Player

Chapter 6

That night after he ruined the date and my mood all in one go, I left for home without getting my booze. Once I reached I slumped on the couch not bothering to change. How I have been rejected all night played around in my head. I was not used to this part of the game and seemed like I was not good at playing it either. I heaved a sigh when my phone snickered with a notification.

"Whatcha doin country pumpkin?" A message from Laila. The only good thing in a bad day. 

Grinning I texted back. "Picking my wedding dress." I pressed send. There was an expected long pause followed by my blaring ringtone. Giggling I picked up the call and immediately regretted putting it to my ear.

"Are you pregnant?" Laila screamed into the phone amplifying my headache. "Is it some billionaire's baby? Or a roadside sha-"

"Breathe, baby, breathe," I cut her off with a humorless chuckle. "I'm just pissed. Challenging me, my ass."

"Did you not get your lay?" I could sense her smirk from the other side as she guessed it right. "I know sweet cakes. It's just karma."

My mouth fell open at that. How dare my best friend accuse me of that. Of all the people that could have said that... I started to cry with my emotions all over the place unable to make sense of anything.

Her sniggering stopped as she went quiet before going all mama bear on me. "Livi, babes I'm so sorry. Don't go crying on me. You know I'm a mess when you cry. Baby cakes, sweetie, though you totally deserve that, I'm so so sorry honey." Her pathetic attempt at consoling me made both of us to burst out laughing.

"Just tell me who that son of a bitch that made you cry. I'll break his nose and feed it to my goldfish." Her attempt at threat made me guffaw and her giggle.

"Really Livi, what happened?" She sounded serious this time as I wiped under my eyes. I took a deep breath before recounting the entire evening to her. To my complete shock she started laughing. Again. 

"You know what, Imma hang up." I tossed the phone on the couch slumping back when the phone started ringing again. 

"I'm so sorry baby. But that was kind of refreshing to see there's a dude who could say no to you. Especially, when he wanted to swallow you whole."

I was going to comment on him swallowing me whole but something else caught my attention. She was trying to speak around the food in her mouth. "You chew like a pig Laila," I snorted. She started to make pig noises. "But you love me." 

"Back to you missy. I hear you say Nick proposed the idea of marriage. What was that?" She hummed as if she was thinking. "He wants to try with you, darling."

I snorted. "Oh please. He seems to have a grudge against me. Else why bother blackmailing my parents?" 

I have been thinking about his crude logic for a while. He could have asked me out to know my reaction, to tell me if he felt anything. But no, he had to blackmail and make a show of his power. That alone shows the kind of person he is. 

"He's a monster," I seethed only to earn a chuckle from the other end. She asked in an amused tone. "Do you want him to take the conventional path? Is that what you're upset about?"

Oh boy, bang on. My cheeks must have been beet red at that moment. I seriously cringed at that thought. If she was in front of me at the moment she would never let me live it down. I must have been quite for a while, for she called me a few times before I opened my mouth to respond. But I snapped it shut when I realized I had nothing to say. 

"Oh oh, Livi's got a crush." She sang making me feel worse. I didn't know what I could do to get him out my system. He wanted to play a game, to prove he could call the shots. But I couldn't fathom why in the world would he go to all that trouble. 

Then I heard Laila's voice. "I don't understand why he couldn't be interested in you. Why you have to see him as the bad guy?"

"You don't understand. He threatened to frame my family, Laila, threatened!" I exclaimed indignantly only to hear her chuckle.

"With what honey? What would he frame your family of? Did you ask that?" 

I did not think of that until that very moment. What the hell was my father going on about? He didn't even give me the full story. 

"Ah, now that you mention it..." I dragged out. "Now that I mention it you go ask your dad," she finished for me. "Or better yet, your lover."

I could imagine the twinkle in her eyes as she said that. "I will. Also, I have an off day tomorrow before I start my residency with this patient. Wanna hang out?"

"Oh is it time already? Sorry Liv, I have a full shift tomorrow. I have this presentation for my client and I have to complete their website tonight."

"Ah. Duty calls. Don't forget me when I'm gone." I tease and she groaned in response. "Can't wait to be rid of you. Miss me, Liv." 

As soon as I hang up I get a mail with the medical files of the patient I'm hired to look after in the Bay area. I have to give up on all that's home for work. Not to mention my nightlife and partying. "Medical school does that to you..." I mumble to myself while packing all my essentials. 

I can't wait to start a new life but also couldn't leave everything behind in a flash. Changing can be so hard. With my essentials, books, electronics and medical equipment packed away I lay down, intending to get a good nights sleep. 

I should have read the patient report but I did have a long flight the next day. I fell into a deep slumber, unaware of the awaiting longest flight I would experience. 

A/N: Hey people! I'm so sorry about the long await! I am back and will be updating frequently. Do tell if you find any mistakes and your suggestions. Looking forward to getting to know all of you <3