Chapter Seven.

Traven's POV

Ellen wasn't noticing my presence but talking with Beth about clothes for her graduation and prom. I rolled my eyes at her. She was taking those things as a big deal? Well, I guessed that was the way all girls were.

I had to win the bet of the 'Black Zees'.

Recall...

"Hey guys." Ronald, the first, leader of our group, gruffed.

Everyone stopped whatever they were doing and assembled around him.

He nodded his head. "There's a new bet, and whoever wins it stands the chance of being promoted in this group." He informed with vexation.

"What's the bet?" I asked, curiously. I was the only one brave enough to talk or ask questions when Ronald was talking. The rest just always went dumb. 

He frowned. "I'm not done talking." He waved in chafe.

I heaved a sigh, "Go on." I rolled my eyes.

"The bet is: The first person to have seven girlfriends in two days wins the bet." He said, causing mutterings from the others.

"Is that all?" I smirked. The others gasped. I was such an optimist.

"Let's go guys." I told my bodyguards in the group, and left...

End of recall.

It was the second day already and I only got 5 girlfriends. Spark already had 6 girls and was leading. I had to beat that record. I couldn't bear to loose a bet.

Beth and Ellen were saying things I wasn't listening to anymore. I was really bored and wanted to leave, but I had to get two more girls. Ellen was definitely one of them.

"Are you-" Beth started but her phone rang, interrupting her. 

She swiped the screen up to pick the call.

"Hello." She said and looked at Ellen. "Sorry. Got to go. See you soon." She said and immediately scuttled away, causing a wide grin from me.

I was so grateful. I could have a good talk with Ellen and make her my girlfriend that day. It seemed hard, because she seemed tough to handle, but she was always blushing and gentle with me. I had faith that it would work out.

Ellen turned around but halted in obvious shock, when she noticed my presence.

"Hi." I said, waved my hands in excitement.

"Hello." She said with a small smile.

I didn't know what to say. I couldn't let her go now. "I also came here for the same purpose as you." I said, when I remembered what she was talking about with Beth.

"Oh. Okay." She tightened her lips together, grunted and nodded her head. I managed to hold back the chuckle at her reaction.

I didn't know what to say to keep her with me. "Let's look around." I said but it sounded stupid to me. I raised my eyebrows in a questioning manner, held her hands. 

She grunted in agreement. I decided to make her feel excited and want me. I laced our fingers together, then she froze. I loved the way I made girls feel.

She probably couldn't move or think straight so I nudged her, started walking so she would move.

I noticed her, look at me, through the help of my 180° sight. I guessed she was admiring me. "Stop admiring me." I said, not looking at her, it caused her to flinch.

"Sorry." She apologised. But why? What did she do?

I chuckled. I felt the need to compliment her. I didn't know what to say again. I was good at those things but with her, I was numb.

"You're sweet." I blurted, then sighed gently when I noticed her blush.

I looked at her, fully. She was beautiful. 

I noticed her look at a black, feathery gown in a show glass. She seemed to like and want it. That could be my ticket to getting her.

"Do you want it?" I snapped, smiling, causing her to flinch.

"No, thanks." She said immediately. I stopped smiling. She ruined my ticket. I could get it for her as a gift. She seemed to really love it.

"I'm sor-" She started.

"Wait here." I interrupted her and scurried away. 

I went to the person in charge of that cloth.

"I want to buy that dress right now." I said right away, to her.

"It's not yet for sale. It's still on display for now." She frowned.

"I'll pay double." I stated immediately, not interested in her boring story.

Her frown immediately changed to a grin, her eyes, wide open. "Really?! Okay!" She agreed. 

She went in then came out, few minutes later, with a bag.

I checked to confirm if it was the dress in the bag. It was the one so, I payed her, the price she stated as double. 

I scurried to meet Ellen and found her in the same position. I was glad she hadn't left.

"What's this?" She asked.

I slowly brought out the dress from the bag. 

She seemed excited. She opened her mouth to say something but no word came out. She looked shocked.

"Thank you so much." She grinned.

I couldn't let her go like that without confirming that she was my girlfriend. Ronald definitely made sure to confirm if anything we said was true. He had a way to spy on us without our knowledge.

"Is that how to appreciate a person who loves you?" I smirked, and she blushed, probably thinking about my words. I was good at these things. 

"You'll have to go on a date with me, wearing that dress." I added to make sure she accepted. 

She didn't say anything but looked really shocked. Didn't I do it well to her? She didn't tell or show that she agreed or not. 

I felt like giving up and look for another girl but froze when I felt a warm lips against mine. I felt a nice sensation. It was Ellen?

She suddenly broke the kiss, moved backwards with her eyes wide open.

"I... I... I'm... I didn't... I'm..." She stuttered in fear. She looked really cute. 

I bit back the chuckle.

Her hands began to fumble, she was fidgeting.

"I'm sorry." She looked really scared. 

I tried to calm her down but that didn't seem like it was going to work. I smirked then planted a gentle kiss on her lips. 

Her body seemed to relax. I grasp her hands then slowly walked out of the shop with her. She didn't argue but followed me.

I halted when I got to the outside of the shop. 

"Max?" She said softly.

Max? I wanted to laugh. I couldn't believe someone thought I was another name. It wasn't new. I didn't tell people, in my high school, that I was Traven. Some people knew me as Drake, Caleb, Tony, Junior and other names I couldn't process.

"Max?!" She smiled. "I didn't know you" she trailed off then muttered, audible enough for only me to hear, "loved me. Doesn't it seem too soon?" She gave a weak smile.

I wrapped my arm around her waist then stroke her hair with the other.

"It's now or never." I smirked. "Or, don't you-" I paused and blew air into her ear. I could feel her go cold "want me?" I continued.

"No. I mean yes. I want you but-" 

"No buts." I interrupted. "You're mine now." I stated then she blushed. 

***

Ellen's POV 

It had been four days, and I still couldn't believe that I was Max's girlfriend. It seemed so fast. He was handsome, rich, smart, and every girl's dream but it seemed so good to be true. Was I dreaming?

"Ellen!" Max shook me, drawing me out of my weird thought pool.

I involuntary flinched. I totally forgot that I was on a date with him. I wore the dress he bought for me.

"Ellen? What's wrong?" He grinned.

I waved my hands in the air and said, "It's totally nothing. I promise." I assured.

"Okay." He gave a confused look. "You should eat your food before it gets cold." He pointed.

"Thank you." I could feel my face go red, earning a chuckle from him.

I looked around the obviously romantic restaurant and noticed that we were the only one. It was quite big for only two and it had other tables for other couples.

"Max. Why are we alone in this restaurant?" I questioned politely.

He looked around and smirked. "I bought the restaurant for today, for my queen." He stated calmly.

"You... You... You don't... You are saying..." I stuttered and covered my mouth with my hands. 

"Just say you love me and I'll do anything you want." He grinned.

"I lo-" I started but was interrupted because his fucking damn phone rang.

"Please I'm coming." He smiled and brought his phone out of his pocket.

"Okay." I said glumly. I felt sad but angry at the stupid caller.

"Hello." He said softly. He stopped talking, obviously because the person on the other end of the line was talking. His eyes suddenly opened wide in surprise or fear. I couldn't tell.

"What? No way! No! I mean yes but" He frowned. "I... I... I'm..." He stuttered. 

He looked at me then I gave him a questioning look.

He heaved a sigh. "I'm coming. I'll meet you there." He finally added and kept the phone in his pocket.

He was leaving? No way! I frowned.

"I... I... I'm sorry but..." He stuttered, scratching his head.

"You're leaving?" I asked in anger and sadness.

"No. I'm not. I just want to" He paused and heaved a sigh. 

Traven's POV

The phone call...

I looked at the phone. It was Rana calling. One of my real girlfriends, that I might consider a life with. She was my first on the list.

"Hello." I said calmly.

"Hello?" She scoffed. I couldn't tell what was wrong with her. "I believe we were supposed to go on a romantic date today. I don't understand what's going on with you. We need to talk. Meet me at our favorite romantic restaurant. I'll be at the restaurant in five minutes. I'm close to it." She said.

I wasn't really paying attention, but immediately did when i noticed that she was talking about the restaurant I was in, with Ellen.

I opened my eyes wide, my orbs totally displayed confusion. 

"What? No way!" I grunted in disapproval.

"Why?" She stopped talking then continued, "Don't you want to go on a date with me anymore?" I could sense forlornness in her tone.

"No! I mean yes!" I frowned.

"So you're not coming?" She said gently. I hated shit like that. Rana was special, I couldn't loose her like the others. "You don't have my time anymore. I can't even see you when I'm lonely or worried or I need someone by my side." She ranted.

"I... I... I'm" I stuttered, and looked at Ellen. She gave me a questioning look.

I didn't want to leave her too. She was my second after Rana. I was one lucky guy.

"You really don't seem to talk to me again." Rana said, and sighed.

I heaved a sigh. "I'm coming. I'll meet you there." I frowned.

"Really?! I love you!" She said, and I cut the call. I kept the phone back into my pocket.

Ellen's orbs pleaded for me to not go. "I... I... I'm sorry but..." I stuttered, scratching my head. I didn't know what to say. 

"You're leaving?" She asked in anger, but sadness was written in her voice. She had to be. We hadn't spent up to half an hour in a restaurant, I bought for the whole day, on our first official date.

"No. I'm not. I just want to" I paused and heaved a sigh. I tried to think of an excuse but I couldn't process any.

"But you said you were going." She folded her arms across her chest and pouted her lips.

"I need to meet my... Uhm... My dad." I grinned.

"Dad?" She shot me a confused look.

"Yes... He... He was..." I stuttered. "He's close by and needs my attention for business." I forced a smile.

"Okay." She said slowly, as if thinking of what I just said.

"Bye. I'll be back soon." I kissed her forehead, and scurried out of the restaurant.

Rana was going to be there in few minutes. I ran and bump into someone, shorter. I looked down at the figure and realised the beautiful queen, Rana, standing in front of me.

"Traven!" She screamed, almost deafened my ear drums. 

"Hey Rana." I grinned, and bent to give her a slight kiss.

"I missed you. Let's go in." She grinned.

"In? Where?" I asked involuntarily.

"Stupid, our favorite restaurant." She began to walk, but I gripped her wrist, automatically stopped her movement.

"What?" She shot me a confused glance.

"The restaurant's closed for today." 

"Why?" 

"I don't know." I shrugged. "Maybe we should come some other day." I tried to sound discouraging.

She smiled. "You're so silly." She was really different. She was always calm and hardly talked, but blushed. Now, she was calling me silly, stupid. Wow! What a change!

"There's another restaurant on the next street. It's okay if you can't go. We'll come some other time." She said. I couldn't tell if she was hurt, and I felt happy but bad.

"No. It's fine. I'll go." I didn't know when I blurted that out, and immediately rued it. I was on a date with Ellen!

I had to do a double date again. My double dates always worked out, so, it could have also worked out too.

"Deal." Rana said, scurried away, and I followed her.