Louisa's p.o.v;
Ace took me to my apartment in his car. When I was about to get out of the car, I said, "Thanks."
Ace, "I'm leaving for a business trip tomorrow. I'll be back next week."
"Why are you telling me this?"
He continued ignoring me, "Until then I'll leave valentine to take care of you. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask him."
"I don't need anyone to look after. I'm a grown up. I can take care of myself. Thanks for the ride."
I got out of the car and headed to my apartment.Back in the library, I ignored both of their questions and walked out of the library at that time but I don't think I can do that every time. I thought he was going to ask me about Lucas when he started talking to me while I was getting out of the car. But he didn't. Normal people do ask, right?
Usually when Lucas approaches me, I throw a fit at him but today it was different. I couldn't get mad at him, is it because of Ace? Having Ace beside me, I was more cautious to not to be in trouble since I was having a mafia with me. But Ace didn't look like he cared about it. I thought he cared but it was all just a favour return. What could I expect though?
When I tried to open the apartment door, it was already open. Did Bernie come back?
"Bernie?"
"Yeah, I'm in the kitchen."
I heard Bernie's voice coming from the apartment.
I walked in and went to my room and placed all my books on the table and came outside. When I took a seat on the couch, Bernie placed an oatmeal in front of me and checked my temperature by placing his hand on my forehead.
Bernie, "Where did you go? Didn't I ask you to take a rest at my apartment?"
"I went to the library."
I took the oatmeal and started eating it.
"Does it taste good?"
"Yup! Like always."
I smiled at him and continued eating.
While eating I asked, "How did the date go with Everly?"
"It was just for dinner. Not a date."
"Aren't you guys a couple? Wherever you go, it is considered as a date."
He gave a smile and asked, "Did you cook porridge by yourself?"
He might have seen the pan which Ace made the porridge in.
"Yeah, I made it by myself. Do I look like I'm incapable of it?"
He stood up and said, "Okay, I have to go to college so I'll see you in the evening. You'll be here right?"
"Yeah."
He gave a nod and left the apartment. What's with that weird look he gave me when I lied? Did he find out that it's not me? I let out a sigh and thought, 'Let's study for tomorrow's test first then we'll worry about other things.'
After spending four hours studying, I came out of the room to chill for sometime on the couch. I turned on the television and saw the news about some murder in neighbourhood and turned off the television. Before getting involved with Ace, I watched a lot of crime investigation and news. But now, it feels like every crime is connected to Ace or his rival gang somehow which gives me a little tremble.
I washed my face and continued studying for the quiz.
The next morning,
At college,
"How did you do your quiz?" Diego asked me while we were on the way to the cafeteria.
"Yeah, I did pretty good."
"How many will you get?"
"Maybe around eighty? I'm not sure. I kinda have some doubts in my answer."
"You'll score more than that and I'm sure about it."
"Thank you."
"By the way, what are you going to become after graduation? Do you have anything on your mind?"
"About that…"
Before I finished, Diego got a call. He walked away to answer it and came to me after he's done with the call. He had a worried expression on his face.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Enzo asked me to eat with him. Can I eat with him today? We'll eat together tomorrow. Can I go?"
"Why are you asking me? Just leave."
"Are you mad?"
"I'm not. Go."
"Thank you."
He ran as quickly as he could. By looking at him, I found that he's excited about it.
I turned away from the cafeteria and headed to class.
After my classes got over, I walked to a nearby diner and took a seat. I ordered what I wanted and came out of the restaurant.
"Can you please come here?" I called out to the bodyguard who had been following me around since morning.
He walked towards me and asked, "Do you need something?"
"Yes, I want you to eat along with me."
"But…"
"Come with me."
Inside the restaurant,
I asked the bodyguard, "What's your name?"
He stood from the chair and bowed to me while saying, "Valentine, mam."
"You can call me Louisa. And, take a seat before someone misunderstoods."
After he took a seat, I said, "Eat with me."
"But mam…"
"You've been following me since morning. I ate morning meals and snacks in between but you stood still like a mannequin. Eat with me. My friend who was supposed to eat with me, ditched me after getting a call from his boyfriend. Before i preferred to eat alone and be alone but after that kidnapping incident, i kinda feel scared about it. Please, accompany me to the food." And started eating the food which arrived at the table.
I asked while we're eating, "I always saw you with Ace as his personal guard. Didn't you accompany him on his business trip?"
"Yeah, but he asked me to take care of you."
"Did I interrupt your world tour?"
He gave a smile and said, "I like it being here. Moreover, those meetings make me doze off a lot." And chuckled.
While eating he said, "I heard differently about you from Ace."
"What did he tell you?"
"He said you have a short temper and get mad easily because of it. He asked me to follow you in a distance so that you won't be annoyed. He asked me not to fall in your eyes frequently too."
"That explains the sneaky and funny expression on your face earlier. By the way, I didn't invite you only because I was eating alone. There's something I want to talk to you about."
"Go ahead mam."
"I want you to stop following me around. I know you're doing your job but I don't like having someone following me around. It feels like… i don't know exactly how to explain but can you please don't do this. It's very uncomfortable for me."
He nodded and said, "Okay."
"And, tell your boss that I don't want anyone to spy on me."
After he left, I headed to my apartment. Bernie didn't come for a while so I locked the door and tried to sleep since I didn't sleep well last night because I was studying for the test. But I couldn't sleep because I couldn't wake up. What should I do now? I'm going to have a semester break starting next month. Library won't be open during holidays so I'll be spending time at my apartment. Since I'll be on holiday, should I look for another part time job?
I am determined to go to a part time job after giving it some thought about it.
What job should I look for? In restaurants? In cafes? In movies? Or should I do something related to my field of study?
I heard Bernie entering the apartment while I was thinking about a job. Let's ask him for a suggestion. He knows the neighbourhood well.
When I came out of the room excitedly to ask Bernie, I saw him along with his girlfriend, Everly.
"Hi, Louisa!" Everly greeted me with a big smile.
"Hi, how are you?"
"I'm good. Hey, we planned to go to a movie. Wanna tag along?"
While I was confused to answer her, Bernie's expression changed like he doesn't want my company.
I answered, "Ah! My bad. I got something to work on. I'll join you guys later. Have a good time."
Bernie gave me a smile saying, "Lock the doors and sleep early." He turned to his girlfriend and said, "Shall we go babes?"
After she nodded, they two left the apartment hand in hand.
Bernie looked different today. It wasn't his usual self. Did something happen in between them?
I came to my room again and remembered the job hunting. I forgot to talk to him about it. Okay, let's do it later when he comes back.
I sat on the bed searching for part-time jobs nearby. Ads popped up while I was browsing through many websites but couldn't find the right one yet. I think I should go in person but I'm scared… a little… to step out of the apartment since that kidnapping incident. But I have to do it anyway. I can't stay in the apartment forever either.
When i looked at the books i borrowed from the library, i thought, 'i have to return these books anyways so let's ask the shops on the way.'
I locked my apartment while holding the books in my other hand and came out of the building.
When I stepped out, I looked either side of kine to make sure Valentine wasn't following me. After making sure of it, I started walking to the bus terminal.
The streets of the downtown district are a bustling hive of activity, with people walking on sidewalks and shopping around shops. Among them, I saw Ace to my surprise. The lights from various neon signs give off just enough light for him to make out his silhouette against them. The shadows that the streetlights cast on him only make this all feel more surreal, as though he was a Illusion created by me. When I rubbed my eyes to make sure what I saw, he wasn't there. It was merely an illusion after all.
Why did I get disappointed at the illusion? Damn! Stop thinking shut and think straight. I have books to deliver and have to find a job during the holidays. Don't think about any nonsense other than this!
After returning the books, I went to a cafe for a part-time job.
When I saw the cafe from outside, it looked blunt but when I stepped in, it gave me an upbeat mood. There were more people than I expected.
I walked to the manager's office and got in.
The manager was a guy in his thirties, taller and muscular. He looked more like a bouncer than a manager.
I took a seat and introduced myself to him and told him about my previous work experiences.
He said, "I'm pretty with where you worked before. If you don't mind, may I know why you quitted there?"
"As you already know, I'm still in college. So i got packed up with exams during that time so i didn't have any other choice than to quit it."
"Will you quit here too?"
"That's why I mentioned that I'll be working for two months. My holiday is over after that."
"Why don't you continue working even after your college starts?"
"I work as a librarian assistant after college. I don't think I'll have time to come here."
"Okay, when will your holidays start?"
"Next month, Sir."
He stood up and said, "Then, join next month."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Call me Ryan. Before that, come with me."
He took me to the kitchen and called out his employees and announced, "This girl here is Heloisa. She'll be joining our cafe next month. I hope you get along well." While he was introducing me, I took a look around the employees. I saw a familiar face among them.
Danielle, the girl who was taken care of by that rich guy's bodyguard at the hospital.
Did I get sucked up into Ace's world again?