Dangerous Love

CHAPTER 7 (Word of Silk)

‡Quinn ‡

I was shut by his mouth and forcefully took the rein of my whole body. I felt my tension going away as my body melted in his.

He took the phase slowly, shifting to a caressing kiss. He didn't want to let go of me. He put his hand cupping my face and snaked his others at my back fiddling my spine. I arched my back as the kiss deepened. Suddenly I felt the world spinning around and he was the only steady, strong and closest thing that supporting me to stand still.

I clung in his shoulder and my hands were on his neck, pulling him in and then smoothed his dark curls in my fingers.

We let a sigh between kisses. God! He's controlling me again. We both licked our swollen lips, savoring each other's taste. He was so good. He felt so good to me. I felt another butterflies on my stomach.

He kissed the bridge of my nose, nestling his face on my cheek. "We should do this more often." He whispered.

My arms still locked on him. I gazed at his lips, with half lidded eyes, all that I could say was. "What?"

He gazed down on me with that silly smile again. "This, kissing." He stole my lips again. This time, teasingly, bit my lower lip and placed a taunting smack.

I parted my lips, anticipating his next torture, if that's what he called it. I lowered my head. Have no courage to rally an eye contact. He has more control over myself and that's freaking disturbing me. How can I be so careless?

I was just like, What's wrong with me? Why do I always find myself in his feet and condescending to his way?

"I want to taste you more often, Hailey. You taste like cherry." He murmured and planted a kiss on the top of my head. He's so good. A good player. A f*****g good player.

I wonder if he's good in bed too. I mean, if this kiss gave me a revelling effect how much more if he's doing me in bed?

That thought made me all red. Do I really wish to sleep with him? I can't believe I'm actually thinking about it!

I felt my cheeks were burning red. God! How do I get this silly thoughts.

"Let's get back to them," He tugged me and placed my hand on the crook of his arm.

When we came back, Ash was making a speech.

"...thank you for your loving support. I truly appreciate it and hope you guys have fun," he raised his glass. "Let's cheer to that."

"Cheers!" Everyone said gleefully.

I feigned my interest and gave a schooled smile to everyone. Then after congratulatory persiflage of his friends, suddenly I became the topic of the girls who came to the party.

"Who is she?"

"She look like a model, is he dating a model?"

"Yeah, but her face is not so familiar. I wonder where Will found her. Oh well, She must be just the random girls he had dated before, right?"

"Right," they all agreed and gave me side look then smiled ostentatiously.

"Does this party includes having some gadflies around?" I asked lowly the guy who was dubbed as 'Will' and faced him.

He just gave me a discerning look then gazed over them, smiling. "Let me introduce you to them." Then dragged me to walk over to their direction.

"Hey girls!"

"Hi! Will, we haven't seen you in awhile. How are you?" The tall blonde hair said giving a toothy smile. A faker.

"I got caught up with my issues. Well, I'm back, you won't miss me anymore." He said flirtatiously.

They were composing of three just like the three Mean girls in the movie. They giggled and shared that silly twinkling eyes to each other.

I rolled my eyes. Why girls get easily to be flattered by just a smile and sweet nothing words? Then I realized, I'm a girl too, but unlike them, I can control my emotion. I can smell the trouble and I can talk back to anyone. Except that, I can't resist this guy with me.

"By the way, please meet my date. Hailey,"

"Oh hi, Hailey." The blonde girl offered her hand polished in nude colored nails. "I'm Lucy, Lucy Andre, this is my friends, Sasha,"

The black-haired skinny with gorgeous tan complexion extended her hand after Lucy.

"And Tiffany," then she mentioned the other girl with gingered hair in lushes curls. I actually thought it was a wig. It was too thick and fluffy.

"Hi there!" Tiffany shook my hand.

They all looked glamorous, with skin tight cocktail dresses they fit in and the chunk of jewels hanging on their necks and ears. They looked pretty rich, spoilt brat girls with an airy dominance of naughtiness.

"So, Hailey. Where did you two meet up?" Sasha asked holding a flute wineglass of champagne.

"Ahm, in Vegas when I got there for three weeks. Just wanted to find my luck." Will smarted.

I looked at him. Yeah, it's been three weeks since I first met him in El Pueblo. How clever.

"Do you do model? You seems so fit and have a nice curve." Tiffany prattled kinda nonplus or just curious.

"No, but I do gym. I love kick boxing and Muay Thai. It feels great hitting something so hard. Specially when I'm angry." I gave them my unadulterated smile laced with sarcasm.

"Oh!" They backed off one step. Looking terribly surprise or intimidated.

"I love your dress! Where did you buy it?" Sasha cuts in, sounded genuine to divert the topic.

"This, in Armani Privé, 2016 Fall edition, kinda old but I love it, it fits me just right." Then I skimmed their looks.

"Coco Chanel, Summer edition of current year." I said as I gazed on Lucy. "Dior Winter late 2016, in full blush." I shifted to her next, Tiffany. "I bet it will look gorgeous with gold." Then I landed on Sasha. "Latest edition of Gucci, the Summer ombre still rock on tan."

They just made a ridiculous gasp as if I dictated a State of The Nation Address. Huh! You can't play on me bitches, I know your trick before you could steer it. I'm a b***h like you.

And I love to display my rancor to those people who's looking down or dragging someone down just to raise themselves up.

"Wow! You're so, in style and fabulous! You should come with us," Sasha invited looking at Lucy for approval.

So she's the leader.

"Ah, no I guess I'm not going to be around. Besides my staying here will takes only few weeks. I need to get going, you know...business." I meant it though the business I'm talking about is none of their concern.

"What's your family business?" Lucy interrupted, getting in to the conversation.

"We own a security firm, a Telecom company in Seattle and a shipping company. Not that much." I shrugged that out. I was so damn good with silken words.

They gasped again. "Well if you change your mind, you can find us here. We can party all night and girl bond," Tiffany insisted.

"Hmmm, maybe I'll think about it." I gave them my oh-so-good-one-billion-dollar smile.

Lucy didn't look so happy and hid her bitterness in a crooked smile. So over fake. "Girls, let's get some refreshment." She led them and walked away, with her jaundice hormones written all over her face.

The other girls followed her. I smiled when they were still looking but it faded in a grimace when they were not looking. "Go home bitches, you ain't getting under my skin." I muttered.

When they were gone, I heard someone smirk. "So much spirit for tonight, you never lost that charm."

I rolled my eyes. "Do you really intended to do that? To test me?"

He shrugged off. "I just want to introduce you, what's wrong with that?"

"Huh, don't give me a crappy act please." I walked out on him.

I thought he wouldn't follow but I was wrong. He tailed me like a stupid dog. "Stop dogging me out," I snapped, trying to keep it low.

"You're my date tonight. You suppose to be always near me,"

"Huh, really. It's that your understatement of the year?"

"Can we not argue this stupid argument. I'll kiss you again if you don't stop." He warned giving off another menacing vibe again.

He's devilishly hot and sexy in his black suit, bow tie and a little bed head hair. He was armored with that smile again and to top it all, he wore a five zero digit cost luxury watch with ridiculous gold plated features. A custom made I guessed.

"Are you threatening me?"

He smirked, God! That small chuckle made my whole night. "Maybe you want another sugar that's why you're keeping this fight. I can give you that, you don't have to ask. I'll give it for free,"

I glowered at him. Someone approached towards us as we were on our way to the heart of the balcony.

"William! I never expected you will come, how are you?" A man of thirties probably one of his acquaintance.

"Stewart," he became serious wrapping an arm around me. "Good to see you too," but he sounded grimly.

"I see, someone is keeping you busy." Then the guy in suave tongue, platinum blond, tall in lean body and worn a slick blue-gray suit eyed me hawkishly.

"She's my girlfriend," the guy beside me announced and firmly gripped my hand when I was about to push him away.

"Oh! Okay," the guy crowed, taking a step back. "Anyways, I'm just here for the booze and..." He drawled as a skinny girl in tight dress passed on us. "And the girls, excuse me." Then he headed off going to the girl's direction.

I craned my neck on him and saw him talking now with Lucy and the girls.

"What a sleaze," I rambled as I stared at Stewart flirting.

He tugged me to move. So I walked with him not caring where he would take me. I don't know where I got this feeling or state of mind that he will not harm me or do anything bad. I mean, from the time that he bought me, he have all the chance in the world to do anything on me while I was on my deep slumber but he didn't, so I have a crazy thought that he's not the guy that he's showing to be.

"You said to him I'm your girlfriend, when was that happened?" I confronted with a hint of chagrin.

"I thought you would love to hear that?"

I tried not to roll my eyes. "So, your name is William,"

"Yeah,"

"I thought your name is Richard," I almost sounded berating.

"Yes, that's my other name."

"And Nixon? Don't tell me it's your––"

"That's my mom's maiden name so that's why they named me after the 37th President," He recited annoyingly.

"For real?" I faced him.

He glared at me. "What's it all about?"

"Nothing, I'm just shock to your honesty." I sighed, as the cool breeze of Summer night breathed on my skin. I slightly shivered, but his warmth made it a lot comforting.

He brought me out of the party and cherished the silent of the night in the balcony where we could be alone.

"Tell me honestly, did what you say earlier is true?"

"What about it?" I asked as I was smoothing my way out of his arm. Out of his warmth.

I leaned at the balcony rail and looked down the street, picking something that will interest me.

"You know what I'm talking about." He said in cold tone.

"Can you be specific? Besides, I'm not bound to give my info to stranger."

"We're not strangers anymore, I bought you in the club, remember?"

"Yeah but not my whole identity. You cannot change who I am."

"I'm not trying to–– wait a minute, I'm asking you a question, can you look at me when I'm talking!"

He was angry now, for unknown reason, he had a short and quick temper. I faced him giving my equal deadpan face.

"Seriously Hailey, what are you? How can you play roles like that?"

"What roles are you talking about?" God! I really don't get him. Sometimes he's cold sometimes he's hot.

"Tell me, who are you?"

"I'm Hailey, I'm a bum! Okay! I have no other place to go, do you think if I have all of what I told them, I'd be at the club where you bought me? And if you think because you bought me, you have the right to do anything or compel me to your will, I have my other plans and that's not include you!"

He gave me a blank look and sighed then he shrugged of his coat and wrapped around me then, "I have a proposal for you." He started. "I'll give you a place, money, clothes even share my properties with you, just do me something in returns."

I flustered, eyeing him from his face to his eyes. What the hell is wrong with him?

"What's the deal?"

He smirked sinisterly and placed a kiss on my lips. "Help me bring my cousin down."

††††††††

I stared at my untouched coffee as I waited for my early appointment. It was not a social call or a job interview or anything. Well, he said he will pay me for just dating s***h screwing his cousin who happened to be my proprietor and biggest distraction with capital letters.

I didn't know this will be as complicated as complicated than Kris Jenner and Bruce s***h Caitlyn Jenner. I mean, my life have enough complications that I'd even grown with it. I just can't take more to my towering predicament. How am I going to do my mission here? I have to get out of this before it gets worst.

I sighed as I was toying my half-eaten pancake. I haven't got into my routine. I missed hitting the gym and throw punches, kick that punching bag and release these stresses building up on my back.

A sound of glass door opened made me look up and saw him, looking for me. I stood halfway and waved at him. He saw me in short while.

"Sorry, I have caught up with my wife. She won't let me out of her radar." He told as he pulled a chair.

"I have no time to know what you and your wife did, I want to know if you knew this all along and set me up to Will, your cousin. Who actually the one that I've been trying to avoid."

He gave a disparaging scoff. "Surprise? You never ask,"

"Because you never hinted it. Forget it! This won't give me any comfort. So, what's the plan now? Your plan." I asked him squarely. "And please, just make it direct, I have no time to spare for mind games,"

"Okay, okay." He leaned back on the leather backrest of the chair. "I want you to spy on him. I want you to watch his every move. He's mad at me and really determined to put me down. He will do anything, in any opportunity he has to ruin me. It's not a surprise if he already told you to side with him."

He sounded so earnest and ridiculously determined making me stare at him dumbfounded. "Wait a minute, are you sure you two are cousins? Because as far as my concern, relatives look for each other not blackening each other. I mean, what's the problem between you two?"

I have to admit, they have something in common. In terms of looks, charms, status in the society and tenacious, wise, critique minds. The only difference is their intention. Or maybe not.

He gave me hesitant look. "We don't get along with each other," he sighed. "How do I start this,"

"Start with why he hated you so badly."

"Right, we grew up together, lived in the same society, have the same birthdays and almost same age, I'm just ahead of him of a year. So basically, we seemed to be some kind of twin. Only different mothers. Our dads are brothers, mine is younger while his, was older of few years."

"Was? So he's already dead?"

He looked at me straight. "Yes, and that's the start of his grudge over me and to my father. "He paused, to do a quick order of his coffee.

"Okay so, it's not only you he hate, your father too."

"Yes, His father died when we were still young so he left the authority to my father's hand, taking in charge of Will's custody and his inheritance as his father's dying wish. My uncle didn't do any last will, didn't have the time, so my father who became his legal guardian took that opportunity. We, I mean my father took everything from him, his house, his money all in all, his inheritance from his deceased father. My dad even exiled him and his mom from here without giving them enough money to survive. His mom remarried a business mogul but didn't want him as extra baggage. You see, he had a hard time just to fend himself. Also his reputation was blackened due to an incident happened thirteen years ago."

Became attentive. Suddenly, I vicariously felt pity on Will. "What happened?"

"My mom, fell for his dad. His dad, fell for her too but he was much a man of his word. He wouldn't tolerate his feelings if it means ruining his family. He loved his family and his brother. But my mom, a selfish, cold and unloving, she only love herself," He stopped, composing himself. I thought I saw his gleaming, misty eyes but holding back.

Biting off his reason to cry.

I could hint some sadness in his tone but more of hatred when he was talking about his mom. He must have a jaded heart too. By his mom indelible mistake.

"So, they shared an incest, forbidden love. What happened to him? How did he die?"

"He died, trying to save her from her kidnappers, with only himself. He volunteered to switch position just to save her which my dad failed to do, he died with several wounds, gunshots that led him to his early death. But he left everything to my dad in three conditions which my dad didn't do. So here he is, taking his shot to get back on me. He almost succeed, ruining my name with slanders and torn my marriage apart. He hated me to the bone, knowing how I'm happy while he, drunk in his misery."

"So you mean to say, he have all the right to be angry with you. What if you just give him his company back?" I suggested although I know it was cut much deeper wound.

He shook his head and sipped on his coffee. "That would not solve everything. He resent me in a way that he want me to suffer the way he did. I can't blame him, nor hide my loathing towards him but, he's still my cousin. Maybe we have misunderstanding and the scars of the past still haunting us but, I want to end it. I'm sick and tired trying to play this game over and over, waiting for his guard down, using devices to bust his plan. I'm so over it. I want to live a normal and happy life without thinking about him, lurking about, scheming his agenda. Please, help me change him."

That was the moment I blinked in surprise and stunned by his word. "By what? And what do you mean, help you change him?"

He gave me a quick, smart ass smile. "He seems to like you. He never dated his catch in the club. Believe me if say, he really like you. A lot." Then took his time in his coffee.

"What makes you say that? And why me? Why not anybody else? You can choose someone," I sorted out trying to escape this lopsided end. I hated to think I'll have to take this stalemate just to pursue my plan.

"Because you're the only person that he cared for. In the long run that I knew my cousin, this is the first time that he made a serious threat to someone who will try to hit on you, wasn't the party last night enough for you to see how he's so possessive of you? I don't know if you believe this but, he don't usually spend his single penny to buy out girls. We get them for free, in that instance, you should know. Why would he care to throw a billion dollar just to have you? Can't you see? He really have something for you."

I tried to laugh. Though it was totally ridiculous, there was something in me wanted to believe that. But I won't tolerate that. Too surreal, too whimsical.

"You're funny, you know that. He want to have s*x with me, that's all. Don't give me some s**t, we all know how guys like you think. It's for the public attention. He just wanted to show his big bounty of cash." I sipped on already cold latte. "Besides, he told me the reason why he bought me. And that is not even close to what you're saying." I said skeptically.

"Have you been in love? Maybe if I were still like you, don't believe in every stupidity and crazy little things that love can do to a man or a woman, I will agree with you. But sometimes, it never hit you accidentally. It finds you, in most critical and loneliest time of your life. Believe me, been there before." He remarked giving me a discerning look. A Mr-know-it-all look.

"I don't know, still not buying it. But if he bought me, what if he have my contract that's why you can't find it in the club? I talked to someone, she said if you were showcased in the auction, the bidder who have the highest bid can take the contract to the handler, a simple negotiation between the patron and the manager."

I actually got this from Emily, (I got her phone number from my deep check on their database in their so-called office. Of course, by the help of my virtual friend.) I called her before I called Nigel. That's why I hadn't got enough sleep the other day and apparently, today. I'm not hoping to catch some precious power nap later this afternoon.

"Well, that's possible. I never know how the barter works inside but, it could happen that way." Then skimmed my face. "You don't look like it but you have more brains than I thought."

Duh! I'm a genius! I invented a computer program for security purposes and a hybrid computer system that navigates and operates a high end, advance technology functional data gathering and profiling from the source database, which one of the breakthrough in science of IT. I made Alice myself.

"What do you think of me? Just an average dumb sexy bombshell in the street? Boy, I'm not your typical b***h. I'm not just your pretty girl." I finished my cold latte. Not bragging there, just making it clear. No one can trick this chick.

He smirked. "Yeah I can see that, and that is why I think it fits you for the job," He propped his elbow on the table.

"You can ride along on his plan, make him think that he's controlling you. In that way, he will not think or second guess telling his plan to you. I don't want to know how you will do it but, try to seduce him, distract him anything to make him out of his track without him realizing you're actually doing it. It's kinda creepy and ridiculously crazy but, just make him fall for you so that he will forget his plan getting his revenge on me or to Ella. I really hope you will succeed."

"You want me to comfort him, offer myself to him?! That's insane!" I almost loose my cool, vexing and perplexed. He had the nerve. God! Maybe it runs in the family.

"Uh, not the getting laid thing, just try to..enchant him. How will I explain this.." He dived into a deep thinking, fishing out the right words.

"Just like you and Ella did? A marriage contract that will last until three months?"

He immediately looked at me, astounded but not surprised. "Yes, just like that."

I shook my head. "I can't do that. I'm not your sweet Ella. The innocent, caring and friendly Ella. I'm the opposite of her."

"Well, who said he likes you being the opposite of you? He likes you, your carefree spirit, your sassy, cheeky, feisty self. He loves the fire in you. I think it made him attracted to you. Your beautiful fire."

I gave a serious like what the f**k are you talking about look. I mean, everyone loves a sweet, nice, prim and good girl. I'm the wild, spitfire, daredevil, unconventional bad girl. Like the hell man, I'm a bad ass.

"Don't try to flatter me Mr. Castillo, that won't work for me," then a thought struck realization on me. "On the other hand, if I do this plan of yours, like dating, seducing and screwing your cousin's evil plan, what's the prize in returns? You failed to save me from him, you even planted me as your mole." I gave a call. Hating to think I will see Will this often.

"Well, name your price, I will see to it that I will reward you justly. If you succeed only."

That was my cue. Breezy jazz Quinn!

"Then, I only want two things. One is a decent cash to pay him back and two," I leaned forward. "I want a job in your company."

He studied my face tentatively and seriously furrowed his brows. I almost think he would say no but abruptly, he offered his hand. "Alright, we have the deal."

"You sure?" I sounded in sudden amazement.

"Yes, in that case, he will think he have you working for him but of course, your working for me. Just make him think you're helping him. That could be a good decoy."

"And what if he finds out?"

"Then we have to think other way. What plan B and C doing anyway? We will sort out something new."

"Okay, sounds like a good evil plan."

He almost laughed, he grinned boyishly making his cute dimple showed.

He had one sided dimple while Will have twin. I don't know why I kept comparing them but, for me, Ash is a good catch with typical boyish charm and bad boy image in the surface but I could see through him. It's just a facade. In contrast, he have a good side while Will however, have this benign, boy next door, laid back appearance but hides sinister side of his bearing. A bad boy behind his charming dimples.

Though, I have affinity to bad boys, I mostly tend to choose those guys who knows how to make you feel safe, make you comfortable and make you feel, well, lovely girl in the world. And only Will can make me feel all of that. At least, in our short encounters and in my quick settled opinion. I might be wrong though.

Makes me want to think, how would it feel to be with him for the next couple of months perhaps? I think this will burn me a little bit but, I want to try, try to feel him beside me. Now I'm excited to see him. It so typical of me to charm boys but when it comes to him, I got blank. I don't know what would I do when I'm with him. It scares me but it thrills me also. I never met someone like him in my eighteen years of my life. Maybe I'm just puzzled, excited to learn new things. That must be it. I hate to think falling for this guy who's just like me, don't believe in the stupid thing called love.

‡Ash Castillo ‡

I fiddled on my phone, tapping some text messages to our clique saying that I will come with my wife. Then I took a stroll in my gallery, scrolling the recent pictures taken last night. I smiled when I saw Ella in her gown and her beautiful smile. We were close to each and she was wrapping her arm around my neck while I was taking selfie. It made me smile.

Then an incoming call buzzed in from James disturbing my quality time which instantly made me frown. I answered it reluctantly. "What?"

"Will is here, talking to Ella. I think you should check it out."

That made me jump out of my seat. "Where is she?"

"In Harvey, getting her records. You should get here." He hung up.

I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth. "That bastard don't sleep. I need to get rid of him." I uttered in silence.

Then my thought came back to my early meet up with Hailey. I thought I can use her to divert Will's attention but her request earlier made me wonder and left a suspecting feeling for unknown reason.

Why am I feeling she's aiming for some goals? Why do I feel like she has ulterior motive?

I sighed and sent message to the chauffeur. "Turn left, we're going to Harvey."

‡Ella Castillo ‡

I marched my way to the hall going to the Main building. I was heading to the registrar office to get my records. It will only takes time before school starts again. I'm second guessing if I will go to Boston or to Michigan. I have three universities to choose from. I've decided to take General Studies. But Ash want me to go to his university too. I don't know if I should compromise my studies just to stay with him. His university also have General Studies course but it's much concentrated in Business Administration. Brighton University is a big and prestigious university here in New York. But I don't feel I'll be comfortable when Ash is around.

Not that I hate spending time with him but I don't think I'll be at ease. I have to face their burning question and brace myself for another mayhem of girls trying to get him off his limit. Not that I allow him to stroll away. It's just, I want a clean environment. A place where I could be free to be myself and let me learn in a normal way. I'd done a lot of fending and I hate to suffer another round of it again in my next school year. I have enough of it. This recent quarter of my senior year here was way too much for me.

I was doing a sway in the next arcade when I spotted someone leaning in the giant pillar of the arcade. He glanced at me sideways and smiled at my way sending chilling effect on my spine. Will.

I hesitated, too late to back out and too scared to face him. He's not that scary but I have no courage to confront him specially when I'm alone. I wish Ash was here.

"Ella,"

"Will, what are you doing here?" I cleared my throat, feigning my bravado.

"Just like what you're doing, getting my records." He scanned me with his scrutinizing eyes. That cold, unanimated, dark blue eyes.

I felt my light blue decent cardigan and my jeans were too thin to cover me up. It made me squirm in uncomfortable feeling.

"Where's Ash? He didn't come with you?"

"He's out for an early brunch meeting, but he will join me later." I spoke squaring my shoulder.

I shouldn't let him get under my skin. I can't let him ruin my day.

"Really? He let you go alone? That's a surprise." He made a step closer.

I held my feet not to do back step. I couldn't afford giving him chance to intimidate me.

"I–I know my way here, b–besides, it's business so he have to be there. I don't have to wait for him just to get my records. I have my feet, I can do things on my own." I vindicated, which sounded appalling.

"Right, business." He went even closer. "Well, he shouldn't let you go alone. Who knows, anything might happen when he's away.." And kept moving forward.

He gained more muscle and much even taller. He was on Ash's height only few millimeters compare to six feet height of my husband, now, I think he stood six feet and two inches. Even though it seems he became a different person now, he still has this unnerving personality that makes anyone unease. Or maybe It was just me.

"D--don't get any closer Will, I'm warning you." I warned stepping back, preparing to hit him with my hand if he do something bad to me.

He always tricked me and he had done a lot to bring us pain. It also comes to the point that me and Ash, almost broke the marriage contract. We changed the deal later on and registered our marriage contract just recently, abolishing the old ones which null and void as our attorney said. We remarried again in City Hall. A simple and secret ceremony just to renewed our marriage and make it official. We're planning to do another church wedding in Paris this late December.

That's our plan but we can't make it less hassle and stress-free if Will's around.

"Why Ella? Are you scared of me? Maybe guilt is already killing you." His eyes was more intense and it changed dramatically in total black pair of orbs, piercing through my soul.

"You should be, for all that you'd done to me. You and your husband. You pathetic user," He spat disdainfully.

"We never had done it if you don't force us to do so. You made this wreck to yourself, Will. We tried to understand you, me! I tried to sympathize you but you have close ears and close mind to see reason, your irredeemable anger making you blind. We wanted to help you but you won't let us––"

"STOP THIS NONSENSE!" His rage mirrored in his cold, devoid with emotion tone. "You're a faker too Ella. A hypocrite trying to stay clean with your excuses. You used Ash to avenge on me. You're just a rider. You try to be sympathetic but deep inside, you're happy that it all happened to me. Such a lame attempt to salvage yourself. You're just like the other girl." He added in derision.

"You're a hard case Will." I shook my head. "I can't say anything that will make you change. You need someone to do that for you." I gave him an empathic look and walked through him.

He grabbed my arm which made me jump out of my skin. The last time he did that, I broke my arm. I panicked and It mobilized my defensive mechanism.

"Let go! Let me go, Will!" I pulled myself out freeing my arm from his dead grip.

"Will! Please! Let––"

A strong balled fist hit on his cheek just as I was planning to step on his foot. He almost pulled me down but a strong arm held me and pulled me away from him. I felt the raging breath of Ash as he deposited me in his arm. "Don't try Will, don't even think of hurting her, I will really kill you with my bared hands."

I hugged him, trying to stop him from attacking Will whose half way down the floor. He stood up straight, menacing to strike back. Ash measured him and planning to hit him again but I got in between.

"Stop! Please! Don't do this, please... Stop this fight now!" I yelled my agony and anxiety.

I hate Will's gut but I don't want to see them fight for just nonsense, butt heading. It was so overused. I'm sick of witnessing them hurting themselves.

"Please, Will. Stop." I pleaded in tears.

Ash already calmed down, his breath reached the top of my head and pulled me back. I warily watched as Will was also backing out.

"Maybe you have your luck today, but on the next day, I'll make sure I'll put you in your right place cousin. In the trash together with your dad and your wife. Mark my word, I'll drag you to hell." He convicted darkly then walked out going to other direction.

I sighed in relief and checked on Ash. "He really won't forgive us,"

Ash still looking at his back, made a short glance then gently tugged me closer. "Don't mind him. He's just bluffing." He said confidently.

But that's not show in the deep crease of his brows. We both know Will. If he says anything, he make sure it will happen. Which really bothers us both.

Again, he will strike again. That's a promise and we won't be so surprise if he's cooking another plan right now.

It made me worry. When will this fight ends?

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Ash muttered as he was staring down at me.

I shook my head. "No, I just panicked when he grabbed my hand. You don't have to hit him that hard. He's still your cousin. Try to remember that." I chided, but amused that he came right on time.

He just gave me an indolent shrug. "Did you get your records already?"

Again, I shook my head. "Not yet. I was on my way when I saw Will." I explained while he was taking me to the cafeteria.

Probably, trying to ease me. In the long run that I spent with him and witnessed how they scratched each other's face, showing their dirty laundries in the public, I kinda developed a new form of anxiety. I got this when I started living with Ash and when I met Will. His true identity. It made me so jumpy and edgy in very nasty way.

"I think, we should stick together." Ash announced in very serious tone.

"I'm sorry, what?"

I was too consumed by my anxiety that I never realized Ash was saying something.

"Ella, study in Brighton with me. It's better if we're close together. I can watch you and protect you from him. Please, consider this much as preemptive measure."

"Why? Do you think Will is going to Brighton too?"

"Without a doubt. He will do that just to piss me off. And just thinking of it, it already making my blood boil." He admitted. "He might make trouble or use something, someone against us." He held my hand. "Please Ella, I want nothing but your safety." Then begged with that warm blue eyes, melting my heart.

"Okay, let me think about it." I have to make compromises if I want to keep our relationship alive. Maybe, it's not my time to earn my freedom from everything. From my rag to riches journey, to my scandalous wedding that turned into a tremendous disaster and my life as Ash's one and only, Billion dollar girl.

‡Quinn ‡

I yawned as I was reading some mails and checking our database for any new input data or just monitoring somebody in my radar. In my short staying here, I adopted the culture and the weather here. I managed to get an extra income in an online job, encoding type of job and tracking coordinator in a security firm. A debugger and firewall installer. I got hired just a couple of hours ago after the morning chat with Ash.

I sent my fake identity in a resume, a student driving license and other fake documents. They want me to come to their office tomorrow. Somehow, I won't have to worry if Will, try to blackmail me or take back his money. I will survive. I always did.

I was reading a report in Upper Peninsula when Alice chimed in.

"Incoming! incoming! A guy you named King of Douche bag is calling! Should I divert it or you will take this call?"

I rolled my eyes. "What do he wants?" I mumbled as I reached my phone. "It's okay Alice, I'll take it." I swiped the phone on. "What the hell is your problem?"

"Hailey, come here. I need you."

I stared at my phone checking if I'm hearing it right. "Are you drunk? Stop calling me for no good reason, I'm not your babysitter nor your pacifier." I hung up and dumped the phone on my bed.

Then I went on my work again, trying to focus on the report when my phone buzzed again, vibrating angrily. I ignored it for few rings but when it didn't stop, I snatched it. "What do you want?!"

"Come here or you will regret it. I still own you. I have something to prove that. Get here in fifteen minutes or I'll sue you. Don't test my patience, Hailey." He hung up.

"What the––" I drew a harsh sigh. Damn his egotistic is really a test of my patience!

I stood, collecting my things. I kept it all in the drawer and threw my leather jacket on my back, donning it. I flipped my auburn hair at my back, took my phone, wallet in my shoulder bag. I slipped on my ankle boots. Okay, I collect leather goods mostly boots. I splurge on them.

"Alice, I'll be out. Not gonna take long. My reminders and few remaining works,"

"I get it. You take care," She said knowingly. One thing I like about her, she adopt and always bend to my liking. Which include not hovering to the topic.

I was in the front door when she asked.

"By the way Quinn, What does the hell means?"

It made me stop and recalled my last few words. Oh! Right, she don't likely hear me curse in front of her.

"It's a profanity. Not a good word Alice," I told then stepping up.

"So you mean, you hate this guy who just called. Why would you bother to see him if he means bad to you?"

"Ahmm, it's a long story." I checked the time. "Look, I gotta go. Look after me okay, no private––"

"I get it, I get it."

"Bye, Alice." I said finally as I latched the door and walked out.