LICENSE TO LOVE

CHAPTER 2: Love and Games

I paused and looked at Helen. We've been on this conversation for a while now. Today's my day off anyway, so I decided to FaceTime my good friend, Helen Audrey. We've been friends since highschool and so happens to be dating my best friend, Carlos Anderson.

"So, what about you, B, are you seeing someone? Don't tell me no 'cause if you do, I'll come down there and find you one. You know me." Helen snickers. I know her too well to lie to her even though she knows already.

"Helen, you know I don't have time for all that. I'm working my ass out to make ends fucking meet. I wish I could just sew them together to make it right." And then I remember how I was sheepishly staring at that Craig guy yesterday. I try and convince myself that it was nothing and just the coffee messing with me.

"I know that look, Blaire!" She yells, " you may not be in a relationship, yet but you sure have someone you wanna fuck with. I know it, Blaire, you can't lie to me." She giggles like we used to years back.

I turn the phone over and smile a little, making sure I wasn't letting Helen in any Intel about my social life currently. "Well, you can think what you want, Helen. I'm not the one cuddling and smooching with a sleeping dude right now." I giggle a little which makes her turn the phone over too. I couldn't help but laugh.

My phone suddenly rings and I was surprised to see it was my boss. I was reluctant at first to pick it but then I just had to. "I'll call you right back, baby." Helen says. I quit FaceTime-ing with her and then pick the incoming call.

"Good day, Mr. Smith." I say slowly.

"Hello, Blaire. Sorry to disturb you but there's a man here about 6'5, looking for you. Are you familiar with any Mr. Winchester?" As soon as I heard the words, my heart began racing fast. Fast enough to drive myself, of course, crazy. Lord knows how much I want to see his gorgeous face but at the same time, I don't want another broken cup of coffee.

I realized I left him hunged up on the line so I arranged my thoughts and said it carefully.

                              ★★★

"I'm sorry but she seems to be ill at the moment. Maybe she'll get back to you when she's better, Mr. Winchester." Blaire's boss says confidently seeming not to care about who I am.

I remain composed and unfazed. Although, I haven't dealt with much of her type but I know someone who does. And so, the game begins.

"Okay. Let's do it my way, Mr Smith." I smile, showing off my straight, glinting teeth, "I too fancy the concept of business. After all, we're both owners of a business."

                        

                            ★★★

It's afternoon already. Spent most of my time with my Dad. My mind races back to when my boss had called. I just knew something like that would occur. I doubt Craig would have bought the lie. He's crazy enough to do crazy things, after all, he has all the resources at his disposal and I wouldn't be surprised if he comes knocking on my door one day. I just thought moving to Venice City would be a great start; to start things anew.
Now it so happens that I'm fucking it up with some billionaire icon--such a cliche.

My dad wakes up, his eyes searching for me--i guess, he stretches his hands and I reciprocate, locking my fingers with his. I look into his eyes and smile.

"Hey, B." He shoots a smile back, slowly and sighs. I place my hands on his chest.

"I'm here Dad. How're you doing?" I ask. Although I know what the current state looks like but hey, it's Miss. Optimistic. I just can't afford to lose hope. "I hope you've found yourself a helpmate here, a favourite one, that is." I giggle.

He looks at me and scoffs. "You look just like your mother, Blaire." His tone becomes serious suddenly. I look away and blink more than necessary. He catches on quickly. "Don't let that guy mess you up like your mother did to me, honey. You don't toy with the heart, it's fragile, just like yours." He continues.

"I guess that's what we have in common." I look at him. "and many more I'm yet to discover." I shift uncomfortably.

"How're you doing at work? I hope you're making 'em customers trip on that flavory coffee of yours." He asks sharply.

"Well..." I begin, "I actually broke one yesterday." I play with my legs shyly.

"Haha!, so you let 'em customers trip you instead?" He laughs mockingly. I let him in on it, glad to see him happy, smiling like he so deserves. "You see...when I was in my prime honey, I made them all trip even without looking." He turns on his side on the bed.

"Oh Dad! C'mon." I laugh deeply, still picturing Craig at the back of my mind.

"Well, yeah. Our exes be missing a lot. Talking about that, you heard from Ken?" He asks.

"Talked with Helen earlier actually. Carlos is in good hands with her." I rub my eyes.

"C'mon baby, don't play that game with me. I know you two had chemistry back then. I mean, he was gonna marry you until you suddenly decided to go on a break with him." My dad remembers all too well. Ken Evans was my ex, is actually.

"Yeah, I couldn't be in a healthy relationship when my parents weren't best of lovers." I retort angrily. "I suspected but because of my personality I remained hopeful that you two would sort it out and then you just had to let her go. Now, she's with another man living " happily ever after" that's very rich Dad.

My dad doesn't say anything for sometime as if he had nothing to but I knew that the next words would weigh the heaviest.

"Sometimes you just have to let go of someone you love. Remember that. Blaire." He says then turns his head away from me.

"I won't let you go, Dad." I squeeze his hands tightly yet gently.

                            ★★★

A sleek sports car comes into view, pulling up to the front of my mansion. The car door opens, and revealing the dynamic Tom  still in his early 20ss, dressed in casual shirt and pants. He steps out, taking in the grandeur of my mansion with a wide smile.

The grand double doors of my mansion opens, presenting me with the grand freestyle walk of Tom Owen--Famous playboy, model and actor.

He glanced at my luxurious foyer with gleaming marble floors and stylish decor. The sunlight streams in, illuminating the space. He walks to the bar while I make my descent down my grandiose spiral staircase. I clap my hands seeking his attention by the time he turns around, he swing back with two glasses of expensive wine with a bottle in his arm.

"If it isn't the famous and my most favourite Winchester." He greets after chugging down the wine. He smacks me on the arm and gave a warm hug. "What a home I envy."

"You haven't changed a bit, Tom." I smile, taking a sit.

"Oh, my friend, that I know, that I... know!" He offers me a glass, "but do remind me to show you the change in my new garage in Paris." He smirks. " I'll take you on tour sometime."
He stands up and then arranged himself. "So, to what do I owe this pleasure?" He asks, putting on the act of a waiter.

"There is no rush my friend. Although, matters of the heart requires urgency and due attention." I begin. Tom smiles and then sits back, crossing his legs. I know how fast he catches on.

"Spare me the history and get me the present alright, Chase?" He reminds me of the name he gave to me, more of a nickname. I was once a master at getting things I wanted in a short span of time. "What is her name?" He inquires.

"Blaire. And I need you to do one last act. You know the game." I conclude. He moves to stand up but I place a hand on his shoulder with a gentle reminder.

"But remember," I look up at him, with utmost seriousness, "she's mine."