Chapter 17- Reluctant

Lanie's POV:

I can't still believe what had happend. I stared at where Inspector Luegas and his team exited. Did that really happen? But why? And why I am involved?

"Lanie, are you alright?" Rona asked. Like me, she's a bit pale. She still can't get over with what happened

I nodded though my knees are still trembling. I sat on the chair with messy thoughts. I have so many questions right now but I can't think clearly.

"Inspector Luegas is really a trustworthy and responsible official! Hespheria is so lucky to have him. I want to be like him someday." Kalvin exclaimed. He's excited but I think what he'd said is the exact opposite.

I looked at them. Yshmael avoided my gaze, he walks in a slow, relaxed manner towards the door. Kalvin and Greyson followed him. Kalvin is even whistling, he really enjoyed the scene.

There is something wrong. I can feel it. I have a hunch but still, I am not sure about that.

"That's Yshmael Marco Aronzaga, for you all! He is really cool!"

"Agreed. He is so perfect and I want him for myself!"

"What? I want him too!"

My head hurts from what I'm hearing right now. The females students here are crazy adoring Yshmael. Their attention quickly shifted to Yshmael and his friends. I think, they forgot that I'm also a part of the said scene.

I should thank Yshmael and his friends, I know that. If it is not for them, for sure Inspector Luegas already took me to wherever it is. I know what had happened. Inspector Luegas was trying to involve me with the virus issue and Yshmael's challenging Inspector and his team. The only difference is Yshmael won and the inspector failed on what he planned to do.

"Yshmael Marco is really an Aronzaga." Rona almost whispered.

My gaze averted to her, asking.

She just shrugged her shoulders. "He clearly knows when to attack or ambush his opponent. He knows where and when he'll use his name and his power. Same with Greyson amd Kalvin. Well, what should we expect from the heirs of Hespheria?" Rona tilted her head. "Poor Inspector Luegas, he can't even move a single step because the power and authority he holds came from Yshmael's family. He can't do anything but goes with what Yshmael's wanted. He became his shadow."

I got what she's saying. Inspector Luegas started that game, but when Yshmael came, Inspector Luegas lost his grip in his own game. Yshmael turned the table in his favor.

I don't know if they have a history or what. In order to find out, I must ask one of them.

"Hey, where are you going?" Rona was surprised when I stood up.

I should stop now, but I can't really do that. I have so many questions with me. One more thing, I am already involved. And I have the right to know why.

"I just need to pee." I did not wait for her response and run towards the door.

There's a lot of students outside the cafeteria but I don't see Yshmael or his friends.

I decided to go to one of "his" place here. The Journalism club and I'm right, I saw him there.

The three of them are in the receiving area. Kalvin and Greyson are playing chess while Yshmael in reading a book in a single couch.

"Oh, it's Lanie! Do you need anything?" Kalvin greeted and waved.

"I need to talk to you." I said.

Kalvin and Greyson stared at me cluelessly.

"Yshmael."

The two nodded then faced each other again, they continued playing.

Yshmael put the book aside. "I have no memory of anything that I need to talk with you."

I ignored his arrogance. "About this," I showed him his laptop. "And about what happened earlier. You have so much to tell me."

His forehead creased. "You can have that as long as you wanted. I'm reading so I'm busy." He continued reading.

He is really annoying! For sure, he won't talk to me. I must use force!

"Kalvin," I called his friend who's obviously eavesdropping. "Is there a place here in Saint Augustine that we can talk privately? Or a soundproof room will do."

Kalvin grinned. He tilted his head towards the mini-conference room.

I mouthed "thank you" and approached Yshmael.

All of them are surprised when I grabbed Yshmael's book. I never heard him complain or what. He just stayed still while looking at me.

I suddenly pulled him up. I saw how shocked he is. Even his friends, Greyson almost dropped his jaw.

"I said, I need to talk to you." I said emphasizing every word.

He stared at me amusingly. He playfully let me pulled him towards the conference room.

I locked the door and put down the blinds.

Yshmael just sat on a chair like he's sitting on his own throne. What a prince! An arrogant one.

I faced him. "What the hell is happening? I want to know what is really going on?" I started by asking him.

He smirked, boredom is written in his face. "You clearly saw that. Or don't tell me you're not with us earlier? Or maybe you're daydreaming again or your thoughts are on another dimension?"

I sighed, trying to calm myself. This guy is really getting on my nerves. He really can annoy the hell out of me with just tmhis words.

Well, he's Yshmael Marco Aronzaga afterall. A freaking arrogant and cold Aronzaga!

"Look," I said seriously. "I know there is another reason why Inspector Luegas find and accused me. What I can't understand is why he's telling me that I'm involve with that virus issue. I don't even know how to crack a virus or such."

"You're not naive, Maelanie." His eyebrows met and formed a thick line. "I know that you already know the answer for your question. You don't have to asked me for a confirmation."

I could not speak, I leaned on the chair weakly. So, my hunch is correct.

His gaze met mine. He don't need to speak more, I understand what he wanted to say. His stare confirmed what I'm thinking and I can't really accept that.

I was framed. I'm sure of that. And whoever did and crack the virus in the school's system, I'm sure that he's also the one behind my almost frame up. It's the same person. That is for sure.

I'm not stupid. What happened is more than a coincidence. Out of all the students here in Saint Augustine, why I am the one they chose to set up? That's because of the IP addressed they had traced.

It means....

My eyes widened as the pieces of the puzzle came altogether. They are all coming and fitting the lost pieces in the puzzle.

It was the flashdrive I found! It was all because of that thing. Because of that video, they traced me. And about the hacking and cracking of the virus, it's just a ploy. It was all planned!

They set me up with that, the laptop they found in the well is enough for them to get me involve. It's easy for them to make a perfect set up because of that. I am really their target.

I shook my head. They planted a perfect scene. And if it's not because of Yshmael, for sure, I fell in their trap already. Without knowing why and how.

I sighed again. It's because of my stupidity that's why I'm in this situation. I let my guards down. Because of this damn curiousity, I put my life in danger.

"Lanie..."

Yshmael caught my attention.

"I know you understand it well. Now, I want to know is why you're being involve? I want to know why you're being targeted by them." He asked intently.

"Them? Who are you talking about?"

Yshmael chuckled. "I won't use that term if I can name them. So now, answer my question."

I stood up.

"I don't have anything to tell you."

He nodded. "Then, if you want to tell me something or what, you know where you can find me."

I raised my brow, "I don't think I have something to tell you."

He just shrugged his shoulder. "Well, it's up to you. But I'm telling you, you don't have any slightest idea about them so be careful. Don't be alone."

"Is that a concern or a threat?" I asked. Alright, he is right. But I know what connection he has with that video.

"What I'm saying is..." He stood up and came near me. "They targeted the weak. You're not that weak actually, but you don't have the resources which made you vulnerable for every situation."

"I don't understand." I said, confused.

He smiled a bit and tapped my shoulder. "You're doing the right thing right now, doubting everything and everyone. You should do that. They can be your enemy and they can stab your back anytime."

"Including you?"

"I am no exception, Maelanie. Everyone has a monster with their selves." He answered, then left the room.

My gaze followed him as he walked towards the door with his friends.

❤