010

~REGINA~

"I can't believe I was paired with that bitch. Now, I am wishing to pull out."

Brandon had said that for the umpteenth time since we arrived at the mini coffee booth on the island. He had showed up at my room this morning, offering to take me out before the whole fake dating thingy would start tomorrow.

Being that staying in my room was torture because I couldn't stop thinking about tomorrow, and Karina was probably still in bed with her boyfriend, I readily jumped at Brandon's offer. Besides, he was just doing his job. And I needed a distraction.

Surprisingly, he was paired with Billie, but not for fake dating like Kristen and I. Theirs were more like playing games together.

"She's too stuck-up and snobbish to even ski." He continued, over the rim of his mug of latte.

I couldn't help chuckling, for the first time since I woke up this morning. He wasn't gloating about his looks now and how girls were falling over themselves to get his attention. Who would have thought we would be having a conversation where I would be chuckling?

"I can imagine how disastrous that would be." I chipped in amid chuckles. He let out a sigh and placed his mug on the table.

I could sense his discomfort. Not just sense it, it was written all over his face. I felt bad for him. Being the one who brought him into it.

"You can pull out if you want," I suggested mildly as my hand clutched the mug, gauging his expression.

He looked up to meet my gaze. "You think I should?" His question implied he was indirectly asking for my permission, not because he was even giving the game a second thought.

I nodded slowly. "I know you were paid to stay beside me for the rest of the getaway, but this is just the first phase of the series of events. It wouldn't hurt to pull out of this one." 

His brows knitted in thoughts. Yeah, he was considering it. But just as a faint smile crossed his face, it disappeared immediately, causing my brows to furrow.

"But pulling out of an event when the other partner is still interested means being disqualified from the rest of the event." Bummer! I hadn't thought about that.

He leaned forward as he continued staring at me. "I'm not talking about me, of course. But if I pull out of this one and the bitch is interested, I would be disqualified and I won't be able to do my job anymore. How will you cope?" 

It was great that he was concerned about me, not even about refunding or anything. It felt good that someone else was concerned about my well-being other than Karina. 

I directed an appreciative smile at him.

"Well... I guess I will be fine." 

Just then a silhouette was cast over us and we both looked up simultaneously. My jaw slacked at the two people standing in front of me.

I was concerned that they were in the coffee booth. Heck, this was accessible to everyone but the fact that they were standing in front of our booth was surprising for me.

"Can we help you?" Brandon to the rescue. I was still lost in my head to say anything just yet. His protective voice made a smile creep across my lips. I might have misjudged him the first time.

Meanwhile, when I looked up, Kristen's gaze was fixed on me— oh wait! I did a double-take. It wasn't on my face but on the arm which had now been covered by Brandon. Not this stare again.

My gaze flicked to the bitch standing beside him.( if I could borrow Brandon's term) she was literally scowling at me. I sighed mentally. This whole thing was going overboard.

"Why are you standing in front of me and scowling at me as though I had stolen your candy, young woman?" Atta girl! I had to praise myself. I couldn't believe I could say that.

She scoffed as her look turned to disgust. "You can't even dare. My security would toss you away even before you could get close." 

I let out a soft smile, biting my lips. So, this had suddenly turned into an issue of class. Interesting. But I wasn't about to be intimidated by that.

"Can you please leave my periphery? You are blocking the air. Take your class system elsewhere." I threw back, matching her disgusting look with mine. 

We looked like women were fighting over something. But what exactly were we fighting for? Kristen?

She let out a loud hiss. "I am not here to see you, smart mouth." She directed her gaze at Brandon who I caught stifling a chuckle a while ago while staring at me.

"I am leaving tomorrow for an emergency business trip. So, I am pulling out of whatever game they paired us with." She stated, giving Brandon a condescending gaze that got me shaking my head while my gaze flickered to Kristen.

I gave him an is-this-the-best-you-can-do look for a few seconds, noting his helpless sigh before looking away.

"Maybe you want me to sort you out so we wouldn't have to be disqualified from the game and—" Brandon's scoff interrupted her impending words. 

“Sort who out?" Brandon's brows arched. "Do I even look like I am interested in playing whatever game with you? I am even discussing with my baby to pull out because I can't stand you. So, keep your damn money." 

Billie snorted, tossing her hair backward with an air of indifference. "Fine, we are even." It was usually hard for me to outrightly hate someone. But God! I already despised everything about her.

"Are you done? Can we go now?" Kristen muttered with a clearly frustrated voice. From the tightness of his voice, I could tell he was fighting to keep his cool.

Billie threw him a charming smile as if that would erase her ugly personality. I resisted the urge to gag.

"Of course, baby. Let's go." She made to hold Kristen's hand but he ignored her. Instead, he rested his gaze on me for a few seconds before he turned and started heading towards the counter.

Billie followed him immediately and I couldn't help staring at their receding figure. 

"Gosh! I hate that bitch." I heard Brandon's voice. 

This time, I didn't bother hiding my own detest. "Me too." 

My gaze was pinned on them as they got to the counter. Billie was trying to hold onto him but he was subtly pulling away. Gosh! Were these two really a couple? Much more being engaged?