CHAPTER 1: A BET

"It's better to leave than staying here with you, Cindy." I faked my smile towards to everyone in this long table. 

"At least you know your place, a... dopted," she fired back. 

I left the table and went out to their house until I reached my car. Yes, I am adopted. They adopted me because they assumed Cindy and I would get along, but it doesn't happen ever since we were little.

However, I am still lucky because of their parents who took care of me and provided my needs. 

"Don't mind the words of your sister, Alma. You are family to us, okay?" My adoptive mom followed me. 

I treated her as my biological mother because without them, I am still hopeless inside the orphanage. 

"That's true, mom. I'm sorry for leaving the table without finishing my food, I couldn't resist Cindy." 

"It is fine. Are you leaving now?" she asked in her worried tone. 

Before I get in my car, she gave me a gentle kiss and nodded to me as well. She continued to observe me in my side mirror as she placed her right hand on her cheeks, appearing to be wiping away tears.

I headed to my bakery store at Sweet Delights Cafe because it's already 9:00 pm. After I finished my collage abroad and had enough money, I built a small cafe so I could provide for myself. 

"Lorna... Ynah," I called to my staff. 

They placed the closed sign cardboard in the glass door, but they weren't in the kitchen. I went upstairs to check on them in case they were resting in the staff room.  The room was empty but I heard a voices near the bathroom. Though the room was vacant, I could hear voices coming from the bathroom. I made the wrong choice in moving closer to the restroom. 

"Fuck... Lorna," Benjamin said on his sexual voice, the voice of my boyfriend. 

I couldn't function well now because my boyfriend is fucking my staff that is close to me. 

I could hear them moaning and knew they were having a good time. Even though it made me shudder with rage, I managed to record their voice.

"Let's stop this... Alma is coming to check this," Lorna says. 

They are completely unaware that I am already here, having watched their betrayal. I slapped both of them with all my might as the door opened.

"I've checked my cafe already and found a snake, Lorna. And to my ex-boyfriend... how was it? I told you to cheat on me but not in front of me!" my voice roared in anger, refraining not to cry. 

I forgave him for cheating on me numerous times because he filled the void in my loneliness. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find another man like him to console me.

"Alma... I'm sorry. Benjamin threatened me." Lorna looked at me with guilt in her eyes. 

"Hon... she's lying. She pulled me here," Benjamin explained, tried to touch my hands but I scourged him. 

"Really? I fucking heard!" I heaved out a heavy sigh. "Leave this place before I do something!" 

I threw all the things they owned. Enough for my stupidity. I don't deserve a man like him. Gosh! I just finished eating dinner, and this decision made me realize how foolish it was to do something for Benjamin.

"Hon, calm down... you're just mad. Just take a rest and we will talk tomorrow." 

I laughed. "I know what you are thinking, Benjamin. I'm not that kind of person anymore who would forgive you after your cheating." 

Even it hurts me, I still respect myself. Lorna took my attention, she gave a glance where I assigned her, in the cashier area. We've been together since I opened this cafe and I can't find a reasons to betray me but she did. 

"I will comeback tomorrow, hon. And that was good that you fired her." Benjamin sighed in a relief.

He acted like nothing happened between them. I knew Benjamin was the first who show interest. 

I closed the cafe after they left. I don't know how I reached my condo even I was out of my mind. A quiet place welcomed me with loneliness. I've just seen myself kneeling because of my tears. 

Fuck! I need to be strong for this. 

It's difficult for someone like me who found happiness in just a person aside from the hobbies. Yet, too much for forgiving Benjamin and recalling what they did earlier makes my anger burned

After few minutes, I mirrored myself and saw my eyes swelling. Even it's too late, I went to the parking lot. Crying here in my condo doesn't make any sense so it is better to get my motorcycle and race it. 

I went to my favorite place-- at the race track. And yes, I am a racer. Aside from being a baker and stupid I also do racing. 

"Welcome back here, Alma. Are you not with Benjamim? First time, huh," Samuel said. 

"We separated. Don't mention that fucking man in front of me," I answered stern. 

I continouesly race my motorcyle without wearing a helmet. I often stop because of the greetings that I received. Somehow, it reliefs me better than earlier. 

"Not wearing a helmet while racing your motorcycle so fast, huh." I tilted my head where the voice came from. 

It was Kayzer, Benjamin's brother. Am I lucky? He's not close to Benjamin so we are not close too; They are enemy. I don't know if he remember me. 

"So what?" I raised my brow. 

"Racing even at night?" he asked, ignoring my question. 

I guess I'm lucky. He reminds me of his brother who has anger towards him because of his power as a CEO, unlike Benjamin who's powerless. 

I stopped the engine of the motorcycle. "You're too talkative, Kayzer. I rode because I want and that's it. What are you doing here?" 

"Same as you." He chuckled. "You're the only woman here. Is Benjamin doesn't want to come with you?" 

He mentioned his brother, and I held my tongue for a little minute because he recalled me.

"Gosh! What if let's have a battle... a race? Instead of talking nonsense." I acted like it doesn't bother me through rolling my eyes on him.

"Challenging me through this?" he asked sarcasm. "What's the prize if I won?" 

He accepted. "It's up to you... I don't care. Then, what if I wIn?" I conceited asked.

I've been a racer for almost a six years especially abroad. 

"Same as your answer, lady." 

We looked to each other. There's only one thing came to my mind. "Really? What if you will marry me?" 

I noticed a brief furrow on his forehead, indicating shock. The best thing I could have done to exact revenge on his brother is marriage with him. 

"Seriously? You want to get married... with the person you don't know that much? Maybe... you only knew me as the brother of your boyfriend," he answered.

"Are you afraid now, Kayzer? A little reminder, he's my ex-boyfriend now."

He chuckled. "I'm not but if that's what you want... okay then. As if i'm gonna let you to win this. What's your name?" he asked out of nowhere. 

"Alma," I shortly answered. "Let us start. I don't want it to take so long."

He's wearing a black racing suit while holding his black helmet. I haven't seen him riding his motorcycle; did I miss it or does it appear that he's just starting out?

We were only few here. Just to hoist a flag for the individual who crossed the finish line, I called Samuel to ask for assistance.

"Did you seriously challenged him?" Samuel asked in shookt. 

"Does it bother you, Sam? We will start, stop asking me!" I rolled my eyes because he's making me nervous. 

What if I lose this game? This is the only way to take my revenge. The lights of the motor caught my attention, that was the latest motorcycle that controlled by Kayzer. 

"Ready?" he asked. "Wear your helmet... I don't want trouble," he added. 

"Of course... You're prepared, huh." I signalled Samuel and he gave us instruction as if we asked him for as our judge. 

The others stopped doing their own business just to watch us. I focused to my goal, I badly want to get this opportunity. As my engine starts and the race begun, I listened to what I recorded earlier. 

It makes me angrier it motivates me to my goal as I became faster than ever. They were applauding for us, but I chose not to glance back since I was concentrating.

"You're not having a chill," Kayzer said. 

We were in the same line which it shouldn't be. "Of course, I badly need to use you." 

I pinched the handlebar so hard and I did it. I won! I left him behind despite of the small gap we had. 

"Alma, you didn't change. You're still good!" Samuel praised and his other friends before I pushed them to leave. 

I don't care about others now. I waited Kayzer to took off his helmet as I smiled at him. 

"I won..." I flirted my hair. 

"You want me to marry you because?" he seriously asked. 

He became stern now. "I want to get my revenge." I looked away. 

"Whom?" 

"To Benjamin. I will tell you about it but not now. I need your approval. When do you want to marry me?" 

"As soon as you want but doesn't mean I love you... don't fall," he reminded. 

"Noted. I don't love you too. I just want to get my revenge, Benjamin hates you so I'm gonna use you." I sighed deeply and he walked out to get his things. 

I didn't see any remorse on his face. He's not even bother after all. A quiet time consumed us. He was keeping his things to his bag and take off his upper top. 

"Are you a first timer?" I asked. 

"A beginner. You're good with this, Alma. Maybe we can do this often after we get married." He gave me a look. 

"Are you sure to marry me?" 

"That's what you want and what we talked about. I'm not CEO for nothing. Just don't fall to me."

"Why?" I asked. 

"Because I like someone else. Come to my office once you want to talk about the wedding. Benjamin will come to my office by tomorrow," he said and gave me a hint. 

I nodded to him. He was waiting me to finish what I'm doing which freshening up. My eyes were still swollen a little bit.

"See you tomorrow, Kayzer." I kissed him on his lips sexily.  

I will come to him tomorrow so I could see his brother and to see what his reaction seeing me with his brother.

"My soon-to-be-wife is a good kisser, hm." He smiled playfully. 

"You deserves to get what's the best, Kayzer Con Dawson."