7 Wind Down

We followed Renz's car to a newly opened mall that Kate had mentioned, it is about 20 minutes away from the studio. As soon as we arrived, Kate complained that she was starving and led us to a Japanese restaurant to eat first.

After our meal, Ace, Renz, Vince, and I just found ourselves being dragged behind to follow the luxurious shopping spree of the two. We also bought things for ourselves but those were nothing compared to what Kate and Andy bought just after 20 minutes of shopping.

"I thought we came here to let Kenzie wind down. It seems like those two were the ones who were enjoying." Renz said with humor while slightly shaking his head.

We are currently in the waiting area of a boutique that Kate and Andy entered.

"Just let them, you talk as if you're not used to it." I said before I stood up. "I'll just go to the restroom," I told them and left to look for a restroom.

I felt tired. We have been walking around the mall since we got here, but I don't want to go home yet. I am already here, might as well relish it. I am somehow having fun, anyway.

While walking on an aisle from the restroom, three men suddenly blocked my way and stopped me from walking.

"You're Mackenzie Samonte." One of them said but I just ignored him, and I was about to walk past them when the two guys with him blocked my way again.

What is it this time?

"Not so fast, I am still talking to you." He grabbed my arm and pulled me to face him again. "It pisses me off when people turn their back on me." He added arrogantly.

"So?" I looked at him blankly in return as I pulled my arm back. "Don't touch me, stupid."

Who the hell is this guy? I can not remember encountering this man in my life, but he clearly knows me

He is about the age of Sam or maybe younger and around six feet tall. He has a well-built athletic body, sharp eyes, and an annoying cocky smirk plastered on his face. I do not know him, but I already hate everything about him.

He smirked. "You're indeed Samuel Samonte's sibling, you're both arrogant and feisty."

So, my brother knows this guy. By the look of it, I bet he is just one of the assholes who are insecure about him. My brother is good at a lot of things including his studies, his work at the company, and his skill in football. However, apart from those things, he and Ace usually get involved in a lot more things especially when they are hanging out at a bar or a club. Sam is pretty good at fistfights, drag racing, and billiards among other things – I wonder at which one of those did he meet this guy. He is not familiar to me. I doubt that he is from Saint Louis or someone he got against at football tournaments.

He walked closer to me, but I didn't flinch and kept my straight face.

I won't be intimidated by this kind of person.

"My luck seems to be working fine today, we saw each other and you're alone. You might want company? "

"I do not care with whatever your conflict with my brother, and I especially don't care with your luck. You might want to get out of my way, you're ruining my day." I answered coldly.

He laughs. "You're amusing, you're too feisty."

Then he stops but keeps his cocky smirk plastered on his face before he looks at me again. "I've always wanted to meet that bastard's sister. I heard he's very protective of her."

His gaze travels from my head to toe, then back to my face. What's wrong with this filthy asshole?

I shifted clenching my fist and I alerted myself when he raised his hand to reach for my face.

"But I never expect that you're this hot and beauti-"

"Don't you dare, Lucas."

Before he was able to touch my face, someone caught his arm and quickly pulled me behind him away from the guy who seemed to be named Lucas. I saw his grin grow wider as soon as he saw the newcomer.

"Look who's here. Ace Javier, the best friend." The Lucas guy said as if getting amused at how things are turning out.

I look at Ace. His expression is blank and serious while looking at Lucas.

"Don't you dare lay your damn finger on her." He said in a clenched jaw while glaring at him.

The Lucas guy just laughed sarcastically. "Is that forbidden? Too bad for you, I was able to touch her already. You and Sam never told me that a mere touch of her porcelain skin is already tempting. I suddenly want more of her." He said manically while looking directly at me.

My eyes widened in disbelief. He is disgusting!

"What the he-" I was about to lunge to hit him in the face when Ace stopped me and pulled me behind him.

Lucas just grinned at me. He is provoking me and I am indeed getting provoked. This guy is getting on my nerves.

"And a hell of a headstrong woman, that's my type." He added.

"Leave her alone, damn asshole." Ace growled in clenched fist and prepared to lunge over him.

"We're in public Ace, do you really want to put up a fight in here? We won't be able to enjoy it, but well, we won't back down." Lucas said, challenging Ace.

Ace could not do anything but swear into himself and back down.

"We're not done yet." Ace said before he pulled me away from the scene leaving the three guys with their victorious smirks.

"No, we are not. See you again soon." Lucas said confidently as we walked away.

We stopped in front of the boutique where we left the others earlier.

"Damn that bastard!" He silently exclaimed in annoyance.

I immediately notice the drastic change in his mood.

Ace's furrowed forehead in annoyance and furious eyes still remained even if those guys were already out of our sight. It looks as if he wanted to get into a fight with that Lucas. He seemed to get into Ace's nerves easily.

"Who is that?" I asked after I pulled my hand back from him.

"He is Lucas Tantingco. Sam and I defeated him in a car race once. He also lost when he tried to pick a fight with us after the game."

Now it made sense, I knew it.

"He's a stupid loser then," I said.

I am really annoyed with him. He is an asshole.

Ace seriously looked at me.

"He likes to play dirty, and he still wants to get back on us. Stay away from him Amazon, no matter what happens stay away from him." He said firmly, making every word clear.

I frowned.

Why would he forbid me that way? I can handle myself with that stupid guy even if he did not intervene.

I was about to answer back when Kate and the others approached us. They told us that they wanted to watch a movie before we head home.

I did not think of the incident again because I do not have enough energy to even think about it. However, I noticed that Ace's mood completely changed, he suddenly became serious throughout the movie and the drive to our house

"Hey, are you alright?" He suddenly asked before I got off his car.

I look at him confused. Why do they keep on asking me such questions? Do I look like I'm not okay?

"Yes?" I frowned at him.

He looks calmer than earlier, but he is acting weird.

"You've been quiet the whole time, I thought you're still thinking about what happened earlier." He admitted.

Is that the reason why he kept on glancing in my direction in the middle of the drive?

"No, I don't. Don't worry, I am just really tired." I answered.

He smirks. "Alright, good to know."

I just rolled my eyes at him as an answer before I left his car.

As soon as I entered the house, I walked directly to my room to take a quick bath and change my clothes. I immediately threw myself on my bed after.

I am really exhausted, and my body feels heavy and tired. I did not have a hard time falling asleep.