Chapter 13: King and Queen
Vanessa's Point of View
I let Zein go ahead because I knew I would take a while. It's really hard to pretend to be a bookworm, especially when you're forced to. Like what I'm doing now, pretending to be a bookworm just to get into the Highest 10. Sigh.
"Here..."
I heard someone speak in front of me and lay a book on my table. I raised my gaze and a smiling guy appeared before me. He was a bit chinito (slanted eyes) and only slightly taller than me.
"We're done with that assignment and I've got my answers from that book." He pointed to the book he had just placed down.
I glanced at the book and read the title. The title matched my assignment, so I took it.
"May I hear the magic word?" he asked, now seated in Zein's previous spot.
"T-Thank you." I replied.
"Yon! (That's it!) I thought you didn't know how to speak; I was going to teach you." He joked, which made me laugh quietly.
I guess he is really a jokester. A bit corny but jolly.
"Liam."
I observed his hand extended towards me, waiting for me to take it.
"Vanessa."
My short reply, ignoring his still-extended hand. I just returned my gaze to the book he gave me.
I heard his quiet laughter. I am not really a friendly person, I'm content with my friends now. I usually ignore people getting near on me.
"Page 256." I heard him say.
I turned the page of the book to what he said and briefly read the content. I unconsciously smiled when I saw all the answers to my questions.
I took out my notebook and started writing the answers.
"Vanessa. Such a beautiful name." I heard him say.
I paused briefly but didn't let it show. I just continued my writing.
Minutes passed and I was done with my assignment, but Liam remained seated in front of me. I didn't glance at him so I didn't know if he was asleep, reading, or just looking at me.
"Are you done?" he asked.
It was only now I realized that maybe he was waiting for the book he just lent me, so I shyly returned it to him.
"Salamat (Thanks)." I forced myself to look at him. I brought the book closer to him. Right enough, he was just looking at me while smiling.
What's this guy's problem? He might be crazy.
"Nah. You can borrow it since we're done with that book." he said, giving the book back to me.
I wanted to argue that I didn't need his book anymore, but I just took it so the conversation wouldn't get longer. I fixed my things and stood up.
My forehead creased when he also stood up. He is still in his usual smile. What's so funny? Is he mocking me?
I tried to keep my mouth shut and walk towards the door.
I paused briefly when he walked ahead of me to the door and opened it for me. I raised an eyebrow before passing him.
I don't need a guard. I don't need an assistant. I don't want him around and I don't know why.
" Do you still have class?" he asked.
"Later." I replied quietly. I'm really trying to stop myself from saying something hurtful because he lent me a book, but he's acting too familiar.
I only know his name, not his surname or his entire self. In short, we are totally strangers.
"Oh why are you rushing? Do you want to eat? My treat."
"Okey." my short reply.
I was surprised when he held my hand and pulled me towards the cafeteria. I just grimaced at what he did.
Son of your father and born of your mother .
What is his problem?! Doesn't he know what gentle is? I thought he was a gentleman; the way he pulls me, he's treating me like a horse.
"You should learn how to take things slower." I said annoyed before sitting down.
"I am easy to get bored especially in taking things slower. I want to fasten everything." he replied, which honestly I didn't understand.
It's hard to read this chinito guy.
"Good Afternoon, sir/ma'am. May I know your order?" the waiter asked us.
"The most expensive meal, most expensive drink, and most expensive dessert, also include the most expensive plate and glass." I said annoyedly.
I almost slammed the books I was holding on the chinito guy who was laughing now. I ordered expensive things and he's just going to laugh?! Maybe he's laughing because he has no money left? Duh!
"Sir?" the waiter asked Liam..
Just like what she said. "Then also, please tell the woman at my sewing [table] that food here is FREE and there's no charge." He laughed softly again.
My jaw dropped at what he said. I didn't know everything was free. We had eaten here before and I thought Matt or Dave treated us. It turns out it was free! Gosh! My wasting saliva saying MOST EXPENSIVE was nonsense too. Ignorance strikes. Grr.
"Why are you so angry with me? I didn't do anything wrong, in fact, I even helped you." he said, still smiling.
Doesn't his face get tired?
"You are too annoying and I hate how you dragged me here!" I said irritably. "And I just want to say that I am fully paid with your help. I already said THANK YOU." I added.
I'll run out of breath talking here while he seems unfazed by his smile. Ok, you're the chinky smiley one, Geez.
"You hate everything about me?" He asked.
I don't know why I stopped. Did I exceed the limit? Did I exaggerate again? Should I apologize?
"No. It's not like that." was the only thing that came out of my mouth. How do I fix this?
"I just want to be your friend." he said.
I grimaced again. Should I accept him?
"Ok. Fine." I answered, which made him laugh.
It probably wouldn't hurt to be friends with others. I have nothing to lose. It's just for my conscience because I snapped at him. Because!
"Thanks." he said.
The food arrived and we were quiet until we finished eating and we were still quiet. No one was attempting to speak to us.
Ok. This is awkward.
"Am I late?"
I almost dropped the water in my hand when Jerome suddenly appeared wearing his smiley face. Just like Liam, always smiling.
"What late are you talking about?" I asked.
He laughed softly and winked at me. He looked at Liam who was also smiling. Eh?
"You are?" Jerome asked.
"Liam." Liam replied briefly.
"Yow! I am Jerome." They shook hands and smiled at each other.
"Hey! Hey! Don't exclude us!"
I was poker-faced when my addicted friends suddenly showed up. Mia grinned at me, pointing her chin at Liam, who was already talking to Dave and the others.
"What are you pointing your chin at?" I asked.
"Eh! Isn't that Liam? The handsome one the girls here always stare at." she said.
I just frowned. I don't care if girls scream for him here. Duh! This place is Hell anyway!
"Do you like him?" Zein teased, poking my side.
"Yiee. You are something!" she added.
I slapped her hand away and gave her a mean look.
The two witches just laughed at me.
"Hahaha!" We looked at the boys who were already laughing. They really get along easily. They just met Liam, but they were laughing as if they had known each other for a year.
I couldn't stop smiling. The formerly quiet cafeteria was disrupted by us. Because of us, it became noisy again and I don't know if I should be happy or embarrassed that my friends are like mountain people when they laugh.
"What? You snapped at him, didn't you?" Zein pestered.
They know I'm really like that with other people. Not anti-social, just! I'm just content with my friends now.
We all froze when we heard a glass break. We immediately looked at the side where a woman in high heels was standing. I just saw her now.
"Gosh! It's so noisy, so the glass broke." she said.
We didn't speak and we all remained silent. If you look at her, she's just an ordinary woman, maldita type.
"Roxane?"
Liam stood up and helped Roxane 'raw' move away from the shards. I grimaced at her affectation. Duh! What is she proud of? Her boobs? Duh! She might get wounded even though she's wearing 6-inch heels! This is another level of OA (overacting).
I was surprised by how many people here acted. The other staff immediately removed the shards while the others checked if Roxane got scratched?
Seriously?! That's oa. What is she? A Queen? Psh.
"Who is she?" Mia asked.
"OMG! I have a scratch on my leg!" She almost fainted when she saw the tiny scratch on her leg. It was just a dot!
The staff rushed to her. Some almost panicked. Ok, is there something we don't know here? Why are their reactions like that? Who is this Roxane?
"You!" She pointed at us. "It was all your fault. You will regret this." she said before she was brought to the clinic.
I just laughed. What sin did we commit in what happened to her? If someone should be blamed here, it's her stupidity. NOT US!
"Sorry about that," Liam said, just returning.
"Who is she?" Zein asked. The other question bothering me.
"Roxane Allister. Raze Silvenia's girlfriend."
My jaw dropped after hearing that. That artificial, overacting witch? She's the girlfriend of Number 1 in the Highest 10 and the leader of the Devil God Warrior, Raze Silvenia.
"Raze is the current King of Hell University and definitely, that girl, Roxane Allister is the Queen."
Ok. It didn't cross my mind that there was such a thing in HU. They even have a Queen and King title here.
But the question now. Who is Raze Silvenia? I haven't seen him except during the acquaintance party where he was wearing a mask.
"Ahhhhh!!!"
We stood up from our seats when we heard a loud scream. The nervousness immediately climbed up to my chest. What happened again?