Bound to You

Chapter 7: Let's Ride, Baby!

He rolled his eyes, "It's not a thing. It's a Suzuki GSX250R."

She gawked at him, wondering what alien code he just told her, "I'm not going to sit on that... thing. I don't trust you with my life!"

He was amused, seeing her so doubtful. He grabbed her wrist again and pulled her closer, making her collide with his body, "Come on, sunshine! It's fun." She held her breath, looking right in his eyes as she drew herself away, flustered, "Doesn't seem to be. You know...I'll just, ugh, maybe I'll just head back to the metro."

He haughtily said, a smirk appearing on his face, "So you're that kind of chicken?"

She frowned at him, gritting, "I'm not getting on that bike, you dork!"

"Not even for the champion?"

"Your ego has gone up your head."

He leaned against his bike, "I can stay here all day and argue with you, princess. The movie starts in ten minutes and I swear, you'll make me miss it. You don't want that, huh?"

"You just...go by yourself or pick another girl!" She pointed towards the many girls who were laundering around the school's vicinity and with a groan, he quickly placed his hands on her waist, raised her up effortlessly and lowered her on his motorbike. She just realized how strong he was at that moment. She yelled, "You don't even have tickets, you degenerate! I don't want to ride with you on this bike!"

He alarmingly clamped his hand over her mouth and emphasized, "You have to try to know. You can't just assume things like that. Do you understand?" She nodded, panic visible in her eyes. She was surprised to hear authority in his voice. She gripped his arm, pulling his hand off her mouth.

He warned, "Not another word." He slowly pushed her hair back and gently made her wear the helmet, adjusting the strap for her and finally lowered the face shield, "That's my good girl."

She grumbled, "I'm already regretting this."

He tsked and sat before her. "Don't tell me, there's no safety belt."

He chuckled, "Don't be ridiculous." He slammed his key in his bike, revved the engine to life, pulled on the throttle as he simultaneously released the clutch and within seconds, the motorbike accelerated.

She instantly gripped him, almost choking him and she shouted, "If I fall, I'll kill you!"

She tightly closed her eyes, her arms around him. God, she was trembling like a leaf. She didn't want to but that was scary. That was the first time she was sitting on a moving motorbike and she was so afraid she'd fall. It was not cool at all and he was going so fast. She didn't dare open her eyes. She could hear the sounds of vehicles buzzing by sharply as he overtook them. Dangerous. Her grip never loosened, it was still tight.

Damn, if she continued this way, she'd probably tear his shirt. Was she really scared? He thought she was exaggerating at first but then somehow he knew, deep inside him that it might not be the same act other girls have put up to hold him. He held her hand and exclaimed, "Open your eyes, Ileana!"

In contrast to her cold ones, she mildly enjoyed the warmth of his hand over hers. It was so strange. "Never!" Her voice shook, barely audible as he drove against the wind. He slowed down and reassuringly said, "I'll hold you. Just look for once."

She peeped, open her eyes slowly, still holding him. The breeze was quite nice against her body now. They passed by a pizzeria and it smelt so good. It was just another feeling. Her heart thumped hard in her chest. She allowed her eyes to wander as he drove at a moderate speed...

Jace was aware of the heat of her body as she had drawn herself so tight to him. He was relieved when her grip loosened a bit. Without her really noticing anything, he gradually increased the pace until minutes later, he stopped at the cinema's parking and got off. He helped her down and as soon as he unclasped her helmet, she said, her lips trembling, "That was freaking scary and amazing!"

He grinned, pleased that she liked it, "Told you so. Come. I don't want to miss the beginning."

She followed him inside. There was not even a queue. Everyone must already be inside the movie theater.

He rapidly purchased two tickets and a popcorn and she urged as he dived his hand in his pocket to keep his wallet, "Hurry up...We're missing everything."

"They are probably showing the commercials right now." He gave the tickets to the man at the entrance who tore them in half and handed them 3D glasses in return, "Room 4."

Ileana asked as she walked with him, "How much did you pay?"

He grimaced reading her thoughts, "Don't be that i***t who doesn't accept anything for free."

"Ugh fine. What are we seeing again?"

He didn't answer her, grabbed the handle and pulled the heavy door, "Get inside." She slipped past him and he let the door close behind them. It was so dark and they could only see the lights from the commercial that was playing.

He held her wrist and dragged her up the stairs, "Jackpot. I think I saw two places at the back." It was at the complete far end. This might not be the best place to watch a film but still a pretty good place to do...other things, he thought to himself. He weaved his way along the last row among the other people who were comfortably seated and Ileana apologized constantly for stepping on their feet and disturbing them as she kept up with the pace of that impatient boy.

They finally settled down as the adverts were still showing up on the big screen. She questioned, "Where are your friends?"

"Friends? You and I already form a duo on our own."

She rolled her eyes, realizing what a big jerk he was. If ever Sierra would learn that she was alone with him...they'd both be doomed. Well, she didn't mind watching a good movie from time to time. She wore her 3D glasses and he restrained a laugh. "What?" She asked, giving him a side shove as the lights flashed on her face.

He said with a goofy smile, "You look awkwardly nerdy in them."

She mocked, "Talk about yourself."

She grabbed the caramelized popcorn he bought and dived her hand in it. The commercials stopped to show the opening of the film with a sinister theme song at the background. She gawked, half surprised, half confused. The loud creepy music made her hairs stand on end. She angrily whispered, "You said it was comedy! Bloody liar! That's not a movie you take a girl to see!"

Some people turned to hush them. Jace relaxed, placing an arm around her shoulders and casually said with a knowing smile, "You can always come closer if you're afraid."

She shrieked as a door creaked in the motion picture, "So that's how this is? You're disgusting. I hate you." She shoved his arm away and swallowed hard as she hugged herself. Alright, she could do this. It was dark anyway. She'd just have to close her eyes during the...gulp, gory scenes. Jace felt he would be more entertained by her than by the movie itself.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

17:30

Ileana never knew she had a taste for horror genre before today. It was simply amazingly terrific. She kept speaking to Jace about the bloody and scary scenes and he merely shrugged as he walked beside her, focusing more on his vanilla ice-cream.

A pity she didn't hug him at all. Fake expectations. He should have chosen a romantic movie instead but he just hated rom-coms. Things didn't go as he expected. "Not fair, princess."

"Huh, why?" When he didn't bother himself to answer, she leaned towards him, "Whyyyy?"

He cringed, stepping away, "Hey, watch out for your ice-cream!" A lump of her chocolate ice-cream fell on his arm and she tried not to laugh at his disgusted face. "Whoops, sorry. My mistake."

She quickly wiped it off with a tissue and quickly finished her own cone, "So, what's up now?"

"We're going to the arcade. It's right there."

"Have you seen the time? You ought to get me back---hmpf." A random boy suddenly placed an arm around her shoulders and she shrieked, "Hey?!"

"Woah, that's a pretty girl you took on a date, dude!"

Jace pointed out, wondering why he was pretending he knew nothing about it when that i***t has been right in the theater, spying on them, "That wasn't a date. Ileana, meet Sam, my friend."

Sam corrected, "His best friend."

She quickly dived, removing that heavy arm and nervously smiled, "Hi." She remembered that he was also from her class and that he played basketball as well. Why were they so tall?

Sam said in a serious tone as he inclined towards her and whispered, "That's not a guy you should be hanging out with, little one. He's dangerous."

"Ah?"

He straightened himself, "Try me, instead."

Jace wasn't amused, "Shouldn't you be at the club right now?"

He laughed it off. She was suddenly distracted by the bring neon lights and fancy music coming from the video game arcade. It seemed so lively. It was weird that there were so many people around.

Sam's eyes widened with excitement as he saw someone leaving a machine. He quickly grabbed Illeana's hand and dragged her there, "Quick before someone steal the Tekken game! We're going to have a blast!"

Jace looked at his ice-cream for a moment, realizing that for once, he might have just lost $20... but he'd get back to it, eventually.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

17:30

Sierra left the supermarket a good ten minutes ago and reached her house. She never saw the time passed. She called out for Ileana and was a bit annoyed, the girl wasn't yet home. But she said six and there was still half an hour to go. Guess she just had to wait a little bit more.

Without further ado, she entered the shower for a long warm bath. Ah, she needed this. She stepped out in her bathrobe, checked the time again, a bit anxious now. Where was that girl? As she slipped on her nightdress, she wondered if she should give her a call but then, she didn't want to disturb the precious moments she was having with her friends. She knew it was especially hard to make friends in the first week. She resisted. And a few seconds later, she couldn't help it. She just grabbed her phone to send her a quick text. Just a little one.

Knowing it was ridiculous to just stand here and wait for a reply, she went to grab her bag to take out the numerous assignments that were handed to her today. She might as well start with Ileana's class since she was going to meet them the next morning again. She sat on her couch, used a thick mathematics book as support for her papers and began with the correction.

Some answers made her cringe. Obvious mistakes that could have been avoided if the student had checked well. At least, they did the work. She smiled as she saw Ileana's perfect answers. That little girl of hers always knew how to make her proud.

She then paused as she saw the next paper. Hmpf. She just wanted to toss it away. She looked at James' neat calculations of the differentiation problem in a step by step and logical manner. Well presented. She flipped the page over to come face to face to his critics.

1. More interaction with the students. Are you scared to speak to them and clear their hidden doubts?

2. More use of different markers. Example: Red ones for formulas. Blue, elaborations. Black, catching points etc. Your cursive handwriting becomes monotonous with that single black marker that you used. Be creative! "Creative! My foot, James Torres!"

3. Join me at Bon Appetite restaurant tonight at 7 p.m. Sharp. It's important.

She stared at number 3 and read it only to reread it and process those disturbing little sentences. Horrified she checked the time to see that there were only a mere fifteen minutes left till 7. She instantly dialed the number Torres left on the paper in panic.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bon Appetite French Restaurant, 18:45

That kind of deal. It was always better to wine and dine the clients, seduce them in a subtle way. He had to take care of his attitude. Yes, his darn attitude could get him to lose his gigantic corporation right now.

He quickly stopped a waiter and ordered, "Make them as comfortable as ever. I want quality service." As the classy old couple walked in, he exhaled deeply, greeting them with utmost politeness. He informed, "I took the liberty to order."

The woman questioned, as she looked around, disappointment in her voice, "So you've come alo—"

He cut her off, "Not necessarily." His phone rang thankfully and he excused himself from the table and quickly walked out of the restaurant to stand outside.

He answered, knowing that this unknown number had to be her, "Where the bloody hell are you?" Sierra cleared her throat, trying not to sound shocked at his irritatingly husky voice, "I just saw your note, Mr Torres. I can't—"

"Ms Danvers, this isn't anything like a romantic rendezvous which you can decline. This is a job I've assigned to you. I demand your presence right now."

She felt the panic surging through her like a sting but her voice remained calm, "No. I'm taken up. I suggest you call someone else, take Mrs Florence for example."

"Florence who?"

She was starting to feel irritated, "The Grade 12 French teacher."

"Oh please, Sierra Danvers, I need a female intellectual in maths to hold conversations with two irritating personalities and you happen to be at my disposal and I happen to admire that brain of yours."

That was the first time he was using her name and he had such an authoritative voice that it bothered her. She retorted, not realizing she was pacing her living room, "I'm just a teacher and this is way past my working hours."

"One. I expect my employees to have flexible hours. Did you not read your work contract? And two, I expect their utmost cooperation and dedication to the company. Understand that in my eyes, you are merely the company's asset which I intend to use properly. Report to me immediately."

She grimaced at the way he put it, "Well, this asset here, sir... is already in her nightdress and can't make a move." She reduced him to silence for a few seconds and she enjoyed the satisfaction of having startled him but her joy was short-lived.

James closed his eyes momentarily, not believing what he heard. Did she not understand? "Take it off, wear a classy dress and get here or else I'll come to personally fetch you and believe me, it won't be pleasant. Do you think this is a joke? Or better, your job is a joke?"

He...actually did not seem to be playing around right now.

She gritted her teeth, "Alright. Give me 15 minutes."

"I don't have 15 minutes. I give you 10."

She snapped, "15 minutes, that's it."

He ended the call brutally, trying not to imagine how she was like in her nightdress but it was too late because that was what he was doing. Yes that was the first thought that crossed his mind. Was it lacy, long or short, silky? Damn it. He'd probably never know.

James went back to the table and the man raised his eyes from the delicacies to inquire, "A problem, James?"

"No. We can discuss the deal over dinner."

The man rolled his eyes and grumbled, "If I were you, I'd just go and fetch her."

James wondered how he already got a hint. Damn that old bastard. He dryly responded, "She's going to be fine. Thanks for your concern."

"Why don't you tell us a bit more about her while we wait?" He could already see the excitement in the woman's eyes and he hid his annoyance behind a forced smile. Great.

Awesome. She rummaged through her wardrobe, remembering his specific words. Classy... Classy! Ugh was this a classy fancy event or classy formal?! Ugh. It better be the second option. She quickly pulled out a dress that caught her eye and wore it in a jiffy.

She rushed to her vanity, applied a light touch of makeup, skillfully pulled her hair up in a chignon and she grabbed her car keys. She locked the main door behind, hid the keys in the secret spot and as the cold wind brushed against her, making her shiver, she realized she should have worn a coat. She checked the time in her mobile and knew it was too late to go back in.

She got into her car, tried the engine but the old thing was refusing to start up, the battery dying seconds after ignition. She whispered to the steering wheel as she tried again for a fourth time, "Please. Not now. Don't let me down, baby!"

And as if magically the car heard her words, the engine hummed and she accelerated, expelling a deep sigh of relief. Her thoughts were able to settle in her mind. She never knew that she was required to have flexible hours... Maybe that was one of the banes of working for Torres Corp? That would explain the more than attractive salary though... Anyway, he said something about holding a conversation with someone. What kind of job was that? To say she just wanted to have a relaxing evening...