STATUS: With Benefits Only

Chapter VI: Wrong Escape

Xyler's POV

I puffed a smoke from a cigarette and drank a glass of whiskey as I roamed my eyes on the entire golf course, looking in a direction where I could see two guys and a girl playing golf.

They were Mckenzie, Danica, and Dominique, my younger cousins.

"Xy, are you having fun?" Denver asked, tapping me on the shoulder.

"I am; don't worry," I replied. He smiled before lighting his cigarette.

"It's good that you came back; it's been a decade since the last time you visited here." He's right; I was around 17 at the time. "By the way, we'll push our camping trip next week, okay? We should all be there. We also invited Celestine and Sasha. Is that okay with you?" Denver asked. So, that was her name.

"Yeah, it's fine," I replied.

"Denver! The golf cart!" Danica shouted. He excused himself and took the golf cart to get them. They must have been tired from playing and wanted to rest.

I crashed my cigarette butt in the ashtray while I took my last sip of my whiskey. I felt something in my pocket, so I took it out. It was a silver bracelet with the letter "C" carved on it.

"Celestine," I whispered while looking intently into the bracelet. I saw it on the bed when she left in a hurry earlier this morning. I think she's interesting.

Celestine's POV

I'm at school, on my way to the parking lot, and waiting for Sasha. I don't feel like going to the library to wait for her and her research group to finish what they were doing only to get bored.

Sasha is good at taking care of people; if not for her, I wouldn't be able to attend my class today. She took care of me while I was sick, exactly as her mother did to me before.

On my way, I stopped when I saw Dominique with another girl. They were saying their goodbyes, and before the girl left, she gave him a quick kiss on the lips. I felt jealous when I saw him smile at her before leaving. It's something he had never done to me.

After taking a deep breath, I resumed walking. The smile on his face vanished when he looked in my direction and saw me.

He started walking as well, and when we were only a few steps away from each other, I kept my eyes straight and passed him as if we were strangers to each other.

Since he was avoiding me during his party, I failed to greet him on his special day. I'm sure he doesn't need it either, so I just let it be.

I was a few steps away from him, and I never heard anything from him either. He must be feeling confused and, at the same time, relieved that I didn't greet him in public. It was the first, to be exact, and I don't know how I did it. Maybe because I was sick last night, I suddenly feel like resting from chasing him.

Thinking about it, I realize how crazily stupid I was in trying to get his attention for a very long time. I feel so stupid chasing a man who keeps on showing me how much he dislikes me.

What happened last night is a big mistake. My biggest act of stupidity. I gave myself to someone I barely knew just because I thought he was Dom. Who does that, but me? Why? I'm stupidly in love with Dominique, who thinks I'm a w***e, and I can't prove to him my purity because I am no longer pure.

"Celestine!" I suddenly snapped back to reality when someone grabbed my arm. "Until when will you avoid me?" It was Oliver, the last man I flirted with. I pulled my arm back, trying to take it back, looking into his eyes.

"We're done, Oliver," I said before turning my back on him. Damn it! Because I was in deep thought, Oliver had the opportunity to approach me without my noticing!

"No! I won't allow it," he insisted, and he chased me. "You're not the only one who can decide in this relationship!" he shouted. Damn it! Many students followed our directions.

I angrily looked at him. "What relationship? We're not together, Oliver, and you know it's not serious," I said firmly, turning away from him again. He quickly grabbed my arm and forcefully made me face him.

"But I'm serious about you, Celestine. Come on, baby, let's talk about this, not like this." I took a deep breath. This is annoying; this guy is too attached to our setup. "Why? Is there someone else? F*ck, if there is, tell me who that guy is! I will never agree to break up with you!" Damn it! I'm already overwhelmed with thoughts, and this i***t added to it.

I didn't reply and continued walking away from him. I didn't want to have another minute of conversation with him since he didn't want a breakup when, in fact, we were not in a relationship. I could feel him behind me, so I walked faster until I felt like I was running already. "Stay away from me!" I hissed when I couldn't get away from him. This must be what they called "KARMA.".

Instead of waiting for Sasha, I decided to leave the school. Just as I turned right, there was a group of students going to the parking lot as well. I tried to blend myself with them, hoping Oliver would not notice.

I saw Oliver looking around and how annoyed he was when he couldn't find me. He messed up his hair before running in a different direction. I walked my way out of the university and decided to call for a cab instead. I texted Sasha, telling her that I'd go home first so she wouldn't worry.

"Celestine!" I jumped in surprise when someone shouted my name from a distance.

Damn it! Oliver is here again!

There were still no taxis passing by, but I saw a motorcycle heading in my direction. I quickly blocked it on the road to make it stop.

"Please let me ride! It's an emergency!" I didn't wait for him to agree, and I hurriedly hopped on the back.

"Celestine!"

Damn, this guy's motorbike is huge! It was difficult for me to ride it! It's a big bike.

"Can you hurry up?" I tapped his shoulder multiple times when I saw Oliver getting closer. I sighed in relief when the man started driving, making me wrap my arms around his waist in fear that I might fall off.

As he drove, I felt the cool breeze of air on my skin since it was almost nighttime. I couldn't help but glance at the side mirror of the motorcycle and look at the guy driving. In fairness, this guy smells good. But wait, why does his cologne seem so familiar? I feel like I've smelled it before, but I can't remember when or where.

I realized that I was holding onto him so tightly, so I quickly distanced myself. I didn't want him to think that I was flirting with him. He suddenly braked, catching me off guard, so I held onto him tightly again.

"Are you planning to kill yourself?!" I shouted so he could hear me. I'm not wearing a helmet, so I'm scared that I might get hurt if something bad happens.

He turned the motorcycle to the left, furrowing my brow. Oh no! I didn't tell him that I needed to get off. Although he was driving me too far from my condominium, I was too engrossed in the journey to notice. This is the first time I've ridden a motorcycle in a while.

"Can you stop there? I really need to get off now. Just pull over to the side," I told him, but it seemed like this guy was deaf because he didn't pull over at all.

It's quite noticeable that we're in a dark part of the road, away from the highway, and then he turns into a small corner. I felt alarmed, thinking that this guy might be a rapist and have bad intentions towards me!

"I really need to get off now, please!" He didn't listen and just continued driving. A big gate suddenly opened, and I thought of jumping off when he stopped, but that didn't happen because he accelerated even more.

Behind that big gate was a long road leading to a large house—it looked so modern. My mouth dropped open as I looked around; it felt like we were in Italy. The style of the house, the landscapes, and even the light posts that provide light in these beautiful and clean surroundings have an Italian design. I know this because I've been to Italy several times with Mom, and she loves the infrastructure there.

The motorbike stopped at the entrance of a large house, which seemed even bigger than our mansion.

An old man in a suit with a white cloth draped over his arm greeted us, and two female maids stood on either side of him. My eyebrows rose as I watched them look at me with confusion.

The old man cleared his throat, and one of the women beside him helped me get off the bike. Despite my confusion, I just let the maid lead.

"We are delighted by your return, Young Master," said the old man as he and the maid simultaneously bowed to the man who was still wearing his helmet. What? Young master? Wow! The servants in our house just call me Missy.

I cleared my throat, which made everyone look at me. "Umm, excuse me, which way is the exit? I need to go home," I said, scratching my neck. The two maids raised their eyebrows at me, while the old man didn't show any expression.

I heard the guy on the motorcycle sigh, then he turned to us. "Escort her to my room," he said, slowly taking off his helmet. He ran his fingers through his long hair and handed the helmet to the old man, who immediately took it. My eyes widened after seeing his face. "I'll be there in a few minutes," he added. I swallowed and pointed at him.

"You? You again?!" He just looked at me as I felt two hands grab both of my arms.

"W-Wait! I'm going home! I don't want to be here!" I protested, but it was too late, as we had already entered his mansion.

Yes, the rider is none other than Xyler Gutierrez! The man who accidentally took my virginity!