Bound to You

Chapter 9: The Prize

19:30

Ileana grabbed Jace's arm and shook him hard, "Punch him! Punch him! Dodge! Left! Left!"

Jace and Sam were having an intense face off in a virtual fight game and they were both damn good at it. There were a few gamers watching them, some even taking sides and cheering them. They both were ruling at this 2-player arcade game.

Jace asked, his eyes not leaving the large screen, "Want to try?"

She wanted to but she'd probably make him lose. When she hesitated, he quickly pulled her before him and they both pressed the numerous buttons, wanting to exterminate Sam's strong game character. She felt the warmth of his breath against her neck as the length of his body pressed against her. She reddened. So awkward... He groaned, "Use the power, newbie!"

As Jace focussed on blocking Sam's hits, Ileana quickly pressed the power button as the bar refilled and with a finishing move, she landed a strong attack on Sam, killing him off and when the game was over for him, she screamed victoriously in joy, jumping in excitement as she hugged Jace tightly while the few gamers around clapped.

Sam banged the machine's control board, "Damn it. That was too hot! I was so close to beating you!"

She teased him, her arms still around Jace as she leaned towards Sam, "Not even close! I'm too good for you! Hahaha!" She looked so proud that it made Jace chuckled.

Sam rolled his eyes, "We'll have a rematch next time!"

Ileana let go of Jace and bent to snatch the long trail of winning tickets that neatly came out of the game machine which was generating a cacophony of joyous songs. As the other players dispersed to go and continue their activities, Ileana held the tickets and breathed, "I never got so much before!"

Sam executed a low high-five with Jace and said, "I'm off, man. I'm broke. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah."

She waved at him before going to see the prizes that were displayed behind the counter. Jace gave all the tickets they got to the man sitting at the counter and as the machine made the count, he said, "703 tickets."

Jace asked, "What do you want?"

"Really? I can choose?"

"Sure."

She looked and then pointed towards a shelf, "This looks pretty cool!" As the man reached the shelf to grab the prize, her eyes caught sight of the big digital clock stuck to the wall and she was shocked, "Oh God, look at the time! Sierra's going to kill me."

"Who's Sierra?"

"My aunt, your maths teacher! We need to go!" Ileana quickly rushed outside and Jace pursed his lips, taking the prize the girl chose and the remaining tickets. He paused for a moment, looking at the prize that came in pair before tucking them in his pocket.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"God, for the tenth time, can you stop laughing?"

James groaned as he made a roundabout. She really couldn't. "You should have seen your face." He sighed. That was such an embarrassing night. She pointed out, "Right there. Thanks."

"That's your house?"

"Yes. Thanks for tonight. I had a great time." She bit her lips, trying to hold another wave of laughs and James rolled his eyes, "Come on. Not again. You've contracted a laughing disease or what?"

"It's all your fault." She unbuckled her seatbelt and promptly said, "Bye." She stepped out of the car and was surprised to see him doing the same, accompanying her till her door. She said dismissively, "I'm fine. You can go."

"We still need to talk."

She calmly denied him, "No we don't." She tried the door, a bit surprised to find it locked and automatically proceeded to raise the doormat to take her key.

He observed, "That's the worse place to hide your house key."

"It's...convenient." She stood, resting her hand on her doorknob and said, "Good night."

"Aren't you going to invite me inside?"

She shivered as she heard that, "No. I'm afraid it won't be good for your standard."

He tsked, "I don't care."

She smiled at him, "And moreover, you'll make my house stink."

He grimaced, marched up the step, closer to her, "Now, that's a very good reason to push me away, Ms Danvers." He tucked her hair behind her ear, caressing her face lightly with a finger and she disapproved, "Mr Torres." She could say anything right now but her body's reaction was something else.

He cornered her against her door, held her chin with a finger to lightly raise her head up. He grumbled as he lowered his head, "I've been dying to do this."

Their mouths barely touched before they both pulled away as they heard a loud noise approaching.

Sierra and James stared as the motorbike pulled over right behind the car. Ileana got down and as Jace helped her to remove her helmet, Sierra was downward shocked, not believing her eyes. She walked pass James and demanded, "Are you kidding me? Have you seen the time?!"

Ileana knew she'd be angry. It was already eight. And right then, she had no valid excuses. Jace took off his helmet, a grin on his face as his eyes met James who asked, "What are you doing here?"

Ignoring him, Jace jumped off and said, standing face to her, "My dear teacher, quit yelling at Ileana. Something is clearly spicier here, eh? You were going to invite that old lonely man inside and then what...do little hot stuff among yourselves, right or maybe the car was enough? I can already smell the stench of your dirty little sweaty activities here. Pew!"

Sierra exclaimed, furious, "How dare you, Jace Torres!"

Ileana giggled. That was so funny and bold. James sent a subtle death glare warning to Jace and said as he lightly held Sierra's arm, "Ms Danvers, I'm sure he didn't—"

She exclaimed as she slapped his hand away, "Enough." She fired at both son and father, "You, I'll see you tomorrow at school. And you, I'll never see you again." She grabbed Ileana's hand and stormed inside, slamming the door behind her.

James leaned against his son's motorbike, "Good job, hero. Now, she's angrier."

Jace laughed, "I know right. God, what are you smelling by the way?"

"Oysters. Don't ask me how it happened."

He mocked, "You sure smell disgusting and oh, repugnant. Yuck. No wonder she can't wait to get rid of you."

James ruffled his hair, "And you're grounded for the rest of the week. No games. No TV. No social media." He scowled as he watched his father opening his car door, "You can't do this to me."

"Hell sure I can. Well, if you beat me to home first, I might reconsider that."

"You'll lose." He quickly wore his helmet as James slammed onto the accelerator pedal. Jace put on the contact and the engine roared as he drove away. He was always up to a race.

Sierra peeped through the window and once they were gone, she sighed heavily. She crossed her arms, hurt, "I didn't expect that from you, Ileana. Did you eat something at least?"

"Um yeah." Popcorn and ice-cream.

There were doubts in her eyes, "I trust you didn't do anything...ridiculous?"

"No! Come on, Sierra! We just went to the cinema and he took me to the video game arcade. I might not have seen the time passing there. I'm sorry I made you worry."

"Don't do this ever again and...try to respond to my texts."

"Oh? I didn't check my phone. Sorry..." Sierra shook her head and stretched herself, "I'm off. Goodnight." She slipped out of her shoes and walked to her bedroom.

After a quick shower, Ileana prepared two hot chocolates and pushed open Sierra's bedroom door. Maybe that would calm her a bit. Not surprisingly, she found her still awake. However, her book was at her side and her arm was over her eyes. Very unlikely. "You okay?"

"I had a hell of a night." She handed one mug to her and crawled on the bed, beside her, "Tell me everything. What's up with Jace's dad?"

Sierra sipped in her hot chocolate, wondering if she should tell her about that engagement matter or not. No, not now. Maybe later when things would get clearer for herself. "First of all, you should know that Torres is a moron. He invited me on a date very elegantly I must say. The bastard said it was for an important job."

"But...isn't he like...married?"

"Divorced. Well, that's what he told me." "Ah?" So Jace wasn't living with both of his parents? Sierra continued, looking at her straight in the eyes, "Anyway, Ileana...I don't want you to ever betray my trust like that again, alright?"

She swallowed hard. She hated when Sierra would get annoyed like that. It always sent a shiver in her spine. "I didn't betray your trust...I'll never do that. I just, I just...lost track of the time...I'll be careful next time."

"I don't doubt it. Did you have fun?"

She beamed, "Tons!"