Paying Debt

Sam was not able to wake up early the next day because he got drunk from the party. Since he still had a hangover, he asked a driver and a bodyguard to drive me to school. I tried to convince him to let me use my car, but he refused, and I could not do anything to persuade him.

As soon as I got out of the car, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion when I saw Ace with his car parked beside my usual car spot. He was leaning against his car with his hands inside his pockets as if he was waiting for someone or something.

He stood up straight and walked towards me the moment he saw me got out of the car.

Did he start a new hobby of coming to school early?

"Amazon, let's talk." He said after clearing his throat.

I look at Ace after I ask the bodyguard, who opened the door for me, to go back inside the car.

"We're talking," I answered flatly.

I could feel a little awkwardness in front of him, but it is not that I wanted to avoid him. I do not know, I cannot explain. How should I react if someone, especially a crazy drunk jerk, stole a kiss from me?

I want to smack him, but the fact that he did not do that intentionally saves him. I could be irrational, indeed, but I do not take revenge on people who did something to me unintentionally. It is not fun.

"I'm sorry." He finally said as if he had been thinking about how to say it in a while.

I just look at him slightly tilting my head, trying to figure him out and read his expressions.

One thing I am sure of, there is sincerity behind his blank face.

"So, you're sober now, crazy thief." I hissed while looking at him sharply.

He sighs.

"I'm really sorry, okay? I didn't mean anything of those, I swear." He paused and pursed his lips. "And I thought I was just dreaming about the truck that almost hit us, but Elle told me that it's real and I owe you for it."

"I actually regretted doing that." I mumbled.

"Hey, I mean it. I'm sorry. I know that I was a mess last night."

At that moment, an idea suddenly came to my mind. He looked sorry for what he did and he said he owed me, maybe I could use it to make this day a little interesting.

"Did you say that you owe me?"

He frowned in confusion at my sudden question.

"Then do something for me," I said.

"What is it?" He looked at me intently, trying to figure what I would say next.

I threw a glance at our car then back to him.

"Be my driver."

"What?" He asked in surprise.

"Just for today. After class, drive for me." I said. "You're not going to drive me home. Tell my brother that we have to go somewhere, but don't tell him that I asked you to do it. I don't know what you'll say but make it believable. You have no right to complain, you said you owe me." I added before I walked away without waiting for his response.

***

After our class for the day, I saw Ace's figure leaning against the wall in front of our classroom. Our classmates throw glances at him in curiosity, but most are out of admiration. Our female classmates could not hide how they became self-conscious upon seeing him.

I snorted in disgust.

I couldn't see what they found interesting about this jerk. He has cool flowing tapered-cut hair, pointed nose, interesting dark-hazel eyes, well-defined jaw, good figure, and lean and toned body, but that was about it. He was definitely good-looking, there was no doubt about that, but he is just the looks and appeal. He's a jerk.

"Hey, dude, what's up? What are you doing here?" Renz asked as we approached him. Renz was in the same class with me and Kate, while Ace and Andy were together in their class, and Vince was in a different class.

He looks at me before he straightens up. "I have a debt to pay."

Kate frowned and looked at Renz in confusion, while Renz's lips curved and seemed to understand it.

I smirked.

I knew that he would do it. We are the same, his ego would not be at ease knowing that he owed someone.

"I'll go ahead, I have payments to collect." I told Kate before I walked away and went directly to the car park.

I heard him hiss before following me.

"Is it your hobby to just walk away?" He said when we reached his car.

Our car and my bodyguard and driver were gone from our spot, which means Sam pulled them out and this guy made it happen.

"None of your business." I opened the door of his car and went inside.

"Being your friend or being your enemy feels just the same." He said, shaking his head while entering his car after me. "You're still a brat."

"You're talkative." I said nonchalantly.

He just scoffed before he started his car and swiftly drove off the university.

"What did my brother say?"

"That I should bring you home safe and keep my eyes on you."

I took a deep sigh.

"Of course, he said that. Just don't mind it."

He grinned. "Where do you want to go?"

I did not answer for a moment and gave it a thought. Honestly, I do not know where to go.

"I don't know. Just drive me anywhere, I don't want to go home yet." I answered as I leaned against my seat and looked outside the window.

"So, you're using me to escape from your driver and bodyguard."

"So? You owe me." I snorted at him

He hisses.

"I know, you don't have to remind me of it. Spoiled brat."

He folded back the roof of his convertible letting the cool breeze of air freely touch against our skin, and then he turned his stereo on and played some pop acoustic songs that I actually like.

He drives around the city without a specific destination until we reach the roadside coast where the sparkling calm sea can be seen as we drive along the road. It is almost six in the evening and the sun is already gone but the reddish-orange rays can still be seen escaping from the horizon giving the sky its orange color which reflects on the sea, giving it an orange appearance too. The breeze also becomes cooler and fresher as we drive away from the city.

"How are you?"

I turned my gaze to him because of his sudden question. He was just looking at the road.

"What?" I frowned.

Why would he suddenly ask a question like that?

"Those nightmares." He spoke. "Are they still there?"

I was a little astounded at the topic he suddenly opened, but I immediately composed myself and returned my gaze outside.

I did not answer, thinking about what I would say. I could not remember when was the last time someone, aside from my parents and brother, asked me that question.

"It's alright if you don't-"

"Fine, I guess," I answered, cutting him off. "They have been gone since last night."

I forgot that he knew about it. He actually saw me suffer from those.

"They say that you'll feel better when you tell that to someone else."

"Lie, that doesn't even make sense." I said. "Do you actually believe in that?"

"Maybe, maybe not. Why don't you try it?" He insisted. "You'll never know."

I purse my lips. "Let's just don't talk about it."

I do not like having a conversation about this with anyone. Not even with Sam, mum, and dad, or even with a therapist. It is difficult.

It is getting darker, and it is already 6:40 in the evening on my watch.

"We have a destination now, Javier. Let's go back." I said and sat properly. "Let's go to the convenience store near our village." I added

He just took a deep breath and did not ask anything. "As you wish."

He swiftly turned his car back and drove back.

After almost an hour, we stopped at a convenience store where I bought the things that I needed. I got back to the car after a few minutes with the things that I bought in eco-bags. Then, I ask him to drive to our village's eco-park, where one of my favorite places resides.

"What is in there?" He asked after quickly glancing at the two bags on my lap while driving.

"You will know that soon," I answered. "Just drive"

"You are too bossy."

"You are my driver." I retorted that made him shake his head.