Playlist - My Bad by khalid

Ares

I gripped the wooden handle until my hand ached and willed my feet forward. He watched me with a taunting leer as I approached his office table.

"You've got yourself pussy whipped." He didn't bother to hide his displeasure. "You told me you would follow the plan accordingly, but I guess she bewitched you and your thoughts."

"You done?" I plopped my feet on top of his mahogany table. "Unlike you, I don't bother with feelings. She's means nothing to me."

"Oh, is that so?" He feigned surprise. "Oh, mighty, Ares doesn't care about Luna West. She's just another fresh pussy to him. So, if that's the case then why haven't you executed the plan which you enthusiastically made?"

"It takes time, Chase. I just can't scare away the girl. It takes time for things to fall in place. It just can't happen with the snap of my fingers. I don't control her," I said. "Yet."

"School is almost ending. Soon we'll be off to college and I suspect if Axel is even interested in Luna and our plan anymore. He's been a bitch for these past months."

"Well, you are going to marry the love of his life. God. I can't ever let Axel near Charlotte again. It's a fucking nuisance."

"For whom?"

"Me," I said, simply. "He doesn't deserve my sister nor should my sister marry him. He's unpredictable and with zero ambition. Uncle Charles is waiting to renounce his claim to his legacy. I can't give my sister to some broke bitch."

"Such a good brother," he said, sarcastically. "Yet you are giving her to me. What makes you think I won't break her?"

"I don't care. Just not to Axel and if you ever hurt Charlotte, I will kill you."

"Shit, I'm so scared." He chuckled, bringing Jack Daniels to his mouth. "But where the fuck are you doing with Luna? You cannot grow a soft corner for her. It will just make things hard for you."

Like I wasn't aware of it.

I've almost successfully managed to keep Luna away from getting under my skin. I know what role I play in her life, but her role in my life was starting to increase.

I've known pretty much the entire deal about Luna since a long time... since before she even paid attention to me. But, now as we're starting to spend our time together, the inquisitive side of her wants to know more about my life.

I mean, I could be a complete dick to her and keep her at an arm's distance when it comes to sharing my personal life, but I just cannot resist the way her intoxicating eyes just... comes alive with the little information she learns about me.

I enjoy messing with her brain and staring in her lively eyes far more than to keep her at bay.

Lost in my thoughts, I finally paid attention to Chase's words when he mentioned Notre Dame. "So, it's almost time for graduation, huh?"

I nodded at his rhetorical question. "I'm looking forward to college for quite a few time. Can't wait to see whatcthe fuss is all about." Though, I kept my tone light, I couldn't help, but feel sudden loss in my chest.

Sure, I was ecstatic to move forward in my life. Obviously, it would mean that I would be leaving my safe haven and the friends I have here, but that doesn't matter to me. At the moment, I'm just concerned about leaving a certain sunshine-headed junoesque beauty behind.

What the fuck is wrong with you? She's the enemy. I scold myself, reminding the reasons why I shouldn't keep pondering over Luna that much.

"I can't believe I'm saying this; I will miss you." Chase almost protested his feelings, but that's the closet he'll ever let anyone get an insight of what he actually feels.

To a stranger, Chase might look as an emotionally deranged person. Almost repulsive, and that's just an exterior he allows people to see and even me. BUT, I saw right through him. I know what Chase Henry really is.

He's not a villain of anyone's story, he's just a kid who's been neglected by his parents. He never understood what love means or feels, and I knew how emotionally broken he is inside.

The only time he actually got a glimpse of love was with his ultimate obsession, his stepsister, Mia. In the initial stages, I thought he really hated her because of her mother, but as time escalated, I began to wonder if maybe it's not hate what he feels for her

But that's not my story to tell.

"I heard you paid evil pussy a home visit. That's true?"

"Yep."

"Trying too hard to bewitch her with your charms, I see," he commented.

I chuckled. "Bewitched, really?" He nodded. "No, I'm just trying to be a perfect boyfriend to her."

"I didn't think you would actually be asking her to be your girlfriend. That's absurd."

"It's perfect. She would never anticipate my ultimate move that way. And she's too much of a work to begin with. She won't give up easily."

"Self-respect, she's got and that's what we'll play with."

Three months ago, I would have agreed with him and laughed along with him, but now it just did not feel as required as it used to.

I loved the idea of messing with Luna, and it was an absolute pleasure to know that my presence affected her thoughts, but most mainly her body. I loved how riled up she becomes with my nearness.

"But, be sure to have her fall in love with you as well. I know, nothing mends a broken heart. Damn, I can't wait for the realization of her fucking screwed life to dawn on her."

"Oh, right," I said half-heartedly. "Tonight I'm taking her out. You want to be there?"

"Gee, although I would love to mess with her, but I've got different plans."

I knew exactly what his plans included. "You treading off to a dangerous territory. You ended things."

"You know I can't stay away. It's a bad habit. I'm trying to get rid of it." Vulnerability was evident in his voice. "Maybe I should take Charlotte out tonight. We'll get to know each other and I can rub it into Axel's face tomorrow."

After awhile, we both existed his chicago apartment, and headed straight for Loop. We had a meeting with one of the most lethal illegal race organizers, Ruth Russell. She was planning to have her leg in opening up a legal race chain and we decided to be her sponsors.

"We'll take mine." Both of us climbed in my BMW i8 and headed for the loop.

Halfway through the drive Chase's iPhone vibrated in his jeans. He ignored it for the first time and the second, when the third rang, my frustration with his ignorance ran low.

"Just fucking answer it."

"It's my father. He's bugging me a lot these days," he said, nonchalantly. "He wants mom to stop using our family name for her fitness chain and he wants me to convince her."

"So?"

"I don't want to meddle in their fucked up problems. My entire childhood was spent solving their arguments and I'm not going to let it repeat now. Anyway, he's going to slam her with a legal notice."

I rolled my eyes. "Then switch it off or it's going out of the window."

"Whatevs." He fished his iPhone out and switched it off. "C'mon, racer, that grandma is taking us over. Fucking speed up."

                              ***

"That's out final offer. We are going to be the face of the company and you're going to be a silent partner, not the other way around," Chase spoke above the fray.

Ruth puffed the smoke out before smiling. "Boy, do you know who you're talking to. I could just snap my fingers and have my men to kill you."

"Why haven't you done it yet?" I challenged. "Is it because Inferno di morti has stopped backing up your shit? Or maybe because you actually have no alternative left? I assume you can't keep up with your lifestyle when you're at the edge of bankruptcy."

"Speak your next few words wisely." Her nostrils flared in anger. "I don't tolerate being disrespected by some two-piece teenage boys who knows only to blow up their daddy's money."

"Look at it, Ruth. You need us and we need you. Let's not waste more of each other's time," Chase said. "I'll give you 48 hours to decide."

Standing, I adjusted my jacket and ignored the vibration of my own iPhone. "You can contact us, but if you exceed the time limit then bid goodbye to all the luxury you have."

With that, Chase and I existed the warehouse. Once we were out, I spoke again. "That went well."

"She'll take it." Smugness written on Chase's face. "I'll make sure she will."

"How would you do that?"

"I have my way." I noticed the seductive streak in his voice and knew exactly what he'll do. "That pushing 50 year old bitch won't even understand what hit her."

"Don't screw it up," I groaned, not liking where this was heading. "I really want this to happen."

"And it will," he replied, arrogant. "Ares, just draw up the papers. We'll have our way."

I slipped into the driver's seat, but Chase didn't follow through. I pulled the window down and yelled,"Get in, we don't have all day."

No reply followed. I got out of the car just to face an expression-less Chase. I suddenly, unsure of what happened.

"Dude, everything alright?"

He didn't speak just showed me a text on his iPhone.

Chase, where are you? I need you come to chicago hospital immediately. mia has been into an accident, she's extremely serve. We don't have much time

I froze reading the text. This can't be happening, no, no, I can't believe this is happening. I read the time of when the text was sent and nearly fell to the ground. It was almost an hour go.

"Chase, buddy," I spoke in the softest most tone possible. "There's still time. We need to rush."

"No," he immediately, said. "There's no need to rush." I could see the disguise of words right through his eyes. "I'll be glad if that bitch died."

"Chase.."

"I'm fucking fine," he yelled, harshly. "It's not a big deal, can't you understand? I'm fine." His breathing turned erratically fast."

I kept quiet. It was falling down right before my eyes.

"Now let's go and see whether bitch is still alive. I heard witches don't easily die and that one is a witch. God, I hope she's dead."

                                  ***