Five

Lily's POV

"Lily." Stella broke the silence before sitting beside me. "What's wrong?"

I was sprawled on my bed with a blanket over me. Stella had come over to my house and was now kind of getting annoyed since I wasn't replying to her. At all.

I could've lied to her and said that I was sick. Having a fever. Or maybe going through some stress disorder?

That wouldn't actually be a lie.

"I'm having a fever." I murmured, closing my eyes.

Two days had passed since I'd eaten anything. At least that's what grandma had said. Which wasn't exactly true. I hadn't gotten out of bed. I hadn't felt like getting out of bed.

I was scared.

"You're such a bad liar. I thought we didn't keep secrets." She frowned.

We didn't. But how was I supposed to tell her about Ace? Him and his stupid deal? She'd just blame herself.

Maybe I should get over it. Maybe I shouldn't think about it at all.

But part of me knew how I couldn't do that. Grandpa wasn't being treated. Days were slowly passing by without him being treated. How was I supposed to live like that?

"You know, you're just worrying Becky. She's already worried for your grandpa." Stella said. "Even Steve was asking me about you. He's worried that you aren't coming to the café anymore."

I pulled my blanket completely over me. She made it sound like I've been dead for a whole month.

"Tell him I don't want to do it anymore." I said, feeling sick in the stomach.

She looked at me in disbelief. "Are you crazy? Whatever the hell that's going on with you, don't start making irrational decisions. Don't just stay in your freaking bed."

I closed my eyes shut, trying to block her out. But I knew how that wasn't fair. Not to her, at least.

She was just angry because I wasn't telling her.

Blowing out a shaky sigh, I sat up and pulled down the blanket from over me. Stella looked at me in surprise. Probably because she wasn't expecting me to get up anytime soon.

"Lily-"

"I saw him." I cut her off. "He came by the café to talk to me."

Stella was silent for a while before she slowly sat down in front of me. "Who are you talking about?"

I looked up at her. "Ace."

I couldn't help but notice the way her eyes widened a bit at that. But she didn't say anything. Probably waiting for me to go on.

"He made a...deal." I looked away then, feeling a small throbbing pain forming in my head.

"What deal?" She asked.

"He said he'll give the money for grandpa's treatment." I didn't look at her when I said that. I didn't want to see her reaction. That would just make it seem more real. "He said that he'll save grandpa. But...I'd have to live with him."

There was silence for a whole minute after that. Until I looked back at her. And there it was, shock.

"Are you serious?" She asked. "He said that?"

"Yeah." I leaned back against the bed rest.

She raised her brows, slightly shaking her head in disbelief. "God, I should've seen that coming. I should've seen that coming the moment he had asked me about you."

None of us had seen that coming.

"You didn't accept it, did you?" When I shook my head, she sighed in relief.

Even if that was all I wanted, I couldn't bring myself to accept it.

"No way in hell are you accepting that stupid deal." She murmured. "We'll save your grandpa, Lily. But not this way."

I looked out of my window. A bird chirped before flying away. I wish I had wings. That way, I could fly away anywhere, anytime.

"He could save grandpa." I whispered. "What's the worst that could happen?"

I didn't even want to think about that. Stella shook her head at that. "He has cruel ways, Lily. People fear him. And there are many reasons behind that."

I blinked before wrapping my arms around myself. The same constant lonely feeling was slowly growing inside me. Since the thing with grandpa happened.

"I wish my parents were still here." I whispered mostly to myself.

I felt her glance at me.

"Everything will be fine, Lily." She said softly.

I closed my eyes.

Nothing will be fine.

×××××

Grandma had gone off to the hospital again. I hadn't because I didn't want to face grandpa. I was embarrassed. Embarrassed because I wasn't willing to do anything to save his life when he did everything for me. He was always there for me.

Instead, I had gone off to a park near the library. Not much people were here. But at least the fresh air was peaceful.

I sat down on one of the benches and took out a paper from my pocket.

"Dear Lily,

Loneliness adds beauty to life. It puts a special burn on sunsets and makes night air smell better."

Grandpa used to write quotes for me when I was younger. To make me feel better. He used to give me one each day and I used to collect them. They made me strong. Each day, he made me strong. He was the best.

I was so busy reading them all that I didn't even notice the time pass by. When I did look up though, it was dark. And there was barely anyone that I could see.

I stood up immediately, the folded papers falling down. Leaning down, I tried my best to collect them all before they could've been blown away. I stuffed them in my pocket and looked for my phone. I searched it in my pockets but it wasn't there.

Did I even bring it?

Grandma must be worried if she had returned back from the hospital. Thankfully, she never actually grounded me. For any reason.

I looked around me. Slowly, I started making my way out of this park. The isolated street didn't surprise me. That was usual in this town. In daytime, the streets were always filled up, busy. But as night came by, all the streets deserted as if nobody even lived here.

Wrapping my arms around myself, I started walking along the street.

I made it here. I could make it out too.

I started heading towards a way which certainly led to my house. It was a long road.

All of a sudden, I heard whistling behind me.

I stiffened and looked behind my shoulder. Which I really shouldn't have. I've heard and seen enough horror scenarios to know how such situations always lead to gruesome deaths.

But you know, curiosity killing the humans?

Three boys were there.

I should've been relieved. After all, they seemed like the only ones apart from me on this entire street. I could've asked them to give me clear directions back to the street where my house was.

But the way they were looking at me, with smirks plastered on their faces, that rooted me to my spot. I turned around abruptly and started walking again. Faster this time.

This time, I swore to only look forward until I reached my house. But then I heard rushed footsteps behind me. Someone was following me. Or maybe, someones.

Out of sudden panic, I looked behind me once again and saw all three of them coming after me. Unfortunately, I took a stumbling step back and tripped on my own feet.

Not now God.

Not surprisingly, I slipped and fell on my butt.

Ouch.

But I wasn't able to feel the pain when those three circled around me. I could've screamed for help. But I knew how no one would hear it.

I slowly got up. They were probably drunk, so they may not run fast.

"Hey, sweetheart. Lost your way?" One of them asked.

They were coming closer. As much as I was scared, I couldn't help but get disgusted by this. Three boys all drunk and stupid. What chance did I have against them?

My eyes darted around. Could I run that fast? I was never good in running. But I wasn't bad either. When there was approximately one step between us, I shoved the nearest guy and ran.

I didn't look back this time, thankfully. I just kept on running until I came across a concrete wall. I hid behind it then. I could only hear my ragged breathing. Feeling a sudden sting, I grimaced lightly and looked down at my arm. From somewhere, I had managed to scratch it slightly.

I peeked from behind the wall again and saw them looking around for me.

My heart was beating so wildly. I need to get out of here. Panic was making me feel dizzy. I should've taken my phone with me.

God, what was wrong with me?

I was about to peek again when I felt a hand wrap around my waist. I think I screamed then, because the next thing I knew was a hand on my mouth, muffling my scream.

I started struggling.

All I could make about him was his blond hair and the creepy smirk on his face as he gripped me tightly. His mouth was so close and he smelled really bad. Like drunk people. I could've almost vomited.

"Don't you worry, babe." He pulled me closer. "It's going to be all fine."

I squirmed in his grip, fidgeting against him. But his grip was too strong. Almost in a painful way.

I didn't want to get kidnapped. Not this. Anything but this. I'd rather live with Ace.

Oh God, please save me this once.

I was so busy in my thoughts and struggling, I didn't even notice how he was pulled apart from me. He staggered back, trying to regain his balance.

"Who the heck are you calling babe?" Someone shouted and punched him right on the face.

I stumbled back myself. Looking around, I saw the rest of the two running away. I caught my breath.

I was fine.

I took in a shaky relieved sigh and saw the blond guy running away too. I was trembling. But so darn relieved.

"Are you all right?" The moment I heard that voice behind me, I turned around abruptly, almost slamming into him.

Ace.

I felt my breath hitch in my throat.

Was this really happening?

God, why was he the one to save me? Why him?

I felt a small lump forming in my throat. I knew why he was helping me. No way this was happening.

"I-I am fine." I whispered.

He stepped closer towards me, making me freeze. For real.

"Are you sure?" He asked. I looked up at him. His dark blue eyes were edged with something I didn't recognize at first. But then I realized what it was. Worry.

Why did he care?

I nodded my head as I looked up at him.

How did he know I was here?

"Come on. You need to get back." He took a step back, noticing my lack of comfort.

"Where?"

"Your house?" He asked.

Right.

I nodded. I thought he was talking about the deal. I really couldn't help but think about it whenever he was near.

"I can go back...myself." I hesitated.

He looked at me in disbelief. "I know." He said. "But I'm not letting you do that."

I blinked in surprise.

He opened his mouth, probably to say something more but stopped when his eyes trailed down towards my arm. I followed his gaze and realized where he was looking at. The cut on my arm.

Despite the way he was clenching his jaw, I felt him take my arm almost too gently. "How did this happen?" He asked. "Did he do this?"

The surprise didn't leave my face. He was angry. But at the same time, he wasn't being harsh. I was left speechless.

I mean, he couldn't just touch me.

I pulled back my arm almost abruptly and took a step back, away from him. "No, of course not." I murmured. "It must've happened back...at home."

He stared back at me but thankfully, didn't ask anything more. I was kind of grateful for that.

"Come on then." He said before heading for his car.

I inhaled deeply and followed him. He opened the gate of his black car and I got inside, hesitating a little. I didn't want to go with him. But he had saved my life.

I could trust him. At least for a ride back.

The whole ride to my house was silent. The thing that concerned me the most, was the fact that he knew where my house was. I wanted to ask him. God, I really wanted to. But I knew how he wouldn't tell the truth.

Maybe I wasn't ready to hear the truth.

I looked out the window the whole time. But he kept on glancing at me from time to time making me nervous all over again. He was acting as if this didn't matter to him. To me, it mattered. One minute he was making a deal and the other, saving my life.

I frowned when I saw him stop the car outside my house. My hand flew over to open the door immediately, but I stopped then. Inhaling deeply, I forced the words out of my mouth,

"Thank you, Ace."