Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Zach POV.

I smiled even tho I felt raw from spilling out the thoughts and memories that destroyed and consumed my every waking hour, but it was all because something was calming about Vega. She made me feel good about myself.

"My Dad doesn't really like me but I know it's all my fault. You see, he has to spend a huge amount of money to clean up my mess. And trust me when I say, I make a lot of mess." I chuckled, then stepped closer to her. "I'm sorry for putting a strain on you and Markus's relationship".

I said even tho I hated Markus. The guy didn't deserve Vega and his attitude was infuriating but looking at him had made me self-reflect. Markus might not be the perfect guy for Vega but I wasn't either because I choose to make everything a competition instead of just following my feelings. If I wanted to be with Vega, I had to do it right.

"I'm not really with Markus" Vega suddenly blurted out and I could feel my gaze widening in shock before my brows furrowed in confusion.

"What?" I asked, and Vega looked panicked.

"Remember when I assumed you wanted to hit on me and you said you didn't, well I was freaking embarrassed and I didn't want you to think I got all dolled up for you so I lied that I was with him to save face" she rushed out, her throat working as she stared at me.

I stared at her, my brain working overtime as I tried to piece everything she said together. "But Markus was so pissed about me Kissing you" I muttered, remembering the way Markus had stared me down. That was definitely the way a real boyfriend acted since I had also done it before. Back when everything had just been black and white, and I was truly In love.

"Well turns out Markus is Bi, and he might actually like me more than I thought he did. I'm so sorry for lying to you" she said and it seemed as if she wanted to add more but stopped herself just in time.

Well, a lot of her behavior around Markus now made more sense to me, she was always startled by Markus because she didn't expect him to show her any affection.

I couldn't bring myself to be mad at her or stop the ridiculous smile tugging on my lips because if she wasn't with Markus then I could finally do everything right, I could ask her out, court her until she fell in love with me even if Noah thought that it was impossible.

Vega frowned, staring at me. "What's funny, why aren't you saying anything".

The smile won out in the end. "So were you all dolled up for me then," I asked, unable to stop myself and the blush that spread across her cheeks felt like a reward.

"No, I wasn't!" She yelled, her eyes darting around the kitchen as she looked for a way to escape the conversation. It was freaking cute.

"Let's make dinner or my Mom's going to flip when she comes back and doesn't meet any food on the dining" she quickly got out, then concentrated super hard on the ingredient making me laugh.

"Are you avoiding the question?" I teased.

"No, now concentrate before I smack you with the dough" she threatened.

I laughed. "Ok, ok, I won't bother you anymore, but I hope you won't make me cut more peppers cause my shoulders feel too tense from all the cutting I did before".

"Not a chance! You're not going to slack off in my kitchen, and this was your idea so deal with it".

I nodded. "Fine, I knew you'd drive a hard bargain anyway," I said and she gave me a side-eyed look that made me pause. Vega was sad, but why and it looked almost as if she wanted to tell me something but couldn't bring herself to do it.

"I'll go get more ingredients, this won't be enough," she said then walked past me to one of the drawers' cabinets.

I took a deep breath, my shoulders relaxing as I stared around the familiar kitchen that almost felt nostalgic.

********

"You have to help me, Noah, you said she was your best friend while in school" I muttered in frustration because Noah was being a dick. The only reason he wasn't jumping to help me out was that he had feelings for Vega even if he didn't admit it.

Noah rubbed at his temple tiredly. "I don't know what stuff she liked, it's been years Zach, did you think my brain would still remember such details".

"Right, so you aren't going to help".

"Can't you just ask her to go out with you without making it a big deal.. I don't think Vega wants you to do anything extravagant for her"

"I know she doesn't, but I want to do it. I want to show Vega that she's special to me, that she isn't like every other girl I've been with" I said, listening to my own words and smiling at how true they were.

Noah groaned. "You're so going to get your heart broken with how hard you're letting yourself go right now," he said, and I frowned.

"Why? Do you think she's going to say no"

"Because she's got a boyfriend," Noah said like it was rocket science.

I smiled, her little confession replaying around in my head.

"What's so fucking funny?" Noah asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, she broke up with Markus," I said keeping it simple because I didn't want Noah asking questions or judging Vega for lying. Vega hadn't meant to lie, she had just been embarrassed and that was why she said what she did but she'd come clean and that was all that mattered.

"Wow, I have to admit I did not see that one coming. Wait, was it because of the viral video of you kissing Vega?"

The fucking video had been taken down but I had no doubt I'd be in the news soon. Dad was going to be so mad if he had to clean up after me despite saying I had his permission to court Vega. It wasn't as if I wanted them to clean anything up because I wanted to show off Vega, the thought of someone being mine and mine alone made me all giddy inside.

Noah gave a suffering sigh as he watched me. "And what about the bet"

"What bet?" I asked, feeling confused. I didn't remember making any bet.

Noah facepalm as he gave me an incredulous look. "The bet that was placed on you that's still ongoing, you know, the one where the first person you ask out wins, and what about Arielle, you might not know it but she thinks you two are an item. She even posted a picture of you two on her story".

Oh, that. I'd totally forgotten about the bet because I'd been occupied with Vega and then there was Arielle. I would have to make it clear to her that we can't be more because I didn't want her ruining my chances with Vega or for her to do something as petty as going after her.

"I'll take care of Arielle and I don't really care about the bet. Once I ask Vega to be my girlfriend, they'll have no choice but to cut it off" I said smiling because everything else paled in comparison to the way I felt when I thought about Vega. I turned to face Noah. "So, are you going to help me or not"?

"I have a book to write Zach, I'm trying to meet a deadline" he complained and I scoffed.

"A deadline huh, but you had enough time to go on social media to see what Arielle was posting on her story right".

"Ugh! Fine, I'll help you with your stupid proposal but I still insist that you're going to get your heart broken".

"Vega will never break my heart because she's different. She doesn't want anything from me and I think she might be falling for me too" I said, the thought making my heart race.

Noah smirked. "Well, if just saying that makes you that happy, then I definitely must help you win Vega over".

I smiled, feeling my heart kicking in my chest. Yes! I was going to finally have someone that would be mine, and even tho Noah worried about me getting my heart broken, I knew that would never happen.

"Thanks, bro." I got up from the couch. Noah's gaze followed my movement as I walked to the door.

"I'm going to meet Dad and give him a heads up".

"Maybe you should wait for an hour. He has a business guest right now".

I shook my head. "This cannot wait".

I don't wait for Noah to go off about the consequences of what barging in on Dad would entail.

Getting to my father's home office had me going down rows of stairs and when I reached his door I paused as I heard raised voices.

"You'll never get those documents, so you better give it up now. I will not be doing business with you anymore, make sure you tell your father in those terms".

"You do not want to make my father your enemy Mr. Dante".

Huh, was he threatening my father? I pushed the door open and both men whirled to face me in shock, but father quickly got his act together and I'm surprised that it was a young man that was making such unconcealed threats.

"Son" father said, stepping around his desk and coming towards me. "Meet Ray, Ray Carlo Rossi, a business partner of mine" he introduced but I could see the worry in his gaze.

I turned to the man who stared at me with a wicked smile playing across his lip.

"Zach Dante, a pleasure to finally meet you," he said and I paused in surprise. He knew me. But how and why?