Louisa's p.o.v;
At college,
I placed the books on the librarian's desk and asked her, "Do you know who kept these books in the literature section?"
"Why? What's wrong?"
"These books were supposed to be in the philosophy section but I found it in the literature while I was arranging the new books."
"Then rearrange it."
"I didn't get the answer why these books were in the wrong section yet."
"Maybe Laura misplaced it. She's new and learning so let it go. And, help her with the nonfiction section too, she was struggling when i saw her. Before that, Get these books to the philosophy section."
"Where's this Laura you're talking about? Why couldn't I see her around?"
"She works on alternate days unlike you. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday."
I nodded and took the books from the librarian table and walked out of her cabin to arrange the books in the philosophy section where it was supposed to be in the first place. After I'm done with my work, I came to pick up the books from the table. I saw Diego reading a book like always.
"Louisa?"
"Why couldn't I see you around these days? Were you busy with your boyfriend?" I asked him.
"No, he's not my boyfriend. I was packed up with the training so I couldn't come to the library."
"Training?"
"Oh, I'm on the college swimming team. There's a competition coming up next month so we're in the middle of the preparation. That's why I couldn't come here like before."
"I didn't know you were a swimmer. I mean i didn't tease you but your body doesn't…"
"Hey, you didn't see me in a swimsuit so don't come to a conclusion on your own. Come see me during the competition then you'll know if I am a swimmer or not."
"Then I'm glad to see that. When is your competition again?"
"Next month, 16th. Don't just come to stare at my body, cheer for me too."
I smiled and said, "Fine! I can do that only if I'm free on that day. By the way, call me when you need any books, I'll be right here doing my work."
"Okay." And he continued reading his book.
After I finished my work, I tried to leave the library but got stopped by Diego's call.
"I thought you left already."
"Nah, I still have some more to read. Where are you going?"
"My working time's over so I'm heading home."
"Oh, okay. See ya later."
"Do you want to tell me something?"
"It's… can we talk somewhere?"
"Okay. Let's go."
Diego and I came to the bench near the playground and took seats beside each other. Before I asked, he said, "I need a favour."
The phrase which came out of his mouth brought back some of my worst memories. I warded off it and asked him, "What is it?"
"The guy you saw with me… I have a crush on him."
I grinned with a smile and looked at him.
He continued, "Stop smiling like that. You're making me blush."
I moved closer to him and looked at his face closely and said, "I knew it."
"How? How did you know it?"
"Your face says it all, buddy. So, what help do you want from me? Should I kidnap him for you?"
He let out a sigh and said, "No, I want you to find that he is straight or gay."
"What!?"
"You went out with him without knowing his sexual orientation? Dude! What if he's straight? What will you do? Aish! It's going to be a tough road for you if he's straight, man. And, how do you want me to help? Do you want me to shadow him? What if he thinks I'm stalking him?"
"Aren't you my friend?"
I stood up and said, "Not hereafter."
He stood up and said, "What if Bernie asked you a favour like this? Will you still deny it?"
"Yes, because he doesn't need help like this. Because he's straight."
"Please do this for me." He showed me puppy eyes while holding my hand.
"Okay, okay. I'll do that. Stop looking at me like that. It's creepy."
He gave me a smile and gave me a quick hug and said, "I'm so lucky to have a friend like you. Even though you have a sharp tongue, you're so cute."
"Do you still want my help or not?"
"Okay, I'll get going. I have to meet my seniors for the competition."
While he's leaving I asked, "You didn't say his name yet. What's his name?"
He turned and said, "Enzo. I'll be waiting for your answer." And he walked away.
Enzo. Name itself sounds like he's straight. Anyways, let's find it out for Diego.
At Ace's house,
When I entered the house, it was submerged in silence. I couldn't see the guards either. Where did they go? Did the cop come here and arrest every one of them?
"Louisa, you're early today."
I saw Mateo walking into the house with some Bodyguards.
"Yeah, classes ended earlier than I expected. By the way, I heard that Antonio's discharged from the hospital. Where's he?"
"He's with boss. They're talking about something important so wait for sometime till they finish."
Something important? What might be important as soon as he gets discharged?
I got a call from Arthur. I walked straight to my room and closed the door behind and attended the call.
"What is it, Arthur?"
"I saw some guys similar to what you described."
"Where? The casino?"
"No, in the HK street. Behind the casino."
"Send me their pictures. I'll take a look…"
Suddenly the door opened so I quickly put my phone on the table. I turned to look at who it was. Antonio was standing near the door.
I walked to him saying, "Antonio, how are you? Come inside and have a seat."
After he took a seat on the bed, he said, "Sorry for failing the task."
"No, sorry. I…"
"It's fine. That's what my job is. So don't feel guilty towards you. And, were you talking to someone?"
"No, I didn't. And, aren't you supposed to be resting right now? Why are you roaming around the house?"
"What?"
"I heard that you were talking with Ace about something important. What are you doing here? You just got discharged from the hospital. Take days off and rest for a while."
"I thought you're only capable of spouting nonsense." I heard Ace's voice across the room.
When I looked at him, he walked into the room and asked Antonio, "Didn't I ask you to leave? What are you doing here?"
Antonio stood from the bed and said, "I wanted to talk to Louisa before I leave."
While they were talking, my phone rang. Shit! I ended the call while it was ringing. It rang again. Why does he call me again and again? I'm going to murder Arthur if i get caught by Ace!
When I looked at Antonio, he was looking at me, so was Ace. Why are they looking at me?
Antonio patted my shoulder and said, "I'll get going then. Take care."
After Antonio left, Ace asked, "Aren't you going to take the call?"
"Y-Yeah."
I took the phone and answered it, and Ace left the room.
I whispered on the phone, "Why are you calling me again and again? What happened?"
"I sent the pictures. Take a look at it and message me if they're the one who you're looking for."
"Okay."
"Will you come to the casino tonight?"
"No, I have a test coming up so I won't be able to come to the casino for a week."
"Oh, okay. All the best for your test."
I chuckled and said, "Thank you, Arthur."
"Don't forget to send a message after seeing their faces."
"Got it."
I ended the call and opened the chat box and downloaded the pictures which Arthur sent me. It's not him. I sent a message that they're not the one and placed the phone back on the table.
Someone knocked on the door, waking me up from my sleep. When did I doze off? I got up and walked to the door to open it. After opening the door, I saw Mateo standing in front of my room.
Mateo, "Aren't you coming for the dinner?"
"I don't feel hungry. I'll eat later."
"Ace asked you to be at the dining table right now."
"Is that an order? Who is he to give me orders? Tell him that I'm not his hostage anymore. I lost my appetite. Please leave."
When I was about to close the door, Mateo said, "It's not an order. He wants to eat with you."
I opened the door and asked, "Do I have to take this as a royal request then? I don't get why you're speaking for him. Okay, I'll come to the table. Go ahead."
After a while, I sat at the dining table waiting for the food. Ace was seated opposite to me staring at me.
Ace asked the bodyguards, "What are you waiting for? Get seated."
While bodyguards were taking their places at the dining table, Mateo took a seat beside me. Since I came here, I noticed this thing. Everyone eats together. It looked weird and funny in the beginning but I got used to it after some days.
As soon as the food came, I dug into it and started eating the food.
"Don't get choked up."
I ignored him and continued eating my food.
Mateo whispered, "Why are you being silent? Respond to him."
"Why should I?" I whispered back to him.
"Because he's the next in line leader for all of us."
"Not for me. And, stop being a mouth for him."
I continued eating my food.
After I'm done with the food, I stood up from the seat and said, "Thank you for the food." And headed to my room.
In my room, I closed the door and laid on the bed to go to sleep. When I was about to doze off, someone knocked on the door. Argh! Who's now?
I stood up from the bed and opened the door. Mateo was standing in front of me, worried.
"What do you want now?"
He looked into my room and asked, "Is Ace inside?"
"What?"
"Ace wasn't in his room so I'm looking everywhere to find him."
"Mateo, he's not a kid. Go and have a sleep."
Mateo looked worried more than being scared of his boss. I don't get why everyone takes care of him like kid when he kidnaps people and tortures them.
"Maybe he was sleepwalking somewhere. He'll be inside the house. Stop getting worried and go to sleep."
"He doesn't sleepwalk. What if someone came into…" he took his walkie and informed it as, "Lock every gates and doors. Don't allow anyone outside or inside. Assemble in front of the front gate. I'll be there in a minute." After informing them, he said to me, "Lock the door and stay inside until everything is alright." And left.
Instead of locking the door, I sneaked out of my room and started looking for Ace. What did Mateo mean by 'Ace doesn't sleepwalk ' ? I saw him sleepwalking when he held me as his captive. Or was it just an act? Did he fool me by acting as if he was sleepwalking? But it seemed so real. Let's find out by looking for Ace first.
While I was looking for Ace, I saw bodyguards running around the house. I think they're going to the front gate as Mateo instructed them. I hid from them and entered one of the rooms on the East side. After confirming that they left, I tried to come out of the room but stopped when I heard noises coming from inside the room.
"Who's there?"
I didn't get a reply so I walked into the room while asking, "Is anyone inside?"
I turned on the lights and saw Ace hitting his head on the wall like he's sleepwalking.
I walked to him and turned him towards me and looked at him, his eyes were closed and was breathing like he's sleeping. I waved my hand in front of his face but there wasn't any response. While I was looking at him, he walked towards me which gave me a jerk a little.
I held his hands and helped him walk to his room. Once we came to his room, I closed the door and made him lay on the bed.
I think no one knows that Ace sleepwalks. If no one knows about his condition, then who would opened the door of his room. It looks like not every bodyguards in this house are good person. Someone in here wants to out him in front of everyone. That's why they opened the door, to make him a fool. I wonder who that person is.
I came out of the house and called Mateo through a bodyguard. When Mateo came, bodyguards came along with him and stood in front of me.
Mateo, "How and where did you find him? Is he alright? Is he hurt…"
"Hold on. He's good. He's sleeping soundly. Talk to him tomorrow."
What if that guy comes and opens the door again to make trouble?
I continued, "And, I'll sleep in Ace's room tonight. You can all leave now."
Without a second opinion, everyone left.
I walked into Ace's room again and saw Ace being laid on the bed. I can't believe what I just did. I sat on the couch and looked at him sleeping. How can you sleep like that while the house is in chaos searching for you everywhere? I couldn't even sleep even if it's a small noise. I dozed off on the couch while looking at him sleeping peacefully.