Colliding Rulers

Work Problem (1.3)

Gevia's P.O.V

There was no other way to do this. I know this will make me look like a jerk, but I do know that they're better at me when it comes to these things. I don't know if I'm actually right, but I assumed freely. I went to school the next morning, searching for them. The day wasn't going to end without me making sure that my daddy was okay.

I couldn't find them. First period ended and I didn't see them. I wondered, my mind roaming around. They never skipped school unless the matter was urgent. I was distracted throughout the entire first period. After the class was done, I urgently called their number. I was surprised that they picked up the phone almost instantly. Before I could even open my mouth, they already started talking with a statement that I didn't think I'd be able to hear in real life.

[I've been waiting for your call.]

It made me smile. No matter how you look at it, it's like they wanted me to call. Did they purposely not attend school to say that? The thought made me chuckle. But I didn't want to make it seem so obvious. After all, I called not because I wanted to flirt, but could be if I had the time, but to ask for assistance.

I cleared my throat, calming myself down, but with a smile on my face still.

"Oh, shut the f**k up, Samson. I called because I needed help." I could practically hear the smile on their sweet voice. It was as if Alex was purposely luring me in using their voice.

[I know. I'll pick you up in five.]

"The heck? And where?"

[Leave everything to me.] before I could even utter a phrase, Alex had already ended the call.

I was perplexed. They left me no room to ask questions. What the hell was I supposed to do? Wait for what may come? I sighed and sat on the grass. I didn't mind sitting there. It was cold, but it wasn't wet- well, surprisingly enough. It provided me with the right amount of coziness, even with its spiky tops.

I waited until I felt a sudden gush of air above me. The sound of the chopper made me sigh. I didn't know Alex liked grand entrances. It gave me a weird sublime feeling. Alex peeked and it instantly made me smile. They looked so silly doing that. The gesture was enough to make me feel giddy. Now that I'd finally admitted my feelings, everything felt different.

The chopper slowly descended a few meters away from me, but not entirely so that it touched the ground. Alex jumped off the chopper and scooped me in their arms. I giggled, shocked by the suddenness, but remained giggling. No one was around since classes were still going.

I stepped foot inside the chopper and Alex, like the gentleman that they are, put the helmet on me even though I was capable of doing it myself. They smiled at me before gesturing that I should sit down. I followed their words, of course. I wanted to be a good girl. Alex deserved a good girl. A loyal b***h is what I'd like to call myself.

"You sit tight." Alex said and told the pilot to drive us to where the hell Alex wanted us to go. I waited patiently.

We were in the air for about an hour and a half before we arrived at a remote place. I saw a run-down wooden house. There was a field though. A field where no trees grew and it had a big space circling around it. At first glance, you would know that there was something going on.

My thoughts were right. That was where we needed to be. Or at least that was what Alex needed us to be. As soon as the chopper landed, Alex took off my protective hearing equipment.

"We're here," Alex said.

The breeze felt nice on my skin. Caressing my tight skin and cleansing my lungs off of pollution. I looked around and saw what I'd seen from above - only the house, field and trees that surrounded the house. I jumped off of the chopper and saw the pilot.

"Cale? I didn't know you could fly a chopper?" he forced a smile on me and looked at Alex, who had their back on him. It was as if he was telling me that Alex forced him to fly us to this remote place. I pursed my lips back as a sign of understanding.

"That was supposed to be a secret, even from my family." he glared at Alex, who turned to look at Cale.

Before Alex could fully turn around, Cale relaxed the muscles on his face and gave Alex a timid smile. It made me laugh. Seeing that Cale was up for some fun, I could say that he was doing better than before. The last time I saw him, he was crying. I wonder what happened after that.

"Are you saying something?" Cale shook his his, swaying his fringes while keeping that stupid smile on his face.

"I didn't. You must be daydreaming." Alex scoffed before turning their head back at me.

"Let's go inside."

Alex guided us inside the run-down house. They had a key that unlocked the padlock. Once we were inside, it was still old. The house had cobwebs, and ants, and all kinds of insects. It was eerie inside, but I wasn't scared. Instead, I was confused. Even from different angles, I still didn't understand what we were doing here.

So I had to ask.

"What are we doing here?" I asked both of them. Since Cale knew of this place, then he must know something else as well. Like, what was so special about this place aside from its peacefulness?

"You'll know once you get to see it," Cale said.

Today was full of surprises. I'm not saying that I don't like surprises, all I'm saying is that it's too much in a single day. Alex guided us to the basement. Wait- no. It was an elevator, but the door was opened from the floor. Alex jumped down inside the elevator, and we followed. Once all three of us were inside the weird elevator, it started moving down. There were no buttons. Not floor indications. Nothing. Just the interior of an elevator.

I didn't ask any more questions. I let the silence creep in on us. The bristle of metals outside the elevator could be heard. There was no chime, no music either. Alex was the one occupying my mind, freeing my mind of boredom. Cale is just a background character, always in a support role whenever I'm with Alex.

The elevator time gave me a moment to gaze upon Alex's perfect visuals. I would never get tired of looking at Alex's face. Everything just sits right with me. As if Alex's face was the embodiment of what you call a masterpiece. Curled long eyelashes, a straight nose, and flawless skin. Alex's eyes always enthralled me to the point of oblivion. Does magic reside in those beautiful orbs? I always searched for answers.

"Alex will melt," Cale whispered behind me. His breath made my hair from behind stand. I shivered from his words. He caught me staring at Alex, and that alone was embarrassing. I elbowed Cale's rib cage, letting out a silent 'oof' before backing away.

"Shut up," he giggled, before leaving me alone.

Fortunately, the metal friction was loud enough to make our conversation censored from Alex. Alex turned around with a question, but I quickly dismissed what happened. Alex, thankfully, turned back around and I was facing their back. I had this sudden urge to hug Alex, but I solidly stopped myself from doing so, by tripping myself using my own foot. I wanted to laugh at myself for being so silly.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Cale grabbed my arm just in time before I caught myself from falling.

"Shut up." he had a broken expression on his face, the kind that was hilarious.

"What the f**k?" I steadied myself, ignoring Cale's crazed expression.

The elevator had finally come to a halt and opened. When I saw what was inside, I was beyond astonished. Gadgets, interior and information were all advanced. Transcriptions and data analysis were displayed on different screens while there were others as well. CCTV was also present, but I didn't notice any cameras outside.

I was amazed at how well-hidden the cameras were. I really thought that this place was unguarded. I let my eyes roam around, getting my fill of everything. There was also a shelf for firearms gear and protective gear. I wanted to try them, but that would be dangerous. I have a license for that, but it was still dangerous. I don't think I have a license for some of the big guns that were being displayed here.

"What the f**k is all of this?" I couldn't contain my excitement.

Does Alex run a private shooting camp? It made me wonder.

"This is my private lair. Away from my dad's owl eyes, and spies." Alex answered proudly. The confidence in their voice could hardly be missed.

"Alex built this from scratch," Cale added nonchalantly.

"It's gorgeous!"

I freely roamed, but then remembered what I needed to do. I looked at Alex and they immediately understood my stare. They gestured that I come closer and I did. Once I was closer, Alex pushed some buttons and the screen changed immediately. It was a venue of some sort.

As if I was watching a TV series, what came first was an empty venue, decorated with flowers. After a while, the door opened, revealing guests entering the said venue. The screen split into multiple mini-screens, showing us different angles inside. Where did Alex get all of this? Isn't this kind of high-end? I assume they also installed those tricky cameras. Ones that you can't see.

I found dad with- oh, with Zack. They were talking, casually walking inside the venue. Alejandro was behind them, talking on the phone. Unfortunately, there were no hearing aids.

"Where'd you even get these from?"

"I made them myself," Alex answered. I just had to exaggerate my reaction by turning my head slowly to where Alex was with raised eyebrows.

"Wait, what?"

"I copied and modified satellite-like cameras befitting that of a normal and regular one and made these myself. I readjusted some features, but that's all. It was easy."

"Yep, that's Alex for you," Cale commented. Alex said it as if it was nothing.

"What about the camouflage?"

"It's, of course, personalized. Going with the venue, specifications were a must. Thorough research about corners and copying the exact colors of the things that the cameras would be attached to are also a must."

I shook my head in disbelief. I swear, this person could do anything if given the chance to. I sighed in defeat. I will never outsmart them. I felt happy for Alex. I could tell that they were genuinely interested in these kinds of things. How passionate Alex talked was a different kind of Alex.

"Where is this anyway?"

"It's on the island."

"Island?"

"Mhm, the gala. Where Zack and Joshua met." Alex intentionally leered at Cale.

"Don't you f*****g look at me." Cale hisses. Alex just touched a fresh wound in Cale's heart.

"I see. Why there though?"

"Hmm, if I'm right, then it must me because of the primary rule of the island."

I got where Alex was going with.

"You mean, even if they want to fight, they can't because they all signed a treaty and upon breathing that would be suicidal? Once you go against the island's rule, you go against everyone who signed the treaty?" I asked just to be sure. I didn't want to assume things, not with daddy's life on the line.

"Exactly. But still, that's not enough to be complacent about everything. I don't trust dad," those were enough for me.

I grabbed a chair and sat down, willing for this event to end.

"I'll stay with you."