A bet that changed their lives

Part 10 - The Bet

McLaren's was an elite pub, no admission of a patron who didn't match its standards. It had received a lot of flak in the media for this policy but that didn't deter the pub from having a loyal patronage, with Mark and Derek being regulars there. Mark loved the place as the pub's elitist policy meant that girls from the upper strata of the society would gather here for their parties. He could be a bit discriminating that way, refusing to mingle with girls who didn't match his standards in terms of their net worth.

Derek was aware of this fact and hence he had decided on McLaren's. Once they were ushered in and seated in their regular booth, Derek looked around and found a table where two ladies sat chatting, looking towards their table and sending a flirty smile. Any other day, Derek would have liked this attention, maybe even invite them over and entertain their requests. But his mind was preoccupied with a certain someone. He looked over at Mark, surprised to see him lost in his thoughts. "Hey, are you still going to keep up with this pretense? Come on! Look around, you won't even have to work for anyone's attention. Two sets of eyes are already here, watching us," Derek smirked as he took a sip of his whisky.

"You had me when you said you will be my wingman. Sorry, I have been a bit preoccupied. And sorry for what happened earlier in the car," Mark flashed a genuine smile. "You know, I have been thinking. I had a talk with George this evening, and his impression of that new girl is pretty impressive. He described her as shy, reserved, but highly intellectual. You know what..." Mark suddenly had a eureka moment as his demeanour changed and he excitedly continued, "I am fed up of picking girls at a pub, girls who are just too easy to win over. This new girl would be a good challenge, to see if I actually possess the charm to win any girl's heart," he said smugly.

Derek had tensed at the very mention of Arya. Hearing what he had to say about her was enough to make him lose his temper. Trying extremely hard to control his tone, he spoke, "No! No f*****g way in hell! You are supposed to stay away from that girl, my..." he immediately realised the blunder he was going to make and quickly composed himself, "... PA for that matter. I don't want your foolishness to affect my business in anyway."

"Is that it or is there something more to this?" teased Mark as he had noticed the way Derek had taken an abrupt pause.

"No, why would there be something else here? She is going to be my employee for God's sake."

"Really, that's the only reason? Why do I have this feeling that you, my friend, have started liking her? I mean, isn't it ridiculous? Just one meeting with her and you are behaving like this."

"That's absolute rubbish. You know I don't do 'like' or 'love'. I just don't want things to get messy, that's all. The Melina fiasco was more than enough. Why else would I object? In fact, I have a better chance at wooing her and beat you at your own game but I won't do that for this obvious reason."

"Like I'm going to believe that. You know I am good at this. Girls are more comfortable talking to me than to you. I have this chill vibe going, whereas you come across as this haughty, cold businessman," Mark teased him again, chugging his remaining beer. He knew how to get Derek all worked up and agree to what he was suggesting. He had done it for years before Derek put a stop to it.

"That's my choice to make. I want to come across as a 'haughty, cold businessman' as you put it," Derek tried to be casual

"Prove it then."

"Prove what?"

"Woo this PA of yours, prove it that she is more comfortable with you than with me. Say what, let us both try winning her over. We will play it fair, I won't cheat like the last time and you won't be obvious like that bet revolving Hayley. Deal?"

Derek and Mark had this strange habit since their college days. This was their way of having fun, being competitive with each other. They got a different kind of high when they could make a girl fall for them. But it's been years since Derek had put a stop to this betting and competing thing they had going on. And now, he was definitely against this idea, not to keen to even consider the possibilities. He had a nagging feeling that Arya wasn't the kind of girl who would be used to these kinds of games and attention. He didn't want to involve her in such a stupid bet. But at the same time, he couldn't risk Mark actually winning her over. He had this strong desire for her the moment he had set his eyes on her. And even though he didn't believe in the concept of love, deep down in his heart, he knew that Arya was someone special, who would soon play an important role in his life. And he had no intention of dousing out such a great possibility. Thus, even though Mark was his best friend, he wasn't going to give up so easily. He couldn't bear the thought of him and Arya together, making him mentally cringe.

"Deal," he finally said it out loud, although still hesitant about what he was agreeing to.

"The bet is so on! May the best man win," Mark winked as he took a long sip of his favourite poison, eyes keenly observing Derek, who looked a bit distracted. Something was definitely up, Mark thought as a wicked smirk soon formed on his face. He was going to have fun after a long time.