More than a game episode 25

More than a game
→→→ Beyond jilting ←←←
🎴🎴 By Kemmy B. Gabriel (BB) 🎴🎴
🀄 Book twenty five 🀄
🍁 Lee’s standpoint 🍁
Hailey, Iris and I sat at the pool, flexing under the sun while Melody swam in the pool. Knight was m-ssaging Hailey’s feet as he grumbled and lamented. We forced him to wear bikinis and wore him a puffy blonde wig and makeup. He looked utterly ridiculous with what he was wearing and the photos we had was enough for him to do everything we wanted. Iris was smiling as she videoed Melody singing in the water, she was a good swimmer.
‘Just Hilde was enough, no plus three,’ he continued to lament. I rolled my eyes and looked at my phone, Johnny was calling.
‘Hailey, did you give my number to Johnny?’
‘No, you told me not to,’ I looked at her. ‘So I told Hans to.’
‘Hailey,’ I whined.
‘Talk to him Lee, stop avoiding your boilfriend,’ Iris said jokingly. I laughed and shook my head.
‘I’m scared,’
‘Oh for Pete’s sake,’ Hailey huffed and picked the phone. She quickly answered the call and cleared her throat. Hailey and I had the same voice, the only difference was mine was louder and filled with enthusiasm. ‘Hello Johnny,’ she said, imitating my happy voice.
‘Lee, thank goodness, I thought you were avoiding me,’ Johnny said with relief. The phone was on loudspeaker, I dropped my legs on the ground with a beating heart.
‘Oh, I am, I am avoiding you.’ She winked at me.
‘Why? What did I… Is this because of what I did back my place? Hadley, I know I shouldn’t have done that, I’m sorry, please don’t breakup with me, I beg you.’ Iris covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.
‘Look Johnny, I shouldn’t be mad at you but I…I…I don’t think I’m ready for that level yet. I’m not trying to be the until wedding night girlfriend, I really want to do it but not yet, not when I haven’t fully trusted my heart to you. I like you, yes, very very much. But, I don’t think we should jump into that level when it’s my first time…’ My eyes w¡dened as Hailey smirked at me.
Hailey have killed me!
‘First time?’
‘No you idiot, first time with you. After what happened with my ex, I made myself a promise not to rush into things, I don’t want to get hurt.’ I replied sharply.
‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ he inhaled. ‘Lee, I know Hailey have been the one answering me before and I know you have been listening, please, can you remove the phone from loudspeaker and talk to me yourself?’
‘Bursted,’ Iris said in a singsong. Melody laughed before diving back into the water.
‘If it wasn’t for me, she was planning to dump you this evening,’ I glared at Hailey. ‘You are very lucky Johnny, Lee wanted to join the convent or marry a priest…’
‘No I didn’t,’ I snapped.
‘Yes you did, you are still…’ Iris quickly covered her mouth. I grabbed my phone and ran far away from them.
‘Hey,’ I said under my breath. ‘Out of loudspeaker, let’s talk.’
‘So, you were really just going to ditch me because I tried to lure you into s€×? Are you kidding me Hadley!’
‘I’m sorry Johnny, I was scared but I wasn’t going to break up with you, I was just going to avoid you until I think of something.’
‘Why?’ He cried. ‘Why not just tell me instead of avoiding me? Do you know how bad I have been feeling since you ran out of the house? Do you know how impossible it has been to get a good sleep since you left and wouldn’t answer my calls? I knew I scared you away but…’
‘I’m sorry Johnny, don’t get mad,’ I sobbed. ‘I was afraid you would feel like I don’t love you if I say no, sad that you would leave me if I told you that I don’t want to do that yet, I want to truly get to know and love you deeper before I let our relationsh¡p go that far. I’m sorry, please don’t hate me,’ I covered my face with my palm. ‘I don’t know very much about relationsh¡ps and how it works, I’m sorry.’
‘Hadley…’
‘Lee,’ I corrected.
‘Lee, I want you to be honest with me, don’t lie because if I find out you lied, we are through.’ My heart palpitated, I held the phone to my chest, I’m having a panic attack.
Why am I panicking?
‘Hadley!’ Hailey shouted, running to me. She took the phone from me. ‘Johnny, what did you say to her?! She’s having a panic attack!’
Johnny broke up with me.
Hailey placed the phone back on my ear. ‘Lee, I want you to calm down, I’m not breaking up with you, please relax.’
‘You’re not leaving me?’ I cried.
‘No, I will only do that if you don’t tell me the truth. I love you Lee, I really do. But I have had a lot of relationsh¡ps and in all of them, I always got what I wanted just with a car-ss of my finger. I didn’t even need to date them to get what I need, my relationsh¡p is a fast moving one. Now, what I want to know is the speed at which I should move and to know how to handle you, I need to know your level of experience.’
I understood what he was asking, I knew I had to tell him because he was right. Johnny is a good person, I trust him enough and like my mom and aunties would always say, rubber duck. ‘The answer is no,’ I glanced at Hailey. ‘I have never dated before because I never ever thought about it, never did I consider myself dating someone. You are my first in everything.’ He remained quiet for a while, breathing calmly.
‘I’m sorry if I scared you, I wasn’t thinking. I promise you here and now that until you are ready, I won’t disturb you, is that okay?’
‘What if…what if…’
‘If you are worried about me cheating, don’t be. I wasn’t with any girl when you met me and I won’t be with anyone else either. I have enough problem as it is.’
‘Oh thank you J…’ I flinched when Knight scre-med. Iris pushed him into the pool. Knight is afraid of the pool, he said he almost drowned when he was a kid and since then, he fears water. Funny fact, he loves rivers, lakes and seas but fear swimming pools, idiots.
‘Help! Help! I’m drowning!’ He scre-med as he struggled in the water.
‘Who is that?’
‘Melody’s boyfriend,’ I giggled. ‘I’ll call you back later, love you Johnny.’
‘Love you too.’ I hung up and quickly turned on my phone camera.
‘Help!’ He splashed in the water, gaggling as he scre-med. Melody dragged him back anytime he was getting closer to freedom.
‘Poor Knight,’ Hailey awned. He swam to the edge but Hailey marched his head down. Melody spun downwards and pulled him in from under. Iris stayed away from the camera as she laughed too. ‘Come on boy, why wear a bikini if you can’t swim?’ Knight came out again, coughing his lungs out. He quickly climbed out, gasping for breath.
‘Witches! Witches I tell y’all! Bloody ones!’ Melody jumped out in one swift movement and pulled him back in. He shrieked like a girl before sinking into the water.
‘Knight, you’re a disgrace, you are getting bullied by girls.’ I said pitifully.
‘Grandpappy, save me!!!’
🎶 Melody’s standpoint 🎶
I walked out of the bathroom while drying my hair, the fun we had at the pool still reverberating in my head. I love being with Hailey and Lee, there is never a dull moment with them. You will always end up grinning like a fool or laughing your ass out when with them. On my own, I’m pretty much a boring person, only read, sang or do music work. But whenever I am around them, they seem to bring out my inner bad girl. Phoenix used to be my best friend, but his attitude towards girls separated us. All he talked about was ass, f-ck and more f-ck. Very stupid boy. Now I had Iris to join the team, the new cautious devil. I am sure she didn’t know how mischievous she was. I couldn’t ask for better friends. Staying with them for just two days had made me decided to cut out all my tours and extra work, start schooling with them to have a little taste of highschool life.
I threw my towel over my shoulders and walked to my bed, my phone was ringing. I plopped myself on it, my older sister was calling. My father had a daughter before he married my mother, her name is Ella. Since Ella was way older, she was married with two sons already, aging from four to one. Then I was born before my sisters, Meghann and Sapphire, the talkative twins. Finally mom had triplets, all boys. It wasn’t easy living with noise makers, that was why I moved out early. Although, Sapphire was the only five percent mature minded one amongst them.
‘Sis,’ I said enthusiastically.
‘Somebody’s happy,’ she teased.
‘Yeah, I’m with Hailey and Lee, remember?’
‘Of course,’ she chuckled. ‘Your dresses are ready and have been sent to the branch there in England. I expect you or either of the girls to go pick the package as soon as possible.’
‘Thank you Ella, how are my nephews?’
‘Listen,’ I heard her baby ranting in baby language while the other one was shouting over something with his father.
‘What are they arguing about?’
‘You won’t believe me if I tell you,’
‘Try me,’ I smiled.
‘Cornelius is an idiot, he is fighting with Flynn over who I would sleep with tonight, just ignore them.’ I laughed and shook my head.
‘Have to go Elle, getting another call, love you.’
‘Love you too,’ I hung up and quickly answered the other call.
‘Melody,’
‘Mom?’
‘Didn’t you check the caller ID?’ She snapped. She must have fought with dad again and wants to lament to me. ‘You are just like your father, stupid.’
‘What did he do this time?’
‘Can you imagine?! Eric won’t apologize for calling me a bag of potato, what is that suppose to mean!’
‘Mom, did you provoke him to?’
‘Of course not,’ she lied sharply.
‘Mom,’ I drawled.
‘Okay, maybe we were arguing and I called him something I shouldn’t have but that doesn’t give him the right to be mean to me, right?’
‘Right mom, but did you apologize as well?’
‘No, why should I?’
‘Because you called him something you shouldn’t have. Try apologizing and he will apologize too, k-sses and s€×, case close.’
‘What if I don’t want to? I am the one that deserves the apology, why should I apologize?’ She asked pettishly. Meghann is just like her, always demand respect.
‘Mother, my beautiful sweet sixteen mother, my lovely gorgeous angel,’ I praised.
‘What?’
‘If you love me more than you love him, just apologize for my sake because if you don’t, he will die. You know that poor thing can’t live without you, uhm sugar?’
‘I’m only going to do it because I love you and I miss him, but don’t tell him that…’
‘Dad! Mom says she misses you!’ I heard Meghann shout.
‘Meghan!’
‘And she loves you so much she is going to die if you don’t forgive her…aaah! Dad save me!’ Mom threw her phone somewhere and chased her. I was going to hang up when Sapphire spoke.
‘Don’t hang up,’ she said sharply. ‘Hi baby sis!’
‘I don’t blame you Sapphire, I blame your brain. Now what do you want?’
‘Are you and Knight back together?’
‘No, why ask?’
‘Because you can’t stand him but you were in the video torturing him,’
‘What video?’
‘The one Lee uploaded about him being your slave for the week,’
Why Lee!
‘That will cause a scandal!’
‘I know, that’s why I’m asking but I guess you weren’t aware… Hey can I take your car? I want to drive it to my crush’s party, it will make them respect me.’
‘First of all, don’t you dare go to my house. Second of all, you are thirteen, you can’t drive!’
‘I have a driver you know,’
‘I took the keys along with me you know,’ I said mockingly. ‘You have a father and he ain’t broke, use his own car or money to buy one. Dad has a lot of cars, why must you always take mine?’
‘Melody, I love you.’ She said sweetly. Those words kills me and she knows it. I sighed heavily.
‘The key is in,side the book I left on my bed, love you too.’
‘Yes! Thank you so much, bye Mel! And don’t think about the scandal, just go with the flow and send me the full gist later, I’m curious.’
‘Goodbye,’ I hung up and exhaled. The management did instruct me to find a way to start a scandal that would pull attention to me so it was all good. I dialed my manger’s number to confirm if it wasn’t a big problem. ‘Hello, Francis?’
‘I’ve been trying to reach you for over two hours now. Are you seeing Knight again?’
‘No, he is my friend’s cousin.’
‘What friend? How did you two end up playing when you can’t stand him?’
‘The summary is that I don’t hate him and he is slave to my cousins and friend who is his cousin.’
‘This is perfect for a scandal. No one knew you and Knight dated before, at least the media isn’t aware. With you two dating now, we can later resurface your past relationsh¡p, brilliant idea.’
‘Your idea, and we aren’t dating,’
‘They don’t need to know that. I have been instructed to contact his agency and discuss about this new idea, it would be good for both agencies.’
‘Is my father aware of this? He told me to start a scandal but not with the same boy that broke my heart.’ I huffed.
‘I’m sure you can speak to him about it, right?’ I hung up on him. There goes my happiness.
Bluey who was sleeping on the sofa rolled over to lay on her tummy. She yawned, opening her wide mouth and sampling her large teeth. She stretched as she yawned, wagging her tail. ‘Blue, can you believe they want me to start a scandal with Knight?’
‘Yeah, why?’ Surprise? I understand Bluey very well.
‘Why what?’
‘Why should I be surprise?’ She opened her big blue eyes and blinked slowly.
‘Why not with someone else?’ I complained.
‘Do you know why I let you date him in the first place?’ I rolled my eyes thoughtfully, I had always wondered why. ‘Because I knew that Knight is the one for you, your soulmate. I might have acted otherwise but that is the truth, the very truth. I was given one duty when my parents left me here and that was to protect you, to guide you in everything you do. Melody, stop fighting it and accept him back…’
‘Even when he won’t show remorse?’ I asked frowningly.
‘Because he doesn’t say it out doesn’t mean he don’t feel it, don’t judge him Mel.’ She said yawningly.
‘I can’t go back to my vomit,’ I said firmly.
‘I am expected to age and grow weak before I turn twenty three which is the limit of a domesticated black jaguar here. I cannot live here by then because one, I am not aging anytime soon and two, when you turn eighteen, right as the clock strike 0hour in the morning of the next day, I will return back to my world, my home. I cannot live here forever, my true form will be impossible to hide at that time. I must leave Mel, but before then, I want to make sure I set everything in place, put you in the arms of someone who comfort you and Knight is that person. Have I ever said anything and was wrong about it?’
‘No, you have never.’ I sobbed.
‘Don’t cry Mel, I’m not leaving yet.’
‘I know,’ I closed my eyes and thought of how my life without Bluey would be. I had known her since I was a baby, her name was my first word. She supported me when I took my first step, played with me all the time. Life without her would be meaningless, but it had to happen anyways.
I stayed like that, just thinking and sobbing, she didn’t come to comfort me. I folded myself up as I cried, I’ll miss her so much. ‘Melody?’
‘Go away,’ I cried. Knight sat down anyways, Bluey called him over to comfort me instead of her. She wanted me to grow attach to him, so our bond wouldn’t be that strong. Bluey gave me more fame, more admirers. The beautiful and talented daughter of singer Eric Briceno whose pet is a black jaguar with blue hair on her head.
‘Is this about the scandal? Do you hate it?’
‘It’s something else,’
‘Mind sharing?’
‘Why should I share it with you? You are a good for nothing cheat. I gave you everything I could, tried my possibly best to make our relationsh¡p work but you just couldn’t rest until you broke it with assumptions and accusations. Why Knight? Why? What did I ever do to you?’ I cried convulsively.
‘You already know my reasons, I told them to you when you dumped me but all I can say now is that I’m sorry, please forgive me. I know a sorry won’t take the pain and hate away, but I hope you can still give me a chance to redeem myself, redeem my wrongs. Please Mel, love me once again.’
I sighed as I dozed off, my mind registered sleep and not his words. ‘I want to sleep Knight, leave my room.’
‘Wear something before you catch a cold,’
‘Tired,’ I murmured. I felt him move, he returned and wore me a coat before properly laying me on the bed. I missed having him babysit me. Even though he was quite annoying back then, Knight was the most caring person beside Hans that I know. ‘Knight, will you stay with me until I fall asleep?’
‘Even after you fall asleep, I will still be here.’ He promised.
‘Thanks Knight.’
⚡ Hans’ standpoint ⚡
Phoenix and the guys laughed as they all watched the video Lee posted of Knight. I understood how it felt to be in the midst of those three ladies. Melody might be gentle and soft, but when with Lee and Hailey, she is as much of a wee devil as they are. I won’t judge him wearing bikinis and getting drowned by them, they are evil. The only problem was that Melody and Knight together would surely start a scandal once the fun of the joke is over, hope they are ready for it. Anyways, I was busy with my phone while everyone watched the video. By everyone, I meant Jonathan, Phoenix, Riley, Jet, Billy, Spencer and two other boys you don’t know.
‘But come to think of it, how did that b-ra fit him?’ Riley asked stupidly. ‘Whose person’s b-ra is that?’
‘Does that matter?’ Jet asked with a scoff.
‘Someone else was laughing at the background, such a beautiful laugh, female of course.’ Spencer, that dude and I might fight over Iris in the future.
‘Wouldn’t this ruin his career?’
‘Ruin someone world known as a clown,’ I snorted. ‘Knight would be fine, Melody is who I’m worried about.’
‘Dammit Hans, you are surrounded by the hottest girls.’ Jonathan laughed.
‘I know, I wonder…’
‘Have you heard from Iris?’ Spencer cut me off. I narrowed my eyes at him. ‘I’m just asking, relax dude, just asking.’
‘Yeah, how is Iris?’ Jonah asked to cover up for him.
‘She’s fine,’
‘Next question, did you see the announcement Tobias McMillan made? He said he is revealing his successor in few days.’ Billy looked at me curiously.
‘What?’ I asked feigning ignorance.
‘He is your sisters’ godfather and judging by the fact that they are already there, it means they are aware and you are too. Who is he?’ I rolled my eyes to Phoenix who chuckled.
‘Phoenix, he said he,’ I said jestingly.
‘He indeed,’ Phoenix said with an Australian accent.
‘Isn’t he one?’ My phone luckily rang, it was no other than Violet. I sighed and cut the call. ‘You have been avoiding her,’ Spencer said as a matter-of-fact. ‘Don’t you want her anymore?’
‘No, I’m done with her.’
‘You know Iris is going to come back and find out you cheated,’ I glared at him.
‘That is for me to worry about, thank you Spencer.’ I said sarcastically. A message popped in from Violet.
You can never run away from me Hans, we are forever meant to be. In less than two weeks, you will accept the fact that I am yours and yours to be for life. I can’t wait to see your face when that time comes.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her confident. ‘Somebody have been dreaming big,’ Phoenix said as he read the message too. ‘The person’s face I can’t wait to see is hers.’
‘And see we shall,’ I copied his fake Australian accent. He gave a mock salute and smacked Jonathan’s head for no reason.
‘What the hell man!’
‘For k-ssing my sister without coming to seek permission from the gods,’
‘Phoenix, hope you remember everyone here is older than you?’
Can someone put a rein over Spencer’s mouth?!
‘No matter what happens in this life, a two years old can never get pregnant and bear a child, especially a boy.’ Jet replied with disgust.
‘Oh Jet, I hereby bless your union with my sister, although you will still pay but I can reduce the expenses for you…’ I walked out of the gym, we were at my place, dialing Iris’ number.
‘Hello this is Lady Hilde speaking, how can I help you peasant?’ Her calm voice said from the other end. I smiled and leaned on the wall right outside the beginning of the hallway.
‘Very funny Iris,’
She giggled. ‘Hi Hans, did you see the news?’
‘Mm hm, Violet already sent me a message.’
‘You are still with her? You don’t need her anymore,’ I shoved my free hand into my front pocket, smiling at her jealousy.
‘I know, I stopped talking to her but she won’t leave me be, I tire of it.’
‘But you don’t like her, right?’
‘Why should I like her when I love you?’ I said playfully.
‘You are crazy, get yourself a girlfriend and leave me alone, I don’t love you.’
‘Iris,’
‘Yes sweetie?’
‘Will you marry me?’ She burst into laughter, making me smile w¡der. ‘Come on, say yes.’
‘Hans, you are not serious or mentally sound.’ She said laughingly.
‘Just agree to marry me Iris, let’s be together for the rest of our lives, say yes?’
‘Okay, I’ll marry you, happy?’
‘What thy Lord has joined together, let no man put asunder. k-ss k-ss…?’
‘Mwah,’ she completed between her laugh.
‘Now, honeymoon,’
‘Gosh Hans, I don’t have your time, goodnight and don’t bug me, I’m busy…’
‘Wait!’ I shouted.
‘What?’
‘You haven’t told me I love you back,’
‘So seriously?’ She asked laughingly.
‘I love you, no jokes Iris.’ I said seriously.
‘Hans, are you messing with me now?’
‘No, I’m not Iris, I’m serious. Even if you don’t love me, I’ll make you get there, see in a few days.’ I hung up with a smirk, that should keep her in shock for a few days. I turned around to walk back to the gym, only to see Spencer quietly running back into the gum. He was eavesdropping. If Iris is ever to return to the school, I’ll have to keep an eye on him.
🎀 Hailey’s standpoint 🎀
Lee and I were done arranging our dresses, Iris was on the phone. Lee went there to take the dresses while I went out to buy shoes, Melody went out with Knight. Since they settled their differences the previous day, they had been better friends. Though they went to meet Knight’s manager, it was a good start.
‘Hailey,’ Lee whispered while tapping me.
‘What?’
‘Iris,’ I looked over at Iris. She sat on the windowsill with mouth open and phone stuck to her ear. ‘What’s up?’ I shrugged.
‘Better get her away from the window before she faints,’ I went back to arranging the jewelry. I kept the final box just as Iris broke out in a shriek. I scre-med because of her sudden scre-m.
‘What?’
‘Oh my God!’ She scre-med louder, Lee was scre-ming and jumping on her bed too.
‘Come on, tell me, Lee?’ I asked curiously.
‘I don’t know, I’m just jumping.’ I face palmed myself.
‘Hans said he loves me! Hailey, he said I love you!’ Iris shrieked.
‘He did?’
‘Yes!’
‘Oh,’ I tilted my head. Wow, Hans is a go-getter. I shrugged and took off my slippers. I climbed onto the bed and joined them in celebrating.
To be continued.
Finally! I’m jumping to the party in the next book, so the story will get back on track. The new successor revealing.
Oh Violet.
Remember to like and comment, really don’t have much strength.
🎶🎶 Authoress Kemmy B. Gabriel 🎶🎶