Chapter 6 - Bring It On!

[KHALI]

"So, what happened last night?" Jey asked while grinning like an idiot. We're here in the casino, and she's been pestering me all day about that girl; I mean, now she's my girl. No, my slave. Yes. My slave. I frowned at her for the nth time.

"Nothing happened, Jey. How many times do I have to tell you? NOTHING HAPPENED. OKAY?" I accentuated each syllable in the hopes that it would penetrate her obstinate mind.

"I seriously doubt it. How can you let that opportunity pass by?! Hello!" she said, snapping her fingers in front of my face as if she were waking me up. I sighed and rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"Jey! I'm not like you! I'm not going to take advantage of her simply because she's drunk; plus, I'll see her again this week," I said flatly. If there's even a touch of excitement in my voice, I'm sure she'll think maliciously, but I know how her mind works. That's how she thinks all the time.

"Wait! Wow! Wow! Really!?" she said, her hands on each of my shoulders and lightly shaking them. I shoved her out of the way and proceeded to the nearest slot machines.

"So, are you dating her now? Holy shit! I can't believe someone was able to capture the untamable Khali Luciano!" she said in exaggeration, and I groaned irritably, resisting the need to snap at her.

"No, we're not dating. It's part of a bet. She humiliated me here, and as a payback for the damage she caused, she'll be my slave for a week," I said with a dopey grin, sounding pleased with myself for getting the deal done.

"Wait. What the hell!? Khali, I didn't know you're way worse than you already are!" she gasped, shaking her head as if she's not believing what she had heard.

"I’ve always been like this, Jey."

"You know what? You'll die a virgin if you keep doing that," she said which made me laugh.

"Are you sure?" I sarcastically asked. After she realized something, her mouth formed an "O." But it's not something I'm proud of.

"Oh, sorry, you're no longer a virgin. Who's that lucky girl? Ooh! Wait. Don't tell me. I remember that name," she said as she put out her hand, and I just wrinkled my brows and walked away. I know she's just acting as if she didn't remember. She despised that girl after what she had done to me. My best friend enjoys irritating me.

"Ah! Yes! That's Carmine!" she said, pointing to me as if she had struck gold. When I heard her name again, my jaw tightened. Jey gulped her breath as she sensed my awkward silence.

"S-sorry I didn't mean to let you remember, but dude, when are you going to move on? It's been 3 years," she patted my shoulder.

"I've already moved on, Jey, as you know, which is why girls aren't my top priority right now," I told her bluntly. She simply pursed her lips inwardly, inhaled deeply, and nodded.

"I understand. But what if this girl—what’s her name again? Jane, right?" She asked, and I just forcefully nodded.

"What if she's really the one," she smirked at me.

"She's not going to be the one. I highly doubt it," I retorted and transferred to other tables.

"Look, Jey, I'll be dealing in 15 minutes, so don't bother me with your weird questions; I need to focus," I informed my best friend, who didn't object.

"Alright, just remember what I told you. I'm just going to wander around, hoping to find some hot chicks," she grinned widely then waved before she walked away. I sighed in relief and focused my attention on the poker game. I was just keeping an eye on things. I also like poker, but Blackjack is what I like the most. Poker is Steven's expertise.

I suddenly wonder, what if Jane came into Steven's table instead of mine. What could have happened? Maybe he already banged her because I know Steven. He always finds his way under the girls' pants.

I shook my head, not liking the idea of Jane and Steven doing those things. Before the start of my game, I decided to go get a drink. I don't want to lose my focus. Maybe I should text her. Her first day as my slave should happen tomorrow. In my contacts, I looked up her name. Yes, we exchanged numbers so that we could communicate with each other. After all, it'll only be for a week. I paused for a moment as something came to mind, eventually chuckling when I came up with a task for her to do tomorrow.

>> To Jane: This is Khali. Don't forget it's your first day being my slave tomorrow. Don’t be late :) <<

I sent the message and waited for her response. Nothing has happened after two minutes. Five minutes and still nothing. I waited until ten minutes, and I was already losing patience. I went back to typing on my phone.

>> To Jane: Remember our deal or your dad will know ;) <<

I hit send and received a response from her within a minute. I flashed an evil smile before opening her message.

>> From Jane: I don't have time tomorrow, I have lots of meetings. Can you just set it every weekend instead? <<

I scoffed, reading her message. Does it mean that I have to adjust? It’s not my problem. I scorned, then replied to her.

>> To Jane: You are my slave. It's my rule, and you should follow. Take leave for a week <<

"You’re surely a stubborn one," I murmured before I sent the message.

>> From Jane: You sure, you don't want money? Can I just pay for it? <<

I cynically laughed, exhaling deeply to settle my nerves.

>> To Jane: No. I don’t need your money. I want something that money can't buy <<

It's only 5 minutes until my game starts. I kept my phone first, not looking to see if she had already responded. I'll have to check it out later.

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[JANE]

>> From Khali: No. I don’t need your money. I want something that money can't buy <<

I was perplexed when I read her message. What does she want from me? Suddenly, I remembered what Reese told me earlier. My eyes widened with my realization.

"No! No! No! I'm not going to give my body to her. Never!" I screamed, a little teary-eyed because I was already enraged. I detest it whenever I'm angry since I get very emotional.

I bit my lower lip, pondering what I should say to her. I'm free this week, but I'm just making an excuse. Yes, she's attractive, and I don't think it'll be my loss if something happens between us. But I don't even know who her parents are. What if she's a mafia boss? What if she's a syndicate member? I have a lot of things running through my head, and it's not good. I'm not in such a desperate state that I'd plunge into such a situation. I rolled over in my bed, ruffling my hair.

"But what can I do? I can't let my dad know what I did that night. He’ll just force me to date Nicholas," I let out a sigh and glanced at the ceiling.

She's hot, pretty, charming, and affluent, but she is also arrogant, bossy, and wise. I chewed my lower lip, attempting to weigh everything. I sat up and rubbed my face with my palm.

"OK, Jane, this is only for a week. If she wants sex, that's fine; you'll forget about it after a week," I managed to persuade myself.

"Yeah, that's right. Okay," I gulped before I took my phone and typed in.

>> To Khali: Okay, fine <<

I'm still scared of what's going to happen, but I'm holding on to the fact that she saved me, and she covered me up from my dad. I'll just follow my instincts that she's a nice person. Fuck! But what if I'm wrong? Ugh! It doesn't matter; there's no other way out here, anyway. I just wish she won't torture me or chop me into pieces and process me into burger patties! I buried my face on the pillow and punched my bed.

"I don't want to be processed meat!" I yelled, but I stopped. I sat up and lightly slapped my face.

"I should think good thoughts. I think I'm going nuts. I should quit watching thriller movies," I whispered to myself. I need to unwind for a bit. I decided to leave and go somewhere else. I don’t know where to go, but I'm hoping I can find a place where I can think properly. I got all dolled up in my IRO Almo dress and Chanel tights. I drove around the city and tried to find a decent bar in the area. I took another turn and eventually found the perfect one. I like its ambiance; it's cozy, and the music just matches my liking. It serves as both a restaurant and a bar.

A guy in a black and white suit welcomed me with a smile and led me to my table. I chose the spot where I can sit comfortably and then ordered some wine and steak. Some people might think I'm a loner for going here alone because most people come here on a date or with friends. But it doesn't matter to me; all I want is to be alone and drink my wine before my judgment day tomorrow. The waiter served my wine while I'm still waiting for the main course. Then my attention was drawn to someone. She enters, and the waiter directs her to the table across from mine. She glanced at me and then discreetly gasped as she finally recognized me.

"Jane?" She muttered.

"Jasmine," I simply smiled at her.

"It's good to see you here. How are you?" She asked. She decided to sit on the couch opposite to mine. She's wearing a woman's suit that fits perfectly on her. Her features were almost the same as far as I can remember, and she's still friendly and nice.

"I'm good. How are you? Wow, it's been like 10 years?" I chuckled, and she nodded.

"Yeah, wow. You never changed, you're still…. beautiful," she complimented.

It's funny, how I wanted to unwind yet, here I am, meeting my past. Well, technically, she's my past because she tried to court me back then, but I already turned her down.

"Thanks, you too. You look hotter than you were before," I decided to return the compliment because that would be awkward if I tell her that she was hot, but still, I don't feel anything about her.

"Would you mind if I share a table with you? Do you have someone with you?" She politely asked. Maybe a company won't hurt. Honestly, I want to be alone, but I guess I could lessen the weirdness if I've got company.

"No. I'm alone. It's fine," I told her.

I checked my phone when it abruptly rang. I'm already guessing it'll be Khali.

>> From Khali: Okay. Be here as early as 7. Don't be late <<

I groaned and rolled my eyes which piqued Jasmine's curiosity.

"Having a bad day?" She smiled softly at me.

"Yeah, kind of," I said, shifting the conversation to her, even though I'm not very interested.

"So, what are you doing these days?" I asked.

"I finally achieved my dream of becoming an international athlete, and I just came back from the United States," she proudly stated. I recalled her telling me that one day she would be a well-known athlete who would travel to different places and continents, representing our country; it's impressive that she is now living her dream.

"Congratulations! So, you made it. Wow," I said and took a sip on my wine.

"Thanks, how about you?" She asked. I was going to answer, but I was interrupted by the sound of my phone. I took a peek at it but left it on read again.

>> From Khali: I have some rules. One of the rules: never leave me on read. You should always reply to me. Even if it's nonsense, I should be the one leaving you on read. <<

I scoffed and laughed sarcastically when I read it.

"What an asshole," I muttered.

"I'm sorry?" Jasmine looked at me, confused, and blinked a few times.

"Oh no. I’m sorry. It's not you. Someone was just pissing me off," I chortled ineptly, and she just nodded in understanding.

"Your boyfriend?” She queried again. I raised my brows, then knitted them, and shook my head.

"No, I don’t have a boyfriend, and I don't have plans to have one. I don’t like guys," I told her, slightly scrunching my nose.

"Oh. So, girlfriend?" She asked again. I took a few breaths in. It's starting to annoy me.

"No, I don't have one," I said with a little smile, but the way her mouth forms into a smirk tells me she's thinking about something.

"I see. Do you want to go somewhere else?" She asked straightforwardly, and I already knew what would happen next.

"I'm sorry. I can't. I have to go somewhere. It's really nice to see you here," I said as I stood up and bid goodbye to her.

"Ah, yeah sure. No problem," She stood up and gave an embarrassed laugh.

I headed to the door after leaving some cash on the table. I could still feel her gaze from behind me, but I just ignored it. I sighed when I finally got inside my car.

"Now where should I go?" I mumbled to myself, leaning my head on the steering wheel. My phone chimed again, and I rolled my eyes.

>> From Khali: Are you really not going to reply? <<

"You're so fucking annoying!" I yelled. Eventually, I decided to reply.

>> To Khali: Where are you? <<

>> From Khali: At the casino. Why? <<

>> To Khali: I'll wait for you in your apartment <<

>> From Khali: What? Why? <<

I drove straight to her apartment, ignoring her dumb question. Let's get this over with.