Chapter 13

Itzy considered going home instead of returning to class. She didn't know how she could face her classmates after what had happened. She was certain that they would tease her if they saw her entering the classroom, which would only add to the shame she already felt.

Itzy was also aware that many people had witnessed the incident, including her classmates. She knew that they would stare at her once again because the school's most popular student had defended her. Even if she avoided it now, she knew that they would not forget it tomorrow. This made her question whether she should continue studying at this school.

However, she couldn't ignore what her parents would think if she left. Therefore, she felt compelled to put up with the situation until she could no longer bear it.

Itzy found a quiet place and called her father, requesting that he send a driver to take her home from school. However, her father initially disagreed because he did not want her to miss class. Itzy then informed him that she was feeling unwell, upon which her father promptly arranged for a driver to pick her up.

Upon reaching the gate of their home, Itzy's mother, Xinthy, was waiting for her and greeted her with a warm hug. After a few moments, she released her daughter and looked at her with concern.

"Are you okay? Where does it hurt?" asked Xinthy with a clear note of concern in her voice.

"I'm just feeling dizzy, mom," replied Itzy as she held her head and pretended to be dizzy.

"Let's go inside first," Xinthy suggested, guiding Itzy into the house. "Do you want me to call a doctor or a nurse? What do you need right now, Itzy?"

Itzy realized that her lie was causing her mother to worry excessively, and she felt guilty. Looking away, she admitted, "I just want to rest, mom. I think I just need to sleep it off."

"Are you certain? Shouldn't we call a nurse just to be safe?" Xinthy insisted, unwilling to let go of her daughter's hand.

Itzy nodded and forced a smile. "I just need some rest. I promise to call you if I need anything."

Xinthy let out a sigh. "Alright, but please make sure to call me if anything changes."

Itzy nodded in agreement, and Xinthy called for a maid to help Itzy walk up to her room.

Upon entering Itzy's room, she immediately threw herself onto the bed and clutched her chest, which was still beating rapidly due to nervousness. Her clothes were a little damp, but Itzy was grateful that Xinthy hadn't noticed when she hugged her.

[7 PM]

When Itzy arrived downstairs, she saw her four bodyguards, who had just returned home. A maid approached the four individuals, but Itzy didn't hear what the maid said. The four nodded in response, and the maid left. As soon as the maid departed, they noticed Itzy standing on the stairs.

"Why did you come home first?" Linus asked, pouting.

Itzy rolled her eyes. "Why do you care?"

"We were worried that something had happened to you again," Laszlo replied.

"Who told you to worry about me? That's not part of your job, is it?" she asked.

"Why do you talk to us like that?" Jace asked with irritation in his voice.

"Hey," Ryker intervened and tried to calm him down by placing a hand on Jace's chest, but it didn't seem to be working.

"How do you want me to talk to you?" Itzy inquired, arching her eyebrows.

Jace snorted in disbelief. "You didn't even thank us for helping you earlier, and yet you still have the audacity to treat us like this? Linus was only asking a simple question, but you responded rudely. Can't you speak to us nicely? Why do you always have to be angry? Whenever we show concern, you dismiss us and insist on our 'work'."

Itzy yawned, indicating that she didn't care about Jace's comments. "Are you done? Good, because I'm starving. Bye," she said before walking away.

Jace shook his head in disbelief at Itzy's behavior. He clenched his jaw, trying to control his anger.

Ryker tapped Jace on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it. Maybe she's just not comfortable around us yet. We'll have to give her time."

"I don't care," Jace replied. "I just want her to treat us with respect. We're humans too. We didn't even do anything to upset her."

"Perhaps she didn't want us to interfere earlier?" Laszlo said. "When we returned from the beach resort, she was treating us well."

"Treating us well?" Jace scoffed. "Are you satisfied with that treatment? That's not good enough, Laszlo."

Ryker let out a deep sigh as he looked at his colleagues. "Do we really need to argue about this?" he said, exasperated. "Mr. Gerard is calling us to his study, and we need to go."

Laszlo shook his head. "There's nothing we can do if that's how she wants to treat us. What are we to her? We're just her bodyguards, and we should be the ones who humble ourselves because she's our boss. And I think you should know how to do it, Jace," he added before turning his back and walking away.

Ryker shook his head and turned to Jace. "Apologize to him," he said to Jace.

Jace's brows furrowed in surprise. "Why should I? I didn't do anything wrong. I was just stating facts."

Linus spoke up. "Laszlo also has a point. We are her mere bodyguards, and it's up to her how she would like to treat us."

Jace stood his ground. "Then it's up to you guys how you want to be treated."

Ryker cursed under his breath. "Damn it," he said to himself. "Who do you vote for, Linus?"

"Laszlo," Linus replied.

Ryker shook his head. "I go for Jace. I don't want to be treated like trash, man. Yes, we are her bodyguards, but we deserve to be treated well because we are doing our job well. That's what Jace is thinking. No one deserves to be treated like that just because of the state of their life."

Linus nodded, reconsidering his stance. "Fine. Then I will vote for Jace as well."

Ryker smiled, feeling relieved. "Good. Let's go. Mr. Gerard must be waiting for us. But what do you think is the reason he was calling us?"

Linus shrugged. "I don't have an idea. Let's just find out together."

As they walked down the hallway,Ryker couldn't shake off the feeling of nervousness in the current situation. He didn't want Laszlo and Jace to fight, and he didn't want to take sides because they both had valid points. However, being treated poorly didn't sit well with him.

Jace, on the other hand, seemed to be more resolved. He was determined to stand up for himself and his colleagues, no matter what. Ryker admired that about him, even if it did cause tension within the team.

As they reached Mr. Gerard's study, Ryker took a deep breath and knocked on the door. He hoped that whatever the reason for the meeting, it wouldn't involve any more arguments or conflict between them.