I Hate That I Loved You!

34- Arlette

At Bennetti Group:

Zain observed his friend's weird behavior since morning.

Francesco was smiling and whistling like a fool. He thought to ask, but then ignored.

He knew last night he was with someone when he did not answer his calls.

He went to the 6 Barrel Club and as the manager already knew them, without wasting time, he informed him of how this dear friend of his had kissed a girl and picked her up in front of everyone, then left the club.

At the breakfast table as well, Francesco had a big grin plastered on his face.

In the car as well, he appeared lost in some thought.

Since, the time they have arrived in office, Francesco was busy working on something on his laptop.

He was highly focused and once in a while, he will smirk in between while typing commands on his laptop.

Zain was waiting for him to spill the beans. But Francesco was too occupied with what he was doing.

Restless for a while, Zain could not take it anymore.

"That's enough. Spill it out." He asked, slamming the file in front of Francesco.

Francesco's fingers stopped typing and he looked up with a frown on his face. "About what?"

Zain pointed a finger towards his face and motioned it circularly "This smug look on your ugly face!"

Francesco looked at annoyed Zain and chuckled "Well Fratello! I am happy."

"Happy about what?" Zain folded his arms.

He was a bit curious when it comes to Francesco. He never interfered in anyone's personal life, but Francesco was his closest buddy. Anything related to him bothered him.

"I found information about Arlette. I even found her number as well." Francesco replied excitedly.

"Arlette Who?"  Zain squinted his eyes.
This Casanova found another prey!

"That lady whom I met in Vince City. Remember the one who cursed me like hell because of your wrong time phonecall?" Francesco rolled his eyes.

"Hmm. I see. What about her?" Zain questioned.

"I found everything about her, now that I know her name. Arlette Pereira, mio amato. what a beautiful name!" Francesco exclaimed proudly.

He gave himself an encouraging pat on his shoulder.

"What did you just say? Arlette Pereira! How the hell YOU KNOW HER? Do you know who she is in this city?" Zain asked in astonishment.

He knew this woman. One of the top socialites and daughter of his rival firm.

"Yes. I know who she is. I was digging information about her just a while ago.
Arlette Pereira, 24, is the heiress of Pereira Corporation, current COO of the company and her brother Jason Pereira is the CEO of the company. She likes horse riding, shooting and she was the winner of the state championship in shooting range."

"Her favorite color is violet. She drives custom made carmine colored 911 Turbo S Cabriolet convertible Porsche. Last but not the least, I know they are your RIVALS."  Francesco gave a brief introduction like a trained parakeet in a laid-back manner.

"So, you still want to pursue her? Are you sure about it? You know she does not look like a simple character." Zain asked a doubtful expression.

"Hey! hey!  Hold your horses. They are your rivals, not mine. My family is at equal status at them in Vince City. I don't think there is an issue with me pursuing her. She is quite interesting so far." Francesco reasoned with him.

He was aware of the cold war between the Bennetti Group and the Pereira corporation after Zain destroyed the D'Souza corporation and family completely.

The Pereira Family and the D'Souza Family had a very close relationship.

"Ok. Do as you wish. But remember, neither she nor her family is some simple easy characters. Be careful." Zain warned him as a good friend.

Francesco shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever. Don't focus on my life. You should focus on yours and Susanna. How was dinner yesterday?"

"It went well." Zain gave a short reply.

"Are we registered for the event?" Zain raised out of the blue question.

"Yes. We are good to go. They will send us the location co-ordinates a day before the hackathon." Francesco spoke and started working on his laptop again.

Zain gave a courteous nod.

At Pereira Corporation:

Arlette was sitting in her office wearing a beige blazer and white shirt with a black pencil skirt.  Her platinum blonde hair tied in a messy bun.

She spun her pen and cast her blue eyes out of the window.

Looking out of the window, she was in deep thought.

After sneaking out from Francesco's room. She directly came to her office. It was the safest option for her, rather than going to her home, Pereira Villa. Her office has an attached room where she can rest and change.

The moment she came out of the mansion, she realized it was Bennetti Mansion, and the big house nameplate in front of the mansion confirmed it.

She was shocked to know that Francesco was living in the Bennetti Mansion, which means he is a close friend or relative of Zain Bennetti.

If her parents find out that their beloved daughter came out of their rival's mansion wearing a man's boxer shorts and a shirt, they will disown her completely.

Her brother! For Heaven's sake! She dared not to think about how he will react. He will flip out.

It is better if no one knows about it.

She bribed her driver to keep his mouth shut.

She tapped the left side of her chest to console herself.

Suddenly her phone rang. Seeing the caller id, she gulped.

"H-Hello Brother. How are you?" She asked softly.

"Arlette! Where the hell were you last night? Mom and dad were so worried. You went to the 6 barrel club, afterward where did you go?" Jason's stern voice heard from the other side.

Her elder brother pampers her a lot but at a time he acts like a father. Hearing her brother's angry tone, Arlette almost lost grip of her cellphone. But she handled it on time.

"I-I was partying with my friends, big bro. We had a couple of drinks and I was quite slaushed. So, my friend, she took me to her apartment as you know mum and dad cannot see me in such a state." Arlette spoke in a guilty tone.

She decided to lie to her brother because she was not able to comprehend his behavior. 
How her brother will react knowing she was with Francesco that too at Bennetti Mansion last night?

She tapped her cheeks to break herself out of the reverie. Arlette, concentrate!

"Arlette, I understand you are a big girl, but you will always be a baby girl for us. You can go out and have fun. But please at least inform or drop a note about your well-being. Switching off your phone is not acceptable behavior. You know we have so many rivals, and what if something bad happens?", Jason spoke with a bit of anger and disappointment.

"I am so sorry big bro. I will not be this careless again. I will ensure to keep you and mom-dad updated on my whereabouts." Arlette apologized like a kid.

She hung up the phone and sighed in relief.

Why is it so tough to lie to our closed ones?

But one small lie will not hurt right!