Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Vega rushed into her room, halting in her tracks as she brainstormed on what to do first. She took out her phone, dialing Andrianna's number. She answered on the third ring, sounding bored.

"This better be important. Are you making any progress?"

"He's taking me to his favorite place. We were going to cook and all, but then I went to get flours, when I came back he was shirtless, then we got into this talk about the perfect guy, he said I could get any guy I want, asked why I was dating Markus, then he tried to kiss me..."

"Breathe Vega... This is not a drill. Now what was that I just heard, I think it went in line with KISSING!" She screeched into the phone making Vega flinch.

Vega inhaled sharply. "Watch your tone missy, you almost destroyed my eardrums".

"I'm going to be doing more in a minute if you don't start talking" she threatened.

Vega rolled her eyes. " We didn't kiss. I said almost. The oven ruined everything. Oh my gosh Andria" she squealed, dropping to the bed. " He was so hot, his body was umm hmm. I think my body temperature just shot up than normal".

"Wait, does this mean what I think it does. You're sexually attracted to him aren't you? What about the whole bet stuff... Do you want a relationship with him now?".

Vega sighed, seating up. " I don't. Zach might be fascinated with me now cause I'm not like his usual girls, but he'll dump me sooner or later. He's a playboy, they don't change, so before he breaks my heart, I'll break his first."

She could almost see Andria rolling her eyes through the phone. "So much drama. Do whatever you think it's best ok. Have fun on the picnic, wear something sexy".

"It's a picnic Andria, not a club outing".

"My bad, I forgot for a minute that you're the nerd with glasses. See ya". The call dropped, making her curse.

"That girl, ugh!". She rushed towards the closet, looking through it for an appropriate picnic wear.

*****

Zach thought the picnic idea would be a disaster, but it turned out fun. She didn't fake her fascination with the place he took her. The love for the scenery shone through her eyes, making his heart twist. It was a strange feeling, and it left him confused. He also couldn't remember the last time someone had made him laugh so hard or eat so much just because she got competitive and tried to eat more than him. She'd filled her mouth, laughing as she tried to chew and he found it so endearing, that his brain felt fuzzy.

Zach couldn't remember the last time he'd had such fun. He didn't want to leave even when it started getting dark. Vega had to get home tho, so he reluctantly drove her home. Vega kept dozing on and off, her head rolling with the car motion and it bothered him so much that he veered off the road, driving carefully until he found a spot to park.

Her head rolled towards him, her hair falling over her face. He gently supported her head with his palm, then pulled the stray hair away from her face, tucking it gently between her ear. He stared at her, feeling his heart rate increasing to a point where it felt like he couldn't get enough air, but he couldn't stop watching her.

All the countless girlfriends he'd had, had never had such an effect on him and he'd also noticed that he hated it when she was with someone else other than him, he wanted to be in her company all the time, wanted to hear her laugh. It was insane because he didn't love her in that manner. Or did he. The question messed with his head as he gazed at her.

He watched her for hours, trying to still his malfunctioning heart, and make sense of the new feelings invading his head. Her eyes opened slowly, eyes resting on his, and almost giving him a mini heart attack. She noticed that she was almost resting on him, causing her to adjust her seating position, hands scratching at the back of her ear as she looked around nervously, noticing that they were parked beside the road. She turned to face Zach.

"Errr, is there a problem". Her eyes darted to the time. He felt her panic before she whipped to face him.

"Oh my gosh, you let me sleep for three whole hours. My mom is going to kill me" she cried, pointing at the darkening sky. "Didn't you notice that the weather had changed? Huh. Oh, my fucking salad"!.

Zach snorted a laugh, earning him one of her infamous glares. He quickly raised his hands in defense. "You don't get to be angry kiddo, I only stopped for you to take a rest, you're the one who decided to sleep like you were starved for it".

She made a frustrated noise in her throat, gritting out her words. "I didn't ask you to stop in the middle of freaking nowhere to let me sleep did I?". Zach kept mute. She facepalms, biting at her lips worriedly. He smiled because he couldn't help it whenever he looked at her and she looked so adorable all worried. He started the car, driving forward without warning and she shoved forward, almost falling off her seat if not for the seatbelt. Vega whipped her head in his direction, a storm brewing in her expression.

"Jerk!".

He smiled, feeling too carefree than normal, knowing at the back of his mind that it was all because he felt he could be himself with her. "Love the name babe". She clenched her hands, making him laugh. Vega's lips twitched as she tried to suppress hers. It felt satisfying. He wanted to put a smile on her face all the time. The thought was alien to him, but he couldn't stop feeling that way.

*****

Vega got out of the car, slamming the door close. He just grinned, wiggling his brows at her. She smiled, after fighting it all through the ride. His smile widened like she'd gifted him with an early Christmas present. He started the car, and she waved as he drove off. She watched him go, turning to meet Andria's zombie stare.

"Goodness, you scared the crap out of me" she muttered clutching at her heart. Andria smiled, taking hold of her and pulling her into the room.

"I won't even ask the reason for this glow you have going on, cause I'm a hundred percent sure that it's all Zach. Tell me everything, no details left out".

She looked around. "Mom isn't back yet?".

Andria took in a breather. "She called, and said she'll be home late. Back to Zach, are you still after the money, or is there something sizzling". She batted her lashes, eyes probing. Vega frowned, she had asked the same question earlier.

"It's still the money. I'm just having fun with Zach like he's doing with me".

Andria's excitement was deemed as she shrugged. "Fine. It's much better to get the money than the guy that might dump you later anyway. I'm sleeping over so get ready to spill every sordid detail".

Vega rolled her eyes, stepping out of her hold into the kitchen. She gasped taking in the mess. She facepalmed, remembering that she and Zach hadn't bothered with cleaning up.

******

Vega finished dressing up, choosing to dress casually. She hadn't gotten enough sleep from turning and tossing all night. Andria had finished dressing up an hour before, so she was sure her patient was wearing thin.

She stepped out of her room, coming face to face with Andria. Her eyes glared, mouth opening to let out a tirade of words, but Vega stopped it, placing a finger to her lips.

"Your hair looks amazing, and I don't understand how you can do so much in such a little time, while I'm doomed to being a homeless hobo no matter how I try". She said, lashes flickering. Andria scoffed, pushing her finger off her lips.

"That was cringe. You really need to stop being such a snail and you trying to derail me by complimenting my hair was a total fail so Let's go before I change my mind and give you a piece of my mind." Vega nodded, expecting the backlash. She grabbed her bag. They both got out of the house, to meet Jake and Markus waiting for them.

"What are you guys doing here?" She asked, eyes darting between the both of them.

Jake took off his sunglasses. "We're treating you both to breakfast. Markus just took over his Dad's restaurant". He announced, beaming. Vega squealed, hugging him, then shook hands with Markus.

"Congrats, yeah. And I am so sorry for using you in that manner. I was out of options, and you were just there, looking...". Andria coughed loudly, stopping her from completing her speech. "Out of option, sorry!"

Markus leaned toward her. "There's no problem. You'll make a cute girlfriend anyways".

She smiled. "Really? You think so".

Jake cleared his throat, fixing her a knowing glare. "You would, but this guy is already taken, so back off".

Markus chuckled, looking amused.

"So darn territorial. What? Are you afraid that Markus might fall for me". She batted her lashes, making Jake's scowl deepen.

"You wish, but that's never going to happen". He said, sticking out his tongue at her. Vega did the same.

Andria watched the two turning to face Markus in resignation. "They're both so immature. How did we even end up with them."

"I know right". He shrugged, dragging Jake away from Vega who seemed determined to get on his nerve. The whole ride ended with them bickering back and forth, arguing about who had more sex appeal. It was total torture.