What an enticing offer

~KENNETH's Point of View~

***

If I must admit, the bet indeed sounded tempting for me; especially now that I am two months behind my rent. But, at the same time, my friend's offer also sounded too good to be true. That was why I could not help but think that maybe, Bien was just jesting with me. However, I also refused to give Bien a downright no as an answer because to be honest, it was quite a dilemma for me if I should accept it or not. Well, let us just say that I am still in the middle of considering it, in the meantime. But you have to understand, okay? This was a tough choice for me because it would also involve another person. Wooing a girl just for 'fun' or simply because it was what the bet required you to do so would be no different from treating love as a game and I don't usually play with a girl's heart; not that I ever tried before. Meanwhile, it probably looked like I was in a daze so to get my attention, Bien, prodded me at the ribs.

"Not a bad deal, is it? If you win, you will get a girl on top of the money. If you lose then at least you tried. "

He insinuated and I knew that this guy would stop at nothing to get me to say yes. In our years of friendship, I already knew Bien like the back of my hand and so I am fully aware of how pesky he could get if he wanted something done. We were out at the pool side drinking our beer when Bien suggested the bet and in order to avoid him from bothering me, I deliberately tried to go back inside; with the pretext that I would head at the wine bar to get us more refreshment. However, it did not take that long as well, before I heard the other party's footstep running after me and before I knew it, he already clapped me on the back.

"Come on, just for fun, dude. Stop being a spoilsport."

My eyes almost went heavenward when I heard Bien's voice from behind me. This lass would not give this matter a rest, for sure, unless we met a consensus. Likewise, I also could not help noticing how Bien seemed to be so adamant of having me play with his rules and was even trying so hard to coax me into agreeing to have the bet with him. I wonder though what was in it for him... Hmmm.. Anyway, regardless of what he would gain at the end of this bet, it would still not change the fact, that he was a prodigal son. How I wished I could also be imprudent on spending my allowance.

"Have you even thought about asking me first if that Elise girl was my type, to begin with?"

I insinuated at Bien, but he did not seem to care at all.

"There was actually no need for me to ask that to you anymore. Just base on the type of girls you used to date so far, I could already guess your answer even without you telling me."

Bien answered me back with a lopsided grin. Then he touched the tip of his nose as he continued,

But it was just that, I wanted to do this favor in the behalf of my girlfriend. As you may I know, I recently dated this girl, named Jonnaila and she had been asking me for ages, to set her friend on a date with someone. She told me it was because she feel guilty for the other party whenever we she was spending time with me. Well, you know how I have a soft spot for a damsel in distress. Besides, I feel sorry for my girlfriend for feeling that way because I am the one who was trying to monopolize her time, in the first place.

"So you are basically asking me to be that someone?"

I asked him back with an overflowing sarcasm on my voice. But Bien did not even seem to notice it. In fact, he even had the audacity to give me an affirmative response.

"Touche!"

" You feel sorry for your girlfriend, but you don't feel sorry for me, your best friend?"

I was trying to be sarcastic on purpose when I asked Bien those questions but he simply would not get the hint.

"Look, it was not like I am telling you to marry the girl. Besides, we have known each other so long that I already know you are cursed; you can't keep a relationship. What I am just meaning to say is give it a try. Then if you feel like you can't take it anymore, then let go of it, no hard feelings. In this way, Maureen will also no longer have a reason to get back to you. It was like hitting two birds with one stone. This is a win- win situation for you, can't you see?"

Bien was simply too good at convincing people that the next thing I knew, my resolve as a gentleman to not play with fire and heart was already starting to waver. Without a doubt, this lass must have mastered the art of persuasion. I could hardly think of a word to refute him!

At this point, I could only shake my head in disbelief because I realized that I could not agree more to what Bien just told me.