Danger Driver

After I changed into my casual attire, I went to my car to flee the scene. Charlotte and Anna were waiting for me. Since when did I become close with these girls?

"Were you waiting for me?" I asked the two.

"Actually, yes," Anna answered shyly.

"We're just curious if you are friends with Melinda?" Charlotte stood beside me and asked.

I went around my car to put my things inside. "No, it's my first time meeting her. Why?"

"Why is she close with Jason? I mean, you know Jason, right?" These girls were way too curious about things which I don't give a damn.

"I dunno. Jason meets a lot of girls," eyeing the two of them with "girls like you".

Anna and Charlotte frowned at the realization. "Yeah, you're right. Anyway, we are going to the pizza place along the highway. It would be fun for you to join us."

I was surprised that these girls were treating me as their friends. I am ready to decline but it seemed they were looking forward to it.

These girls were not that bad, actually. They might look entitled and snobby at first impression, but they are just your typical easy-going and fun-loving gals. We were enjoying our pizzas over our shared interest in music, fashion and global trends. Surprisingly, Anna also majored in IT and Charlotte was still taking her marketing course. They both work under mum's modelling agency.

We were in the middle of conversation, when Jason, Gregory and Melinda entered the pizza parlor. Melinda was all over Jason that made the girls look at her in disgust rather than jealousy.

Gregory spotted us so he went to our table and asked if they could sit with them. The girls almost hesitated when Melinda was part of the deal.

"Hey, girls. You looked stunning awhile ago," Gregory praised all of us.

"That's so nice of you, Greggy," Anna replied.

"How about Artemis? Isn't she a gem? I mean, she's the lead model in the campaign," Charlotte said as she bumped my arm and smiled teasingly.

"Why is this about me?" I whispered to her.

"This is us, shipping the both of you," Anna mouthed across from me then smiled at Gregory.

I just shook my head at their childish antics.

Gregory shyly smiled and replied, "Yeah, I never thought she could look deadly in those bikinis."

The girls laughed while I grimaced. "Is that you trying to be funny, Gregory?"

"Come on, Artemis! Isn't that sweet?" Anna teased.

Jason and Melinda suddenly stopped at what they were doing. Jason tried to warn me with his deadly stare while Melinda just raisedirk her eyebrow. Anna and Charlotte secretly rolled their eyes at her.

Jason changed the conversation. "Hey, I am planning to take Jason to the island for a vacation."

He was more inviting than asking for my permission to stay at the island that Dad left for me in his inheritance. As if I had a choice, I okayed.

Looking at the girls who tried to hide their curiosity and jealousy, I decided to invite them. "Am I coming?"

"Yes, of course. It's your place, after all."

"Well, I hope you won't mind if I ask Anna and Charlotte to join us."

The girls were now giggling with excitement. Obviously, they wanted to come.

"Well, that's nice. The more, the merrier! I don't mind Preston and Martin joining us, too. I know you're close with them," Gregory exclaimed as he addressed my brother.

"Yeah, no problem." Jason agreed.

Melinda was giving Jason her pleading puppy eyes that cringed all of us. "How about me, baby?"

Jason was silent for a while. "Of course, baby. As long as you're free."

When we were going out, Melinda and Gregory were walking side by side but I couldn't shrug off the feeling that I've seen them before. When they were out of earshot, I tapped Jason.

"How did you meet Melinda?" I asked.

"At the party." He looked at me suspiciously. "I know Melinda is not exactly your type of person but she's fine."

"What? Why?" I couldn't tell what he was trying to say.

"She's my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend? What on earth happened that you decided to get yourself an actual girlfriend?" I looked at him, questioning his life decisions. "I mean, the party was just two weeks ago. You met her two weeks ago and now she's your girlfriend. I haven't even seen her at the party."

"I almost didn't see you there, either. It just happened."

Jason took out his phone and showed me a picture of Melinda at the party. She was wearing a hot pink dress. Oh my God! What was I seeing? My mind was trying to paint a picture. Jason continued rambling on how lucky he was with Melinda. Meanwhile, Melinda was overly touchy with Gregory. Was she flirting with Gregory while his boyfriend was head over heels with her.

Gregory will be riding with me since Jason and Melinda were going somewhere. I let Gregory drive the way home.

I impossibly tried not to look at him while he was driving sexily. The roof was open so the sea breeze was playing with his hair. His arm muscles tightened as he steered the driving wheel. I was biting my lip when his fingers brushed my thigh as he shifted the gear. I was getting goosebumps as it sent tingling sensation all over my body. Only the soothing car engine sounds and the vibration of wheels running on the asphalt road were filling in the silence between us.

"You want some music?" I asked him to break the hot atmosphere.

"No. Is it okay? I am absolutely loving the sound of sea waves, trees rustling and this calming silence between us," he explained as he smiled sweetly with his dark sunglasses on. Oh, sweet Lord, what did I do to deserve this? I was melting inside.

"Yeah, it's fine. It's nice to know you're loving it too." I smiled back.

I was thankful that a text came in to save me from my real-time daydreaming. It was a group chat from the girls. They are so cute.

Anna: im absolutely jealous of u right nw

Me: y?

Anna: a charming, handsome guy is driving u home. Dats y. Meanwhile, a grumpy woman for me.

Me: haha. Well, am I a bitch if I say I'm absolutely loving it?

Anna: oh, gurl! I hate you. U must be having the best time of ur life. Haha

Me: You just don't know how sexy he is right now!

And I am truly sailing the ship myself! I'm happy that I have someone to share these feelings with. They totally felt like bffs, genuine and supportive ones.

Anna: Charlotte is begging for some hot receipts! (Tongue, water, happy emojis)

Me: I'm shy (sad emoji)

Anna: Wer gonna kill u! Just steal some! He wouldn't know.

I pretended to take some scenery video by the sea when Gregory spoke.

"Isn't it a beautiful view? But you have a better view right here on my side." He grabbed my arm holding my phone and moved it towards him, making me film him. He smiled at the camera and laughed. "Don't you agree?" He finally asked.

Gregory was full of himself but in a cute way. I laughed at him and said, "Okay, you win Mister Gregory. Ain't I lucky to witness this?"

Oops. Did I just blurt out a pick-up line? I immediately got embarrassed that I felt hot.

"Oh-oh. Wait, are you blushing?" He teased me.

I was taken aback by his remark that I immediately checked my face on the rearview mirror and I really was.

"I am not!" I said in defense and slapped his arm.

He winced but was laughing all the way. "You're crazy!" I told him off.

I sent the video to the group chat.

Anna sent me all the emojis she could find.

Anna: ur in trouble, girl! Ur the luckiest girl alive!

Charlotte: I can't wait to choke u gurl! This is 1000x level hot! U better take him home!

Anna: ship is truly sailing. I truly believe he likes u

Charlotte: yea, white flags waving. We give up Gregory to u. u better take good care of him. Someone might steal him from u.

Anna: beware of homewreckers, esp ur friend april

Anna: ops, sorry

Me: you're all crazy. I'm just having fun while it lasts.

Charlotte: protect ur happiness at all costs!

Anna: haha. Yea. there's nothing wrong with having some fun with some hot guy

Charlotte: that's what we live for

Anna: we ship AG couple

Charlotte: enjoy ur time, gurl

Me: haha. Thanks.

Anna: i hope there r a lot of fish in the island

Charlotte: thanks for the invite btw

Me: No prob. I enjoy ur company, guys.

Anna: us, too. We never thought we'd be friends.

"What are you smiling about? Is it someone?" called out Gregory as I tapped on my phone. He suddenly sounded serious.

"Oh, nothing. It was Charlotte and Anna," I told him.

He just raised his eyebrows, being doubtful for a second.

---

The next morning, April was being awkward at the office.

"April, I need you to clear my schedule for the next two days, please," I tried to break this hostile treatment of hers. "Are you okay?" I finally asked.

April sat down before me like she was going to the confession and I was being the priest to absolve her sins. She's looking guilty but she really wasn't.

"Boss, I am very sorry for the way I behaved last time," she said as she rubbed her palms.

"What? I don't think you did anything wrong. You're supposed to get drunk at the club. You know? Have fun 'til the break of dawn? Pril, you got nothing to worry about. Whatever you've done, you did it in the name of fun and I got no business stopping you," I assured her like it didn't happen at all.

She was pursing her lips like it wasn't enough forgiving her. "But still! It was embarrassing! God, I was so dumb!"

"Stop it, April! I order you. Let bygones be bygones! Now, can you please fix my schedule?"

April took out her tablet and was busy tapping. "Yeah, sure. Where will you be?"

"At the Del Carmen. Jason's having a vacay party over there."

"Well, it's nice that you'll be visiting your hometown after some time. The people must have missed you. Then, you'll be back just in time for the board meeting."

Thinking about the place where I grew up and truly missed warmed my heart. But thinking about the board meeting just spoiled everything.

"By the way, your mum called for you. You weren't answering your phone. She said she'll be meeting you here later in the afternoon."

Mum being that assertive was no surprise. I guess she can't live without tugging the strings on my life.

While I was in a meeting with my company directors, Jason and Gregory barged in.

"Excuse me but, Artemis, we have to talk," Jason demanded with urgency.

We abruptly stopped with our discussion and the employees were truly surprised that the CEO was seen in this part of the building. I dismissed them and Jason and Gregory took the vacant seats.

"What is it?" sounding oblivious.

"There's something you need to know. Mum is selling off the island."

Now, that is a real emergency. It felt like a bomb dropped in front of me. I stopped breathing and I felt a bitter taste in my mouth.

"How did you know this?" I was shaking in my seat and so was my voice.

"Apparently, we were meeting with Uncle Roger since Gregory was planning to invest in the company," he said as he sat on the edge of his seat. "He mentioned that mum was trying to sell the rights of the island to him."

Uncle Roger is my dad's younger brother. He owned almost twenty percent of the company's shares.

"Can she do that? I mean, it's technically mine!" I was already sweating. I looked at Gregory and he was concerned as well.

"Well, it's technically not yours until you've turned twenty-five," Jason explained.

"I fucking hate that will. You know Jason how much that island meant to me. I grew up there!" Tears started to fall on the side of my face. I stood up from my seat to stand by the window. I was feeling suffocated.

"I know. That's why I'm telling you to be careful with mum. But I know she won't listen to me. That's how she does it. She's trying hard to control you. But, I have a plan and Gregory is going to help us," Jason was feeling optimistic.

I looked at them feeling hopeful too. "I know I can buy it with my own money but I think that's not happening either."

"Well, Uncle Roger was enthusiastic with Gregory investing at the company. In return, he offers the sale of the island to him."

Upon hearing that, I was frozen. "What?"

"We all know that the island has a great market value with the luxury resort and all. You know Uncle Roger would buy that instantly if not for Gregory. Now, Gregory will buy the island from mum instead."

Gregory looked at me with pride. "It's the least thing that I could do for the both of you. Then, I could just sell it off to you again."

"You don't have to. I'll be meeting with mum later," I said, trying to weigh my options. I knew mum just wanted me to give in to her grand plan of marrying me off to Gregory. I don't want that and I obviously didn't want to be indebted to him for something he didn't have to do.

I hurried to mum's agency's office to confront her. She was busy at the shoot taking profiles of the new models. I waited for her at her office.

"What the hell, mum! Is that the best you could do to make me give in to your plan?" I shouted at her since I couldn't control my rage towards her.

She just looked at me blankly and took her seat. "I think so, for you to barge in here and bawl like a spoiled kid," she remarked calmly.

"What right do you have to sell the island? Dad left it for me!" I tried to be calm as her though I knew I looked like a ticking bomb.

"You might have forgotten but I was not totally divorced from your dad. We weren't, actually. So, being his legal wife and your legal guardian, I have all the rights."

"You're unbelievable! How could you be so heartless? You know it's the only thing that connects me to dad but you dare to sell it who? Uncle Roger?" I glared at her like I was gonna kill her.

"And you know why I did it. 'Cause I know it's the only thing that gets your attention and to finally come to your senses. I am not yet totally out of my mind to sell that to Roger. God! I hate him! But I might if.."

I cut her off. "That's not gonna happen. I am not gonna marry Gregory. And how sure are you that Gregory wanted to get married? I don't think we even like each other."

Mum looked at me like I was a clueless kid. "You are as clueless as ever! I know why Gregory went here. I know all about his family and company problems. I've known his family way before Jason met him in college. I know Gregory needed this. He needed US to save him and their company."

Mum scoffed while I was still puzzled. "Lee-Warren is losing the game. He might act like he was still this entitled kid but apparently he's nothing unless he did what he needed to do. Your job is just to say 'yes'."

"You mean Gregory wanted this?" I finally asked.

"He might not say it but it is what it is. Not to mention the fact that Roger wanted to be in this game, too." Hera rambled on.

I got lost in the trail of what mum was trying to say. Gregory had to marry or he wanted to get married or he needed to? And all I have to do is to say 'yes'?

If he did, was everything he did just for a show?