Chapter Two

Kate's POV

Later, Jerry and I met our bestie Julie at Burger King. We decided to grab some burgers before going to the bar. Jerry was at the counter, ordering food for us, when I told Julie about the deal.

"Hook up with a random guy? Oh gosh, Kate, you're in for a trap. When was the last time you entertained a man in your life? Four years ago?" Julie looked puzzled.

"Aha..."

"My goodness, I can't imagine. You could end up with a playboy." Julie looked puzzled.

"You're right." My lips twisted with distaste. "With a probability of 99%."

"Exactly. Are you sure you're into it? You hate playboys."

Hate was an understatement. I really hated playboys. My dad was a rotten playboy with strings of mistresses in every corner of the country. He used to be a book salesman and travelled as often as he could. He enjoyed his job, got good commissions, and had the pleasure of hooking up with his customers.

Mom found out about his infidelity and talked to him about it, but he was the one who got so mad, cursing at Mom and calling her an ungrateful bitch. After too many arguments, he left us and totally cut off his relationship with us. No financial support, contacts, visits, or whatsoever. He easily forgot about us, and after a year, he got married again to a filthy rich socialite. They even have a daughter!

Mom was heartbroken—so was I. I was five years old at that time and being left by my dad, who made me believe that I was his princess and the most precious one, was so painful. Every time I had my birthday, I kept on waiting for him to come, to call, or just send a note, but nothing. He forgot about me. He hated Mom, and he hated me.

Mom is right. He's a cheater, a liar, and a rotten playboy.

"Kate?" Julie snapped her fingers in front of my face. "You're spacing out!"

"Sorry, I just remembered something." I swept my straight black hair over my shoulders before I continued. "Don't worry, I'm positive I'll win again. Think of the two months rental in the apartment that I could save for a new car."

"I totally agree. You have to dispose of that car. You've spent too much already, having it repaired all the time." Julie suggested.

"Just a few more bucks for the down payment."

"In case youl win, I'm willing to give you my share of the apartment."

"Please no, Julie. You have a bigger problem. Your mom will need it for her medication."

Julie's mom has Lupus and recently, her condition got worse. Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissues.

"Thank you, Kate. You've been very helpful to us from the very start. I don't know how I would survive without you."

"Don't think about it. We're sisters, right?"

"Absolutely. Sisters from different mothers."

We laughed, and I could not help but reminisce how our friendship started. Julie and I had been best friends since I entered university. We were both scholars and were taking the same course, Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. We've been classmates and shared the same struggle in life—the hardship of being raised by a single parent with not enough food on the table. It was so easy to relate to her. We worked and studied pretty hard to keep our scholarships.

"By the way, this deal is about Michael...what are the chances of winning?"

"101%."

"Good."

Both of us giggled, feeling victorious already.

***

To our disappointment, it didn't take too long to find out that Michael was gay. We opened the app Grindr, the world's largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people to connect. We saw Michael's profile, looking for a man.

"This is unfair. You knew all along that Michael is gay. You already searched for his profile on Grindr right?" I accused Jerry for tricking me into this deal.

"Of course not! Why would I do that? I'm not interested in Michael. To be honest, I would go for someone who has a more manly look. Tall, dark, and gorgeous big men. I don't waste my precious time on the likes of him. He's so pale...like a zombie. Is it true that he auditioned for the Walking Dead movie?"

"You're so harsh, Jerry. The first time you saw Michael, you said he was your type. You're a fickle-minded bitch!" Julie backfired at Jerry.

"That's right. Michael ignores you, that's why you're salty." I seconded.

Jerry's eyes widened, and we all roared in laughter.

"Don't torture Kate, she's your cousin." Julie said after we finished our burgers, bringing the topic back to the deal.

"Why would I torture her? In fact, I'm helping her get over her phobia with men." Jerry answered then sipped on his glass of soda.

"Excuse me? I don't have a phobia with men." I defended myself.

"Okay, let me rephrase it. You hate men. You're a certified man-hater."

"Nope, I don't hate men. I hate playboys not men."

"But you think the majority of the men are playboys, right?"

"Come on, Jerry. You know damn well why. You were there... you saw it."

"Yeah...yeah...your dad is a playboy who left you and your mom miserable and penniless, then there's your pathetic low self-esteemed favorite teacher who attempted suicide because of her playboy ex, and your favorite celebrity couple, who were both polygamous in nature, broke up because of the same reason, and your first love, the narcissistic prince charming Toni Babinski turned out to be a playboy..." Jerry flipped his ash blond hair then pointed at Julie, "and here comes this bitch...yes you, Julie, your experience became an addition to her intense hate on playboys."

"Don't blame me." Julie glared at Jerry.

"Shut up, of course I'm blaming you. You're so stupid, you won't listen to us. Remember when we caught Ethan in the mall with another girl, you pretended that you didn't see him."

"Okay! I was stupid, you don't have to point it out to me again and again. I learned my lesson now." Julie almost shouted at Jerry. "Can't you see I'm still hurt! Your constant reminder won't help me forget about that jerk!"

Yeah, they looked like they were fighting, but it was normal for us. We were brutally honest with each other. We called each other bitches, stupid, assholes, and other mean words, but that's how we were as best of friends.

Jerry gave Julie an apologetic look. "Aww...sorry, sister." His attention shifted to me easily. "Anyways, back to our topic, I just want to help you, Kate. Think about it... how many men you know personally are playboys? Not even ten. I don't understand why in the world you would think that the majority of the men are playboys? I don't see any logic there, that's why I want to help you get over that notion and start entertaining men."

"I don't want to argue with you now, or we'll end up nowhere." I held my arms together under my chest and stood my ground. "Okay, but I'll be the one to choose the guy."

"Sure, no worries." Jerry agreed. "And you have to get his number."

"Is that necessary?" Julie interrupted Jerry.

"Of course. How can they contact each other again?"

"Okay, I'll get it. I think that's easy." I was too sure of myself.

Jerry's eyes gleamed and answered. "Let's see."

***

We arrived at the bar at nine thirty in the evening. Jerry drove us there using his pink Mazda 3 2014 model.

It was an exclusive bar for very high-class people located within the vicinity of the New World Hotel. The parking lot was like a showroom of very expensive cars, mostly from Bugatti, Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini.

There was a lobby when we entered the bar with modern and elegant furnishings. Smaller chandeliers were placed in every corner of the ceiling and the biggest was at the center near the main door. Big, soft-padded couches were at the sides with huge marble tables.

Jerry's boyfriend, Roy, who worked as a bouncer, greeted us. He showed us inside the bar where the action was. Loud music greeted us when he opened a double swing door that resembled those in the movie theatres. I could smell the combination of liquor, cigarettes, leather, perfume, and food.

Immediately, I recognized the DJ on stage playing the live music. It was Zedd! Instantly, the three of us became very excited and euphoric!

"Let's dance!" Julie shouted behind the deafening music.

"Later!" I yelled back. "We have to find a table first."

We got a table and settled happily on the soft padded couch. Roy gave us complimentary ladies' drinks then left us to go back to his job.

Later, we joined the people crowding in front of DJ Zedd, dancing and drinking tequila. The three of us forgot about the deal and just let the night fly. All we cared about was the fun that we were having and DJ Zedd.

At eleven, we were a bit tipsy, so we decided to chill and go to the lobby. We needed to clear our heads and relax our ears from the loud music. We sat down on the stools of the standing table near the door where the party was going on. We were talking and laughing when the main door suddenly opened. My jaw dropped open when the hottest guy I've ever seen in my whole life entered.

Oh my god...

He had clean cut, jet-black hair that glistened under the chandelier, making him look like he was freshly out from the shower. He looked like a model...no...a movie star, like the young James Bond in his very white shirt with the top button opened and black dinner jacket.

No, not James Bond...much, much more. His sex appeal made me breathless. When he moved, he resembled a panther—walking towards me in slow motion.

Is he walking in slow motion? Or am I only imagining it?

His eyes were like a hawk, so dark and compelling. He had a chiseled face like that of a Greek god, so captivatingly attractive, a perfect nose and beautiful lips. I wondered how it felt to be kissed by those lips.

My heartbeat stopped when his eyes caught mine. Oh no...he caught me staring at him. But for some reason, I could not take my eyes off him, liked I was possessed by godly good looks.

He continued walking to the door to the party, but his eyes were on me. When he entered, I was able to relax.

"I saw that. I saw that..." Jerry snapped behind me.

"Me, too. Oh girl... what's that all about?"

"You're a flirt! You're staring at that yummy specimen like you're going to have him for dessert!" Jerry giggled. "I thought you're a man-hater..."

"Shut up, Jerry." I stopped him from talking by covering his big mouth.

"He's so gorgeous! Who is that guy? A celebrity?" Julie asked.

"I don't know. Maybe a model?" I answered.

"Yeah, he looks like a pin-up centerfold model. Hmm... I think I saw him in a magazine in Calvin Klein briefs." Jerry interrupted us.

"Really? Where? Let me see!" Julie giggled.

"Stupid, I'm just kidding. Come on, let's go inside, and find that godly human being so we can worship him. Hurry, girls!" Jerry snapped his fingers and we followed him towards the door of the party...the same door leading to my soul's death.