A Wolf in the City

27. Fool the fool.

Dante.

It is another work day, another day to try to fit into the human work environment, something that annoys me to a fault but today seems different for some reason. I take another look at the exquisite paper bag in my hand, the paper bag, smells as if it once held bananas, sweet smell subtle but discernible as it mixes with the heady morning heat.

I am being excited about giving a woman a gift, and even though it is supposed to scare me, I can not deny the fact that it makes me giddy and so I shake my head vigorously, almost as if I am trying to act reasonable and normal. I can not believe that I am getting all giddy and excited over such a thing, I am not a teenager experiencing a first crush or something, darn it!

I get into my baby girl, my car. The one thing that I love so much, I realized my love for luxurious automobiles a few years back and it has been me going from one to another better one that I get to hear about. This new one is just so beautiful and what I love the most about it is it’s engine. It appears like it has grown from the dreams of Aquaman, for it flows and curves. Ugh, such a beauty.

While I drive to work, my eye catches a familiar figure standing at the bus stop, obviously waiting for the bus, Raven is dressed in grey suit that looks a bit too cheap and tacky but will not be noticed because it hugs her figure so well and so it takes focus away from the cloth on her to her body.

I honk my car to attract her attention and when she finally notices me, she looks away dramatically and I sigh because I know that I definitely deserved that reaction, judging from the stunt that I had pulled days ago when I had intentionally refused to give her a ride to work.

I wind down my tinted glass and stretch a bit to the passenger seat so as to get across to her better with my voice, “hop in, Raven. I’ll drop you at work, would not want to be late today again, will ya?” I say in a patronizing tone and she just gives me a cold shoulder and even brings out her phone to tap on it like I had not just said a thing.

“Oh, comeeee onnnn, will you? There is absolutely no need for the attitude, stop with the hard to get play, you act like I am asking you out or something. I am simply trying to help you right now?” I say again, knowing fully well that I am not about to give up unless she does my bidding, of course.

“Leave me the hell alone, Dante. There is absolutely no need to me to get into a psychopath’s death trap, a proud and egoistic one at that. Just leave me be and go help someone else, I will not be a partaker of your tricks this morning, I assure you of that.” Raven finally speaks and in a stern tone.

I smirk, knowing that mo one could beat me at my game, “hmm, I guess I will have to just come down and get on one knee then. I am sure the people will love watching a handsome psychopath propose to a lady on a early morning like this.” I say and her eyes widens at how embarrassing that would be.

And then she chuckles, “yea, right! Like an egoistic and cocky man like you would ever do that to your own reputation. Oh please, try to manipulate sensibly.” She says not believing me.

Knowing that she will be the one who ends up getting embarrassed, I unlock the car and get out of it, having it in mind to do exactly as I have said, “don’t you even dare do that! Ugh, I’ll get into your car, don’t embarrass me, I can’t be seen getting proposed to by a man like you.” She says as she opens the door to the passenger seat and gets in it.

I smirk as I open my side of the door and get back into the car, I start the car and even revs the engine in an unnecessary dramatic way and she scoffs, “show off.” She says.

“Well, you can say that but I am very sure that the way Sharon vibrates makes you feel amazing. It does that to every one.” I say in a cocky manner and she stares at me for a few seconds like I have suddenly grown two horns on my forehead.

“What?” I ask.

“You named your car?” She asks, bewildered.

“Uh, yes? Does she not deserve that honour and is it not something everyone does?” I reply with a shrug as I drive.

“Uh... no. Absolutely not, it is so not what everyone does, at all. Just you.” She says and then continues, “that asides, to what do I owe this honour of getting a ride to this morning, Dante? Especially after leaving me stranded the last time like the jerk hat you are?”

“Well, I can not help but wonder hwy you keep getting so shocked at everything I do if you already know that I am a jerk. Should you not be used to it by now?” I ask.

“Oh! So now that is a flex for you? Ugh! You know, the minute I start to think you can not possibly be worse than you already are, you manage to prove me wrong each time.” She says, glaring at me and I chuckle, “so that means I am unpredictable then, right? That is a a good thing, why be like everyone else when you can be just like yourself.” I say while I wiggle my eyebrows.

“Not when your ‘self’ is a jerk.” Raven says as she makes a hand quote at the self part, “whatever, nobody even cares about you anyways, I just want to know why you wanted to give me a ride by force this morning, stop diverting the question and making it all about yourself like the narcissist that you are, ugh!”

I laugh as I attempt to get the paper bag which is at the backseat only to pause as i catch a glimpse of the same design of bag that I am about to give her seating pretty at the right side of her lap. The fact that it takes me this long to even notice it makes me feel stupid, ugh! Of course he got the bag for her, who else was it going to be for?

I just can not believe that he got to her before I do.

“You were saying?” Raven jolts me back to the moment and I adjust myself. “Whose bag is that?” I ask lamely.

“Uh, mine of course. What kind of dumb question is that?”

”Well, I am just surprised that you were carrying a bag that looks like it came from the trash and now you are carrying something that looks like it’s worth thousands, for someone of your caliber and status, I am sure you cannot use your whole year income just to get a bag, is it borrowed just for showoff?” I say in such a demeaning tone that shocks even me myself.

“How dare you speak to me like that? As a matter of fact, how can you even speak to anyone like that?” She questions looking very hurt by my words and I wish I can take it back but it just does not work that way. We reach the palace at that moment and she immediately unbuckles her seat belt.

“I blame myself for even getting into your stupid car in the first place despite knowing how crazy and rude you can be. You are such a jerk and I hope you get put in your low place one day, you psychopath!” She snaps and then gets out of my car, she then closes the door a bit too rashly and storms off.

Well, there goes he one time that I actually decide to be nice, I once again ruined it with my very own mouth.

“Dante?” A familiar annoying high pitched voice calls just as soon as I get out of my car.

It turns out to be Karen and roll my eyes just before she gets to me, I honestly just do not have the strength to deal with that lady, not today. “Uh, hello, Karen. What are you in the palace for?” I ask with a fake smile plastered on my face while she hugs me.

“Well, I came here with mom to see the king and also get some new bodyguards or something like that. Oh my god, what is that?” She says pointing at the paper bag in my hands.

“Is that for me, oh my God?” She screams dramatically and I stare at her for seconds like she is been stupid.

For her? How? I am just about to toss the stupid thing in the trash since it literally has no more use, but then I decide to just spin her way instead.

Let’s just fool the fool, right? It’s just a step higher in her heart.

“Uh, yes it is for you, Karen. I was thinking of you when I got it, I was just about to get across to you and give you the gift.” I say in a bored tone as I hand the darn thing over to her.

She collects it while hopping up and down like a kangaroo and when she checks the content, she went even more ballistic with excitement if that is possible. For someone who was spoon fed and evidently spoilt all her life, she sure acts like a pauper.

“Thank you so much, Dante. That was so thoughtful of you, thank you.” She says as she gives me another hug. When I manage to disentangle myself from her, I tell her that I am late for work already and then I hurry away from her.

Ugh, actors had better be getting paid a lot because it sure is very draining.