The Billionare's Challenge

Post Birthday

Stella's POV

I was so excited when my brother announced that he was taking Kate out on her birthday. He even asked me to arranged a birthday party the next day. Well here I am calling Carla, Bianca and Jaime to help me. They were excited too.

"Stella, I will buy food and the cake." Carla said. I nodded and said, "Buy Kate's favorites." She nodded.

"Jaime, I want you to inform the others and tell them not to tell Kate. To avoid suspicions." He nodded and walked away. I'm assuming he's already calling the others.

"Bianca, help me find Kate's brother." Bianca squealed with excitement.

After a few hours, we finally found her brother's number. I dialed it and waited.

"Josh Jones." A low voice answered.

"I'm Stella, Kate's friend. I was hoping if you could come here in New York. We were planning on surprising Kate on her birthday but not literally on her birthday. We were thinking to surprise her the next day. She's busy on her birthday. I think she has someone to be with. So what do yah think?"

"Ok! Anything for my sister. Good thing I don't have any conflicts."

"Good. See you. Be here in the Collins Designs building, fifth floor. We'll just accompany you there."

"Ok..." I hung up and turned to Bianca. We shouted and we were so excited.

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The day after Kate's birthday....

Kate's POV

I woke up late today. I was happy today. I don't know if it's just because I'm a year older or it's something else. I've never been so happy until yesterday.

Ring...ring...ring...

I wonder who's that. Who would find me on a Saturday? Josh? Nah...he's busy. I walked to the door and opened to see Marc. Marc? I blinked twice. It's really Marc.

"Good morning, Kate." He said with his usual grin and eyeing me up and down. And then I realized I was wearing my pjs. Not just my usual pjs, it was my animal printed pjs. Plus I don't have a bra. Dammit. I feel embarrassed. A blush spread through my cheeks and I immediately looked down.

"Good morning, Marc. What are you doing here?" I mumbled.

"Get dressed. We're going somewhere."

"Again? I'm not in the mood." I was about to close the door but he caught it. Ughhhh.

"Kate! Get dressed or I will personally strip you out of your clothes!" Woah...his dominant side appeared again. God I do not want to see him angry but I want to see how he looks.

"Excuse me? You have no right to do that!" I shouted.

"Want a bet? I sure like to win." He grinned widely at me. Goddammit!

"Get in, I'll get dressed." I finally said not wanting to argue more.

It took me thirty minutes to get ready and I already hear Marc shouting downstairs.

"Kate Jones! If your not here in one minute, I will go there and get you!!" I just laughed and got my bag. I was wearing my jeans and my blue Aeropostale shirt. I went down and saw Marc tapping his fingers impatiently.

"God woman! You only wore that and it took you forever!"

"Sorry...I took a long bath."

"You ready?"

"Where are we going anyways?"

He didn't answer so I assume it was a surprise. We walked to his car and he started the car. He pulled out a handkerchief and turned to me.

"W-What are going to do? Are you going to kill me? Are you going to r**e me? Are going to-"

"Stop! I'm just going to blind fold you. It's a surprise. Don't worry. I'm not that mean."

He started to wrap the cloth around my head, covering my eyes. "Can you see?" He asked. I shook my head no. "Good."

I was starting to get bored. It was so quiet. I could only hear the car's engine. After a while, I heard the car stop.

"Kate, I will guide you. Don't worry, I won't let you fall." He said before getting out. He opened my side of the car and touched my hand. "You ready?" He asked reassuring me. I nodded. He took my hand gently and lead me out of the car.

We walked and walked until I heard the 'ping' in the elevator. I think we went inside. Where are we? Why are we in the elevator? I heard another 'ping' in the elevator and it stopped.

"Kate, I want you to walk slowly. We're entering a room. Small steps." He held my hand tightly and slowly lead me.

"Stop. I'm going to remove your blindfold."

He counted to three. And wham! The blindfold was gone and everybody shouted 'happy birthday'. I was speechless. The employees are there. Stella, Carla, Bianca, and Jaime were smiling wide at me.

Tears were starting to form and my heart warmed with joy. I've never been so happy. I looked at Marc and he was grinning at me.

"You knew?" I asked him.

"Let's talk later. Stella's waiting." I nodded and went to hug Stella.

"Stella thank you. All of you." I turned to Bianca, Carla, and Jaime.

"Kate, I have another surprise." I looked at her with confusion. There's another one?

"Kate." That voice was familiar. It sounded like my brother. No way! It couldn't be! I turned around to see Josh in front of me.

"Josh!!!! Oh my god!! You're here!!" Tears were starting to flow down my cheeks.

"Happy birthday, lil sis!" I hugged him so tight that I think he's suffocating.

"I missed you." He said wiping my tears.

"Why did you message me last night when you're gonna be here?"

"Of course I have to. Yesterday was your birthday."

"How did you know about this?"

"Your little friend here called me." He said pointing to Stella. Stella was smiling at me and I knew she planned all of this.

"Here." Josh handed me a box.

"Josh, don't tell me this is a car key. I'm seriously not going to accept it."

"No it's not. Just open it."

I opened it and it was a small album. I opened the album and there were pictures of us together. The times when we went to eat ice cream and play laser tag. There were even my picture when I was young with Mom and Dad. But there was one picture that Josh, Zara, Troy, and me together. I remembered that time. We were hanging out together. And that was before Troy and I's breakup. That hurt me. I just stood there staring at the picture.

"Oh my gosh. Kate I'm sorry I had to put that. Give it to me. I'll tear that picture."

"It's okay. I've moved on. Thank you, Josh." I gave him a hug again.

"I think someone want to see you. Is he your rebound guy?" Josh's eyebrows wiggled up and down.

I turned to see Marc walking towards us. "Josh! Shut up! I'm not fallin for anyone!" I punched his shoulder playfully and he just smirked.

"Hey." Marc said. I just smiled and he turned to my brother.

"Hi, I'm Marc Collins."

"I'm Kate's brother, Josh." They shook hands and Josh gave him a weird look.

"Are you dating Kate?"

"Oh no. I'm planning to but seems like your sister's very hard to date." My brother just chuckled and I was starting to get annoyed. I don't want my brother talking to Marc! Why is this happening?!?!?

"Marc, if you're trying to date my sister, you should really prepare to be rejected. She's quite hard on suitors. In fact, she never accepted suitors."

"Don't worry...I don't give up easily."

"If you ever hurt her, I won't hesitate to kill you with my bare hands." My brother said in his deadly tone. Marc just nodded and they started to talk normally. Oh no...,I'm out of here. I don't want to hear this. This is boy talk.

"Guys, I'm gonna get something to drink." I slowly backed off and went to get juice.

After the party was done, everybody including Josh left and Marc offered to take me home.

"Marc, why didn't you tell me about today?"

"Well...Stella wanted to surprise you." I'm still not convinced.

"Okay fine. I asked her to plan a surprise for you." Aww how sweet. I never knew he could be this sweet.

I just blushed and bit my lip. I was happy that I saw my brother. I've never felt this happy in a long time.

"There's one more place you have to see here in New York." Marc suddenly said. I just looked at him and noticed his eyes were violet again. How's that possible?!?!? Is he some kind of creature?!?!?

"Come on...." He mumbled.

We drove for a few minutes and we arrived at a noisy and bright place.

"This is Times Square. This place is noisy and fun."

I looked around and it looks fun. There were shops and food carts. There are so many people here.

Suddenly, there were two people dancing. I looked at Marc and he smiled. Someone beside him also danced. And soon a lot of people were dancing already. It was a flash mob!!!

I looked at Marc and he was smiling at me. I started to dance too. He wasn't moving so I grabbed him by his forearm and asked him to dance. He had no choice but to dance with me.

Marc drove me home after walking around Times Square. I bought some clothes. Marc at first insisted that he will pay for the clothes but I refused. He made a deal that he will be the one to pay for our snacks. Eventually I agreed. He's sometimes annoying me so I just kept quiet.

"Kate!" He ran after me after pulling over. "Can you come with me on Friday night?"

"Are you asking me out?"

"No...but I want to..anyway, my uncle's coming so there's a gathering and my parents wanted me to bring someone. I want you because I don't really want to talk to my uncle."

"I don't know...." I said hesitantly. I rubbed the back of my neck not knowing want to say.

"Please...you're a good friend right?" Great. He's giving me his puppy eyes.

"Fine..." I heard him mutter something.

"Thank you! Thank you!" He said shaking my hands.

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I don't know why I don't hate Marc anymore. Probably he's been kind to me or something. I never felt so happy. Is he already making me fall for him? Because if that's the case, I'll only reject him. Too bad for him.

My phone rang and I smiled at the caller ID. It was Stella.

"Hi Stella!"

"Hey! How are you?"

"I'm fine...happy and felt welcomed..."

"How about you and my brother? Is he treating you well?"

"Oh we're just friends...and yes he's treating me well. In fact he's kind to me."

"Oh!!! I knew you guys would be perfect!!"

"Woah there Stella. We're just friends. We're not even together plus we won't be together."

"I know..it's just that..Marc's changing. He keeps looking at you. It's just really cute seeing the both of you get along."

"Stella, he's getting to know me already. What if I just break his heart? I can't bear that especially you're the sister. I don't want our friendship to end."

"I know, Kate. Please just give him a chance. At least let him know that you guys are friends."

"Ok...I'll try. Oh thank you for the surprise. I really enjoyed today."

"Of course, anything for you!"

"Thank you...I have to go now..." I hung up and plopped onto bed.

I just can't believe Marc's changing. I haven't seen the cold Marc these past few weeks. I also don't see him flirting with other girls. Is he really aiming for me? Duh...that's why he's being nice to you. He's making moves. He's earning your trust as his friend. And before you know it, you already fell for him. My conscience said. Shut up! I know this is hard but I don't want to be hurt. I swore I wouldn't love. I'll only end up hurting people. But you like it when he makes you happy. My conscience said again. I do appreciate that. I felt alive again.