Blackmail Bargain

Chapter One

"Guess who texted me last night?" I asked Kristine with a smile. We're hanging out at our favorite restaurant. I arrived first because she said she had something to do, but she didn't keep me waiting for long.

She furrowed her brow, looking thoughtful, and then surprise slowly spread across her face. "No way!" she exclaimed, shaking her head.

"Yes way!" I replied with a mischievous grin, nodding in quick succession.

"How?" she asked, clearly puzzled.

Okay, you might be wondering who we're talking about. Well, we're just talking about Ross. He texted me last night.

"I don't know where he got my number," I replied.

"You mean you haven't made a move yet?"

"Not yet. You can't blame me. My charm might be too much, especially when it comes to Ross," I said confidently.

"Really? Then why did you break up?"

She hit me with those kinds of questions!

"Well, because he couldn't handle my charm! Hahaha!" I joked. She already knew what''s the answer, she's just teasing me.

"Oh well, didn't you ask where he got it?"

"I did, but the jerk wouldn't tell. I didn't pester him, but what matters is he texted me first."

"You seem pretty happy about it."

"Hmmm... a little," I answered cautiously.

"A little? That's why your smile is so wide. Don't tell me you got all giddy when you received his text?"

I furrowed my brow.

"Giddy? I might as well throw my phone at him!"

"Really?"

"Cyrah!"

"Do you remember him? What's his name again?" Kristine asked, looking at something behind me. I turned around.

"Dexter! Hi!" I greeted the guy I saw and even waved. He approached our table.

"Oh, that's right. His name is Dexter," Kristine whispered.

"You remember Kristine, right?" I asked.

"Of course. We were classmates in junior year, right?" Dexter asked as he spoke with Kristine.

"2nd year," Kristine corrected.

"Right, 2nd year. You haven't been showing up in our group for a long time!" He pointed out to me.

Dexter and I have been friends since high school. Kristine is my high school friend too. They're different. Ross was also part of our group. Why did Ross come up in the conversation? Psssh.

"Oh... well... I've been busy," I replied.

"Is that so? I hope you won't be too busy for the upcoming reunion this April," Dexter said.

"Reunion?"

"Our high school reunion. Will you be there, Kristine?" he asked Kristine who was next to me..

"Oh, no. I was in a different section when we were seniors," Kristine replied.

"Well, so what? It's still the same reunion."

Kristine just smiled.

"I'll check my schedule," she replied.

What an attitude. Acting like she's too busy with her schedule!

"Okay, just make sure you don't miss it, Cyrah, okay?"

"Me?"

"Yes. You've been absent from the group for so long, so you can't miss it. Besides, without you, something will be missing."

"Do you mean everyone will be there? Even Patrick, Crystal, and Danny?" I asked. I mentioned Patrick, Crystal, and Danny, who were our classmates from highschool and now working abroad.

"Yes, everyone. That's why it's happening this April. They've all arranged to come back, even Ross."

My heart raced at her last statement. Everyone. Even Ross.

"Everyone?" I asked again.

"Yes, everyone. In fact, it was Ross who organized this reunion."

I glanced at Kristine, and I could see on her gorgeous face that she had a plan. She smiled at me subtly.

"S-So Ross organized it?"

Why wasn't I informed about this reunion? In the past, whenever he organized something, he would ask for my opinion first. This wouldn't be our first reunion. We had a reunion four years ago, and he was the one who planned it. Was this the reason he texted me last night? Why did I feel a slight disappointment?

"Yes, he did. He's really excited about it. He can't wait to come back to the country."

"Doesn't he have a girlfriend?" Kristine asked.

Dexter looked at her, and I gave her a sharp look too.

"Yes, I think he does. They might even plan to get married when he returns."

I froze in my seat. Marriage? So soon? Marriage already? Our eyes met with Kristine, and we both had the same reaction, though mine was more intense.

I composed my face. I didn't want Dexter to notice my surprise.

"So if Ross is behind this, does that mean he's covering all the expenses?" I asked.

Dexter laughed.

"Ross covering the expenses? Unlikely! It's going to be a shared cost."

Once again, I was disappointed. That guy had some nerve. Organizing a reunion and not even covering the expenses. That's just like him! Starting something he can't finish! He really hasn't changed.

"He says he's low on money because he's saving up for something. Probably for their wedding."

I didn't want to hear any more from this guy. He had a sharp tongue. He needed to leave. On second thought, he just arrived, so we would be the ones to leave.

"Alright, I'll text you if Kristine and I can make it. We're leaving now because we have somewhere to go. It's really nice to see you again. Goodbye," I said to Dexter and pulled Kristine out of the restaurant.

I walked quickly away from our favorite restaurant. I needed to find a new favorite. The ambiance there was ruined.

"Hey, Cyrah, slow down! Nobody's chasing you!" Kristine said.

I stopped and spoke.

"For now, no one is, but one of these days, someone will chase me," I replied with my head held high.

"What? A dog?" she laughed.

"You're teasing me too! Why did you have to ask Dexter about his girlfriend when she's not even worth discussing?"

She laughed again.

"I just wanted to gather some information."

"Yeah, you gathered some information, and I'm not happy about what you found," I said in annoyance. We continued to walk, but this time, our pace was much slower.

"Don't you like it? It's more challenging now, girl!" she said, delighted, and even gave me a pat on the shoulder.

I faced Kristine and spoke, my eyes narrowing.

"He better be prepared for me. A reunion, huh? Well then, reunion, here I come!"