The PLAYBOY Must Be Dated!

TORI's POV The school bell rang, signifying the end of seventh period, and I was just one class away from calling it a day. I apologized to Nathan by text for leaving him at the cafeteria. I was so enraged at Zach that I couldn't stand the sight of him. I knew this wasn't my usual demeanor, but even the sweetest cat can be cruel at times, right? I believe Chloe's lesson about releasing your anger was now manifesting itself. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep it under control. I exited the classroom and went to my locker to retrieve the book for the last session, English Literature. When the warning bell rang, suggesting that I needed to hurry or I'd be late for class, I gathered my belongings quickly. I'd hate to be late for my next class. In my entire life, I had never been late or absent. Even though I was sick, I insisted on going to school since education is very important to me. I was ready to hurry to class when someone grabbed my waist and yanked me off, half carrying and half dragging me. Wait a second. Was someone attempting to kidnap me? This is a private school, and it is meant to be a safe environment. I was completely stunned and speechless when I found myself in an empty classroom with a guy. He was so near I could smell his enticing perfume. He was tall with a lean, strong figure. I'd never felt so connected to a man before. I looked up, curious, and saw a very familiar blond-smirking-i***t face that made my fury boil. I took a step back and pointed my finger at his face. "You!" I said loudly. "Yes, me! Happy?" he exclaimed, overconfidently. "What the heck do you think you're doing touching me?" "Oh, I thought this was what you wanted because of the way you looked at me earlier in the cafeteria..." He trailed off and drew in closer, a taunting expression on his face. "Stay away from me! I wasn't checking you out, Zachary Anderson; I was glaring at you!" The bell rung, signifying the start of the day's final lesson. "Oh no, I'm late," I said as I tried to push by him and storm out of the empty room, but Zach grabbed my hand and pulled me back. "Where do you think you're going?" He sturdily asked. "You're wondering where I'm going? I'm going to class, you jerk, and because to you, I'm already late, and I missed English Literature." I struggled to break free from his grip, but he wouldn't let go. "You should be thanking me for saving you from that dull subject," he boasted boldly. I rolled my eyes at the stupidest answer I'd ever heard in my life. "This is the first time I've ever skipped class, English Lit of all classes, and your ridiculous stunt is not amusing at all; I have to go." "No, you will not, until I say so," he continued, as if I were bound to follow his demands. This irritated me even more. I said, "And who do you think you are to boss me around? I'll scream if you don't let me go." I was quite irritated. My first absence, and of all the individuals I had to deal with... Why is he there? "If you don't shut up, I'll kiss you!" he laughed. "Unless that's actually what you desire..." No way. He'd never do it! It wasn't my first kiss. I'd never give it to someone like him. I shoved him hard and got some space between us before yelling, "Stay away from me, you asshole! I detest you!" He sat on one of the desks and looked me in the eyes. Then he burst out laughing. "Wow! Look who just said the A word: Miss Prim and Proper, Victoria Peige, daughter of the affluent and famous owner of Prestige Hotels, one of the world's most prominent hotels, but not amazing enough to top ours," he boasted. "What are you talking about? According to the most recent list of the world's most famous and prestigious hotels, ours clearly topped the list! Ten of our hotels defeated yours! Get your facts right!" I triumphantly corrected him. But he simply laughed at it. "You may have the hotel business; we still have a lot of other things to do." He said arrogantly. "Oh come on," I said, staring at him from head to toe. "You'll never be able to compete with us, you jerk; guys like you make me ill!" I sneered. "Why do you loathe me so much, Victoria Peige? I don't recall doing anything to you, or is it the reason you despise me so much?" he stood up and approached me. I took a step back. I would never let him touch me again. "Are you insane? Where's your brain, Zach? Hiding inside that bushy blond hair of yours? Please, don't hit on me, nothing would make me happier, and you're not my type." I glanced at him with disdain. "Who is it then? That chick-flick Nathan?" He snorted derisively. My face began to warm up. Did he realize? How could he have known? I did my best not to reveal my anxiety. "Oh, but Nathan is in love with your best friend, Chloe? Tough luck. I pity you, being with someone who can't love you back must be difficult." "Same goes to you." I murmured as I looked away, avoiding his glare. "What did you just say?" He snapped. That was a mistake on my part. He's now enraged. I had no choice but to leave. "I said you were an asshole!" I stepped on his foot and dashed out of the room. I didn't bother going to class at all. I simply drove to the exit, called a cab, and got out of there as fast as possible. I should get out of here fast. I lived in an Upper East Side penthouse apartment. My parents were usually away on business, so I was virtually always alone with my nanny, Sonia, who had been elevated to guardian after I graduated from elementary school. It was unpleasant, but I'd grown accustomed to it. This is most likely the result of being a wealthy child. You'd have everything you desired, but you wouldn't be able to spend all of your time with your parents. "Why are you up so early, sweetheart, and where is Nathan?" Sonia inquired. She's been with me since I was a child, and she's always looked after me. Because of Zach, I completely forgot about Nathan. "I just needed to finish things, so I went home early," I lied. "I'm going to my room now, okay? Could you bake some chocolate chip cookies, please? Thanks a lot Sonia, you're the best!" I quickly rushed upstairs to avoid answering any more of her queries. I couldn't bear the thought of lying to her. I went to my room and contacted Nathan to let him know I'd left early. He always gave me a ride. That's how kind he was. I decided to take a soothing bath to unwind. My phone rang just as I was getting comfortable. It was Chloe calling, and she was meant to be on her date with Greg. "Chloe," I said by way of greeting. "Is everything all right?" "I'm good. It's just that..." She hesitated. "Are you busy?" "Not really." I replied. "Okay, so I'm in the restroom; I'm on a date with Greg, and I'm so happy that I'm worried if this continues, he'll abandon me like the others; what am I going to do, Tori?" "I'm really into him right now," she said, her tone tinged with both exhilaration and despair. My heart ached for my best friend. I wanted to tell her about Zach's plots, but I had promised Nathan that I would keep everything he had told me private. I can feel that she was really in love with Greg, and I'd never seen her this happy. "Hang in there. I don't think Greg will do anything to damage you. He's different from the others and I can tell that he's fully into you. Just treasure the moments, okay? Don't worry too much; it will just ruin what you have right now," I soothed Chloe as best I could. For a while, Chloe remained silent. She then sighed. "Thank you very much, Tori; you're truly my best friend, and I'll keep that in mind." By the time we finished talking, I felt agitated and tired at the same time. What am I going to do? I want her to be happy. It's that self-centered Zach who's ruining everything. Think Tori, think. You're a brilliant girl; you should apply your intellect in instances like these. Why am I so ineffective? I finished my bath and changed my clothing. When I returned to my bedroom, I noticed the chocolate chip cookies on top of my study table. Nathan was sitting on my couch, looking apprehensive, and I saw he wasn't the only one in my room at the time. "What happened to you? You left school early, and I was worried you were sick." "I'm good; I just needed to do something," I said, not mentioning Zach cornering me in that classroom. Nathan wanted to press the issue, but I said that I was alright, so he eventually dropped the subject. I told him about talking to Chloe and how much she seemed to like Greg. I almost regret the sudden change of topic, knowing that Nathan might be hurting inside, but I didn't have a choice but to do it. "Is that correct? I need to talk to Zach as soon as possible, but knowing him, he'll probably ignore me. If only he'd get himself a great girlfriend, he'd be too busy to fool with Chloe." "What do you mean? Doesn't he have lots of girlfriends?" I asked. "I said quality girlfriend, not some random lady he simply sleeps with, and moreover, he always ends up leaving them once they start pestering him and making demands on his time," he replied, as if he knew everything about Zach's life. Perhaps they did, after all, become close friends. So basically, that jerk needs someone who'll be with him for whom he is and let him fool around while they're in a relationship? I thought disgustedly. What an egomaniac—Wait! I stared at Nathan. A girlfriend, huh? An idea began to form in my head. So, basically, that jerk needs someone who will accept him for who he is and allow him play around while they're in a relationship? Disgustingly, I thought. What an egomaniac—Wait! I fixed my gaze on Nathan. Stay with him. Keep him busy. That was it for me. Chloe had saved me from those bullies years before. It was now my turn to save her from that horrible jerk. "Hey, Tori, are you all right?" Nathan asked me.  I realized I'd been quiet for some time. "I'm fine, Nathan," I assured him with a smile. "Don't worry too much. I'll be fine." ---END OF CHAPTER TWO---