More than a game episode 32

??? More than a game ???

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? Book thirty two ?

 

 

? Phoenix’s standpoint ?

I sighed tiredly as I walked to my car with my bag hanging down from my shoulder and hands in my pockets. I stared at my feet, unable to look at any of the girls waving and skrie-king at me, it was a waste of time. I still couldn’t get Iris’ image off my mind, it was calling me over. It wasn’t right, I shouldn’t be lvsting after my brother’s girlfriend, they were in love and d@t!ngso I wasn’t suppose to do that. Getting to my car, I placed my hands on the roof and leaned on it. I inhaled sharply, those legs of hers sli-pping into my thoughts.

‘Phoenix!’

Damn it!

‘Phoenix!’ I sighed and whirled around of face her with a small smile. She was wearing her cheerleader uniform with a black hose to cover her legs. She ran over to me with a grin, her ponytail swishing behind her. ‘Hey,’ she puffed. ‘I’ve been calling you since forever, where did you keep your mind?’

‘Places it shouldn’t be,’ I admitted evasively.

‘Right, can you drive me home?’

‘Huh?’

‘Sorry, Hailey had to attend the school board meeting, Mel ran out for a conference and Lee is busy helping Johnny to do something. Hans would have taken me but he has football practice and I can’t wait.’ She explained, bouncing from one foot to the other.

‘Er… Can’t you take his car?’

‘Do you have a problem driving me?’ She asked back, folding her arms with a sm-irk. I shook my head negatively and turned around. I brou-ght my car key from my pocket and beeped my car open. The doors raised up like wings, ma-king a robotic sound. Iris ran over to the pas-s£nger door which happened to be the only door aside the driver’s. I sli-pped into my car and ignite it as the door shut. ‘I’m actually going to the hospital.’

‘Why?’

‘I don’t suppose you want to be an uncle now,’ she said humorously. ‘I’m not re-ady to be a mom either so I’ve got to get myself some pills.’

‘Uhm,’ I drove out of the school compound. ‘Do you have a family doctor?’

‘Yes, Grandpappy called one before I got here, Dr. Ryan Walker.’

‘Oh, that’s my uncle, the one who owns the hospital your mother is at.’ I said smilingly.

‘Uncle? Which of them?’

‘Let’s see,’ I shook my head for the easiest way to explain our relationsh!p. ‘My mother’s older sister’s husband’s cousin sister’s husband.’

‘Huh?’ She laughed. ‘You should have just said Ivan’s father.’

‘I didn’t know you knew Ivan,’ I shrugged. ‘How much do you know about my family?’

‘Mostly your mother’s sister’s family, I just know Ivan,’ she giggled. ‘He wants to be a doctor, right?’

‘Yes, he wants to be. His younger sister would take after what their mother have. Aunt Kristal owns a hvge woman right organization and shoes and bag company.’

‘What about your Uncle Sebastiano?’

‘Nothing much, he didn’t give birth early so his children are still quite young. He has just three children.’

‘Interesting,’ she leaned back on the chair and closed her eyes. ‘I can’t let the doctor call to inform Grandpappy that I bought pills.’ She opened her eyes and brou-ght out her phone.

‘What are you going to do?’

‘Call and tell him myself,’ she smiled.

‘Tell him about something you shouldn’t?’ I asked astoundingly.

‘It is better for him to hear straight from the horses mouth… Hello, good evening Grandpappy… Very well thank you… No, it wasn’t stressful, it was rather appealing and fun…’ She laughed. ‘Hans isn’t treating me bad, not at all…’ She glanced at me. ‘In fact, he has been treating me too well,’ she blu-shed and bit herl-ip. ‘Yes Grandpappy, last night. I’m sorry if it offends you but he is my b©yfri£ndand betrothed and we love each other very much… No sir… Yes sir… Sorry, grandpappy, I am on my way to see Doctor Walker right now, I know the consequences involve if I get pregnant… Heh heh, yes daddy, I know you want to see my child but you should know better… Grandpappy!’ She skrie-ked laughingly. ‘Alright, love you too and I will still let him sleep with me because I love him and it, you should know how sweet it is.’

‘Wow,’ I glanced at her. ‘Is she that free with the him?’ I muttered.

‘Grandpappy, st©p,’ she laughed embarras-sedly, covering her face. ‘No, I’m not telling you the size, mind your business… Ta! Don’t even say that, mind your own… You are too old… Grandpappy, plea-se leave me alone, goodnight.’ She hung up as she laughed.

‘He wasn’t mad?’

‘Nope, just wants me to be careful and tea-sed me,’ she dropped her phone on the dash board and crossed her legs. ‘So Phoenix, ever d@t£d any girl officially?’

‘For what reason should I do that?’ I scoffed.

‘Let me rephrase that, have you ever liked any girl?’

‘Yes,’ I replied bluntly. ‘Liked her so much but she turned out to be a lesbian,’ I gr!pp£dthe steering wheel angrily. ‘It broke my heart and from there I never thought about love again.’

‘Ouch,’ she laughed. ‘Don’t you feel like loving someone for a change? Give another girl a chance?’

‘Love is useless to me,’ she pat my head. ‘I know it exist but it is of no use to me, I can’t love.’

‘The best way to re-move your mind from promiscuity is to have a strong s-en-se of commitment and responsibility. Love gives you a strong s-en-se of commitment if you truly love the person.’

‘So, you are saying that I should randomly fall in love with someone?’ I scoffed.

‘You know what, nevermind,’ she waved it off dismissively. ‘Have you contacted Ella?’

‘Yes, she said they would get back to me later in the evening.’

‘That’s nice, tell me when she calls you, okay?’ I nodded. I drove into the hospital, smiling faintly. I parked the car carefully, watching her from the corner of my eyes. ‘Thanks Phoenix!’ She opened the door and jumped out, sighing with a bright smile. Iris was very happy and enthusiastic. I will do anything to get a girl like her.

~

~

~

After dropping Iris home, I went back to the pub dad took me to. I sat down at a table close to a window and waited for the waitress to get my order. I focused my attention on my chat with Ella, she wanted me to join her and would make up my first fashion show. The excitement was so intense I forgot all about Iris and her unintentional se-duction.

‘Excuse me sir,’ I raised my head and smiled at the waitress. Her mouth fell open dazedly, that girl again.

‘Thank you, you can drop the food…’

‘Y…y…y…yes sir,’ she stammered. She was a small tan skinned girl with pale black hair and small almond shaped pale blue eyes, like powder blue eyes. I looked down at her, she had big bo-ob s, small curves and looked rou-gh and lean, like she hadn’t been eating good food for years. Her skin was dry and I could tell that her over mature look c@m£ from stress and suffering.

Tilting my head to the side, I observed every bit of skin visible to my eyes as she dropped the plates. She had few faint scars on her hands, one at her n£¢k and a little cut on her forehead, a maim. Her eyes were shallow, swallowing her beauty and ma-king her look like a old woman. I saw her stylishly drag her sleeve down to cover the injury she had on her forearm, one that wasn’t being treated. Something moved me, something melted my heart. For the first time in forever, I felt the nee-d to help someone other than myself. I saw the beauty that lied within, one covered by poverty and struggle. I looked at her face, smiling lightly. ‘What’s your name?’

‘Jasmine sir,’ she bowed and turned to leave.

‘Will you sit with me?’ I asked politely. A g@sp left her mouth as she stepped back, eyes wi-dening from shock.

‘Me? You want me to sit with you?’

‘Yes, who else is standing here?’

‘Don’t you want someone else? Like Vanessa, Mary, Zerah…’

‘Why would I ask for someone I don’t know?’ He asked with one brow raised.

‘You don’t know me either. Plus, I’m a junior chief, not one of the as-signed extra servicer. I can’t go home with you if that is what you are implying. I don’t even know why you would choose me in the first place, but I am un-derage and according to the rules here, you only get to spend a night with a girl above eighteen.’ She ended the stammering mess she call a statement. I placed my hand on my cheek and rest it elbow on the table, staring at her with amusement. She stepped back nervously, fumbling with the hem of her Sk-irt, her dead $h!t she calls a Sk-irt.

‘Madam,’ I dropped my hand, my ring ban-g against the table. ‘Did I tell you I nee-d any who-re to sleep with? I simply asked for you to sit down so I can ask you what’s on my mind. It’s not everyday I feel so compas-sionate and now that I’m acting on it, don’t make me change my mind. Now sit down.’ I commanded. Just like every other girl, she would sit at my command.

‘Tch,’ she scoffed, folding her arms defiantly. ‘Is that a request, a plea or an order?’

‘Order,’ she sneered and turned her back on me.

‘Too bad, I don’t take orders.’ She threw her head and made to walk off when I st©pped her.

‘St©p, it’s a plea.’ She whirled around with a grin, one that simply suggested I be nicer.

‘Won’t you say it?’

‘Say what?’ I murmured. ‘Nevermind then,’ I picked up my food to begin eating. She walked back to the table and sat down. ‘I said nevermind.’

‘I’m sorry, I hate commands,’ I looked at her pouting face and bur-st into laughter. ‘What?’

‘plea-se, don’t ever pout with those eyes, you look like a hungry guinea pig begging for food, don’t plea-se.’ I said between my laugh.

‘But my brother said I look nice, cute.’ She said pompously with nose raised in pride.

‘Well, your brother is a fv¢king liar. He hates you.’ I laughed and placed my hand on the table.

‘Well, that’s bad,’ I looked at her with a smile. ‘What’s your name?’

‘Phoenix,’

‘That’s a nice name, mine is Jasmine…’

‘You said,’ I smiled. ‘So tell me Jasmine, what school do you attend?’ I asked before stuffing my mouth with the salad.

‘Oh,’ she looked at the ceiling. ‘I st©pped school last year,’

‘Why?’

‘Er…hmm…well…’ I alre-ady knew the answer, no money. ‘I st©pped school because I had to concentrate on work. I have my crippled father to feed and my younger siblings. Being the first child is a hvge responsibility.’

‘Wow, how long have you been working?’

‘Three years,’ she looked down sadly. And there I was relying on father’s wealth when a girl was singlehandedly feeding her family.

‘You are a junior chef in a pub or just an as-sistant cook?’ I asked with a knowing look. She sighed and slouched down.

‘Pretending I’m a junior chef makes it better for me to live with. My dream is to become a chef but I’m not opportune to.’ She looked at a woman who was waving at her.

‘Go attend to her and come back, okay?’

‘Sir yes sir!’ I rolled my eyes with a chuckle, funny. She bounced to her feet and ran out. Something about her was amusing and desirable, I hadn’t found it but I will. I brou-ght out my phone and gave Hailey a call, she could help me.

‘Better not be broke again,’ was her first statement.

‘Wow,’ I said in hurt. ‘Have I been that much of a leech to everyone?’

‘A giant one. Now what do you want?’

‘That scholarsh!pprogram, is it still on?’

‘Yes, why?’

‘There is someone I want to apply for it. She is a junior chef but dropout of school last year to take care of her family as the bre-adwinner. I want her back in school in a way she has to work for it and not feel so-rely indebted to me.’

‘Okay, who are you and what are you doing with my brother’s phone?’ She flared. ‘Answer me you fv¢king gold digging thief!’

‘Hailey, it’s me, Phoenix.’

‘No you’re not,’ she snapped. ‘Tell me where my brother is and what you did to him or I’ma find and stab your as-s!’

‘Hailey,’ I said quizzically. ‘You are being dramatic and extravagantly cruel. Surely I am not that selfish and heartless.’ Now I saw what Iris was talking about, everyone saw me as wicked and irresponsible.

‘…are you still there?’

‘Yes, I am,’ I sighed. ‘Hailey just tell me if there is anything to do.’

‘You are in luck, the only scholarsh!pavailable is the one for chefs. Since she is a chef, she will work in the school cafeteria p@rt-time while still schooling. She would still be paid for her work, if she can pas-s both the cooking and written work exams.’

‘I’ll tell her about it first, if she agrees, then I’ll ring you back.’ I hung up and ran my hand throu-gh my hair. From now on, I would be more responsible, starting by helping Jasmine and forgetting about Iris.

‘I’m back,’ she chirped. She sat down too and crossed her legs. ‘So, are you done eating?’

‘Almost. Do you like your pay here?’

‘Do I have a choice?’ She chuckled.

‘What will you say if I offer you a chance to school in Dark Empire?’ She laughed out like it was a joke. ‘I’m not joking. A last minute scholarsh!pis being held. You get to write an exam to get into the school and pas-s a cooking test. If you pas-s, you will work as a chef there as p@rt-time while schooling and getting paid. What do you say?’ She cu-mpped her mouth in shock. ‘I know you will be a little bit rusty due to the fact that you haven’t been to school for a year, but I can get someone to tutor you…’

‘Why? Why do you want to help me? Why?’

‘Because I want to help, I’m trying to be responsible and useful to my parents like every other of my siblings. I want them to love and see me differently and helping someone to st©p my wickedness is a good start. Would you like to be the lab rat? A rat that would gain from everything. You would be helping your family too, right?’

‘Right,’ she sobbe-d. ‘What if I fail?’

‘Do you want to fail?’

‘I don’t even have good clothes, what am I suppose to wear there? I’ll be mocked.’

I didn’t exactly have enough money but… ‘Leave that to me, my sisters can handle that.’

‘Can I hvg you?’

‘No, let’s not go that far yet.’ That would be too close.

? Iris’ standpoint ?

I stro-ke Eden’s hair as Violet pleaded with me, shedding crocodile tears and holding my legs. It angered me watching her spit all that out when she was only lying. Hans alre-ady c@m£ up with an idea, one that involved my friends. Just like they did to me, they would show her what true love feels like. I cli-cked my ton-gue and brushed my thumb on his cheek, staring at her with soften gaze. It wasn’t much accepting her, pla-ying along was the greater war.

‘It’s alright Violet, I forgive you, let’s be sisters again.’

‘Really?!’ She squealed.

‘Yeah, really.’

‘Oh thank you ever so much dear sister,’ she threw herself on me for a hvg, causing Eden to jump and run away. ‘I promise to change, okay?’

‘Sure, time would tell.’ She wiped off her tears and stood up.

‘I’ll go wash up, do you want me to order pizza?’

‘Why order em when I can make one,’ I said with a wi-nk. She smiled and nodded. ‘Should I teach you?’

‘Yes, let me wash up first.’ She ran out of my room. I scowled and stood up, time to initiate stage two. I stood up too and walked over to dad’s laboratory at the other side of the mansion, a ten minutes walk from the house to it. I knocked at his door before opening it, not waiting for permission.

‘Good evening daddy,’ I said jokingly. He chuckled as he continued mixing up some chemicals. I skipped over to him. ‘What you doing?’

‘Working on something,’

‘What’s that?’

‘A chemical that can enhance human b©dy capabilities, make them super humans.’

‘Ooh, sounds interesting,’ I rest on the table and looked at the formula. ‘How long have you been working on this?’

‘Awfully long Iris, with no success. I believe in the theory that human can be gods themselves, have enough powers to be the superheroes in movies. All I just nee-d to do is find the right formula. I have tried mutation, kinetics, every other possible, even watched and copied the given formula in movies but I always end up missing three or four calculations.’

‘Isn’t that messing with the order of nature?’

‘But imagine the power, super beings to protect my daughters for me, we could rule the world with my invention.’ He said with glee, a spark in his eyes.

‘Right,’ this was my chance, my chance to earn his trust. ‘What would you have me do? I love the idea.’

‘You do?’ I tilted my head in confusion. ‘Violet never cared.’

‘I’m Iris, not Violet and remember I’m the br@iny one? The one who took after you?’ He smiled and nodded in acknowledgement.

‘That’s right, we can do it together. You are almost smart and you have access to the one chemical I think will make my work easier.’

‘How?’

‘It is a secret chemical formulated by your grandpappy in request of Alisdair Kendrick, to build his new gadget that will make him millions. It is a joint work between both companies and since you are now the new chairwoman, when the sh!pping of the chemical is to take place, I expect you to at least get me a barrow of the chemical. Can you do that Iris? For daddy?’

I placed my hands on my cheeks and giggled shyly. ‘I’ll nee-d every single information on your work so I will know if there is more I can help you with. Can I get that?’

‘Yes,’ he said happily. ‘I will fill you in right now…’

‘Not right right now, Violet and I are having pizza movie night, wanna join?’

‘Violet? She’ll poison you Iris.’ He said distraughtly.

‘Don’t worry daddy, everything is un-der control.’

It certainly is.

 

To be continued