Chapter 6

" ..And so I dropped her off at work and came here, " Arden finished his tale. A stupid smug look on his face. All he did was make himself sound like some sort of knight in ridiculous shining armor who had just rescued some damsel in distress. 

We were currently seated in BellCoast. One of the most exclusive restaurants there are in this godforsaken state. Enjoying a bottle of Cabernet Gernischt wine. 

If you can't pronounce that name don't worry. Neither can most ten year olds.

" So tell me, how's your life as 'BBP' going? " Arden asked as he poured himself yet another glass. If he kept that up it was only a matter of time before he started tap dancing on the elegant tables. 

" Urgh, you know about that? "

" Of course I do. Everyone does, " 

I shake my head at the stupid name. Then I warn him to never refer to me as such. BBP stands for Bachelor Billionaire Playboy. A term that I have come to be associated with somehow. Not that I'm not. I am no hypocrite and I do accept that the name does in a way define me. But still.. Gabriel Germaine just sounds so much better to my ears. 

We talk for a while about normal random things. You know, how much cocaine he recently imported, how many people he killed during the time he was gone and how much more money I have made. Just a boring old conversation. But I was glad to hear that he finally got rid of that girl he was always sleeping around with. 

Her name was Samantha and I just hated her. She had the most squiky voice I have ever heard. Like small rats baffling over a piece of cheese. Not to mention that she was always trying to make poor old Arden fall in love with her. And all so that she could keep sucking more cash off of him. 

" I'm glad you finally came to your senses, "

" Yeah, me too. Oh, Sam. I sure will miss her though. Had the best pair of boobs I've ever seen. Fake, but nice nonetheless, " Arden stated as he looked up at the empty space. Of course he would miss her breasts, he had paid for them. It was absurd just how much plastic surgery cost. 

" Oh, do you remember Mrs. Sharon from highschool? " he then asked. 

" How can I not? "

Mrs. Sharon was the music teacher in the boarding school we went to. It was an all boys school in Britain. One thing I had always hated my so called parents for. If they were going to leave me somewhere they should have at least made sure there were girls involved. I studied there till I was eighteen. And I spent half that time trying to turn myself gay. That was until Arden assured me that that wasn't how sexuality worked. 

But my troubles were all fixed when Mrs. Sharon came along. She was twenty three, I was sixteen. 

Best sex of my life. You think it's illegal, but I just think it was magical. All those days behind the music room, or in the library during break.Just phenomenal. 

" She was something else, " I muttered as I recalled those times. 

" I'm sure she was. "

" So what happened to her? "

" She died. " Arden casually said as he went over his phone. And I wondered why he hadn't just started with that little piece of information. Not that I was sad or anything. I barely knew the lady. And I'm sure the only conversation I ever had with her involved the words " Oh.. yes and faster, " but she was still part of my history. 

Not to mention that I basically lost my virginity to her. 

" Yeah. I heard that one of her seven cats ran into the street and when she went after it.... BANG!! A bus came out of nowhere and ran over her, " Arden explained. Guess that's another lesson learnt. Never trust cats. 

We finished the bottle and I asked Arden how he was doing. He hadn't spoken much about himself which was odd considering that's all he ever wanted to do. And I also noticed that he didn't look as jovial as he usually did. 

He blew out a long breath and massaged the back of his neck before running a hand over his face. Something was definitely not okay. Arden was never stressed and even if he was, it was impossible to notice it. I asked him to tell him whatever it was that was going on. 

" Remember I told you that my dad wanted me to take over the business? " 

I nodded. His father was stepping down as the head mafia and he wanted Arden to take his place. This wasn't news to me. Arden had always told me about how he couldn't wait to take his dads place. It's what he had been waiting for all along. And he knew everything concerning the business and how to run things. 

" Well, he's stepping down next month, "

" That great news... Is it not? "

" Yeah I mean it's what I've always wanted. To step into his shoes. But... "

" But? " I urged. Getting a little worried. Like I said, Arden is the only person I actually care about. He is basically like a brother to me and there's nothing I hate more than seeing him looking worried. 

" See, he has this ally. He heads the second strongest mafia in the entire of Russia and, " he blew out his cheeks. Whatever it was I wanted him to just spit it out. All this curiosity was killing me. 

" My dad and him decided to join forces. You know, to expand both their territories and shit like that. But the guy has one condition. "

I waited for him to say something. And when he didn't I told him to just say it. 

" He wants me to marry his daughter. " 

My eyes widened in disbelief. Then I looked at him to confirm that he wasn't pulling my leg. And on noticing the serious and desperate look on his face, I burst out laughing. I couldn't help it. He had basically been sold off. 

" Don't laugh. This is serious, and I honestly don't know what to do. My dad made me promise to at least think about it and if I say know I'm sure he'll be disappointed, "

The desperation in his tone made me feel a little sad for him. Arden loved his father. And he always tried to please him every chance he got. He just wanted to prove that he could be relied on to handle things. I don't know much about pleasing people since I've never tried to. Why would I? I'm rich. 

But I do know that he feels pressured to accept. And if there's one thing Arden and I agree on it's that there's nothing worse than marriage. It's like being held in chains for the rest of your life. Honestly, I wonder how people manage it. 

Sex with the same person for the rest of your life sounds devastating. 

" I don't know what to do. " he added weakly. I couldn't even imagine losing him to such an engagement. Yet alone to someone he's never met before.

" Just refuse. I'm sure your father will understand. "

Arden shook his head. He looked distraught.

" I can't. "

" What do you mean you can't? Of course you can. Just tell him no, he'll see where you're coming from. I mean, just because he's married to your mom doesn't mean he knows nothing about wanting freedom. "

Arden frowned. Then he narrowed his eyes and slowly begun seating up in his chair. I recognized that face. He had it when he got the insane idea to sneak into the teacher's lounge and take all their snacks back in highschool. 

He calls it his idea face. I could not disagree more. 

" You know, you just gave me an idea, "

Great, now he's going to give me the credit for his stupidity. 

" And what might that be? " 

A very crazed smile creeped into his features. His green eyes sparkling with mischief. Then he nodded to himself before snapping his fingers and chuckling to himself like the lunatic he was. 

" Will you tell me already? " I was running out of patience. But he finally decided to share his thoughts. 

" My dad wants me to marry this girl, but I'm sure he won't force me if... "

" If what? Speak for heaven's sake! "

He laughed again and took the last sip of his wine. 

" If he thinks I'm already married, " he finished off. And in that moment I  realised something. 

He really was mad!!!