His Code Name: ULAP (Code Name Series #1)

CHAPTER SEVEN

The moment we stepped inside the library, the quiet buzz of whispered conversations and turning pages filled the air. I was still trying to balance the stack of books in my arms when a familiar voice cut through the silence—calm, steady, and unmistakably his.

“We have a meeting in the SSLG officers’ building, Ms. Garcia.”

I froze, clutching the books tighter. Slowly, I looked up.

Jacob Villanueva stood by the doorway, sleeves rolled neatly, the school crest on his uniform glinting faintly under the light. His tone was casual, but his expression—yeah, that wasn’t casual at all.

“Okay…” I said, a bit unsure.

Zacharias looked between us, sensing the sudden tension. “Uhm… hey, Aly—”

Before he could even finish, Jacob stepped forward, his hand reaching out without hesitation.

“Let’s go, Ms. Top 2,” he said, his voice low but firm as he grabbed my wrist.

The touch startled me—not rough, not gentle either, just… certain.

“W-wait—Jacob—”

“Meeting,” he reminded, eyes not leaving mine. “Now.”

Zacharias blinked, clearly taken aback. “Relax, Mr. President, it’s just a meeting—”

Jacob’s gaze flicked to him briefly. “Exactly. Which is why she shouldn’t be wasting time here.”

The air between the three of us went thick, like the room itself was holding its breath.

I tugged my wrist slightly, feeling his hold loosen just enough for me to breathe. “Fine, I’m coming,” I muttered, glancing once at Zacharias, who gave me a faint, uncertain smile.

As Jacob led me out of the library, his grip eased—but he didn’t let go completely. His pace was quick, his jaw tight.

After a few steps, I couldn’t take the silence anymore.
“Jacob,” I said softly, looking up at him. “You didn’t have to drag me like that.”

He glanced down, his tone clipped. “You weren’t coming fast enough.”

I scoffed quietly. “Or maybe you just didn’t like who I was talking to.”

He stopped walking. Just for a second. Then he looked at me—really looked at me—with that unreadable expression again.

“Believe whatever you want, Ms. Garcia,” he said, finally letting go of my wrist. “But next time, don’t make me repeat myself.”

And just like that, he walked ahead, leaving me standing in the hallway—heart racing, mind spinning, and pulse still tingling where his hand had been.

The meeting was smooth—
too smooth.

Almost suspiciously smooth.

Everyone sat neatly around the long wooden table in the SSLG Officers’ Building, papers spread out, laptops open, and the faint hum of the air conditioner filling the silence. Jacob stood at the head of the table, posture straight, eyes sharp as ever.

I tried to focus on the agenda—school events, budgets, outreach plans—but my mind kept drifting back to earlier. The way he grabbed my wrist. The way his tone changed whenever Zacharias was near.

I scribbled random notes on my pad just to look busy.

“I expect you to be listening, Ms. Garcia,” Jacob said suddenly, his voice slicing through the calm like a blade.