20. Games

"Are you going to church tomorrow?" Elena asked. 

"Yeah," Innessa said. 

"Do pray for my good grades," Elena said. 

"Why don't you come along and pray by yourself? That'll be better and more effective," Innessa put her books in the locker while Elena leaned on the lockers beside her. 

"I'll try to, but if I don't make it, I want you to do it for me," she said as Innessa nodded. 

"Does Issac know you go to church?" she asked while chugging down water from a sipper. 

"Yeah, I once saw him in the church as well," Innessa said, which caused Elena to choke on water; she began coughing hysterically while patting her chest. 

Innessa quickly rubbed her back and patted a bit aggressively, causing Elena to wheeze a gulp of breath as she inhaled deeply. 

"You, okay?" 

"Knight? Did you see Issac Knight in the church? For real? Am I dreaming? That's freaking news," Elena exaggerated, gaping at her, causing Innessa's brows to furrow in confusion. 

"Why are you so surprised?" 

"Surprised? I'm blown away by this news. Your goodness must be rubbing off on him," She muttered the last part to herself while thoughtfully gripping her chin. 

"What do you mean?" 

"You see, you are well aware of which sort of guy Issac Knight is. So, it's a complete surprise to know he goes to church despite that reputation." Elena said. 

"What reputation? What sort of a guy is he? What are you talking about?" 

"To be honest, after getting to know you, I never thought you'd date someone like Issac, but I think he's a good guy. You said he's a gentleman and also goes to church. No one, seriously no one, knows about this side of him," Elena kept rambling, which left Innessa puzzled. 

"You talk as if you know Issac," Innessa said. 

"Who doesn't know about him?" Elena asked. 

"Why does everyone know about him? To the point that a girl in the psychology department who had never talked to him also knows about him," Innessa said. 

Elena's brows furrowed. "Do you know Chris Evans? Henry Cavill? Leonardo DiCaprio?" 

"I... I do, but what does that have to do-" 

"You know them because they are famous. The same goes for Issac." Elena said and continued while facing her. 

"But you sound like you don't know why Issac is famous?" Elena said, frowning, but then her eyes widened. 

"Have you ever been to his match-" Elena was cut off by Archie. 

"Guys!" He sounded urgent, garnering both of their attention as he came to a halt in front of them. 

"What?" Elena asked. 

"Do you know about Henry?" Archie asked. 

"What about him?" Innessa asked in a low voice. 

"He was found beaten and bruised on the highway. Even his fingers were broken." He said, and both the girls stiffened at that news. 

"What?" Elena asked, shocked. 

"Someone tortured him and then disposed of him on the empty road. A local found him in the early dawn and admitted him to the hospital. That's why he wasn't showing up at university for the last three days," Archie said. 

"Everyone knows it. Some say that someone must have taught him a lesson for bullying the weak. Even his friends didn't know who did this to him. His parents involved the cops in the case, but Henry says he didn't see the person who did this to him," Archie said. 

"He has been in the hospital since?" Innessa asked. 

"Last three days," Archie said, and something in her mind twisted up in knots. 

She told Issac about the cut on her neck three days ago. But then he was fine, she also treated him to food at a local restaurant after work the very next day, for helping her with the survey. - He seemed fine at that time. 

"Wasn't there any CCTV, or did someone see anything?" Innessa asked. 

"No, there was nothing. Cops are looking into the matter and trying to find the culprit." Archie said. 

Silence followed for a couple of seconds as Archie dragged them to the nearby shop for some coffee. 

She had her iced latte as the three of them conversed. They all flinched when, all of a sudden, a roar from the car had them jumping in fright. A little coffee fell on poor Archie, who glared at the culprit while Elena watched with wide eyes. 

A black Mustang pulled over, and the three of them gaped at the car. Innessa knew in a heartbeat who the person was. Issac rolled down the tinted window, and their gaze clashed. 

"Hey," He smiled at her, and Elena was already shoving Innessa out of her seat. "Go Go." She spoke. 

"She didn't need to leave. Henry isn't here, so why is he pretending?" Archie said in veiled anger. 

"Who is pretending what?" Elena asked, which made Archie silent. 

Innessa needed to talk to him. "Guys, I'm sorry. But I've got to go. See you tomorrow," she said. Grabbing her things and her iced latte, she headed to his car and handed them to him. He took them frowning. "I'll be right back," she said and hurried to the cafe, and was out with a can of soda in her hand. She got inside the car, took all her stuff from him, and handed him the soda. 

He stared at it for a long time before a smile teased his lips, which he covered with a hand. 

Issac opened the can with his middle finger, not even bothering to use the other hand, which was on the wheel, as he took a swig of the drink. 

"I hope I didn't interrupt your time with your friends," he said. 

"I was planning to meet you," she said, sipping her latte. 

"That's new. Did you miss me?" He teased her, earning a roll of eyes from her. 

"You wish," she said. 

"Oh, I do." He rasped. 

"Sorry?" 

"Nothing." 

"I want to ask you something," she said. 

"Ask away," He tapped the back of his knuckles on her shoulder. "Seatbelt," he said, and she quickly put on the seatbelt, so he didn't have to do it for her. 

"Where did you go after dropping me three days ago?" She asked. 

Issac tilted his head, taking another gulp of the drink. "What do you mean?" he asked cluelessly, staring at her. 

"That night after helping me out at the cafe, you dropped me at the dorms. Where did you go after that?" 

"To be honest, you're acting like a real girlfriend right now," he said coolly. 

"Are you trying to change the subject?" She asked with a tilt of her head, eyes narrowed with a straw resting between her lips. 

"Why would I? I was teasing you," he said casually. 

"I went home after dropping you off," he said. 

Innessa didn't look away; she kept staring at him, wanting to know if he was lying, but nothing gave him away. 

"Okay," she said. 

"Why did you ask if I may know?" He glanced at her. 

"Henry is in the hospital," she said again, gauging his reaction. He seemed genuinely surprised. 

"What?" 

"He was found on the highway, beaten and bruised. A local admitted him to the hospital. Someone had hurt him deliberately, and he didn't see who did that to him," she said. 

"Serves him right," he said calmly, taking the next turn as her brows furrowed. 

"Issac," she said his name in a scolding manner. He loved it.

"What? He didn't feel bad hurting others, so we shouldn't feel bad either when he's hurt," he said, taking the last swig of the soda. 

"Is there something I need to know about you?" she asked hesitantly. 

"Like what?" His voice sounded low as he kept his eyes focused on the road. 

"Why are you so famous in the academy? Why does everyone know you?" She queried. 

"Because I'm a Knight. What's all this about?" he asked calmly. 

He abruptly applied the brakes. 

"Oh f*ck," He cussed all of a sudden, and she flinched when the car came to a screeching halt. 

A black bike was right in front of them, blocking their way. The biker was donning a black compressed Tee. Black pants and boots. He had a black helmet on with a silver chain dangling around his neck. 

Innessa's eyes widened, noticing the chain and the bike. Was this the person Scarlett was looking for? She doubted that.  

The biker pulled back and let Issac pull over as that biker hopped off his bike and dashed in their direction. He knocked on Issac's window twice, and he slid it down grumpily. 

The biker guy leaned down, resting his arms on the door as he peered inside. He pushed the visor up, and she was met with gorgeous turquoise eyes. 

"Finally," The guy rasped, causing her to blink at him. His eyes were very pretty. It was a mix of unique colors. 

"It's lovely to meet you, my lady," The guy said, holding out his hand for her. Innessa stared at his hand incredulously, making him sigh. 

"I'm Maddox Knight. His cousin," He pointed a thumb at Issac. 

"Innessa Laskin." 

Innessa bobbed her head in recognition. She instantly recalled her classmate requesting her to set her up with Maddox. She was finally meeting him. Innessa shook his hand, and Maddox brought it closer to give a kiss on the back of her hand. He gave a helmet kiss on the back of her hand, making her smile. It was a sweet, appropriate gesture. 

A sudden tug at their hands had them staring at Issac, who forced their hands apart. 

"Are you free right now?" Maddox asked. 

"I am actually. I still have two free hours on my plate," she said, earning a glare from Issac, which she didn't understand. 

"Perfect. I know a spot. So, follow me," Maddox said. 

"As if," Issac scoffed. 

"Shall I tell her about your girls?" Maddox asked in a low whisper near his ear. 

"What girls?" Issac hissed lowly with more than half of his face outside the window. 

"Well, there are none, but she didn't know that. She'll know what I'll tell her. Do you want that? No, right? So please follow me, big bro," Maddox grinned under the helmet, leaving fuming Issac behind, who quietly followed him. 

Issac pulled over as Innessa stepped out of the car. They walked further ahead before coming into a clearing. It was a small stream in the woods. "It's so beautiful," she said, staring around as Maddox took off his helmet and grinned at her. 

He was handsome and tall. No wonder her classmate wanted to be with him. 

"Do you like it?" He asked, coming to stand beside her. 

"Yes, it's beautiful. Thanks for bringing us here," she said. Issac was standing a foot away from her with his hands in his pockets. Unconsciously, she tugged at his wrist, slid her hand on his, holding his hand and pulling him to her side. 

He was taken off guard by her gesture, and his anger faded, replaced by something weirdly giddy as he stared at their intertwined fingers. By the look of it, it was obvious she didn't know what she was doing. 

It happened naturally. 

He was delighted to know that a slight physical touch with him had become natural for her. 

"You're welcome. I love to make pretty women happy," he said cheekily, making her smile. 

"What are you pursuing?" She asked. 

"I'm majoring in law." He spoke. She told him it was impressive. 

He asked her major, and she told him. Maddox gave a mischievous look to Issac, who scrutinized him with a death glare. 

"I've heard a lot about you. Issac talks about you a lot," Maddox said. 

Innessa's eyes widened slightly as she glanced at Issac, who stared at the stream silently. He never talked about her at home. Not to that f*cker Maddox. That cheeky basta*d was making it up. If Issac had talked about her, the twins would've killed him with their ruthless teasing. 

"He does?" She asked in that soft voice. 

"Yeah, he does. You should come to our place sometime. How about on the weekend? You should come, let's watch a movie together, all of us," he said. 

"I..." She trailed off. It'll be weird to be alone with only men. 

"If you want to bring along your friends, it'll be fun," he said, and her eyes lit up. 

"How many?" She asked. 

Maddox let out a chuckle. "As many as you want," He grinned as she smiled, agreeing to the movie night at their place. 

"Come, I'll drop you off at work," Issac said, tugging her to his side because Maddox was standing close. It was an appropriate distance, but Issac still didn't like that. 

That f*cker was charming with that flirtatious smile. He didn't want Maddox to woo Innessa. She was only his to woo. 

What the f*ck was he even thinking? 

"There's still time left," Innessa tried to excuse. 

Issac wanted to drag her away, but she looked happy in this place, so he let her enjoy herself for a moment. 

His phone blared as he walked a little away from them and answered the call. 

"I'm betting on you for your next match," The deep voice said. 

"I'm not in the mood to fight next week," Issac said. 

"I've already put my money on you." 

"So?" 

"Come on, mate. Don't be like that." The person said. 

"You're a rascal," Issac muttered. 

"I know." The person said with a chuckle, dropping the call. 

His phone rang again as he glared at the caller ID. Turning his phone to silent, he shoved it in his pants. 

Innessa and Maddox said their goodbyes. Issac dropped her off at her workplace and left with a smile. 

He went to the gymnasium where someone was waiting for him. "I told you not to contact me," Issac hissed, glaring at the blond girl who passed him a seductive smile. 

"I missed you," Camilia cooed. 

"Here, do what you're told, show up when she's around, I'll let you know in advance all the time, so don't f*ck up!" He rumbled, handing her a sum of cash. She took it, smiling down at the bundle of money. 

"What's so special about that girl?" she asked, causing him to barely stop himself from smacking her. 

"Don't f*cking talk about her," He spat. 

"You know, I'm one call away if you need my warmth," She cooed, and he was disgusted. 

Glaring at her for once, he turned on his heels and walked away from there. 

Only if Innessa had accepted him for who he was, he wouldn't have to make a whole damn story about this blond just to steal a kiss or two from Innessa. Also, when she told him that they didn't have to pretend to be a couple, he lost it and told f*cker Henry to chase her again so that she would need Issac's help. He warned him not to lay a hand on her. A little fear was enough, and it worked out perfectly. 

He thought it was all fun and games, but the speed at which she was creeping into his soul was beyond his control. He was turning into an obsessive freak with each passing second to the point that he wanted to be by her side all the time.