Adonis

Man... Hearing her say my name sure gives a different kind of feeling. It is a feeling I hate and love at the same time.

I feel so whipped and that is a bad thing because I just met her. But at the same time, especially when she is close to me, especially now that I have held her in my arms and had a feel of her lips on mine, I kind of like being whipped.

Chuckling silently while my strides became slower, I relished the memory of how she called my first name and for the first time since I chose to do something with my life, I did not question my decision to look for a fresh start.

It might be foolish and selfish of me to say this, but, I am glad I met Ruby even though I am bringing danger to her.

But then, there is a huge chance I can protect her and experience what it means to be with Ruby Powers.

"Ugh, what am I doing?" I groaned as reality hit me and I recalled that someone might have seen Ruby and me during our heated moment... A heated moment that I was tempted to advance into something desirous.

My eyes began to scan the surrounding classes from where I was and at the same time, I schemed how I was going to deal with the issue if there is one.

Just as I proceeded to walk down the corridor, I heard approaching footsteps and soon, the dude named Bryan Lockwood was facing me, a smirk on his face.

The smirk on his face told me enough. He was the one that saw Ruby and me.

"You are going to blab, right?" I asked once I halted my steps and firmly locked eyes with him.

"Actually..." His chest popped forward a bit. "I am thinking about keeping mute." His scanty brows arched. "I don't want to interfere in my friend's love life even if it is a surprising one."

"Your friend?" I could sense an air of insanity around him. "Ruby is not your friend. And it is quite audacious of you to say that considering everything you are accused of doing."

"Well," Bryan scoffed. "It is quite audacious of you to be with a student, but that is not important. What is important is the question I have for you."

My eyes narrowed while my stance shifted in discomfort.

"I just wish to know what it is like to kiss her."

The smirk on his face became larger and it was obvious what he was trying to do.

"How is that your business?" I asked.

"I like her."

"You don't threaten someone you like," I retorted, my voice still managing to be calm.

"And you don't put someone you like in danger, Mr. Klaus." I wore a frown instantly. He knows something. "Or should I say, Adonis Malcolm Klaus? A.K.A The Ruthless?" he continued and my fear became confirmed.

While I tried to contain my surprise by locking my jaws, I swiftly asked, "How do you know about that?"

Bryan's face wore a certain expression.

"I know a lot, Mr. Klaus. But I can't help but wonder why someone like you, who is young and dangerous would consider working as a teacher. Is it because of her?"

"How do you know about that?" I related my question and maintained my narrowed gaze on him. "Such knowledge is not obtained ordinarily."

"Well then... Now, you have an idea of how equally dangerous I can be," his voice retorted in a way a rival would speak. "You don't want to cross me, Adonis."

"No." My arms crossed and I took a threatening step closer to him. "You don't want to push your luck. Aren't you that girl's murderer? I don't like to meddle in issues that don't concern me, but if you do something rash, I will make sure you rot in jail for eternity."

"Why don't you expose me now? I am sure Ruby will open her legs for you if you do something heroic. You should-"

My jaws clenched harder and I tried to keep myself from ramming him into the wall.

"Your choice of words shows how careless you are. Whatever is giving you the boldness to speak without a filter will fail you sooner or later if you keep up this attitude."

"Whatever, man. Just know this..." That insistent smirk on his face annoyed me so much, I wondered if I should really find a way to get him behind bars. "... I wasn't the only one who saw you guys back there. Keep that in mind."

"What?" He was probably trying to mess with me, but there was a chance he was being serious.

"You heard me. If you are going to be making out with her, do it somewhere that is not close to this school. The person that saw you will ruin things if given a chance."

"Who is this person?"

"I can't tell you that, Mr. Klaus. Well..." His lips widened with a smile. ".. I don't want to."

"You-" I almost swore at him.

"See you around. And, I must commend your teaching skills, you hardly look like a man who used to kill people."

As I watched Bryan walk away with pride in his steps, I added him to the list of people I needed information about.

He is too stupidly gutsy to be left unchecked.

Then, I wondered if someone else really saw Ruby and Me. If there is, I might have a lot more work to do.

Recalling that I had told Ruby that I wouldn't be going back to that class, I proceeded toward the main part of the school. But I was hardly a few steps out of that deserted area when I sensed something strange.

It felt as though someone with an intent to kill me was watching. But once it occurred to me that Ruby was the main target in the game Maximus decided to play I rushed back to the room I left her in.

Thankfully, she was not inside but the view of the toughly-built person that was trying to escape through an open window made me instantly worried for Ruby.

"Who are... Carlos?" I was surprised to see him there no doubt but definitely, he was on an assignment. An assignment that involves Ruby.

"Hey, boss. I was supposed to get Ruby but I can't do it." Carlos's eyes couldn't meet mine and it was obvious how torn he was. He used to work under me and given his loyal nature, he was obviously having a hard time answering to the Gang leader.

"Maximus is serious about this, yeah?" I relaxed a bit and walked closer. "Do you think I should end this game and give in? Should I just come back?"

"You don't want to. I know what that place did to you. I know you don't like it," Carlos said and I smiled appreciatively. He gets me every time. "This girl, Ruby Powers, do you like her?"

My lips wore a small smile. "I think I do. And it is a bit worrisome."

"Liking someone isn't supposed to be worrisome. In fact, when you like someone, you don't get to think so much, you just do things like some controlled fool."

I chuckled slightly at his statement before my face wore seriousness again.

"So, Maximus asked you to kidnap her?"

"Not exactly." I frowned. "He is planning something strange. He asked me to film you together."

I shook my head at my former boss's display of childishness.

"He is planning to expose us without doing much work. That's rather disappointing. So..." I locked eyes with Carlos. "Did you get anything?"

"No. I don't think I can do it. You are my only friend, I don't want to do that to a friend."

I appreciated his words after a sigh escaped me. "Thank you, Carlos, I owe you a lot."

"You should be careful. How is being a teacher?" His question bore a hint of surprise at my choice of impromptu career. And I guess it could be quite shocking that I went from being a gangster to teaching in classrooms.

"It is no different from leading a small portion of a gang. The only things missing are tough-looking men and upgraded ammunition. Besides, it is fun to be in a real school environment. I never got to experience school life."

"Yes, you spent your whole life in the gang. You deserve a long break from that hell hole."

A scene flashed in my head and I felt nostalgic for a while.

"I am glad too," I replied almost absent-mindedly.

"I should get going. Make sure you protect her well if she is precious to you."

My right foot scratched the floor gently. "She is."

Carlos threw me a short smile before he walked towards the window, and helped himself out of the room.

A swift look at my phone made me realise I had a class in thirty minutes and soon, I was leaving for the staff room after making sure to numb my mind.

When I got to the staff room, the earlier arrest was the topic of discussion. And as usual, I avoided their rather useless chatter and walked toward my seat. But someone was already waiting for me, eyes looking like they could murder me.

"Uh... Jake, right?" I addressed the guy in front of me.

He ignored my question. "We need to talk."

"Grab a seat then."

"No. There's a high chance you might want to punch me or I might be tempted to kick you." I frowned, unsure what to make of his serious yet weird expression. "Let's go somewhere else," he proposed.

My eyes briefly glanced at the teachers who were still talking then I checked the time and figured it would be reasonable to take my teaching materials along.

So, after doing that, while hoping that I actually wouldn't have to punch Jake, I said, "Okay, lead the way."