Eight: Why do you have to come back?

    I let out a scream the next time I woke up. From the room where I was, I could see the reckless sunshine.

    With a loud shout, I tightened my grip on the blanket that was just covering the rest of my naked body.

Cormac jumped off the bed, even though he was surprised by my shout and slightly confused, but when he saw the situation of the two of us in the same bed, he was only able to say, “What the hell is this?”

    I quickly picked up the clothes on the floor, not letting go of the blanket blocking me. When I got it, I went straight to the bathroom, locked it, then only released the smile of success.

    I just did it! The bomb just exploded.

    Last night, we actually slept together. I really thought I could not make the plan, so I am very grateful that my brother called around four in the morning.

    I followed the desperate plan. I slowly undressed him—his shirt, including his pants. 

     I have said that it is not good that I do not get what I want on the first try because I will not allow it to be rejected in the next few times.

    I won’t have it as what Cormac wants. It has to be my way.

    After taking off a few pieces of his clothes, I followed mine and then covered myself with a blanket. I just can’t lose this game, and especially, I will not let the process take longer.

    I will pretend something happened to the both of us so that I can get his attention, nothing else. I know he will not remember anything because he was also a drunk last night, and if there is, his own belief will taint that in what happened today.

    When I got dressed, I quickly went out of the door. I immediately saw that Cormac seemed to be waiting for me, sitting on the edge of his bed. “Avery–”

    “I’ll be going.”

    He stood up quickly because of what I said. “What? I mean–”

    I have noticed this concern earlier. Maybe he was trying to think about what had happened and reached for any reason. “I will go now. Just realized that you might not really want to cooperate with us for AFA. I won’t force you. This would end here,” I scowled at him then went straight to the door.

    This plan should fucking work! 

    I even heard Cormac call my name, but I never turned around again. I need to be the ‘hard-to-get’ woman from now on.

    Now, I know and observe him well.

    He’s the type that does not pay attention to the women who approached him first. Fine! I’ll give him what he wants. He should be the one to come to me now.

    I was in a hurry to take a taxi home. Kuya Jac is irritated. I lied about my place earlier, and I told him I took a hotel because I can no longer handle getting home. But then, I knew that he was not convinced.

    In the taxi, I could not help but look at my cellphone. He should be calling by now! He should now be restless, and he’ll push himself later to explain.

    My hand landed on my mouth, wanting to hold back a laugh. This is exciting! Over and over again, it was as if my feet were tickling with the extra excitement I was feeling.

    “Shit!” I almost shoved my phone. I was hilding when it suddenly rang.

    I was not wrong. . . I just know he would call me in any way possible.

    I lingered on it for a while before answering.

    “Avery, go back. We need to talk.” The man’s voice was really authoritative. 

    “I want to rest. Besides, I’m done forcing you, gaining your trust and stuff. I’m out to find a new person who’ll accept my offer.” I held the cellphone tightly to my ear.

    That’s right, Cormac. Be confused, pressured, and then agree to my offer.

    “What was that?”

I want to burst out laughing. I will give all the credit to a blog entitled “How To Get A Man 101”. If I couldn’t get Cormac Carter as our actor, then I’ll get him as a man.

    I will start getting his trust then. He himself will tell me what I need to know.

    “I know, okay? You didn’t mean to do it. Alcohol is the one to blame. I understand. Just. . . I just need to stop this. We need to make progress in the documentary, and I won’t waste the day–”

    “Let’s talk,” he said straight.

    I automatically smiled. This is it! I feel like I’m holding him by the neck, and luck is on my side.

    “I told you. We don’t have to talk about it. If we do not know what was done, we must forget that.” I did everything I could to speak seriously. I’m afraid that I could pop the bubble when I accidentally laughed at what I was doing.

    “Forget that? Why?”

    I overlooked my sudden arrival at our house. I made it possible to pay the taxi driver and get off. I prefer not to answer immediately, so in that case, I could make him more anxious.

    “Are you, perhaps, disappointed?”

    Before I could enter the gate, I could see Kuya Jac’s sharp eyes at the door of the house. He stands in front as it crosses his two arms across his chest.

    This isn’t a good time for this. I sighed. I can do nothing but quell my brother’s anger. 

    “Disappointed?” I asked.

    I heard his deep breaths before saying, “About my last night’s performance–”

    “What the actual fuck?” I panicked, alright? I could not stop myself from screaming because of his words.

    How. . . How can I fucking know that? Nothing happened to us!

    “Ah, shit. Forget it. Just go back to my office right now.”

    I can no longer focus too much on what Cormac is saying because it was really my brother Jac who approached me. He no longer waited for me to reach the door.

    “I – I can’t,” I gulped.

    I really can’t because I know my older brother’s words will take a few more hours. Second, I won’t. I cannot just obey him. It should be another way around. “I’m hurt.”

    Holy damn! I really wanted to laugh but I couldn’t.

    “What? You’re in pain?”

    I quickly turned off the call. Enough of my games first. It looks like I now have to deal with my brother, Jac, seeing how thick the smoke in his ears and nose.

    “Hey. . .”

    But come to think of it, this isn’t a bad day. I got what I want. From now on, he will struggle to see me. I swear that.

    “Avery! I’ll be waiting for your explanation.”

    But for now, I will first prepare my ear for my brother’s scream. “How about let’s go in first–”

    “Now!”