You Will Be Dead Before I Kill the Lees

“How ironic...”

Sean and Ron are just watching the car where Cheska and Lorenzo are. It is being driven at unimaginable speed—Cj’s orders. Ron is just smirking while Sean is—as usual—frowning.

“We were trying to kill each other and now we saved him from his death...”

Sean started to walk back to their classroom. Ron followed him with a chuckle.

“What’s irritating you?”

“Cj,” he answered, still frowning. “How dare he calls us while we’re in the middle of our class and get mad when we’re cutting them? We just cut our class because of his sudden call!”

Since he’s complaining again, Ron gave no attention to it.

He just returned his gaze in front and looked at the watch he is wearing—the reason how they knew something is happening.

“Cj asked us to wear this in case there’s an emergency about Cheska and he needs us. Who would have thought we’re going to use this first to Lorenzo?”

“So the future mistress cares for the leader of rebellion huh…”

Ron's amused smirks vanished because of Sean’s words—he literally didn't hear anything from him. He's too preoccupied with his thoughts. But, the sulk remains while walking casually with two hands in his pockets.

“Do you think that would be a problem?”

He didn’t answer it. He only sighed at that question. The answer is pretty obvious.

“Sophia.”

Sophia averted her gaze from the floor when she heard Cj’s voice. His brows are knitted as if she's doing something weird.

“You could have waited inside.”

“Let’s just talk here…” she stood up properly. She was leaning against the wall earlier. “Why do you want to talk to me?”

“What happened?”

She sighed. Even she can’t deny the fact that what happened was indeed stressful.

“Before the break ends, that girl suddenly attacked Cheska but at first, she’s just throwing words at her. No one knows why she did what she did. She just suddenly burst out.

"When Cheska shut her down, when she refused to give any attention to her, that’s when she threw the kunai. And…Lorenzo just suddenly went inside the picture—he took the weapon for her.”

Cj flinched to the last words. Looks like he’s thinking the right thing. Just like Alexandra, Lorenzo has this interest in Cheska—but in a good way.

“The girl’s name?”

“Julie Jimenez,” she answered. “I heard she’s the queen bee of the Commoners. She’s hating on Cheska because their class is now in favor of her. Especially after what she did to Alexandra. According to the majority, she deserves to be called a queen bee instead of Julie who doesn’t even stand a chance against Alexandra.”

Cj’s head tilted to one side with his blinking eyes. “Jimenez? I know no family under that name in Underground World and most especially in Mafia World who can afford this university’s fee.”

“She’s a Commoner.”

“A Commoner with a weapon from the Mafia World and Underground World?” he stood properly. His eyes blinked repeatedly while looking in a different direction, analyzing. “Did she change the rule of her game…?”

“She?”

Cj looked at him. “Sophia, I intended to put you in the same class as my sister because you’re the most responsible among the five of you. You’re the person I trust the most. You could have avoided any unwanted situations. Just like what happened now.”

“I made sure Cheska is harmless, Cj. Just like what you asked me to,” she reminded with her furrowed brows. “And not to mention, Julie is being suspicious of me as well. You made me the vice even this is my first time here. I have no past records in this university. If I move more, I won’t be able to protect your sister anymore.”

“Lorenzo is—”

“I am here for Cheska and only for her,” she cut his words short. Her voice became more serious but Cj remained calm. “I am not here to protect that rebel. I don’t want him to get hurt but surely I am not going to save him from any danger. He’s our enemy.”

“If Julie succeeded in killing Lorenzo will you take responsibility for what might happen? You are there,” Cj stood on his ground. “If a Commoner tried to kill someone from a Mafia, a war will occur. They’re not ready for it. It would be a one-sided massacre."

Sophia had to look away to avoid his stern eyes.

“I am not asking you to protect Lorenzo or anyone other than Cheska. But I am asking you, as a Mafia, as a Lee, do everything you can to avoid a bigger and regretful conflict. This might just a school, but war can start right here.”

Cheska is just holding Lorenzo’s hands continuously squeezing them only to keep him awake. It’s somehow working.

But since the incident occurred almost half an hour ago, he’s slowly losing at his battle against death. The longer it takes, the torture becomes more painful, more agonizing.

Now it made him wonder, how did things end up to this? How did he end up being in that situation?

He didn’t even go to class since Alexandra isn’t there as well. He’s not even wearing their uniform.

He’s there…completely an outsider.

What was he doing there in the first place?

“What did you do?”

Lorenzo is just looking at Alexandra with his threatening eyes while one arm is on his waist.

She’s just sitting pretty while sipping on her wine. She’s indeed enjoying her drink—it’s all over her smiles. She’s smiling while her eyes are closed. Looks like she has no intention of giving Lorenzo what he seeks.

“Alexandra!”

She finally opened her eyes and looked at him. Lorenzo’s face is giving her amusement. She couldn’t help herself to laugh at him. He looks really mad—no, he is mad.

“You told me yourself, that girl is not easy to deal with. I realized…perhaps my method is wrong?” she shrugged. “That’s why I decided to think of several methods. I’m going to use all of them until I can tell which one is effective. Thank you for the advice by the way. If not because of you and your friends, I won’t think of changing my game.”

Lorenzo sighed deeply, she’s making his headache terribly. “What…did you do?”

“There’s this girl named Julie Jimenez. I have this feeling that we have the same girl we hate so much. I gave her one of my kunai with deadly poison. I told her she can use it against her,” she sipped on her wine again, still smiling. “It’s a win-win situation, right? It’s like hitting two birds with one stone. I’m telling you, we can use someone else’s hatred for our victory. And I’m…so excited in claiming that victory once that girl is dead.”

“You are fucking crazy...”

It’s an insult but Alexandra only laughed at it. She faced Lorenzo, still sitting. “I’m mad crazy for proving you wrong, Lorenzo. I will do everything to prove that no one is better than me in playing games. You put this on yourself. You know provoking me is a sin.”

Lorenzo only stared at her intently. Later on, he just started to walk away making Alexandra lose her malignant smile. She left her seat and chased him.

“What do you think you’re going?!”

“Stopping your madness.”

“Are you crazy?! Do you think I am going to let you do that? It’s too late! She might have already done it by now. No one is going to think twice if the temptation is within their grasp! Don’t you dare save that foolish girl! Lorenzo!”

She only stopped chasing him when he suddenly turned to her. She got surprised when he saw his face—it’s worse than before. It’s scarier, more terrifying. He’s like a walking danger.

“I am saving you from your regrets, Alexandra,” he said heavily, trying to control his emotion. “What do you think will happen if a Commoner dies under your order? You are not thinking.”

“Lorenzo? That’s why I asked someone—”

“Do you really think you’re going to get away with it just because you asked someone to do the dirty job of yours? Do you really think Cj won’t investigate through this?! Alexandra, you are the most suspect if that girl dies!”

“Fucking Cj! Fucking Cheska!” she had her enough. “Isn’t that what we’re doing anyway? Waging a war?! That’s what we’ve been doing and preparing for ever since!”

“A war against within our world! The two worlds are completely out of this! I don’t aspire to involve them in this fight! They have nothing to do with this!”

“They will eventually be part of this! They have to take sides! Because if not their world will be doomed! They have to fight with us and help us to bring down those dictators!”

“I will never ever harm Commoners or even Grounders, Alexandra. I told you a lot of times, what you want to happen is not going to happen.”

“You’re fucking delusional! Do you really think the two worlds will remain unharmed after you wage war against the Lees?! You won’t be able to protect them!”

Lorenzo stepped forward making Alexandra step back a bit. She started to breathe fast. She hates that move. She hates it to her bones.

“Try to move against my plan, I am going to kill you myself,” he threatened with his blazing eyes. “This fight is only between the Lees and the Mafia World. If you try to put the Commoners and Grounders into this, you will be dead before I kill the Lees.”

She unexpectedly swallowed the lump of her throat.

She knows, just like her, Lorenzo’s threats aren’t empty. He never threatens someone with a bluff. It’s always been true. He will do what he threatens to do.

He’s dead serious about killing her—that shouldn’t be surprised, right?

In the first place, Lorenzo hates her. He hates everything about her. She should not be surprised if he threatens her to take her life.

“I hope I made myself clear to you. Again.”

And that’s when he turned his back to her and left the mansion. Alexandra heard the car driving away from where she is.

Her fist clenched tightly. She felt her sharp nails burying to her skin.

She aggravatingly returned her stares to the living room, then she saw Lorenzo’s remaining friends watching them silently.

“What?!”

Then they looked away and started to mind their own businesses again.

They actually lost their focuses on it when Lorenzo and Alexandra started to raise their voices to each other.

Who wouldn’t be distracted? Their voices are all over the place. They’re like a married couple with an unhappy married life.