A moment of silence.
"Uhm..." Tina reacted. Everyone was hesitant to agree.
"What?!" Zaylee was exasperated with our reactions.
"You are now daring me to forget that guy from 2 years ago? - I mean, h-how? How can I cope up with that?" I said timidly as if I was innocent of these kinds of things. I wasn't being a hypocrite, this was a whole new level.
It was the first time that someone dared me. All the guys from before, it was just me who chose to mess with them. And it was nothing more.
"Brinley, come on. You have already done this multiple times— " Clover cut off her statement.
"He is a dela Cuesta."
"What?! Do you think he's too powerful for our belongings? So are we, you are a Montefalcon, I am a Sandoval, Keana is an Alvarez, Tina is a Navarro, and Brinley, she is a McNeill. Remember that surname, dork! McNeill has various businesses in different countries, there are so many connections, they are so influential. Like what Brinley said, she'll be afraid if she wants to. If she needs to," Zaylee covered for herself. She is really serious with this one, aye?
"Then? What happens next?" I said. Everyone seemed amused. A smile was plastered on Zaylee's face.
"Just like the good old days, the old games. You play, they end up losing. You should really put that in mind, you should end up winning," she said, her smile becoming a grin.
"Oh, wow! Remember, he is a dela Cuesta!" Tina protested. Her eyes widened. Zaylee's smile vanished.
"He also knows how to play games, Zaylee. Rumors say he has hooked up with and dumped a ton of girls and they just ended up weeping," Keana seconded. I don't know what to react for a while. That bastard still pisses me off.
"Are you really serious about putting Brinley's name at stake? Messing up with random guys? And that random guy happens to be Ashton Vans dela Cuesta. Remember." Clover didn't need to raise his voice. He just needed to press every word he utters to make it sound more persuasive.
Why am I in the middle of this?!
Yes, he has the looks, he is attractive, but he is not my type for fuck's sake.
"For heaven's sake! Do you think I'll just let her fall? Besides, she is not the typical kind of girl! And I'm not putting her name at stake!" Zaylee raised her voice, probably aggravated. Everyone became frustrated.
"You are already risking her, Zaylee," Keana commented. "Her name, her image to the dela Cuestas. You're risking 'em all."
"Shit. How many times should I repeat and reiterate this? She has played also a ton of boys. She's not a kid to be kidding with. She can handle herself, yet if ever, we are still here for her, right?" She seemed stressed to all the doubts thrown at her proposal of bullshit. I remained quiet.
"If ever, amazing! If ever she'll get caught up into the middle of this— then what?!" Tina's face was reddening. Clover brushed his hair because of a specific feeling— disgust. "We'll just be here, comforting her? Then say we will be helping her because of this stupid thing you call opportunity?"
Clover stood up.
"Tell me, Brinley. What happened 2 years ago to get you convinced that this is really an opportunity?" His voice was calm, but impatience was visible. "It was also like this, you played with him. You played his game, you played a losing game."
Memories began to run down from my head to my spine and throughout my whole body. This topic always costs half of me to attain.
"I loved him, that's why I got defeated." I also stood up. I could feel the tension, they could too. I know.
I was eyeing every one of them.
My feet made their way to the door, I turned the knob.
"I am not gonna play the game, I am not gonna grab that bullshit opportunity, I am not accepting the dare. If that's the answer you want from me right now, then all of you..." —I got half of my body out of the door— "Fuck off."
As I went out of the basement and climbed up my way, it was the kitchen that I first saw.
I went upstairs first, I changed my clothes. I'm wearing a sleeveless tank top and jeans. The night is cold so I decided to wear my brown leather jacket too. Also, just went there to get something.
After, I walked my way towards the living room. There, I saw dad, still in his suit, drinking his cup of coffee.
It was almost his routine, day and night. Even at night, he doesn't restrain. That's how stressed he is. It's relieving for me just to see him lie in bed and sleep, or even just recline on the couch and take a nap. At least, he could rest.
I am sure that Kuya's still in the company right now, arranging things that are needed to be settled.
It is always that. And I don't want to be bothered by that kind of thing right now. At least not now.
I know that everything is probably going there, for me to be the next heiress. My brother said that if I'm ready, he'd settle down with the right person, he'll leave everything up to me.
Of course, they don't want me to get pressured, because if ever, I am not taking a chance to step inside that company. I never wanted to be pressured, that's why they are letting me do what I want for now. But that doesn't mean that I don't have my limitations.
"Where are you going?" Papa asked as I sneaked out. Oh, it's not probably sneaking, I wasn't hiding from him.
"Out, Papa."
"Hmm..." He took a sip of his coffee. "Where exactly?" He asked.
"Just somewhere to replenish what is gone. To get refreshed from everything."
"What happened?"
"Oh, Pa. You know I won't answer that." I'm not an open book.
"Get back here before midnight," he said, his eyes glued on the newspaper he just recently grabbed. I looked at my watch, it's still 8:32 in the evening. Yes, dad. I'll get back in time. "Heal your bruises, Brinley."
I stepped outside. I didn't bother to look back as I heard that from him. Yeah, no shit. He noticed my bruises from the fight.
I went out straight away. I directly went inside my car, I don't really know where I'm headed. Maybe, somewhere fresh. Somewhere I can think about anything. Somewhere lonely, yet consented.
I just kept on driving, my foot will slam on the break if it wants to. Just not now. So fucking tired with this night, first was the fight, then I need to deal with the police. Then after, that heated-up argument! Who the hell do they think of themselves?! Who the fuck do they think I am? Am I invisible for them to argue about things involving me that as if I wasn't there? And about that dare? I made up my mind, and I am adamant about that. I am not accepting the dare.
My wheels stopped in front of a park. I nodded. Maybe, this will be my place for tonight then.
I walked towards the lake in the park. The surroundings were so calm. I grabbed my Canon EOS 5D Mark III. It always has been one of my hobbies, taking pictures. Being a photographer, but I never wanted to pursue that job and just go beyond it being a hobby. I'm contented with this.
I got a collection of cameras actually, my brother kept on asking me if I have some plan of being a photographer, a real one. I always kept on saying no, I just want it this way.
I positioned myself to take a shot of the lake. Click!
I reviewed it. It was good though.
I walked around, taking pictures everywhere.
As I positioned myself to take a picture of the group of birds passing by— someone just grabbed me by my arm. Making me lose the moment!
"Shit," I cursed as I realized that I haven't even clicked the button.
"Oh, sorry—" I cut his words off, his voice is familiar.
I turned around to look at him— Ashton Vans dela Cuesta. I was shocked. Was this just a fucking coincidence or is he just following me?!
"Are you—" He cut my sentence off.
"Nope, if that's what you're thinking. You are probably mistaken."
"So, why are you here?"
"I go here, once or twice a month, miss."
"Wow, such a coincidence," I kind of accused. "I just lost that moment worth capturing, you freakin' guy!" I said as I was holding my camera high for him to see.
"That's why I'm sorry." His voice was calm, I shook my head.
"You're still pissing me off!" I blurted out.
"Okay, okay. I owe you, two times! What can I do—"
"Just leave."
"And that's the thing I can't— won't do." He smirked. I can now feel gas coming out of my ears.
After he uttered those words. There was a staring competition between us. I didn't look away. I am not letting myself lose. I was looking at him with blazing eyes. His eyes were calm though, but I don't care. He just annoys me!
As our eyes were locked at each other, I also kept on thinking. What can he do for me? He owes me two!
"Okay!" He looked away. I grinned. I won. "If you won't tell me what I need to do, then I'll pick for you."
I got puzzled. And why would he decide for me?
"Okay, okay. I know what you're thinking. These will be just suggestions."
"Oh, I opt not to deal with you," I said and turned my back at him. Yet, he grabbed me by my arm. His grip wasn't that tight, not loose too. "What's wrong with you?"
"I'll get over this. I want you." My features got tangled up. What the hell is he sayin'?
He wants me? Dude, he only met me a while ago! Don't tell me that he is just acting to be a not-so-obvious stalker to me? I mean, if he is, then that's— I don't know what word can describe that. It's too fast.
"Huh?" I asked in shock, almost shouting at him.
"I know! J-just— it's just that I want to hang out with you," he said, his face was now making me see what he feels. I don't know if he is sincere, but fuck! This is happening.
"Hang out? Then what's the next step? Hook up? Date? Or what? Uhm, relationship!" —I said, jokingly guessing— "Yes, yes! Right!" I laughed in front of him. "Of course, I'm right. We play the same game."
His mouth fell open. His eyes squinted.
"Ms. Judgmental." He just made a nickname for me! Again— he just made me a nickname!
"Hello there, Mr. Annoying!" Yes, right. That word is barely inscrutable. Annoying.
"Just come. My treat."
"I'm not after your treat," I said, being sassy.
"I just owe you this one. Please let me have you for this." He smiled. I rolled my eyes.
"Whatever, Annoying guy," I said. I haven't eaten dinner too.
Oh, maybe I could have this guy take me for dinner.
No, no! He annoys me! No way—
"C'mon, please."
Shit. I'm hungry.
--------------
"I'm still not coming with you," I prodded and went in my car. He knocked on my window, I lifted it down.
"Oh—"
"I'm eating by myself!"
"Okay, fine! Fine," he said in surrender. He proceeded into his vehicle, a Triumph Bonneville T120.
I started to drive. I didn't mind him. There's no way I'm going somewhere to eat with him. He was the topic of our heated argument, there's no chance he can talk to me. My tongue might slip if this night will be a sloppy one.
I was thinking about the pancake house nearby the park. Maybe, I could use some time in there. Fuck that guy.
I drove so fast even though the pancake house was just a kilometer away from the park. I am just so sure of getting that guy out this night. He was our topic and now he's here? This can't be destiny— no way. I don't even believe in that shit. This should just be some kind of coincidence. And now, why am I thinking this way?
As I reached the pancake house, I stormed in inside. My face was so fierce that even the staff got stuck staring at me, full of horror. I was effortlessly terrifying, but I fucking don't care!
I sat on the chair at the corner table. I ordered my usual thing.
I pondered while waiting for my order, staring through the glass walls. I'm musing about Zaylee's dare. Ashton? Can I handle him?
Of course yes!
Then what's holding me back? What the fuck is stopping me?
Why do I seem to be so afraid of taking Zaylee's dare? Or was I just so annoyed by him? Or was it because of what Clover said?
"Tell me, Brinley. What happened 2 years ago to get you convinced that this is really an opportunity?"
"It was also like this, you played with him. You played his game, you played a losing game."
Fuck you, Clover!
But I also think that Clover is right. What if the more I kept on playing, the more my downfall becomes inevitable?
But isn't it my downfall already if I stop now? Should I really play him? Play a dela Cuesta? Someone's family and influence never bothered me, but— shit! If I play him, I can survive. It's not as if this is not my everyday life.
"Hey there! What are you thinking, huh?" My attention got diverted into him— Ashton! I looked at him dead serious. Is there a fucking portal in here? He just keeps showing up. Bullshit, yes, of course! He followed me here!
"Why do you keep on following me?!" I raised my voice which got the majority of the attention inside here. I glared at them so they'd just go back and mind their own business.
"Shhh! I'm not!" As if I'd believe him. I rolled my eyes at him.
"What a coincidence, again!" I said in sarcasm.
"I told you, I didn't."
"Next time, do good at lying to me. Like, dork, you are sitting in front of me, we bumped into each other hours ago, next was in the park, now here? Come to your senses!"
"Okay fine. I was just kidding you."
"Do I look like a kid to you?" I said. He smirked.
My order arrived, I glared at him gesturing him to get out.
"You got it, lady," he winked then stood up. "Eat as much as you can, we're going somewhere." I gave him my middle finger, he just grinned then went out.