It was a sunny morning, the roads were too busy, and the sidewalks were filled by a ton of working people, students, and just ordinary passers-by.
Tristan was silently observing the view outside through the car's window. They were currently driving their way to the Fuenta Glamorouza, Tristan's family's company.
"Mhm, You were scheduled today for the shoot of E & J Jewelries at Fuenta Glamouroza," Whifler informed, flipping the schedule record book of Tristan.
"What time?" Tristan asked, still looking outside, while his chin was rested at the top of his knuckles and his elbow was placed at the right rear door glass.
"Around 10 am." Whifler glanced at his watch.
"You still have 2 hours and 15 minutes."
"Would you like to stop by somewhere?" Tanya asked Tristan while carefully driving, looking straight on the road.
"No—STOP!!"
Tanya immediately slammed the brakes, startled at Tristan's sudden shout. Whifler and Tanya jolted their heads to look at Tristan.
"What's wrong?" Whifler worriedly asked Tristan, who was now restlessly rummaging his stuff.
He was too busy fishing in the car that he didn't even hear Whifler's question.
"Hey, Tristan! What's the matter? What are you looking for?" Whifler asked again but, still, Tristan didn't listen and just anxiously searched at the backseat.
Whifler unfastened his seatbelt to move freely, then reached Tristan's arm.
"Tristan!!" he finally got Tristan's attention.
Tristan looked at him with that knitted brows and perturbed eyes.
"Calm down, okay? Tell me what's missing, and I'll help you find it. Don't worry," Whifler reassured him.
Tristan calmed down and obediently sat back, but his face was still troubled.
"M-My bracelet... I was wearing it before I got in. I'm sure I have it a while ago."
"Bracelet? You have tons, which one?" Whifler asked.
"Uhm, excuse me. Are you talking about that unique bracelet that had a peculiar stone pierced on it?" Tanya butted in that enlightened Tristan's face.
"Maroon? And—And it was a braided fabric!"
"Ah, yeah. I saw something like that. I picked it up outside near the gate before we went off. Wait! Give me a second." Tanya pulled the bracelet she found out of her bag and showed it to Tristan. "Is this it?"
"Yes! That's it!" Tristan grabbed the bracelet and then quickly wore it. You could see the relief on his face. "Thank you!"
"Welcome. It's a unique bracelet. Anyone could have an interest in it and would not hesitate to pick it up. You're lucky I saw it. Anyway, I didn't remember buying that. Did you perhaps buy it yourself?"
"Summer gave it to me," Tristan answered, caressing the bracelet while happily looking at it.
Tanya and Whifler looked at each other, perplexed and suspicious of how Tristan cherished the bracelet.
Whifler shrugged off the thoughts and signaled Tanya to drive and gave her a just-ignore-him-look.
Tanya obeyed him, then started driving.
Just a few minutes, they arrived at the company. Tanya parked the car first, then they all walked in.
A bunch of people gathered at the lobby, buzzing, and greeted them at the entrance.
"Huh? Has the shooting already started?" Tanya confusedly asked, looking at the commotion.
"Stay here with Tristan. I'll go check," Whifler ordered, then walked towards the clamor.
"This is so unfair! We understand the fact that she got more attention because she is the granddaughter of the President and is doubtlessly beyond comparison, but this is too much! We didn't even get a chance to introduce ourselves and prove our competence!" Whifler heard Gale's manager furiously complain.
"What's happening here?" All of them looked at Whifler as he spoke. Gale's manager averted his gaze and didn't meet Whifler's eyes.
"Manager Whifler!" The secretary of the President, Priam Lim—who was wearing his black slacks, black suit with a white long-sleeve polo inner that emphasized his slim and tall figure and the maroon necktie that made him look more decent—felt relieved when his ash-blue color optics landed on Whifler's direction.
Whifler was known as another hand of the President since he was the son of the President's former trusted bodyguard. He was not only the manager of Trish, not obliged to but also another manager of the company.
"What's the problem, Manager Ron?" Whifler asked Gale's Manager, who couldn't look at him straight. His brows furrowed at Manager Ron's troubled and tense face.
"A-ah. My—"
"We were complaining about the undiscussed decision of choosing a model for the E & J Jewelries' shoot. We—I mean, I AM offended that I wasn't informed about the shoot," Gale horned in, cutting off her manager's next words.
"It was the higher-up's decision, Miss Gale. I c—"
"Shut up, Secretary Lim. I'm not talking to you!"
"I apologize we offended your part, Miss Gale. But, we can't interfere at higher-up's decision," Whifler calmly stated.
"Don't you think this is a biased treatment, Manager Whifler? Your respective company should book a job for your models, didn't you? And yet, only one model was always prioritized and highly acknowledged! How can we have our own spotlight if we weren't given a chance to prove ourselves? Didn't we supposed to be supported, too?"
"But, Miss Gale, we—" Whifler paused as he felt Tristan's hand above his shoulder. He turned his head to look at him.
"That's enough," Tristan told him, while irritatedly staring at Gale's teasing expression.
"Secretary Lim," Tristan called, which made Secretary Lim look at him.
"Inform my grandmother, that I will go to her office in a bit."
"Trish!" Whifler shrieked, but Tristan just calmly patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry manager Whifler. I'll settle this." He looked back at Secretary Lim, who was now confused if he should get going now or not yet.
"Do it now, Secretary Lim," Tristan permitted.
"Y-Yes Miss Trish!" Secretary Lim responded then, post-haste to the President's office.
"What are you plotting?!" Whifler whispered just enough for Tristan to hear it.
"The connotation of the word 'plotting' is too much, you know?" he whispered back at Whifler. "Just trust me."
Whifler formed an unamused look on his face.
"That's exactly what I'm afraid of! The way you deal with things on your own! It's more fearful and worrisome than the apocalypse."
"You know I wanna start digging your grave and bury you alive," Tristan whispered in peeve.
He jolted as secretary Lim called him. He immediately walked toward Secretary Lim, then head with him to his grandmother's office.
"Mrs. President, he's here." Secretary Lim informed, then opened the door widely to let Tristan inside.
After he entered, Secretary Lim closed the door quietly.
They were the only two inside the office. Tristan sat on the office couch in front of the desk of her grandmother.
"What is it, Tristan?" her grandmother asked as she moved to place her both elbows on top of the table and intertwined her fingers to rest her chin there.
"I want to cancel my shoot to the E & J Jewelries."
"WHAT?!" his grandmother banged her palms on the table, staggered at his statement.
"Are you out of your mind?!"
"No, Mrs. President."
"Then why on Earth you're uttering such nonsense!?"
"Mrs. President, there's a commotion that happened earlier that brought me here. They were complaining about being left out and uninformed about the shoot. Also, they dislike the fact that I am chosen promptly and questioned the equity of the company."
"Is that why you wanted to nullify the agreement? Tristan, are you stupid? Don't be swayed by that foolish hearsays! Those complainants are all dimwits! You were chosen because of your competence that exceeds them all. I tried to recommend and introduce them, but you were who they requested. You know: You can't offer a fish to those who asked for chicken." his grandmother raged.
Tristan didn't show any expression on his face, he was still calm and determined.
"But, they didn't know that."
His grandmother's brows furrowed, puzzled at his words. Her infuriated mood was pacified.
"What are you trying to say?"
"I want to cancel my shoot, not because I want to abandon it but to make them choose a model again. Not just in portfolios, but also live performance."
"Are you suggesting a screening? Competition?" his grandmother asked.
"Yes. Let the models introduce themselves to the CEO and the other officials of E & J Jewelries by showing off their charms, capability, skills, and worth to represent the product. Each one could impress the CEO to their heart's content. Then, let them equally decide and pick a model they truly desire and announce the honest results in front of everyone." Tristan proposed.
"E & J Jewelries is one of the big-name companies, so I understand their covets," he added.
His grandmother sighed and lay on her swivel chair and crossed her arms.
"That is really an odd idea. We never organized such screening." The president, his grandmother, muttered while massaging her temple using her thumb and index fingers.
"I don't understand why we should be concerning this matter," she whispered to herself.
She looked at Tristan, who was still calmly sitting on the office couch in front of her while staring at her, waiting for her response.
"Are you joining?" she asked him
"Of course," Tristan immediately answered.
"So what do you say, Mrs. President?"
His grandmother stared at him for a couple of minutes, thinking thoroughly to come up with a righteous decision.
After sorting herself, she sighed once again, then nodded her head.
"Alright. You persuaded me. I'll try to convince the CEO of E & J Jewelries."
"Thank you, Mrs. President. My business here is finished. If you don't have anything else to ask or tell, I would like to excuse myself," Tristan politely stood up and waited for his grandmother's permission.
"I'm a bit befuddled and curious about your real purpose, Tristan. I know you were not concerned about the unfairness and your co-models' vexations, don't you? So, why?"
Tristan stared at his grandmother's eyes. The President felt a strong aura of confidence in him, and his eyes conveyed a splendid impression.
"Because I know that Trish Fuentavilla is matchless. A goddess, isn't she? I want to slap that fact to a certain someone who dared to challenge her during my supersede," Tristan nonchalantly remarked.
His grandmother smirked in amusement.
"You had quite an attitude, my dear grandson. Oh, well. I'm looking forward to that confidence. And, make sure to be chosen again."
"I won't disappoint you, Mrs. President."
"Great. You may leave now."
Tristan bowed after his grandmother permitted him, then left. The president couldn't help but chuckle. She was extremely entertained and impressed by Tristan.
'Why didn't I see that before? Oh dear, Sharrie birthed wonderful twins', she thought.
.
.
.
2 hours had passed— the CEO of E & J Jewelries agreed to the President's request. Although it was a halfhearted agreement on the side of E & J's, still, it was a successful proposal.
Models were preparing for the screening, some were excited and some were confused, but, Gale was exceptionally delighted. She felt triumphant after hearing the higher-up's announcement. She was staring at her reflection in the mirror and smiled wickedly.
"I'll make sure to wipe you off, Trish. Just see," she mumbled while putting on some make-up.
On the other hand, Tristan was dying putting a fitted, blue tummy-cut-out dress on, which Whifler had ready for him.
"Ghad, Whifler! This is so uncomfortable! It's too tight!" Tristan complained.
"Is complaining really part of your breathing?" Whifler deadpanned.
"Ha-Ha! It is truly tight! I can't breathe!"
"Here! Try this one." Tanya threw a dark, sparkling violet sleeveless above-the-knee dress with a touch of black color at the bottom.
"Thank goodness! You're a savior!" Tristan exclaimed as he caught the dress, then changed again in the dressing room.
Whifler sighed,
'Tanya is no fun', he thought.
.
.
After everyone had done preparing, the screening immediately started. The CEO and other significant sat on the chairs that were prepared for them on the stage, with the folders and ballpens placed on top of the table in front of them. They were the judges and the evaluators.
Mrs. Lauren Fuentavilla, the president of the Fuenta Glamouroza, was seated on the side of the judges since she wasn't included in rating the models.
Everyone was really beautiful and extravagant. Each model ramps their beauty in front of the judges and shows off their styles. They really did their best to persuade and win the CEO's heart.
Colorful dresses, elegant postures, unique catwalks, and the models' overflowing charisma were what the judges were dealing with now.
But, as soon as Tristan stepped out and started to own the stage, everyone was flabbergasted.
He definitely thrashed them all, especially Gale.
The judges stopped rating as he posed, with that alluring beauty and seductive aura.
For them, the search was over. The result was crystal clear. Evaluating and comparing the scores and judgments were all unnecessary.
Comparing Tristan to others was impossible. 'Cause no one, even closer, met his level. He was still unparalleled.
Gale noticed the dazzled reactions of the judges during and after Tristan's performance. And this was further proven when the jurors became less interested in the models that followed him.
She was exasperated and didn't want to accept the obvious result.
She was more enraged when the CEO announced his decision.
Yes, Tristan was chosen again. It was a useless screening, after all. However, it was an advantage to Tristan, it didn't just evince his top-notch ranking but, also made a huge realization to his co-models and made them show their greatest respect and admiration towards him.
Gale, standing from a distance, didn't like what she saw. It inflamed her watching Tristan being congratulated.
The shoot was postponed because of the screening, so Tristan planned to go home.
Since he couldn't leave alone, he was waiting for Whifler and Tanya that were called by his grandmother to discuss something that didn't include him.
He was standing in the lobby, it was so calm and quiet.
"How's the feeling of being triumphant?" Gale spoke out of the blue, which startled him.
Tristan didn't want to argue, so he just walked away and literally ignored her. You would think he was being a good guy, avoiding a brawl, but little did you know that he was actually cattily smirking about his victorious scheme of mocking Gale indirectly.
"What a boastful bitch! I'm still talking to you!!" Gale's voice echoed in the quiet lobby.
Tristan paused, then turned himself to face her. "Don't start. You wouldn't like it, you can't withstand it."
"Are you underestimating me? Or you're just afraid?" Gale ridiculed.
"No, I just don't want to deal with a bird-brain brat like you. It's a real pain, you know," Tristan scorned.
"WHAT?!"
"I said DEAF BIRD-BRAIN BRAT."
Gale sneered.
"Don't be so hubristic just because you won!"
"Oh, I surely didn't. I mayhap just hurt your ego, that's why I look like one to you."
"What!?"
"You know, I'm really not sure if you're a bit deaf or just a huge, slow-witted lass." Tristan's words became more provocative to Gale.
She was always hit sharply.
"Don't be so full of yourself! I honestly don't think of you as what they called a 'goddess'. For me, you're just a sham queen that's highly supported by the influential old woman!" Gale roamed her eyes from Tristan's head to toe.
"Maybe, who knows, your grandmother also made you win. Tsk. tsk. What a sly," Gale added.
Tristan snorted, then laughed.
"Sorry. Not to be rude but, to tell you honestly: First, who cares about your judgment and opinion about me? Second, you're quite a talented tattler, huh. I'm amused. And lastly, I'm not someone like you to necessarily aided, to win," Tristan countered while counting in his fingers.
"Why don't you digest that in your dippy mind that I, TRISH FUENTAVILLA, is undeniably gorgeous and peerless. You better accept that sooner 'cause it's a pain competing in an obvious race with no chance of winning. You got what I mean?" he added.
Gale was shut at Tristan's response. She gave him a death glare and clenched her fist in rage.
Tristan was entertained by Gale's reaction. He indeed had fun.
"What's with that dagger look? Didn't you like my advice? Uh, I'm just concerned," Tristan chaffed.
"Damn you!" she cursed underneath her breath.
"Oh, Thank you."
Gale fumed even more, if she was a kettle boiling, you could literally see the white smoke emanating from her ears and nose's holes.
Tristan chuckled.
"Guess I hit a nerve, huh. Didn't I tell you earlier not to start anything? I warned you."
Gale snickered, then crossed her arms.
"Who would've thought you had this wicked side? You truly are a fraud!"
"Hahaha! Fraud? What kind of blockhead are you, seriously? Who would actually dare to publicize their dark side, especially when you're popular? Didn't celebrities hide it too, to protect their image? Well, unless if you're somebody that doesn't have many eyes on them." Tristan paused.
"Oh! Speaking of! Is that why you're divulging your quiddities?" Tristan joshed.
"You bastard!!" Gale was at her limit.
She exploded and was about to reach Tristan's hair, but he smoothly dodged it. He smirked, then crossed his arms after he took a single step backward.
"You're not just stupid, you're also slow," he playfully remarked.
He paused as he glanced at the crew with the President, the E & J CEO, other significants, and the left managers and PA's approaching their spot.
He looked at Gale mischievously, which made her confused.
Tristan slumped to the floor and grimaced. He once again glanced at them with his eyes half-closed to make sure his timing was perfect.
As soon as he confirmed it, he lifted his head to look at Gale's bemused face.
"Why did you push me?!" Tristan screeched, acting innocent.
Gale's eyes widened, completely puzzled. "HAH!?"
"Trish!" Whifler worriedly called as he saw Tristan on the floor.
Gale jolted to look at the people behind them. Whifler dashed to Tristan, Tanya and some others also followed him.
Whifler helped Tristan up, then glared at Gale.
"What? I didn't do anything! She just suddenly flumped!" Gale defended herself from Whifler's accusing glare.
"Are you saying Miss Trish got tripped on her own, then insanely blamed you for it?!" Tanya butted in.
"Yes! She did it on purpose!"
"Hah! Now you're defaming her! Just how horrible you are!"
"Watch your mouth! Don't shout at Miss Gale!" Gale's PA, Andrea Martin, exclaimed.
"ENOUGH!"
They all looked at the President, Tristan's grandmother, as she shouted. She was standing beside the CEO of E & J Jewelries and other officials. She was definitely furious.
"You're humiliating my company!" she scolded.
"Mrs. President, I apologize f—"
"Manager Ron! Why are you apologizing? We're not at fault!" Gale interrupted, cutting off her manager's sentence.
Manager Ron just gave her a warning glare.
"Pipe down, Gale! Don't make things worse!"
Her manager got back his attention to Mrs. Fuentavilla.
"Again, Mrs. President, I am deeply sorry. I promise to talk to her and prevent this matter from happening in the future."
Mrs. Fuentavilla sighed.
"Please do, Manager Ron. Also you, Whifler."
"Yes, Mrs. President," Whifler responded.
Mrs. Fuentavilla didn't want to go further and cause more humiliation to the company, so she quietly left with the CEO and others.
"I'm not done with you! Let's go!" Manager Ron warned Gale, then also left with Andrea.
Gale got pissed off and then scowled at Tristan defiantly.
"I'll make you pay for this! Just wait!" she snarled, then followed her Manager.
Whifler, Tanya, and Tristan were the only ones left at the scene. The surroundings became so quiet.
Whifler took a deep sigh while holding Tristan's arm.
"Say... You really did it on purpose, no?"
"I did?" Tristan kid, acting innocent.
"Yea, I saw it from the very beginning. You're lucky, I'm just the one who witnessed it," Tanya spoke.
Whifler stared at Tristan annoyedly.
"For Pete's sake Tristan!"
"What? I just taught her a lesson!"
"He is right, Manager Whifler! Don't be a villain here, 'kay? Anyway, Hey Tristan! I helped you. Now, what... Was my acting good? huh?" Tanya cheerfully asked referring to the acting she showed, arguing with Gale.
Tristan raised both of his thumbs and nodded.
"Excellent!"
"Yah! I know!" Tanya agreed.
"Oh, ghad Tanya. Stop tolerating him!"
"Tss. Why not? I'm also pissed off with that girl! And I've been itching to smack her since Miss Trish always ignores her! I'm glad that Tristan is doing something about it. Duh!" Tanya rolled her eyes.
Whifler was taken aback and lost the words to argue back, so he just frustratedly sighed.
"What should I do with these two?" he mumbled.
Tanya suddenly remembered something as she realized the date of the day.
"Wait! Isn't your birthday today?"
Whifler flinched at Tanya's question.
Yes, it was indeed his birthday. He couldn't believe that Tanya had a sharp memory that she even remembered, despite all the happenings.
Whifler averted his gaze, not wanting to talk about it for some reason.
"It's time to go!" he immediately left.
He didn't want to celebrate—that's why he purposely forgot it—but, Tanya was persistent, so she followed him and annoyed him about it.
.
.
.
It was 6:00 pm, Whifler was astounded as he saw who was his two visitors, sitting on his living room couch.
Obviously, Tanya won. Who would not if you were extremely annoying and refused to take a 'No' answer?
Whifler could do nothing but, celebrate his birthday because otherwise, Tanya would harass him to death.
He immediately called Tanya as he spotted her in the kitchen. He pulled her to the hidden corner of his house, away from his unexpected visitors.
"Hey! What's going on?" Tanya confusedly asked.
"For your ancestors' sake! Why did you bring Trish and Tristan here together?!" Whifler exclaimed.
"Don't worry. It's just us!"
"Us? How about Summer? What if she suddenly comes over? You know she was always pres—"
"Hey. Hey. You're worrying too much! Come on, relax. It's your day, right? Summer has an urgent meeting, so she can't come. But, she greeted you with a Happy Birthday!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! So, come on! Enjoy your day!" Tanya pushed Whifler to the living room, then put a party hat on his head.
"Here comes the birthday boy!!"
"Aish! Stop that Tanya!"
They celebrated Whifler's day without any essence of boredom. They were indeed filled with fun and enjoyment.
They played different kinds of games, ridiculed, and did stupid things together.
It was in the middle of their fun when the doorbell rang.
Tanya glanced at the door.
"I think the delivery has arrived! Wait for a second," Tanya stood up then rushed to the door and excitedly opened it.
"Tha—" she was dumbfounded as she saw who it was.
He had this blonde hair, narrowed eyes, an average nose and pink kissable lips. His light-blue eyes narrowed even more and his forehead wrinkled as Tanya's face was familiar to him.
In Tanya's point of view, it wasn't a delivery boy: It was someone who delivered from hell.
"Oh!" The man outside pointed his finger at Tanya as he finally recognized her face.
Then a sudden flashback of their unpleasant meeting flipped their memories.
"You ar—" The man's words were cut-off when Tanya swooshed the door closed.
'Damn. Why is that jerk here?!', she thought.
Whifler noticed Tanya dazedly standing in front of the door. He was bewildered when she had nothing on her hands.
"Tanya?" he called. "Who rang the doorbell?"
"A-ahm—" she looked over her shoulder when the doorbell rang again. She looked at Whifler who was now walking towards her.
Whifler's brows were knitted, Tristan and Trish were also confused about what was going on.
"What's wrong?" Whifler asked her.
"Ah. It's som—" she was paused at the doorbell's ring again.
Whifler opened the door, wondering who was ringing. But, as soon as his eyes landed on the man behind the door, he was stunned.
"Yo! Raj! I almost think I went to the wrong house. I'm g—" he was cut off again when Whifler slammed the door after he came back to his senses.
Both he and Tanya dazedly stared at each other as the man's existence sank into them. But, in different perceptions.
"HEY RAJ! OPEN THE DOOR! I ALREADY SAW THE TWO TRISH!" the man annoyedly shouted, just enough to be heard.
Whifler calmed himself, then slowly opened the door and peeked. Whifler saw the man's agitated face, looking straight at his very own good best friend who rudely slammed the door.
"Hey. Harry!" Whifler greeted him.
"What brought you here?"
"Uh, Surprising your plants 'cause it's their special day?" he sarcastically answered, with that unamused look on his face.
"Sorry. Come in." Whifler widely opened the door.
"You know I'm extremely offended! You've shut me twice!" Harry complained as he entered.
"Hi, Good evening," he greeted Trish and Tristan.
Trish bowed her head as a response, then blinked in confusion, looking at them. While Tristan just waved his hand, he didn't care about anything at all. He was too busy chomping on his food.
"Sorry about that. I was surprised and just did it on impulse." Whifler explained.
Harry sighed.
"Was it confidential?" he asked, referring to Trish and Tristan.
"Yes," Whifler answered.
"I understand," Harry remarked.
"Uh, anyway. Why did you shut him out, Tanya?" Tanya flinched at Whifler's question.
"A-ahm. F-For the same reason!" she stuttered.
"Ah! I-I'll just wait for the delivery outside!" Tanya excused, then dashed outside.
"You know her?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. Trish's assistant," he answered looking at the open door.
"How about you? You know her?" Whifler asked, closing the door.
"Just an acquaintance. Anyway, here!" Whifler quickly caught the mini box that Harry threw at him.
Whifler's brows furrowed.
"What. Are you proposing to me now?"
"Oh yes, Babe! Will you marry me?" Harry teased, posing a girlish posture, with the voice mimicking a gayish tone.
Whifler twitched his mouth in disgust.
"I'd rather marry the crickets than you!"
"Aww... Why, babe? Did you get sick of me?"
"Ah, seriously. Get lost!" Whifler threw the box back at him.
Harry immediately moved to catch it.
"Hey! This is expensive! It's also not a ring, you dumb!" Harry followed Whifler to the living room. He was definitely ignored.
"I AM MULTIPLE OFFENDED, HONESTLY!! First I was SHUT, Now my gift was REJECTED and I am IGNORED!" Harry sat beside Whifler.
"Hays. My heart ached Raj d— mhmm~~mhmm~~" Harry mumbled as Whifler stuffed his mouth with food.
"Stop spouting nonsense!"
"You know, we're actually here. My ears hurt listening to your gibberish! Who is he? Your lover?" they were both stunned at Tristan's blunt question while calmly eating.
Whifler immediately pushed Harry away from him with a spoon still stuck in his mouth, then sat properly.
"Damn! I almost swallowed this spoon!!" Harry exclaimed.
"Should I take that push as a 'No' answer?" Tristan asked.
"Yes!" Whifler immediately answered.
"No, we're really dating!" Harry teased, then clung his arms to Whifler's and rested his head on his shoulder.
"Cut it out! Idiot!" Whifler pushed Harry's head away from his shoulder, but Harry kept on resting it back.
"Don't be like that, Babe. Don't deny me in front of your friends!" Harry pouted.
"Say more words, I'll gouge your larynx out!" Whifler warned him. Harry made a pitiful expression and curled his lips down.
Tristan was staring blankly at them
"Yeah, I'm more convinced by Harry."
"What?!" Whifler jolted.
"HAHAHAHAHA," Harry laughed his lungs out as he noticed Tristan was keeping up with his josh at Whifler.
"Oh. Shut up!" Whifler was literally piqued.
Tristan hid his smile by eating lowly. He knew Harry was just irking Whifler, and he actually liked it, so, he played along. He found it entertaining anyway.
"Ah. Where is Tanya?" Trish awkwardly interrupted, changing the subject.
Whifler's mood rapidly changed, then softly looked at Trish.
"She was waiting for the food she ordered, I think?" he answered.
"I'll go check!" Harry presented, then stood up and went outside.
He saw Tanya standing near the lamp post, just a few steps to the right from Whifler's front yard's archway while staring at her phone.
Harry smiled as she saw her mumbling something. Reading her mouth, it was certainly a curse.
He walked towards her and stood beside her.
"Hey!"
Tanya looked at him, then got her attention back to her phone a second after. Harry pouted as she ignored him.
"How unlucky I am! I've been shut and ignored a lot! hays."
"Leave me alone," Tanya spoke, scanning her phone without looking at him.
Harry bent his neck a bit to see Tanya's face.
"Are you still mad at me?"
Tanya turned her head to face him, then raised her right brow.
"I've been dragged by an idiot detective to the police station with a handcuff just to declare I was mistaken for someone else!? Who would have not?"
"But, I already apologized, didn't I? And it happened a long time ago! Am I still not forgiven?"
"I am accused and arrested in my apartment, my neighborhood including the rats, bats, dogs, cats, and cockroaches witnessed it all! You didn't know how humiliating it was! I barely went home!" Tanya blustered.
"You kicked my ass in front of the police station after you were released. I was literally sunk on the street, and a lot of passers-by saw it. Could you not call it quits? I was scolded and suffered a painful bruise on my butt too!" Harry retorted.
"Just a bruise? Tsk. I should've kicked you harder and broken your hips," Tanya deadpanned.
"Wow. What a sadist." Harry slightly winced.
"You know, I wonder how you became a detective when you only have stupidity."
"That's a painful compliment. Thank you!"
Tanya just rolled her eyes at his remark.
"Why are you annoying me here, anyway?"
"Oh, I'm just worried 'cause, you know, it was dark and cold here. It's dangerous for a girl to wait here alone." Harry grinned.
"Oh, really?" Tanya expressionlessly replied, then roamed her eyes from up to down, side to side, checking Harry closely while her arms were crossed.
"Where's the jacket then?" Tanya asked.
"Jacket?" Harry paused in confusion.
"What jacket?"
"You said it was cold here. Where's the jacket?" Tanya smoothly razzed.
Harry awkwardly chuckled.
"Uh, I didn't bring one. Hehe."
"Psh. You came here because you're worried I was cold and yet you didn't bring anything to warm me? Aish. Tsk. Tsk."
"Well, I have my two arms and wide body! It's enough to warm you, right?" Harry confidently suggested while his arms were openly spread.
Tanya slightly grimaced, then poked Harry's forehead.
"I would gladly choose to freeze than to be warmed by you!" Tanya remarked, then walked to go inside, but she stopped when Harry called her.
She looked over her shoulder and knitted her brows. "What?"
"Where are you going?"
"Probably to the black hole? Dummy! Of course inside!"
"Huh? Aren't you waiting for the delivery?"
"Yeah! But didn't you say it was dangerous for a girl to wait? You're not a girl, right? So you can wait there alone. Bye!" she replied, then quickly went inside.
Harry just chuckled at Tanya.
'She is really something', he thought.