Delaney Cooper handed the glass of a single shot malt to Christopher and then walked leisurely to sit across the man. The two men were a contrast to each other be it in looks, temperaments or thoughts.
While Delaney Cooper was brown haired and brown eyed, his aura exuding a boyish charm while the Prince was blue eyed and blonde with a foreboding personality. However the two men had been best friends for more than half of their lives. It is because despite their differences their core values were the same.
But they had not always been friends, instead, they had started out as rivals for the top place but soon understood that the person who stood on the top was usually alone. As a result, as the boys had matured, the thirst for top place had been left behind replaced with a bond of friendship that was almost unbreakable.
They had not met regularly, with Delaney having early on taken the responsibility of business while Christopher had taken to working for his nation but their friendship did not require them to meet regularly. Each knew the other had their back in time of need. And they had been there for each other in the past without reservations.
It was because of the trust in his friend that he had let Jeannie into his room tonight. He had been curious why she would want to do this and thus he had acceded to her request without a second thought. However, what he had learnt had confused him while his friend's ruthlessness had shocked Delaney. This was unlike the Christopher he knew. When she had not come out for a while, he had opened the door and heard the threat.
"Are you going to give me an explanation? Why are you blackmailing a person to date you and marry you?", he could not help but ask his friend again.
"Delaney? Since when did you let a woman come between us? I can't believe you let her into my room. Is this how you run your hotel? Do you know I could sue you for this?"
"You can try, Christopher.. I knew she had no hurtful intentions towards you. At least not the kind you fear... like your ex. "
"We don't talk about that Del!", Christopher interrupted but Delaney Cooper continued.
"But it seems that you wanted her to have other intentions. Are you interested in her? Should I believe that you have become a believer in Love at first sight?"
"Your sense of humor seems to be abundant today. Since when did I even believe in love?"
Delaney's fingers tightened on his glass. If he did not love her," Then you want something from her? You are trying to use her?"
Christopher glanced at his friend and snorted before drinking his malt in a single gulp. "You almost sound angry at me Del. What is so different today? You know that I won't stop if there is something I want. The same goes for her. Jeannie Boon has something I want and I am going to get it. I don't need to woo her or lie to her for that, do I?"
"But you never.. Christopher! Despite everything that has happened in the past, I have never seen you behave like this. You did not just threaten an innocent woman but you threatened all those weak people who are relying on her help. No one other than you can understand better about dedicating your life to a cause and yet you would do something despicable as to threaten someone.. Christopher? Why?"
"Delaney? Are you sure that she is innocent? You know pretty faces like that are not really as innocent as they seem. And since when did you start to defend people? I thought we were the same people. With no heart, just ambition. Didn't you participate in the auction just to make that princess get you to you? You allegedly took her on a date but why did her father think you had kidnapped her? Just because what you wanted was right does not that Also, I don't have the time to explain. Just know that I am going to marry her soon enough."
Saying so, Christopher got up, ready to go inside but Delaney's voice stopped him," What if I choose to help her?"
This caused Christopher to do a double take and he turned back.
"Delaney?"
"Christopher."
As the two men stared at each other, at an impasse, the air around them sizzled until finally," That is your choice Delaney. It would not be the first time I lost a friend and it won't be the last time."
As the door to the bedroom closed behind him, Delaney rubbed his forehead and cursed," It will be the last, you bas****! Because I am the only friend you have left."
Cursing under his breath, Delaney walked out of the room. How was he supposed to choose between his childhood friend and the woman he loved? He did not understand why Christopher was interested in Jeannie but he had to find out!
Dam* It! He never should have invited him here. If Christopher had not come, he would have finally confessed to Jeannie and they could have tried to be in a relationship..
Now everything was a mess and suddenly his friendship and love both were at stake. How had everything happened so suddenly. "Find out why Prince Christopher is intent on marrying in Vice President Jeannie Boon."
After disconnecting one call, he then dialed Jeannie's number but the stubborn woman would not answer. Knowing her, she would have gone to confront that person.