Chapter 3: I Like My Men A Little Insane

“What took you so long?” Vaughn glared at Xavi and Dylan as they arrived.

“We took Red home, bro,” Dylan said, out of breath. “He was already knocked out.”

Xavi chuckled. “He even cried because of you.”

Vaughn frowned. “For what reason?”

“He felt bad for you, man,” he said. “You’ve been working for your parents since you were 18. It sucks that you can’t have the company, and now, you even got into a tree crash.”

Vaughn shook his head and changed the topic. “Did you bring my wallet?”

Xavi nodded his head and tossed it to him.

“Good. Let’s play for the bill.”

They went over to the counter as Vaughn inspected his wallet.

“You spent all my cash?” he asked the two.

They smiled sheepishly.

“There were some ladies offering a lap dance,” Dylan said. “Who were we to refuse?”

Vaughn shook his head in disbelief.

“Here, miss,” he said, handing his card to the still blushing lady.

The lady took it with shaky hands. The machine beeped, causing the two of them to frown.

“Your card has been declined, sir.”

Vaughn frowned. “What?” he asked. “Try this,” he said, handing his other black card.

“It’s also been declined, sir. Do you have any cash?” she asked.

“What happened, man?” Xavi asked in a concerned tone. “Should I pay for you first?”

Vaughn nodded his head, still confused by his cards suddenly not working.

“Thank you, sir,” the lady said. “You may go now.”

Before they left, however, Vaughn didn’t miss how the lady slid her phone number with his cards.

He merely looked at the piece of paper before taking his cards and leaving the woman’s number on the counter.

He walked away while Xavi and Dylan followed after him.

“Would it kill you to take her number, at least?” Dylan asked.

“Not interested,” he said.

“Are we even surprised?” Xavi asked. “Alina’s the only one in this dude’s mind.”

“Whatever,” Vaughn said. “Let me borrow your phone for a second.”

Xavi gave him his phone and he quickly dialed his father’s number.

It rang only a few times before his dad picked up.

“Why are my cards all declined?” he asked right off the bat.

“Well, I was expecting a greeting, at least,” Jeffrey chuckled through the phone.

Vaughn frowned. “I’m not joking, dad. That’s my money.”

“It’s the company’s money, technically,” he said. “And I heard that you got yourself in an accident?”

He sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose.

“It was minor,” he said. “Now answer my question.”

“You already know the answer to that, son,” Jeffrey said. “It’s because you’re not listening to your mother and I.”

“Because the two of you are not worth listening to,” he exploded. “I won’t break up with Alina just because she can’t give me a child.”

“That’s not the only reason why you should break up with her,” he said. “She’s a bad influence to you. And she recklessly spends your money! Have you seen your statement of account this month? It’s all filled with unnecessary spendings, so we decided to give your card a limit.”

Vaughn pursed his lips together. “I can do whatever I want with my money.”

“That’s not how it works, Vaughn,” his dad said. “Now, I’m going to go. Unless you’re going to tell me that you found another woman, then consider this conversation finished.”

“Dad. Dad—”

His father had already turned off the call.

Vaughn sighed in frustration and raked his hands through his hair.

“Oof,” Dylan said. “Your father’s harsh as fuck. I can’t even imagine what you feel right now.”

“You’re not making this any better, Dylan,” Xavi said, walking closer to Vaughn.

“Is there anything we could do to help?” he asked.

Vaughn didn’t respond.

“A surrogate is your answer, Vaughn,” Dylan said.

“You’re still on about this?” Xavi asked

“Just think about it! Everyone would be happy,” he enthusiastically said. “Alina gets to continue her career as a model. The two of you will get a child. You will get the company, and you also get to help a woman who needs money! Problem solved.”

“There you are,” Vaughn suddenly heard.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere!”

He turned around and saw Eloise holding onto her brother’s hand.

“Let’s go home, okay?” she said in a soft voice, very in contrast with how she just spoke with him a while ago.

“Woah, pretty chick,” Dylan said as he also looked in their direction.

The two of them waited in the taxi lane while Vaughn continued looking at the two of them.

“Problem solved,” Vaughn muttered under his breath.

“Give me your car keys,” Vaughn suddenly said to Xavi.

“I’ll drive,” Xavi said. “You just got into an accident, man.”

“Give me your car keys,” he said, slower this time.

Xavi took out his car keys and gave them to Vaughn.

“Are we going home now?” Dylan asked. “You can join me if you want, Vaughn. The two of us brought our cars.”

“Good,” he said. “The two of you go home on your own tonight. I have something to deal with.”

With that, he left his two friends behind, dumbfounded.

He walked over to Eloise and Cameron and leaned against a pole.

Eloise noticed his presence and immediately glared at him.

“Ugh. It’s you, again? How many times are we going to be bumping into each other tonight?”

He ignored his question and turned towards her younger brother.

“Are you two waiting for a cab?”

“Obviously,” Eloise muttered under her breath.

Cameron nudged his sister’s shoulder. “Be nice,” he whispered.

“I would be nice if he was nice,” she retorted.

Cameron cleared his throat and apologetically smiled at Vaughn.

“Umm, yes,” he said. “It looks like we’re not getting one anytime soon, though,” he chuckled.

“Just join me,” Vaughn offered. “I have my car with me,” he said, showing his keys.

“Wait, really?” Cameron asked with sparkling eyes.

“Nope,” Eloise said. “Obviously not. We’re not going into a stranger’s car, Cameron.”

“Technically, we’re no longer strangers, Eloise,” Vaughn said with a smirk.

Eloise pursed her lips together.

“And besides, you know how difficult it is to get a taxi during this time. You’re better off coming with me. Where do you guys live?”

“Down Sunshine road,” Cameron responded, causing Eloise to slap his arm.

“Why are you telling him where we live?” she whisper-yelled.

“He seems trustworthy enough,” Cameron said.

“You heard him, Eloise,” Vaughn said. “I’m passing by Sunshine road.”

Eloise bit her lip and looked at the empty roads. It would probably take longer if they waited here.

She then glanced at her brother and saw him shivering in the thin sweater he had on.

She clicked her tongue.

“Fine,” she caved in. “You better not try anything funny.”

“Won’t even think about it,” he said, standing up straight and walking toward Xavi’s car. The familiar red exterior popped out from the sea of parked cars, so he could recognize it from a mile away.

“Woah,” Cameron said. “This is your car?”

Vaughn shrugged his shoulders. “You could say that. Now, get in.”

Eloise was about to enter the backseat when Vaughn held onto her wrist. She ignored the warmth and the roughness of his hand and glared at him.

“Get in the front seat,” he said, opening the door for her and shoving her in.

She didn’t even get the chance to retaliate since he quickly locked the doors.

She pursed her lips in annoyance but decided to ignore him all throughout the trip.

Much to her surprise, they got to their street quickly and safely.

“Over there,” she quietly said, pointing at the ragged old house at the end of the street.

“That’s where you live?” Vaughn asked in a neutral tone.

“Is there a problem?” she asked.

“I didn’t say anything,” he said, pulling up to the front of their house.

Eloise rolled her eyes. She really does not get this man.

“Sweet,” Cameron said as he yawned. “I was just about to fall asleep. Thanks for the ride, bro.”

Vaughn nodded his head and opened the doors.

“Do you mind if your sister stays a bit?” Vaughn suddenly asked, causing Eloise to turn to him in surprise.

“Sure,” Cameron smirked. “I’ll be heading inside then, sis. See you!”

With that, he left the car, and before Eloise could even react, Vaughn had locked the door once more.

“You know that this is kidnapping, right?” she asked, leaning against the door as she looked at him with narrowed eyes.

“Relax,” he said in a tired tone. “We’re in front of your house, and your brother already knows what I look like. I’m not going to commit a crime on you.”

Eloise scoffed.

“Then let me go. I already had a long day.”

“That makes the two of us,” he said. “So, this won’t take long.”

Eloise let out a deep breath and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“Three minutes,” she said.

Vaughn faced her and didn’t waste any time.

“Marry me and be my surrogate.”