Chapter 22: Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

"May I join you. You seem to be alone right now." I said to him as I grabbed a wine glass from inside.

He turns to me raising an eyebrow. "Who are you again?" He asked clueless of who I am.

This guy.... either he has a bad memory or he just doesn't even bother to remember my name. I guess I'll have to play his game.

"I'm Grace Baltazar. CEO of Bittersweet Food Corporation. If you didn't catch that." I asserted my name.

"Oh... I did hear about Bittersweet... I am quite a fan of your lollipops... I remember a friend of mine selling something similar to it... you know? That strawberry milk lollipop you have?" He said as he giggled.

HE DOESN'T REALLY REMEMBER ME... I WANNA PUSH HIM OFF THE LEDGE... EVEN IF IT'S NOT EVEN ENOUGH TO KILL JUST STAINING THAT TUXEDO IS ENOUGH... HE IS PISSING ME OFF.

"What class are you from? I don't particularly remember seeing a beautiful lady such as yourself anywhere near school grounds back then." He gave me a little smile...

Because you never paid attention to me when I dressed like a tomboy... You never bothered to give me the time of day.

"Oh I'm actually from the same class... as you... don't you remember... Louie?" I said to him...

His eyes widened suddenly as if he remembered something. He then turns away from me.

"Hello! What are you people doing here?" Isabel comes outside of the venue to our spot.

"We are just chatting dear... Ms. Baltazar here was just telling me about her company and how it reminded me of a classmate of ours selling lollipops." He said.

"Oh! Silly! You don't remember... It was Grace that's been selling the lollipops during high school... It's honestly good that you are a C.E.O now Grace... although I do apologize for how I treated you during high school... I guess I was really just jealous..." Isabel said timidly.

I peeked into Louie as he looks at me expressionless... could he not remember about what happened when he rejected me and called me a poor person... I can't believe him...

"Water under the bridge... Although how is your engagement are we expecting a child after your marriage." I giggled.

"Oh! Stop it, you... I'm not sure though... it honestly depends on Louie...he can be quite cold... and his father told us that he needed an heir so I guess we have to do it." Isabel giggled.

Well he's pretty cold... also imagine if I was reincarnated as their child... or be part of their family and deal with their shit... worst day ever.. if that happened.

"Anyways... I heard the lottery will start soon... shouldn't we go inside? Also, I didn't really see Greg inside where is he? Shouldn't you tell him to go inside?" Isabel asked.

"Oh he's just in the restroom he'll be back soon. He's fixing his outfit. You know he can be a bit flashy and he definitely cares about his fashion." I made up an excuse...

Can't tell them he's drawing a magic circle to humiliate Louie...

Louie remained silent as he continued to drink his wine and listened to our conversation...

"You and Greg definitely changed... back then Greg was quite flamboyant although he was pretty strong back then considering he was in the martial arts and wrestling team. He's pretty tall and muscular now... and you Grace." She points to my dress.

"I didn't expect you actually dress like this... Remember when you were in high school. You preferred wearing boyish things... this dress is never really your style!" She pointed out.

"Oh, I guess people really do change." I giggled.

"Why don't we go back in." Isabel tried to walk away, THIS IS THE TIME TO GIVE THE ROSE TO LOUIE SO I CAN GET BLOOD.

I put my gloves to prevent me from getting pricked by the rose and then I brought it out.

"Louie... it's been long since we met so here... a token of my appreciation. I hope you enjoy it." I put my hands forward to hand over the rose.

Louie scanned up and down remaining his dead expression. He then calls Isabel signaling her to take the rose.

"Oh! That's really sweet of you Grace... I'll take the rose since Louie doesn't really like getting dirty." She tried to reach for the rose but I snatched it away from her. She looked at me in confusion.

"Huh is something wrong with me taking the rose?" She asked.

"No.. it's just that... I really wanted Louie to have it you know..." I said... trying to make up and excuse... "Since like... it's for him... I want him to be the first one to hold it."

"Oh!" Isabel made a cheeky little smirk. "You are trying to take him away from me aren't you? You think a little rose is going to get my future husband..." She said in a silly way. "Although the rose is beautiful... I'll take it." She grabs the rose from my hand.

"OW!" She drops the rose.

FUCK FUCK FUCK! THIS HOE! SHE TOOK THE ROSE! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW... THIS IS MY LAST SHOT.. DAMN IT HOW AM I GOING TO GET HIS BLOOD NOW!

"Are you okay?" Louie asks her.

"Yup. I'm fine... I guess there are like thorns in the rose..." She said timidly.

"Oh! I'm so sorry... I didn't really realize that there were thorns in the rose... I am so sorry.." I said in a fake sorry voice.

"Well, how would you know if you are wearing gloves... maybe next time give us a gift that is sanitized and safe?" Louie said with a sour attitude.

"It's fine... I don't think Grace meant for that to happen.. anyways thank you for the gift... we appreciate it.. even though it's for Louie." Isabel gave me a little smile.

"Anyways we should be going." Louie picked up the rose. "Goodbye. See you in the lottery." He said in a cold tone as he walked away with Isabel...

Goddamn it! I messed up! What are we going to do now!

POV: Sungah

Who knew the food from these buffets is so delicious! Although I hate eating inside since I might attract unnecessary attention! Well time to chow down on these babies! MMM... The fish fillet taste so good! Especially with this sauce!

I see Luther over the corner of my eye walking towards me.

"What are you planning Sungah? I got the ingredients... and in fact, they don't match the manipulation spell you were talking about controlling Louie... so what are you trying to do.. why are you lying.." Luther asked sternly.

"Oh.. to think I thought you were smart.. it honestly took you that long to figure out that I wasn't doing a manipulation spell! I need the Codex Infernalis for that to happen.. since it's a black magic spell..." I giggled at him...

"Then what are you trying to do! You better tell me! You better not be doing anything illegal again!" Luther shouts.

"Geez calm down your pants..." I snickered at him. "I'm just trying to get Grace to achieve her goals... I'm just honestly being a good friend.." I giggled at him..

POV: Grace

FUCK... I messed up... what am I going to do... now.. this was the only siphoning flower... how are we going to get blood from him now... THIS PLAN IS RUINED...

I walked over towards Luther and Sungah talking.

"Guys.. we got a problem... Isabel took the rose and the rose has her blood on it... which means I failed to retrieve her blood what are we going to do now!" I shout at them.

"Hey, guys! I'm finished with the chalk circle.. also isn't it almost midnight? Did you guys get the blood?" Greg enters our area.

"OH MY GOD? YOU DIDN'T GET THE BLOOD... WE ARE SO SCREWED... HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET BLOOD NOW..." Sungah shouts..

"Maybe we just don't need to do this. Perhaps let's just not do it and enjoy the reunion you know?" Greg suggested.

"I guess we really did get carried away with this plan... maybe let's just enjoy the reunion inside.. I heard they are doing the raffle I wonder if we are getting picked." Sungah agreed with the suggestion...

"GOD DAMN IT! THIS WAS MY ONLY CHANCE TO HUMILIATE LOUIE FOR WHAT HE DID TO ME AND IT FUCKED UP ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!" I shouted.

"What?! Pardon me?" We all turn around to see Louie standing in front of us with a stern look. "What did you say?" He asked...

HE! HOW DID HE GET HERE?

"What is this circle?!" He said sternly. "And this idea of humiliating me? What does that mean?" He demanded an answer...

DAMN IT! DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR DESPERATE MEASURES!

"GREG! KNOCK HIM OUT!" I shouted.

"Wait!? What?!" Greg looked at me shocked.

"JUST DO IT GREG! PLEASE TRUST ME!" I demanded him.

"Huh?!" Louie turns around to see Greg goes lightning fast hitting the back of his neck making him faint...

"You made him faint!" Sungah looks at Louie's unconscious body on the ground.

What are we going to do now...