CHAPTER 1

Win-win

HAVE someone ever thought of just disappearing from everyone? It was like my whole world turned upside down because of this mess. I wasn't expecting my brother's appeal! I just cannot believe what happened earlier at school.

It's totally a mess. . .

"These are all good for two months. The first one on your list is; I want you to take public transportation instead of your car when going to the university or when only necessarily leaving the house."

"What?!" I lashed out.

My knees are already getting weak from the first one. I looked at him to check if he was really serious, but seeing his cold face made me hopeless. My hand still trembles while typing it.

"Second, no alcohols, no bars, and nightclubs alone and with friends unless you're with us, Mom and Dad," he continued

All I could do was let out a long and resounding breath. I don't wanna talk. It might change his mind to let my mess pass and forgive me.

"Third, I want you to look for a job where you can earn money by yourself. A decent one, please."

"But I'm studying—"

"Just a part time job. You could be a working student, dude. I'm also studying, but I can still manage my coffee shop business."

I sighed. "I'll just work for you then."

He nodded. "That's a brilliant idea. Don't worry, time flies so fast, two months is not a problem, right?"

"Y-yeah." I forced a smile. "Of course." I don't know if that sounds fake, but this is out of hand.

"Good. Fourth, don't ditch classes."

I smirked on that part. That's definitely an easy A since I can just sleep in class.

"Featuring, no sleeping. You have to take your class seriously. I want good grades from you," he continued, which made my bright smiling face go away like the rain.

Is he reading my fucking mind? Just how many things will he make me do? Don't tell me, there's gonna be a hundred on the list? I'll just give up if that's the case.

"Yes, I know. Just promise me that you'll fulfill our deal."

I sighed. I was about to save the notes and turned off my phone when I noticed that he didn't talk anymore so I thought he was done with what I had to do, yet I saw him grinning before he turned to me.

"Lastly, I want you to kiss, not just on the cheeks but on the lips the first person who's going to come out in. . . " he stopped as if he thought of something before he continued, "with consent, of course, and willingly. Be honest with that, Iris. I am watching you."

Ivan knows that I am anti-romantic and he also knows that I only play when it comes to relationships, just flirting is enough. As for Lea's situation, we both know that we are just playing so we are fine. Though I just don't get the point why he included that last one on the list.

There was still a trace of baffling scenarios on my face when I suddenly saw Lea coming out of the library. She didn't notice us but I was relieved because she was the first one out of the library. Thank God, she's someone I know. I think the last part wasn't bad and the easiest, I must say.

"It's Lea." I smirked.

His lips rose up. "Did I say the first student from the library? I wasn't done talking, Iris. I meant. . . the first student from the teacher's office."

I slowly turned my head to that way and it was like I am in a slow-motion part of a movie. I saw that person Ivan is talking about, looking good and fresh, smiling from ear to ear. He's oozing with confidence and coolness as he brushes his hair through his fingers while sliding his other hand in his pocket.

My world suddenly stopped and so am I. I couldn't move, I was like a statue stuck in the middle of New York city. My eyes were flashed looking at that person. . . my mortal enemy!

"That's right, Iris. You have to kiss Leon Gael Johansson, with a beautiful face of man, indeed."

What. . . the hell? I couldn't believe looking at him right now!

"A-are you for real?"

"Do I look like I'm kidding?" he said without an expression.

Anger came over me again. I still haven't forgotten how he stole my cake earlier. Why of all people? Is this some sort of joke? This is a pure dumb shit!

"Bro, I just can't do that! T-that's— he's a man!"

Finally, I said it. I'm sweating bullets right now and my head is spinning around. He turned to me and met his eyes were bloodshot. It's like, I pulled the trigger. Then, he confusingly smirked at me and crossed his arms. He's intimidating as hell.

"Does it matter?" His lips rose more, like he was enjoying my reaction.

"N-no— but, that's against our school, Ivan—" he didn't let me finish my words.

"Wow, Iris. Look who's talking now? Did you already forget that you made the library a hotel room? So tell me, isn't that all against our school?"

I stayed quiet. He's got a point but this is another story. Shit! This is stressing me out!

"Don't worry. I didn't also say that you are going to do that in school. You make a plan," he said nonchalantly as if this is just a simple activity in school.

I stared at him for too long. My eyes were suffering too much while looking at him. Am I that bad? Why is he doing this to me?

"This is too much. . ." My voice sounded dismayed and sorrowful.

I heard him sigh. I am literally losing my cool. It took a couple of seconds before I pulled myself together. He left me with no choice and this is my fucking karma. I am trapped, but I don't wanna be a rebel.

"Don't think that I'm only doing this for fun. Just do what's on your list and then we're good," he closed our conversation by saying that.

I was left hanging. While I can still see from here, my mortal enemy who's smiling widely at Lea. He put his arms on her shoulder before they both went away. My brows furrowed more. What's the meaning of this? Is she flirting with that man too? This is more crazy, eh?

This is intoxicating.

I looked at my phone again where I wrote what I have to do for Ivan to stop nagging me about what I did. I named it, 'To Do List'. My eyes roamed on the last number on my list. I can't help but cringe whenever I imagine it.

Fucking ridiculous!

And one more thing, I'm sure I'll have a hard time doing that thing, right? I'm certain he wouldn't agree to kiss—

"Fuck!" I couldn't stop exclaiming because of the hair-raising thoughts.

I heard someone whistling and realized the guard was looking down on me. He pointed at the clock. I looked around and noticed that I was the only student here.

Shit, I am gonna be late! I remembered that Mr. Wilson is our proctor again! He might not let me in the class. Why am I so unlucky today?

I gave the guard an apologetic look before I ran my feet on the ground as fast as I could. I was catching my breath when I reached our room. It's a relief that Mr. Wilson was later than I am. . .

Or so I thought?

The exasperating man coughed while my foot feels like they're stuck on the ground. Why is my mortal enemy in here? I roamed my eyes around and there, I saw my classmates were having a quiz! I even saw Ricky and Johnny seriously taking the test, while I was standing here, nervous and perfectly puzzled.

"Oh, Mr. Rodríguez, why are you just standing there? You might want to take the quiz or. . . should you fail?" He annoyingly smirked.

I didn't say a word and immediately sat down in my seat. I took out a paper as my answer sheet while my hands were quivering. I felt his presence beside me because of his strong scent! Even fiercer than a crocodile!

"Here. Just answer directly on the exam paper."

His words were whispered. I surreptitiously looked at my classmates to see if they were looking at us but they were just so focused on answering. Is the test that hard?

"T-thank you," I responded, out of my nose.

I looked at the test sheet and my brain just went blank. I don't even know any of the questions! I didn't review. This is a surprising quiz, so it's understandable that I don't know the answers. I swallowed hard. I was about to sneak a peek at my classmate's answers but I heard him cough. I closed my eyes tightly.

"When you're done, you can pass the papers on the table and leave."

I was even more pressured when I saw my classmates stand up one by one. My face turned sour and just stared at the test paper. Is this a battle of eye to eye? I was about to call Ricky in front of me but suddenly, he stood up too! He and Johnny didn't even look at me like I was just a bubble floating in the air.

Are they even my friends?! This is a miracle! What now? Did they just guess the answers? But it's laborious making a wild guess! And. . . I don't want to fail, that's according to Ivan. I need to study hard.

A few more minutes have passed. The people in the room can be counted by hand while I'm losing strength because I still don't have even one answer. And now, I got really weak when there were only three of us inside.

I can hear him whistling while roaming around in between the seats. I bit my lower lip. I can't do this anymore. He then stopped beside me. And what he did next startled the hell out of me. He turned my test paper over and saw the answers were written there. Just then my other classmate stood up, I turned it over again on the front page as if nothing had happened. When my classmate came out, I quickly copied the answers from the back.

I'm sorry, brother, just give me this one.

When I finished, I quickly stood up and handed it to him. I showed him the face that looks normal even though I am ashamed inside. He didn't take it because he was just staring at me.

"T-thank you," I said.

But the arrogant one just tilted his head and playfully grinned even bigger. What a twat!

"Do you really think I'll just let this pass?"

I was stunned to speak. He gently took the paper from my hand while I was still confused. What does he want? He gave me the answer! It's his fault, he can't tell this to Mr. Wilson or else he's going to be on it too.

"W-what do you mean—"

"Stay away from Lea." His eyes were suddenly flaming with anger.

"W-what?"

How can he change his emotions as quickly as possible?

And why would I do that? I'm not done with his sister yet. His eyes become colder as time goes on, but I didn't take my eyes off of him. I could feel the tension seeping into our eyes. It was as if there was electricity flaring up there, but I know I lost the game.

"Stay away from my sister."

I was caught off guard with the last word. Sister? Am I hearing it right? He is Lea's fucking brother? What the hell is just happening? That explains the closeness between them I encountered earlier!

"I l-like her," I stuttered. Bad timing!

He sarcastically laughed. His face is now fuming mad! What happened to the beautiful face of a man? Is he that overprotective to his sister?

"No, you don't like her. Don't fool me, dimwit. The whole school knows what stupidity you are doing. Really? Why are you involving my sister with your misbehavior?"

He was getting closer and closer to me while I was retreating away. He is scary, but it looks like my fist will fight today if he lays a hand on me. His jaw hardened but then, he pulled back. I secretly sighed in relief while I heard his violent intake of breath. He gave me a warning look before he stormed out of the room without saying anything. I was out of vogue and just let myself sit down on the chair.

What am I gonna do now? How can I do my list if he is angry with me? Though I am also mad at him, I could just hide my feelings and do what's on my list professionally.

I went home disappointed after and for the last time, I rode my heart out in my car. It's the last day of using my handsome boy, then I will be an official commuter tomorrow. I don't even know how to take buses or trains!

Surprisingly, when I got home, I saw Mom and Dad, including Ivan, who were already sitting at the long table. The maids are serving the food while Dad is reading something on his iPad.

Mom saw me and she automatically smiled. I smiled back though it was forced before I gave her a kiss. I beckoned to Dad and sat next to him. Meanwhile, Ivan didn't make a move and just ignored me.

"How's school?"

The nervousness immediately crawled over me when I heard Dad's authoritative voice. I couldn't answer and I feel like losing control out of this predicament. I could also feel the loss of blood on my face when Dad's expressionless eyes darted at me. He is the only person who can make my coolness vanish.

"He's doing good."

My lips parted when Ivan spoke instead of me. We all turned to him while he looked at Dad calmly. My innocent mother smiled widely as she had no idea about my latest issue.

"Well, that's good to hear," said Dad.

I pursed my lips and just went with the flow of Ivan. I didn't talk but instead, Mom served me some food so I just ate quietly while listening to them.

"I'm going out of the country this week. So, I will not be around. Ivan, you take care of here," Dad announced all of a sudden.

As usual, everything will be left in my brother's hands. Dad doesn't want Mom working in our company, so Ivan's always in charge. After all, Ivan can keep up, he has a big potential in handling a company not unlike me. . .

"Yes, Dad," Ivan answered.

Dad turned to me, making me shift on my seat. I swallowed hard and looked back at him. Dad doesn't know anything of what I'm doing, except my school. I'm kind of nervous, the issue might have already reached him, but Ivan and I already made a deal. He better not let me down.

"Don't give your Mom a headache, Iris, but I am relieved that you are doing good at school."

I couldn't hide my smile because of that. I looked up at Ivan and saw him smiling too. It was like, his face tells me that I owe him one. I can't deny that, of course. He's helping me now so Dad will not confiscate my car, but still, I can't use it for two months, but that's better than losing it for a lifetime.

The dinner just went smoothly. Dad decided to take a rest already. However, Ivan wanted to talk to me, so I took a bath first. I went downstairs to see him, but rather, I saw Mom opening her mouth while her phone was on her left ear. She was laughing out loud. I think she's talking to her friends.

"That's true! I envy you for having a grandchild already!"

My eyebrows rose and frowned. Grandchild?! I continued eavesdropping. She sat down now while looking at her nails.

"Yeah, but my sons are still in college. Ivan is just graduating and my youngest is still naive and a playboy!" She laughed hard, yet still sophisticatedly.

I laughed along with her because of her silliness. What does Mom say to her friends? They might actually believe her.

"Mom was right."

I grabbed my chest because of that voice. My eyes widened looking at my brother whose arms were folded while leaning against the wall. He's giving me a heart attack!

"Let's talk outside," he commanded and walked outside first.

I looked at Mom again before I followed him. We stayed in the garden and the breeze brushed through my skin, making me chills. I'm just wearing a loose shirt and black shorts. My hair is still wet so my body feels even colder.

"So. . . did you transfer the list on a real paper?

I nodded, so did he. He clicked his tongue, like he finally put all the words that he wanted to say.

"Next week, you can start working at the café. Since the class ends at five in the afternoon, you can work for me for only five hours a day. You'll serve as a waiter first and later on, you'll be a barista," he continuously said as if he's lecturing me.

"H-how about school? Won't you report me anymore?"

"No. . . not yet. I'll already talk to our admin and he's giving you two months to change as well. Your friends are excluded, since you are the mastermind."

I resisted the urge of frowning. Why would he always remind me that it's my fault? I know it is really my fault, so, what else is new?

"Take note, Iris. Two months for character development."

Is this some kind of movie? I secretly glared at him. Does he think it would be that easy to change? That's a process, dude.

"And about Leon Gael Johansson? Is there an improvement?" He smirked.

My jaw clenched. "You'll see, I can do that." My tone was meant to be an arrogant one, but I don't care.

He looked challenged about what I said then shrugged his shoulders as if it's really impossible for me to fulfill what I want to happen.

"Good-luck then?" he mocked.

Maybe he's right, it's impossible for me to do that, especially that he's a man and mad at me since I am also flirting with his sister which makes it more complicated.

And now, I thought this was gonna be a bad idea, but as I deeply comprehend it.

It's actually a win-win situation.