Chapter 3

Edward quickly walked when he heard the doorbell in his apartment ringing repeatedly. Still in his pajamas, he casually opened the door and found a man standing there with an annoyed expression.

"Don't tell me you just woke up?" he asked, investigating. "What time are we leaving? You're the one who asked all of us to be there," the man grumbled.

Instead of feeling guilty, Edward laughed.

"Oh, Rich. Why are you always so easily irritated? I thought after getting married, your temper would go away. But it's still the same," Edward teased.

Richard rolled his eyes in exasperation. His patience had run out.

"Stop talking. Hurry up and take a shower! I'll be waiting for you in the lobby," Richard said and left without waiting for his friend to respond.

Edward and Richard were actually neighbors. Both of them chose the One Hyde Park Penthouse as their residence several years ago. Edward had his reasons for choosing that place. Besides its premium location, the penthouse had fantastic facilities. Equipped with bulletproof glass, secret rooms, and 24-hour security guarded by the specially trained personnel of the British Special Forces, it was the best choice for him, being the son of a conglomerate.

For those who don't know, Sebastian Edwardo Martin was a 30-year-old man of Scottish descent. He had a tall and lean physique, hazel eyes, and a strong jawline. His outgoing and humble personality made Edward easily attract attention from many people. However, due to his commitment-free philosophy and aversion to the idea of being tied down, Edward had not been in a serious relationship with any woman. This made it difficult for him to fulfill his father Alexander's request to get married soon.

Frustrated by his father's demand, Edward decided to meet up with his friends to exchange ideas. Now, he was preparing to meet Richard in the lobby of their apartment to go together to English Shooting International. Today, they planned to spend time doing shooting sports.

"I thought you were going to invite Kimberly," Edward began the conversation as they were on their way to the shooting range.

"She left early in the morning with Mama. I was even told to come home late at night so she could spend quality time with her grandchild and daughter-in-law," Richard replied.

While driving, Edward laughed, imagining that his mother would do the same if he got married and had a child.

"Why don't you just stay at your parents' house? It would save you the hassle of picking them up like this," Edward suggested.

"Oh, come on. We live in the same city. Our residences are not far from each other," Richard retorted.

Edward smirked. "You ungrateful child. You should have some empathy for Uncle Rob and Auntie Cassandra. They must be so happy in their old age, getting visits from their child, daughter-in-law, and grandchild. Besides, it's rare for all of you to gather like this, right?"

Hearing Edward's blunt remark, Richard immediately turned and gave him a disgruntled look.

"We should stop at the supermarket ahead," Richard pointed out.

"Do you need to buy something?" Edward significantly reduced the speed of the car, preparing to park at one of the big supermarkets they were passing.

"Of course," Richard nodded confidently. "I intend to buy you a mirror so you can reflect on yourself. How can you tell me to go home while you never visit your own parents?"

"You little...!" Edward cursed loudly. His sarcasm was met with a strong retort from Richard. While Edward grumbled in annoyance, the man next to him chuckled in satisfaction.

"I'll get back at you, Rich," Edward muttered.

Richard didn't care and continued to laugh as they finally arrived at their destination. There, Kenzi and Kaivan were busy choosing weapons for the shooting session.

"Why did you take so long? We've been waiting for an hour," Kaivan complained.

"I even had two cups of coffee because I was tired of waiting for you guys," Kenzi, who stood beside Kaivan, added.

Upon hearing their friends' complaints, Richard immediately defended himself. He pointed his index finger directly at Edward.

"It's his fault. You should know that he didn't even take a shower when I knocked on his apartment door."

As usual, Edward could only grin and laugh. Among the four of them, he was notorious for being the one who liked to be late.

"Apologies, everyone. As a way to make up for it, I'll pay for the court rental and treat you all to lunch at Chiltern Firehouse, how about that?" Edward suggested.

Kenzi nodded in agreement. "Alright, your mistake is forgiven this time. Quickly choose your weapons."

Edward and Richard immediately headed to the weapon storage room, selecting which firearms they would use for this practice. They all had enjoyed shooting as a sport since their university days, especially Kenzi and Kaivan. Both of them were most skilled in using various types of firearms, from short-barreled to long-barreled ones.

For this practice session, Kenzi, Edward, and Richard all chose the same Glock Meyer 22 pistol, made in Austria. Meanwhile, Kaivan chose the long-barreled H&K MP5, produced in Germany.

They spent over two hours having fun. Kaivan and Edward seemed to be the most enthusiastic about competing against each other.

"I give up..." Edward shouted, raising both hands.

Kaivan turned to him and smiled contentedly. While Edward approached Kenzi and Richard, who were already sitting in the waiting area, Kaivan decided to rinse off the sweat from his body.

"You two are crazy!" Kenzi shook his head, watching Edward and Kaivan having so much fun they lost track of time.

"It's fun, Ken. I felt like I was fighting against the mafia," Edward grinned.

"You should be Kaivan's little brother, so you can directly face the mafia. Your behavior is just the same," Richard, who was sitting right next to Kenzi, joined the conversation. But what he said was true. Edward was more suitable to be Kaivan's little brother. They had similar personalities, hobbies, and traits.

"I won't!" Kaivan, who had just returned from the restroom, immediately interrupted Richard's comment. "I'd go crazy if I had a brother who talks as much as him," Kaivan pointed to Edward, who was leisurely sipping cola in his hand.

"Oh, come on. I'm sweating right now. I'll put on my shirt once I dry off," Kaivan defended himself.

"Oh my God, is that a body or a street wall? Why are there so many tattoos there?" Edward shook his head, looking at the row of tattoos on Kaivan's body. The man loved getting tattoos.

"If I were Aunt Luna, I might have scratched your name off the family tree card, Kaivan. Your appearance is truly like that of a thug." Once again, Edward sneered. It was true, he would go crazy if he had a talkative brother like Edward.

Not wanting to waste more time, Richard interrupted the banter between Edward and Kaivan. They then rushed to the car to have lunch at Chiltern Firehouse, a famous restaurant favored by all Londoners.

"So, what should we talk about here?" Kaivan asked when they were already at the restaurant, waiting for their food to be served.

Edward's mind was filled with conflicting thoughts about Chloe. On one hand, he felt frustrated and used after their encounter, but on the other hand, he couldn't help but be intrigued by her mysterious background and the fact that she was the only child of the wealthy Arley family. He wondered why someone from such a privileged background would end up in an orphanage and how she became the way she was.

As Edward dwelled on these thoughts, he realized that he couldn't just ignore what had happened. He needed to face the consequences of his actions and find a way to resolve the situation. Maybe, just maybe, he could turn this encounter into something positive and meaningful.

The next day, Edward decided to meet Chloe in person. He wanted to talk to her, understand her better, and see if there was any possibility of building a meaningful connection with her. It was a bold move, considering their initial encounter, but he felt that he needed to take responsibility for his actions and try to make amends.

He asked Hans to arrange a meeting with Chloe, and surprisingly, she agreed to meet him. They met at a café in a quiet corner of the city, away from prying eyes and the hustle and bustle of their busy lives.

As Edward looked into Chloe's eyes, he could sense a mix of vulnerability and strength in her. They began to talk, opening up to each other about their lives, dreams, and fears. Edward learned about Chloe's difficult past, how she had grown up in an orphanage and was later adopted by the Arley family. She spoke of her struggles with the expectations that came with being part of a wealthy family and the pressure to conform to societal norms.

As Chloe shared her story, Edward couldn't help but feel a deep sense of empathy for her. He realized that she was more than just a "Playgirl" as labeled by others. She was a complex individual with her own struggles and vulnerabilities.

Throughout the conversation, Edward found himself drawn to Chloe's resilience and authenticity. He admired her for being true to herself, even in the face of societal pressure. Slowly, he began to see beyond their initial encounter and realize that there was more to her than he had initially assumed.

As the day turned into night, Edward and Chloe continued to talk, and an unexpected connection began to form between them. They laughed, shared stories, and found comfort in each other's presence. It was as if fate had brought them together for a reason.

In the days that followed, Edward and Chloe spent more time together, getting to know each other on a deeper level. Edward discovered that behind her tough exterior, Chloe was a compassionate and caring person. And as for Chloe, she saw a different side of Edward – one that was not just the carefree playboy, but a man with genuine emotions and a desire to find meaning in his life.

As they continued to spend time together, their bond grew stronger, and Edward found himself falling for Chloe. He realized that he no longer wanted to be the person he used to be – the one who avoided commitment and dismissed the idea of love. He wanted to change and embrace the possibility of a meaningful relationship.

One day, Edward mustered up the courage to tell Chloe how he felt. He confessed that he had fallen for her and that he wanted to be with her, not just as a fling, but as someone who could offer her love, support, and a future together.

To his surprise, Chloe didn't push him away or reject his feelings. Instead, she admitted that she, too, had developed feelings for him and that she was scared to get hurt. But she was willing to take a chance and see where their connection could lead.

And so, Edward and Chloe began a new chapter in their lives together. They navigated the challenges that came with their different backgrounds and learned to embrace each other's strengths and vulnerabilities. Edward was no longer the commitment-phobic playboy, and Chloe was more than just a "Playgirl." They were two individuals who found solace in each other's company and were determined to make their relationship work.

As time passed, Edward's father, who initially set the ultimatum for him to find a wife, noticed the change in his son. He saw how Edward had matured, how he had found purpose and meaning in his life, and how his relationship with Chloe had transformed him.

One day, Edward's father called him for a private conversation. He told Edward that he was proud of the man he had become and that he could see how much Chloe meant to him. He acknowledged that sometimes love doesn't follow strict rules and societal norms, and he was willing to let go of his insistence on Edward marrying within a certain time frame.

Edward felt a weight lift off his shoulders, knowing that he no longer had to rush into a marriage for the sake of the company. He thanked his father for understanding and promised that he would continue to work hard for the family business, even if he didn't become the CEO immediately.

As Edward and Chloe's relationship deepened, they faced both joys and challenges together. They supported each other through thick and thin, and their love grew stronger with every passing day.

And so, the playboy who once avoided commitment and the girl labeled as a "Playgirl" found love in each other's arms, proving that sometimes, love comes in unexpected ways, and the right person can change everything. They showed the world that love is not bound by societal expectations or the labels imposed upon them, but rather, it is a beautiful journey of two souls finding solace in each other's hearts.