Chapter Nine: A sudden date/ let's remember that missed part.
Elr stood his ground against his brothers. He wasn't going on the blind date, and if they tried to make him, they'd have to drag him there kicking and screaming.
Albert facepalmed. "Such a pain in the rear."
Elr snapped his head toward him. "What'd you just call me?"
Albert sighed and turned away. If Elr wanted to pick a fight, then it wouldn't be with him.
Elr exhaled and leaned back against the wall, adjusting his square glasses on his sharp nose.
"Still got that eye infection?" Albert asked.
From birth, his eyesight had always been a problem — blurry, painful at times, and a mystery no doctor could solve. Even his eye colour was... odd.
The best he had were those special solid lenses that dulled the ache and a pair of thick, clear glasses to help him see at all.
Leon had been working for years on some kind of virtual aid, but nothing ever worked.
"That's what you get for burying your face in books all day," Leon scorned. "Would've been a lot easier if you took better care of them, four-eyes."
"Tch. Strong words for a guy with bulgy eyes," Elr shot back.
Leon froze -- and snapped. He rarely ever did, but that one hit the nerve.
Elr's pulse spiked. The air between them shifted, tight, electric, and ready to break.
Leon's hand darted to the stack of heavy metallic CDs beside him and flung them straight at Elr.
They missed -- barely.. and smashed against the wall inches from Elr's face, scattering shards everywhere.
"That… would've been bad," Albert breathed, frozen, his eyes wide just like Elr's.
Leon's jaw tightened. He hated more than anything to be reminded of his looks. Having two ridiculously handsome younger brothers didn't help either.
His expression darkened. Without even glancing up, he muttered in that icy tone of his,
"Bathroom. Now."
He paused, deadly calm. "You've got two minutes to be back here. Dressed. And ready to go."
Elr's throat tightened, but he said nothing. For once, he didn't argue.
Elr didn't mean to, but he saw that flicker in Leon's eyes —the one that always made him regret his words too late.
"Tch. Have it your way, then." He mumbled and walked away.
Present
``I'm only here cuz I don't want to tick him off again.`` Elr sighed.
Someone walked up to him, pulled out the chair, and sat down before him. He really didn't care, but he was also disappointed.
``Why did she have to show up now?``
Right when he was midpoint brainstorming.
Kurv squinted her eyes in disbelief. Anyone would want to talk to her even when she seems unapproachable, and yet, this guy didn't even bother looking up at her.
***
I normally don't get the right first impression about people, but this guy-- whoever he is - has to be a strong presence in this sequel.
But I hate being ignored, so that can't stand as an excuse. He was being rude by not saying anything.
Not even a 'Hi'
His tablet seemed to be the only thing of importance to him.
I bit my lip, simmering down the rage within me.
~Rule 5 on Ari's guide to Blind Dating:
•Don't chase. Let 'em start the conversation. Speaking first will only make you look desperate and a red flag they should avoid...
Ok. That's one long rule. I'm pretty much sure I didn't cram the whole sentence.
But if I stick with it, then I'll be stuck here, and leaving would be rude.
~Rule 8 ...blah blah blah..
• something about don't leave first.
Ugh!
My patience was on life support now. I could feel my left eyebrow twitching up.
"Mr. Elr, sir.."
I looked up to see a quite tall gentleman dressed in a black leather suit, his expression towards this .. Elr of a person was rather teasing and yet respectful.
As if trying to understand why he had to interrupt the silence between us, we both looked up at him, eyes sparked with annoyance.
---
Elr D'Carter looked up at Girrt. ``You little whimp. You've blown my cover! `` his mind screamed at him. He kicked Girrt from under the table, a signal that told him to undo what he just did.
Seconds ago, Elr was delighted that there was someone who couldn't see through his disguise, and that was a perfect chance to start something new.
If she doesn't recognise him or even know who he is, then he could as well play along.
And now, Girrt had ruined it.
"And Ms..? " Girrt asked, fixing his attention on Kurv —obviously trying to avoid his Boss's killer gaze.
His sentence drift was smart. At least, now Kurv only knew Elr's name and not 'who he was', he could easily tweak this to his advantage.
"Kurv. Just call me Kurv." She forced up a smile.
"Actually, I'm the assistant manager here." He brought forth a handbook which he'd been holding awhile now and placed it before Elr, still maintaining that safe distance in case a punch came flying out of nowhere.
Elr passed down the menu to Kurv. He really didn't want to spend any more than he already had initially.
The total cost of the restaurant tour was 25 million dollars. That was so much like Albert,, overpricing everything and still somehow getting more customers than expected. He seemed to be the only one benefiting the most from Kathy's scheme. Leon, however, invested more but never complained.
Elr only let it slide because part of the bill was for the last time he pulled a hideous prank on Albert, which cost the poor fellow 2 million..
"""" """" "" ""
"So many 0s!" Elr yelped, looking at the bill Albert just handed him.
The latter smirked, "I did say I'd get back at you in ten folds."
"But.. it's too much!! Leo, tell him! "
"Don't know. Don't care."
"It was just a simple prank. You're taking way too far," Elr pouted.
"Am I?"..."Because the last time I checked, I don't recall budgeting 2 fucking MILLION bucks on a plain t-shirt with your freaking FACE on it!!"
Elr chuckled at the thought of it. Amongst all the pranks he had pulled on Albert in the past, that had to be his best, because Al couldn't even refund it given the policy stated 24 hours after purchase and delivery and Albert was out of town when the delivery was made.
"That's the reason I refuse to order any designers from Tensixt-- or whatever you call it." Leon said over his shoulder.
"So accept your punishment and cut it with those mean tricks." Al snapped at Elr.
Elr's mind had already gone blur with all the losses he made this year,
'My whole life is over!'