CHAPTER 1: MEET THE PLAYBOY

(One day before the confession)

** Tori's POV **

   

It's another typical Tuesday here in the cafeteria while I enjoy reading my book, A Walk to Remember, by Nicholas Sparks. Our school is considered the most prestigious Private School in New York City. This school is known for being exclusive to the sons and daughters of the rich and famous.

You can imagine the kind of life that I live with each day here; bullies, social-climbers, backstabbers, popular people, you know, typical high school setting, like Gossip Girl, minus the drama. Sitting beside me is my best and only girl friend, Chloe.

Charlotte Loise, also known as Chloe, is the daughter of one of the most famous fashion designers in the world. I want to emphasize that Chloe is the hottest and most beautiful girl in this school. She is charismatic, charming, talented, care free and very fashionable. No wonder every guy in our school wants to date her, not to mention the models and celebrities outside the premise.

Chloe is a true friend. She always looks out for me. She teaches me to be strong, to fight back when necessary and how to be a total hottie. But no matter how many times I tried to apply her teachings, I just can't see myself doing those things. I'm different. I'm very shy, always hiding behind my books. I can't even have a long conversation with boys, well except for Nathan, and I'm a Ms. Goody-goody. I always obey the proper rules, even when it comes to proper wearing of uniforms.

Well, all the girls in our school wear our uniforms in the most stylish ways. Most of them make the skirt shorter, replace the bow tie into a necktie and loosen the polo. And of course they all copied this from Chloe, which is known as the trendsetter.

Everyone expects me to be like Chloe; that I should act and dress like her just because we're best friends, but I think I'm her opposite. I'm dull, conservative and boring. The only thing that we have in common is we're both rich.

But even if Chloe has the attention and I got the sympathy, I really didn't mind it. She's more than just a best friend, she's like a sister to me, and I never envied her. Whatever she had right now, she truly deserves it and I don't want to steal that limelight from her.

Chloe is always there for me. It's like I'm her baby sister that always needs to be protected and taking care of. I still remember the day we became friends.

When we were in ninth grade a lot of rich spoiled brats were picking on me, seniors to be exact. Since we didn't have any average kids in our school, it's the smart people that were always bullied. But luckily, thanks to Chloe, she saved me from those mean girls and decided that I should hang out with her so no one would bully me again. Since that day, no one has ever did mean things to me.

I owe everything to Chloe, if it weren't for her, I'd still be alone with no one to talk to. And in return, I promised that I would do everything to make her happy and pleased, even if it's the most stupid and probably the lamest idea ever.

"You look happy." I noticed that Chloe is giggling while reading something at her phone.

"Oh, it's Greg. We're going on a date." She answered gleefully.

Greg Tailer is a model and Chloe's boyfriend. They have been together for three weeks now. And I can sense that she's happy with him. I just hope it won't end up like the others. I really hate it when guys leave her with no decent reason.

"Well, you're always going on a date, right? Not to mention, skipping class with him all the time. What's so different from this time?" I queried curiously.

"Love can make you do things you never thought was possible, Tori." She responded with sparks in her eyes.

"Did you get that from a song? C'mon Chloe, students skip class for a lot of reasons but love? Please." I finished with a laugh.

"Oh stop it grumpy, if only you do everything I teach you, then love would be begging at your feet." She bragged. "Speaking of love, your Prince charming is here." Chloe said while pointing someone from my back with her lips. When I looked back I saw our friend, Nathan, heading our way.

Nathan Hemmington is the son of two famous doctors all over the state. They own a lot of respected hospitals in the world. His parents were Cardiologist and Orthopedics, both highest-paying doctors according to Forbes Magazine.

"Good morning ladies. Mind if I join you?" Nathan spoke in a gentleman way.

"Oh sure honey, but I'm about to leave so please take care of the hotel heiress if you may." Chloe replied. And then she immediately left with a big smile on her face. Wow, she's really excited to see Greg.

"Good afternoon hotel heiress." Nathan bowed dramatically.

"Please don't call me that. I'm not comfortable with that title." I said with fake-annoyance in my tone.

"As you wish my lady." He quickly complied then we both chuckled.

Nathan is a childhood friend of Chloe and after the saving-from-the-bully incident; we also became friends, close friends. He's very kind, thoughtful, talented, sporty, and very popular among girls and... I also have feelings for him. I have no intention of confessing this to him because I know and I can sense that he really likes Chloe.

Childhood friends always ended up together, right? He's taking care of me because Chloe said so. What a really nice guy. I hope she sees him more than just a friend, but thinking that way made me feel uneasy.

"Chloe seems happy, huh?" Nathan queried.

"Yeah. She's skipping class to see Greg." I said unknowingly. Oh poor guy, I know he's hurt. Seeing the girl he loves in another man's arms. Stupid slip of the tongue.

"Well I just hope it won't end up like the others. Hope no one interferes again."

"What do you mean, again?" I interrogated.

He shifted his position and whispered. "There's someone behind every one of Chloe's break-ups."

"What! Who!" I shrieked. And that caught attention from everyone in the cafeteria.

Nathan looked surprised at my sudden out-burst and then he hushed me. "Keep it low. No one knows about this. I'll tell you but promise me one thing, you can't tell anyone about this, especially Chloe. Understood?" He besought seriously. I gulped and nodded in agreement. This sounds serious.

"I know you're also wondering why all the guys Chloe dated were always the ones breaking up with her. Well, there is always foul play. I investigated on this for a very long time and finally came up with an answer." He declared proudly.

Of course he'll do that. He's concerned about Chloe, I am too, but he's more worried he can't stand the fact that Chloe's always crying about this. I just hope she'll end up with Nathan. They'll be perfect. Oh that hurt feeling again.

"Who is it? Is he a stalker? A psycho? Who's the mastermind?" I eagerly asked.

"This guy's no ordinary guy. He's the most popular guy in school. Any guesses?" He questioned. I didn't have to guess, everyone knew who the most popular and powerful guy in school was.

It's Zachary Anderson, the son of one of the most influential man in the world. They own one of the biggest banks in the state, a lot of shopping malls and my father's archrival in the hotel business, but we definitely won on that part. Zach is also considered as the hottest guy in school. He's talented, sporty, outgoing, charismatic, hip, but a hardcore playboy. But I don't understand why he is doing this to Chloe?

"It's definitely Zachary Anderson." I said while gritting my teeth in annoyance. "But why would he do that?" I added.

"Well, you're right. It's Zach. But what you didn't know is Zach, Chloe and I were childhood friends." My jaw dropped in what I just heard. I couldn't believe it! They've been friends with that kind of guy? Unbelievable!

Then he continued. "Zach and I were very protective of Chloe, she was like our little sister. But Zach was too much; he treated Chloe as one of his possessions. When we were in eight-grade he found out that Chloe was going out with some celebrity's kid. They were in love. But Zach wasn't happy to hear that. He threatened the kid that if he didn't break up with Chloe, he'd make sure that his dad would lose his career. The kid was so afraid so he did what Zach asked him to do. Chloe found out and despised Zach from that day on. That's the reason why we don't hang out with him anymore. You didn't know about this because we met you in ninth grade and Chloe didn't want to mention this to anyone anymore."

"But, it's been years. You mean to say that he's always doing that?" I asked disbelievingly.

"Basically that's where I came up with this discovery. As I had mentioned, I investigated on this. At first I didn't want to believe that Zach was behind all of these fiascos, I thought that the moment Chloe hated him; he'll leave her alone. Maybe he just loves her so much that's why he's still doing this right now. Remember Jeremy?"

"Yes, Chloe's boyfriend last year. They dated for two months and they looked happy." I answered right away.

"Yes. You see I bumped into him two weeks ago and asked him his side of the break up. It took a lot of threatening and assaults until he finally cracked. He told me that if he didn't break up with Chloe, the Anderson Enterprise would pull out all of their shares in their business, leaving their company with nothing."

"That stupid jerk! How could he do that? They were so happy. Who the hell does he think he is? He's no God!" I burst out in anger.

"Calm down Tori, remember no one knows about this. Please don't tell Chloe nor confront Zach. It'll be a disaster for sure. Let me talk to him about this matter, understood? No matter what happens, please don't do anything stupid." He pleaded.

I could barely hear a word Nathan's saying. I was busy glaring at the guy across our table who happens to be the great manipulator, Zachary Anderson.

What a selfish jerk! He doesn't have the right to play with other peoples' lives. Chloe's my friend, my best friend. She saved me once; I should save her from this guy.

Zach is sitting across our table with girls surrounding him. Giggling, chuckling and flirting with him. What a bunch of sluts!

You have all the girls in the world, why bother chasing Chloe? I asked him telepathically. And then he laughed. He's laughing? You don't have the right to laugh Zach! You should burn yourself in hell, you selfish jerk! How could you do this to Chloe? If you really love her, leave her alone.

I was totally pissed; I wanted to rip his head off. I couldn't believe this kind of guy really exists. I was busy cursing him that I didn't notice he was looking at me with that arrogant smirk in his face. What was that all about?

I shot him another deadly glare and then I hurriedly left the cafeteria.

---END OF CHAPTER ONE---