Chapter 4 –  Gorgeous-But-Rude

(Lexi’s POV)

‘I sold my soul to the devil.’ I remembered what Lexa told me last night. My heart broke, imagining my twin sister desperate to seek money for our Aliyah. How exactly did she sell her soul? It was a question I wanted to bring up last night, but Mr. Gorgeous-But-Rude just answered my question now.

Fighting my tears, I took my wallet, but when I opened it, the cash I had reminded me it was enough for my fare to return to the hospital; otherwise, I would have to walk.  

I have never been so embarrassed in my whole life, but I couldn’t call my sister to clear her name because the moment I agreed with her to pay the down payment, I considered myself an accomplice to her crime.

“How much did she get from you?” I asked again, but my voice was lower, almost not audible. I raised my head, meeting his eyes, but I wanted to jump back whenever he glared at me.

“Why don’t you ask her? If you really have a twin, call her,” he gave me his phone, and it took me a few seconds to take it, thinking if it was wise to use it or just call her with mine, but I remembered I was using a prepaid card.

I took his phone and walked toward the corner, but he grabbed my arm, stopping me.

“Here. You’re calling her here,” he growled.

We were in the middle of the room, and after Mr. Sky Mars called his wife to stand beside him, aside from Mr. Gorgeous-But-Rude, four pairs of eyes were gaping at me. I dialed Lexa’s number, but after doing it, he snatched his phone back and turned the speaker on, embarrassing me more.

“Hello?” It was Aliyah who answered.

I pressed my lips tighter, trying very hard not to cry, when I heard Aliyah’s voice.   

“Lexi?” she asked again when I didn’t answer.

I took a deep breath before speaking. “Hi. You’re awake. How are you?” I asked, hoping not to blink because if I did, I was sure the tears welling in my eyes would roll to my cheeks.

“My head’s still aching. I think Lexa’s back. Lexa!” she called. “Lexi’s on the phone.”

“Lexi?” She must have noticed the number I was using. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah...” I bit my bottom lip so hard that I thought it would bleed. “I just called to ask you, and I wanted you to be honest with me. Where exactly did you get the money last night?”

She did not answer.

The tears I was fighting back rolled down my cheeks because her silence meant he was right. My sister took the money from him out of desperation.

“It’s… it’s okay, Lexa,” It was almost a whisper. “I…” I pressed my lips again, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. “I…”

“I’m sorry, Lexi, but I was so desperate -”

“I know. Let’s not talk about it with Aliyah there, okay?” I cleared my throat. “I’ll call you again.” I took the phone from him and pressed the end button. I must have swallowed my tongue because I could not utter a word when I met his eyes.   

“You know what? Just return the money,” he said.

“He’s right, just return the money,” another young man said, walking toward me while taking his wallet from the back of his pants pocket. I panicked when he took all the cash from his wallet and held my hand, placing the money bills in my palm.

“Huh?” My hands trembled as I shook my head, giving the money back to him, but he shook his head.

He leaned closer to me. “Unless you want your sister to go to jail,” he said, shrugging. 

“Don’t embarrass Frank, Lexi,” Sky cut in. “Accept it and pay that guy,” he said, pointing at Mr. Gorgeous-But-Rude.

“Pay that guy?” He widened his eyes at Mr. Mars.

I nodded, counting the money in my hand, ensuring I knew how much I would return to my angel in the name of Frank. Breathing out, I took the only paper bill in my wallet and included it on the money bills I returned to him.

“Since you settled the money and identity issues, can I talk to Lexi now?” Angela asked, then she shook her head. “Or maybe later.” She turned to her husband. “I got hungry watching them.”

He nodded at her before turning to Catherine. “I’ll be in time for the board meeting.” He held his wife’s hand and tapped Frank’s back but did not say anything to him.

“Ms. Angela…” My voice was quivering, not knowing what to say to her.

She smiled gently at me. “I still want you to teach my triplets music,” she said, then her angelic face beamed as if remembering something significant. “Lyra Helene changed her mind about the piano. Do you know how to play the guitar?”

I nodded and peeked at Mr. Gorgeous-But-Rude. I had no idea who he was, but I could not believe my heart suddenly felt jealous of Lexa. My twin sister had a lot of explaining to do, and I hated her for putting me in this distressing situation, but last night, if I were the one looking for money, I would probably do the same thing, sell my soul to the devil.

With Angela going out on a short date with her husband, I have nowhere to go. I glanced at Catherine as she turned her attention to the phone ringing. She answered the phone but gestured something at Mr. Gorgeous-But-Rude, pointing at the cake box.

He rolled his eyes, growling like a dog at Catherine as he took the cake box. I was surprised when he stopped before me, took my hand, and gave me the box.

“My father might haunt me in my dreams tonight if I don’t apologize to you,” he smirked. “I’m soooorry for the misunderstanding,” he said, making fun of me and sneering but not leaving the room.

I pursed my lips, half-smiling at him, or maybe I was smiling sadly at myself. Lexa had two past relationships; both times, she told me they got intimate, but I never had a boyfriend, not even a crush on someone, in which Lexa teased me about being gay. I turned my back on them and placed the box on the center table. Lexa would not eat it anyway since she avoided many sweets when she had to sing at night. Aliyah and I didn’t like cakes.

“Don’t you like it?” He looked surprised. “Come on, that’s expensive.”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but I’m a cat,” I said, not explaining further what I meant by it. I walked toward the door, ignoring the plea of my empty stomach. I remembered what Lexa said last night; wealthy people have too much while we struggle.  

Mr. Gorgeous-But-Rude called me again, but I ignored him, thinking my humiliation should be enough, and the kiss he just did would be forever traumatic, not something that would make me smile or cry when remembering my first kiss.

I went back to the lobby on the ground floor and perhaps entertained myself with the grand architecture of the building. I was about to sit down when I heard Frank calling me.

My eyebrows raised, wondering what he wanted. Maybe he would give me a card or tell me how I should be paying him.

“I'm free for an hour. Would you like to grab lunch with me?” He asked, catching his breath.

My eyes narrowed, studying Frank. Lexa and I may be twins, but I was never good at reading people, only to the ones I was closed with, like her, Aliyah, and some of my close friends.

“Why?” I blinked.

He chuckled. “Because I’m hungry? Or you could be hungry?”

“Frank, to be frank,” I pressed my lips to suppress a laugh. “Umm… I gave the last money to him, so…”

“I know,” he said. “Don’t forget I also gave all my money to him,” he reminded me, causing me to pucker up my lips.

I raised my eyebrows, wondering how we would eat when we both had no money. Use his credit card?

“You have food allergies?” he asked as we headed to the exit door. “Crab, squid… peanuts?”

I shook my head.

“Good. I’m just being careful,” he smiled. “Would you mind eating in the kitchen?”

My eyebrows raised again, thinking I always eat in the kitchen. He smiled happily when I shook my head and led me to his car.

“When I don’t have money, I go to my brother’s restaurant and eat in the kitchen. I always get them for free. I hope it’s okay with you,” he explained.

“Beggars can’t be choosy, right? Besides, this isn’t a date,” I smiled but hated myself for mentioning it to him.

He looked at me before starting the car. “Lexi, would you like to go on a date with me?”

I swallowed hard and pressed my lips together tightly as I stared at my angel today. I realized Frank is one very interesting guy.