"If you are sure about that, then be my tutor. Except you're scared of catching feelings." I said teasing her. I know that it will now be hard for her to decline, now that she's caught between a rock and a hard place.

  "Hmmm, ain't you just cunning. If I say NO to tutoring you, then you'll say that I'm scared of catching feelings for you. And if I say YES, then you've gotten what you wished for to start with.

  So, no matter the option I pick, you'll still win because it's a win-win for you."

  "You can see it that way but still what is it going to be? Will you be my private tutor or are you scared of feelings returning?"

  She looked at me for a while before walking back to Mr Chang. She talked to him for a while before turning around, walking towards me.

  "I'll get you your schedule tomorrow" she said as she walked passed me without stopping first.

  Well, I'm just so excited. Freen and I will finally have something to bring us together from time to time.

  Why didn't I think about this from the start? I love private tutors and my private tutor is the best.

  .

  37

  BECKY'S POV

  The next day, she brought me the schedule. Our lessons would be for two hours, from 4pm to 6pm. And although two hours was a long time to study, it wasn't enough time to spend with Freen.

  "Why don't we make it 3 hours? From 4pm to 7pm." I asked knowing fully well that she won't agree. But well, it doesn't hurt to try.

  "Don't push it Becky, we both know you can't study for two hours straight. In fact, we both know that you don't want me to tutor you. Your objectives are not yet clear to me but I'll find out soon.

  Anyways, our session will be three times in a week. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We'll meet in this lecture hall after..."

  She stopped when she saw my face of disgust.

  "Fine, where would you like us to meet? The library?" I didn't say anything but my facial expression remained the same.

  "Let me guess! You want us to do it at your house." She rolled her eyes seeing the big grin on my face as she finally spoke my mind.

  "Fine! Let's do it at your place then"

  "Do what at my place?" I asked teasing her.

  "Are you seriously trying to talk dirty with me right now?" She said trying to put on an angry face but she failed as I could see a smile been held back.

  *****************************

  She gave me the schedule on Tuesday and on Wednesday, she came over during the evening for our private tutoring session.

  I was so excited to have her over. I had prepared snacks waiting anxiously for her.

  I had many guesses on how this study session would go. My plan at the end of this day's session, is to make her stop hating me. Even though we can't get back what we had, I don't want her to hate me.

  But my entire plan backfired. She came and she was all business. No smiling, no jokes. She just brought out her textbook and it was just study! study!! study!!!

  And the more I tried to change the topic, the more I got her angry. At the end, she stormed out of the house since I wasn't "ready to learn" according to her.

  *****************************

  This went on for over a week. It was evident that the only relationship Freen wants to have with me is that of tutor and student.

  She came in on Wednesday and immediately brought out the textbook without saying anything else.

  "You're doing everything possible to remain professional with me, huh?" I asked trying to start up a conversation

  "Are you scared that if you let your guard down, you'll fall for me?" I teased

  "Becky? Believe me, that will never happen. Didn't I get shot because of you? And yet you're still talking about me falling for you?

  If you really cared about me, you should have kept your distance from me, so that whatever happened before, doesn't repeat itself.

  But here you are, trying to make me fall for you again. Insisting that I feel something for you.

  To be honest Becky, I don't know if I really, voluntarily enter into a relationship with you in the past, but I'm very sure that you didn't care about me then or now. And that is why you're coming close to me again so that your father will just finish me off this time."

  She said before turning to the textbook in front of her.

  I was silent after her speech. And I felt really guilty. She's right. I promised to keep my distance from Freen to prevent any harm from coming to her ever again but I'm breaking that promise.

  Just like a recap, I remembered the day she got shot. How I never knew my father was on campus. He must have someone spying on me.

  And that person could still be doing same even right now. And I'm still pushing for Freen to be close to me.

  This is just pure selfishness. I should be protecting her not desiring her.

  I felt disappointed in myself. I almost let out a tear but swallowed it.

  "Leave now" I commanded in a serious tone

  "What?"

  "Freen, leave my house right now!!!" I yelled as my bodyguard saw her out of the house. I need to keep Freen as far away from me as possible. And I need to end our tutoring sessions.

  ***************************

  The next day, I told professor Chang about wanting to end the contract with Freen. He wanted reasons but I just walked away.

  I guess he told Freen about it that same day because after the day's classes, she came to see me. Storming into my house

  "Are you serious? Did you really cancel our sessions?

  What about my payment? Becky, I've been tutoring you for over a week now, I need to be paid.

  Also, I turned down other offers that would have lasted longer and invariably giving me more money because of you. So... What do you want me to do now that you just woke up and cancelled the contract?"

  Ijust ignored her and brought out my phone. "How much is the payment?" I asked without a reply from her.

  Money is not my problem and I'll pay a million if that's what she wants. But she wasn't saying anything.

  "Fine, I'm sure $10,000 is enough. Infact, let's make it $100,000."

  I quickly transfered $100,000 which was more than the tutorial fee, to Freen's account which I already had. "There, sent to your account." I said as she received the credit alert notification on her phone.

  "Now can you leave?" I said but she just stood there gazing at me.

  "See Miss Sarocha out" I instructed my bodyguard before going upstairs.

  ***************************

  Freen didn't come around anymore and we pretended not to know each other or notice each other's presence in class.

  But a week later, she came over to the house again. Why is she making it difficult for me to avoid her? How does she expect me not to desire her, when she's always right there?

  "What are you doing here?" I asked rolling my eyes in frustration

  But she kept her calm and said sarcastically "What do you think. It's 4:15pm on a Wednesday. We have studies right now."

  "I have no need for your services anymore. I have made that clear to you, haven't I?"

  "Yeah, you did say that but you paid for an entire semester of tutoring, so I have to tutor you for the entire semester." She teased

  "Freen, come on, don't play games with me. I paid you fully because you complained about the losses you've incurred for my sake.

  But I no longer need you to be my private tutor so you should leave right now."

  "But Why?" She asked becoming more serious

  "Why? What do you mean, why? I have no need for your services so leave... ___Please Freen, just fucking leave okay? I don't need you around me" I said pushing her to leave but she stood firm.

  "You asked me to tutor you. You've always been on my neck and suddenly, you just stopped? Why? Why are you now pushing me away after working so hard to bring me closer t.."

  "You were right okay? You were right about what you said last week. You got hurt because of me. HELL!! You almost died because of me. And I could prevent it from ever happening again if I just stay away from you but instead of doing that, I'm pulling you unto myself.

  That's really selfish and I'm sorry. I do care about you Freen and so staying away from you is exactly what I'm going to do.

  I swore it the day you woke up from your coma and lost your memory of US. It was the universe telling me to stay away and I promised to stay away.

  And YES, I've been breaking that promise but you reminded me. And now, I'll do everything possible to keep my distance until I'm strong enough to protect you from THE DRAGON'S HEAD.

  Freen it's hard to be close to you and still ignore you. I know you don't remember anything but my stupid heart still loves and craves for you.

  And though I've been acting foolish and giving into my desires to have you by my side, I'll try to say "NO" to my heart. But that won't be possible, if you remain my tutor so please just leave me alone Freen, I'm begging you"

  38

  FREEN'S POV

  "Did she really mean that?" I thought to myself.

  For as long as I have known Becky, she has never put anyone before herself. She's a selfish person that gets whatever she wants regardless of who gets hurt in the process.

  But now? now she's telling me this? She's telling me to leave because even though she wants me, my safety matters more to her than her desires.

  Is this really Becky talking? I mean the person looks like Becky but those words ain't from her. It's not possible. Is it?

  •••

  I didn't say anything, but I felt for her. It's a win-lose situation for us either way. If I leave, she gets hurt and if I stay, I get hurt.

  I thought of a compromise So that we both get what we want and still not get hurt.

  I just stood there thinking without saying a word. But I needed to say something, anything to comfort her. And then it dawned on me.

  "It's true that I will be in danger if I tutor you in your home but if we do it in the library, where everyone can see us and knows that we're just learning, I don't think your father will want to kill me." I finally found the words to say.

  "You don't know him as well as I do Freen, he'll hurt you."

  "Seriously? For tutoring you?" Isaid jokingly, trying to reduce the tensity of the atmosphere

  "Not exactly because of that, but he might hurt you." She said looking at the floor

  "MIGHT" which means he also "MIGHT NOT" right?"

  "Yeah but..."

  "I can work with that." I said cutting her short

  "I don't think your father would hurt me for tutoring you. We're not doing anything wrong and we're learning in a public library, so we're safe." I continued explaining to her but she remained adamant.

  "I don't want you to tutor me Freen. I can't risk you life on a probability. Please just leave and let me be." She said turning around to walk away

  "I can't okay?

  I can't live on, knowing that I got paid for a service that I didn't render so... WE'RE DOING IT!!!" I commanded, making her turn around again. Of course it wasn't about the pay but I couldn't think of any other excuse at that moment.

  "Let's just change the venue of meeting to the library. That way, I'll be around you, helping you with your studies and still not be in danger." I paused for a while and just stared at her whilst she bowed her head down as she continually stamp her feet and stroke her hair nervously. She was scared for me and it was evident.

  The air was too intense, so I continued to tease her, so that she'll be more calm.

  "Come on Becky, don't be like that, cheer up. Nothing is going to happen. We're not doing anything wrong, we we're just studying.

  But I must confess, I never knew you had this side to you. Now I'm beginning to see what I must have seen in you before, that made me date you."

  She scoffed as she raised her head, looking directly into my eyes.

  "I guess what they say is true, Becky Lawd, You Are More Than Meets The Eye" I said giving her a slight bump on her shoulder, before turning around to leave.

  "I don't want to see you ever again" she joked

  "We both know that's a lie. You crave for me. You desire me. I bet you dream about me" I teased her making a mocking face while walking out the door, as she laughs.

  "Oh! Before I forget, we have classes on Friday in the library so meet me there." I said finally walking out the door. I smiled at her which made her let out a shy chuckle.

  I was relieved to see her smile. I really did upset her and I felt sad about it.

  For the first time, I saw it in her eyes that we really were a couple. And I mean, a couple by love. Not a couple forged by forced or by a blackmail.

  I saw the possibility that I could have really dated the tyrant, BECKY LAWD in the past and accepted her wholly.

  I could only imagine how she must feel about the foul words that comes out of my mouth. She must be really sad and upset because I once loved her and said the sweetest of words to her but now, all I feel for her is pure hatred.

  I don't remember our relationship but I couldn't help but feel sad for her. I know that I must have showered and pampered her with love.

  I would do anything for my girlfriend and I must have gone the extra mile just to make her happy.

  But now, that is all gone. We didn't have a fight, we didn't breakup or travel across the world from each other.

  I just left her in the most cruel way ever. I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT HER, like literally.

  I can't remember our relationship and the precious memories we shared even while she's standing in front of her.

  It must be really hard for her, remembering our love and seeing her lover not feel that deep connection anymore.

  Although she's the one hurting, I can't help but feel sad also.

  When I got home, I couldn't shake this feeling off me. I was puzzled and restless.

  Why did I feel pity for Becky? Why was I sad because she was sad? I mean, This is Becky Lawd, my nemesis.I should be happy that she's sad but I felt the opposite.

  It wasn't just that, I wanted to hug her and tell her that everything's gonna be alright.

  But it wasn't just a feeling. It was more like a memory.I've done it before, I've said those words to her before and I wanted to do it and say it again.

  I contemplated on it for a while but I couldn't quite understand my brain, so I just brushed the thought off and continued with my life.

  *****************************

  On Friday, I was in the library waiting for Becky but she didn't show up.

  It was already 5:15pm and I had already given up hope that she'll come.

  I was already packing up to head home;

  "Leaving so soon?" A familiar voice said from behind which immediately made me smile.

  "You're late Becky" I replied without turning around. She came in front of me and sat down and just stared at me.

  "Now when you look at me like that, your father will most definitely kill me" I said jokingly. Which made her laugh.

  "Shall we begin?

  "Sure" she said and the lesson started.

  She's amazing, funny and intelligent. Three qualities that I would never dream of attributing to BECKY LAWD.

  Our classes went on and as the days passed, we drew closer to each other. Not what you're thinking. We're just friends.

  The hatred I had for her was totally subdued by my discovery of how nice, smart and caring Becky is.

  Becky's really smart. She easily understood the lessons which just proves more that she doesn't really need a tutor but I was getting too attached to her already.

  Her alertness of her surrounding, connections in campus and street smartness finally made me believe the stories of how she protected my father and I from THE DRAGON HEAD.

  How she took down the PAWA syndicate and also secured THE CORNELL OFFSHORE COMPANY contract for her father.

  She's really great and being in her company is time well spent

  *****************************

  As time went by, she invited me to parties and other outing and soon, rumours spread that we were a couple again.

  And this scared Becky. If her father gets to hear about this, according to her, he'll kill me. So we shut down those rumours as quickly as possible.

  But even when the rumours faded, Becky was still afraid of what her father might do to me so she started keeping her distance from me.

  And during our sessions, she just concentrated on learning, and learning alone.

  When I tried changing the topic, she'll tell me to concentrate on tutoring her, as that's what she paid me for.

  She became more emotionless and professional in her dealings with me. Sometimes, she answers questions without me even teaching her just so we can be done with the day's session.

  And no matter how hard I tried to be a friend, she's just all about study! Study!! Study!!!

  Reminding me of when we start our tutoring sessions. She was the one trying to be a friend and I wanted to just stick with being professional but now, it's the other way round.

  39

  BECKY'S POV

  This is what I've been so afraid of. Rumours are sprouting about Freen and I becoming a couple again. What if my father hears about this? Freen will most definitely be in trouble.

  I know that these stories are just rumours but my father might go literal with these rumours. I still don't know who is spying on me, so I need to be careful.

  I've explained to everyone that Freen and I are just friends. And although some students believed this, other just don't believe it, claiming that it impossible for exes to remain good friends.