Chapter 5 Chemistry

Liliana's jaw dropped and her eyes widened in surprise, her chocolate orbs staring at the man in front of her in disbelief. It took a moment for his words to register, her eyelashes fluttering as she tried to process what he had said.

Tutor him?

As far as she could remember the punch was on his ribs and not on the head.

"Uh..." She cleared her throat, licking her pink lips.

"Tutor you?" She asked, making him nod his head as pulled a chair out and sat in front of her, looking straight into her wide eyes. He leaned back on the chair, one of his hands on the elbow of the chair as his index finger rubbed his chin watching her looking around the library. Even without looking around he could see the curious glances of students around them

"You said you owe me. Then help me with this. You do know that I skipped a semester" He nonchalantly twirled the key to his bike in his fingers, shrugging as if his request was the most natural thing in the world.

"I... I... Know that I owe you b-but... Tutoring? I was talking about something like...you know a meal? Or any gifts? Like that" she uttered, her voice surprisingly softer than usual. She doesn't know why but his presence was making her nervous, both intimidating and excited.

And her eyes narrowed at her own statement, why is she getting excited?

"Nobody said only meals or gifts would be the return of any favor. On top of that, you're sitting in front of me instead of in a hospital because of me... So?" He shrugged, his chilling orbs were determined to not look away, he weirdly loved the way her eyes moved rapidly as if she's nervous.

"I.. I know but..." Her words died in her throat, her mind struggling to form a coherent response. She was distracted by the powerful scent radiating from him, a heady mix of musk, spice, and something unmistakably masculine. It was both seductive and intense, its potency making it difficult to focus on anything else.

He pushed the book to her, motioning to the book with his eyebrows. And with a defeated sigh, she took the book, knowing she has no point to object

• • • • • •

Liliana looked at her wrist watch which showed the time to be 7 30 pm. A small whine left her lips as she looked out, the library was empty except the two of them and the clouds were darkening.

Ace's gaze also flicked to the window, noticing that the sun was dipping below the horizon, the night approaching quickly. He turned his attention back to her, watching as she fumbled with her belongings, her hands moving with a sense of urgency. She pulled her phone out and was getting ready to enter the password when she suddenly looked up at him with a narrowed gaze. It was as if something had caught her attention and she was weighing her options, unsure of what to do next.

Ace raised an eyebrow watching her suspicious glance, not getting her sudden change in mood but he couldn't help but chuckle when she suddenly pulled her phone under the table, unlocking it.

But his smile faltered when he watched her dialing Adrick, and more when the calls went straight to voicemails.

A frown appeared on her face as she called again and again, her eyes once in a while looking out with trepidation.

Her head shot up at the sound of the chair scraping against the floor, her body tensing as she watched him rise from his seat. There was a momentary pause as they locked eyes, the air between them tense and charged with an unspoken anticipation.

Her stomach twisted in knots as she realized that he was preparing to leave as well, and a wave of panic washed over her. She had always avoided going out at night alone, and the thought of doing so now filled her with a sense of unease.

Her fingers were poised over the keypad, ready to dial her father's number, when the sound of his deep, sonorous voice cut through the air, freezing her in place.

"I'll drop you. C'mon" he tilted his neck, showing his bike key. Her eyes for a fraction of second broadened at his proposal. He would give her a ride home? Ace Nathaniel Vargas, the enemy of the love of her life, would give her a ride back home?

As much as she wishes she could agree to his offer, she knows better than to do so. Traveling with a boy at this hour, especially on a bike, is not a good idea in her mind, and the thought of riding with him makes her question her own principles. If it were Adrick, she might feel differently, but Ace is another matter entirely. Traveling with him would push the boundaries of her values and morals, making her feel conflicted and uncertain.

She shook her head firmly, forcing a smile even as her heart thumped loudly in her chest. "I-I don't mind going alone," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. The grip on her mobile phone was tight as she slowly rose to her feet, her mind racing with a mix of emotions.

A small gasp escaped her lips as he stepped towards her, causing her to stumble slightly. But before she could lose her balance, his tattooed hand shot out, grasping her elbow tightly and pulling her back with surprising force. The touch of his hand was firm and commanding, leaving her feeling both stunned and a bit flustered at their sudden closeness.

"I don't either but you got late because of me and my mother taught me better than to leave a girl alone at her own risk at night. So C'mon, I'll drop you" he pulled her close, making her step on his boots to which he ignored. His eyes were focused on her parted lips and wide eyes and for some reason he couldn't take his eyes off.

He had known this girl for practically all of her life, since childhood, having grown up alongside Adrick. In all those years, he had never once spared her a second thought, never considered her presence in his life. But fate had conspired to change all of that, leading to a turn of events that had set them both on a collision course. He still wouldn't have given her a second glance if it weren't for the strange twist of fate that had brought them together.

She wasn't his type at all. Her hair wasn't blonde, her lips weren't that big, her eyes weren't rare, her height was average, and she wasn't curvy either. But then why does he find her common brown eyes endearing all of sudden? Especially when they widened with his actions? Why did he want to taste those lips and push his tongue past the creak between her lips? And why does the frown in her forehead make him want to accompany her to her home so she could stay safe?

He shook his head, suddenly yanking his hand back, making her lose her balance. She clutched the table to make her steady. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him with her accusing eyes.

"I'm fine. My parents won't like it if they see me travelling with a boy at this hour" she argued back, rolling her eyes at him

"Whatever. Try finding logic even when some damn creep chases you in the road" he rolled his eyes, taking his bag and walking out, making her look at his retreating figure with an open mouth.

• • • • • •

"Moron! Filthy pig! Why did God give such a handsome face and body to that monkey?" Lily sneered, kicking a small stone on the road with anger.

"I am this late because of him and he left me there like that? Didn't even try to ask me how I would go!" She rolled her eyes, stomping her feet on the way.

Her eyes darted around, the street wasn't that abandoned and she could see people on the road but that didn't assure her. She felt like her legs were tiring but how can she take a cab? She doesn't trust anyone and especially at this hour.

Her heart skipped a beat watching a shadow behind her, her steps quickly fastening as she took her phone, immediately calling Olivia.

It was when she reached home did she cut the call. A loud sigh of relief left Lily's lips as she ran inside her house, thanking the god.

While Ace shook his head, kicking the gear and taking a turn after seeing her get inside her home, safe and sound.

• • • • • •

Liliana looked around the college, her brown shades searching the aqua marine orbs. Tucking her hands inside the hoodie's pocket she walked around the College for that one person.

Her eyes lit up as her legs wobbled forward but halted soon watching a girl cling to his arms. Her one hand was on his shoulder while the other was on his chest, and she was laughing while saying something along with the rest of his friends.

It didn't hurt her watching the girl in his arms clinging onto him... But what hurt her the most was the fact that he didn't have any problem with her being too close to him.

The usual frown that usually graced his face was nowhere to be seen, replaced instead by a rare lack of grumpiness. There was a notable absence of his typical coldness, making her wonder for a brief moment what could possibly have caused such a change in his demeanor.

And it felt like someone squeezed her heart raw, ripped it away from her.

Why?

Why does it hurt so much?

With faltering steps, she walked to him. Suddenly feeling self conscious. She looked down at herself, comparing her hoodie and pants with the short dress the girl was wearing.

"Adrick?" She mumbled softly, standing behind him. She watched as Adrick turned around, looking at her with his blue eyes and she winced internally watching how his eyes suddenly lost its warmth and turned cold.

She expected him to say something, anything but he stood there, not uttering anything.

She took a deep breath and summoned her courage to speak up, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Can we talk?" she asked, lifting her gaze to meet his ones, her eyes betraying her nervousness. The request was simple yet held a weight that neither of them could ignore.

While the coldness in Adrick's voice was familiar and expected as he responded, "About what?" his tone was blunt and devoid of any warmth. The question was posed without any hint of interest or curiosity, as if he was simply going through the motions of responding to her request.

"I... I'd like to talk about something personal," she mumbled out, gesturing discreetly toward an empty corner, hoping to catch his attention. However, her efforts went unnoticed as he completely ignored her gesture, continuing to stand as if oblivious to her silent plea. His lack of response left her feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness, her heart sinking at his indifference. A pang of disappointment washed over her as she realized that he wasn't going to respond, leaving her feeling more alone and vulnerable than ever.

"You can talk here" he muttered, clearly showing his reluctance.

"Is everything okay, Adrick?" The girl asked, looking at Adrick before looking at Lily, passing her a small smile.

"Yes" was his curt reply.

"Please?" Liliana mumbled, making him sigh. He was about to refuse again when the girl in his arms held his hands, making him look at her.

Liliana bit her lips watching as they both exchanged glances, and Adrick sighed before nodding.

"Whatever" he mumbled, walking away, making her follow him.

"I... Adrick... Uh.. you kn-"

"Cut the crap and say the shit you want" he sneered, clearly uninterested in whatever she wanted to say .

Liliana felt the back of her eyes burning as tears slowly welled up her brown eyes. Why does he have to be so harsh with her?

"Adrick, he asked me to tutor him," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper as her gaze remained fixed on the ground below. Her body language betrayed her insecurity, as she fidgeted with her fingers, unable to bring herself to meet his eyes.

"So?" His response was short and unexpected, catching her off guard. She slowly lifted her gaze, her wide, confused eyes meeting his, searching for any hint of emotion or reaction. But his face remained unreadable, his expression stoic as he waited for her to continue.

So? She stared at him in disbelief, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. She had expected him to be upset, to tell her not to tutor him, or at least show some signs of anger or disappointment. But his indifference was jarring, leaving her confused and uncertain. Her eyes flickered as she tried to gauge his reaction, looking for any signs of annoyance or disapproval. But he remained stoic, his face giving nothing away. It was as if the news of her tutoring him had no affect on him whatsoever, leaving her feeling unsettled and unsure of what to say next.

"H-He asked me to tutor him, Adrick. Ace.. it was Ace. You have no problem?" she reiterated, her voice filled with disbelief and a hint of hurt. She looked at him, searching for a reaction, but his face remained impassive.

She watched in disbelief as he took a step forward, the anger in his voice clear as he retorted,

"And I asked what do you expect me to do, Liliana?" The closer proximity made her feel even more vulnerable, and she instinctively took a step back, her heart racing in her chest. She had never seen him quite this angry before, and the intensity of his gaze left her feeling small and insignificant.

"Go and punch him? Tell him to never come in front of your sight again?" Adrick chuckled, shaking his head.

"I would, Liliana," he said, making her look up.

"I would if that girl meant something to me." He completed, making a tear roll down her eye. That's it? She meant nothing to him? Nothing!

Adrick looked away, watching the tear on her face. The absolute look of betrayal and hurt on her face. It was gnawing at his heart but he doesn't love her and he doesn't want her to keep living in her delusional world where she thinks he'll love her back.

He will not, he couldn't. Her face only brings painful memories to him. The indifference.

He watched as she took a step back, her face turning from pain to somewhat cold. The warmth was gone, so was she.

"Sorry" she muttered, wiping the tears away harshly. She looked straight in his eyes, and he failed to find the gaze she always had for him.

Without a second word she turned around, walking away from him. And she never made an effort to turn around to look at him, and it was in her demeanour, that she's done.

• • • • • •

Ace grunted, dragging a chair bag roughly taking a seat on it, dropping his bag and key on the table, earning an annoyed glance from the students in the library.

"You should be quiet in the library," Liliana muttered, not looking at him. Her eyes were puffy and red so she refused to make eye contact.

"I am used to breaking the rules" Ace shrugged, placing his phone on the table as well with a loud sound, making her sigh.

"So, what are we studying now?" He asked, opening his bag to see if there's any book there.

"Chemistry" she mumbled, ruling her pencil.

A chuckle left his lips at that.

"What? What's wrong with chemistry?" She asked, her eyes still on her pencil.

"Nothing. The chemistry of science has nothing wrong" he mumbled, making her knit her eyebrows.

"What about the other chemistry? You don't believe in chemistry?" She asked, her voice full of eagerness to be answered.

"No" he replied, making her look up at him and his eyes flickered to hers, seeing it puffy and red.

"Why?"

"Because there's no such thing, Liliana. It doesn't matter how much people try, one cannot understand the other like the back of your hand. That's how a human is, cunning like a fox, innocent like a lamp. It wouldn't take a minute for them to change" he mumbled, looking into her eyes, the way his eyes betrayed no emotions was surprising her

"You are saying this because you are not in love" she muttered, still a scowl on her face. And he leaned forward on the table, placing both his elbows on the table.

"Oh, is that so? Then tell me why Adrick doesn't love you back, Liliana. I know you're in love with him. If you claim a person in love knows the other well, give me the reason " he demanded making her give up. The memories of her conversation with Adrick pushing back to her mind.

And she went silent, the silence and the reason evident to Ace. His eyes wandered over her, watching how her eyes turned watery for a second and how she avoided his gaze. How she was biting her inner cheek and how her hands were clutching the pencil tightly.

While Liliana's eyes were stuck on the table, her tongue felt tied, a feeling of giving up.

It was in that moment she watched a bar of chocolate gliding to her vision, making her look at it, before she looked at him.

Surprise flashed her eyes watching him push a big bar of chocolate which surprisingly happened to be one of her favorites.

"You can have it" he muttered, pulling his hand back, scratching the back of his neck.

"I.. n-no! I don-"

"A girl gave it to me and I was about to throw it away. Either you can have it or just dispose of it" he muttered, shrugging his shoulders. He watched as she debated for a minute, before her hands slowly creeped up to grab the chocolate.

And it was then Ace felt something in his body when her normal brown eyes looked up at him with a soft glance, and a small smile etched on her pink lips.

"Thank you"

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