Chapter - 26
"Amanda?" A surprised voice sounded from behind.
"Who is this guy?" The voice had a bubbling anger inside it.
Just as Rick looked at Amanda and showed her off to the saleswoman, a voice cut through the air, shattering the romantic moment like a fragile glass.
Amanda's heart skipped a beat when she heard the voice. Nervously, she turned towards the voice as slow she could. She wanted the time to freeze at this moment, so that she could flee away with Rick. But it was just her wishful thinking.
In front of her stood a man, probably in his late twenties or early thirties, looking at her with glaring eyes, ready to chew her alive.
It was Zack, her boyfriend. Well, technically he should be her ex-boyfriend because she saw him cheating on her with that cock sucking, slut, Lisa. But she never actually officially broke up with him. Quite the opposite, she has been actually avoiding his calls all along.
"I've been calling you since yesterday, Amanda. You're really good at ignoring people, huh?" Zack pulled out his phone and waved it in front of Amanda.
Amanda's smile faltered, and she avoided Zack's gaze, not wanting to be dragged into a conversation.
"Zack, I... I've been busy. Can we not do this here?" Amanda didn't want to have this conversation in front of so many people, especially Rick.
"Busy, huh? Too busy to answer a simple call or text?" Zack frowned.
Amanda's eyes flitted around the store, hoping for a way out of the situation. But Zack seemed relentless.
"Zack, please, not now," despite not being in the wrong, Amanda almost pleaded, her voice shaking.
"No, Amanda. I want to know what's going on. And who's this guy with you?" Zack's gaze shifted to Rick, who had been watching the exchange with growing discomfort. Sensing the tension, Rick stepped forward, trying to defuse the situation.
"Hey there, I'm Rick. Amanda's boyfriend." Rick introduced himself with a smile.
"Boyfriend, huh? Funny, Amanda, you didn't mention him when we were together," Zack smirked, "Bro, do you know she has been playing the two of us, this cheating whore."
Amanda clenched her fists, feeling the anger rise within her. She finally decided to speak up, her voice firm.
"Oh, I know about you. But what can I do, this girl is just so good. Even if she had you, I couldn't resist her," Rick laughed putting his arm around Amanda, "She is just so good that I couldn't let her go. Even if that meant I had to share her. Right, baby?" Rick said and winked at Amanda, gesturing her to just play along.
"No baby... You don't have to share me with anyone. I don't have anything to do this bastard. Whatever it was, it's over between us. I moved on.." Amanda snuggled more into Rick and smiled, looking at him. She was really touched how Rick decided to stand for her, despite Zack, the guy she deeply loved a day ago using the vilest of words for her.
"Bastard? Moved on, huh? To this guy who's suddenly so interested in playing hero?" Zack's face turned purple, hearing Amanda. Isn't she cuck-slapping him in front of everyone?
"Look, Zack, I'm not here to create drama. Amanda and I are together now. It's best if you respect her wishes and move on as well," Rick maintained his composure. In fact he was loosing it, but instead of showing it on his face, he was devising a plan to take his revenge on the asshole.
"Respect her wishes? Who do you think you are? Can't she speak for herself?" Zack's eyes narrowed as he looked at Rick, ready to shred him into pieces given the opportunity.
"Of course, she can. But as her boyfriend, I can't let her get into an argument with a pig now, can I?" Rick mockingly humiliated Zack.
"Well, well, well. Looks like you do have some guts," Zack actually smiled and clapped, praising Rick. He was so angry that he actually maliciously smiled looking at Rick.
Rick's calm demeanor seemed to irk Zack even more. His attempts to belittle Rick only fueled Rick's determination to handle the situation with grace.
"You're really getting on my nerves, man," Zack clenched his fists.
"Is that so? I thought I was just trying to have a conversation here," Rick shrugged, not caring in the least.
"You're unbelievable. Amanda, are you seriously falling for this act?" Zack fumed in anger. Only god knows how he was holding himself back.
"That's none of your business, Zack. That's enough! I've had it with your attitude," Amanda raised her voice angrily.
"Yeah, Zack, she likes someone who actually treats her right," Rick said, smirking.
Rick's casual attitude agitated Zack, "You think you're better than me, huh? You arrogant son of a..." Zack almost cursed.
"Un... aa..." Rick shook his finger, interrupting Zack, "No need to curse. I don't need to think it. It's pretty obvious, I am way better than you can ever be."
"You don't know anything about me," Zack said, getting on Rick's face.
"And I don't need to. All I know is that she's with me now," Rick calmly said.
"Oh, I can see what she sees in you. Mr. Tough Guy with all the answers," Zack sarcastically said, his face twitching.
"Well, I do try my best.," Rick grinned.
"Zack, it's not about replacing anyone. It's about moving on," Amanda was finally losing her patience.
"And you should try that too, pal," Rick taunted, leaning in on Amanda, "Just like my baby."
Amanda nodded, looking at Rick and then looked at Zack firmly, "Rick is respectful and kind. Something you clearly don't understand."
Zack gritted his teeth, getting red-faced, "You little..."
But Rick interrupted him, "Oh, look at that. Words failing you? Don't be an animal now, dear Zacky-boy."
"You think you can just waltz in here and steal my girl, huh?" Zack said, pointing his finger at Rick.
"Your girl? Is that what this is about? I thought we covered this already," Rick looked at Zack nonchalant, "Don't think we don't know what you have been up to. I am only giving you face because Amanda once loved you. So leave while I am being a gentleman."
"You... What do you know? I am telling you, rascal. You're playing with fire" Zack threatened Rick. He didn't really think Rick knew anything about him.
Rick frowned as if looking at an idiot, "Am I? Because all I see is a guy who can't let go. And I dare you to curse at me again. If your nose isn't bloody after that, I will be the bastard son of my father." Rick's warned Zack, his eyes turning blood red as he looked at Zack. Rick wasn't an impulsive guy but he wasn't going to let a cheating bastard curse him in front of so many people.
"Sir, I think you need to calm down. Please don't cause a scene in the store," the saleswoman tried to calm down Rick.
"Why are you asking me to calm down?" Rick yelled at the saleswoman, "Did I start it? Do you think I want to hear his vomit in my ears? No... I don't. So instead of calming me down, throw that fucker out."
"I am CALM!" Rick yelled at the saleswoman, leaving her tongue-tied. Good thing Amanda was beside him. She gently rubbed his shoulder, and softly whispered in his ears. And it worked to a great extent. Rick slowly began to ease, getting his calm back.
"..."
"Who are you calling fucker? You're just a rebound, you know that?" But Zack only became more angry when he saw Amanda and Rick act so affectionately.
Rick chuckled when he heard Zack, "Rebound? Buddy, I have already slammed the dunk." Rick turned his face towards Amanda and winked at her.
Amanda blushed when she saw the perverted look on Rick's face. She took a step forward and stood between Rick and Zack, "Okay, seriously, Zack, this needs to stop."
Zack glared at Amanda when he saw the two of them exchange glances, "I'm not done here."
"You know, you're right. You're not done embarrassing yourself," Rick casually taunted.
"Amanda, do you see how he talks to me?" Zack asked Amanda, fuming in anger.
Amanda crossed her arms, rolling her eyes, "Frankly, Zack, you're not giving him much to work with."
Rick waved his hand, "It's alright, babe. I've dealt with toddlers having tantrums before."
"You arrogant..." Zack wanted to punch Rick.
But Rick interrupted him, "Oh, big word for you there. Did you practice that in front of a mirror?"
Amanda facepalmed herself, "This is ridiculous. Don't poke him, Rick."
"At least we're providing entertainment for the store," Rick grinned.
Zack said, pointing at Rick's face ,"You watch yourself, man."
"Oh, I'm trembling," Rick mocked.
"You," Zack trembled in anger, but soon he exhaled deeply, trying to calm himself, "Oh, come on, Amanda. You're seriously falling for this kid's tricks? He looks like he just graduated high school. Can he even afford anything in this store?" Zack smirked, looking at Amanda.
Rick nodded, agreeing with Zack for a change, "You're right, Zack. I mean, what could a young, inexperienced guy like me possibly buy from here?"
Amanda started to get annoyed, "Zack, just stop it."
But Zack ignored her, "Here's an idea, kid. Let's make a little bet. If you can actually buy something from this store, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. But if you can't, you have to admit to Amanda that you're just trying to impress her with smoke and mirrors.
Rick smirked, "You're on,"
"Zack, seriously?" Amanda tried to stop them.
Zack was happy see how gullible Rick was, "Oh, this is going to be good."
Rick ignored the happy face Zack and turned towards Amanda, "Babe, should I take the bet?"
Amanda sighed, "Rick, you don't have to prove anything to him or anyone. Let's just go."
"Don't worry, this is going to be fun," Rick cupped Amanda's face and assured her.
"So, kid, what's it gonna be?" Zack interrupted the two of them. He couldn't just do anything to Rick when so many people were watching him.
Hearing him, Rick contemplated, "Well, you know, Zack, you've got a point. I do look young, and I wouldn't want to burden Amanda with my empty pockets."
Zack smirked when he heard Rick, "Finally seeing reason, are you?"
"But," Rick said, holding his finger up towards Zack, "Here's the thing, Zack. Looks can be deceiving.
Zack raised his eyebrow, "Is that so?"
Rick nodded, "Indeed. So, here's the bet. You see the five pieces in front of you? You can chose any one of them you want," Rick said, "No matter whichever it is, I will buy it."
"If I am able to buy it," Rick emphasized on his words, "Then Amanda gets to pick one more jewelry from the store and you will pay for it. On top of that, you will get on your fours and roll out of the store, barking, 'Rick is my grandfather', do you agree?"
Zack chuckled, "You really think you can afford something in here, don't you?
Rick shrugged, "Let's just say I'm feeling lucky today."
"What if we you lose?" Zack asked.
"Then I am at your mercy," Rick shrugged, "You can do whatever you want with me."
"Sounds good," Zack nodded. Then he walked towards the saleswoman. He asked her the cost of the pendants one by one. He heard the saleswoman and made a quick decision.
"I want this one," Zack said, pointing at the pendant and told Rick.
"Sure, why not?" Rick nodded and headed towards the saleswoman to make the payment.
"This is going to be fun to watch," Zack whispered to Amanda.
"You're so immature, Zack," Amanda rolled her eyes, "This changes nothing between us. We are over."
Soon, Rick walked towards them, taking very slow steps.
"Amanda, can I have that pendant?" Rick asked when he reached them.
Zack smirked, "What? Shocked by the price? What did you think? It will cost a couple hundred?"
Hearing Zack's taunt, even Amanda felt that maybe Rick wasn't able to buy the pendant. So she quickly came forward to comfort him.
"It's alright, Rick. It's the thought that counts," Amanda tenderly looked at him, "You don't have to pay attention to some cheating dog. Dogs will bark. This is what they are suppose to do."
"What are you talking about?" Rick looked confused.
"I have already paid for it," Rick said, "They want to pack it for you."
"..."
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[A/N: Do leave a comment, vote and send me lots of gifts ;)]