Ace's Point of View
I can't take my eyes off the cake in front of me. I don't even know exactly what I'm feeling. Happy? Beyond words. I love her efforts; there are no "small things" when it comes to her. Everything she does feels monumental to me.
*"Darling, I love you."* Those are the words piped onto the decorated cake.
I stood up and put the cake back in the fridge. I have no intention of eating it; I want to keep it as a souvenir. I want to remember every single thing she does for me, so that one day, I'll have a reason to stop making decisions I might regret.
"Are you still awake?"
I looked behind me. Zein was standing there, her sleepy eyes drooping. She was already in her Dora pajamas.
"Just visiting my baby..."
She frowned and glanced toward the kitchen. I smiled as she sniffed the air. "Are you kidding me?" she asked, a little irritated.
I shook my head and put my arm around her. "I'm putting the 'baby' to sleep... Darling, it's your turn now," I whispered.
She nudged me, making me laugh. "Whose baby are you talking about?" she asked as we walked into her room.
I shook my head when I saw her messy bed. She really is a whirlwind. Doesn't she get fed up with the clutter? How does she even sleep in this state?
"I am asking you, Ace."
I grabbed the corner of her bedsheet and straightened it.
"You should know how to clean a mess," I lectured while picking up pillows from the floor. "What if we get married?" I asked, arranging the books on the floor into a small drawer. "I don't want to have to clean up after you every single day." I finished by locking the windows and adjusting the curtains.
When I was done, I turned to see Zein staring at me. "How sure are you that you will be my husband?" she asked.
I motioned for her to sit. I sat behind her and took a comb, fixing her messy hair. I smiled, thinking I could do this forever. I am perfectly happy being her slave; it's a pleasure.
"I am destined to be with you forever," I whispered. "I want to see you write your name with 'Craige' as your surname."
I can't wait for that time. I want to see her walking toward the altar where I'll be waiting. I want her beside me from the moment I close my eyes until I open them again. I want her to be the mother of my children. It's only her... it's only Zein Shion.
"Do you know how excited I am?" she asked softly.
I turned her toward me. Her face was bright red and she could barely meet my eyes. I smiled—I'll never get tired of smiling at her.
"I want you beside me until my last breath," I whispered. "Go to sleep now." I kissed her forehead, but she didn't seem satisfied—she pulled me in for a kiss on the lips.
I bit my lip as I watched her lie down and close her eyes with a smile. "I love you, good night," she whispered.
I stood up and turned off the light. "I love you too, good night," I answered, lying down briefly to hug her.
"ACE CRAIGE!"
I stood up quickly, scratching the back of my head. She narrowed her eyes at me, which just made me laugh.
"Alright, alright. Good night." I finally left her room.
Back in my own room, I took a quick shower to wash off the sweat from chasing that car earlier. I wrapped a towel around my waist and opened my laptop. I logged into Facebook, and my suspicions were correct—"Hell" had already sent a message. I smiled as I typed a reply.
I will never forgive whoever is behind this. If this stems from our time at Hell University, I likely know who it is... I just don't know which one of them it is yet.
I picked up my phone and called someone who could help.
"Hello? Who is this?" the voice asked. I smiled; hearing his voice brought back a flood of memories.
"It's been a long time, Sebastian," I said.
"M-Master Ace?"
I leaned back against the headboard and looked at the ceiling. I suddenly missed my father.
"Yes... it's me."
"I need you..."
"But Mr. Valdez cut off your connection with me... I can no longer help you," he said sadly.
I smiled sadly. "Dad is dead," I whispered, which silenced him. He was the closest to my father—his right-hand man. "And I want you back... Sebastian Lee."
I heard him sigh. "Alright, Master Ace. See you soon." He hung up.
I looked at my sent reply to Hell: *'If I were you, I'd start hiding. You have no idea what I am capable of.'*
Zein's Point of View
Something isn't right. I can feel it. Even if Ace doesn't say it, I can sense it. I know him—he would never make me wait four hours on purpose. Every second with him is precious. I have a strong feeling he wasn't the one who sent me to that cafe. I'm confused, but I trust him more than I trust myself.
"Why do I need a new phone?" I asked with a grin, looking at the new device that—tragically—didn't have a Dora casing.
"It's for your sa— I mean, just for a change." Ace bit his lip as he parked the car.
I stopped walking when I saw who was approaching us. He was smiling, completely ignoring the stares of the other students. From a distance, you'd think he was Ace, but those red eyes give him away immediately. Raze. The jerk. I still haven't gotten my revenge on him.
"Yow! Beautiful morning, right?" he said with a wide smile, flashing perfectly white teeth. His hair was different today—blonde.
"What do you want?" I asked.
He laughed. "Oh, someone like you... shouldn't be let go... do you know that once we become one, I will never let you go~" he sang, doing a little dance.
I couldn't help but laugh. He looks cool, and I have to admit, like Ace, he has a great voice. What is it with these brothers?
I looked at Ace, who had his eyebrows raised at me. My smile vanished instantly. I turned and walked away, leaving them both behind. Great, he's getting jealous again. But honestly? I prefer seeing him jealous. I'm just afraid of the day that fire disappears... but I know it won't.
"Zein!"
I saw Jerome running toward me and waited for him to catch up. I was too lazy to greet him.
"D-Did you see Vanessa?" he asked, out of breath. His face was flushed from running.
"I just got here. Haven't seen her," I replied. "Why?"
"A-Ah? Uh... she's angry with me."
I raised an eyebrow. "When is she *not* mad at you?" I laughed.
Jerome Marquez. He has a face to be proud of, but he's a total goofball. A woman like Vanessa—who is so delicate and refined—would only fall for someone like him because of his personality. He's funny, full of energy, and always ready to make you laugh, even when he's being corny.
"You're so mean! But listen—she asked me to tutor her in a subject I didn't even know, but I didn't want to tell her 'no.' I answered all her assignments even though I had no clue what I was doing, and she got a zero. Now she's livid."
I burst out laughing. I remembered seeing her crumpling papers and muttering to herself the other day. "You're in trouble. Good luck!" I waved and kept walking. Only Jerome would do something that stupid. I wouldn't be surprised if he showed up tomorrow with a black eye.
I ran into Angel across from our classroom. She looked bored out of her mind. Her beauty is undeniable—skin white as snow and thin red lips—but her personality is... well, it's best if you don't force it out.
"What do you want?" I asked.
She looked at me, almost in tears. She looked great in her tourism uniform, but she doesn't even go to school here. "Have you seen Matt?" she asked, pouting.
"Have you checked the Business Management building?" I asked.
She snorted. Apparently, she had. What is everyone's problem today? Am I a missing persons bureau?
"I've swallowed my pride for him. I've done things I never thought I could do," she said, her shoulders slumping. "But maybe that's enough..." Suddenly, she spotted Matt in the distance. "Just kidding! Bye, Zein! MATT!" She screamed and took off, but the moment Matt saw her, he turned and bolted in the other direction.
I sighed. Love is a virus, and clearly, I'm infected.
Hell's Point of View
I burst out laughing when I read Ace Craige's message. I leaned back in my chair, plotting my next move.
Even if you bring out the best of the Valdez men, do you really think you can catch me? No, Ace. Sooner or later... one by one, you will lose everything you've worked for. You will kneel before me.
"You did it again?" a voice asked. I looked up, smiling.
"Do you think you can just take down that demon? You're forgetting he's the one who brought down all of Hell University. You don't truly know him yet," the person continued.
I laughed. "You're so in love with him that you're forgetting where *we* come from. We're demons, too."
Let the real game begin.