I had been in that school for barely two days and my face had already popped up on three gossip sites. How did I know? The three bad wolves. From the cafeteria, I went straight to the library. I had a free period after lunch which I was so gladly going to skip.

I was neck deep inside my book when I felt a presence in front of me. "I've told you I'm not interested. Go away."

"Jake is livid Lisa. He wants to talk to you." Someone, Elliot maybe said. I raised my head to the both of them.

"Tell him no thank you. I have nothing to say to him."

"I believe you do. Just come with us."

Curiosity did get the best of me so I walked with them. When we passed classrooms and were headed for the Janitor's closet, I paused.

"If this is some sort of abduction, I'm going to scream so loud the principal will hear me. " I kinda sorta threatened. I wasn't intimidating enough because the boys paid me no mind. They opened the door and entered in. I poked my head in and for the second time since I started my education here, I had to pick my jaw from the floor.

There was a huge ass television in front of me, three couches and various bean bags, a while snack bar and about three arcade games. Maybe perks of being in a private school was having an underground arcade.

"Excuse us boys. " Jake said sitting on one of the couches. The boys left so I used that as an opportunity to pick a packet of chips and sit.

"I don't remember offering you a seat."

"And I don't remember asking you if I could sit." I opened the chips, pouring in a mouthful. "Why do you want to see me?"

He threw the jacket he was wearing on me. "You've ruined my jacket."

"No," I said still munching on chips. "I poured soda on it. You take it to the dry cleaners or ask your nanny to wash it for you and it'll be good as new. "

His jaw set and I could tell he was angry or something close to that. "Pay for it."

"Fair enough. How much do I owe you?" I searched for the little scraps of money in my pocket.

"Sixteen million."

"Ha ha. Very funny. How much is it. I don't got all day. "

Jake stood up from his seat, taking steps closer to me. I shifted in my seat as his gaze belittled me. "That is a one of a kind pogo jacket. You don't get it from a store you know. You have it made. Who's your father? I'll have him pay for it."

"Where the hell is he going to get sixteen million from?. He'd probably punch you in the mouth for asking him that. "

"You don't have any money. What's your family business?."

"Impregnating women and a million child support cases." Apparently Jake didn't find my joke funny because he only got even more annoyed.

"How the hell did you get into this school? Don't tell me you're a scholarship student. Are you?" He asked almost repulsed. I was feeling something I hadn't felt in a long time - inferior.

"Well screw you very much. I'm leaving."

"What about my money? Replace my jacket."

I throw it at him. "Shove it up your large nostrils." I stormed out knowing I was shit deep in trouble.

The day felt to go by very slowly. I wanted to leave ASAP but no, I was forced to endure the cruelty of life in the form of Chemistry. I was doodling on my notes when a knock on the door caught my attention.

"Excuse me Mr. Harris but Lisa Thompson is needed in the principal's office." As I stood and followed, I tried thinking of what I could've possibly done on my second day of school. All of them fell back to one possibility. Jake Demidov.

My guess was true because the first person I saw stepping into the office was the arrogant human. He gave me a lopsided grin I downright ignored.

"Please take a seat Miss Thompson." I smiled faintly at Mr. Alphonso before sitting. "A complaint about you reached my desk not long ago. Do you know what this is about?"

"No sir I do not." Apparently it was flu season because there's no other reason for Jake to cough. I gave him a look he returns. He meant war.

"Mr. Demidov here complained of you destroying his jacket for no reason at all. There have been students come to me as witnesses so there's no denying it. You're to compensate him."

I get ready to argue but Mr. Alphonso raises his hand. "There's no room for arguments. That's the final say. The matter had better be resolved before the end of the day else you're in for suspension."

I slammed my hands on the desk. "Outrageous. You're going to suspend my ass for a stupid jacket I'm pretty sure is contraband."

"You watch your language when you step foot into my office understood? Go settle your dispute with Mr. Demidov before the day is over. Leave."

Seeing it was too late to plea, I left. I could feel Jake's arrogant presence behind me. "I hope you're happy. You're indeed an asshole."

Getting home, I called dad eighteen times. I can't lie I was surprised he didn't pick. I didn't even think he had my number. I also considered asking Mabel for the money but I was never in the mood to be reminded of how much of a mistake I was.

Frustrated and annoyed, I decided to open my IG. Jake had left a new batch of messages ready for my ignoring. Only, this time, I didn't ignore them.

Me: What do you really want from me? I seriously don't have sixteen million for you.

The Jakey༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶ:Your first class tomorrow is P.E. Meet me in the locker room.

Me: The boy's locker room? I'm not a pervert.

The Jakey༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶ: I heard Hanson's mother's bank gives great loans.

I didn't send him another message again.

I actually preferred I was out in the streets smuggling cocaine than trying to sneak into the boy's locker room. It smelled so masculine in there I was certain I was going to puke. I waited till I was sure there were no other boys in before sneaking in. Jake wasn't even in there but before I could panic, he tapped me.

"Take this." He said shoving a piece of paper in my face. I collected it and skimmed through.

"What do you mean in case of physical damage? What is this?"

"I drafted a little contract as a way for you to compensate me. "

"You're asking me to be your slave. How does that sound like a compensation?" There was something about Jake that made me want to scream and rip my hair off my head. He was arrogant, rude and an asshole.

"I can tell you something about you. What's with the stubborn facade. You know you're in debt and you're too poor to pay but your pesky pride won't let you. There's nothing to be proud of. Sign the contract."

I was so livid I wanted to scream but I didn't. I couldn't risk being caught in there. Instead, I signed the contract. I forced a smile on my face. "I hope you're happy."

"Elated."

My mood for the rest of the day was ruined.

...

The rain started as early as three a.m and till eight, there wasn't any sign of it subsiding. The gloomy clouds only gave the school a more depressing vibe. Jake hadn't texted or called or talked to me in two days and as much as I wished I could say I was happy, I was petrified.

Another yawn escaped my lips and I needed to sleep urgently. There wasn't anybody in the corridor and I was glad. I made a bed out of my bag and school blazer on one of the benches and closed my eyes, hoping to open them in less that thirty minutes.

They opened not because I pleased but someone kept poking me. I sat up and Jake was squatting to face me. His eyes were on my lips and my foggy brain told me he wanted to kiss me. I was repulsed but as the sleep cleared, it seemed he was too. There was a drool trail on my face. From my lip right to my forehead. Embarrassment was my middle name. Lisa Embarrassment Thompson.

"What?"

"I bought a new jacket."

I forced a smile. "Congratulations on your purchase. Go away let me sleep."

"This is a very dangerous place to sleep. You'll get into trouble."

"Like you care. Why don't you go ahead and report me because it seems that's the only thing you're good at."

There was a look on his face like he was considering something. It disappeared as soon as it appeared. "Whatever. Suit yourself. Go get me a soda from the vending machine."

"Am I your slave?"

"Yes. Preferably something grape. Hurry. "

I had to go. That stupid contract. "

...

We were to have history but our teacher had a family emergency and had to leave. We had nothing to do but gossip. Anastasia and Mona were at my table discussing a new shade of nail polish. We'd have been friends if we had common ground. We had nothing to talk about except Jake and it was obvious I didn't want him to be in my conversation.

I was reading a book when a piece of wet tissue landed on the side of my face. The whole class went silent and I curnsed under my breath. Jake was demanding my attention. I went to his desks, two rows beside mine with a smile. "Yes. How may I be of help to you?". The other members of H4 and two girls were surrounding him.

The girls stared me down even though left to me I wouldn't even breath the same air as him.

"Six cans of grape soda from the hangout. I want the cold ones."

"No way."

"It's legally bound. You'll pay for breach of contract."

I groaned. The hangout was three stories above us and my legs couldn't take the stress. I did have to do it though. I went to the place and I realized that stupid me didn't ask for the code. Taking my phone out, I called Jake a total number of sixteen times. My call was either ignored or declined. I went back down and he told me the code.

Midway, I forgot it so I had to go back down. I cursed myself because not only was I exhausted, I was panting like a dog. I got the sodas (not before resting my legs a bit) and went back down.

"Here are your drinks. You're welcome. "

"Cookies." He said not even bothering to turn to me. I went back up and came down with the whole freaking jar in my hands. It seemed like the only person he didn't acknowledge me was Jake. Elliot even thanked me twice.

"Water. Sparkling." Before I could go for another round of torture, the bell rang. I went to carry my bag for my next class. Jake still barely sent a glance my way.

...

The WiFi in Mabel's house was down and if not for the fact that I was busy with my aimless doom scrolling, I would've never gone to Ryan's room. His was at the farthest end of the corridor. Luckily Mabel wasn't around to sense me lurking around her son's room.

I knocked on the door and it was only after I didn't get a reply that I opened the door. Ryan was on his bed doing exactly what I was doing. Aimless use of the internet.

"The WiFi is working for you? It ain't for me."

"Me neither. I'm using our neighbors'. They're going to throw a tantrum if they find out."

"Can you share the password?"

"And what do I get in return?"

I thought of what he could possibly want and my mind came up almost blank. "Well I can't get out of the house if that's what will make you happy."

He stretched his hand asking for my phone and I gave him without any argument. "If we won't be leaving already. Mom got a promotion."

"No shit. You're moving to a new neighborhood." I didn't know how I was supposed to feel about the news because I was sure I wasn't exactly happy for them.

"No idiot. A new country. I'm going to Hong Kong in less than a month."

My mouth formed an o. There was only one thing on my mind. 'what about me?!'

It was one of those few days I decided to stroll a little before calling a taxi. I didn't get out of the gate before Jake was standing in front of me.

"Come. Let's go." He already started pulling me by my arm.

"Where are we going?"

"Shopping."

"No thank you." I hurriedly changed my mind before I was forced to remember my terrible fate. "I mean sure. "

We reached the parking lot where his car was and I got in before even he could. He got in too and started the ignition.

"We won't be long right? I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." I already started tapping my huge ass belly.

"You ate two mega burgers not up to an hour ago. That's not healthy."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "What are you? My nutritionist. I have to be strong and healthy you know. That's achieved by eating."

That was the last thing either of us said till we left the school area. Jake drove pass all the stores down into the more suburban part of the city and I was confused.

"Is this some sort of kidnap. Where are we going?"

"Your home." He said like it was an absurd thing of me to ask that question.

"W-what do you mean my home? How do you know my home?"

There was a lopsided grin on his face I came to conclude was fake. "How don't I know your home? I do my research Miss. Thompson."

"I can accuse you of stalking me. You'll get your ass arrested."

"I have no problem with that as long as you submit evidence. "

He didn't respond and I came to the conclusion it was a Jake thing to make sure I was left hanging. Mabel wasn't at home and neither was Ryan and man was I sure glad. I came down first but Jake didn't make any attempt to even undo his seatbelt.

"You're not coming in?"

"There's no need to. You're just changing clothes." I watched his gaze as he stared at the house. There was nothing demeaning about it.

"So why couldn't I have followed you in my school uniform? I would've just come back and slept naked."

"You sleep naked?"

A blush climbed up my neck. "Shut up. I'll be back in less than 20 minutes." I dismissed before the conversation could get awkward.

"If you're not out here in thirty seconds, I'll file a missing persons report."

I hoped he was joking. I came back in a pair of jeans and the jumper I wore the first day we met. Since it'd gotten colder, I had a coat and scarf round my neck.

"Did I take too long?" I asked getting back in his car.

"Yes. I thought you were abducted by aliens."

Jake put the car in drive and we went to the mall. It was only when he parked and we alighted the vehicle that he looked at my clothing.

"Take fashion advice from someone who actually knows how to dress okay? Try darker colours. They match your skin shade."

"Understood Christian Dior."

He rolled his eyes at my snarky comment. We went inside and the first store Jake was entering was one my father almost broke my legs for because I asked if we could go there on my birthday. They sold the coolest most beautiful jackets known to man.

"Listen up. I'm about to teach you fashion."

I smiled faintly, still greatly fascinated at the beauty. "No thanks. I'm good".

"Well I don't care."

All the time we were going through stores, I had to listen to a very irrelevant fashion lesson. 'the collar is too high.' 'the seams look better if you match it with blue'. By the time I had eight bags in my hand, I was exhausted. We were currently in the dressing room where Jake was trying on a shirt.

The attendant gave us a look as if asking why I was there. I wondered the same thing too. My stomach rumled and I figured it was high time to tell the truth. "I'm starving."

"Fair enough. You've had enough time to digest your meal. Help me get this shirt on." That was the first time I actually turned to look at him as he changed. My mouth was wide opened and it wasn't because Jake had a hot body , it was the fact that this hot body was littered with scars.

"You take up pro wrestling? What's with all the wounds?"

"You'll understand when you're a Demidov."

"I knew you were in the mafia."

Jake did something that sounded like laughing but wasn't . "You're an idiot." He didn't wear the shirt anymore but still bought it. We finally went to a nice fancy restaurant in the heart of the complex.

"What do you want to eat?" Jake asked flipping through the menu. Something told me he knew it by heart but still checked out of habit.

"Uh anything you're having. I'm not familiar with the menu."

He scoffed. "That's fancy talk for I've never been here before and I don't know what to order because all these foods sound weird."

"Oh my god a mind reader."

"I'm having a salad. Is that what you'd like also?"

"No. Get me something that'll make me add fifty pounds by tonight."

"Glutton."

A waitress came to attend to us and I was fascinated by her freckles. I was too engrossed in them I didn't realize she was asking for our orders. Luckily Jake did all the talking. She smiled politely and left.

"Why did you look at her like that?"

"Because she is beautiful. God I could stare at her all day."

"Please don't be weird."

Another waiter brought us water and wine - as per Jake's request. I didn't see myself drinking that thing. The waitress came back with our order and I dug in. It wasn't amazing but anything to make me sated was well accepted.

We ate in silence because Jake was too busy updating his Instagram feed. I wondered if we would've talked if he wasn't busy. I doubted.

"Okay let's go. We don't have all day." He said signalling the waitress got our bill.

"Where are we going?"

"My home. You have a whole list of chores to do."

"Excuse you what?"