[KHALI]
The ringing of my alarm woke me up. I moaned and groped for my phone, which was evidently on my nightstand. My eyes slowly opened, and I checked the time; it was already 7 a.m. What time did I sleep last night? 2 a.m? I couldn't sleep last night, so I drank myself to sleep. I can smell my breath, reeks of alcohol, feeling a little disappointed in myself. I used to be an organized person, but one girl ruined my plans. I exited my room and proceeded to the kitchen. Beer cans were strewn across the floor.
"I'll just let her clean this," I murmured. I took a glass, poured some water, and chugged it down.
She's supposed to be here at this hour. I furrowed my brows as I glanced at my watch. My mind flashed back to the memories of last night; her scent, her heavy breathing, her smooth skin. No! No! No! I exhaled sharply, closing my eyes. She's making me insane!
I decided to first take a shower in the hopes of clearing my mind and eradicating these strange thoughts. I didn't turn on the heat so that I could wake my body up. Perhaps a cold shower could straighten up my mind. I shivered and gasped as the coldness struck my body.
"Holy crap! It's freezing!" my jaw quivered as I shivered in the water. I've got to get her off my mind. I'm going to make her resent the fact that she even entered my casino. As soon as I walked out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around my body. I started putting on some comfortable clothes because I expected her to be here shortly.
I'm not excited; I'm just preparing myself in case she decides to seek revenge on me. I know I perturbed her last night, and I wasn't sorry for that. I want to show her that I'm not a nice person and she should regret approaching and humiliating me that night. I despise girls like her, who believe they can seduce me in an instant just by saying so.
I heard the doorbell rang, and I went to open the door.
"You're late," I said coldly, but it turned out to be Jey. She looked at me with her brows lifted, obviously puzzled.
"Were you waiting for me?" She asked. I just shook my head and let her in.
"No, I was waiting for that Jane girl," I said.
"Ooh, that pretty girl? Wait, what are you going to do with her?" She curiously asked.
I sat on the couch and started to dry my hair with a small towel hanging on my shoulder.
"I'll make her clean the house and do the dishes, wash my clothes, and cook for us," I boasted, but that didn't imply I'd let her do it in peace. I smirked, thinking of all the things I might do to annoy her even more.
"You're a demon," Jey said while shaking her head.
"Am I?" I pretended that I was offended.
"Yes. Why are you so mad at her, anyway? Look, she's a great girl, she's a CEO, and she's incredibly attractive! She wanted you that night even if she was drugged; it's not your loss. She's a great catch. What's there to be ashamed about?" Jey knitted her brows while staring at me as she sat on the couch opposite mine.
"I just don't like her," I shrugged, and Jey snorted, making me uneasy. I don't always appreciate my best friend's bluntness and candor. She always has something to say in everything I do. I arched my brows, and she chuckled.
"You're a liar," she said.
"Excuse me?" Now, I'm really offended.
"Khali, you like her, but you can't accept the fact that there's a decent possibility someone could make you fall in love again, so you choose to hate her," she stated, smiling as if she'd made the most brilliant statement ever.
"That's nonsense, Jey. She humiliated me, and I will make her regret what she did to me," I stood up and was about to go to my room when Jey spoke again.
"Not everyone is like Carmine," I looked back at her with a stoic expression on my face.
"I already moved on from her. So don't talk about her again."
She merely fell silent. I hate how sympathetic her eyes are towards me. I hate it when people feel sorry for me when I do not need sympathy. I understand that not everyone is like Carmine. However, anyone can do the same thing in different ways. People will take advantage of you if you allow your emotions to rule you, and you will eventually let them hurt you. I vowed that I would never allow something like that to happen again. Never.
.
.
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[JANE]
"No, there's no way I'm going to let you go to her apartment alone," my best friend crossed her arms while looking at me with her mouth pressed on a thin line.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine. I wish I don't need to go there, but I have to," I uttered disappointingly.
"Yes, because your father is most likely arranging your dinner date with Nicholas yet again," she grumbled. I shrugged and groaned. I sat on the edge of my bed, looking down on my fidgeting fingers.
"Exactly, so I have to do this," I explained, "and if you want to come with me, that's OK, but what are you going to do there?" I re-tucked my skirt for the umpteenth time, pondering whether this attire is appropriate for cleaning, cooking, and whatever else she'll ask me to do — not that I'm expecting anything more.
"Of course! I need to make sure you're safe there; I can't let you go somewhere where your safety is compromised; at the very least, I need to know what that place looks like," she explained. I am lucky to have Reese as a best friend. To me, she's like a sister. I never felt alone because of her, even if I didn't have a sibling. She's the person closest to me, and I'll do the same for her.
"Thank you Reese Posie," I pouted and gave her a tight hug.
"But, you should change your outfit," she said, pushing me a little and scanning me from head to toe. I gazed down at my clothes and arched my brows in confusion. I wasn't worried at all because I can wear whatever I want. Even if others find it not trendy at all; Anything can be stylish, in my opinion; it's the confidence that makes the difference.
"Why? This is comfortable for me," I started to twirl around. I'm wearing a pink skirt and a fitted shirt.
"You should wear jeans and a comfortable shirt since you're going to clean her apartment. You'll be uncomfortable wearing a skirt, trust me," she said as she pulled me into my walk-in wardrobe and began selecting outfits for me.
"Alright, this is perfect!" she exclaimed as she examined my moon print t-shirt and double-breasted cable knit cardigan. She also handed me a pair of jeans she had taken. I stopped debating with her. She is more knowledgeable in this stuff. I was formerly homeschooled, which explains why I am an introvert. When I was a kid, I never had the opportunity to play with other children. Outside our yard, I can only see them from afar. I tried to play with them once, and I had to sneak out of our house since I was envious of their many friends. I didn't have any friends at that time.
Unfortunately, they bullied me. They refused to play with me. I cried as I went back home. I told my mom that I no longer enjoy playing with other kids. It turns out it isn't as enjoyable as I had hoped. Not until I entered high school. I stopped homeschooling when I was twelve years old. My mom advised me to see the real world. She assured me that there are a lot of things that the world could offer to me, and I shouldn't be afraid to explore. That's the time I met Reese.
“Okay,” I just shrugged and started to change my clothes.
“Wait, you packed your clothes?” she saw my luggage by the door.
"Yes, I told you I have to stay there for a week."
"Alright, let me check your clothes," she said as she took my luggage and opened it, checking my stuff one by one. Even though I'm older than her, she always treats me like a child.
"Seriously, are you going to a party? You just put some skirts here. Oh! Good thing you put on some pajamas," she took out some clothes and tossed them on the side.
"I know you like skirts, and that's fine, but I don't trust that person you're going to live with for a week; what if I'm right? That she only wants sex?" I groaned as I remembered what had happened the night before.
"She said she doesn't like me, and the same goes for me. I don't like her either. So don't worry, but—,“ I said, pausing to consider whether or not I should tell her what happened last night.
"But?" She asked curiously.
"There's something happened—,“ she gasped, cutting me off.
"Oh my gosh! Did something happen between you two? You had sex? I knew I couldn't trust that person!" she said, her fist balled just below her chin as if she were about to punch someone but in a humorous way.
"No. Ugh! Don’t cut me off. Something happened, but not sex. It's just, I told her that she's not my type because she insulted me first. She also told me I'm not her type, and I will never be, and she looks disgusted about the idea of me and her doing something, you know. So, I told her that she's not even on the level of my suitors and that she disgusts me too. I think she felt insulted by what I said. It's her fault anyway, and then—,“ I paused and looked away as I felt uncomfortable sharing the next thing that happened.
"Yes, and you always leaving me hanging," she scolded me, and I went back sitting on my bed.
"Well, she challenged me. She said that I will eventually fall for her and beg her to fuck me."
"What?!" My best friend yelled in anger.
"It was a wrong move, but you don't have to worry. I'm not the type of person who would fall for her. She's arrogant, and I think she's the same as Nicholas. The only difference is she's a girl," I took my best friend's arm to calm her down.
"No, but you better keep me updated every day; if she does anything to you, you better inform me, or I'll rip her bones out. I don't care who she is," she was glaring at me, and I chuckled nervously. She looks like an angry chipmunk.
"Okay, Okay. I'll keep you updated; don't worry, I've got this," I assured her.
After that, Reese drove me to Khali's apartment. It's already 7:30 in the morning, and I'm already 30 minutes late. Khali's seething eyes and nose sprung to mind. Consider a dragon who exhales smoke through her nostril. I'm not terrified, but that's how I envisioned her.
We walked into the building and were greeted by the receptionist in her mid-twenties. As soon as we approached her, she gave us a sweet smile.
"Good Morning Ma'am, how may I help you?" She asked.
"Good morning. Could you kindly call Miss Khali Luciano and inform her that it's Jane Terranova?" I asked, my gaze falling on her name tag, pinned to her blouse over her left chest. It says Cindy Kong. Her features are delicate, and she is gorgeous. She never showed any excitement in her expression - just a calm and welcoming aura, so I assumed she didn't know who I was.
"Alright, Miss Terranova. Hold on, let me call her on the phone. You may take a seat there first while you wait for her," she said, motioning us to sit on the couch.
"She's so pretty," Reese whispered at me. I merely shrugged and walked over to the couch. Reese is not straight, by the way. She had dated and flirted with lots of girls ever since I met her. It's just funny that she never hit on me. She said it would be incest if she did since she treats me as her sister. Fair point. After a few moments, I spotted the receptionist giving us a sidelong glance before calling us.
"Miss Terranova, you may go up to the 23rd floor," the receptionist said, and we stood up and took the card, but my best friend had to flirt with her.
"Hello, my name is Reese Fatico, and you can call me Reese," she said with a charming smile, and I rebuked her with my stare.
"Oh, I have to go since you know my best friend is a little antsy. I'll be hanging around here more often. Catch you later," she said, winking at the receptionist, who merely laughed.
"Seriously?" I muttered.
"You're no fun," she mumbled while pouting.
"I thought you don't want here?"
"On second thought, I like it here," she smiled widely, and I just shook my head.
We entered the elevator and pushed the button to the 23rd floor.
"Just to be fair, I must commend her in choosing this building," Reese said while holding up her index finger.
"Because of the receptionist?" I feigned to be upset.
"If only I knew you were going to trade me for a gorgeous receptionist," I said.
"No, not the receptionist," she shrugged, "but you have to admit, this is a nice place. If I had enough money, I would transfer here."
"My apartment is still nicer," I pressed my mouth on a thin line, not agreeing to what she said.
"Yes, since you're a CEO and your flat is worth millions," she uttered proudly as a matter of fact. I just flashed a smug smile and laughed. She then laughed as well, and finally, we reached the 23rd floor. We stepped out and walked towards the front door. I swiped the card, and Reese pushed the door open.
"Oh! Hi!" exclaimed a woman of my height. She's pretty, and she's dressed casually in sweatpants and a white shirt, but I was puzzled as to why she was staring at my best friend with her mouth gaping open.
Reese Posie just raised a brow at her, which is a little funny since she suddenly became intimidating.
"Hi, my angel," the woman said to Reese, making me giggle and snort. On the other hand, my best friend gave me a cold stare.
"Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to come inside?" Somebody spoke, and I know very well who it is. It's the arrogant Khali Luciano. The person I hate the most.
"Is she Khali Luciano?" Reese whispered to me, yet it's still audible.
"Yes, she's Khali, and I'm Jey. Nice to meet you. Come inside and let me love you," the girl introduced, and I face-palmed myself. She's hitting on my best friend, and I admit that she got some sense of humor.
"Jey~," Khali called the girl, and she cleared her throat. I walked inside and took Reese's arm together with my luggage. Khali gave me a full-body stare, and I raised an eyebrow at her. I'm not pleased with how she stares at me. When our eyes met, I gave her a death glare, and she smirked at me.
"Great outfit, now you can wash the dishes in the kitchen," she said, pointing to the kitchen, where there were beer cans littered around and unwashed dishes in the sink.
“Wait, you’re not going to let her settle and rest first? That’s cruel,” Jey said but only earned a frown from Khali. She is, indeed, cruel.
"Wait, Jane," Reese uttered seriously. She then faced Khali and crossed her arms.
"Listen, before Jane follows your orders and imprison herself in this hellish apartment of yours in a week. Let me remind you that if you hurt her or mistreat her. I'll make sure you will pay for it. I don't care who you are and what you are, but if you mess with my best friend. You won't like it".
"That's fucking hot," Jey mumbled on the side.
"Shut up," Reese cut her off.
Khali scoffed and looked at me.
“You don't have to worry about your best friend Miss—,“ Khali dragged out.
“--Fatico," Reese answered.
"Oh, Miss Fatico. You don't have to worry about her. We had a deal, and she agreed with it."
Khali glanced at me, and I sighed. I looked at my best friend and reached for her arm.
"Don't worry about me, Reese. I'll keep you updated every day. Hmm?" I reassured her, and she nodded after a few seconds. She wants to make sure I'm telling the truth and that everything will be fine, which I appreciate. She then admonished Khali again, pointing a finger at her and clenching her teeth, "Don't forget what I said."
"And don't forget me," Jey spoke. It's funny that the situation should be much worse by now, but Jey is making it hilarious and bearable somehow.
"Ugh! God! So annoying!" Reese whined and rolled her eyes.
"I'll be fine. You better go now. Thank you," I gave my best friend a tight hug, and she sniffled. Oh my! Is she crying?
"Call me, okay?" She wiped her tears, and I chuckled as I pinched her left cheek.
"Hey! Don't cry!" I wiped her tears, and I heard Khali groan.
"Seriously?" She commented and walked back to her room. I just scowled at her and rolled my eyes.
"Sorry, she's a little insensitive at times," Jey apologized as she looked at us. I wonder why Khali is different from this girl. She appears to be friendly, yet Khali is flawed in many ways. She's obnoxious, insensitive, and conceited. I gave Jey a friendly smile. Thankfully, and hopefully, she will be able to make my stay here bearable.
"I'm sorry if I'm irritating you; I'm just trying to lighten the mood, but this girl here is just too beautiful to cry," she said softly to Reese. I was astonished to see my best friend blush.
"I -'ll go now, Jane. Just text me, okay?" she said as she hugged me again and turned around to face Jey, who still had a huge smile plastered across her face.
"Nice to meet you too, Jey," Reese said and went to the door.
Did she just gay panic? I silently snorted and shook my head. That was weird.
"Hey, quit smiling and do what I ordered," Khali said sternly. I was completely unaware that she had left her room. I gave her a disgusted look before heading to the kitchen. I've never done housekeeping for anyone else in my life, and yet here I am, doing it all for this pompous jerk. To keep my annoyance in check, I bit my lower lip and put on the gloves that had been placed on the sink.
"You can do this Jane; this is just for a week," I mumbled to myself.