Chapter Fifteen: Jolly Good Fellow

I sat lazily on my seat as I listen to our history class about kings and pharoahs of Ancient Egypt.

"King Tut died in an early age because of a sickness that wasn't curable back then." My professor went on and on and I'm sure that I don't care about a word he's saying.

I stared at the window outside and at the tall tree that was planted beside this building.

Birds on every branch, chirping.

I have to admit that I envy them. They're birds they don't get stressed or depressed. They just fly around all day, feel the sun and the cool breeze. The only thing they care about is their mate and searching for food. Most important is, they're free. I wanted to be free. I want to know what freedom feels like.

I repeatedly hit the end of my pen on my notebook until the dreadful class ended.

When the last bell rang I packed all of my things back in my bag.

Just two more months before graduation, Tatum. Take it all in. Its going to be over soon.

I walked the compressed halls with giggling girls in every corner and I made my way to the lockers.

Once I found mine I placed on my code and placed my books back in.

How lucky to have no home works today. I could sleep as soon as I get home.

I walked my way out of the school and as soon as I felt the cool air hit my face making my hair fly in different directions I felt calm, even if the breeze made it look like there is a bird nest on my head.

"Hey!" An unfamiliar voice exclaimed and I don't know where it was coming from or if it was even for me. "Hey you! The one standing on the stairs!" It called again and my eyes landed on the Range Rover that was parked a few feet away from me and the same dark haired guy that was in my dreadful party stood beside it leaning on the car door his arms crossed on his chest, he has tattoos??? Why didn't I saw that before?

Because he was in a suit, you idiot! My bitch of a subconscious is alive once again.

I looked at him.

"Yes you! Are you dumb?" Just the sound of his voice made me annoyed.

"What makes you think you can talk to me?" I retorted,

"I'm your fiance! I think I have every right to." He rolled his eyes at me.

"As if I have much of a choice." I shot back.

"Whatever. Get in!" He exclaimed pressing on the car ker as he unlock his side of the car and starting the engine. "Are you fucking deaf?" He asked his voice demeaning once he noticed that I havent move a single muscle from my spot.

"And what made you think I would even come with you?" I exclaimed loud enough for him to hear.

"No one is coming to get you. You don;t have a choice! I;m your ride home." He sassed walking back towards the driver's side. I hate him already.

He's an asshole. I should've known.

I walked towards his car and opened the door for myself with a huff.

"Where are we going?" I asked as I settled myself down, locking the seatbelt to my side.

He didn't answer instead he reached out for his Ray-Bans and wore it and sped off.

I can't take him.

The whole ride was composed of him swearing and heavy metal music blasting thru his car's stereo.

The smell of cigarette is stained on his car's seat. I don't like guys who smoke. I hate it.

I hate everything about this guy.

His music taste sucks, he's a jackass, his driving skill is hopeless. I just don't want to do anything with him. He is the opposite of all the things I look for towards a guy. Just being near his presence is pissing the shit out of me.

We stopped by a pizza place.

Domino's Pizza to be exact.

He parked the car and we both got out of the car at the same time.

He opened the front door of the parlor for himself and it almost hit me on the face when he lets go of it right away.

Jackass.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"What do you like to eat?" He asks.

"I'm not hungry. I'll just get a diet soda."

He rolled his eyes on me before facing the cashier.

"A large pepperoni pizza and medium cheese. A large diet soda and a large coke." He ordered.

"But I said I'm not going to eat-" I mumbled.

"Who said it was for you? Now go find us a seat."

Bossy. Annoying. And an idiot. What a surprise!

I made my way to an empty seat for two and sat myself. It didn't took him long to seat across me a tray in hand with the number 13 and two large drinks.

He handed me mine and I didn't bother to thank him since he doesn't deserved to be thanked.

"Let's cut to the chase here. This is not a date." He clarifies,

"Who said it was?"

"Anyways this is a business talk."

I nodded, "Yeah sure, bruh."

He can business talk my ass for all I care.

He rolled his eyes again. "Let me get this straight. I have a girlfriend okay."

I almost choked on my drink. Who knew this jerk has someone to care for him? To love him even.

"I have a girlfriend and I love her so much. Don't get any ideas falling in love with me." He starts and I burst into laughter.

"As if. Don't worry you're not my type."

"Good and-" Before he could finish what he was about to say, a waiter came and placed the pizzas infront of us.

"If you have a girlfriend then why don't you marry her instead of me?" I retort as soon as the waiter walked away.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because..my family can't know about her." He looked away and I felt sorry for him. Wait, why do I feel sorry for him anyways?!

"Why?" I was being persuasive to know more. Im interested to know more.

"She's not like us. She's..she's not rich unlike my family. They will hurt her, they will do everything to separate us and I'm still finding a way to stop this wedding. I don't want to get married this early. I'm only 21 for fucks sake!!"

"And?"

"You're going to help me stop this because I know how much you hate your mother and how much you hate what's happening."

"Deal."

He looked at me eyes fixated on my neck as he disgustingly munch on his pizza.

He looked shocked even surprised like the food from his mouth was about to fall and that's when it hit me.

Fuck.

I covered my neck with my free hand almost clumsily bumping unto my drink with the other.

"I uh-"

"Is that a hickey on your neck?!" He asked out loud like we were the only ones who were inside the pizza place.

I looked around and saw a family staring at us. The mother glaring at us and her husband was looking at us amused while their child was trying so hard to remove the hands of his mother from his ears.

"Can you be more louder?" I rolled my eyes at Calum.

"I didn't know you had a boyfriend, Tate. Your mother didn't mention it." He smirked,

"First of all do not call me Tate and second, I do not have a boyfriend that is why my mother will never talk about my marital status."

"Why can't I call you Tate, Tate? Did your boyfriend give it to you as a pet name?? Aww that's so cute I gag." He rolls his eyes.

"Stop it. I don't have a boyfriend. Stop being childish!" I defended

"Oh yeah like your neck just sprouts hickeys out of nowhere whenever it feels like doing so. Yeah, tell me more. Tell me something I don't know. Unless you're whoring around which I doubt." He sounded like he had known me for years.

I hate him even more now.

"What makes you think I don't whore around?" I raised my eyebrows at him.

"You just don't. You can't do it. You obey your mother too much. You're a puppet. Admit it and I get it" He raised both his hands in the air.

He feels like he has this authority in me or something.

"You know, if you want this fucking deal to work you got to learn to shut your mouth or else-"

"Or else what?"

"I'll tell your family about your girlfriend."

"You can't do that you don't even know Cassie you dont even know her name..Oh shit!"

"Oh so her name is Cassie" I nodded, an annoying expression for him to be pissed at plastered on my face. Mocking him. What an idiot.

"Why the fuck did I just..fuck I'm so-"

"Stupid. Yeah I know." I blurted as he roll his eyes.

"Whatever! Anyways, we have to sabotage the marriage meeting shit that's going to happen on Sunday!"

"This Sunday??"

"Yeah." He continued eating.

"That's like two days away!" I freaked.

"I know!" He rolled his eyes.

"So what's the plan?"

"Just leave it to me." He winked.

What a cocky son of a bitch.

*

"I didn't expect the both of you to come home this early." My mother beamed out of nowhere once I opened the door.

I looked at my wrist watch and it was already past 10. She never allowed me to stay out this late, she says that its unlady like to be walking down the streets late at night so I was shocked, utterly shocked when she said that past 10 was still early. Well, she never knew that I sneak out sometimes..okay all the time now because of Luke.

The thought of Luke crossed my mind and I felt my heart skip a bit. My palms suddenly being all sweaty.

"Hey!" Kate's voice echoed the hall as she makes her way down the stairs.

"Hi Kate" I was surprised Calum even knew my sister's name as he greets her.

"Do you guys want to get something to eat?" My mother offered.

What a plastic.

"No ma'am its okay. I should get going too its pretty late and I have work to do." I was surprised with how polite Calum was because I'm sure as hell that just an hour ago I couldn't count the number of how many times he swore loudly in public.

"Oh don't call me ma'am, you can call me Lisa or mother if you would like. Which do you prefer?" My eyes widened at my own mother's statement.

"Its okay ma'am, I don't think we should even talk about this now." Calum chuckled and I almost laughed hard but I didn't. Kate bursts into a giggle tho,

"I see. Okay then you should better get going, have a safe drive, Mr. Hood."

"Thank you ma'am." He exclaimed and leaned towards me, "Be good." He mumbled, kissing me on the forehead before disappearing thru the front door leaving me in confusion.

He left with a satisfied fuck yeah I annoyed the living shit out of her look.

I cant believe the fucking bastard just let his lips linger on my skin, I need to take a shower! Asap!

I made my way towards the stairs, Kate following behind me.

As soon as I entered my room, closing the door behind me, Kate bombarded me with questions.

"Kate! Oh my god! One at a time! Please!" I raised both of my hands in defense, leaving my school bag by the door.

"Okay! Okay!" She loudly defended. "Where did you guys go?"

"At a pizza place" I mumbled sitting myself down on my bed.

"What did you guys do?"

"We talked."

"Did you guys...do something else?"

"Duh? No!" I rolled my eyes as she walks closer to me, sitting beside me.

"What did you guys talked about then?"

"About how shocked we are about the engagement, and how we could sabbotage the marraige meeting on Sunday." I sighed,

"What? He didn't like you?"

"He has a girlfriend and I like...someone else."

"Someone who is already married may I remind you?"

"How are you even sure that were thinking about the same person?"

"Don't deny it. I know something happened to the both of you. You obviously have an affair with him and he likes you."

"Wait who are we even talking about?"

"Luke."

"Oh."

"I was standing outside that bathroom door for at least a good 15 minutes. I'm pretty sure I heard half the things you were doing in there like...oh Tate, a little less teeth..does that ring a bell?" She teased and I could feel myself blush.

"No one can know about this" I pleaded and she nodded. "I know what I'm doing is wrong but trust me on this, there is a reason why Mr. Hemmings is like this."

"I won't ask you questions you wouldn't feel comfortable with." She smiled, "..besides you sure have a thing to do on Sunday. Do you have a plan?"

"Calum says he's on it. I guess I'll just have to ride along with whatever he's going to do."

"You guys get a long? I think he's a good guy, you know?"

"Trust me. I know. You have no idea-"

"But awhile ago, he seemed to show mother that you guys get along. I almost fell for it! Especially when he kissed you on the forehead!"

"That's just for the show Kate." I rolled my eyes, "We don't get along, I'll be in hell if our marriage is really going to happen."

It was silent for a moment.

"Here-" Kate handed me a paper bag with a blue ribbon.

"What's this?" I asked, taking the bag.

"I forgot to give you your birthday gift. You might miss me when I leave tomorrow so.."

"What's inside?"

"See for yourself!" She smiled and I untangled the ribbon revealing me a white box inside the paper bag. I held unto it.

It was a cell phone.

"Wait, you're giving me a new phone? Mother is going to flip out!" I laughed,

"Don't tell her you have one" She laughed.

"I won't. Thanks Kate!" I hugged her.

"Now you can take it to the next level!" She shrieked,

"Wait. What do you mean?"

"You can get it on with Luke, you know? Sex on phone? Phone sex? SOP? Whatever you want to call it?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

"You're unbelievable!" I laughed.

"I already put my number there, just give me a call anytime."

I nodded, "Wish you're here until Sunday."

"I can't. I have work to do. You know that."

"Well, wish me good luck about it then?"

"Good luck!"