Chapter 5 - The King

Whatever! Zea muttered and shrugged her shoulders. For sure he's just some rich kid who acts like he owns this place.

Oh my... she gasped the moment she noticed the glittery handmade accessories that are displayed at the shop. She might have a tough job as an agent. But these pretty sparkly things still appeals to her. Having a strict general as her dad. Zea didn't have the chance to enjoy this kind of stuff when she's still in high school. 

She picked up a silver headband. The one with a bow accent on the side and heavily encrusted with tiny crystals.

"Excuse me!" She waved at one of the students who are selling the products.

 

"Hi! Would you like to try this headband?"

"Yes, do you have a mirror?"

"Just a sec." The girl leaned down the table, brought out the mirror, and held it in front of Zea. "Gosh! It looks good on you!"

"You're only saying that so I'll buy the item."

"Of course not! It really looks pretty on you!"

Zea feeling giddy as she looked at herself in the mirror while wearing the dainty silver headband. Too happy, she didn't notice that the guy earlier was already staring at her the whole time. He just stood there. Looking intently at Zea and the headband she is wearing.

"This one's nice. I'll take it!" She quickly put down the item and began to rummage through her bag to get her purse.

 

"Wrap this up. I'll take this."

 

Everyone in the booth went dead silent, the moment this guy spoke and picked up the item.

 

His lips curled as he snapped at the girl behind the counter, "Are you fucking deaf? I said, I'll take it. Get it packed up."

 

The moment Zea retrieved her purse, she immediately searched for the headband she had placed on the counter, only to discover that the guy already had it in his hand.

 

Zea exhaled sharply. "Hey!"

 

But this guy didn't even bother to glance in her direction.

 

"HEY!" Zea yelled louder.

 

Slowly, his head tilted sideways, his dark brown eyes finally landing on her. The slit on his brows arched up and his full lips curved into a mocking smile.

 

She clicked her tongue in annoyance.

 

So, you're the handsome bad boy type. No wonder these little girls are going crazy over this piece of shit.

 

She put both of her hands across her chest and gave this man a death glare.  "Excuse me? But I think that item you're holding is mine."

 

"Yours?" he laughingly asked. "Did you purchased it?"

 

"Did you?" Zea retorted.

 

He was about to clap back when the store assistant stepped between them. "Hey, there are lots of new items inside that you can look at," she suggested, trying to pull her away from this guy. But Zea managed to break free from her grasp. 

 

"Why the hell should I? Are you afraid of this guy?" she snapped back and faced this guy once more. “I had that item first!”

 

"So?" He bit his lips and gazed at her. Annoyed and amazed at the same time. "It's in my hands now, what you gonna do about it?"

 

Wow… this kid is damn annoying. I can't believe I'm arguing over a hair piece! But fuck it!

 

Zea scanned him from head to toe and flashed him a daunting smile. "Look kid, I don't know if you're blind or you're just plain stupid. I was holding that headband right before you snatched it from the counter!"

 

"Kid?" His eyes blazed dangerously as he shot her a piercing glare. "Did you just called me a kid?"

 

Zea chuckled. "So, you're blind, you're stupid and now you're deaf. What's next?"

 

The whole crowd fell silent. Everyone was left dumbfounded. Whispers moved faster than wildfire as people began to gather just to witness the ongoing commotion. 

 

"You got some balls, I'll give you that. Do you even have the slightest idea who you're dealing with?"

 

"Why? Does it matter?" 

 

He snickered. "You're not from here, are you? I haven't seen you be—"

 

With one swift move, Zea expertly snatched the headband from his hand even before he could finish his sentence. Zea grinned. "It's in my hands now. What you gonna do about it?"

 

"Hey, Yohan. Is there a problem?"

 

Her eyes quickly moved when another guy appeared on the scene and his entourage of dangerous-looking students surrounded him. He quickly drew his hand up and signaled the group not to interfere.

 

"I'm busy."

 

"The president is looking for you."

 

President? Zea's eyes blazed. Is he talking about the SIBS President?

 

But this guy whom they call Yohan. Paid no attention to his crew and have his gaze fixed on Zea. 

 

"You know, I'm not really the negotiating type. But since I'm in a hurry, let's settle this once and for all." He pulled his wallet from his pocket and brought out a stash of cash in front of Zea. "How much do you want?" He counted and threw it one by one on Zea's face.

 

Her jaw tightened. She clenched her fist hard just to stop them from shaking. She cast her eyes down to ground where the money lay scattered around her.

 

"She should have just given item to him."

 

"Well, it's her fault anyway. That's what you get when you don't know your place."

 

"It's just a headband! She's just messing with him so she can get his attention."

 

"What a famewhore."

 

Seriously? Her lips pursed into a hard line. After hearing what the people have to say. 

 

"Is that enough?" he asked with a victorious smile. His face lit up with satisfaction when he saw her shoulders dropped and lowered her head as if accepting her defeat.

 

Without a word, Zea bent down and picked the paper bills one by one. Slowly, she stood up. 

She glowered at him sarcastically. "Is this all you got?" 

 

His brows twitched in an instant. And nothing excites Zea more than looking at that thick vein popping out of his forehead. 

 

He breathed hard, took his wallet out, and threw it against Zea's chest. "Count it!"

 

Zea picked it up, opened it up, and emptied it. But to everyone's surprise, she ripped all of his money and threw back his wallet hard and fast against his chest.

 

She strode towards the cashier and handed over the item together with her own money. "I'll pay for this. Don't worry about that broke ass kid over there."

 

The cashier cautiously took the payment, wrapped up the product, and handed it to her. Zea held out her hand to claim it, but a strong hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.

 

She swiftly maneuvered her arm but this guy expertly countered her armlock. She lowered her shoulder and tried to twist out of his grasp. But he expertly managed to trapped both of her arms.

 

Damn it… Zea cussed inside her head as she looked at this guy's face who seems to enjoy every second of it. 

 

"Stop playing around, Yohan." called the other guy who intervened earlier. "We got to move. The President is waiting for you."

 

His lips curved up into a smirk. "You're one hell of a lucky girl aren't you?" he whispered softly then haughtily let go of her wrists. "Next time I see you, I'll make damn sure to put you back in your rightful place."

 

"Oh yeah? And where is that?"

 

"Beneath me."

 

He turned his back and the crowd rushed off just to clear his way. The group of men followed his lead and he walked off the bazaar like a damn King. 

 

The girl from the shop rushed over to her. "Are you okay? You shouldn't have done that. I'm sure he'll come back after you."

 

"Who is that jerk anyway?"

 

"That's Yohan Gan. King of AIC."

 

Zea just chuckled at her response. "What? There's a fucking monarchy in this school?"

 

The girl can't help but release a deep sigh. "You know, It's pretty hard to explain how things work here. All I can say is be careful. He's one of the core members of SIBS Elite. You don't want to mess with that guy."

 

She turned her head and eyed this young man amidst the crowd.

 

Yohan Gan… she smiled. So you're strongly connected with SIBS. I'll remember your name.