Chapter 86: Lousy Felix

Paige paid full attention to everything Frankie had to say while Frankie paid little or no attention to hers and of course as usual, she didn't notice.

"So, let's get you home to Creek Island." Frankie said standing up and putting his guitar away. "I'll get my Chauffeur informed so that he can get the car ready. Once you're all set, he will take you back to the Island." He told her helping her up.

"Paige looked at him with a smile. "You ain't driving?" She asked remembering the times Simon drove them all the way to the Grocery store and how much time they spent cracking jokes and enjoying each other's company.

Frankie looked back to see if she was referring to someone else other than him because he couldn't imagine driving a car to Creek Island all by himself when he has a Chauffeur that is being paid to do just that. "Me?" He asked when he realized Paige was really referring to him. "Why should I drive to a place as far as Creek Island all by myself when there are people paid to do just that?" He asked with a surprised face.

Paige was shocked to hear such from him. She didn't expect him to drive her to Creek Island but she felt he should have made his point in a more polite manner. "Oh, that's true." She said regaining from the shock and putting up a cheerful expression. "But we'll go together right?" She asked as she thought it was only normal for him to go with her that way they'd chat and get to know each other even more. But his reply got her a bit downcast.

"I would love to princess." He said drawing her into a hug. "But I have a whole lot on my plate. Today is Monday and I agreed to spend the whole day with you. The day is almost over already. But I still need to clear out some business." He explained.

Paige frowned. She was raging inside as she is so used to being the centre of attention courtesy of Simon. But she felt odd with the way Frankie was treating her. "You won't see me off?" She asked in a low tone looking up to meet his gaze as she was still held in a warm embrace by him.

"Of course I will." Frankie replied. "But I won't be able to follow you down to Creek Island. I need to help my father with some business deals. You heard him inside. Felix can't handle such businesses. He is too lousy." Frankie said carelessly.

This made Paige move away from his embrace. "You don't have to talk about a fellow human in such a condescending manner." She told him with a concerned expression. "Felix is your brother which is more than enough to show him some respect." She reminded him.

"Believe me princess." Frankie started, touching her chin with his index finger. "I'm not talking down on Felix. I'm only stating a fact. Felix is kind of useless when it comes to cooperate business." He said in a louder tone. But he failed to notice Felix walk up to them in the garden and Paige on seeing him struggled to give Frankie a signal to keep shut. But he kept going on and on about how their father trust only him to run the family business saying that in his own opinion, Felix could be regarded as handicapped. Poor Felix stood rooted on the ground as his brother who had his back towards him kept talking about him in a condescending manner. He felt like the ground should open up so that he can step in. The embarrassment on his face couldn't be hidden.

Seeing that Frankie was bent on ignoring her signs, Paige decided to speak up in other to stop him from causing more damages than he has already. "Oh hey Felix." She called now gaining Frankie's attention. "Look who we have here." She said to Frankie in a shaky voice halting his speech.

"Fe." Frankie called not in the bit worried nor sorry. "Is there a problem?" He asked acting like Felix didn't catch him speaking ill of him just minutes ago.

"Our parents left for an urgent family business meeting and I'm going back home." Felix replied so calmly. "I wanted to know if you'd want me to wait for you." He said.

"No, I'll spend the night here." Frankie replied. "I'll leave for my house tomorrow. You should go ahead. We don't even live in the same area, why bother waiting for me."

"Great." Felix replied hiding the pain he felt. Paige looked at him feeling so sad. She could feel now sad he was from the sound of his voice. "Are you here till tomorrow?" He asked Paige shifting his attention to her.

"No,  I'm about leaving for home now." She replied. "I just need to get my bags from the room and I'll be off." She replied with an uneasy smile.

"You're heading to the Kentley's right?" Felix asked.

"Yes." Came Paige's reply.

"Great!" Feliz exclaimed. "I stay at the North of Creek island. I can drop you off then. That is if you don't mind." Felix offered.

"That will be okay." Frankie replied to Paige's surprise. She already planned on turning down the offer as she knew the journey home was going to be an awkward one. Hearing Frankie reply positively on her behalf shocked her.

"I don't want to disturb you nor intrude. I can wait for the Chauffeur to take me." She said trying her best to turn down Felix offer in a polite manner.

"I promise you that you are not intruding in any form whatsoever." Felix started. "You'll actually be a great source of company." 

Paige turned to Frankie for help but got none. "He just want to help" Frankie ended up saying. "Come on princess. He doesn't bite." He persuaded her.  Paige felt strange and uncomfortable with the idea but seeing that both men were already in agreement, she excused herself to go pickup her bags from the room. Angrily, she walked away. She was mad at Frankie and she didn't bother to hide it. Frankie noticed her mood and followed her to the room after few moments of silence and painful glare from his brother.

Getting to Paige's room, he immediately held her two hands and looked at her pleadingly. "My princess." He started in a very soft voice. "I know you would prefer that I drop you off myself. But honestly, I am so choked up with work already. I do not know the best way to say this in order to make you understand better. My brother is a very careful driver and with him, I feel rather comfortable that you will be in safe hands as well." He explained pushing back a strand of hair from her face.

"Are we going to pretend that Felix didn't just walk in on you telling me trash about him? And why is he so calm about it? That is not normal." She pointed out.

Frankie smiled his popular boyish smile. "Felix can't be mad at me cause he knows I'm saying nothing but the truth. I didn't make up anything I said out there." He added. "If that is your reason for getting worked up and scared, then you shouldn't be. Fe, is a nice person. He will take you home and ensure you are safe as well. You'll be fine. I assure you." He said finally convincing her.

"Okay." She replied accepting her fate. She quickly picked up her bags, scanned the whole room with her eyes to ensure she wasn't forgetting anything at all. "Your parents," she said as they made their way out of the room. "I thought it will be rather disrespectful leaving the house without informing them.

"That shouldn't be an issue." Frankie reassured her. They won't mind. Since they aren't around to see you leave." He explained. Both of them headed to the garage together where they met Felix already sitted in his car waiting for Paige.

Frankie helped her place her bag in the booth of the car and also assisted her with the car door as she assumed a comfortable position in the passengers seat beside Felix. "Drive carefully Fe." He said to his brother. "Make sure she is safe before leaving the Kentley's."

"I will." Felix replied before starting the car. Slowly, he drove out of the Tedson's mansion with Frankie waving at them from the garage. Once out of sight, Paige turned to Felix. 

"Thank you so much Felix for the ride. It really mean a lot to me. I appreciate." She told him with a charming smile.

"You are welcome." Felix replied with a welcoming smile as well.

"I'm also sorry about what you heard earlier in the garden. Frankie didn't mean any of that. He was probably just saying. Please, do not take it seriously." She told him 

Felix smiled heartily. Over the years, he's learnt not to take Frankie seriously. Talking down on people and feeling on top of the world have always been his thing.