6

Chapter 6

"Hi, Daphne!"

I stopped walking when the powerpuff girls blocked my path again. But I can tell that something is off. Blossom is smiling at me now and that's not all. He called me by my name.

I didn't want to pay attention to them and just planned to pass, but they didn't really let me pass. I sighed and faced them.

"What again?" I asked.

I was surprised when he smiled sweetly at me but I didn't show my surprise.

"I told you didn't I?" she said sweetly. "That I'll do everything to win? And I did. I beat you. You should learn how to play dirty, Daphne."

I frowned. I don't understand what he is saying. And it seems like she saw my reaction. She faked a gasp.

"You don't know yet?" He pretended to be surprised but I could see the joy in his eyes. "You better go and check the website, Daphne. You'll understand what I'm saying."

They also left me after that. To be honest, I didn't really understand what he said, so instead of paying attention, I just went straight to the cafeteria. Artemis immediately stood up and ran towards me. She looked bothered for some reason.

"Daphne! Are you okay? That must've shocked you, right?" he asked as if he was worried about me. I frowned. He must have seen my confusion so he asked. "You don't know yet?"

"Which?" I asked.

He didn't answer me, instead he pulled me to where he was sitting earlier. He stood next to me and took out his iPad from his bag. He fidgeted for a while before he gave me the iPad. Even though I was confused, I accepted it.

It was already on the university's website so I didn't have any trouble finding what he wanted to show. my whole body got chills when I saw what was posted on the website. I felt that I was running out of breath so I quickly returned her iPad to Daphne.

Tiffany is now the top one in our college and I am now the top two.

I understand that. that's why he reacted like that earlier. She finally defeated me by ranking. And I'm pretty sure that she played dirty.

"Are you okay, Daphne?"

I looked at Artemis. That's his question again. And I can't really control the emotions in my chest. so before I started crying I hurriedly stood up.

"I'm fine, Artemis." I said. I took a sip to get rid of the tremors in my voice. "I already knew about the ranking a while ago. I'm sorry but I have something else to do."

I heard Artemis calling my name when I left her there but I didn't turn around and quickly walked away. I don't care if I bump into some students. All I know is that I'm just walking but I don't know where my feet will take me.

I feel like I'm going crazy with so many thoughts and feelings right now. All my effort was wasted, just like that. 'Cause Tiffany played dirty. She played dirty just to be the top one. I don't know why he wants to beat me. but for me being the top one is very important. Because that way I get respect.

But what now? Tiffany is the top one and many people know that she is not that smart. what will they say if my intelligence is defeated by a woman who has no respect for herself and will do everything to get high grades? Will they still respect me?

I just found myself here in the parking lot of the university. There weren't many people and I could have cried and let out my feelings but I didn't. I always think that you're weak if you let yourself cry. For me, crying is a form of weakness. so even though I've been through a lot, the times I've cried are just a few.

The world is so unfair. I did everything just to be the top one and get respect from others, because my own mother couldn't give me that. so I studied hard despite my problems, just to maintain my top one status but that's how fast you got me. I feel like all my hard work has been wasted. Just because someone knows how to play dirty.

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying. I want to give up. I really don't want to but something is stopping me. There is a part of me that still clings.

If only someone can save me from this hellish life. If only someone will notice how badly I wanted to be saved.

I was stopped by a hand that reached over my arm and pulled me. I didn't immediately get up because of my shock. I just realized that we stopped in front of a Porsche. He opened the passenger seat and let me sit there. I followed him out of my own accord. then he squatted in front of me. One of his hands rested on the backrest of where I was sitting and one of his hands was on one of my knees. He's caging me and I can't escape. I stared at his piercing blue eyes.

It was Apollo.

"I heard what happened." he said. "Are you okay?"

I couldn't speak immediately. There's that question again. And I never thought I would hear that from him.

"Don't answer that. I know you're not okay." he said when I didn't answer his question. I frowned.

"How can you tell?"

"Well..i know how important your reputation is for you. You won't hide a side of you if being top one and being Miss Prim and Proper is not important to you."

I stopped smiling at what he said. For some reason, I am glad that he knows my other side.

"Yeah.it was so important for me. It's funny that you disappeared so quickly. Just because someone played dirty."

I know it's dangerous for me. Because of what I said, Apollo knows more than I do. But I couldn't stop myself from saying that. for once, I want to let it out.

"We can do something about it. You can even regain your top one status." he said and I shook my head.

"No. Not anymore. She played dirty and I can't do that. I only have my brain."

Now he shook his head. "There is still a way to do that. I can do something about it."

"What can you do?" I asked confused. I stopped when he grinned. He looks like he's planning something. Something dangerous.

"Have you already forgotten, Miss Prim and Proper? I'm a Gallagher. I can do whatever I want." he said proudly. "This world is unfair so you should know how to play dirty."

I should know how to play dirty. Tiffany told me the same thing earlier. She played dirty that's why she won. And now, Apollo is saying that too.

"What will you do then?" I asked. because he didn't directly answer my question earlier. I know that he can do everything because he's a Gallagher.

That's why I know that he's a very dangerous man.

"You tell me." he replied still smiling. I frowned. "Use me, Miss Prim and Proper. I'll do whatever you want. use me and I'll be at your disposal."

His offer was tempting. I mean imagine if you can make Apollo Gallagher do things for you. How would that feel? But as I looked into his eyes, I remembered his twin.

"Do you know why Artemis and I became best friends?" I asked. when he didn't speak I continued. "Because she knows I don't use her. She hates users. And I am not a user Apollo."

He chuckled. "Artemis is angry with them because she doesn't know that she is being used. But here I am, Miss Prim and Proper. I'm offering myself to you. and I won't be angry if you use me."

"Why are you doing this?" I will ask. I don't know what to feel. Should I be glad that he's willing to do whatever I want? Or should I be scared 'cause he looks like he's planning something?

He brought his face closer to mine. I couldn't move back because I was leaning back in my chair. I saw him looking at my lips.

"Let's just say that I'm getting bored and I want to play."

I tried to calm my fast heartbeat because of our close bodies. I force myself not to show any emotions on my face.

"What in exchange?" I asked. He smirked like he's been waiting for me to ask that question. I knew it. I know he is doing this for a reason.

"You'll find out soon. Don't worry. It won't taint your reputation. no sex." he said before he chuckled. "So?"

I swallowed. His face is really close now! A little more movement and our lips will really touch. He's been looking at his lips the whole time and I saw the desire in his eyes. It looks like he hasn't forgotten how I approached him one night at the bar.

I put my hands on his chest and forced myself to push him. Even though I could feel his muscular chest, I forced myself to push him. I breathed a sigh of relief when he walked away from me. I cleared my throat.

"I'm not a user."

He didn't seem surprised by what I said. He stared at me for a couple of minutes before he tsked.

"That's a pity." he said but he didn't look like he was sorry. "But if you change your mind, you know where to find me. right, Miss Prim and Proper?"

I nodded. Of course, I know. At the bar where we always go.

I wanted to say yes to his offer. I want to regain my top one status. That's the only thing that keeps me going with my life. and I felt like I had a wing cut off when it was gone.

But when I think of Artemis I recoil. I feel like I'm no different from the people who used him when I accepted Apollo's offer.

But Apollo is willing to let me use him. he even offered me to use him. And I should do everything to be the top one again, right?

"Wait." I stopped Apollo when he was about to stand up. He grinned as if he knew what I was going to say. I didn't pay attention to that. "About your offer, I'm saying yes."

He chuckled. amusement was in his eyes. "You never fail to amuse me, Miss Prim and Proper. So, what do you want me to do? Talk to the Dean of your college?"

It's my turn to smirk now. Tiffany told me to learn how to play dirty. Then I should let her know that I am learning.

"Make me the top one again." I said.

Apollo smirked. He was about to speak when I added what I said.

"And make Tiffany fall in love with you for just a week then dumped her in front of everyone."

Apollo laughed as if there was something funny in what I said. I just stared at him and I realized that I am now looking at another side of him. The cruel and heartless Apollo Gallagher. I saw him smirking again.

"Oh, that's so easy, Miss Prim and Proper."

I smiled at what he said. just now I can imagine Tiffany's face at what Apollo will do. I can't help but feel excited.

Wrong move, Blossom. You never should've said that I should learn how to play dirty. Thanks for the advice, though.