Chapter 9 - Disparagement

[KHALI]

I watched the brunette as she put on the gloves and apron hanging by the sink. I was determined to give her more challenges from now on. Let's see if she can make it through the week.

"Are you sure about this, Khali? Don't you think this is too much?" Jey returned shortly after escorting the chipmunk girl out of my apartment.

"Yup, I haven't done anything yet," I looked at her with my brows creased. She’s still wearing her disapproving look all over her face, but I didn’t care. She leaned on the couch, shaking her head.

"Okay, fine," she shrugged, then gasped out loud. Her mouth was wide open in a broad smile. I couldn't believe how quickly her mood could shift.

"Oh my God! I think I'm in love!" she exclaimed, "Reese is so kind and cute!"

I’m surprised that she’s now addressing her on a first-name basis. She looked at the ceiling dreamily, and I just grimaced at her reaction.

I stood up and sarcastically remarked, "Yeah, I can tell, and I’m so happy for you."

I'm not a fan of trite and sappy lines, and I know what's coming next. So, before my best friend can add another litany, I'd better get out of here.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"To my room. Oh! When she's finished, tell her to bring snacks to my room," I said, pointing at Jane in the kitchen.

"Why me?” Jey instantly complained. I could have rolled my eyes at my best friend, but I didn't, so I just pinched my lips together in a narrow line and shot her with my 'are you serious? look.'

"Because you're the only person here aside from her. Who else is going to tell her? The plate? The table? The couch? " I was aware that my tone sounded rude, and I instantly regretted venting out to my best friend.

"Why are you so grumpy?" My best friend's face fell, and I bit my lower lip as guilt washed over me.

"I'm sorry. It’s just—,“ I was out of words.

“Just tell her what I said; I know you don't agree with me, but I've already made my decision," I didn’t wait for her reply and just proceeded inside my room.

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[JEY]

I don't get why Khali is so cranky; why does she want to make everything complicated. She could have just let it go. The cold never bothered her anyway. Kidding aside, no one thinks she's a loser, yet she still has to make it difficult for this poor girl. To be honest, Jane is hot and attractive, and she seems clever, but she's not my cup of tea. However, her best friend is. I think Reese is the one.

A giddy smile danced along my lips as I remembered her pretty face. She’s so cute, and her fluffy cheeks made her look like a chipmunk. I was thinking of what to get for a pet, and I now decided to get a chipmunk. It’s not a typical kind of pet, but I’ve already decided because of Reese. I then chuckled with the idea, but I had to straighten my face when I saw Jane looking weirdly at me.

"Why are you smiling?" She inquired, puzzled. I faked a cough and cleared my throat before flashing a bashful smile.

"Oh, no-nothing. Err… I have a… I mean, is Reese coming back here tomorrow?” I tried not to sound nervous or thrilled, even though my inner self was already spinning.

"No, I don't think so. Why?" She raised a brow at me while wiping her hands with a clean cloth. She seems overprotective with her best friend, and I knew precisely how I should approach such a cautious friend; all I have to do is be honest with my intentions.

"As you can see, I like your best friend."

"You think?" she asked, attempting to intimidate me, which she succeeded in doing to some extent.

“No. I mean, I like her—“

"That was fast," her apathetic, rude tone had just upset me. She's quite intimidating. My charm isn't going to work. I'm not sure how Khali got her to agree to be her slave. Feeling like I was in the hot seat, I wiped my sweaty palms on my shirt and cleared my throat once more. I should be more specific about my intentions.

"Listen, I'm not like Khali; I mean, Khali is a nice person—"

Jane cuts me off again by laughing aloud, and I grumbled grumpily, frustrated that she wasn't even allowing me to speak.

"Do you think she's nice? Really?" I was left gawking as she sarcastically laughed, and I swear to God, she and Khali were the same. They might click or repel for having the same mood.

"Can you please let me finish?" I begged fervently.

"Sure, go on," she said calmly. Jesus Christ! Khali is enough to make me bald, but I think simply talking to Jane would depilate my head.

"Okay, I'd like to be close to Reese, so I was thinking of—like – uhm—asking her out," I hesitantly said.

"Good luck to you. I don't mingle with my best friend's sex life."

"What? What sex life? No— I mean. Yes! I mean— Oh my God!” I was already panicking, and I had to cover my face due to embarrassment. Jane then burst out laughing and tapped me on the shoulder.

"Relax, I just wanted to tell you that my best friend is a great catch, but not an easy one," she added as she got a glass and walked over to the table.

"By the way, what snack should I get for Khali? I heard what she said earlier," she asked, and I noticed that she seemed fine with it. I can tell she's a strong woman, and I admire her for it. Making her suffer will be a challenge for Khali, and that's precisely what Khali wants: a challenge.

"She likes choco milk drink, and maybe you can get some macaroons," I told her, and she just nodded, mentally taking note of what I said.

"I'll just head out. Just knock on the next door if you need anything,” I gestured a knocking sign in the air, and she flashed me her gummy smile. Cute. I thought.

She can be scary, cute, and charming. I almost missed having a sister, except that I don't have one, so technically, I never missed having one. I'm confusing, but bottom-line, I think we can be good friends, and Reese can be my lover.

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[JANE]

I looked in the refrigerator for anything palatable. Fortunately, I came upon a box of choco milk just like what Jey said, but there was no macaroon. I don't have a choice but to order online. I grabbed my phone and went online to search for macaroons. I never served anyone my whole life, nor even ordered anything online. I have people to do that for me. I bit my lip as I nervously scrolled up and down. It’s been minutes, and I couldn’t even press the ‘Place order’ button. Anxiety is rearing its head once more.

Fuck it! I placed my phone down on the kitchen counter and decided to look through the shelves for ingredients. I may not know how to order, but I know how to cook. I learned it from my mom. That's one of the things I cherish in my life.

I need almond flour, sugar, salt, eggs, butter, and vanilla extract. I opened the shelves one by one, and I only got sugar, salt, and eggs. Seriously, does she only know how to cook eggs? This time, I can use the privilege that Jey had given me. I’m relieved that she's nice and approachable. I might ask Reese to come by here more often, you know, just to make everything easier for me. So, I went out and turned to the next door. I knocked, and after a few seconds, Jey opened the door.

"Oh hey, what's up?" Jey inquired, her tone amusing.

"I need your assistance; can you accompany me to the mall?" I asked flatly.

"To the mall? Why? "

"I need to buy ingredients. She only got eggs on her shelf, can you believe that?" I may have come across as exaggerating as if having only eggs inside the shelf is a sin, but that's how I am. I don’t like my shelves and refrigerator empty, so I always make sure I have enough food in times that I needed them. But Jey never judged, she just giggled and nodded at me.

"All right, hold on. You can come in first; I'll just change my clothes," she said as I stepped inside her unit. Her place is very similar to Khali's, with slight differences.

"Here, take a seat first; I'll be quick," she gestured me to sit on the couch and ran into her room. I opened my phone to check my emails and the current news. There’s nothing much interesting, just a few messages from my dad asking me about my meeting with Khali. Of course, my dad would ask about the progress. He had no idea that there was no business proposal at all. I am now a slave of the oh-so-arrogant Khali Luciano. But this is better than to date Nicholas. My phone chimed, and there goes Reese’s message popping on my phone.

>> From Reese: That girl is weird <<

>> To Reese: You panicked back there, Reese Posie <<

>> From Reese: I did not! <<

>> To Reese: Yes you did. Oh, don't worry she's nice. She's actually helping me here. <<

>> From Reese: She's still weird <<

>> To Reese: Really, huh? <<

>> From Reese: Jane Terranova!! <<

>> To Reese: Okay, I’ll stop HAHAHA <<

I had to quit teasing her since calling me by my full name indicates she's already pissed.

"All right, I'm done; let's go?" Jey said as she exited her room.

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[KHALI]

I was getting impatient. Jane is taking too long to wash the dishes. So I went to check on her, but she wasn't there when I looked in the kitchen. Did she run away? I wondered and went back to the living room; her things were still on the couch. She must have gone outside. She should have first sought my consent. I hissed and dialed her number, but she didn't pick up. I tried again, but she declined it. What the hell! You’re fucking dead, Terranova.

>> To Jane: Why aren't you picking up the phone? <<

I waited as I paced back and forth in the living room. A few more minutes, and still, there's no reply from her.

>> To Jane: You should have admitted that you don’t have the balls to do so. Now it's up to you to live with the consequences. <<

>> From Jane: I'm with Jey. Can you please fucking calm down?? <<

>> To Jane: So you've decided to date my best friend at this time? <<

I know I sounded absurd; it was just an impulse. I hissed and facepalmed myself for even pressing the send button. But I immediately got a reply from her.

>> From Jane: Date? What? And what is it to you?? <<

I frowned when I read her message. So I was right; after only a few minutes of meeting my best friend, she’s already flirting with her. She’s the same as those sluts. They’re all the same.

>> To Jane: Nothing; if you want to date my best friend, I don't care. I don't mind if you continue to slut around. Just keep in mind our deal. When you return, make sure you clean every inch of my place. You're dead if I notice a single speck of dust. <<

I know she's not different from any other girl. They are always looking for opportunities to flirt whenever and wherever they can. But I'll make sure her stay here will be a living hell. I can't blame Jey. Maybe she was tempted by that girl, and my best friend is too weak to resist. I hate girls like her, those girls who would use their charm to get what they want and then leave you in the end.