It started with a bet

"I have enough of Maureen!"

Kenneth blurted out just in time as Bien passed him another glass of whiskey.

"That girl is nothing but an empty-head spoiled brat."

The other party added before downing another shot of the liquor at one go.

The two of them were having a boy's night out at Bien's place. His parents were often working abroad so most of the time, Bien was left alone in the big house. So after hearing the news from Jonnaila, Bien decided to invite Kenneth to have a blast with him.

He wanted to distract his friend in case he was heartbroken. But, at the same time, he also wanted to know the score between Kenneth and his girlfriend. Because he knew for sure that such juicy news would earn him some brownie points to Jonnaila.

"So does that mean you are breaking up with her?"

Bien asked Kenneth after the other party finished his drink.

"We are never ever getting back together."

"Oh geez, man. Don't tell me you are a swiftie."

Bien commented in order to make light of the situation because he could already see the veins popping at Kenneth's temple as he spoke.

But when Kenneth heard him, he only glared at him and said,

"Shut up, dude."

"Anyway, move on, dude. It was not like Maureen would cry over you. No offense meant, bro. But she is not that kind of girl. We both know how many suitors were lining just to get a chance to date her."

"Well, they can have her for all I care!"

Kenneth snapped but Bien did not buy that.

"I don't think so..."

He made it seemed like he was only talking to himself but he spoke loud enough to be heard by Kenneth.

"I am telling you, I am over her. I won't be tolerating any of her antics anymore. Not a chance!"

Kenneth tried to convince his friend to believe his words. However, the more he spoke, the more it seemed like it was himself that he was trying to convince.

"She is a playgirl."

There was unmistakable pain at the edge of his voice when he said those next words.

"I thought you don't care about that? Did you not told me before that you don't really like her and you just dated her because she is famous and being in a relationship with her would win you more votes for the pageant?"

Frankly speaking, Kenneth did not love Maureen. However, it was the fact that he caught Maureen cheating with him that made him angry. It hurt his pride as a man.

He only used the girl for some publicity because he was aiming for the scholarship offer that came with the pageant once he was crowned the King of the Campus.

As expected being a couple with the reigning 'Queen of the Campus' helped Kenneth won the crown of his own. They were dubbed as a royal couple of the campus. But that did not mean anything to Kenneth.

All he cared about was the scholarship grant that came with winning the school pageant. Because that would mean that he no longer have to worry about paying his tuition.

"You know what? It's okay. With your looks, you can easily hook another girl if only you wanted to."

Bien suggested when he no longer knew what to advise to his friend.

"What do you think of Elise? You can try going out with him and we can have a double date. Pretty cool, aye?"

Bien added but Kenneth only glowered at him.

"What do you take me for? A Casanova? Besides, who is this Elise you are talking about? I never heard of her."

"You just met her today. Remember the other girl I introduced to you aside from my girlfriend? Bro, I just found out that she is into you."

"Nah. I gonna past."

"Why? She is a good catch! She never dated anyone before. Could you imagine that? I can bet my wrist he is a virgin!"

Bien tried to hype up his friend but that kind of thing did not seem to be working on Kenneth.

"I don't have time for that. I am better off using my time doing for something that can help me earn some bucks."

Kenneth replied with an obvious air of indifference. Unlike Bien, Kenneth did not belong to an affluent family and the only thing that was keeping him from dropping out in college was his scholarship and his multiple part-time jobs; without them to keep him afloat and support his study, it was a question whether he could even survive a semester.

"Speaking of it, why are you still refusing to take my offer?"

Bien inquired when he was reminded of Kenneth's financial problem. He had been trying to lend the other party some money to help him get through the semester but the guy was adamant about not taking anything from him anymore.

"Come in dude, I already owe you a sum of money. I can no longer take anything more than that, really."

At this point, Bien was already at a loss for words to say. He has known Kenneth for years already so he knew more than anyone else how big the other party's pride was.

"What about a bet? Are you interested to have a bet with me? Three hundred bucks, take it or leave it."

Kenneth was caught off guard by his friend's sudden offer but then he quickly shook his head.

"And where do you think I will get the money once I lost the bet?"

He said afterward. Implying in a roundabout manner that he would not be partaking any bet because he has no money to waste for that kind of thing. But it seemed that Bien would not be taking no for an answer.

"There is no need for you to pay me. As long as you were able to get Elise to say yes and made her your girlfriend, everything is good on my end."

When Kenneth heard the end of the deal, his eyes grew wide as big as saucer plates.

"What?! Are you crazy?"

He blurted out as he could not believe his ear.

"Nope. I simply have too much money to waste."

Bien replied with a lopsided grin.