Love Me Harder [R18]

CHAPTER 4

I groaned as I heard my alarm. I slowly got up and changed into some clothes for school.

I walked downstairs to see a black school bag and school materials lying on the table. Who got this stuff for me?

I could've just used my old materials but I was grateful. My own father refused to buy new materials each year so I've been using the same things for as long as I can remember; Except pens, I always have to replace them since they just seem to disappear. I sat at the table while I looked through the bag.

"I hope that's okay for you?" Denice asked, appearing out of thin air and almost frightening me.

"Yeah it's great, thank you," I spoke groggily but as politely as I could while I rested my head on the table. I eventually noticed the time and realised I had to leave.

"Have a good day, dear," Denice smiled warmly as she waved.

"You too." I nodded before heading out the door.

How did such a kind woman get caught up with that type of man?

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I reached school after a decently long walk.

I strolled towards the lockers before being blinded by a pair of hands.

"Guess who?" the person giggled evilly.

"Mmm, I have no idea," I replied sarcastically, knowing exactly who it was.

"It's me, silly bitch." she uncovered my eyes.

"Hey Olivia," I said before hugging her.

"Hi, Sofia." She cheered, wrapping her arms around me.

"It's been one crazy weekend," I mumbled, resting my head on her shoulder.

"Tell me at lunch," She said happily, while we walked slowly to class.

We wandered down the halls, talking about anything and everything when Olivia whispered something to me. "Blake is checking you out."

"No, he's not," I whispered, slightly panicking before glancing over in Blake's direction and making eye contact with him.

"He makes it so obvious," Olivia mumbled, shaking her head disappointedly.

"Okay, it's not like he's going to talk..." I was interrupted by Blake who had approached Olivia and me while we were whispering.

Blake used to be one of my best friends as a kid. He left for a few years and returned only this year, looking a lot different than when he left. He wasn't scrawny anymore; He was the captain of the football team apparently. He was tall and muscular with black hair that was thick and silky with dark brown eyes. He left his home country in Asia as a child with his family and ended up living across the road from me.

"Sofia," I heard a deep voice call me. I sighed hesitantly as I stared at Olivia grinning.

"Hi." I smiled as I turned around.

"Hi." Blake beamed happily.

"I know we haven't really spoken since I got back but I was wondering if you wanted to come to my game tonight?" He questioned, seeming quite hopeful.

I didn't want to disappoint him, he seemed happy but there was something in my chest telling me not to go.

"Sounds great," I replied with a warm smile.

"Great, I'll see you then." He smirked before he jogged back to his buddies in the hall.

I had liked Blake for years, I couldn't let my engagement to Ace blind me. If he could be with other women, why couldn't I be with other men?

I heard them all cheer as Blake was smiling like an i***t.

"He really likes you, and he's very attractive." Olivia nudged me, attempting to persuade me.

"He wouldn't be a good match for me," I replied as the fantasy of having a normal life quickly faded. The reality was like being hit by a truck. I could flirt with different guys all I wanted, but my chance of real finding love was ruined.

"You can't shut every guy down because you're afraid of getting hurt, please try with him for me. I want to see you happy." Olivia pouted as she pleaded with me.

"Fine," I shook my head while grinning. That took little convincing, although I knew we'd never be anything more than friends.

I neglected to mention my arrangement to Ace with Olivia. She didn't need to know, and I didn't need the school whispering about how I was engaged to the most dangerous man in the country; possibly in the world.

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"I'm coming with you to the field, I have to watch my babe play," Olivia mumbled as she appeared from thin air. She was talking about her boyfriend, Ryder.

"You're so supportive." I teased her as we walked through the school doors.

We sat down at the bleachers.

"Ayo, Diaz, I heard you're here for Blake." Ryder joked as he pecked Olivia on the lips.

"Yeah, I said I'd come watch him play." I shrugged carelessly.

"He's very excited." Ryder smirked raising his eyebrow.

I rolled my eyes as he turned back to Blake.

"Good luck babe," Olivia yelled. Ryder blew a kiss to her as he jogged back onto the field. Sometimes they make me want to throw up.

It was half time and I was busy talking to Olivia.

"You came?" Blake smiled at me, coming over to the bleachers.

"Yeah, I thought I'd check it out." I nodded staring up at him.

"I'm glad, I have to get back onto the field, talk after though." He smirked before running to Ryder who was already in position.

"He knows that was code for you're checking him out and not the game." Olivia smirked evilly as if she was hatching a plan.

My phone was suddenly flooded with messages.

"Where are you?"

"Come home now"

"School ended an hour ago"

"Hurry the f**k up"

"Right that's it, I'm coming to get you"

Why was I only getting these now?

"Shit." I frantically grabbed my bag from under our seat. Then I saw him; Ace. He walked towards the bleachers and I could've sworn I saw fire in his eyes. "Holy s**t," Olivia's jaw dropped at the sight of Ace. "I know, he's hot, now shut up," I hissed at Olivia.

"Where the f**k were you?" Ace shouted at me, grabbing everyone on the bleacher's attention.

"I was here," I uttered, afraid to speak due to how angry he was.

The whole football team stopped playing because of the scene that Ace was making.

"We need to get home....now," Ace demanded, his voice full of rage as he stood at the bottom of the bleachers. I walked down to Ace. I walked beside him as we left.

"Sofia?" Blake called out for me. I watched Ace's face become infuriated than he already was.

"Where are you going?" Blake grabbed my arm. I flinched and turned to Ace who was now focused on Blake.

"Did I say you could touch her?" Ace snarled at Blake. The competition for dominance had already begun and this was about to become messy.

"You shouldn't have to say if I can touch her," Blake snapped back at Ace.

Ace was taller and more muscular than Blake. "Blake, I'm okay I promise," I muttered quietly as stood next to Ace. I was praying to Jesus, hoping Blake would turn around and walk away but he didn't.

"Get out of here before you regret it, I don't give second chances," Ace warned Blake, squaring up to him.

"And what if I...." Blake was interrupted by Ace's fist colliding with his jaw.

I stumbled back due to Ace's sudden burst of anger.

Blake lay on the floor, in a haze with blood spilling from his mouth. I cringed at the sight of Blake on the ground, as he was fading in and out of consciousness. He could barely keep his eyes open. A single punch from Ace caused that much damage.

I gazed in shock at the sight of Blake as the whole football team stared in amazement.

"f**k," Ace grumbled, holding his fist. He turned towards me. I flinched, thinking that I was next, yet I didn't feel anything.

He stared at me weirdly, as if I was overreacting.

"Get into the car, now," He grumbled viciously, obviously not in the mood for anyone else. I practically ran to the car.

I sat in the front seat with Ace.

The drive back to Ace's home was silent.

"Why did you flinch?" Ace's deep voice questioned me. I glanced up at him before bringing my attention to my hands. He stopped my hands from moving with his.

"Answer me!" He snapped but it was soft, softer than how he spoke to Blake anyway.

"It was nothing, there was no reason," I replied with no tone as I watched his hand that was still on mine. He didn't say anything.

"You're lying." He finally spoke up. "I'll find out what happened to you," He muttered with a determined tone.

"Why do you care?" I uttered, glancing up at him. Ace raised his eyebrow at me. He raised his hand in the air to mimic hitting me and I flinched again.

Shit. That asshole tricked me.

"That's why," He replied with a disgusted face; I wasn't quite sure what he was disgusted at.

"Just leave it alone, it's not important," I mumbled, acting carelessly as I stared out the window at the passing cars.

"You should know if you're going to marry me, I'm not going to hit you," He voiced as if he had been holding that in since our conversation. He knew exactly what was wrong with me, he just wanted to hear me say it.

"You're angry now but eventually you'll get angry at me and then you'll get used to it," I shrugged, knowing he would repeat the cycle of abuse I had seen all my life.

"I don't hit women, especially not someone who's going to be my wife." He cleared his throat, stopping the car; I barely knew this guy and he was going to be my husband.

I'm not going to take his word. He'd have to prove it through his actions.