CHAPTER 26: Marker

**AKIHIRO**


“She lost her memories.” Hades told me as he entered our quarters. He was followed by Niklaus who sat beside me, grabbing the glass of blood.

“We actually went to see her for the audition today and she doesn't seem to know what we are talking about and she treated us like a stranger." Niko explained to me while I continued listening to them.

I sipped the blood and stared at the window. The sky is clear. I imagined Alicia's bright face. I haven't seen her since last night, but it felt like a thousand years. Damn! Why is she doing this to me?

"Aside from that, she doesn't seem to know about you as a vampire." Hades added. "In an instant, she lost all her memories about her. I am not sure what your grandfather did to her, but it seems to be working."

"Are you sure she is not faking it?" I clarified. "She could be faking it so that my grandfather will not kill her."

"I don't think so. She needs to be very good in acting in order to do that. I tried compelling her and she even told me what the color of her underwear is!" Niko laughed.

I immediately glared at him, showing my crimson eyes and was about to punch him when he covered his hands on his face.

"Are you kidding me?" I raised my voice.

"Dude, calm down. I just tried compelling her if it would work and it did. You should be thankful because we made sure that she is not faking it. We just asked her a couple of questions like what she wants and sort…but don't worry, we didn't ask her secrets. You can do it for yourself."

“Don’t try to compel her again.” I warned both of them. “Tell all of them not to harm her in any way or else—” I paused when I realized I am losing my control again because of Alicia. I cannot believe she is the only one capable of doing this to me.

“Okay, chill. This is the reason why your grandfather wants to kill her because she is affecting you that much.” Hades scoffed. “You should try to control yourself whenever she is the topic. Anyway, she told me her deepest desire as of the moment.”

I looked at Hades as he was trying to tease me. I didn’t say a thing until he sighed. “Fine, I will tell you without asking for a refund.”

I stood up, getting impatient, though I also want to know what’s her deepest desire as of the moment. I pretended I was not interested at all as I walked to the door.

Hades said, “It’s actually to see you.”

“What?” I creased my brow. I would lie if I told my heart not to skip a beat because of that. “Are you fooling me?”

“It’s true. I heard it, too. And, she didn’t even blink until I let go of her. So, I am sure she was compelled. After saying that, she immediately ran from us…and was really shy.” Hades explained. “That’s when we knew that she wasn't faking it. She might be part of your club, but no one can do the act well if she’s also scared of vampires. She doesn’t seem scared at all.”

I didn’t say a thing and immediately went out to find Alicia. A lot of night classes were scattered around the area since each club was busy with their booths and preparing for the upcoming festivals.

“Hi, Akihiro!” The girl giggled as she waved her hand to me.

I ignored her and remained cold while I walked to our booth. I couldn’t calm myself, especially my heart. I want to confirm something before I jump into conclusion.

“Where’s Alicia?” I asked Stephanie as she was filling some forms.

“She’s preparing the stage in our club room for the audition later. Will you be there—” I didn’t let her finish as I ran towards the club room. The rest of the members are helping her and they stopped upon seeing me.

He ignored me and continued what she was doing. I wasn't shocked at all because it’s her usual approach toward me.

“Did you read the script?” I asked her, still she didn’t look at me. “How’s the script? Did you change it?”

“I didn’t. It was perfectly written.” She responded. “All we have to do is to put it on film…and our professor suggested we can also do some play for it. I agreed because that might be a good idea. As president, please check the audition so you can choose the main lead.”

“The main lead can be you.” I suggested.

“You know, I am bad at acting.” She scoffed. “I am best at writing, so don’t ruin my role in this club.” She seriously said that to me.

“I doubt that.” I smiled a little when I saw the changes in her expression. She seems calm, her hands aren’t shaking anymore, and she is standing with confidence now.

“You really read the script and put it in your heart, huh?” I smiled at her now. She stopped from what she was doing and turned to me.

“What do you need, Akihiro?” She’s cute when she starts to be grumpy. “If you will not help us, you better get out now! We are busy!”

“I am the president of this club. You shouldn’t say that to me.”

Our members started looking at us when we started to argue again. They are used to it, so it doesn’t matter anymore. Aside from that, this is a good way of showing to my grandfather that Alicia had forgotten everything about vampires.

“Well, I am the vice president and I have all the right to discipline someone including the president if he is hindering the effect of our project.” She eyed me and immediately walked inside the stockroom where I followed her.

“Why are you following me?” She raised her voice while we were already inside.

I looked at her in a calm manner as I yelled, “Why? Do you own this? I also need to get something. You told me to help you!”

She rolled her eyes as she grabbed a marker on the box. She didn’t say a thing to me, but she started writing on the side of the box.

I smiled when it read, Thank you for saving me.