chapter 3

What’s that in his hands?

Looks like a red rose blending against the environment. He puts it against his lips as though giving it a gentle kiss. He turns around and smiles at her. The rose he’s holding diminishes as the wind blows harder. Petals fell and flew to the pattern of the wind. He looks the same as he did before. His eyes are still bright as they were before. His smile curves the way it used to when he looks at her. So why does it feel different somehow?

Clover opens her eyes and her environment looks blurry for a moment. As her vision comes to, she turns to get out of the bed.

‘Argh!!!! What are you still doing here?’ Clover screams as she hits Alex on stomach over and over again.

‘Wha…?’ replies a sleepy Alex. ‘What? Who? Is there a fire?’ he continues in a panic.

‘Oh my god! I’m late! What time is it?’ Clover asked and kicked him off the bed.

‘Hey hey! How many bruises do you intend to give me in one day?’ said Alex getting up from the wooden floor.

‘Besides, how do you know you are late anyways?’ Alex continued while stretching. After he notices there is not a reply, he quickly turns around and made a quick scan around the room.

‘Clover? where are you?’ said Alex after realizing he was alone in the room.

He heard a sudden rush of water from the room next door. He sighed to himself and walked out to the living room. It was already dark so he searched the walls for a switch. Finally he found one and switched it on. The whole living room brighten at once. He opened the curtains and found that it led to a balcony. The view was so serene, overlooking the dark undergrowth of a forest beyond. He looked up and all he could see was the dark void called the night sky. ‘Hmm… I guess I slept more than I expected,’ said Alex under his breathe. Even so he felt so happy. It was something he missed so much since the last time he saw his mother.

‘Guess I’ll make dinner before she leaves,’ said Alex after looking the clock on the wall. It was barely pass 7:30 p.m.

When Clover came out from the shower, she could smell something sizzling from outside the room. She put on a casual set of clothes and packed her uniform in a small bagpack. She looked at the bed where they both slept in and smiled for a moment. She walked towards the bed and put her face close to the side of the pillow where Alex’s head originally was. It smelled of an unknown perfume but it was addictive.

‘What are you doing?’ asked Alex seeing Clover burying her head in the pillow.

‘Uh… nothing!’ replied Clover with a slight blush.

‘You’re going to work so why don’t you put some make up on?’ asked Alex again.

‘Make up is expensive and besides, my skin is not that flawed to cover anything up, so….,’ answered Clover.

Alex grinned and gestured her to come out from her room. Clover walked out to the living room and then into the kitchen. She was surprised by the dinner made by Alex. He cooked a few slices of beef and bacon. ‘Sorry, that was all I could find in your fridge. I’ll cook something else the next time I come alright?’ said Alex with a smile. Clover was speechless and felt her eyes water. She was touched beyond words.

Alex smiled at her reaction and reached for a fork and knife. He fed Clover the first piece and continued to cut the beef into smaller slices.

‘Why don’t you follow Lily shopping and buy some make up sometime?’ said Alex, slicing another piece and putting it into his mouth.

Clover did not answer his question. She continued chewing the piece of beef in her mouth. She looked as though she was spaced out. After noticing Alex was looking at her, she said ‘it’s cause I can’t afford such things’.

Alex fed her the second piece, still not saying anything.

‘How did you find my house? How did you know my name? I mean I’m nobody afterall,’ Clover said after a while.

‘You forget I am Alex Zoru?,’ answered Alex with a smile. He put the second piece into his mouth. ‘You should get furniture, then we won’t be standing by the counter eating right now. You don’t even have a normal dining table or chairs,’ said Alex.

Clover opened her mouth to receive the third piece. ‘I eat in my room most of the time and Lily is never at home with so many guys asking her out almost every night,’ replied Clover. She never was asked out by anyone before. She was never the type boys liked anyways, what with her muscled body and violent habit.

‘You know, as long as you stop throwing punches at people maybe you might get a date,’ said Alex feeding the fourth piece to Clover.

Clover laughed half heartedly. She never let just any boy near her. Her thoughts flowed to the boy in her dreams. He was the only one whom she hugged so tightly before.

‘Hey, come on, smile, don’t give me that look,’ said Alex surprised at her sudden change of expression.

‘You are the second boy who got so close to me in my life,’ said Clover in a low voice. ‘It’s not like I like getting so close to boys anyways,’ Clover continued.

‘Now you are seriously scaring me, what happen? You sound as though something bad happened before,’ said Alex obviously concerned.

‘If it makes you feel better, you are the only girl I got so close to in my life,’ Alex continued, now a little disturbed.

Clover let out a sudden laugh and made Alex jumped. ‘Seriously???? But you are so rich! Bet you even had sex before!’ laughed Clover.

Alex’s face turned red and said ‘shut up! I never had sex before k! Hey stop laughing at me!’ shouted Alex, his face red in embarrassment.

‘Seriously you never had sex before?’ said Clover after she recovered. She received another piece of beef from Alex.

‘I will only do it with someone I like. Do I look like a horny bastard to you?’ replied Alex. ‘Hey wait don’t answer that!’ Alex said quickly again.

Clover sniggered. ‘You’re cute. You should always smile so you’ll stay cute,’ said Alex with a smile.

Clover looked at Alex doubting what she just heard. Why does that smile have such an effect? The face that was always cold and aloof could melt away everything else with that warm smile. They finished up the remaining beef and walked out to the living room. They both put on their shoes and Clover unlocked the front door.

‘Err… thanks for dinner and please inform me before you ever show up ok?’ said Clover with her back turned to Alex while locking the front door again.

‘Ok sure, give me your number please,’ replied Alex.

‘Uh.. sorry I don’t have a phone,’ said Clover unwillingly.

Alex groaned, ‘so how do you expect me to inform you? Letter a day before I show up?’.

Clover chose not to answer but then turned to face Alex and said with a smile, ‘I thought you are Alex Zoru, so you figure it out then’.

‘Do you enjoy making fun of me all the time?’ asked Alex a bit taken aback. Clover laughed all the way to the elevator.

At the bottom of Clover’s apartment building, they parted ways. Clover headed to her work place and Alex headed home.

‘Hey Clover! don’t get raped on your way k!’ shouted Alex to Clover.

‘Shut up idiot!’ Clover screamed back.

‘You still haven’t get me back for that kiss yet!,’ said Alex amused. Clover held up her right hand and showed a peace sign. Alex smiled widely, turned and continued his journey back.

‘Welcome back young master,’ said a servant humbly.

‘Thanks, come to my room later and bring dinner too,’ said Alex.

The servant bowed and walked to the closet with Alex’s jacket. Alex walked up to his room and opened the door.

‘Hey bitch!’ shouted Adrian, throwing a pillow at Alex. Jimmy laughed and threw another pillow at Alex.

‘What are you? Five?’ asked Alex irritated.

‘Owh the young master is angry. What should we do?’ mocked Adrian.

‘Let’s give him a teddy bear made of gold,’ said Jimmy sarcastically.

‘Haha very funny,’ said Alex. ‘So what are you guys doing here?’ Alex continued.

‘We tried to reach you but we can’t get through so here we are,’ replied Adrian.

‘Yea you couldn’t get any better friends so you better treat us to something expensive,’ said Jimmy in a matter of fact voice.

Alex sat at his study table and started a list on a piece of paper.

‘Hey what are you doing?’ asked Jimmy.

‘Don’t worry your pretty little face on it, it does not concern you or even you,’ replied Alex quickly when Adrian opened his mouth to say something.

Someone knocked the door and entered.

‘Young master, here’s your dinner,’ said the servant, holding a tray.

‘Owh! Dinner! I’m starving!’ exclaimed Adrian. He jumped from the chair he was sitting before and walked over to the servant to receive the tray.

‘Here’s a list of things I want you to get by tomorrow, thank you,’ said Alex to the servant, handing out the paper he was writing on before.

‘Yes young master,’ said the servant. She closed the door as she walked out of the room.

‘I didn’t know you were into shopping before,’ said Adrian curiously.

‘Nah it’s nothing really. Just furniture and other stuff I need,’ replied Alex. ‘so what brings you guys here?’ asked Alex.

Jimmy and Adrian looked at each other. Adrian asked with a serious voice, ‘were you serious when you said you wanted out?’.

‘Uh yea?’ replied Alex with a slight laugh.

‘Why?’ asked Jimmy simply.

‘Cause I will win for sure and I don’t think that’s really fair since my interest has diverted. Actually I wasn’t even interested in the original target in the first place,’ answered Alex.

‘What are you talking about? The tall girl is a babe!’ said Adrian.

‘Her name is Lily Bander and she lives at the apartment over looking the forest about 100 meters from our college,’ said Alex as he spread his body on his huge bed.

‘What the heck? How the hell you know that?’ asked a shocked but impressed Adrian. Alex chuckled mischievously.

‘That’s for me to know and for you guys to never find out! Like ever!’ laughed Alex. ‘So do you guys still want me to play?’ asked Alex.

‘Hmm well it’s not fun since you already kinda win. Maybe we should switch target to that friend of hers,’ replied Jimmy.

‘Who? That Clover chick? I heard she has some kind of unspoken past since people seems to keep saying she’s hiding something,’ said Adrian.

‘How did you know her name?’ asked Alex surprised.

‘Actually she’s much more popular than Lily cause of her notorious gang bashing days back when she was still in high school but they say it’s more than that. Something interesting happened between her and her mom that caused her to move out permanently. I heard she’s just using college as an excuse to hide her past,’ Adrian continued.

Alex kept silent then said, ‘well she isn’t our concern and don’t call her a chick’.

Jimmy laughed and said ‘Aww.. you care for her. But yea just as Adrian says she’s one interesting one. In fact I think we should try to get her number instead of that pretty flower’.

Alex grinned with a dark look in his eyes. He suddenly felt troubled by what he just heard and it was funny that Clover did not have a phone yet but Jimmy and Adrian did not know that.

‘It should stay that way,’ Alex thought. He looked at his two friends and thought, ‘they must not know anything bout her’. Without another word, Jimmy and Adrian ate the dinner that was supposed to be Alex’s.

What is this feeling frustration that is stirring in his head and slowly flowing through his entire body? Is it jealousy? Yea he thinks it is jealousy. They must never know more than what they know now.

chapter 2

Footsteps echoed as she keeps on walking up this tunnel. Where is she? Reaching the top, she came to a meadow of tall grass but she wasn’t alone. There was someone else there. Who could it be? His back was facing her but those shoulders are familiar. Where have she seen those shoulders before? His left hand raise and she could see he was holding a single rose. Slowly, he turned around.

‘Oi! How many times do you expect me to wake you up in a day?’

‘What?? Didn’t I tell you to shut up before?’

‘What’s the big emergency? Why did you wake me up again? We don’t have any class for the day right?’ said an annoyed Clover. She was so close to seeing his face that she’s pissed at this point.

‘Yea we don’t have anymore class for the day. So how do I look? I have a date later. Does this lipstick look okay?’ asked Lily. Clover almost wanted to strangle her. If only she wasn’t so far away, she would have.

‘Hmm.. you look fine I guess. Is he coming up to get you or are you going down?’ asked Clover.

‘well he is the guy and we only live on the third floor so he should come and greet me right?’ answered Lily.
'yes ok. Then please lock up after you leave, alright?’ said Clover.

Five minutes later the door bell rang.

‘Ok he is here. I going now k? Make sure you eat later and don’t open doors to strangers,’ said Lily with a chuckle.

‘Do I look like I’m five to you?’ asked an irritated Clover.

Lily responded with a laugh. She walked out to the front door and open it. A few seconds later she came back into the room and said ‘erm there’s someone else besides my date at the door’.

Clover got up and went out to the living room with Lily and to her astonishment it was Alex.

‘What the hell are you doing here? How did you find my house? Who brought you here? Why are you even here?’ shouted Clover, each question louder than the one before. ‘and besides, isn’t the girl you were looking for is Lily?’ asked Clover this time with a calm voice.

Alex smiled and for a moment Clover was taken aback for the smile was warm and sincere unlike the usual dark and cold smile he displays in public.

‘You like to ask a lot for a girl who has bed hair,’ replied Alex coolly with his usual poker face. ‘Yes I was looking for her before but now I’m here for you,’ Alex continued. ‘I’m sorry for barging in and making you late for your date,’ said Alex finally noticing Lily and her date.

‘Now if you’ll excuse us,’ Alex continued while giving Lily a gentle push to the door. After she was out, he shut the door at the shocked face. ‘Now where were we then?’ said Alex smiling facing Clover.

‘Look I’m really tired alright? I work till 2 in the morning yesterday and I still have to work later so can you like disappear or something?’ said Clover. She rubbed her eyes and stretched her body to the side, emitting a loud crack.

‘Okay then you go sleep and I’ll prepare dinner for you before you go to work. How bout that?’ said Alex clearly stating that he isn’t leaving her house. Clover wanted to say something but stopped after Alex folded his arms with a stubborn look on his face.

‘Do whatever you want then,’ replied Clover with a yawn. ‘Just don’t steal anything,’ she continued.

‘As if you have anything worth stealing here in the first place!’ laughed Alex.

‘Whatever alright! I’m sorry but I’m just too tired and grumpy to deal with you right now! You know where’s the door so why don’t you just leave??’ replied Clover who was now filled with rage. She only managed to sleep for four hours that day after getting interrupted by Lily since morning.

‘I’m not going anywhere,’ said Alex and he took a seat on the living room couch. ‘I bet you like it when I said I was here looking for you instead of your attractive friend,’ Alex continued after observing the living room.

It was a small simple room with nothing but a big and comfortable couch and a television in front of it. Shoes were thrown messily beside entrance door. There was a walkway leading to the kitchen on the right and another walkway leading to two rooms on the left.

‘So am I wrong?’ Alex asked again after his eyes finish scanning the living room. Clover looked hard at him and then turned to leave the living room.

‘Hey! Hold on a second!’ Alex got up at once and walked quickly towards Clover. He grabbed her left hand firmly and pulled her around to face him.

Clover struggled furiously which forced Alex to pin her against the wall.

‘You are not that strong but you do have agility and you are experienced enough to hit vital points,’ said Alex after Clover stop struggling.

He was so close to her face that she has no choice but to look at him. She could see his thick eyebrows, his almond shaped brown eyes, his tall nose and small but full lips. His dark locks fell messily on the left side on his face which gave him an emo look. He was much more attractive than she thought but overall she coouldn't help tearing away from his eyes.

Those eyes that are dark and cold seemed to hold a sad story behind it. He let go of her and turned away.

‘Don’t look at me that way,’ said Alex.

‘I’m sorry,’ answered Clover. ‘Hey wait a minute! You are the one who are supposed to be sorry here! You pinned me against the wall just now!’ shouted Clover.

‘If you continue to scream at me I’m gonna shut you up my way. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!’ shot Alex.

Clover took the chance while he was loosening his grip on her hands and punched him in the face. She ran to her room but before she could lock the door, Alex barged in. Pushing Clover to her bed, he locked the door.

‘Not so tough now that you know that I know your secret eh?’ said Alex with a dark look in his eyes.

‘I’m sorry. I overreacted just then. I just had to get away from your eyes,’ replied Clover.

Alex grinned.

‘Am I really that scary till you had to punch me that hard?’ he asked after a pause, massaging the part where she hit him.

‘No its not that,’ said Clover as she climbed into bed.

‘Your eyes are so sorrowful. I was afraid I might get sucked into it that’s all,’ Clover continued, now adjusting the pillow.

‘It hurts you know. I want a compensation for it,’ said Alex. He gestured his head towards her bed and gave her a smile.

‘Then climb in next to me. I’ll lend you my body heat and a small side of the bed if you don’t mind,’ replied Clover.

Alex climbed into bed next to her and then stared at her.

‘What are you looking at so intensely? Don;t get any strange ideas! I'm just allowing you to lie next to me!,’ said Clover after a few minutes obviously disturbed by his eyes again.

‘You are not as good looking at your friend but you are cute though,’ laughed Alex.

‘Shut up! I’m trying to sleep,’ replied Clover, tightly shutting her eyes. She felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment.

‘I like cute,’ said Alex.

Clover opened her eyes to find herself face to face with Alex.

‘Why are you here? Tell me frankly,’ asked Clover.

‘Well I wanted to see how poor people like you live,’ said Alex quickly. Clover whacked him across the face.

‘Hey hey! Come on it was just a joke! Don’t ruin my face! My mom spent a few thousands for my skin care!’ said Alex with his hands up to cover his face in case of more attacks.

‘You are so rich you can even employ your own poor people. You don’t need to come and torment me you know! Plus your friend Jimmy is ten times much better looking than you!’ shouted Clover.

‘Dude! I’m right next to you! You don’t have to scream into my ear!’ replied Alex, still covering his face in case of sudden attacks.

‘Hey how do you know Jimmy anyways?’ asked Alex after a while.

‘He’s popular for being so good looking, who doesn’t know him and which girl does not want to know him?’ answered Clover.

Alex laughed half heartedly. He turned away from her and asked ‘do you want to know him? I don’t mind introducing him to you if you want,’.

‘Then do you want to know Lily? I don’t mind you coming over using me as an excuse if you want to,’ said Clover.

‘Does that mean you really want to know Jimmy?’ Alex asked slowly.

Clover replied immediately ‘does that mean you really want to come over to meet Lily and use me as an excuse?’.

‘Hey stop repeating everything I say!’ said Alex.

‘I am not! And I don’t want to know Jimmy. Guys like him are players anyways,’ replied Clover.

How long has it been since Clover was in bed with a boy? Not very long ago there was another who likes to sleep next to her. He would whisper soft words to her and make her feel like she was the only one he sees in the world. The feeling of losing was something she doesn’t want to endure again. The feeling of wanting was something she feels every time she goes to bed. This time it was different. There was another of the same sleeping next to her this time. Though it wasn’t the same person but strangely the vibe is the same. She felt safe with his body so close to hers. Instead of her providing him comfort with her body heat, she felt it was the other way round.

‘Hey are you falling asleep?’ asked Alex.

‘No. not when you haven’t answered me yet,’ answered Clover with a small voice.

‘I’m here for you and I will always be here for you. Lily though she’s beautiful, is not my type. I prefer you who has a burning flame from within to warm my heart,’ said Alex while facing the other way.

‘If I weren’t so sleepy I would say that was bullshit but thanks. It felt somewhat so sincere that I’ll believe it for now,’ said Clover with a side smile. She felt her cheeks burn again. 'Could it be that Alex is shy?' she thought in her head.

‘Can I sleep now?’ asked Clover.

‘Only if you let me do something first but I’m not going to tell you what. You just have to agree to it and do as I say,’ replied Alex.

‘Fine. Since I’m so sleepy I’ll get you after I wake up if I don’t like it. But nothing perverted k!’ said Clover.

Alex sat up and looked at Clover. she looks like she’s about to break apart as she’s half asleep. Unlike the tough personality she displayed in public, now she looks as fragile as glass. There lying on white bed sheets, with her brown curls covering half of her face. It was as though she was part of an old oil painting. She fair and red cheeks blend perfectly against her soft features. Though her eyes stores hardship and sorrows, it was surreal that a girl like her even existed and so close to him that he could touch even her. At that moment, it was as though time stopped and he would never want to lose sight of her. Not now, not ever.

‘Close your eyes and don’t move,’ Alex said softly.

Clover looked up at him for a moment and obeyed. He swept her hair from her face and gently placed his lips on hers. After a soft kiss, he pulled away from her.

Clover looked up at him and said ‘yup! I’m going to get you after I wake up. You can count on it,’.

Then she closed her eyes and turned her back to him. Alex grinned and lay next to her. He looked up at the ceiling and saw how empty it is. Her room is blank with no pictures or posters. There was only a bed where they are both sleeping on. All he could see was a small window, a small desk under it and a cupboard beside the door. Everything else was blank and the walls were yellowish white but it doesn’t matter. Her body heat was all he needed. He closed his eyes and fell asleep at the sound of her slow breathing.

chapter 1

'What is that?'
'Who is that standing there?'
That person rooted on the spot seems so familiar. His short brown hair waving against the wind with both hands in his pocket. Why does he seem so familiar though I’m looking at his back? Broad shoulders with a swimmer's build.

'Hey wake up!'
'What....?'

'Oi! What are you dreaming about?,' asked a tall slim figure.

'What time is it? Why are you waking me up?,' Clover asked with a grumpy look.

'cause I’m calling you to wake up!,' answered Lily with a snarl. 'What were you dreaming about? You were mumbling a person's name' Lily asked with a smile. 'Is it a guy? Was he hot?,' she continued.

'Shut up! It’s too early!,' shot Clover.

'And yea it was a guy'
'seriously??? Oh do tell me!'
'I said shut up!'

Clover and Lily. Best friends since high school and now attending a college for elite students. Lily was always the popular one with her tall slim figure and outstanding features. she was nominated prom queen and won a modeling contract on the spot by just showing up at pageant. Clover however is the notorious tomboy who reign the whole education industry by just bashing up gangsters. she never had to beat up more than one person. all she does is go for the leader of the group and the rest just ran for their lives. Literally. The combination itself was weird. An unusual beauty and the beast, walking and talking without a care in the world. Nevertheless, they stood out like sore thumbs and were never separated.

‘Hey did you see those two girls who just went by?,’ asked Alex.

‘who? Those?,’ answered Jimmy pointing at Lily and Clover.

‘haha, I did not know you like tomboys,’ interrupted Adrian.

‘As if! I was looking at the tall one k! I’m not interested with that short ugly one,’ Alex answered with a snort.

‘Well then lets go make friends. I’m sure they are not all that snobbish as they look,’ said Jimmy with a smile.

Alex, a dark soul with eyes that kill. His father is a CEO of a shipping company, in other words, Alex is loaded. Adrian, a good humored person who has the biggest sense of humor in the bunch. Then, there’s Jimmy who has all the looks and luck any guy would die for. They met in a basketball tournament as rivals but ended up as friends on the first day when they enrolled in the same college.

‘Ah well, there isn’t any hope for the likes of us, don’t you agree Alex?,’ said Adrian with a cheeky smile on his face directed at Jimmy.

‘What the hell are you talking about? Just give me a week and she’s mine!,’ Alex replied with a glint in his eye.

‘Both of you are assholes,’ laughed Jimmy. ‘Both of you know that they can’t resist me with looks like mine,’ Jimmy continued.

‘Owh really? Is that a dare?,’ said Adrian addressing Alex instead of Jimmy. ‘I bet it’s a challenge,’ Alex answered with the same glint in his eyes.

‘Then it’s settled. Whoever that gets that tall girl’s phone number wins! Agree?,’ said Adrian, this time addressing to both Alex and Jimmy.

‘Yea sure I agree,’ replied Alex with his dark eyes.

‘You are both going down,’ laughed Jimmy.

‘Hey I have a strange feeling someone is talking bout us’ said Clover while stacking books into her locker.

‘There’s always someone talking bout us so it is normal I guess,’ answered Lily.

‘You mean there’s someone always talking bout u,’ said Clover with a smile. Lily did not reply, instead she held out her hands to take one of the books from Clover.

‘So who were you dreaming of last night then?,’ said Lily with a tone she does not want to continue the earlier conversation.

‘I wish I knew, but he was good looking from the back,’ replied Clover.

‘Oh yea? Then I hope you meet him in the near future,’ said Lily after a pause.

‘yea I hope so too since he seems to be waiting for me or something,’ Clover said while looking at Lily at the corner of her eye.

Lily chuckled softly with her attractive face softening. She looks like an angel who fell down from heaven with those long eyelashes and flawless complexion. The passersby even stopped to look at her in awe.

The bell rang and the both of them rushed to class. In class all Clover could think about was that dream. Who was it? What does he want? She smiled slightly at those thoughts. She already knows who it was but why is it that he appeared in her dreams lately. Those soft eyes that pierce hers the very first time they met. Didn’t he say there wasn’t a chance in hell they would ever end up together? That night he came to see her and gave her a ride on his bike. All she could think about was her hands hugging him from the back as tightly as she could. To her, it was a once in a lifetime chance. She knew there will never be a second chance for her to ever hold him that way again. Pain swarmed her chest as thoughts of her unreturned love keeps swimming in her mind.

‘Hey Clover, I’m meeting some boys for lunch,’ said Lily as the bell rang for lunch.

‘Owh my child, you are growing up so fast. Soon you will not need me to protect you against perverts anymore! Then what will be the end of me?,’ Clover said with a dramatic tone. Lily laughed then waves happily at the boys at the door.

‘Well I’m off my dearest Clover, don’t wander too far, you are my lucky charm afterall,’ said Lily with a sincere smile.

‘Well said princess, buh bye then,’ answered Clover without looking at Lily.

In a few seconds the classroom was empty. Clover sat at her place while looking out at the window. The classroom overlooks the grounds where groups of people gather to have a picnic lunch. At the corner she could see Lily talking to a bunch of guys happily while being served lunch.

‘Must be nice to be so beautiful and be the object of affection to every guy,’ Clover said silently to herself. ‘I wonder if he would have accepted me if I were as attractive as her,’ she whispered under her breathe.

‘Who are you mumbling to?,’ said Alex. ‘What??’ exclaimed Clover with shock. ‘Who are you? How long have you been standing there? What do you want? Why are you here?,’ asked Clover quickly.

Alex grinned a dark grin. ‘I’m Alex Zoru, son of Yuri Zoru. I have been standing here since the bell rang. I want nothing from you. I’m here to find someone from this class,’ answered Alex with an air of superiority.

‘Owh,’ said Clover with a blush. ‘So you’re the son of the CEO of Zoru shipping company then. You’re half Japanese right?,’ Clover continued.

‘Yup that’s me. Now it’s my turn to ask questions,’ answered Alex coldly. ‘Where is that girl that you always hang out with?,’ asked Alex.

‘She’s down there. Why don’t you come here and see for yourself,’ Clover answered with a low voice. She stood up, gathered her books and walked past Alex.

‘aww so sweet. You are jealous!,’ called Alex from the classroom. Clover, who was now walking down the corridor stopped in her tracks and turned to face Alex. ‘I bet you never had a boyfriend before!,’ Alex continued.

‘And who are you to judge me? I heard bout you alright. You are Alex Zoru. The spoil rich kid who thinks he is better than everyone else. And what’s with that dark look of yours anyways? Do you think it’s cool or something?’ shouted Clover.

‘Don’t be stupid. This look is called a poker face. I have been trained since young for future purposes since I will be taking over my father one day. Guess I’m right since a stupid girl like you will never have a boyfriend!,’ argued Alex.

‘I dare you to say that to me again,’ Clover said with a fire stirring in her head. She was already walking towards Alex.

He laughed then said, ‘You are stupid and nobody wants..’. But before he could finish his sentence Clover punched him in the face and he fell back into the classroom.

‘What the…’ spat Alex, wiping his bleeding lip. He launched at Clover with his fist but was forced back with a kick from her to his gut.

‘What was it that you wanted to say?’ said Clover with a gloomy look. Alex was still holding his stomach with a painful look on his face. He looked up at Clover then looked away.

‘Yea that’s what I thought too,’ said Clover after a while. ‘Jerk!’ said Clover with her back facing Alex as she exits the class room again.

Alex slid down to the floor still clutching his stomach. Nobody defeated him before in combat. Let alone a woman! Since young he was trained in three different kinds of martial arts to be able to defend himself from kidnappers. Since then he never lost to anyone. Shock flowed throughout his body which caused him to shiver in excitement.

‘Well well, looks like you just caught my attention there my little unlucky Clover,’ thought Alex.

‘Yo! You guys! Where the hell were you??!’ shouted Alex to Adrian and Jimmy after searching for them for an hour.

‘We were trying to get more information bout our target. What else would we be doing?’ replied Jimmy obviously annoyed.

‘Yea, we tried approaching her during lunch but she was surrounded by so many guys but she still stood out so beautifully from the mass of dicks!’ laughed Adrian. ‘So why are you so worked up? Shouldn’t you progress faster than both of us? You are the one with money afterall,’ continued Adrian.

‘You with your smart ass mouth can just shut it! Anyways I just want to tell you guys I’m not playing anymore. I don’t think this game is worth my time,’ said Alex.

‘Zoru what happened? I mean we started this for fun. Why are you pulling out now?’ asked Jimmy.

‘Yea I mean I thought we started this because it was just to kill time,’ said Adrian.

‘Then you both continue this game. I’m out since I lost interest,’ answered Alex. He walked the opposite direction after saying that.

‘Well now what happen to our young master eh? Could it be that he found someone else?’ asked Adrian.

‘Even though he has a poker face I can tell that he is hiding something,’ answered Jimmy. ‘Shall we find out then?’ Jimmy continued.

‘Yes we shall,’ laughed Adrian.