The Playboy and The Primadonna

CHAPTER 2: New Betrothal

July 24, 2016. Sunday. Dylan accompanied Lolo Delfin and Lola Armina in attending the early morning mass at Beaunne Cathedral at the capital of the State of Sorocon. The Marianos regularly attended the morning mass there. After the mass, they all went to the vacation home of the Marianos in Horrev City, near the Casa Belmonte. 

Lolo Cristiano had instructed Kelsey to ride with Dylan in his car.

At the privacy of Dylan's car while they were on their way to the vacation home, they talked

She  asked him, "Do you already know about the new matchmaking that our grandfathers are doing with us?"

He gave a confirmation, "Yes, Kaye. I am aware of it."

She blurted out, "And you do not even disagree with it?!

His response was, "Why should I disagree on it? I am not like Kuya Zach. I have liked you since we were children. I had teased you as fatty back then so you will stay fit. You even pursued dancing afterwards," then he reiterated, "Kuya Zach has never liked you from the very start but he put up with that pact as a gentlemanly as possible. He had always found ways to avoid you back then even if Briella was still not in the picture. You are simply not his type. And he did not want being dictated upon when it comes to his life's choices."

Then she asked him, "And you do not mind your grandfather doing this to you?"

She was shocked with his answer, "Why should I mind? You are a good choice after all, plus I really like you. I just did not pursue you back then out of respect to that pact involving you and Kuya Zach. But now that Lolo had no hope at all at breaking up the strong bond between Kuya Zach and his girlfriend, Lolo has given me the chance to woo you."

Her reaction was, "I am not a toy that you can just pass around from one boy to another."

His response was, "You are not a toy, Kaye.  In addition, Kuya Zach has not even shown any interest in you. He did not even acknowledged that pact Lolo Delfin and Lolo Cristiano had for you and him. Thus, there is no passing around that is actually happening. That pact had always been null and void in the eyes of my cousin. You are the only one who has hold on to it up to now.  It is time to give up, Kay. Kuya Zach has already found the love of his life. And he has every intention to fight for it against Lolo Delfin in any possible way."

Then Kelsey told him, "You are very much aware that I do not like you."

He asked her, "Why do you not like me?"

Her answer was, "Well, aside from the fact that you had tortured me when we were young with all those teases and pranks, you are a womanizer, Day. So how will I like you?"

He tried to assure her, "You will be the only one from now one, Kaye. I had just enjoyed hanging around with those ladies while waiting around for your betrothal with Kuya Zach to end."

Her reaction was, "As if you already know that it will come to an end."

He told her, "Well, I knew from the very beginning that my cousin does not like you at all. His words were like you were not just his type and that he did not feel any spark as he met you and known about the pact for the very first time. He just does not feel anything special towards you."

She had a side comment, "And that b***h is his type and he felt that spark as he met her for the very first time?!"

He said, "Yeah, perhaps! But please stop using that b word, Kaye. When did you start being so mean? You are not like this before." And then he told her, "Anyway, you cannot deny how much Kuya Zach has protected his girlfriend from the very start even if he was not yet wooing her. He had bided his time and focused on his work, e-sports career and graduate studies before he pursued the younger sister of one of his best friends. Kuya Zach has carefully planned everything, Kaye. You are simply not in any of his future plans. He has never liked Lolo Delfin's manipulations of his life's choices. He has never liked to enter politics even if he had been an active student leader during his studies. Our grandfather wanted him to pursue a law degree but he did not like it at all, so he took the course that he wanted and then made a successful career out of it without any help from Lolo Delfin."

She deduced, "So, your cousin really had no intention to fulfill the pact! His plan was to get out of it from the very start."

He affirmed, "Finally, you get it right, Kaye!"

She then asked him, "Am I really that despicable in the eyes of your cousin?"

He said, "You are not despicable, Kaye. But truth be told, you indeed had behaved badly just to get his attention. You did not let my cousin see the good side of you. You acted like a spoiled brat since you turned eighteen. You had not given any regard for the feelings of everyone around you and you just did whatever you like."

She said, "I tried to be sweet and thoughtful with him but he just opted being with the company of those middle class friends of his."

He pointed out, "See, you did not even like his friends. You simply do not belong in Kuya Zach's world, Kaye. What you like is very much different from what he likes. You are outgoing while he is not.  You like the lime limelight but he does not. Just like his girlfriend, Kuya Zach does not like all the adulation and attention of the media and the netizens. They just used their e-sports career as a means to be financially independent and to gain wider network. Nevertheless, they treated their followers with utmost respect. They are both very private with their personal lives. But you are different. You are used to be the center of attention being a prized dancer of the university dance troupe. So when you did not get your way in having a career as a professional dancer, you have rebelled against your elders. Such rebelliousness is what my cousin had witnessed all these years. You also did not give him any chance to like you, Kaye. He has always seen your feisty side and not much of your good side. "

She asked then, "Knowing all of these, why do you still like me?"

He said, "Because I known then real you. You area filial daughter even if you really don't like to be in that pact. You had held on to that pact just because you know that my cousin is a very good choice but then you definitely have no romantic feelings for him. And it also hurts your ego that a middle class lady had beat you when it comes to him."

In her mind  – You are very right, Dy. I have never even had the chance to pursue what I really like and who  I really want because of that damn filial piety. But then who do I really want to be with? Zach has been the only choice I had since our marriage had been pre-arranged in the past. I have never even considered entertaining any other suitors. And now they have chosen you to replace your cousin. Why you of all people? We have known each other for so long but never I had considered being your girlfriend even if you had teased about marrying me when we were younger. To me, you are just that annoying friend. Despite your mischievousness, you had helped me out in so many ways. You had patiently tutored me with the lessons I had found very difficult even if you are a nag. In some of those parties I had been with my friends, you had made sure that  no guy tried to get a pass on me  by scaring them away. I really do not hate you. I just don't like the way you have been treating me.

During the brunch at the vacation home of the Marianos, their conversation had been like –

Lolo Crisanto started, "So Dylan, I heard from your grandfather that you are doing very well at  with your law degree."

Dylan had humbly responded, "I am just trying my best, Lolo Crisanto. I have to live up with the Belmonte name and so I am doing my best with my studies just like my other cousins."

Lola Armina stated, "Dylan also graduated as Summa c*m Laude like Zachary. And for his first two semesters in his law degree, he had gotten all the highest possible marks."

Daddy Crispin exclaimed, "That is very impressive, Dylan. Perhaps you can help out Kiel in some of his subjects in Legal Management. He is also taking up Management and majoring in Legal Management in Athenaeum.  You even  helped our Kelsey with her course requirements in her first few common semesters in Management with you "

Dylan shared, "Kiel and I have been corresponding regularly, Tito Cris. Kuya Zach had personally asked me to help him out in some of the subjects that he has been been finding some difficulties with. So there are times when I personally go or stay at the base to tutor him. Kuya Zach and his club co-owners are very supportive of the studies of all their younger players. So they are tapping on their friends and relatives to help them out with their respective studies if they could not personally be of help to them. Lately, Kiel and I have started reviewing for her entrance examination for law. He wants to prepare early for such. Kiel is quire determined in excelling not just in his e-sports career but also in his studies. I heard that he had to maintain a certain GPA to be able to stay at the professional e-sports league."

Lolo Delfin reacted, "I did not know that. When did it start?"

Dylan shared, "Kuya Zach and Geoff had always helped out Bri with her studies since they joined the professional e-sports league. They are both not just good in computer science but also in other academic subjects. Such had extended to their other younger players. But as far as other subjects that they did not know much about, they had tapped me for Kiel and some of their other friends for the other players. Their club manager had allotted study time for all their players. They are all pretty much disciplined there. All the younger players who joined the club wanted to be like Bri who was able to balance her studies and e-sports career. They have all been admiring her diligence, dedication, and discipline. I even heard that she will be taking up her MBA this coming August even if she is already successfully managing two businesses and a multi-billionaire."

Lola Armina said, "Well, with Zachary and her brother always pushing her to do her best, I have no doubt anymore why she wants to further enhance her business capabilities. Zachary and Geoffrey are both workaholics and perfectionist. Good thing they have Irvin and Nathaniel to balance such out. They are the ones telling them not to forget about having some fun despite their busy work and e-sports schedules."

They had talked more about Dylan and Kelsey, their courtship and their possible marriage over the brunch

After the brunch, their elders had encouraged them to go out on a date on their own.

Lolo Crisanto's exact words were, "Dylan, you and Kelsey mat already leave us the oldies here and go out on a date like normal youngsters. I will entrust to you my granddaughter. Just bring her back at home before midnight. Go shopping partying or even clubbing. We will be at ease coz you will be with her."

As they boarded Dylan's sports car, he asked her, "So where do you want to go, Kaye?"

Kelsey's answer was, "Do you honestly think that I will go out on a date with you?"

His response was, "That is what our elders want. You should cut me some slacks, Kaye. Give me a chance to prove to you that I will be worthy to be your man."

Kelsey replied, "Well, if you insist then just drop me off at the academy. I will perfect some new dance choreographies at my dance studio."

His reply was, "I will not just drop you off but I will stay and watch you dance. It has been a while since i had danced anyway. I don't mind learning new moves."

She said, "Up to you."

On the other hand, their elders were talking about them.

Mommy Liezl had asked, "Do you think that this match will really work? They had been like cat and dog when they were young. Dylan had always teased Kelsey as fatty and Kelsey had teased Dylan back as stickboy. Daisy and I had often been called to report to their teacher back then because Kelsey had somehow hurt Dylan because of all his teases and pranks."

Daddy Crispin stated, "Dylan seems  to have matured already. Aside from all those womanizing activities in the past, which he already promised to stop, I think we will have no problem with him. He seems to be genuinely interested with Kelsey."

Lola Armina pointed out, "But it seems that Kelsey does not like our grandson a bit. Although they had been comfortable at each other being classmates and schoolmates during their studies, it seems to me that this match will not work out."

Lolo Delfin said, "Well, they are still young. We should give Dylan the chance to woo Kelsey first and see what will happen next."

Lolo Crisanto seconded, "I agree with Delfin. Anyway, we will not be forcing this match if they really do not like each other. But since Dylan agrees to give it a try then we must give him a chance. Let us give them enough time and space to know each other in a different light. Kelsey's close in bodyguard even told me just recently that it was always Dylan who had protected Kelsey from those pesky guys whenever she had gone out clubbing with her friends in the past. It was reported to me that Dylan was scaring away those guys who had admired her or flirted with her  back then."

Daddy Crispin then said, "Well, it seems to me that all those teases and pranks Dylan had done on Kelsey  were his ways of showing his concerns towards her. Kelsey might have not tried staying fit through dancing if not for all those teasing she recievedfrom Dylan. He is actually correcting Kelsey's wrong doings."

July 25, 2016. Monday. Zach, Ella and the rest of their teammates, base employees and Ella's security team were having breakfast at the mess hall of the base when all of a sudden Kelsey arrived at the base and immediately made a beeline towards the table occupied by Zach, Ella, Geoff, Nate, Irvin, and Yuri.  

Kelsey was about to rage-swipe everything in their table with just one arm when she had immediately been stopped by Kiel, hugging her tightly from behind and trying to carry her away from the kitchen, "Don't make a scene here, Ate."

She tried to break free from her brother's tight embrace, saying ""Put me down, Kiel. They have not heard yet from me." Nevertheless, she started ranting, "Are you happy now?! You definitely won! Your playboy cousin Dylan is now following me everywhere I go"  

Zach responded casually but he was so happy deep within, "I don't know what you are talking about, Kelsey." He had no idea why his cousin, Dylan, was suddenly following Kelsey.

With Kelsey not moving that much anymore, Kiel had put her down.

And then she had made a beeline again towards the same table but Andy and the other security members had already blocked her way.

Nonetheless, it did not stop her from pointing her index finger at Ella, angrily saying while pushing herself forward against the security team, "This is all your fault, b***h. If you haven't entered our lives, Zach will still be my betrothed and not his playboy cousin!"

Zach reminded Kelsey, I told you before not to use such word when referring to my girlfriend."

Kelsey challenged Zach, "What will you do then?! I can call her whatever names I want.

Zach then calmly said, "Andy, please kindly escort Miss Mariano out, and Yuri please inform our security personnel that Miss Kelsey Mariano is already blacklisted from the base from today until an unforeseeable future. I am done dealing with all her tantrums. Her behavior had always affected the peace and order of  the base whenever she comes charging here and creating havoc."

Kelsey shouted as she was slowly carried by two security personnel by each side of her arms. "You cannot do this to me, Zachary Belmonte! I am a family member of your teammate!"

Geoff then asked Kiel, "Do you have any objection about our Captain's decision, Kiel?"

Kiel answered immediately, "I got none. Ate deserves it. I am also done putting up with all of her complaints and tantrums all my life. At least here at the base I will ne free from such. .We need silence and harmony here at the base. She keeps on embarrassing me whenever she comes."

She shouted again as she started to be out of sight from the mess hall, "You cannot do this, Kiel. I tell it to Lolo Crisanto, Dad, and Mom.