Chapter 5

TATE

“What the hell's the matter with you?” Braden demanded, and judging from his demeanor and tone, it was really obvious that he wasn't pleased.

“Nothing’s the matter with me,” I answered in a nonchalant tone.

“You just overreacted and embarrassed us in front of everyone…”

“Overreacted? Easy for you to say because it wasn't you.” I cut him off, “Like, dude, this dude spilled his scotch on my $900 shirt, of course I'll be pissed.”

His jaw dropped. “I don't know which is crazier. The fact that you spent nine hundred freaking dollars on one fucking shirt, or the fact that you were the one who literally bumped into him and started aggressing him, or the fact that you were actually going to throw hands at that terrifying man.”

“You're kidding.” I scoffed, leaned back on my seat, wrapped my hand around my glass of champagne, brought it closer to my lips and took a sip. “Dude, there's nothing scary about that man.”

“Dude! That man looks like he harvests people's organs and eats them for breakfast!” He exclaimed, and I couldn't help but scoff again. “Like, did you see his eyes? They were terrifying! He looked like those typical psychotic billionaires you normally read about in dark romance fiction.”

“Well, then, it's a good thing I don't read books, isn't it? Nothing about that dude is even slightly terrifying. I mean, why would you even find him terrifying? He's a fellow man.” I set down the glass of champagne on the table and picked up my cutlery again. “Now, let's just forget about him. He paid for my damaged shirt, and he's gone. Let's just enjoy our meal.”

I dug in and started to eat the marvelous dish, savouring the rich taste.

But Braden wasn't eating. He sat rigid and kept staring at me with a worried expression.

“What?”

“If you end up dead in a ditch somewhere, I'll tell you I told you so.” He said in concern.

“Oh, come on, Braden, just eat your meal.” I said airily, “You worry way too much. Nothing will happen to me.”

“I just have a bad feeling about that man, that's all.” He said, “And it's unnerving me so much because we both know that my instincts are never wrong.”

I frowned, “Okay, now you're starting to kind of piss me off with all this talk. Just fucking eat, Braden.”

He mumbled a “sorry” and picked up his cutlery, then started to eat. The moment he took the first bite of his meal, he completely forgot all about that old, clumsy man who spilled his drink on me.

I took a couple of selfies and uploaded them to my I* account. Braden, still insatiable, ordered a few more meals, which we devoured.

After we were finally done and full, the waitress came and cleared our plates.

Braden relaxed back in his chair and exhaled, “That was amazing!”

“I agree.”

“Man, you should do another ad for them so they can invite you for another free meal, and when they do, you bring me along.” He suggested, grinning.

I let out a soft chuckle. “You want me to be viewed by the staff as a hungry, broke influencer? Uh uh. No can do.”

Something caught my eye from the far end of the restaurant, which made me shift my gaze in that direction. It was the tight, fat booty waitress who attended to us just now. She was beckoning to me to come over.

I smirked.

Looks like I'm fucking that tight ass again tonight.

Tracing the direction of my eyes, Braden's eyes landed on her, and he sighed. “I knew you fucked her.”

“Ha ha.” I let out a soft, smug chuckle, pushed myself to my feet and tugged the sticky shirt clinging to my skin. “You can head back to campus now.”

“What? By myself?” He asked.

“Yeah.”

“Seriously?”

“Order an Uber or something.” I said, flashing him a smile, “As you can see, I'm preoccupied. See you tomorrow, Braden.”

With smooth ease, I strode down the aisle over to the waitress. She saw me coming, turned and walked down the passage to the back door exit.

I followed behind, pushed past the swinging door and stepped onto the back alley. It was quiet here, with a dim, flickering bulb light over the dumpster.

She was leaning against the wall, arms folded. I smirked, taking a step closer, fingers already fumbling with my belt.

“What on earth were you thinking back there?” She demanded in a harsh, husky voice.

I paused and glanced up at her, “Sorry, what now?”

“That man you just insulted back there and threatened to beat up, do you even have the slightest idea who he is?” She asked.

I scoffed. “Uh… should I?”

“Uh, yeah, the fuck you should.” She shot at me. “That’s Julian Belmont. That man can ruin your whole life and entire family if he wants to.”

“I'm sorry, let me get this straight, you called me in here not because you wanted me to fuck but because you wanted to lecture me about my attitude towards the clumsy ass man that literally spilled his whiskey on my shirt, is that correct?”

“Yes, that's why I called you here.” She admitted. “You should apologize…”

“Why the fuck would I apologize to him?” I snapped at her, chest rising with sudden frustration. “He's in the wrong here, and he knows it, too. That's fucking why he apologized and Venmoed me the cost for ruining my shirt. So what's with the lecture, sweet cheeks?”

“That man is no ordinary person…” She began.

“You know what? I'm done with this.” I buckled my belt back again. “You've just ruined my mood with all this talk. It's a shame I didn't get to crack your cheeks tonight. But it's alright. There's always another day.”

I turned and headed back inside.

“I'm telling you, you should apologize.” She called from behind, but I paid her no mind.

Braden was already gone. I slid behind the steering wheel of my car and drove back to campus.

My introverted, bookworm roommate, Ajax, was sitting behind his desk, doing the usual when I stepped into our shared dorm room.

“Hey, man, what's good?”

“All good.” He replied, not glancing up.

I threw myself onto my comfy bed and let out a loud exhale, yawning and stretching like a cat. I took off the smelly shirt and tossed it somewhere on the floor.

I should be at a party right now, but oh well, I'm beat.

Without bothering to take a shower or take off my shoes or jeans, I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I was awoken by my sister's shocking phone call.

“What did you just say?” I screeched into the phone, sitting up instantly, “What happened to Dad's company?”