Chapter 3, Milo
What the fuck am I doing ?
We've been here for less than two hours, and she's already driving me out of my mind.
I hate her.
I hate her so much, and yet I can't bring myself to stop looking at her.
The emerald green dress she's wearing does nothing to hide her dreamy curves, and my eyes always drift to her full breasts, one way or another. Her brown hair is in a high ponytail, and she's wearing big ass earrings.
My attraction only makes me more annoyed by her. I shouldn't feel this way about her, after all she's done to hurt me. She played with my heart, like it was her personal plaything.
My brother Ellis comes into sight range, and he stalks toward me. When he's next to me, he leans into my ear. "You're practically drooling on her ass, brother."
I immediately shoot one of my killer looks at him, and he just grins at me. Asshole.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
He hands me the bourbon glass he was holding and i bring it to my lips.
Ellis nudges me with his elbow. "They're interviewing her."
I glance toward Esmeralda, who is now talking with a paparazzi, like it's the easiest thing she's ever done. Little do they know that she was having a panic attack only minutes ago.
I don't know why I did it, though. Maybe it's just old habits, but I couldn't leave her like that. Especially during my parent's gala. I couldn't let her ruin everything like she always does.
"I don't care."
Ellis rolls his eyes and takes a shot from his drink.
His face is tight, and he looks like someone pissed him off, which doesn't happen often. My brother is my complete opposite, he is calm and patient, but I know for a fact that his cool mask is only a lure, and that when provoked, Ellis can break bones, or worse.
And I sincerely hope that I will never get to see him so angry again.
"What is it ?" I ask him, getting directly to the point.
He takes another long sip from his drink, finishing it.
"Nothing important." He answers.
I don't push it. He'll tell me when he's ready.
It's how we work, and we're very close because of it. We tell each other everything, and when one of us needs time and space, we give it. We wait until we're both ready.
He passes a hand through his golden brown hair, and exhales through his nose.
Everyone says that we look alike, which I think isn't completely true. We have the same sculpted jawline, except for the eyes, mine are a deep shade of green, and his are hazel, my father's. And the hair. My hair is dark and almost black, when his is golden brown.
"They're coming. Put a smile on that ugly face, bro." He walks away after that, and before I can register what is happening a whole lot of journalists with mics and cameras stalk toward me.
They are all taking at the same time, and I clench my hands into fists. I hate this part.
I point towards a pretty blond girl with a mic.
"You."
"Mr Chase, there is a video of you and Esmeralda Hernandez going viral on social media right now, have you seen it ?
I blink in confusion.
I am used to videos of me going viral, especially on that stupid tiktok app, but a video of Esmeralda and I ?
"No, I haven't." I answer.
Instantly, they all start talking at the same time and i shake my head and point towards an other journalist.
"In the video, it seems, Mr Chase, that Mrs Hernandez and yourself have made a deal a few years ago. That if both of you are both single by the age of 21, you two would date, and see where that would lead the two of you. Are you going to keep that promise ?"
What. The. Actual. Fuck.
I remember the video, we were stupid young teenagers, why would they bring that up right now ? The world knows that we are not in good terms, or they suspect, since it's been two years since we haven't made a public appearance.
At my lack of response an other one says.
"Mrs Esmeralda says that she is open to a discussion with you about it, and that she will do what she can to keep that promise, because she is a woman of her word. Are you, Mr Chase ?"
I blink again.
What is wrong with this woman ?
She just made a decision herself and handed my head in a silver plate to them. Because she knows that I hate to be proven wrong, and that I, too am a man of my word.
I didn't know I could hate her more.
I need to play it cool, like I know exactly what I'm doing even thought I'm so confused I want to scream. I've always had everything under control, always had a composed and planned life. This definitely wasn't planned.
If I didn't know better, I'd say karma got the better of me.
I put a forced big smirk on my face and say.
"Of course I am. Consider Esmeralda Hernandez and I already a happy couple."
She wants to play that kind of game with me ? Fine. I'll play it as well.
But at the end of it, I'll make her crawl to me and beg for mercy.
I will break her in every possible way.
Because Milo Chase doesn't lose.
Milo Chase wins.