QUEEN
We continue this relationship even though I know, deep down, that it isn’t healthy. Every smile, every shared moment feels like walking on a tightrope, knowing a fall is inevitable. That we both would hurt each other. When people heard about us, I heard some rumors that I was just being used. That Vermont is currently doing this so he could make me suffer.
I brush that rumors off, because I do not care on what they say and I'm somewhat fine with it... If it was true I would not be guilty because we're both using each other.
"I will go now." Vermont said, as he closed his book. I watch him arranged his books. We are both studying today because we both have upcoming long quizzes.
"Take care, mmkay?" I said and leaving a kissed on his cheeks. He smiled, his eyes warm as he nodded. 
"I will." I watch him put his bag on his shoulder and he went to my side like a puppy as he casually put his arms around my waist as I walk him outside the house. "Call me when you got home." I reminded him.
"Yeah, I will." He kissed the top of my head and sweetly smiled at me "Bye." I waved as he got into his car, a small smile tugging at my lips.
"Bye." I replied with a grin on my face. After that incident I didn't see Vermont's friends anymore. I was thinking he might cut ties with them. I hope not.
"I need to go back to Hartville." King said suddenly one evening, his voice cutting through the soft hum of background noise in the room.
"Why?"
"There is a problem in the company." My eyebrows raised and watch him pack his things while Estancia is silently listening to us.
"And Mom did not inform me about this?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"So, you're curious, hm?" I rolled my eyes at him and throw the pillow at his face when I saw his teasing smile. "You still care after all." He laughed, as he held the pillow. “Don’t get all feisty on me.”
"Do you want me to hit you?" I showed him my fist and he chuckled.
"I was just asking if you are curious so chill, Ace will also be there if the problem didn't resolve."
"Oh, so they already trained the two of you, that's good." I said, my tone light but genuine.
"If you want to go maybe you can suggest to Dad after all you were the one who used to help-"
"I don't want to." I said firmly cutting him off and he immediately laughed. "I'm not his successor anymore." I seriously said and his face crumpled.
"What? You're too weird Queen, why still can't forget it?"
"Because I choose not to forget it." I stood and turned my back. I was at his door when he stopped me. 
"Queen."
"What?"
"Nothing, I will probably leave at 8 something." I look at him and I crossed my arms.
"Yeah, take care."
"Sorry."
"I am not mad. I'll go rest now."
"Okay, bye." After eating dinner, I go to my room and I look outside my window and watch King leave. The next day I was doing my assignment when someone knock.
Tok -Tok- Tok
"Ace?"
"Vermont." I immediately stand up and opened my door. Vermont stood there, a broad smile on his face.
"Good Morning!" he said cheerfully.
"Morning." I replied, stepping aside. "What a surprise, what are you doing here?"
"I will deliver the chocolates and flowers, Ma'am." I smiled at him when he gave me the flowers and chocolates.
"Sus, thank you." I opened the door and let him in, he then go to the sofa and sat down. "What's with the flower and chocolate?"
"Nothing special." he said, settling onto the sofa. "I just want to give you gift. And I heard from Ace that you still haven't eaten breakfast. You are not allowed to eat that if you don't eat breakfast."
"I don't have an appetite." I said, sitting beside him.
"You should eat, I bought some food." he insisted.
"Thank you." I said, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness today.
"So, why are you like this?" He gently asked. I shrugged and force a smile.
"Nothing, I just remember something from the past." He tilted his head, studying me for a moment before shaking his head. 
"What a weird one." I couldn't help but laugh. I thanked him again before eating the food he bought.
"Yuh. I like this one."
"Here try this one."
"Okay..."
"This too, say ahh."
"Vermont are you mad at your friends?"
"No, don't worry, I'm still talking to them."
"I’m glad," I said, relief washing over me. "I don't want you to cut ties with them because of me, I don't want them to see me as Astrid that taking you away from them."
"I know... but if they continue to act like that then I won't bother to not choose you over them."
"Don't do that. Well, what about Astrid? Do you want to know what happened to her, why she left all of you and where is she now?" He look at me and I saw how his hands tremble.
"I..."
"What will you do when you meet her again? Will your feelings for her get back again? Or just pure resentment?"
"No, I don't want to know why did she do that and where is she now." Vermont looked away, his voice low and bitter. "I don't want to see her I might curse her to death. I won't be able to forgive her."
"Hmm, so that is why Akie was really mad. I do get her but I still don't like her."
"Last night we accidentally found out the thing that Akie gave up, there is an offer to her to study in the university on Hartville and they were scouting her to be a singer. She decline, it was such a shame. She really wants to go in Hartville to be a singer."
"She can still go to Hartville, now that her relationship with him is on the edge..."
"If she wants to."
"Sorry to say this but, I want her to accept the offer so my stress will lessen. I can talk to the OC entertainment and recommend her."
"You’d do that for her?" Vermont smiled, his eyes softening.
"Yeah, if I could just see her singing and confirm that she might have potential..."
"Wait I think I have." I watch him as he try to find the video of Akie singing and when showed it to her, I was seriously watching. Wow, she does have a talent.
"She’s incredible," I said, my voice filled with awe.
"She is," Vermont agreed.
"Can you send this to me? She shouldn't waste her talent."
"What about you? your voice was gentle and calming I like your voice."
"No, I really don't like singing. I'm not up for it."
"Hmm,"
"You tell her about this too, and if she accepts it, she might find her true love in Hartville if she wants, I can introduce her to good-looking guys there. They were also nice."
"Haha."
"If she really wants to be a singer, I think that she needed to give up Art. She should love herself first, she should find herself first. If Art was bad for her, she should leave him."
"Hmm, you heard that Akie?" My eyes suddenly widened my mouth dropped.
(Yeah, yeah whatever.) Akie said, her tone laced with reluctant gratitude.
"Huh?" still shocked I held the pillow and throw it on his face. "What the—was she listening this whole time?"
"Haha, Akie wanted to say sorry."
"Eh?"
(Listen to this Diamond, no need to like me. I'm sorry, for whatever I said to you. And like what you've said I will give up on Art. I would be delighted if you could help me on getting into OC entertainment. And maybe when we met again, I'm already famous.)
"Sure, I will make sure that they will contact you."
(Yeah...)
"Bye Akie, Good luck!"
(Thank you, goodbye and I'm sorry.)
"What the hell was that?" I squint my eyes on him and he just smiled at me.
"I'm sorry but she wanted to confirm something. And because I want her to stop bugging you so I agree, she was listening the whole time."
"Please don't do it again."
"Yeah, sorry again. So, are you okay now?"
"Don't know. I'm a bit happy that Akie and I were in good terms now? I think." He chuckled and nod his head.
"Ok, I will go here tomorrow so take a rest now."
"Bye, take care." 
"Yeah, I'll visit you qgain." he said, his voice low and sincere. I smiled and he suddenly took my hand and kiss it. "See you soon."
"Yeah, bring another food, okay?" I nod. I said with a small smile tugging at my lips.
He chuckled.
"Haha, bye." He patted my head and after that, I stood up.
"I'll walk you outside." He nod at me. His hand was resting in my waist as we go down.
"Hey Ace, I'm leaving." Vermont bid his goodbye. Ace looked up from his phone, giving a slight nod. 
"Yeah, thank you for the pizza and drinks." he said, his tone casual but genuine.
"Sure. Glad you enjoyed it."
"Take care on your way home."
"Yeah..." Vermont hesitated for a moment, as though he wanted to say something else but decided not to say it. Instead, he offered a small smile.
"Go on. Bye."
"I'll see you tomorrow." He replied, a rare warmth creeping into his voice.
"Yes, see you tomorrow." I wave my hands at him and watch his car vanished from my sight.
"You're smiling widely..." I look at Ace with a surprised face. He was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, studying me with a smirk that was impossible to miss. I blinked, caught off guard.
"Huh? What?"
 "You look happy now." He commented again and I don't know what to reply. I opened my mouth, unsure of what to say, and glanced away.
"Well..."
"Vermont is something." Now he has this teasingly smile and I shake my head.
Now it was my turn to roll my eyes, though I couldn't stop the small laugh that escaped.
"Oh, come on, Ace. Don't start." He shrugged, his teasing smile only widening.
"What? It’s not every day I see you looking this... light. Almost carefree." I sighed, trying to suppress the smile tugging at my lips.
"It’s nothing, really. Just... I don’t know. Vermont makes things feel a bit easier, I guess." 
Ace raised an eyebrow, his teasing tone shifting into something more serious.
"You sure that’s all? I mean, he did just leave, and here you are, smiling like you just won the lottery."
"Stop it," I muttered.
"Hey, no judgment. It’s nice to see you like this," he said, his voice softening. "You deserve to feel happy, Queen."
I paused, his words sinking in. For all his teasing, Ace had a way of grounding me. "Thanks,"
He smirked again, picking up his phone. "Don’t thank me yet. I might start teasing you even more tomorrow."
"Ugh, please leave me alone!" I said, laughing despite myself.
"Just saying, don’t let him go, Queen. Vermont seems like the kind of guy who’ll stick around if you let him." I bite my lips and sighed. The uneasiness in my heart is back. I smiled at him and didn't say anything.
I sat back on my bed, staring at the closed door for a moment, my smile fading into thoughtfulness. Did Vermont really have that kind of effect on me? And if he did, how much of it was real, and how much was me clinging to a lifeline I wasn’t sure I deserved?
I hate myself for using him. Should I continue this?
—IAmRoseee