Arranged Marriage With A Game Developer

Chapter 26

Dream's P.O.V.

"Well, fuck!"

I heard George's voice from the door of my pent house, making me turn to look at him. Inalis ko ang tingin rito at saka ibinaling iyon sa baso ng alak na nasa harap ko. He's right. Well, fuck! That's my life right now. I pick up the glass from the table and drink it empty. I feel its heat travel from my tongue to my throat, washing away that bitter taste of defeat whenever I remember that hardhearted woman who decided that parting ways is so much better than starting over again.

"C'mon, Clay. Where's the smart-ass ruthless businessman we all used to know? That's the person you need right now? You're just going to give up Nati? How about Valkeria?" Wika nito saka humakbang palapit akin.

Hindi ko ito sinagot, bagkus ay kinuha ko ang bote ng alak at saka sinalinan ang walang lamang baso. However, just when I am about to pick up the glass again when George snatch it first. I turn to look at him and give him a warning glare. However, he seems doesn't care because all he does is walk away from me with the glass of whiskey in his hand. He stop in the bin and throw the content of the glass on it.

Sa inis ko at hinablot ko ang bote ng alak mula sa mesa at saka lumagok ng diretso mula roon. George turn to look at me with irritation on his eyes.

"Clay, stop it!" He grumbled as he close our distance, grabbing the bottle of alcohol from my hand, closing it with its cap before putting it back on the shelf. "Why are you like this? Why did you call the wedding off? You're gonna lose Valkeria!"

"Fuck it, George!" I hissed at him. "Do you think the wedding will solve my problem with Valkeria? The wedding is yet to happen, but my relationship with Nati is already starting to crumble. Do you think after the wedding that will change? No! Proceeding with the initial plan will only destroy Valkeria. Marrying her won't solve my problem!"

"Yes, you're right. It might not solve the problem entirely, but it will buy you time, Clay. Wake up! You are the foundation of Valkeria. Losing your position in it will make the company crumble. Is that what you want?"

Kumuyom ang kamao ko sa sinabi nito. Of course, I am completely aware of that. However, if I do what he says, it will turn out that I am just using Nati again for my own gain. She'll hate me even more. As much as I want to retain my position in the company, I don't want to be the bad person in Nati's life as well.

"I'll think of something. I'm sure Nati will agree if I offer to buy her shares." Wika ko saka huminga ng malalim. At least, that's what I hope so. Though I highly doubt that, Nati's shares on Valkeria will ensure her future. She's completely aware that selling it to me will be a disadvantage on her side knowing that she can profit more if she keep it. "Also, why are you so against with my decision right now? Ain't you the one who said before that marriage is for life? What happened to your philosophies?" Iritadong tiningnan ko ito. I'm trying to drown my emotion with alcohol right now. George acting like a nagging mother ain't helping me at all.

George let out a tired sigh and shakes his head in disbelief.

"Listen, Nati loves you. Her pride is just too high to admit to that. She's hurt, she just need more time to get over it. Why are you giving up now?" He rolled his eyes on me.

I let out a 'tsk' before turning my eyes back on the shelf. Just when I am about to open it to take another bottle when George decided to close it back again. Sinamaan ko ito ng tingin.

"Leave me alone!" I hissed at him, completely irritated of his actions. He is my bestfriend, but there are times that I wanna punch him.

"No, I wont! I am not gonna watch you lose your shit and lose your control over Valkeria. You work hard for this, Clay." He retorted as if trying to make sense on me.

"I don't want to lose Valkeria too, but I don't want to inflict so much pain on Nati. She hates me." Puno ng pait kong wika. I love Nati, I love Valkeria. Losing both is definitely going to be a punch in the my guts. However, what options do I have here really?

"Nati loves you." George repeated.

Napailing na lang ako sa conclusion nito.

"How I wish that was the case." Sagot ko saka umalis mula sa pagkakaupo mula sa high stool. If I can't drown myself on alcohol tonight, I better sleep then. I am not in the mood to have this talk with him right now. I already call the wedding off, I already set Nati free. I don't plan on making her situation so much more complicated than it already is.

"Nati, loves you. In fact, I think she never did stop loving. Can't you see it? The reason why she keeps holding onto her anger is because she still loves you. That's why she's still hurting until now." George said making me turn to look at him.

"It doesn't matter, that doesn't change the fact that she hates me."

"But it does matter. Listen, Clay. You do this your way, it didn't work out so well. How about we do it my way this time? Then if it still didn't work, then let's just move on. But let's try again just this one time. If Nati didn't come back to you willingly, then at least we tried. Right?" He tried to negotiate.

I look at him with keen interest in my eyes.

"So?" He inquired when I stayed silent for a few minutes.

"This is why you're my bestfriend." Sa wakas ay nakangiting wika ko rito.

George lips lift into a proud lopsided smirk. I don't know what he is planning to do, but I am pretty sure I can put my trust on him. Us three has this unbreakable bond. I'm glad to have this privileged to call them best friends, to have someone I can fully rely on during my weakest.

–

"Fuck it, George. This is not going to work." I hissed at him while looking at the gorgeous woman in front of us.

"Shut up, you agreed to this." George hisses back and let out a warm smile before proceeding to greet the woman. "Hey, so this is Clay. I'm sure you know him already. He will be your client. Clay, this is Cossette. She just came back few days ago in Haerai and I already talk to her about the conditions of the contract."

"Nick is going to kill both of us once he knew about this!" I gritted under my teeth. George is playing a dangerous game right now.

"He won't, he's our best friend." Kampanteng sagot nito dahilan upang mapangiwi ako.

I have a bad feeling about this.

"So? What happened now? One of the famous personality in gaming community ain't hot enough to get the woman he likes that he needs my help?" Nanunudyong wika ni Cossette dahilan upang umangat ang kilay ko.

Sinamaan ko ng tingin si George.

"What did you tell her about this?" Tanong ko rito.

"Everything." Si Cossette ang sumagot para rito.

Naningkit ang mata ko kay George. What the heck is wrong with him? Ngali-ngaling batukan ko ito kung wala lang kami sa loob ng isang pretihiyosong restaurant ngayon.

"It is the only way I can make sure that Cossette will agree to this. She'll be working in Nick's company from the time being as an intern, and Nati don't know her personally. Trust me just this once will you." George retorted at me, looking irritated at my constant complaining.

Napailing na lang ako saka nagpakawala ng malalim na buntong-hininga. "Fine, have it your way. But just to inform you, if Nick decided to chase you with a kitchen knife, don't say I didn't warn you!"

"I'm sure he won't. Nick and I already part ways more than four years ago. I'm sure he don't care a bit about me." Sagot nito Cossette. I can't help but sense the bitterness in her tone as she speak.

"I am not so sure about that..." Simpleng sagot ko rito. Napahilot ako sa sentido ko habang nakatitig rito. I have a feeling that the next few weeks is going to be a pure chaos.