serious eyes. I have a bad feeling about this, will I have another problem to worry about? I have a lot on my mind.
"I am not just a teacher. I am also a detective. They sent me here to rescue you all. Help me."
I couldn't open my mouth because of the shock.
I didn't expect him to be a detective because it didn't show on him. But what is he saying about rescuing us? "What are you trying to say?"
"Listen Zein, I am a detective and at the same time a secret agent. We've been monitoring this place for a long time but we can't get information. We also can't interfere with this university because it is not under the government, that's why I am doing this secretly. I've been here for a month but I still can't find a possible loophole in HU, I will save you all but I can't do that by myself that's why I am asking for your help."
My eyes remained fixed on his serious eyes. I wanted to refuse but I also wanted to help.
"I can't help you." I said truthfully.
I am just an ordinary student. I don't know anything about HU, I can't give him any information. We are still newbies here.
"A lot, Zein, you can help a lot. Accept their offer."
I frowned before realizing what he meant.
"Secretary... You want me to accept it?" I asked.
He nodded firmly before sipping his juice.
"If you have the position, it would be a big help. You will know what others don't know. Find out where their Hidden Laboratory is here."
"Laboratory?"
He moved closer to me slightly.
"Yes. They are hiding their laboratory, they are studying the formula they got before Dr. Quizon died."
Everything got messier after I heard that. "I thought they hadn't gotten the formula because Dr. Quizon died without anyone knowing it?" I asked.
That was according to Celine's story. Dr. Quizon died with the formula that no one knew, except for one person no one knew. How did they get the formula?
"Dr. Quizon did not die naturally, they killed him to get the formula." He whispered, which caused goosebumps on my skin.
Anger slowly built up in my body again. They are so cruel, they managed to kill a person to get an idea that wasn't even theirs. How cruel! They are truly demons!
"They got the formula but something is missing. Dr. Quizon did not record everything in writing. The one very important ingredient that they haven't found yet is hidden by a student. So now they are looking for it, but they are also looking for an ingredient that can replace it which they are doing in a secret laboratory."
I just stared at my glass of juice that wasn't even half empty yet. Why is it like that? The stories are confusing? There's always something wrong! Is it possible that there is still something wrong with Sir Alvarez's story?
"Zein, we need to find that laboratory before it's too late. It must be stopped before it's too late. I need your help, Zein Shion."
I walked to our dormitory in a daze. A lot happened today. I accepted the help that Sir Alvarez asked for, I need to help. It is for the good of everyone.
"Zein! What did they do to you?! Did they torture you to confess? What? Did you confess?"
I glared at Vanessa who was overreacting again. I sat on the sofa and leaned my back on the sofa.
"Where are they?" I asked.
"They went in. I stayed behind so you would have company." She handed me water.
I put the glass on the side before letting out a sigh. This is too much for an ordinary girl like me. How can I finish everything I started? UGH!
"Zein, what now?" She was obviously excited for my answer.
"It's not connected to what happened earlier that we talked about. They are forcing me to accept the position."
"What, did you accept it?" she asked.
"Not...yet." I answered which made her eyes widen.
"Does it mean you have a plan to accept it?! OMG!"
I just sighed. What will happen to me if I accept that position? How can I help Sir Alvarez? UGH!
*-------------*
"Here. This is your new uniform. Wear it now and I'll show you our office."
I lifelessly accepted the paper bag Ace gave me which contained a secretary uniform.
I went into the CR (comfort room/restroom) and changed. I winced when I realized that the mini skirt was shorter than the previous one. The white blouse became ocean blue. I also have a plate on the side where my name and position, which is obviously the secretary, are written.
When I was satisfied with my appearance, I came out of the CR where President Ace was waiting, obviously impatient.
"Nice. Suits you, let's go." He walked ahead.
I followed him frowning. Everyone we passed made way for us. That's what I hate the most. Psh.
"That uniform... is she the new secretary?"
"How come? She's just a newbie! That's unfair!"
"Right! She probably used her charm on the Supremo."
I couldn't hold back anymore and approached the girls who had been whispering. At first, they looked like they were going to glare at me too, but their tongues tied when they saw something written on the side of my uniform in blood.
"N-Number 9?" Their bodies were clearly shaking.
"You're part of them? S-Sorry."
"Our apologies, miss. We didn't realize you were the ninth."
My eyes remained serious as I looked at them. They were now bowing their heads, clearly terrified.
"All of you, take my command. Get the fuck out my sight!"
They quickly bolted away. I wanted to laugh out loud.
"That's my line. Psh. Let's go." Ace pulled me away from there.
My smile disappeared when I realized he was holding my hand. It wasn't just a hold; our fingers were intertwined as if we were holding hands.
I looked away and tried to pull my hand free, but I couldn't. He released it before we entered an office with an "SSG Office" sign.
Onel Ty was sitting at a table and stood up when he saw us. Teacher Kath was at the far end and raised an eyebrow at us too. My gaze fell on a girl sitting in the Secretary Chair. Bitch.
"So the new secretary is here," Onel said.
"What is that girl doing here?" Fritzy asked with hands on hips. "And why is she wearing that?" she followed up.
"Get out of her chair," Ace said softly but with emphasis.
"President Ace. Fritzy is still the secretary I chose," Teacher Kath stated.
We were startled when Ace slammed the desk next to him, causing a deafening noise throughout the room. The table he hit was nearly destroyed.
"All of you, take my command. Sit on your respective chairs and get out of here Ms. Fritzy Saldivar."
Teacher Kath and Onel had no choice but to return to their places while Fritzy walked out but bumped into me first.
"Bitch," I whispered.
President Ace made me sit at the table where Fritzy Bitchy had been sitting.
He stood in front of us, serious again. What was with him that even Teacher Kath couldn't do anything? Psh.
"Never.Question.My.Decision," he said.
His aura was scary and screamed his
position and as one of the highest in command. Number 2 was written on the side of his polo.
"For now on, Zein Shion is the new secretary of the HU, and I don't want any questions about that. Respect her as you respect me. She is now in the 9th Power of Highest 10. Low compared to you Mr. Ty who is in the fifth rank, but still should be respected. This is my decision and it's FINAL."
___________
Scowling, I bit into my hamburger. I discreetly glanced at Ace who was busy eating rice
while Onel and Fritzy were just eating ice cream.
"I didn't know there was such a rule," I muttered emphatically to them.
Onel chuckled slightly while Fritzy subtly [?]
I didn't know that if you become an SSG member, you have to be with them all day, I am not allowed to talk to my friends. UGH!
"Well, now you know."
"Fuck you."
I lowered my head when Ace glared at me for swearing at him. How annoying!
I looked at the other table where my friends were quietly eating, Dave and Jerome were subtly glancing at me while Vanessa and Mia were really staring at me with furrowed brows, Matt didn't even glance my way.
I let out a loud sigh before putting down my burger. I'd lost my appetite.
"Fine!" I turned to Ace when he spoke. "You
are allowed to be with your friends but, when I call you, you must come quickly. Are we clear?"
I smiled before nodding. I hurried to sit at my friends' table who were pouting.
"Good thing you thought of joining us?" Vanessa asked, clearly sulking.
"Yeah. Go make new friends. We're snobs now," Mia added.
"That's the rule of SSG. Once you are a member, you are not allowed to talk to your friends the whole day unless the president lets you. That's why I didn't want you to accept their offer," Matt finally spoke, clearly sulking too.
Why is it like this? I just want to help but why do I have to sacrifice something? Like my friends? Psh.
"Sorry," was the only thing that came out of my mouth.
I just felt Mia and Vanessa hug me.
"Psh. It's ok. We're just not used to it," Jerome said.
I felt Matt hold my hand which made my smile widen.
"Let's go." I almost jumped out of my seat in surprise at Ace's sudden appearance beside me.
I scowled again before standing up. Even my friends couldn't do anything.
My eyes widened when a guy suddenly bumped into Ace. His orange juice spilled onto Ace's polo shirt who showed no reaction at all.
The entire cafeteria fell silent and for the first time, I felt fear and worry, fear of Ace and worry for the guy who was also frozen in place.
"S-Sorry, Supremo," he apologized.
Ace didn't answer; instead, he took out the notebook he was carrying.
Oh shit! This is bad. His demonic side is coming out again.
"F-Ferry Marcos."
"Name," he said without emotion.
Ace flipped through the pages of the notebook before crossing out the guy's full name. Only one thing was running through my mind now: this guy was about to say goodbye.
"Follow us. The Dark Hell Jail is waiting for you."
________