Chapter 7: Chapter 6: Second Offense
"What? Before a month— " Mr. Taranova was about to complain about how ridiculous he thinks the mandate is, but my brother interrupted again.
"Take it or leave it," he said and stood up. "Thank you for your time, everyone, I'm going home because I have more important work to do than settle a wee conflict here." My brother looked at me, I got his message. I stood up. "You know what to do, Mr. Taranova if ever you realize you can do everything to settle the deal."
Overall, my brother is quite arrogant when it comes to business. My father always had a problem with that, and I do think that's a flaw. He'd create a lot of enemies if he continues to act this way.
I was about to open the door so we could go out—
"I want to raise the price to 2.5 billion." It was a sudden let out. Everyone eyed him.
"Hmm... We'll talk about this next time, okay? Just the three of us," my brother said. "Goodbye, thank you for your time, we're going home."
I opened the door and went outside first.
As I and my brother walked, I bothered to ask something.
"Is this resort really worth it for two billion and a half?" He looked at me. He tapped my shoulder.
"Even if they raise the price to three billion, that's nothing compared to the profits we're gonna earn if we get this property." He smiled. "Soon, you'll understand."
I just nodded at him. They've always been trying to persuade me in things in so many ways, but I always find it. I mean, it could be in the most unexpected way, but I'll catch the point.
"You know what, brother, don't involve me in this."
He partly smiled. "You're just saying that now. I've always been like that when dad started to convince me to join the business world. Legal or illegal, you should run it properly."
"Let me handle illegal ones." I chuckled. "It suits me better."
"Really?" He returned my chuckle. "Soon."
-------------------------------------------
Shit. I need to go to school tomorrow. Our professor gave us overloaded projects. Fuck him!
I took business management as my course.
Yes, I'm not into business— not now. I've always known that I could use this. It's as if I can do anything about it. I can't just leave everything just for my own wants— all I want is this life, a thrilling teenager life. No time to stress out about businesses, just riots, and gangs.
I know one day, I will need to ironize my life. It can't always be like this.
I'm not ready for now or let's just say, I don't want to, not now. I'm young and I gotta live free, for now, live life to the fullest. YOLO!
At least, at the end of the day, I might hate or worse, loathe the things I've done this time, but I would never regret this.
I know, without this experience, I would never know what's good and right. I know that I can learn something from it.
It's like I could pinch a salt— either, you'll just examine it and never know what it tastes like and will live getting curious of what salt tastes like, and regret it because you had the chance, but you let go of it— or, you can pinch salt, and taste it. At least, you know how salty it is, and it's a matter of "you like salt or not" thingy. Do you get the gist?
Hmm... If you're thinking, curiosity kills a cat, remember, cats have multiple lives, they say. Use them wisely though.
If you're a cat and you get curious, then you try it and it kills you? Then what? You have your next life. But, get curious about the things that you think make you you. Things that are worth it.
We all can be a hypocrite along the way. Maybe, you'd tell someone a piece of advice you can't even apply yourself.
You may hate something but you do it anyway. You may accuse someone of something you don't like not knowing that you're doing it also to them.
Justice, please?
'Wag kang mag malinis, hindi ka banal, hindi ka santo, lahat tayo ay nagiging aso. "Bitch" if I must say!
We are all capable of becoming a bastard, everyone is capable, all of us can do it, but only some will not.
And if you are capable and you do it, bitch, don't worry, most of us do. Don't be afraid, it's not like judgments can kill you— You always have to live with it.
Whatever life brings you, bring it back! Just kidding. Just fight it.
Ashton Vans' POV
"Bro, you saw each other?" Tyler asked. He's been here quite a while now, he kept on confirming if we saw each other— yes, Brinley.
"Woah, what did you do?" Asked Felix.
"Approached her," I answered.
"Then?"
"Talked to her," sparingly, I answered.
"Bro, don't tell me that you're chickening out?" Damian frankly said.
"Chickening out?" I disagreed.
"What? Ashton Vans dela Cuesta? Not finding out which part was you being torpe? Is that even you?" Felix frowned as Tyler said those.
"You should've grabbed him directly, bro. Then you kiss, you make out!" Damian, my brother, said.
"It's not that easy!" I reasoned out. "She's different!"
There was a moment of silence. Everyone was in shock as I said the last line.
"You're not new to this! You're a veteran, you bastard," I felt an uneasiness as Felix told me that. Why do I feel new about this?
No. This is almost my every month routine. This is not new to me, I can get her. I can.
"Yes, of course. I'll get her," I said in a calm and low voice.
"That's the spirit of a bad boy!" Tyler said. Damian tapped my shoulder hard.
"You should pick her up tomorrow then," Tyler suggested.
I have a better idea.
"Nope," I said.
"What?"
"I'm going to get out of the picture for a week. I'll wait for her to miss me."
"Ashton, is that how you play now?" Felix questioned.
"Yes, that's my question, too," Tyler commented.
"Bro, the dare. Remember that," Damian reminded.
"Yes, of course. I remember," I said in a monotonous tone.
"You're not allowed to fall in love—" Tyler scratched his chin. "—Fall in love first. You should get her under your power before you love her."
"Is that even possible? You?" Felix pertained to me. "You, falling in love? Funny."
Every one of them laughed.
"Duh, if you win the dare, I bet an airplane ticket, wherever you want to go, the expenses are on me too," responded Tyler.
"As if he can't have that on his own," Felix mocked.
"Just to put something on the table. I'll buy you a big bike if you win the game," feeling challenged, Tyler brought his bet higher.
"A half-million, that's my bet," Felix joined. Barya lang sa amin ito.
"I'll raise my bet if you win, I'll give you a million," said my brother.
Is this too much?
No.
This is just like a betting game, either you win or lose. You gamble.
"But what if you lose?" Damian asked.
"You treat us anywhere we want. Also, a half million for each of us," Tyler commented.
"Bro!" I protested.
"Whether you know it or not, that amount's just pennies for you."
"Get on, ready your bets." I'll get you, girl.
Brinley's POV
It's been a week since the meeting at the resort, and I'm here bombarded mentally. I am here at this coffee house, pondering.
It's been also a week without gang fights and riots for me.
And about that dela Cuesta? He's a big disappointment, he hasn't shown up since last week, too.
I mean, yes, we haven't talked about seeing each other, but if he is really into me, why not make the first move?
Or it's just him making me miss him? Because if ever, I won't— I mean, kinda, and also, it's just been two days. Whatever, I'm losing hope in him--
"Penny for your thoughts?" A familiar voice. "Your thoughts of me?" He chuckled. Fuck.
I diverted my sight to see him. He held a penny in front of me, I arched my brow.
"I don't need that." I smiled. A different one. A smile of insult.
"Here we go again, lady."
"Yes, here we go again." As I was about to continue eating my food and ignore him, I remembered something to say... "Are you stalking me?"
"Woah. That audacity though."
"Nah, don't put this on me. You are stalking me."
"Uh-uh! Coincidence, it is what this is."
"C'mon— " I couldn't continue my sentence as I felt his lips on mine. It took seconds before he ended the kiss.
"Now, that's what I call audacity," I said, smirking as if I was the one who made him speechless. "Yet, you're not impressing me, Ashton. Can do better. Show me some moves."
"I don't dance."
"A philosopher once said: I don't dance." I laughed at him.
"Stop making fun of me."
"Why not? I'm enjoying."
How can I not laugh, anyway? His face is a laughingstock right now. His eyes squinted. His brows met.
"Don't move!" I said as I clicked the button on my DSLR.
I looked at the photo.
What a memory to laugh on.
"Hey, you fucking delete that!" He growled.
"Sorry, that's what you get for kissing my precious lips without my permission. And for all you know, that ain't enough. You should be thankful," I reasoned out. "Goodbye, bae. See you when I see you." I stood up and walked past him. He was speechless.
I went inside my car and decided to go home right away.
Is he that fond of small talks? Is he that fond or is it just that he just gets stuck when it comes to me? If he thinks it would be that easy to get me. Well, he is totally wrong. He'll need to pass hell before he can do that. I guess girls he had before are shallow. Come to think about it, he gets those by his lame small talks. He even had stolen kisses in mind, but in all fairness, he's good.
I'd admit that though. That night in the resort was lit. Hot. The way he grazes his hand on my skin. The way I respond. It was amazing how we could interact with each other comfortably just within that night.
But that's enough, he needs to experience hell first unlike the first ladies he dealt with. I'm definitely playing a different strategy here.
I parked my car inside our garage. I did not wait for the valet anymore. Once I went inside the house, I immediately went inside my room. There's no one in here except for our workers. So, I've got nobody to greet besides Papa and Kuya.
As I stepped inside my room, the first thing I want to do is transfer the photo of Ashton into my laptop so I could do the thing I want.
I sat on my swivel chair in front of my desk. As the file was sending, excitement has gotten into me.
100%
Sent.
I directly went to Instagram, posted the photo with the caption: Bae is grumpy.
I gladly closed my laptop with all the satisfaction. Tomorrow's gonna be another day for class. At least, we're not schoolmates. Hmm...
-------------------------------------------
I slept, and it was really good. I grabbed my phone on my bed table, I went to check my notifications on Instagram.
Oh, men, I guess the audience loved it. Just look at these likes and comments.
At least he is still hot.
Gosh, you know each other?
Shit, are you two together??
And many more. I guess, they're really giddy. That's how you tease a bad boy.
Next, I went to check my messages, and yeah, just as I expected, our group chat, with: Clover, Zaylee, Keana, Tina. And I like their reaction. They are being wild in here. I missed this moment. I slept through the night, remember?
Brinley: On my way to his heart.
I replied to our group chat. I joked around.
Zaylee: Fuck off, Brinley. You're really getting there?
Of course.
Brinley: My game has always been there.
Keana: Girl, win him.
Clover: It's just like you're playing the dare.
I rolled my eyes.
Brinley: I am playing, but the dare has nothing to do with this.
Tina: Get over it, Clover.
Well, Clover's still not over that guy in my past. That guy was indeed a jerk though.
I went to get ready for school.
"Good morning, Brinley," my Papa greeted. He seems to be in a good mood.
"Good morning, Pa. You seemed to have a fresh start today, huh."
"I just find Mr. Taranova so hilarious."
"Oh, okay. Keep up the good mood then," I said and left after he smiled at me as an answer to what I said.
I had our driver drive me to school. When we got nearer, a car served as a barrier on our way. We stopped, baffled. Who the fuck are these men?
They knocked on the window of the driver's seat. Our driver immediately brought the window down.
They roamed their sight around. They stopped as their eyes caught me. I guess I am who they need... Or want.
"Miss Brinley, kindly come with us," one of the guys said.
"Where?" I asked.
"School."
Ha? I am just definitely heading there, why go the hard way by having all these agendas?
I did not accept, but they did not stop either. It cost us minutes of quarrels.
"Fine."
I went out immediately throwing a tantrum.
"What are you up to, you bastards?"
"Just come, Miss."
When we reached the front gate, suddenly the aroma of two espressos was mixed upon the air. It smells so good, but I wasn't aware of our school having those kinds of beverages—
"Good morning, bae."
People around squeaked excitedly as he uttered those words. And slowly, rose petals began to fall down as if they were confetti.
"What do you prefer? Espresso Macchiato or Chocolate Mocha?" He asked with a smile.
His smile was a pleasure. It's like he finds it good doing this.
I acted like I was thinking. I smiled as I found the answer.
"Can I choose bae as my morning coffee?" Then the people around us went crazy. Cheers and mooning spread like wildfire.
"Stop making my heart pound so hard, bae." He winked at me. "This made me speechless last night, this is your second offense."
He said as he showed me my post on Instagram last night.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone