Chapter 3

I was scribbling in my notebook when my phone suddenly beeped. My eyes widened when I saw who texted me. 

It was Josh! 

From: Josh 

I told Kristoff that you want to treat us for finding your ID. He said no at first but I convinced him. How about this lunch?

I replied right away before they changed their mind.

To: Josh

Sure. Where would you want to eat?

“Kylie!” I squealed in a low tone. Where inside our room for our last subject waiting for our professor. 

“What?” Her brows furrowed while looking at me. 

“I got a lunch date with Kristoff. You are coming with me.” I grinned at her. 

Her eyes widened. “Hell no!” 

“What do you mean, hell no? Hell yes! You are not allowed to decline!” 

My phone beeped again and it was a reply from Josh. 

From: Josh

Mang Inasal at Emall. Is it okay? 

I typed my reply quickly. 

To: Josh

Yep. It’s a date then. See you at lunch! :)

“Just go on your own, Anna Belle. I need to study and I don’t want to be your third wheel,” she reasoned out and then made a face. 

“Really? Study again? That is why you don’t have a love life. And news flash! It’s a double date! Josh will be there too. Now it’s your time to have your own love life.”

“I don’t need it. I don’t want another heartache,” she said that made me frown. 

“Is this about again your ex? Who’s this jerk anyway?” She looked at me with a serious expression. 

“Do you really want to know who? You will be surprised if I tell you now.” She smirked.

“Why would I be surprised?” I asked, confused. I looked at her with scrutinizing eyes. And then my eyes widened. “Oh my god! Is your ex one of the guys that I dumped?” 

A burst of laughter came out from her mouth that made me more confused. 

“Fine. I’ll go with you to lunch with them. And I’ll introduce you to him.” 

***

We were on our way to E-Mall. I already texted Josh that I was on my way and I brought a friend with me. He said that they were already inside Mang Inasal and got a table for the four of us. 

We arrived at E-mall in no more than four minutes. It was just a walking distance from our school. 

We were still in our uniform. Josh said that they were also in their uniform too.

I looked at Kylie and she was so quiet today. Which was really weird.

“Is there something wrong, Kylie? You are extra quiet today.” 

“I am always quiet, Anna Belle.” I rolled my eyes because she called me with that name again. 

We were already outside Mang Inasal. I roamed my eyes and saw only one guy wearing the uniform of UC. He was sitting with a guy in a Marine uniform. All I could see was their back but I was sure that it was them. 

I grabbed Kylie’s hand and pulled her in their direction. 

“You don’t need to drag me. I can walk on my own,” she hissed when we arrived at their table. I elbowed her and whispered that we had a company. 

I glanced at Josh and gave him a sheepish smile. 

“Hi, Josh and Kristoff. Sorry for making you wait. By the way, this is my best friend, Kylie.” 

My forehead creased when I saw that Josh was staring intently at Kylie. 

“What the hell?! You’re just in USC the whole time?!” Josh suddenly snapped, which made me startled. 

“Hi, Josh. Long time no see.” Kylie smiled and then turned to me. But I knew her better. That was a fake one. “Meet my ex, Anna Belle,” she said and then glanced at Josh. 

Holy Shit! Her ex was Josh!

Josh stood up and suddenly grabbed Kylie’s hand. “We need to talk.” My eyes widened when he suddenly dragged Kylie outside the restaurant. 

I was rooted in my place. I was still shocked. 

“I’m hungry. Are we not going to eat?” I was back in my reverie when someone suddenly talked in front of me. 

It was Kristoff! He was looking at me with a bored expression. Like seriously? 

I cleared my throat and sat in front of him. “Sorry.” I looked at him. Damn! I couldn’t help but check him out. He looked so hot with his marine uniform. 

“Are you done checking me out?” My eyes widened and dragged my gaze to his face. He still had that bored look face. Was he not affected by my presence? Even a bit? Impossible!

“Sorry. I can’t help it. You look so hot in that damn uniform.” I smiled at him and bit my lower lip. A seductive one that no one could resist. 

His brows furrowed and looked at me with dislike. 

“Are you really like that?” He scoffed. 

My smile vanished in an instant. I crossed my legs and sat properly in my seat and matched his stare. There was no way that I would let him overpowered me.

“What do you mean?” I arched my right brow and crossed my arms on my chest. 

“You know what I mean,” he said while still staring at me. His eyes were like daggers piercing through me. 

“Enlighten me, Mr. Marine.” I smiled at him again. 

He shook his head and suddenly stood up. 

“Where are you going?” I asked. My brows furrowed when I saw how serious his face was. 

“Somewhere where I can’t see you.” 

“W-what?” I clenched my fist tightly under the table. I tried to calm myself. This was the first time that a guy spoke to me that way. And it didn’t feel good. It was awful. 

“I really hate the likes of you. I know what you are up to. I’m not up for your games. You may be beautiful from the outside, but you are rotten inside. I hope our path will not cross again,” he said before leaving me dumbfounded.