Chapter 23

Baek's POV

The next morning, I work on my car and get ready to take Hera to school. When I arrive at Hera's house, I park my car and ring the doorbell.

"Who is it?" Mr. Thompson's voice asks from the inside.

I knock again and he opens the door. "Oh, Baek."

We shake hands briefly.

"Come in." He tells me.

I step into the house and scrutinize the living room for Hera. She is nowhere in sight.

"Dad. Who is it?" Hera's voice calls from upstairs. Probably from inside her room.

"Honey, it's Baek."

"I'll be there in a minute!"

"Come have breakfast with me, boy" Mr. Thompson smiles at me.

"Thank you, sir. But I'm good. I had breakfast before coming here."

He sits down and dives into eating his pancakes. "Here. Take a seat. She'll be downstairs in a minute."

"Thanks." I smile and nod at him before taking a seat on the cushion.

"So, tell me Baek, how did you meet my daughter?"

"At school, Mr. Thompson."

He nods "Since how long have you known her?"

"Since I was transferred to Trevor's high, this year. She was the first friend I made. She still is."

"Are you tryna court my daughter?" He asks.

"No sir" I shake my head and reply in a low tone. I feel suddenly uncomfortable with the conversation. Maybe because I don't want anyone discovering the secret that I am beginning to develop strong feelings for Hera.

"Why? You think she Isn't beautiful enough?" His forehead creases in a frown and he squints his eyes at me.

"She is exceptionally beautiful, but…"

Thankfully, Hera walks in on time, cutting short my conversation with her dad.

"Let's go, Baek. Sorry I kept you waiting. Bye dad."

After we leave the house and get into my car, I immediately start to drive.

"Did you leave a black rose on my bed last night?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Did you paint it or something?"

"Does it smell like paint?"

"No, but I've never seen a black rose before. Or heard of one. Tell me, where did you get it from?"

"I plucked it from a small garden close to my house."

"Woah! You have a house with a garden? That is so cool." Her eyes shine in excitement. "What does your house look like?"

I saw this coming. Hera and her extraordinary questions. She is definitely not going to stop until she knows every detail about me. If only she understands how much she is endangering herself by doing so.

"My house looks… like my house. A regular average American house." I reply, courtly.

"I know it's a house. Duh. My question is, what does it look like?"

"Want to see what it looks like?"

She smiles. "Of course."

"What's the time?"

She looks at her wrist watch. "7am."

"Do you wanna go now? Or some other day?"

"Hell, yeah. I want to go now. Besides, we're a little too early for school."

I smile a little. "Seems like you love breaking the rules a lot. Don't you? Good girl gone bad."

"Look who's talking. You're the one taking me places at the wrong time."

"And you keep following me because you like breaking the rules. You're even suggesting we do so right now."

She rolls her eyes. "If not for you, I would have been in school by now"

"Then let's head to school."

She frowns. "Fine! Take me directly to school then."

"That's exactly what I'm doing. Taking you directly to school"

"Yeah, because that's what you should do. Take me to school,"

"Of course, I am taking you to school. And I won't take you anywhere ever again." I say this cause I want her to realize her mistake and apologize but she dies the opposite.

"Fine. I was enjoying life before you showed up anyway."

The rest of our ride to school is silent. We reach the school gate and I park my car in the parking lot and we both head for class.

She keeps a silent treatment with me throughout school. I begin to feel guilty for being a little harsh earlier.

During PE class, we are asked to form a large circle and I am surprised that Hera and I hold hands. Guess this is destiny at play.

She immediately let go of my hand. "Coach!" She calls out.

"What is it?" He questions.

"Can I switch positions with Makayla? Please?"

"No." His reply is firm. "Now, get back to your line." He blows into his loud whistle.

She gets back in line and holds my hand, fuming and sending me glares. I smile to myself at how cute her angry face looks.

Soon, the weather turns cloudy and PE activities get interrupted by the rain. The air is windy along with the rain.

"Back to your class everyone!" The coach orders and everyone, including Hera runs back into the school. I hold her hand to help her run faster but she snaps her hand away.

"Hey! Let go."

"I'm sorry for what I said earlier in the car!" I yell, because the wind is very loud and could blur my words.

"What?" she yells back.

"I'm sorry for what I said earlier in the car!"

The wind blows across her face and she covers her face with her hands. "What? I can't hear you!"

I could swear she heard what I said. "I said I'm sorry."

She smiles "Yeah. That's much better."

"Since we're not going to be having any lessons until the next two hours, I just thought I should show you something!"

"It's raining. Do you think it's safe?"

"No. But you'll always be safe with me!"