** TORI's POV **
"You gotta try the chicken wings here..." He said and continued to say something about this place, how it meant something, but I just couldn't listen to him. I'm busy thinking about Zach being with another girl.
'Did I just refer to Chloe as another girl?' She's my best friend. No harm intended, right? But still, she's the one Zach wants. Maybe she knows it? But she has a boyfriend. They're happy together.
I looked at James as his mouth is moving worried what Zach might do if he finds out I went out with his best friend. 'Well, tit for tat!' I mean no harm intended. It's not like I like James or whatever.
Now that I think about it, I don't mind if he saw us. It pisses me off that he can do whatever he wants. As for me, he treats me like his personal staff or something. I took out my phone from my bag and checked for any updates. I guess I should be
** ZACH's POV **"Gotta go guys. Got a hot date." River boasted."Skipping class again? You're so gonna be stuck in this school." James commented."Since when did you care what I do?" River stood up and patted James at the back. "It's nice to have you here, James. This school just needed another tool like you." He remarked mockingly."Ha. Very funny." James retorted. We're at the school cafeteria. I just nodded at River as he retreated. "We'll visit you again next year!" James barked in a loud enough voice for River to hear. River just shook his head as he left the cafeteria then I shifted my gaze at James who's now busy eating lunch."Remind me why we hang out with that guy again?" James jokingly asked. It's still a mystery to me why he's here, I mean, he hates school and I already gave up convincing him to attend one.
** ZACH's POV ** 'Still in the room. Go for it.'It's a message from James. I judged him too soon. He is actually helping me, just like old times. But I couldn't shake this feeling that something was off. Knowing James, he always has a hidden agenda. I had to hurry up or Tori might slip out of my sight again. I hate it when she's being like this. We've already talked about this yesterday.I'm almost there. I ran up the stairs, I tried to catch my breath so it wouldn't be obvious that I entered a marathon. 'Hopefully she's still here.'I took a deep sigh before peeking at the room. 'Bet she's reading something.' I hoped. But much to my disappointment, she's not here. I shrugged. Where could she possibly be? And then I remembered something, the studio.I headed towards the other side of the building and there I heard a faint music co
** TORI's POV ** "You never seem to run out of problems do you?" I glanced sideways and saw James appear out of nowhere. I'm thinking so much that I even forgot how I got here from last night. Our first class hasn't started yet. I wondered how long he's sitting beside me. I didn't notice him up until he startled me.I really don't know if I'm going to consider my situation as a problem. It's been keeping me up all night. "Yeah, I just can't get enough of them." I answered jokingly then turned my head back to my desk. Having the deep conversation with Mom last night left me deep in my thoughts.Recalling what happened last night, I'm really excited the moment she set foot at my bedroom. I gave her a warm hug. I just missed her so much, I can't even remember the last time I saw her."Hey!" James snapped his fingers cutting my thoughts. "You just lost me. Don't tell me
** ZACH's POV ** "There you are!" A familiar blonde chirped her way towards my direction.Chloe is in her usual perky self. I'd bet this would be about Tori again. She's been very clingy these past few weeks. I should be happy but this made my relationship with Tori's really complicated."What do you want? Details about my relationship again?" I greeted teasingly."No... I'm actually surprised that you stuck with one girl for the past month. Kudos to you Zach! Never thought you had it in you." She praised me as she patted my shoulder. I noticed her expression and it's different from the usual cheery tone she usually has, this one is rather strained."Yeah. That's the hundredth time you praised me. What do you want?" I retorted."Hmmm... you're getting a bit grumpy. You really have changed." She observed with a wicked s
*TORIs POV*"I don't get him! He's sweet for a moment, next thing you know he'll be this annoying douchy person. Ugh! How can someone be so moody?!""You won't find a nice dress when you're all flustered like that..." Chloe dragged me from my frustration the moment she grabbed my hand, interrupting me from scanning the rack of clothes in front of me. As I scanned the store, I noticed several people looking at me."Did I just..." My eyes widened embarrassed at my sudden outburst."Just ignore them, you know how people are when they hear someone shouting." She told me calmly as she held my hand tightly. "Care to tell me your Mr. Blonde issues?"I bit my lower lip, still hesitant to answer her question. "About that..."Chloe let out a big sigh before saying "You know, if you're bored of doing this, we can just go home and..."&
* TORI's POV **Time check, six fifty in the evening. Saturday, the day I wished never came. I'm sitting across the table with my Mom. We're at our hotel, seated at the best spot in the restaurant overlooking the busy lights of Manhattan.We're waiting for Zach. I jush wish he doesn't show up. I shouldn't have told him about this dinner in the first place.I'm busy fidgeting with my fingers under the table, biting my lower lip and shifting from my seat."Don't worry, he'll show up." I didn't notice Mom was observing me. She look amused."Huh? It's not what you think. I had something else in mind." I lied.'Oh how I wish he'll decide not to show up!' I spoke in my thoughts."Whatever you say." She beamed. "It's still early, I mean, you told him that dinner's at seven, right?"I just re
** TORI's POV **"Seriously?" I asked with my left eyebrow raised. Up to this point, why am I even surprised? Zach has nothing but surprises."Positive." He answered without hesitation.I turned my attention back to the view. "...Are you trying to get me...killed?" I shudder at my last word."Now why would I do that?" Zach placed his hands over my shoulder and pushed me gently. His weight pressing against me."Oh no way!" I tried to struggle from his clutches. There's no way I'm going!"Don't be such a baby." He teased and chuckled."I'm...not!" I announced while hitting him in the chest with each word."Give me one good reason not to go..." He wiggled his eyebrows at me playfully."For one, who in their right mind would go there in...November? Not to mention, in the middle of
** ZACH's POV **"Morning, Boris!" I chirped at Boris cheerfully. It was a Sunday morning. I sat at the stool in the kitchen and grab my morning cereal prepared by Boris."Good day to you, Sir." Boris greeted back, surprised by my cheeriness. He placed a freshly squeezed orange juice next to my cereal."I presume you had a lovely evening?" I nodded as I ate breakfast."Perhaps, something to do with Ms. Peige?" He continued to question.I tried holding back my smile. I could see he did the same, but he was clearly trying to hide it. Well, Boris will be Boris, serious old man.I never thought I could be this...happy. I just can't help smiling. It was an amazing night indeed.It was all because I was with... Tori.I sighed, happily, as I thought of her. This is just so unlike me. Who wou
Yes,It's true that I have to end the story Must Date The Playboy. I already planned out everything. It just doesn't feel right to end it the way others want it to be, a happy one.What happened to Chloe? Does Nathan come back? Is River really an underdog? Does James and Tori end up together after what happened? And where the hell is Zach?Do you believe in, Love is sweeter the second time around? Do you believe in second chances? Or do you stand to believe in the saying past is past and learn to let go?
** TORI's POV **I woke up with a smile plastered on my face. I stretched my arms to the other side of the bed, expecting Zach to be lying beside me, much to my disappointment no one was there. As I opened my eyes I'm in a bed, alone. I rubbed my eyes and sat up glancing at the surroundings thinking that he's sitting somewhere.I stood up taking a tour around the suite to find him."Zach?"I called out trying to ride along with his surprise.Where are you? Breakfast in bed perhaps? Pondering at the thought of me and Zach together again made me wonder how we're going to face everyone. I assumed when he said those three words last night we had an understanding.He wants me as much as I want him.As I checked the dining area of the suite, I saw silver platters carefully prepared as if a grand feast will take place. One thing I noticed though was a big cup of probably hot choco as if it was just prepared secon
** TORI'S POV **He's here. I heard the bell rang.I barely slept last night. Aside from the fact that I was busy packing for my supposedly vacation, I can't help but think why I even said yes to his offer.Checked the clock and it's four o' clock.Right on time.I can really say that going with Zach to Mexico is really a bad idea. It made me think twice if it's what I really wanted, and somehow I know I can be happy if I spend the next forty-eight hours with him. I had to be selfish. I know it's not going to be as easy as what we thought, saying goodbye and forgetting everything? What if we can't fulfill the promise we agreed upon? What if in the end, I'll keep Zach for myself?I dismissed the thoughts in my head. Today's the day that we'll have to forget everything and act as if nothing happened. We know that we need this. We will forget the lies, the drama and leave everything in New York. It's just going to be
** TORI's POV **"Please. Leave." Zach's words were pleading and I can feel the pain in his voice. His eyes were still closed and it's clear that he doesn't want me near him. I'm somehow thankful that his eyes were shut, because the tears in my eyes were flowing freely. I'm trying my best to suppress my sobs.I watched him for about a few more seconds and then I took my retreat. I can't bear it anymore. I don't want to see him like that. I ran as fast as I can, away from him, away from this premise. I ran outside the school and hailed a cab to my house. There I started to burst in tears.I kept picturing Zach. At that moment, I want to come to him. To take back all the things I said a while ago. That it's not true that I don't love him anymore because in reality, I still do. I love him so much that it hurts.But I can't back out now. I have to do this for Chloe. I once promised that there is nothing coming in between our friendship.
** ZACH's POV **In his own odd way, I guess, my dad, don't know how to be normal after all. He's being a father in his own unique way.Now that everything's settled, all I have to do is clean up my mess. I won't let Tori go this time around. I won't let her slide off the palm of my hands unless she hears me out.I'm ready to tell her everything she wants to know.I went to the third floor balcony, expecting James to be there. But to my disappointment, he's not. I've been calling him to ask if Tori said something to him but he's unreachable.Where in the world could he be?I've been to the studio, the library, and every possible place I could find both of them. I'm very certain that Tori's not with Nathan because he left the next day I learnt about his doings.Honestly, I didn't want him to leave right away but he insisted that he needed this break so that I could have the opportunity to explain everything to Tori.
** ZACH's POV ** 'What's keeping him so long?'I'm at one of our hotels in California where he's staying. It took me not long enough to know his location all thanks to good old Boris.With the perks of being an Anderson, I can do whatever I want. I can ride a private plane anywhere. It saves me a lot of time and time is what I need in this situation. I have to settle this once and for all. It's time to face my father.I've been thinking a lot. How I hate myself right now. Why didn't I hear Tori's explanation before? Why did I leave Mexico all of a sudden? Why didn't I ask for any explanation? And why is it that I waited a week to seek her out?I hate myself for being such a narrow-minded person. The moment I learnt that Tori used me, it never occurred to me that I used her as well. I came clean and only thought of myself. I blamed her for everything well in fact we just did the same. We used each other.If it weren't for Na
** JAMES' POV **I've been avoiding everyone since that very special day. Yeah, sarcasm. All my effort down the drain, what a waste. I wanted to tell Zach that Tori's intention might've been bad at first but she developed feelings along the way. If it weren't for that eavesdropper, blonde, everything was going so well.At that moment, it pains me seeing Tori like that. I don't want to see her in that situation. I've had enough of her misery. The last thing I want right now is to see Tori hurt, again. It's been more than a week already since my planned absence in school. I need to see where things are now. I immediately looked for Tori the moment I set foot in school. Surprisingly she's nowhere to be found. So I just decided to go to the school's third floor balcony hoping that I could find Zach, but to my disappointment, he's not there.I decided to stay there for a while, looking at the courtyard thinking what to do next. I contacted Zach.
** ZACH's POV **"Sneaky as always, huh, Hemmington." After I heard a very interesting story, I immediately went out and go hunt down Nathan.I'm at his apartment. I told Boris to use another number and pretend that Harry's in town and viola the bait is set."Anderson. I don't have time for this. I have to be somewhere." Nathan just continued to walk and ignored me. I'm still standing by the fireplace, busy examining my nails. I have to stay calm as possible. There were still a lot of questions that needed to be answered."If you're looking for Harry, he's not here. You just fell for my trap."Nathan stopped and looked at me disgracefully. "Seriously? We're not kids, dude. What do you want, Zach?""Well, I should ask you the same question, what game are you playing at?" I let that one out venomously. I guess I really can't suppress the anger I'm feeling right now. This guy is un-fuckin-believable.He just laughed sa
**TORI's POV**"It still doesn't change the way I feel about you, Tori. Because despite everything, I still do."Zach's words kept on replaying inside my head. I don't know what to think anymore. I'm so confused. I don't know what to feel. What the heck am I supposed to do now? I told him that I don't love him anymore even if I still do.Why do I keep on lying to myself? Why did I even say that to him? Is it because of the fact that I'm in front of Nathan and James? I'm afraid that if I ever admit to him that I still love him, he might not believe me or worst, reject it. Why am I so stupid for falling for someone like him!"Tori." I was out of my reverie when Nathan called me out. "Are you alright?" Nathan worried.I looked at him and gave him a reassuring smile. It's been a week since the revelation and I really appreciate Nathan for not leaving my side. He's always been here for me.It's also been a week since I last saw Z