After Hour Secrets

“May I know what we’re doing here? I mean I’m not complaining, but is it really necessary to break into the library after hours? If you wanted a book so bad then you could have gotten it before the library closed.”

“Shut up, Nessa. I have some work here.” I rolled my eyes at Ace. He was such a doofus sometimes.

“The only work I've seen you do is makeout with your girlfriend…’s.”

“They’re not my girlfriends, they’re my making out partners. They knew what they were getting when they agreed to kiss me.” Ace puckered his lips; many girls would find that attractive, I, however, did not. I pretended to puke as he rolled his eyes at my dramatics.

“I don’t even know why I'm friends with you,” Ace said. 

“You? I don’t know why I'm friends with the guy who refuses to accept that he’s a bad, bad boy.”

“You say it like being a bad boy is a bad thing.” I rolled my eyes at him,

“Why of course I don’t. I’m not the one who put bad in front of boys in the name.”

“Nessa. Do me a favor and don’t bring this topic back up.” I ignored Ace and started mocking him, my hands flying all over, increasing the drama.

“My name is Ace. I like to kiss girls as a hobby and break their poor hearts. I even smoke sometimes. My very awesome best friend thinks I'm a bad boy. But I disagree. Because good boys smoke, break hearts, and kiss different girls everyday.” That’s all I could say before Ace grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him. In shock, I let out a haste breath. I was 3 inches away from Ace’s face. His breath caressed my face as he started to smirk, realizing how uncomfortable I felt. That doofus even had the nerve to lick his lips. I pushed him away, saying, 

“Now tell me why are we here?”

“You’re here because you’re so attracted to me that you won’t leave me alone. I’m here because I have work.” I rolled my eyes at him. He was correct; you don’t just leave your best friend hanging after promising you’ll hang out. Friendship doesn’t work that way. 

Just then, I heard steps coming towards us. 

“What, did you plan a gettogether?” I asked Ace; my voice was as sarcastic as it could get. I had mastered the art of sarcasm, apparently.

“Shh,” Ace whispered, taking my hand. My brows furrowed; what the hell was wrong with him?

“Nessa, you need to hide. Come on. Be quiet.” And with that, Ace took me to a rather good hiding spot near the books. I don’t know why he was so keen on hiding me. 

“What’s happening, Ace? I don’t get freaked out much, but you’re freaking me out.” I said, my voice a hushed whisper.

“I’ll explain everything later. Just hide.” I nodded; Ace glanced at me for a moment, two decisions clashing in his head, and then he kissed me. It wasn’t what I'd imagined my first kiss to be like. Under the stars, during a picnic, and all those fantasies. But somehow, this kiss felt better and more real. I moved closer to him, deepening the kiss. Oh my god, I was kissing my best friend. That thought was enough for me to break the kiss. Ace looked at me, something shining in his eyes. I’d seen that glint of light somewhere; I just don’t remember where. Maybe I wasn’t so good at reading people after all. 

“Stay here and don’t hate me,” and with that, Ace went away to meet the mysterious people. 

“Carlos and Rian.” Ace’s voice rang out, “What a surprise.” I went closer, desperate to hear the whole conversation.

“Let’s get down to business shall we?” A man spoke out; his voice was unfamiliar. Obviously, I thought, mentally cursing my brain for being stupid. 

“I’ve been saying that for years now,” Ace said, chuckling. Even without seeing his expressions, I knew he was trying to keep the conversation light.

“Where is the money? Unless you brought the girl.” Who the hell was “the girl?”

“I didn’t bring any of those.”

“You promised that the girl would be here next time we saw you.” I peeked out and saw Ace shrug.

“Changed my mind. Sorry, you can’t have Nessa.” I slumped back, wishing I hadn’t heard that conversation. Ace, my best friend, was planning on giving me away? Ouch.

“Boss won’t be happy.” The man said again, his voice held a tint of anger that would probably grow exponentially if Ace annoyed him more.

“Then he can suck it up.”

“The deal was we give you 10,000 dollars and you give us the girl. Or you pay back in double.” I had decided, I'm going to fuc-fudging kill Ace. He was paid, paid, to be with me. Goddamn, that doofus. 

“I’ll pay you back. Later.” Ace said as the phone rang. I would swear my heart stopped for a moment, but it didn’t. Besides, saying that it did would be to cliche. My heart, however, thundered louder. I saw Ace sneak a glance at me, worry flashing in his eyes. He turned around before I could show him my beautiful middle finger.

“That was boss,” the man said, putting his phone down.

“Are you going to enlighten me on what your boss said?”

“He said to make you call the girl right here, right now.” My eyes widened. If I talked, I would be shown.

“I’m not going too. She’s out on a date.” That idiot couldn’t think of a better excuse? 

“Is that right?” A man asked; I shuddered; his voice felt dangerous. The shivery kind of dangerous.

“Or is it that you’ve actually started to care about the target?”

“Why do you want her back anyway?” Ace asked, a very desperate attempt to stall. 

“That’s none of your business, besides you didn’t answer my question.”

“I don’t care about targets. Besides the girl’s annoying, clingy.” Ace said, his voice suddenly cold. Ouch, is he trying to purposely hurt me? Because it’s working. I really do have horrible taste in boys. My last boyfriend cheated on me. Ace, well, he got paid to hang out with me. A huge turn-off, if I might add.

“Yet, you protect her.” 

“Do I really?”

“You know what else my boss said?” The man asked. 

“Obviously not.” Ace said, sarcasm lighting up his voice.

“To kill you if you fail to deliver.” This time my heart stopped. Yes, Ace was a doofus, but I don’t want him dead. I peaked out to see a gun lined at Ace’s head. No, No, No. He couldn’t die. I needed him. He needed me right now.

Taking a deep breath, I walked out.

“Oh, the dramatics. And for me that too.”

“You were lying.” The blond man said to Ace. Ace, however, looked shocked and… scared?

“Let Ace go and I'll come with you.” I said. I’m proud; I kept the terror out of my voice so far. Let’s hope it wasn’t shown on my face.

“You don’t threaten us girl. Now come on. Boss wants you badly.”

“Who is your boss anyway?” Ace’s eyes dimmed at the question I asked.

“The boss is—” Ace started, “my father.” Nessa couldn't stop herself from gasping.

“Your dad would kill you?”

“If I didn’t follow him, then yes.” Ace smiled slowly—a sorrowful smile.

“Why does he want me?”

“I don’t know?” Ace shrugged, “Maybe to threaten someone.”

“Enough.” The blond guy said or shouted; I didn’t really care at this point.

“Let’s go.” The red-haired guy said. Nessa nodded, walking with them in their grasp. You know what? To hell with it all. I turned around fast enough to erode the man's grasp and ran towards Ace, smashing my lips with his.

I know, super romantic. But you would have done the same. Don’t do it with my Ace, though. 

Ace pulled me closer; this time, I let him. I don’t know how long we stood there kissing each other desperately like our lives depended on it before the two idiotic men came to get me. This time their grasp was rough. 

They took me, and with one glance at Ace, I left. Just before he whispered,

“I’ll find you.” I believed him.