SECRET OF THE AMULET

CHAPTER 5

ALTERNATE TIMELINE: PRESENT

Hooded brown eyes questioned him when he picked an action movie instead of horror. When she arrived at his place with a box of pizza and a bottle of cola, they agreed to watch a movie. He held the remote control tightly when her hand inched closer to it. “No, I refuse to watch another horror movie today,” he announced, but the brat only lifted her well-shaped and thick brows.

“Then cook something for me,” she said. “I saw a pack of frozen French fries in your freezer yesterday, so why don’t you prepare it now? Go on,” she ordered.

  Zac stared at Sheena and blamed himself for spoiling her over the years. “Why don’t you go home now before your parents barge in here?”

Sheena stomped her feet before agreeing to watch a movie of Bruce Willis. “Okay fine, but maybe you can change the movie title,” she negotiated after a few seconds.

Midnight black hair covered her fresh and radiant face when he messed with her crowning glory. She hated it the most, and there were men in their neighbourhood who got a black eye when they dared to lay a finger on her head. “Maybe you should stay outside for an hour or get a tan on the beach,” he suggested after noticing her pale white skin. Their neighbours usually ridiculed her as a sickly individual, but she wasn’t sick at all!

“Hmmm, nice idea, Zac. Why don’t we go to the beach now? We can still watch movies before bedtime, or we can go stargazing on the beach.”

The woman’s excitement was visible in her voice, but no, he couldn’t go to a romantic place with her. It’s against his principle! “Just wait for the French fries, Madame.” Zac immediately stood up to go to the kitchen.

When he was gone, a sigh escaped from her lips while her eyes followed him. They’ve been friends for a very long time, but Zac was clueless that she wanted more. She wished he would notice her secret glances towards him. She wished he would notice that she would do anything for him to be happy.

Well, it was just her wishful thinking because Zac Montes made it clear that she’s someone he would keep forever as a friend from the very beginning. Damn! If only he had an inkling of her true feelings!

Sheena could only sigh at her misfortune. As a woman who would do everything to get what she wanted, she could seduce him, but no, she wouldn’t stoop that low to have Zac in her life. Her case was considered hopeless, but she’s good at waiting, especially when she’s waiting for Zac to notice her. She believed it would be worth it…soon.

“You’re fast!” She told him when Zac returned with a platter of French fries. It has ketchup, too!

“Do you want more ice on your drinks?”

Who wouldn’t fall in love with a man who knew how to treat her real good? With Zac, she didn’t have to ask for more ice on her drinks or additional rice if she wanted to eat a little more. He noticed, and he would do whatever he believed was best for her. Every time he would do something sweet towards her, she was more drawn into him, and she didn’t know how to stop anymore.

“I need to use the powder room,” she said, her usual excuse whenever she had a hard time controlling her emotions around him.

Inside the powder room, Sheena tried to compose herself. She would hate herself forever if she’d be the one to ruin their friendship. Once she felt that her emotions were under control, she put on a smile before going out.

“What took you so long? You missed the most thrilling part of the movie,” Zac said when Sheena came out of the powder room.

“It's okay. We can watch it again some other time,” she replied.

“Alright,” he agreed.

For the next two hours, their eyes were glued to the screen, and no one dared to interrupt their concentration. They were so focused on the movie that they failed to hear the engine sound of an old vehicle.

When the movie was over, Sheena prepared to leave. It was always like that ever since they became friends. Sometimes, she would visit him, bring some food, and watch a movie or two. Afterwards, she would return home and do her assignments. After she finished her degree, she could only visit him on weekends or holidays. It was sad, but she managed to survive.

“Why don’t you join us tomorrow? My mother is going to a wellness resort for her yoga session, and I have to accompany her,” she said.

The invitation was subtle, but he knew better. Although they were friends, he couldn’t give her parents a reason not to see each other again. He was warned, and he’d rather stay with her as a friend or lose her forever. “I’ll be busy tomorrow,” he lied.

“What a shame, then maybe some other time?”

“Sure, Sheena. Go on now before your parents come looking for you,” he reminded her. When it comes to her safety, they were so strict, and he understood it perfectly. It was only normal for parents to be overprotective of their kids.

She had no choice but to leave. She tied her long hair into a ponytail before retrieving her sling bag that contained her wallet and phone. “Next weekend then,” she said and sauntered towards the door.

However, she stood frozen at the doorway when she saw someone emerged out of nowhere. “Who is she?” She asked Zac, who immediately came to check. Zac stared at the woman, and he couldn’t take his eyes off on her. She had to slap his arm to wake him up from the daze. “I’m leaving,” she said.

“Do you know her? Sheena wait! Let me take you home,” he called her, but she’s already gone.