Chapter 13: Arrangements

Book:The Billionaire's Karma Published:2024-5-1

Rhezi looked at her phone when it blink. It was a message from her mother. She abruptly took the phone and read the message. She pouted and frowned. When she read the message, her mood became worse. She hastily put her smartphone into the bag she was carrying after turning it off.
“What are you thinking, fatty brat?”
Rhezi frowned hearing those words. She looked at the man in front of him, it was Jericho, her enemy. Unfortunately they were partners in a school project. She complained about it but their teacher did not care. Worse, Jericho seemed to like the idea.
They headed to a well-known restaurant in BGC. They offer private rooms, so the atmosphere is clean and quiet. Rhezi just discovered that it belonged to Jericho’s family. She was impressed but it vanished into thin air in an instant. She just couldn’t stand his guts and boastfulness.
“I am not thinking of you, so chill. As if I would,” she replied, ruling her eyes.
Jericho chuckled and shook his head. Nothing at all could possibly dampen his mood. He then turned his own laptop around and reached for a Lays on the table, eating it before starting to type.
The two quietly continued what they were doing. Type here. Type there. Research here. Research there. They were focused on finishing their obligation. Even though their hand is tired and their back needs to rest, they didn’t care. They still did what they needed to do.
“Do you have a crush, Rhezi?” Jericho suddenly asked.
Rhezi turned to Jericho while frowning. She gazed at the young man in shock. While Jericho intently looking at her that the mocking guy she knew couldn’t even see on his face.
“No,” Rhezi replied, shaking her head. Then she scowled and frowned. She was tired. She has spent a full five hours for their project. It was also late and she was hungry. There is a lot of food laid out on the table for the two of them but, shel insists on dieting for her future. . . Future with Kraius.
Rhezi grinned at the idea. Before those moments with Kraius the last night, she hardly experienced seeing someone waiting for her at the entrance of their mansion. Additionally, she never considered and thought that someone would give her a warm embrace and an unreserved kiss in front of her own home.
But Kraius did.
It was new to her.
Kraius did things that she wasn’t expecting, making her unable to determine what was her true feelings for him. Wether she was infatuated or in love, it was still a good feeling. Unexplainable yet overwhelming.
Rhezi grinned and caressed her own lips because of the thought. Kraius’ smooth lips could still be felt by her. The way he gently caressed, including his teasing move. All was surreal.
“Are you okay?” Jericho asked cluelessly.
Rhezi abruptly looked at Jericho. She blinked a few times to shrugged her thoughts off. “I’m almost done. Are you done?” Rhezi asked.
Despite his grimace, Jericho eventually nodded. Upon hearing his reply, Rhezi grinned. In fact, she gave a very light handclap. She then gave him a dejected look which made Jericho’s eyes widened.
“Let’s go?” Rhezi happily said.
“Fine! Are you sure you don’t want to eat?” Jericho asked.
Rhezi shook her head and looked at the time on her wrist. She was worn out and it was ten o’clock at night. She needed to unwind and get some rest, recovering from the terrible night that followed after the kiss from Kraius and a few other sleepless nights.
“I will go now.” She stood up and put all her things inside her bag. She stop when she noticed Jericho did not even move and was staring at her all the time. “Why aren’t you moving?” she asked.
“C-can I send you home?”
“Huh?” Rhezi’s eyebrow furrowed. What the hell did Jericho said?
She cleared her throat to avoid her annoyance. Looking at the man, he was as if he was expecting her to say yes.
In his dreams, she thought to herself.
But damn, how would she say it? He seemed hopeful with his puppy eyes.
Rhesi sighed. “Okay.” And walked out of the room, Jericho followed.
They walked in silence until the young boy asked, “Can we do this again, Rhezi?”
Rhezi stopped walking. She turned to Jericho while holding her laptop on her chest. There was a glint of astonishment on her eyes. Did she hear him right?
“Why? W-why are you asking me these things?”
For a while, Jericho did not answer. He scratched his head while looking at Rhezi uncertainly. “I like you-”
“LIKE WHO?”
Jericho got interrupted, even Rhezi got stunned. She didn’t know what to do at that moment, if she would just stood there or looked at the man behind them. She was thrilled though nervous. She just couldn’t deny the fact that Kraius’voice was too familiar, even his presence was too obvious she couldn’t stand and bear. It undeniably occupied her system.
She turned to him slowly. “Hi!” With nervous voice, she finally said.
“Let’s go.” Kraius said with an authoritative tone and a serious face.
Rhezi nooded, her smile faded. She could sensed Kraius feeling mad which was odd because she doesn’t even know why.
What the heck!
Kraius walked out. He strolls swiftly. To keep up with it, Rhezi move quickly as well. She followed him and left Jericho, dumbfounded. They didn’t even mind if the women inside that restaurant were looking at Kraius. Unintentionally, the young lawyer still grabbed the attention even when he was only wearing cargo shorts and a white V-neck shirt. Though his hair is also a bit messy, it further adds to his appeal.
Kraius got in the car first. He opened the car door without any word. Despite the silence, Rhezi still got into his car. Kraius followed, pushing himself in the driver’s seat.
“Are you mad at me?” Rhezi asked.
Kraius shifted his gaze but didn’t utter a word. He only looked at the girl and started the car’s engine after.
The deafening silence between was evident. No one dared to speak. But when Rhezi realized they were taking another route, her forehead furrowed. She looked at Kraius who was still driving seriously, while gripping the steering wheel tightly.
“Where are you taking me?” Kraius did not speak. “This is not right, Kraius!” She slapped his shoulder lightly.
Kraius suddenly stopped the car.
Rhezi sank into the dashboard. She looked at her angrily and spat, “Are you going to kill me?”
Kraius sighed and looked at Rhezi. He touched her forehead which is now turning red. He even caressed her hair slowly, giving Rhezi a different feeling of uncertainty.
“Could you please talk to me?” She started to feel impatient and irritated.
“You turned off your phone because you are with that guy!” It wasn’t a question but a statement. Kraius’ face was clearly annoyed as he stared at her. Then, the realization hit her. She abruptly took her phone out of her bag and checked it.
Off.
She turned it off because of her mother who kept on bothering her with all her instructions. Her parents will have a trip and she was left alone in their house at Forbes. It annoyed her that her mother still treat her as a child. Where in fact, she grew up independent.
“I’m sorry,” Rhezi said and looked at Krius. The concern on his face was still there and she couldn’t help but stare at his dark brown eyes. “Is that why you’re mad?” she asked.
“I roamed around the city just to find you. And seeing you with that boy-”
“Are you jealous at him?” Rhezi cut Kraius off. She put her hand up, holding her phone. “Off remember.” She smiled at him even though she still feel annoyed. “Next time, don’t look for me, okay.”
“How could you say that? You’re my girlfriend, remember?”
Now, she got stunned. Is he serious?
“K-Kraius. . .” She didn’t know what to say anymore. She just felt his intense gaze which made her speechless.
Think, think, think. . .
“I will bring you to my house. Your Mom asked me to; even my Mom. We will be spending the whole night with each other.”
“B-but why?” Really, Rhezi? She’s surely knew she was as red as tomato.
“Because they want to.” Kraius lifted his hand and touched Rhezi’s face. He made sure that her eyes were on him while he was looking at her too. “Why? You don’t want to?” Now, he’s teasing her.
“I am-I don’t know what to say.” Rhezi stuttered. She was like drowning to his brown eyes while her heart was pounding so hard that she couldn’t breath.
Kraius smiled. “Good. For now, let’s go and eat. I am famished. I’ve been insanely thinking about you for the past three hours. What did you do to me, Chubz?” Kraius confessed.
It was now or never for Kraius. So, he did what he really wanted from the very moment he saw her. He leaned down his head and claimed Rhezi’s kissable and tempting lips.