The Playboy and The Primadonna

CHAPTER 4: Evil Scheme

July 30, 2016. Saturday. Altogether, D' ZINGERS went to the V+ Tech Arena for their championship battles aboard their coaster bus. Families and friends of all the members of D' ZINGERS had been present to see their championship matches live. It would be the last year that the five original players of D' ZINGERS would be competing on the national arena and so they all wanted to give their support.

Zach grandparents and parents were all present. Ella had paid her respect to all of them. Lolo Delfin might not have evade her pagmamano but he was still not that warm and accommodating towards Ella.

Kiel's grandfather, parents and sister were also present. Dylan also came and Lolo Crisanto and Lolo Delfin made sure that he and Kelsey were seated next to each other.

While waiting for the introduction of the players Geoff, Ella, and Zach chatted.

Geoff asked, "Is your cousin really dating Kelsey Mariano already, Zach?"

Zach confirmed it, "Yes. Lola Armina had confirmed it already. Lolo Delfin had proposed a change of groom to Kelsey's grandfather."

Ella and added, "And Kiel had also been included on their pact as well as any of the younger female cousins of Zach."

Geoff reacted, "Really?!"

Zach affirmed, "Yes. And Mom already warned me that they will all be staying at the base for the night before going home tomorrow.  The Bing sisters and I will all be leaving for Almeda Estate tomorrow morning with Lolo Vic and Lola Carms. You can see my private residence in Horrev if needed. I will be staying there most of the time. That way, it will appear that Ella and the girls are having a staycation there while the classes have not started yet for Nik, Ish, and Gwyn. We are allowed to visit them but no staying over night there. So the three of you can stay at my place during night time."

Nate, who was seated on the seat behind them, remarked, "That is cool!"

Irvin, who was seated next to Nate, added, "Well, we can all be there with them by Friday night."

On the other hand, Dylan and Kelsey were having this conversation while D' ZINGERS were talking.

Kelsey said, "I bet they are talking about us. Those filthy friends of his are looking at us."

Dylan's reaction was, "There you go again with your mean words, Kaye. If Kuya Zach had just ignored you being mean to his friends then I will not. I am very much different from him. I don't like my future wife behaving like a hellcat. Mariano is an esteemed name. You should live up to that name. Belmonte is an equally esteemed name, No wonder why Kuya Zach does not you befitting to be a Belmonte daughter-in-law. The influence and the affluence of your family do not count at all in the eyes of my cousin because you lack the most important thing that he values the most."

She was curious, "What is it?"

Dylan stated, "The beauty that comes from within."

She assumed, "And that b***h has that?!"

Dylan checked her again, "Not again, Kaye. I don't want you hearing spouting bad words ever again."

She challenged him, "And what will you do it I did?"

Dylan said, "Then I will fine you. For every spiteful comment, remarks or any bad words will mean one romantic date for us."

Her reaction was, "Do not push you luck, Dy!"

He replied, "I am not kidding, Kaye. Lolo Crisanto, Tito Cris, and Tita Liezl  had given me the authority to make you a proper lady like my two sisters. I keep them on their toes. They are not allowed to be disrespectful or arrogant. The same goes for you. You need to do some major growing up, and behave like a responsible adult, Kaye."

She said, "Well, I am not your sister."

He bantered, "But then you will be your future wife."

She responded, "Do not be too sure about it! We are still at the courtship stage and you are already failing miserably."

He replied, "I don't think so. I got high marks from all the members of your family. I bet I also have high marks from you. You just would not admit it. I know you love red roses. You also enjoyed all of our dates but you are trying very hard not to show it.

In her mind – How did you know?  Did I not mask it very well? I cannot even conceal my true feelings about those roses that you have regularly given me and those romantic dates that  you had arranged these past few days. But I am very sorry, Dy. You have a very tainted romantic past. I am sure you also did it with those countless girlfriends you had in the past. I will not give you the satisfaction of  me admitting that I am enjoying everything that you are doing for me. If you have easily won over those numerous ladies you had been in the past, well, I am definitely different from them. I will not fall for your charm. Only your cousin is good enough to be my husband.

The roster of players from the two competing teams for Cyber Wars had already been announced. The after the commercial break, their championship match began. Liege and Queen were included on the starting line up along with Blaze, Bomb, and Steel. On the best of five, D' ZINGERS won the first game set.

On the second game set, Steel was substituted by Falcon. They had won again. Wolf substituted  Falcon on the third game set and they had won again. Thus, sealing their fifth national championship title in Cyber Wars.

The team had  returned to their assigned players' lounge to take some respite and then later on had their lunch. Their resident cook at the base had prepared food for them and served everyone their meals through a buffet table set in the lounge. Their families, who opted to join them at the players' lounge, had eaten with them.

The Marianos along with Lolo Delfin, Lola Armina, and Dylan had dined out. During their lunch, their conversation went like this.

Dylan told Kiel, "I heard from Kuya Zach that your performance has been improving very well, Kiel."

Kiel's response was, "That is good to know, Kuya Dy. I am really trying my very best to do well both in my studies and in e-sports. If I don't do well in both then I will just have to choose one and that will definitely be my studies. That was the deal I had with Dad," then he further stated, "If Queen was able to do it then I can as well. She is my role model when it comes to pursuing all her dreams. It is just sad that this will be the last season when we all get to play with all the five original members of the team."

Kelsey had this reaction, "What is so good about your idol, anyway?! If not for Zach and her brother, she would not even be a successful e-sports player. If she was not convinced by Zach and his friends to join the professional league, I bet she would not be this successful."

Kiel was surprised, "Wow! Am I the only one hearing this, Ate? You are not using the 'b' word anymore when referring to my idol, as well as some not so good adjectives when referring to Captain's three best friends. Are you sick?"

Dylan answered for Kelsey, "You sister is not sick, Kiel. She just did not want to be fined by spouting bad words or any spiteful remarks."

Kiel laughed, "So what will be the fine?!"

Dylan said, "She got to arranged a romantic for us for very bad word or remark she utter. She is just pretending not to enjoy going out on dates with me that is why she has been very cautious with her words."

Daddy Crispin reacted, "Wow! You have actually succeeded in making my daughter not utter those harsh words, Dylan. She has definitely found a match in you."

Dylan's answer was, "I just reminded her that she is a Mariano and she must live up with such esteemed name, Tito Cris. Kuya Zach has ignored such behavior from her because he was not interested at all with her. But I am very much different from him. I have every intention to make her a suitable Belmonte lady."

Kelsey reminded everyone, "I am still not agreeing with this match!"

Mommy Liezl said, "Dylan is just doing what is best for you, dear. He is right. You need to grow up and behave as a responsible adult, as a proper lady. Zachary had ignored such kind of behavior because he has no intention to fulfill that pact of having you as his wife. He had always emphasized to all of us here how unbefitting you are as a future Belmonte daughter-in-law but he actually not done anything to correct you. Dylan has always corrected you since you were both in pre-school. That matchmaking with Zachary did not do you any good. You've become so vicious and rude."

After the lunch and a little more rest, they had all returned to the arena for the championship battle for Blitz. They had won three sets in a row again. 

All of their families, friends and followers were all very happy for their win. D' ZINGERS had shown why they were the Top Team in the League. Both of their opponents in Cyber Wars as well as in Blitz did not even win one set. They had become even more fierce and somehow everyone felt so sentimental that it would be the last time that they got to see the five masters in the national stage.

After the awarding ceremonies, they had another break before the start of the championship match for Battlefield. For their Battlefield, they had won again, making them earn their fifth championship cup in the national level. After the awarding ceremonies for Battlefield, D' ZINGERS, along with their families, friends, and some fans had all come to the base for the victory party. Their performance during championship games in the three e-sports that season was dubbed as their best. Their funs might be sad with the though of the five masters retiring but they were also looking forward to al their nine promising  protégés, who all shown their exemplary game skills all throughout the national tournament. They had been given lots of playing time during the eliminations and quarter final rounds frequently alongside with the God and Goddess of Cyber Wars, Blitz and Battlefield. Blaze, Bomb, and Shark had taken the backseat and focused on the game analysis as part of their transition period. With such, the five of them were already quite positive that their nine protégés could continue on their championship streak. 

In the midst of all the games, Kelsey was able to enjoy them for the very first time. Dylan's energy level in cheering for D' ZINGERS was just so infectious. He even explained the game to her the way she could fully understand it, unlike when she was just watching the games before with her brother wherein she could not grasp any word Kiel had said trying to explain to her the rules of the three games. 

After winning the three championship cups for the fifth time, D' ZINGERS had their victory party at the base.

Even if Kelsey was banned from entering the base, she was able to enter having been with her family.  Such exemption was given to her out of respect to her family, who would surely be keeping her on her toes

She was thinking – Yes, I was able to enter this base again. But then I cannot misbehave in front of so many people. Lolo, Dad and Mom are here. Zach's grandparents and parents are all here as well. I don't even want to be here but Lolo insisted. He even insisted that Dylan be with me at all times. This is really irritating. I just cannot believe that I actually lost to that b***h. Lolo Crisanto and  Lolo Delfin had actually given up on my match with Zach all because of her! And now I have to be passed on Dylan.

Kelsey then saw Dylan approaching his cousin Zach. They were talking but she had know idea what was it all about because she had no plans to approach them and know the topic of their conversation.

Dylan had asked his cousin, who was older than him by three years, "Is that Reymund Aguinaldo? I heard that he was your archrival in your girlfriend's heart."

Zach had admitted such, "Yes. He is Reymund Aguinaldo. He had pursued my girlfriend since she started studying in Saint Thomas University."

Dylan commented, "Good thing your girlfriend had not been won over by him. He is just like you, handsome, intelligent, rich, and gentleman. He is a very well-known law student. He is very good, I might say. And he seems to be accepting his defeat against you just fine to be able to still attend an event like this."

Zach told his cousin, "He has always been a good friend to my girlfriend even if she has just let him stay at him at arm's length," then he changed their topic, "So, how is your courtship with Kelsey?"

Dylan told his cousin the truth, "Honestly, she is a very  difficult lady to please."

Zach reminded his cousin, "Well, you had played to many pranks on her when both of you were still young. What will you expect from her then?"

Dylan inquired, "Have you never ever played a prank on your girlfriend despite your years of friendship?"

Zach responded, "It would always be Nate and Vin playing tricks or pranks on her but never Geoff and me. I do tease her every once in a while though."

Dylan then stated, "Kelsey has always liked you even when we were still young. But then you have never ever paid any attention or interest on her."

Zach continued, "And then she eventually hated me for such. She even cursed me at one point and she has continuously been badmouthing my girlfriend. And I know that if she will only have her way, she will probably physically hurt my girlfriend. She was just here last Monday throwing a tantrum again so I had to put her on the blacklist. I had to impose it  not just to protect my girlfriend but also to maintain the peace and quiet here. She can only enter this base is she is with her parents or grandfather. I definitely wish you luck in taming her. I had just tolerated her all these years because I don't want to waste my time transforming her into my ideal lady when I have already found one that needs no transformation. I just love my girlfriend the way she is, modest, kind sweet, thoughtful and respectful."

When Ella joined everyone with her three best friends, Mommy Violeta immediately waved at her so that they could joined their table, which seated Zach's grandmothers as well. Ella joined Zach's female elders while her three best friends joined their respective boyfriend. 

Ella paid her respects to Zach's two grandmothers through pagmamano, and a casual hug.

Lola Armina said, "I already brought the things that you have requested, Bri." Zach's paternal grandmother handed her a brown envelope containing the things she had requested

Ella responded, "Oh, that is very nice, Lola. I will just look at them later on so I can already start working on them."

Lola Carmen then asked her, "So how is your ongoing painting for your exclusive art exhibit, hija? I heard from Vi that you will have one by late January or early February."

Ella said, "I am still working on some pieces during my free time, Lola. So far the art directress wants me to focus on my sculpture paintings. She had seen the sculpture painting that I did for Zach. and so she had encouraged me to create more art pieces of the same style. She had already chosen the sculpture paintings that I did featuring ZING and Ginger."

Lola Armina asked, "Is that the koi fish painting you are referring to, Bri?"

Ella confirmed it, "Yes, Lola. It was my birthday present for Zach but he already hang it on his living room in time for his property blessing."

Zach and Dylan then decided to approach them. The table being occupied by the Marianos was just beside the table occupied by Zach's female elders.

Dylan sat beside Kelsey while Zach sat beside Ella,  put is right arm behind Ella's back and kissed the top of her head.

Kelsey really felt so irritated – He is so sweet to the b***h. He was never like that to me. I really hate her. She snatched Zach from me. She got the better Belmonte bachelor while I have to settle for the  playboy and bold one. I must do something so I can have Zach and not Dylan. Yes, I will sneak out to his room tonight. I will do it later when he comes into his room. I will hide and when everyone is already sleeping then I will come out of my hiding place and execute my plan I don't mind getting compromised with him for as long as I will free from Dylan. This is also a way for me to get even with that b***h. I will still have the last laugh.

Then all of a sudden, Dylan also put his right arm behind her back and then whispered softly to her ears, "Envious of their sweetness? I can also do such to you anytime you want."

Kelsey removed his had from her back and then told her silently, "In your dreams!"