37 Chapter 37

Ana Louella

Dave arrived earlier than I expected last night. He immediately took Drake home, and I went home after they left. Jandi called me as soon as they arrived at home and for an unknown reason, I felt at ease.

I placed the cup of coffee and the box of cookies that I've baked for Ace on the table beside him. Ace turned to me for a moment, but he immediately looked back at the canvas. He is painting something but this time, I didn't speak because I know that he will get mad at me if I do so.

"I can't give you what you want, Louella. Just give up."

"Ace- can't you just let me try?"

"No matter how hard you try, you won't have me."

"And no matter what you say, I won't give up."

"Don't blame me if one day you'll get hurt because of me."

"I won't… because in the first place, I wanted this."

"Why are you so stubborn, Louella?"

"Because I am Louella."

Ace laughed at my retort for a moment before furrowing his brows at me. His smile turned into a smirk in an instant. He turned to me, glaring as he spoke,

"I… will never like you, Louella."

I can feel coldness with every word he just spoke, and I shivered. I calmed myself and tried to change the topic. I was about to offer him some cookies, but Drake barged through the door without even knocking.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Drake, but he didn't respond.

Drake ignored me as if he didn't see me. He grabbed the cup of coffee from the table and took a sip.

"Why is the coffee unsweetened?" He asked as he placed it back from the table.

I almost lost my sanity when he took a cookie from the box and ate it.

"What-" Drake cut me off.

"I thought you don't like sweet stuff, Ace. Why do you have a box of cookies?" He asked as he held the box with his right hand.

"These are not for you, idiot!" I snapped as I took the box from his hand.

Drake turned to Ace before speaking.

"Ace, would you mind sharing these with me?"

"Take them all. You said it yourself. I don't like sweet stuff." Ace said without even looking at us.

Drake snatched the box of cookies from my hand, and I just let him because I don't want to argue with him anymore.

"See you around, Ace." I said and with that, I turned back.

"Stop right there." Drake said, but I didn't.

I continued walking, and ignored what he said.

"These are too sweet. You should put less sugar next time." Drake said, causing me to stop on my tracks.

"You- don't eat them!" I snapped and then, I scrammed.

'Wait… Drake should be resting by this time. Why is he here?' I asked innerly.

Maybe, he has recovered… but he really shouldn't have attended his classes.

"Ugh! Why the hell am I thinking about this?" I whispered as I pulled my hair in frustration.

"Hey… what are you thinking huh?" Meg asked.

I never expected Meg to hear me saying that and now, I don't know how I should reply.

"Uh. I- I'm just thinking about- about… food! Yeah, 'cause I'm so hungry." I stammered.

"Mr. Castro has only five minutes. We'll eat as soon as he dismisses us." She answered, and I just nodded at her.

Hours have passed quickly, and here I am… only two steps away from home. I took out my keys and opened the door.

I haven't seen the devil again after that morning encounter, and I wonder what Ace is doing right now.

I heaved and threw my bag on the couch, and I bolted when I heard someone hissed.

"Ouch! Why did you-"

"What the hell are you doing here Drake?"

"You hurt me! You- birdbrain!" He yelled as he pointed his finger at me.

"What- why- how the hell did you get in?"

"Because you're stupid. No sane person would put the spare key under the mat!"

"Ugh! Get out!"

Drake took a step towards me, and I don't know why I suddenly felt a little nervous. With every step he takes towards me, I can't help but to step back. I hissed when I felt the coldness of the wall.

'I am doomed!' I shouted innerly.

He placed his hands on both sides of my face to corner me. His face is approximately five inches away from mine, and I just wish, he can't hear my heartbeat. I gulped before I spoke.

"Why- what do you want, Drake?" I asked as boldly as I could.

"Be with me." He stated as he looked into my eyes.

I looked away and pushed him as hard as I could, but it didn't work… I am still trapped.

"What… what did you say?"

I heard him, but it seems like my brain can't process what he said. My whole system can't absorb what he said.

'What the hell is he saying?' I screamed innerly.

"You heard me, Louella. I'll give you whatever you want. Name it. I'll buy it for you." He stated as he looked into my eyes.

"Are you out of your mind? I don't need your money and why would I date you?" I snapped.

"You would." He remarked.

"Why are you so sure, huh?"

"Because you wouldn't want your friends to lose their future because of you."

"And what does my friends have to do with this?"

"I'll kick them out of the university, and they won't be accepted in all the other universities."

"So, you clearly haven't moved on, huh? You still care about your ego."

"Shut the fuck up!"

"This matter is between us. Why do you keep on involving my friends on this?"

"You're right. This is between us… but, I just want to make it a little exciting."

Drake smirked at me as he moved his face closer.

"Why are you doing this, Drake?" I said as I looked into his eyes.

"Don't act as if you don't know what you've done, Louella."

"What does that offer have to do with your vengeance? It's clearly out of the blue."

"So you would leave Ace alone. I can't let a witch be with him. He deserves better."

"I won't give up on Ace. I will-"

"Shut up! You will leave Ace alone."

Drake slammed his hands, and I bolted in surprise.

"You will leave him alone… if you don't want me to hurt your friends."

"Drake… look, this game of yours is foolish. Why can't you just-"

"You heard me, Louella. This is the only choice you can have. There's no other way."

"I… I will never be with you! I'd rather-"

"What? You'd rather let your friends suffer for your own sake? I never thought you can be this selfish… You'd rather choose a guy over your friends, huh?"

Drake smirked at me once again, and I breathed heavily.

'What is happening to me? I can't understand a thing.'

"No! You will never have me." I snapped.

"You won't have me, Drake. I will never be with you." I whispered.

"Oh! I will… I will have you, Louella."

He abruptly crashed his lips on mine, and I instantly wriggled free from the kiss. I slapped his chest a couple of times as much as I could.

"What the hell was that for?" He snapped.

"Why did you kiss me? You- idiot!"

"You should feel lucky. Other women would die to have a kiss from me."

"I am not like those other women! I'd rather die than to be kissed by you." I uttered as I wiped my lips with the back of my hand.

"Feisty, huh?"

I just rolled my eyes at him.

"Anyway, the deal has been made."

"What deal?" I asked as I quirked my brow at him.

"You just agreed."

He removed his hands on the side of my face and stood straight as he smirked at me.

"No, I haven't. I told you. You will never have me!"

"You won't let your friends suffer. What's there to argue about?"

"Please, don't involve my friends on this. You can treat me however you like. You can bully me all you want. I'll do whatever you want but not this one. I am willing to take your vengeance… just don't involve my friends on this."

A tear escaped my eye and soon, both of my cheeks are now wet.

"Will you stop crying? Fine! I don't care if you'll cry blood or whatever. My decision is final. Take the deal, or leave it. Whatever you choose, you'll still suffer anyway."

"Why are you so cruel, Drake?"

As usual, he just smirked at me. He walked towards the door and before he opened it, he replied,

"Because I am Jackson Drake Ellizar, the worst enemy you can have."

With that, he left me.