TAINTED HEARTS 27
2223 Words
Chapter 27
The darkness in his room greeted me. The air conditioner blew cold, but my body felt warm because his body was wrapped around mine. His leg was draped over mine. One of his arms was under my head, while the other circled my waist.
I had class today. This was the day of our exam. So I forced myself to move his leg off my body, as well as his arm. Ever since we came home from his unit, I had been sleeping in his room. Sometimes, we just sleep. But more often, we indulge in earthly things.
I got ready in my own room. After fixing myself up, I peeked into his room. Seeing that he was still asleep, I decided to leave and just take a public vehicle. I walked and jogged because his house was far from the village's gate. When I reached school, I was ten minutes late.
“Don’t just stand there and start answering. I won’t give extra time to latecomers.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The whole class was quiet, with only the sound of papers and ballpens. I smiled when I finished answering the last question right on time.
As I went out to join Minerva and Josh for lunch, Kian Evans was with them. I froze for a moment but smiled back when Minerva waved at me.
I immediately grabbed food and ignored Kian, who was beside me. My phone vibrated, so I reached for it while chewing the orange-battered quail egg I had just bitten.
Lennox:
Turn him down. Now.
I blinked and stopped chewing. The food gathered in my cheek. I scanned the people nearby. I didn’t see him, but I caught sight of his car.
I cleared my throat and set my phone down. Nervously, I drank some juice I had just grabbed when Kian suddenly leaned closer to get another fish ball. He was right behind me, so I felt his chest press against my back.
I shut my eyes tightly when my phone vibrated again. I had been expecting it, so even before I felt it, my heart was already racing. I bit my lower lip while reading his message.
Lennox:
I said, no flirting inside school! Stop flirting and turn him down!
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. I angrily ate the remaining battered quail egg on my stick. He must have seen me roll my eyes because my phone vibrated again.
Lennox:
Why are you rolling your eyes? You don’t want to turn him down?
I frowned. How could I reject someone who hadn’t even confessed or said he was courting me? What Lennox wanted was so difficult. I might even look delusional!
I shook my head and ignored his nonstop messages.
“I’ll pay,” said Kian.
I was startled and looked up at him. He was tall, and I guessed I would only reach his neck. Lennox was taller because I only reached his chest.
“No need! I’ll pay!” My voice betrayed my panic.
I hurriedly handed over my payment and glanced at him. He laughed at how flustered I was while paying.
My phone rang again. Unlike earlier, this time it was a call. I didn’t answer.
The other students left, but I stayed to wait for my change. Kian also lingered outside since he studied at a different school.
“I’ll carry this.” Kian tried to grab my things.
I pulled my book away from his reach. Then I heard the car door slam. I turned toward the parked car. My heart skipped when I saw Lennox get out. The vendor had already left after handing me my change. Only the three of us were left here now.
“Are you from a different school?”
“Yes, sir!” Kian answered politely.
“Then why are you here? Are you here to court her?”
I bit my lip at Lennox’s blunt question. Kian looked at him, then back at me, and smiled.
“Yeah.” He smiled shyly. “I know it’s inappropriate inside school. But we’re outside now, sir.”
My jaw dropped at his admission. He was courting me? Why didn’t I know? Isn’t courting supposed to start by asking if he could?
“Did she know you were courting her?”
Kian scratched his nape and looked at me shyly. “I don’t really know how to court, sir. But I wanted to court her in my own way.”
Lennox laughed. “Your own way?” To Kian, it might have sounded like a simple question. But I knew it was sarcastic. “How could you court her if you didn’t even ask her if she wanted you to? What if she has a boyfriend? Didn’t you ask her?”
Kian was stunned. Lennox chuckled softly and shook his head. When I glanced at him, he narrowed his eyes at me, then returned his cold stare to Kian.
“She’s not accepting suitors. Go home.”
Kian lowered his hand from his nape and frowned at Lennox, puzzled by his authority over my decision.
Ignoring Kian’s confusion, Lennox angrily snatched my bag and book.
“Get in the car. We’re going home.”
I grimaced. Kian stepped forward and held my arm.
“Wait. I’ll come back tomorrow. Let’s talk. I will—”
“You don’t have to go back tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. She’s turning you down right now,” Lennox cut him off.
Kian’s eyes widened in shock. He knew Lennox was a teacher here. He glanced between us, then his eyes landed on my things in Lennox’s hand.
“Ah . . .” He was trying to piece it together. “Is he your brother?” he asked me, confused.
I bit my lip when Lennox let go of me to face Kian. He looked pissed at being called my brother.
“I’m her—”
“Yes! He’s my brother! My brother!” I quickly shouted, then laughed nervously. I grabbed Lennox’s arm. “Brother, we’re just going to talk. I’ll follow you to the car.”
Lennox glared at me. Our eyes clashed for a moment before he exhaled sharply and stormed back into the car. I turned to Kian once Lennox was gone.
“Kian,” I began, “I didn’t know that . . . you were courting me. You come here but never say anything. You study at another school, so we don’t really talk. And also, I . . . can’t accept suitors . . . so if you are courting me . . . I’m rejecting you?” I said uncertainly, awkward about rejecting him.
His lips parted, but he gave me a small smile. I felt a little guilty, even though I didn’t need to, because I never gave him any reason to hope.
The car horn blared loudly, making a scene. I shot a glare at the driver’s seat. He wanted me to reject Kian, and now that I was, he still seemed angry.
“I’m really sorry. Just find someone else to court,” I said so I could leave. I was about to turn away but looked back at him. “And just some advice: next time, tell the girl you’re courting her.”
He shook his head and smiled.
“You’re the one I want,” he said. “But it’s okay, I understand.”
“Um . . . thank you?” I smiled awkwardly.
He nodded gently. I gave him a small wave and shyly said goodbye before finally getting into Lennox’s car.
“Where are we going?”
We took a different route. He didn’t answer and just kept driving. After about an hour, he finally stopped in front of a gate surrounded by many trees. It didn’t open immediately; he spoke to someone first. When it did open, he quickly drove inside. I clutched my seatbelt as he got out to talk to some men.
I wasn’t sure if I should get out since we weren’t home yet. Maybe he just had something to drop off. He was laughing while talking to two handsome men. In front of us was a large old house that looked like it had been built during the Spanish era. Several choppers were outside—about eight or more, all large. They seemed meant for transporting goods or groups of people, not like the small two- or four-seaters. If I wasn’t mistaken, one of them was military-grade.
“Let’s go.”
I turned when Lennox opened the backseat door. He bent down and pulled out a large pink suitcase. I hadn’t noticed it before—it was behind me all along, but I hadn’t turned around the backseat the whole trip.
“Get out of the car. Let’s go,” he demanded again.
I unbuckled my seatbelt and slowly got out. I watched him carry the suitcase to one of the choppers and load it inside. Afterward, he spoke with the two men again. I stood outside, looking like a kid clutching the strap of my school bag.
I bit my lower lip, uncomfortable. He hadn’t even let me change clothes. I stopped biting my lip when I caught Lennox’s eyes. He raised his hand, signaling me to come closer. The two men looked at me, too, and their gazes intimidated me. My cheeks instantly flushed.
“Whoa! How old is she?”
“I never knew you’re such a cradle snatcher!”
He laughed and playfully shoved them. Then he snorted and called me again, beckoning with his fingers.
“I’m not Enzo, who was seducing a fifteen-year-old kid,” he told them, then grabbed my wrist.
They laughed as I got closer. My eyes widened when an ashtray suddenly flew and nearly shattered. It hit one of the men Lennox was talking to, the man caught it before it hit the ground.
“Hey! I’m quietly sleeping here! Why did I hear my name?” a husky voice shouted from inside the chopper.
“He heard his name. He’s awake,” Lennox said, then wrapped his arm around my waist.
“Just ignore that pedo!” the man leaning in the chopper yelled.
“This is my girlfriend, Xena,” Lennox announced, kissing my wrist.
The two men grinned. My cheeks burned hot.
“Alright,” one said seriously. “Now we know she’s real.”
“Silas.” Lennox pointed to the tall, handsome man who had spoken. He had tanned skin, a gun on his waist, and wore army cargo pants with a fitted black shirt.
“Jax.” I looked at the next man, the one leaning on the chopper. He smirked, dimples showing, with a charming playboy aura. He had been the one hit by the ashtray. He had been struck, but he didn’t seem hurt, as if it was normal for him and the man inside the chopper to tease and fight.
Before I could introduce myself, Lennox pulled me up the chopper. He sat me down and fastened the seatbelt around me.
“Hi!” a loud voice greeted from beside me. “I’m Enzo.”
When I turned, the first thing I noticed was his bright red hair. Lennox smacked his hand that was offering a handshake, making Enzo laugh.
“What the hell happened to your hair?”
When Enzo moved to the same row of seats as me, Lennox moved, too, to block him from my view.
“He changes his hair color more often than his briefs! Tomorrow, it’ll be rainbow-colored!”
“This is trendy right now!”
“Trendy? Or is it just another color that your favorite girl likes?” Lennox teased.
Silas and Jax laughed and sat at the back.
“Where are we going?” I asked Lennox as the chopper started moving.
“The hell, dude! She didn’t know you were bringing her to the island?” Jax said.
“That explains why she’s still in her school uniform! He’s not taking you home anymore, miss!” Enzo chimed in.
The three men laughed together.
“Didn’t I tell you about the vacation?” Lennox asked.
I sat properly, only to be forced back by the chopper’s shaking as we lifted off. Even if I refused, it was too late. The exam was done anyway, and I knew I’d get a high score even if the results weren’t out yet.
“I know! But you didn’t say it was today!” I shouted.
“That’s the same. It’s still a vacation. Sleep for now. I’ll wake you up later.”
I pouted as he guided my head onto his chest to make me rest.
“I need to be back before graduation, okay?” I said.
He sighed while stroking my hair. I lifted my head because he didn’t answer.
“Will we make it back?” I asked worriedly.
I couldn’t miss the ceremony where Mama would award me my medal. I also had to give a speech, so it was important I attended.
He stared at me. I raised my brow when he stayed silent. He looked away, licked his lips, then nodded. I smiled and laid my head back on his chest.
- Writer
