Chapter Thirteen

There was silence as they ate their meal. It was the noise from their plates that were heard. Austin then interrupted the thought by asking a question.

"Did Arsenal win the match?"

Tessa was also anticipating the answer. 'Yes or No'

"Yes babe. They won the watch", Ana replied and Tessa screamed. She got up and suddenly realized they were eating.

"Pay up bro", she went to Austin and demanded her money from him. They had bet earlier on the club that would win. Austin went for Arsenal while Tessa went for Chelsea.

"Zavier will give you the money", Austin replied and she looked at Zavier. He didn't heed to what Austin said and continued eating his meal.

Tessa went back to her seat and collected Jun ho's phone. "You can't be on your phone when you're eating", she said and he scoffed.

But then, she didn't drop the phone on the table. She took it to explore it.

"Theresa", Austin called and she dropped the phone on the table.

**************** ******************

Ryan's father and mother sat on a nearby chair. It was revealed at the hospital that his mom has lung cancer. She is sad but her husband is encouraging her. At one point, she began sniffing; she wanted to cry.

"See how much weight you've lost", Mark stated as she bursted into tears.

"I brought this upon myself. I should have stopped", She wept.

"You should. Even if for the sake of the children Olivia. You've got less than a year left but a miracle can happen", Mark said with a sad face.

"A miracle? Seeing my children before I go is a miracle", Olivia said.

"Should they come?", Mark asked.

Olivia was deep in thought. What will Tessa, Ryan and Austin think of her right now? Austin had begged her to quit smoking but she turned a deaf ear to the poor boy. Tessa had also pleaded and made endless promises for her to quit but she just couldn't.

She was always seen with a stick. It doesn't matter if she was going to light it up soon or she just felt like holding it. Also, she loves drinking alcohol. Many bad things reside with her. Mark had tried his best to stop her addiction but it seems like it's impossible.

He had made some bad friends to leave and approved the relationship with some good ones. But it's too late now, nothing can be done. Not even surgery.

"I'll send for them when It's half a year and I'm still here by His grace", Olivia declared and Mark smiled weakly.

"Don't cry anymore. A miracle is coming", Mark said with hope glistering in his eyes. Olivia hoped so as her husband placed a palm on her shaky one. He took a glance at the test result once more and a tear escaped his eye.

IN THE KITCHEN (TESSA'S HOME)

"I heard you are Tessa's sort of closest friend", Zavier said as soon as he entered the kitchen. Jun ho was washing the dishes diligently.

Jun ho chuckled at his accusation.

"Actually, we're more than that. Did you know we shared a deep kiss in her room? She's so sweet. Too bad, she didn't share with you. Why - Cause you're a STRANGER!!", Jun ho taunted and Zavier got angry.

Luke had left an hour ago after cutting the cake. Austin also stepped out some minutes ago to drop his girlfriend at his house. Ryan was in the room with Tessa. They were taking their cousin named Angelo. He was the reason for baking a cake. He's like Ryan's bestie. They are damn close that you'll mistake them for twins.

"What else did you do to her?", Zavier asked with jealousy. He was so jealous but he wanted to hear all of it.

"A lot. But I can remember all since you wanna hear all. I gifted her a Lamborghini worth thirty thousand dollars. We went on a trip to Seoul together at the age of fourteen. Guess what? That's when she learnt how to swim. And I taught her how to swim. Too bad!", Jun ho said and laughed.

"I can see that you're in love with her but you're not her type. She's not into your kind. You fucking dirty criminal!! Gaejasig!!", Jun ho spat and Zavier landed a punch on his face angrily.

"Did you just call me a son of a bitch??", Zavier roared and punched him again but he dodged it. Jun Ho then retaliated and punched Zavier in the face.

Jun ho angrily took off the gloves he was wearing.

"Hangug-eoleul ihaehal jul-eun mollassnayo? neon jeongmal dogteughan saekkiya", Jun ho said in awe. (Didn't expect you to understand Korean? you're one unique mother fucker )

Zavier scoffed, "Bulhaenghan nom" (Unfortunate bastard)

Zavier suddenly imagined the kiss in his mind and got angry. He punched him harder than intended resulting in igniting Jun Ho's anger.

They both landed blows on each other's body parts. Both were angry and felt challenged.

TWELVE MINUTES LATER

"What caused the fight?", Tessa asked Zavier as she attended to his wounds. Jun Ho had left the house angrily after Tessa took Zavier's side. He had driven out claiming that he had somewhere to be.

Tessa literally had to drag Zavier into her room to tend to his wounds.

She wiped his wound on his temple as he flinched.

"Sorry", She said but he said nothing.

"I said, "What caused the fight?", she asked again but he still didn't reply to her.

"Can't you hear me?", Tessa asked him but he showed no sign or responding any time soon.

"Did Jun ho say anything to you? Did he say something rude or hurtful? Did he-"

"I have somewhere to be", he cut in and got up.

"I'm sorry Zavier", She apologized even though she doesn't know what she did.

"Bye", he said and walked out of her room. Tessa looked at Ryan that slept on her bed and went after Zavier.

"I said I'm sorry", Tessa yelled as he descended the stairs.

"I said I'm sorry!!! Zavier!! Zavi-"

"Why the hell did you kiss him?!!", he raised his voice at her and she bit her lips. 'So, that's why he's angry? Is he jealous?', she asked herself.

"About that-"

"Do you go about kissing every guy?", he asked angrily and she scoffed.

"What?"

"It's bad to lie, you know. I doubt you're a virgin Tessa. Seems like you guys did more than that", Zavier said.

"I heard you have a thing to do with 70% of the girls in school. That shows who you're, Zavier. You don't judge a book by the cover. I hate you!!! I'm not even your girlfriend to start with!! And then, I deliberately didn't share a kiss with him. He kissed me and then I broke the kiss as soon as it started. I can't fall in love with Jun ho!! But I wasn't expecting this backlash from you. You know what?", she asked, descending the stairs.

"Get the fuck out of my freaking house. Get out!! I don't want to see you ever again. You viper!! Annoying bastard!! Nunca te perdonaré por esto", She declared and slammed the door after him.

She slowly slid against the door and sat on the floor. She face palmed herself and bursted into tears. A knock was heard on the door.

"Raymond", the person spoke and she hissed angrily.

"Get off my door steps bastard!!!", She screamed furiously and marched to her room hurtfully.

************** ****************

"Guys, did he fight with someone?", Simon asked as they saw the state of the hostages they took the other night. They were badly beaten and bruised.

"Perhaps, you guys forgot to tell him the balance of the stuff had been sent", Simon said and they disagreed.

"That was the first thing I told him but he went ahead to use them as his punching bag", Damon said and some of them laughed out loud.

"That girl -Theresa", Simon said as her name popped up in his head.

"Oh please!! They're not like that", Damon said.

"That's what you kept telling your dumb self. She rejected you so she can be with anyone she wants to be with dude", Cole said and they agreed.

"I'll discuss how the meeting went with him tomorrow or can you do it Cole?", Matthew asked him.

"Hm. I have to attend a meeting with my dad today. I'll be going to his company", Cole replied. Matthew looked at Damon. "I'm unavailable"

He then looked at Drake and Fred who turned him down before he could complete his sentence.

"You", he looked at Simon. "You can never accept my offer even if I pay a hundred thousand dollars", he said and they laughed out loud.

"I have no choice then. Fuck you all", Matthew said and they laughed.

"We got you bro", Drake patted his shoulder and left. They all left onle after the other.

**************** **************

"Tessa!!!", Kim yelled on top of her voice as soon as she saw Tessa approaching her. She ran up to her and hugged her tightly.

"How did you do it?", Kim asked curiously to hear her answer.

"What are you talking about? Crazy girl", Tessa laughed as she watched her acrobatics.

"Hey bitch!!", Anastasia said as she walked towards them with her crew.

"I heard what you did at Zavier's party. Why are you so ugly?", Anastasia askes with a bored tone with her arms on her waist akimbo.

"I'm not your mirror. If I had a face like yours, I'd sue my parents. Roses are red, violets are blue, God made me beautiful but what happened to you?", Tessa replied and she was embarrassed.

"You're so chubby. In Fact you're fat", Anastasia responded with her fist clenched in anger.

"I may be chubby but chubby can slim down but being ugly can't be fixed", Tessa replied.

"Actually, it can. Plastic surgery", Kim said.

"Oh that? Unfortunately, the doctor rejected her because she's too ugly to undergo a surgery ", Anastasia replied.

"You're a huge mistake Tessa", Anastasia continued her taunt.

"That's what your parents said when you were born. They also found out that you're a bitch at the gender reveal. I would have dealt with you physically but I don't abuse animals ", Tessa said and Anastasia rushed to Tessa to slap her but her friends held her back. They don't want any problem in their life.

"I don't like you too Kim", Anastasia shouted.

"Too bad. Our middle finger is in love with you. In case you don't know, our straightener is hotter than you bitch?", Kim said as they both raised their middle fingers in the air. Anastasia screamed out angrily. How dare they??!!!

The students that witnessed the exchange of words quickly posted the video on the platform.

It got shared to another platform. Tessa's fans were supporting her and learning of her comebacks. People were supporting Tessa and backlashing Anastasia.

👥 Anastasis looks like an archaeopteryx

👥 She got no ass or boobs. So shapeless like the amoeba

👥 I got a boyfriend for Anastasia. It's a hungry male vulture.

👥 I love Tessa

👥 She's so beautiful and got everything I need in a girl.

Many comments were pouring but that was where they stopped.

The sevens sat in the canteen as they ate their food. Tessa and Kim entered the canteen and ordered their food. They took their trays and placed their food on it. They sat close to the wall and Kim continued gisting her.

"Luke and I are dating", Kim announced and flashed her ring in her front.

"Wow!! This is so beautiful", Tessa said and admired the ring on her finger.

"I know right", Kim said. "Thanks for giving him the strength to ask me out", Kim said and Tessa raised a brow.

"What do you mean?"

"He said that you made him know that I like him so he decided to ask me out. He was scared of rejection though that's why he didn't ask me earlier enough. You did reject him then so …", Kim said and Tessa nodded.

"He's so cute", Kim said as she blushed.

"Zavier kept looking in this direction. Are you guys fighting?", She asked and Tessa was annoyed.

"Don't talk about him please. I don't wanna hear it ", Tessa said Kim nodded.

"I have a date with Luke so I won't be able to go shopping with you. I'll make sure we go together next time", Kim said and Tessa nodded.

They ate their food and shared ideas over lunch.

******************* *****************

The nursing professor came into the class. Today's topic is on how to deal with gunshot wound.

"Treatment and recovery for a gunshot wound depend on the size of the bullet, where the bullet enters your body, and how soon you seek medical care. Prompt medical attention often prevents a gunshot wound from becoming deadly", the professor began.

The professor continued as he pointed to the projector and wrote something on the board. "First, you stop the bleeding. Next, don't elevate the victim's legs. Also, you treat the wound by the victim's location. You can finally call 911 if you've done this", he said as the students took short notes.

Tessa was recording with her phone. She didn't find her note in her locker. Maybe she left it at home. She had spoken to Jun Ho in the morning. He had apologized to her for what happened the previous day.

"Crazy!!! Zavier purchased a restaurant for five million dollars. Who the hell is his new girlfriend?", the class suddenly went berserk with the latest news. Tessa was also curious. Does he really have a girlfriend?

Anyways, that's none of her business. She doesn't give a fuck. She undid the button of her shirt because she felt suffocated all of a sudden. Perhaps, it was the trending news about Zavier. She wants to see his girlfriend. She had seen his ex. She's so fine but it was obvious that she is the best friend of plastic surgery.

She also heard that he was betrayed by his close friend. He had been fucking her behind his back resulting into her getting pregnant.

She also heard that Zavier shot his friend but left Lina alive due to unknown reasons. They said he was ruthless but it seems like a rumor to her. He's so sweet and kind. When they first met, he was the person she hated most in the world. But now, he passed as her favorite person.

She walked towards her locker and removed the band from her hair. She looked into her mirror and applied her gloss once more. She took out her comb and brushed out her hair. She brushed it carefully and watched it fall to her waist. She rubbed her sweaty palm on her jean trousers and sighed.

She placed her books carefully into the locker and slammed it loudly.

"S..sorry", She mouthed at the students she frightened with the deafening sound.

She walked into her class with her phone in her hand. She walked into her class and found it empty.

"Where the hell did they go to?", she muttered and went to sit in her seat.

She brought out her phone and received a call from Ryan's teacher. Today was the day she ought to go to his school to see his progress in his academics. She forgot but she will beg her neighbor, Samuel, to go to his school.

Luckily for her, Samuel was around the area so he went instead of her. Ryan won't mind because he was comfortable around Samuel too.

"Or we're not having a class today", She muttered and decided to leave the class when Zavier walked in.

He was holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers and he was dressed smartly. Tessa rolled her eyes when she saw him. He must have come to apologize.

He suddenly got on his knees and pleaded with her,

"Tessa, as I stand before you with this bouquet of flowers in my trembling hands, I want you to know that you are the very essence of the word 'beautiful' to me. From the moment I asked you out, I couldn't help but be enchanted by your grace, your kindness, and your radiant smile.

I may not be your partner yet, but the thought of you has already filled my heart with an overwhelming sense of joy and anticipation. I have been foolish to let doubts cloud my judgment, and for that, I am sincerely sorry.

Each petal of these flowers is a testament to the feelings I've been harboring, a symbol of the admiration I hold for you, and a promise that my intentions are pure and genuine. I hope these flowers can convey the sincerity of my apologies and the depth of my affection.

I long for the opportunity to be a part of your life, to get to know you better, and to make you smile more than ever before. Your presence brightens my world, and I can't help but imagine the wonderful moments we could share if you'd give me a chance.

I promise to be patient, to cherish you, and to create unforgettable memories together."

Tessa couldn't help but blush as she heard his words. She took the flower from him and dragged him up. He smiled as he hugged her with affection. Suddenly, she pecked his cheeks shyly. Zavier chuckled and placed his lips on her as they kissed deeply not minding what's going on around them.

***************** ****************

Zavier stared at Tessa who sat opposite him. They were in a five star restaurant. She was wearing a beautiful red dress. It was so beautiful and brought out her curves. She stared at her face while she ate her food.

"Why aren't you eating?", Tessa asked when she realized that he wasn't eating his food.

"I am full because I am seeing your pretty face", he said shamelessly and she laughed.

"Oh please. Try this it's so delicious", She passed him a sauce in a small ceramic bowl. He took it and tasted it.

They ate in silence until Tessa spoke, "What do you like about me Zavier?"

Zavier dropped his spoon and wiped his stained lips. "Everything", he said and she scoffed.

"What do you like about me?", She repeated her question and he replied with the same answer.

"Okay. What fact do you know about me

?", she asked and he shook his head.

"You like me too", he replied and she laughed.

"What else?", she asked and he shook his head.

"One. I am a jealous girlfriend ", she said and he took note of it.

"Two. I like money", she stated.

"You love money ", he corrected. "Don't worry. I have a lot of money ", he said smiling.

"Three. I love going on dates "

"Four. I love a romantic boyfriend "

"Five. Don't you ever lie to me. Tell me every damn thing. Share everything with me"

"Six. I don't like certain food such as shrimp, periwinkles, hamburger and mushroom", she said and he laughed. "I don't like those either", he said and they laughed together.

"Seven. I don't like a dirty boyfriend ", she said and he laughed. "I'm freaking clean ", he replied.

"That's good ", she said.

"What about me?", Tessa asked and he interlocked her fingers with his.

"I like everything about you. When I don't like something about you, I'll let you know", he said and she smiled.