Chapter 9: Mixed feelings

"Señorito what are you doing here?"

"I'm waking her up!"

"A-ah! Why?"

"I need her"

"What's that señorito? I can do it for you."

"Sorry, can you please wake her up? I'll be back."

"Ok señorito"

Aahhh! So Erika will wake me up? I'll make it hard for her then.

I hear the room bell.

"Witch! Wake up! NOW!"

She's yelling at her remote like a microphone connected to the speaker inside my room. It's used to
inform someone especially inside the room but we have another remote like phone to contact the
guards if there's emergency.

"Witch! I'll kill you if you won't wake up!" She yell again.

"That's your way of waking her up? Erika?" That's a cold voice, it's the savage Raze. You're dead Erika.

"Chump! I'll leave you if you won't wake up!" ok! that made me scared. I don't want to lose another
opportunity.

"S-señorito?" it's Erika's curious voice like asking 'are you going out with her?'



Then I walk and smile widely as I open the door.

"Good morning Raze. Oh? Erika? You're here?" I act like I wasn't aware that she's around.

"Señorito! She's calling you Raze! Where's the respect of that girl!" annoyance were on her face while I
smile more to irritate her.

"You can leave now Erika" he commanded and suddenly pull my arms.

"Raze! What are you doing?" I asked.

"Prepare yourself at my room!" he answer right away.

"Señorito? a-at your room?" I hear Erika's complaining voice, we never noticed that she was still there.
He ignore that woman while my eyes were pierced into his hands holding my wrist, he's on hurry.

Hmm, I bet he's just excited to be with me. Imaginations.

I was panting until we reach his room.

It's a dark room with LED lights on the edges that make his room more attractive.

"Alexa, please turn on the lights"

Wooaahh! that's amazing.

"I HATE YOU!" I'm mad!

"Why?" he raise his left brow.

"Don't you know that I clean this room yesterday using my phones flashlight because the light from that
window isn't enough? Hell you! Don't you know that I was tired finding the switch?" That was insane.



He's just looking at me like 'Seriously? You did that?' until his sweet laugh echoed at his huge room
that made my irritation vanished.

"Chump! Chump really suits you incase you didn't know" he said and slightly scratch his nape.

"Chump really suits you in case you didn't know!" I mocked and roll my eyes.

He chirpy wag his head, is he happy? Or it's disappointment?

I don't care anyway.

He has a huge room and there's a fabulous king sized bed near the window, a sitting are with a huge
TV in front of it. There's a mini kitchen and he has his own fridge here too.

His mini office were cool as him and he has that pretty wide walk in closet that looks like a clothes store
in the mall.

"Why do I need to prepare myself here?" I awkwardly ask ignoring my crazy thoughts.

"You're going to cosplay one of the games character. Here, use this bath essentials in case you already
use yours."

He explain and hand me a paper bag.

"Did you plan this already?" I asked

"No! I just remember it earlier and asked my secretary to rush into my mall and get your stuff."

"Yiee! You planned it! Don't deny! " I teased but as always his deadly stare made me stop.

"A-ahem! I'lltake a bath at my room and I'll be back after the shower. Anyway, thanks for these." I said
and raise the paper bag a bit. He was just staring at me like he did not listen.



"Can I?" I added

"Just go!"

"What's wrong with you? You're a snob again! " I roll my eyes and leave.

"What's wrong with you?" Erika grab the paper bag and check it out.

"Tell me that there's nothing between you and señorito!" she yell, her eyes were teary.

She really love Raze? Is she jealous?

"There's nothing bet---"

"Give it back to her!" It's a cold voice with authority from behind.

Erika froze and slowly hand me the paper bag and run away.

She run away not because she was shame but because she's crying.

"Thanks but you scare her" I said and start to move my feet.

"Why I see a different person? You're not who you are at our first met. " he said that made me look
back.

"Likewise, you're so kind and nice but it can't change the fact that you're cold and emotionless
sometimes. " I smile as I say those words.

"Prepare yourself now, hurry up because your make up artist will be here. " Oh? I was shocked. Do I
need a make up artist?

"Make up artist? Ok- Byeeee~" I said and run inside.



Kyaaah! Make up artist! I'm excited to cosplay, it's my first time. Uwooo!

Raze you're really a blessing.

I'm done taking a bath after 20 minutes, I'm just so excited.

Raze was wearing plain signature white v-neck t-shirt, he also wear black leather jacket, faded jeans
and white shoes. That's pretty unusual.

"Can you please move a little faster?" I don't know if he was mad but he look like annoyed.

"I'm sorry, do you expect me to take a bath for 10 minutes?"

"well, less than that! " he answer while looking at his phone.

"Duh! I'm not a boy!"

"Your make up artist was waiting at the studio, go there first."

"I want to push the time to night time." I coldly whisper while looking at the ceiling.

"Because your mood change during day time. Why is that? " I continue after realizing that she's just
listening.

"Well, nevermind" I added and walk next door.

"Oh? Hi beautiful, it must be you? I'm Steven but I prefer you to call me Stella." he said and giggle like
a kid.

He's handsome but unfortunately this handsome is a gay.

"Hi Ms. Stella and they are?" I asked him while looking at the girls.



"Owh! She's Annie and she's Suzette" he introduced before I offer them a handshake.

"Ahem!" Steven's about to kiss my cheeks when that voice interrupted.

"Good morning señorito" It's Stella who act more girly and I saw the girls who smile genuinely after
seeing Raze. Aish! That handsome cold billionaire.

I sat at the high chair in front of the ring light and a wide mirror.

Annie's fixing my hair while Stella was doing my make up, Suzette were assigned to help me for the
costume and to assist Stella in doing my make up while Raze drop a comment sometimes.

"Raze this costume is pretty heavy! Damn!" I complain while wearing the armor at my back!

"You can't fit inside my car if you're going to wear that already. Stella, please bring that with you. You
guys will assist her until the end of the cosplay." he commanded and go out first.

I bring extra clothes and shoes so I can change right after the cosplay.

While walking downstairs I saw Erika holding a vacuum with Rina and Teresa.

If their look can kill maybe I'm dead right now.

"Ms. Celo we'll go first!" Stella wave and head first.

"Sure, see you later." I reply

It's hard to walk since I cosplay a warrior.

I cosplay Zariña of "The last warrior" video game who wear gray metal suit with a huge sword at the
back and holding a cool huge gun, I don't know what it called bro.



For shoes, it's a hidden heels and looks like a shoes with a wheels.

It's pretty amazing that made me look so different.

"Why it's always you? A newbie like you?" This time she's not yelling because she's sounds more on
like begging.

"I can't answer that too but one thing I'm sure of! I'm not flirting with your señorito. I'm not flirting Raze."
I answer and continue walking like normal and I saw Raze walking towards me like I really take too
long so he have to fetch me.

"You can handle it?" he ask while worried carved in his voice.

"I can! this is my first time so I'll go for it" I answer proudly while smiling to convince him that I'm not
lying.

"Just tell me if you're tired." he added

"Stick with this mood, I won't be tired" I smile widely, I appreciate everything he did. I don't know but he
made me happy.

He was holding my metal hands until we reach his car.

Wow! He's going to use a new car, this one is different than the car he used at the day that made me
hate him.

We're going to use his Bugatti Chiron. Damn! This is my first time riding in a luxurious car.

I'm always amazed, no wonder because I'm with a handsome billionaire.

"I thought you're going to use your motorbike because of your outfit!"



"Tsk!" Boom! he's not on his right state?

After that he was seriously driving so I manage to have a little conversation with my sister.

I was very excited to to tell them about today and luckily Stacey manage to reply since she's on the
way to school.

"Raze?" I call him.

"Hmm?"

"I forget to eat! I'm hungry." I complain

"Here! You can't eat more than that or drink water too much because it's hard to bare your costume" he
remind formally.

Well, yeah! It's hard to pee at this costume.

I pout and grab the paper bag, a bacon lettuce tomato sandwich and yakult was there.

"Sandwich?" aahh! my stomach's really grumbling hard.

"Wait until 9:00 am! You can eat more than that." aish! he answer while looking at the road.

"Good thing! I thought you will kill me" I respond and laugh.

"Crazy!" he utter like he lost his string of patience.

"Hello?" he answer a phone call and since it's connected to his car, I hear it.

"Sir everything here were all set!" a notification from the other line.

"Okay Tyron, we're almost there" he reply and turn off the line.



"Who's he?" I asked

"My secretary!"

"SECRETARY? Y-you mean the one who get me some bath essentials?" ahh! This man make my
blood boil.

"Yeah!"

"Is he a gay?" I assure

"Of course not!"

Heck! really? That Tyron guy is a man and he even add a sanitary napkin. Did Raze told him to get
some of these too?

Damn him! I never thought that his secretary is a man! I can't really moved on.

I was shut in silence until we reach Texno.

As we arrived, someone get the key to park his car and at the entrance I saw Suzette.

She's waving her hand so I wave back and smile.

"Calling everyone's attention, the boss just arrived. To all cosplayers please proceed to room 10" I hear
that from the speaker, I guess.

That announcement were loud.

There's a group of photographers that welcome us as well as the group of media.



I and Suzette continue walking while Raze got stucked between taking photos or answering the
media's interrogation.

We reach room 10 and there's a lot of cosplayers but mostly were boys or just a boy character, who
knows.

"Excuse me! Excuse me!" the crowd give him a space as they hear his voice. He catch everyone's
attention but he just walk like nothing.

I can tell that everyone's talking about him through their stare and different smile.

Looking at him gives me butterflies and shiver thought I'm wearing a thick cloth and it's a bit hot, I don't
know why so I just look away while Suzette and Annie was fixing my armor at the back while Stella's
doing the retouch and fixing my hair.

"Lorence!" he call that make my heart race. Aish!

Palpitations? I guess not, I didn't drink coffee tho.

"O-oh? w-what?" oh men! I stuttered again.

"Here, memorize this line and have a break with this chocolates. Good luck!" he hand me a blue sticky
note, dairy milk and tobleron while he leave without hearing my response. Damn him!

"Yieeee!" I hear Stella's teasing voice while the others start their murmurings.

I just make face and look at paper. Aish! I can't focus.

"Sis can you accompany me at the cr?" I asked Suzette.

"Sure" she smile and nod.



At the powder room I try to focus and memorize, as if I can.

I snap my forehead and I saw my annoyed face at the mirror.

Raze's image was in my mind that bothers me too much so I take a break like what he said. I share my
chocolates with Suzette that made her happy since it's from Raze, she said!

"Calling for all cosplayers please fall in line, the introduction will start after 10 minutes." I heard the
announcement so we hurriedly go back.

Someone stick a number at my left wrist. Number 10, my favorite.

"Good luck Lorence, first place will receive 50k" Stella cheer me up but that's more like notifying
because that boost my energy up.

I saw Raze talking with some staffs like arranging something at the center.

This room is like a wide Studio, there's a red carpet and seats were perfectly arranged. I'm a bit
nervous but after seeing the girls and Stella made my heartbeat relax a bit.

I release a deep breath and think about the line I memorized earlier.

I can do this! For the price and for Raze, to make him proud.

My eyes suddenly turn into a heart shape as I and Raze's eyes met. He suddenly thumbs up like
asking if I'm alright so I show him a thumbs down but as he show me his weapon, his deadly stare
made me show him a thumbs up and I smile widely.

He already cheer me up, his presence is enough.

I might be crazy but I'm happy everytime I see him, honestly.



"Miss!" a man

"Yes?" I reply

"I'm Hance" he said and smile

"Hi, I'm Lorence"

"Lorence? What a cool name, Zariña suits you. Anyway, good luck."

"Wow, thanks! You looks great with your cosplay too and good luck." I responded

"Hope we can talk after this" he said and turn away.

The emcee draw near at your direction and give us some instructions.

"Just follow the numbers on the floor later for our cosplay show, good luck" she said nicely and smile
before she leave.

"Okey! First we're going to have a cosplay show but first let's start our event with a prayer that to be
lead by the head of this event, Mr. Albert Del Rio"

After the prayer there's a welcoming addressed from the CEO, Mr. my loves Pryce Raze Coleman that
made listen the whole speech.

We show our pretentious walk but at least I do it like I'm the best though I'm a bit nervous.

The introduction starts in ascending order. Aish!

My heart thump like crazy, it's almost me.



"OMG! Looks who's here! It's Zariña, guess what she's the favorite hero of our CEO since he do her by
himself.

Everyone kick-up because of surprise, I too.

That fact made me curious, why he made me cosplay? I'm his favorite too? Hays! A perfect illusion.

I smile as I walk since Zariña was his favorite hero so I have to do my best and try not to disappoint
him.

"Your love is just a word, faded by my power,

Slashed by my sword, affected by my bullets!

I'm your LAST WARRIOR! Zariña from the land of Zarapanta, gonna save your kingdom and people.
TORCH! light the way and I'll kill all of our enemy (insert evil laugh)"

Then after, the loud applause warms my heart like I won, after all I'ma good portrayer since I might be
an actress if I did not go on the left way.

After the introduction we show our last walk and to be judged again.

"Congratulations!" I don't know them, employee of the company I guess.

There's a picture taking and I had my first picture with Raze or Zariña and him.

"Congrats" he whisper that made me smile even more.

"Thanks my creator" I answer like I'm Zariña.

"Crazy Chump!" he whisper again.



"Shit! Move!"

"BOOM! Yeeess!"

"Aaaaah! fight! fight! Fiigggghhhtttt!"

"Yes! Yahoooo! Kill it! Kill it!" yes! I'm that loud woman who's playing the game called THE ZOMBIE
AND TOWER HUNT.

"yes! I won!" I shout out of happiness.

Another earned points! Yes, I have 5,000 because of winning the game.

"number 10 win the game" they announced.

"3 and 7 also win the game" I smile at number 3 and he smile back.

"Hey! congrats" he approached.

"Thanks, you too" I responded.

He sat at the vacant seat next to me and talk to me and ask for my name then he start to talk about the
game, maybe just to have a conversation.

He call me cool just because I wear a gray dress with my white shoes again.

After a while the game ends and there's 10 winners including me, I was in terrible surprise when the
announcer said that we have to say something live about the game, well it's kinda fun and thrilling
game.

"Lorence we have to go now, congrats" it's Stella.



He said that they have something to do.

"Ok, bye! thanks girls" I said and gave them a hug.

"You're pretty welcome, don't forget to DM me at IG, @STELLAabyou to follow. Babush!" he wave
good bye after that.

"Sure"

"Don't forget to follow us too, bye" Annie wave her hand and continue to go.

I'm really happy that I experienced this and that's because of Raze, speaking of him... where is he?

The event ends but I didn't see him, aish! Where did he go?

I waited in the lobby and I was that sleepy until...

"Chump!" a voice that made me fully awake.

"Aish! Finally" I said in low voice.

"Where did you go?" I asked, he's now wearing his business suit that made him look so bold, hot but
kinda cool also.

"I had a meeting, let's go" he act weird and walks first.

"What's wrong?" I asked and trying to catch up on him since he's tall and had his giant steps. Damn!

"Just don't ask" he fired back so I shut up.

He's cold, I don't know why.

On the way his brows were crossed and I'm scared to ask if what's the matter again.



After 10 minutes we arrived at the restaurant.

"Good morning sir, welcome to Varix House, can I help you?" the waitress welcomed us with her nice
approach.

"Can we have a table for two please" Raze respond formally

"Please come this way please" the waitress replied and lead the way suddenly Raze grab my hand and
he just let it go when I already walk beside him.

Shoot! that move made my heartbeat and the cause of warm on my face.

We take the seat near the window and it's refreshing, the place is kinda romantic and mostly who eats
here were couple.

"What do you want chump?" hearing chump sounds different, I feel like it's the sweetest word I ever
heard. Damn!

"Just chicken salad" I answer

Minute later....

"Are you both ready to order now?"

"Yes, we are .Can we have the Sunday Roast with vegetables and chicken salad please"

"Would you like anything to drink with your meal?" the waitress asked again

"What do you want? " Raze asked me while I'm still looking at the menu book.

"A-ahm! Can I have mocha cashew butter?"



"Are you sure?" he asked me like 'Really? '

I never experienced being at this kind of restaurant.

There's nothing like this in the province.

"Just give us 2 glasses of white wine and a mocha cashew butter"

The waitress repeat the order and after that, she left.

"Ahmm, ah! nevermind" I don't really know what to say, he's kinda intimidating, his aura did.

I open my phone and search an application but I can't find a good one so instead I just grab a tissue
and a pen.

I carefully draw a sad emoji and show it to him.

He just look at it. He seems like he don't care.

I grab another tissue and draw a smiling face and show it to him while I wear my smile too.

"You look much cooler when you smile" I utter.

"Even without a reason? " he said like he was really bored.

"Then as if it's because I'm in front of you and because I'm beautiful" I joke an show him a peace sign
after a chuckle.

I'm still trying to understand him and to know him.

He did just stare at me and ignore me after.

He face his phone and I don't know what he's doing, so I.



His actions give me so much displeasure and I hate that feeling because I know that I'm not that
important... but his actions just make me feel this way.

That change my mood, suddenly, the smile fades and I literally felt sad.

He was very busy facing his phone, maybe he just bring me here because he promised about the food
after the cosplay,so, he was just constrained?

I sigh, I hate my thoughts for thinking something that I supposed not to. I hate my heart for feeling
something I must not to.

He look at me, his eyes were interrogative.

"Ahm, I'm going to the powder room!" I saith and excuse myself.

"Waiter! Where's the powder room? " I asked then she show me the way.

"Thanks" I smile before going away.

At the powder room I was simply looking at my reflection.

His actions give me so much displeasure and | hate that feeling because | know that I'm not that
important... but his actions just make me feel this way.

That change my mood, suddenly, the smile fades and | literally felt sad.

He was very busy facing his phone, maybe he just bring me here because he promised about the food
after the cosplay,so, he was just constrained?

| sigh, | hate my thoughts for thinking something that | supposed not to. | hate my heart for feeling
something | must not to.

He look at me, his eyes were interrogative.

"Ahm, I'm going to the powder room!" | saith and excuse myself.

"Waiter! Where's the powder room? " | asked then she show me the way.
"Thanks" | smile before going away.

At the powder room | was simply looking at my reflection.



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