Chapter 04

The days passed by really quickly and it was Kenji's last evening before he moves in with his future wife at Marie Swan's. Because it's a damn good evening, he wanted to celebrate it with his group of friends, drinking at some pavement just near a corner store.

Kenji was having so much fun after three bottles of whatever the alcohol that is. Laughing with his friends never gets old. And they talk mostly about the drama the girls they have been with throws at them.

"That damn nerd is hot, bro but she was looking for someone serious," Eren drank on his bottle and laughed. "But I ain't someone serious so she ran crying."

The rest of their group shake their heads, chuckling slightly. All these dudes were into sex and one night stand, tasting all the girls they could have. That's the kind of life they want to have but Kenji is different. He just doesn't want to spend all his money on drinking nor does he want to have one night stand all his life. There was something serious and more but his friends would laugh at him for sure so he stays laughing.

"I told you guys to pick someone who isn't soft."

"Says someone who went for Andrea!" Another one of his friends yelled.

"Yow, Andrea knows the limits. It's only sex between us."

"Oh, Andrea doesn't know, bro!"

Eren wrapped an arm around his neck and messed his hair. When he moved Eren's hand away, he accidentally looked at the other side of the road and his brows immediately knitted together. 

"What's up, bro?" Eren asked, snapping his fingers in front of him.

"I just saw someone I know," he replied, his gaze still following the lady who just passed them across. "I have to go ahead!" he told the boys, running before she could fade out of his sight. Though he hears his friends yelling, he didn't mind them anymore.

While he follows the lady in an alley, he keeps a frown, his hands shoved into his jacket's pockets. What the heck is his future wife doing in this place? He knows these streets are a little further away from Grimroe's place. Why is she even sneaking at night?

Kenji was about to show his self to Hayley when suddenly a man appeared. He then raised an eyebrow when she jumped to hug the guy. So she has a boyfriend, he thought. 

Scoffing, he was to turn away when suddenly he saw Hayley give what seems to be cash to the guy. Too bad he could not hear what they were talking about since he was a little far away. But why would she give cash to some guy? Is her boyfriend treating her like a damn ATM? And it's too damn unnatural for that feisty lady to be all goody with guys. She must love that damn man so much. 

Kenji suddenly paused when an idea came to his head. Why not he blackmails her with what he just saw? Or maybe he could tease her with it, at least. A corner of his mouth then lifted up as he waits and imagines her reaction when she sees him.

Hayley just finished talking to Lucas and she was on her way out of the alley and back to where she came from when she sees a man appeared out of nowhere. He was standing at her exit with hands shoved in his pockets. It made her brows draw together.

"Hand me your money or I will kill you!"

It suddenly made her heart pounding, her hands sweaty, and for her legs to start feeling weak all of a sudden. She could scream but no one would probably hear her unless there's someone walking past--

"Oh come on, you should have seen how you acted!" The man suddenly laughed, a hand on his stomach. It made her frown even more. "It's your future husband! Stop your damn face!"

Hayley clenched her jaw, glancing at the side. She just now realized the voice of that stupid Kenji. In her anger, she took off her shoe and throws it at him, stopping him from laughing. Then she takes the other one and throws it again.

"You damn jerk! Are you stalking me? And it's not freaking funny! I could file a case against you!"

"Woah chill!" he says, bring both hands up in mid-air and chuckling softly. "I ain't stalking you. I just saw you pass by and I wonder what you are doing in this kind of street. People like us aren't supposed to go alone in these places."

Oh, that face he is making! Hayley could feel that he had seen what she had given to Lucas and now he is planning to use it against her. Well too bad, she is not going to back out whatever happens.

"What happened to minding our own businesses? Wasn't that clear to you, Mr. Maledict?"

"Oh now you are trying to be brave," he nods his head slightly, taking steps closer to her. "I saw what you gave to that guy. I'm wondering if he is your boyfriend or--"

"You don't have to worry about sharing me, Mr. Maledict." Hayley reached her hand to touch his cheek. It made him stiff for a second and she put down her hand. "He is not my boyfriend. And if you are planning to put this against me. You are dumb. They would not call off a wedding just because you say I have a boyfriend." 

Hayley rolls her eyes, walking past him and flipping her hair once they've aligned. Then she takes her shoes, thinking she has won tonight. Although what she did, about touching his damn face was not her intention, she just wanted to appear brave.

As she was at the exit way, she was suddenly grabbed by the arm, making her turn around. Oh, this stupid Kenji is getting into her nerve!

"What on earth are you trying to do?" She glares at him, slapping his hand from his grip onto her arm. "This is not funny! Get your hands off!"

Kenji had only plastered a charming grin at her but he did not let go at all. She was trying hard, even wriggled her arm but it was no use.

"Let me get you home," he says, making her lean away. Why the hell would this jerk offer to get her home? "You can think of it as a peace offering. A welcome gift for you tomorrow."

"I don't need a present from you!" 

"Are you going to let me peacefully get you home or do you want me to carry you like a bride--"

"Ugh! Fine!"

Hayley didn't want to stay longer with the stupid Kenji so she just agreed. Since he did not have a car, they just rode a taxi home. On their way, she was just looking outside the window, to avoid talking. 

Earlier, if the damn Kenji had been persistent with what he saw and reports it to her mother, Cassandra will surely give her an earful of scolding. Her mother would always say not to get herself involve with Lucas but what can she do? She loves Lucas too much. She would even exchange what she has for him.

"So who was that guy from earlier?" Kenji suddenly asked.

"None of your business."

"It must be hard for you to have a boyfriend and yet you are getting married to me. Why not back out?"

"Why not you back out? That present would be nice!" She rolls her eyes at him, showing how annoyed she is. 

It surprised her how he did not respond no more. Well, thank God, because if he kept going, she thinks she would love to transfer to another taxi.

As soon as they arrive, she opened the door and was about to leave when he grabbed her wrist. She then looks back at him with her forehead creased. 

"What the heck? Let go of me!"

But Kenji stayed staring at her with his gorgeous blue eyes. Hayley could not understand what those eyes were telling her. Then a corner of his mouth lifts up, giving her a lopsided charming smile. 

"I think now, I want to damn marry you."