Chapter 9

ELARA'S POV 

It was eight in the morning when Callie and Vivi picked me up. They invited me over for breakfast in Callie’s restaurant. My friends kept interrogating me. But I didn’t know what to answer or where to start. I just told them that I would answer after breakfast so they would stop. Besides, after it, we would be hanging out in my condo.

My father called me over the phone and said that I had a trip abroad for business matters. I declined it but he blackmailed me and said that I would not inherit any single pound from our company. I just scoffed and laughed. As if he could do it. Knowing my mother? She wouldn’t agree with it. My mother loves me so much that she won’t let it happen.

So, if Elara said no, then it’s a no. My father does the business thing on that trip.

Yes. I’m hardheaded. But no one can blame me, I hate business. When I was young, I always wanted to be a doctor, but it turns out I became a businesswoman.

There’s nothing wrong with being a businesswoman either. My parents were both business tycoons. But it hurts to feel that I can’t have what I want to become because my parents don’t want it for me. They always said they want the best for me, yes, their best, not mine. I was the one who holds my fate, not them. But what else can I do; it is not like I can undo everything that has happened already. I just let it pass, besides, I’m the only heir of their company.

To fulfill one-fourth of my dreams, what I did was invest in different hospitals, especially for cancer patients and for those kids who needed medications and lacked finances.

Nevertheless, if I want to achieve my dreams, I can do it. But it will be just a hassle of my time. I’m already twenty-five, and at my age, I must be looking for a man I want to spend the rest of my life with. I should be starting to build my own family. I laughed at the thought.

“What are you laughing at?” asked Callie, brows raised. She sat in front of me while Vivi sat beside her. They’re waiting for their orders.

“Nothing.”

“Really? Hey witch, you didn’t answer our questions yet.”

I raised my left eyebrow. “And that would be?” I asked, pretending to be innocent.

“Oh, C’mon. Cut the act,” Callie grumbled and crossed her arms.

“What’s your question again?”

Callie rolled her eyes that made Vivi laugh. “What’s our question? What’s going on between you and the famous Kael Draven Beaumont?”

I drink from my glass of water. “Nothing,” I simply replied.

“Nothing?” Callie repeated.

“Yes. Nothing. Do we look like we have a thing?” I asked, acting astound.

Callie laughed. “Wow, nothing, huh?” She faced Vivi. “She answered nothing, Vivi,” she said, sarcastically.

“And please, can’t we talk about that? Why did the two of you leave me there all by myself?”

I felt relieved when their orders came.

“We leave you because Kael told us. We don’t want to go home, because we’re still having fun, but Kael charm was so”

“I didn’t know that you know Kael,” I cut in whilst I’m slicing my beef steak.

“Duh, who wouldn’t know him? That handsome face? Of course, every girl in town knows him. He’s the talk of the town when it comes to women. And we were surprised when he came in our direction that time,” said Vivi.

“Even if he did that, you shouldn’t leave me there,” I said and placed the sliced steak inside my mouth.

“Of course, we’re not supposed to leave you, but he offers us that he will increase his investments in our company, and who wouldn’t like that offer, huh?” It was Callie.

I shook my head. Among the three, I’m the only one who isn’t fond of business but I’m trying though.

“And we conclude that he is good for you. So that you can forget Adrian,” said Callie.

My forehead wrinkled. “Adrian? I already moved on to that dimwit. And you’re entrusting me to a womanizer?”

Vivi laughed. “That night, Kael pleaded. Duh, that was the first time in Kael’s history. Knowing his reputation as a cold-hearted-womanizer-beast, that’s why we both agreed that you will be safe with him.”

“You’re shipping me out to that Kael?”

“Bitch, he even told us that you two were dating,” said Callie.

My eyes widened. “What? He said that?”

Callie rolled her eyes. “Are you deaf?”

Damn. “Dad is trying to ship us out, okay. He was the one who told Kael to invite me over lunch and dinner. That was the start. Kael is the new member of our board.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” asked Callie.

I sipped on my drink. “He’s not serious, anyway.”

“What do you think?” asked Vivi.

I pretended to think. But now, I’m murdering Kael inside my mind. That man must pay for this. He can’t control his mouth, huh? And he even bribed my friends with his money, and my friends fell for his tactics.

“It was nothing. It was just a friendly date, perhaps. Besides, you knew Kael hates commitments, right. And I’m not applying to be just his flings. You know me.”

“You have a point,” Callie and Vivi said in unison.

“And one more thing, I’m just giving favor to Dad. And that happened once,” I said, and they seemed convinced with it.

When we finished eating our meals, I walked first through the exit. When I was in front of the car, Callie talked. “Elara, wait.” She then shifted her gaze to them.

I raised my brow. “What?” I asked, crossed arms.

“Turn around,” said Callie.

My forehead wrinkled but I still did what Callie said.

“Stay still.”

“Why?” I asked, and seemed irritated.

Callie gasped. “Oh, My, Goodness!” she screamed.

I faced them. My friends seem surprised.

“What’s your problem?” I asked. My friends are acting weird.

“Tell us something we don’t know! Who got your virginity?” Callie blurted. I traveled their distance and covered Callie’s mouth.

“You’re too loud,” I said as I see people looking in our direction.

Callie then took my hand down. “You’re not a virgin anymore,” she said, firmly.

I met Vivi’s eyes, trying to start a conversation, and then we both carried Callie inside the car. Knowing Callie, she’s scandalous and can attract attention to others. Before she could be embarrassed, we already put her inside the car.

Can’t she say those in private?

When we successfully put her inside, I sat beside Callie and Vivi sat in the driver’s seat.

“Oh, God, Elara Marcelline Dela Vega, you’re not a virgin anymore!” she blurted.

“Can you please stop for a moment?” I faced her. “Yes, I’m not. You’re happy, now,” I replied for her to stop. But I’m wrong. Callie threw successive questions.

“I told you, Vivi, when we stayed overnight in the club, something different happened to her already. And she was the only girl who blooms and glows after having a steamy session with someone and after a heartbreak.”

I just rolled my eyes.

“Who’s the guy?” asked Vivi as she looked at me in the rearview mirror.

“Kael,” I answered.

Vivi smiled and nodded while Callie’s eyes widened, surprised.

“That. Man whore. Got you?” Callie asked.

Whilst ago she’s praising the man and now disgust was visible on her face. For real? She’s impossible.

I just nodded.

“I bet, it does not happen once, right?” she asked in a serious tone.

“Accidentally, just once,” I lied. This isn’t the right time that I will tell them about the FUBU thing.

“Do you think I should buy that?” Callie asked as if she sensed that I was lying. “Okay, fine. I let this pass because you’re just going through a heartbreak lately. But when I will ask you soon, better tell us everything. And please, be careful. I know Kael dated many girls, bed every girl he likes. That night, when he said please to us, I know that he’s being serious that he will send you home. It’s fast for us to trust him, don’t we?”

I nodded.

“It’s just because we know that Kael can help you to move on from Adrian. And you know what?”

I arched my left brow. “What? And I already moved on.”

Callie and Vivi’s eyes met through the rearview mirror and faced me again.

“You can use Kael to get even with Adrian and Selene.”

“Huh? What for? We’re over already. I don’t want him to think that I’m desperate and can’t move on from him. No way,” I hesitated.

Callie hit me.

“Ouch! What?”

“Stupid, I didn’t say that you will use Kael and catch Adrian’s attention. I just want you to show or prove to Adrian that he can easily be replaced. Something just like that.”

“Ah, you pretend to be okay with Kael, but the truth is, you want to use him through your hidden agenda. Hey, that’s bad,” I said.

“Wait… you had a crush on him?” Callie mocked.

“Duh, no. You know me if I had a crush on someone.”

“Elara’s right, Callie,” Vivi agreed. “If Elara had a crush on Kael, she would not stop blabbering about that guy, just like Adrian when she met him.”

“Okay. Here’s the plan,” Callie started.

“Plan?” I asked.

“Yes, we have a plan. We’re gonna hit two birds with one stone.”

I raised my brow as my forehead wrinkled because of confusion.

“Elara, use Kael to prove that Adrian was just nothing ”

“Of course, he was just nothing,” I meddled.

“Fine. Let me finish. As I was saying, use him. Besides, your dad is in favor of Kael, and we don’t have a problem with that. But… Here's the twist, Kael hates commitment, right?”

“Yeah, and then?” I asked. Can’t predict what’s on Callie’s mind.

“Let’s make Kael Draven Beaumont be committed to you,” she said, shuddering.

I slightly hit her in the head. “Bitch, that’s not going to happen,” I said and shook my head. Vivi then parked the car.

“That’s why you are going to try it. There’s no harm in trying and you will not lose a thing, you know,” Callie said.

I smirked. “And what will I gain in return?”

“Ah okay, so we have bets here?” asked Callie.

“Why, isn’t it supposed to be that way?” I asked, sarcastically.

“Bitch!” Callie hit me. “Okay, if you succeed, half of our inheritance will be yours,” she said, conceitedly.

“Hey, I disagree,” said Vivi. “Don’t be too conceited, Callie,” she added.

Callie glared at her. “Shut up, Vivi. Stop complaining.” And Vivi didn’t even utter a word.

Oh, Callie and her devil side.

“Are you sure about that?” I asked.

“Of course. We’re hundred percent sure,” Callie answered.

The offer was great, and I like it. The bet was challenging too. “Deal,” I answered. “And what if I fail?”

“Oh, then it is the end of the bet. At least you tried,” Callie replied and laughed as she got out of the car.

I just shook my head and couldn't believe how crazy my friends were.

“Hey, I disagree,” said Vivi. “Don’t be too conceited, Callie,” she added.

Callie glared at her. “Shut up, Vivi. Stop complaining.” And Vivi didn’t even utter a word.

Oh, Callie and her devil side.

“Are you sure about that?” I asked.

“Of course. We’re hundred percent sure,” Callie answered.

The offer was great, and I like it. The bet was challenging too.

“Deal,” I answered. “And what if I fail?”

“Oh, then it is the end of the bet. At least you tried,” Callie replied and laughed as she got out of the car.

I just shook my head and couldn't believe how crazy my friends were.