Chapter two

Axell

"Hey, do you think you'd be able to come at my photoshoot tomorrow?" I try to compose myself well so that I don't look like a wimp in front of her. She's the only girl I ever get nervous of making a good impression for. She thought about what I asked her for a while. "We'll see if your father allows me to, alright?" Even though a smile is what's on her face, she looks sad. You'd be able to tell because of her eyes. I know what her eyes look like when she's happy. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll come through." I wink at her. She just laughs at me like what I said was a joke.

"I have to get going now. Thank you for the ride. I really enjoyed our conversation." She bids me with a sweet smile and my heart flutters, my guts feel all weird and gushy. What am I feeling? I feel the heat rise up to my cheeks and I find it hard to breathe that I feel like I can choke on my own words. "I-it's a pleasure. Bye bye." I mentally facepalm myself.

Seriously!? That was an awful way to bid someone goodbye.

She giggles and goes up her apartment. At least she thought it was funny.

She thought you were funny.

Okay. Alright. Funny is funny. Girls like funny guys, right?

Yeah but not clowns.

My phone rang which cut me from my internal dispute with myself. I searched for my phone in my pocket and saw it was my dad who called. Yikes. I must be in trouble. If things aren't serious, his assistant calls me and if otherwise, he personally calls me.

"Hey, father." I try to sound casual in hopes of changing his mood. "Son, I scheduled you a photoshoot with Kaylie." My dad sounds emotionless as usual. I'm glad that it's nothing serious but I wonder why he personally called. "Oh okay. But why? She isn't a model. She's a businessman like you." He seems suspicious. Is he trying to-- "It's so that you can get to know her better." Yep. He's setting me up with her. "Dad, no. I know why you want us to date but I don't like her like that and neither does she. You're not only pushing me but her too." Not the total truth but it should do. "The both of you just need to get to know each other better." He's really insisting after I newly attempted to make him feel bad about his plan. "It really isn't the way you're thinking it is." I sigh. "Just do as I say." Those were his last orders before he dropped the call.

Sigh...

The only reason why I tolerate him is because of Maisie. She's the one who tells me I'm precious to my father. Precious political bargaining tool. At least she tells me I'm precious instead of him telling me that personally.

Maisie encourages me to always look on the bright side. That's just one sweet thing about her.

No matter what, I will get her to marry me and we'll be a happy family. You know what they say, if you don't come from a happy family then make sure a happy family comes from you. And that I aim to do.

I get in my car and drive all the way home. I took a relaxing shower and ate dinner. I wonder what she's having for dinner. Then it dawned upon me. After a year of "friendship" I don't actually have her number! Wow, this is a shocker. Would it be weird if I asked her for it tomorrow? Or would it be too late? Neehh. She should put up with me cause I'm her "friend."

That aside, should I bring extra cash with me tomorrow? I plan on treating her. I calk it treat because calling it a date would seem too sus. But what if she doesn't show up tomorrow... She works for my dad and is rarely allowed to see me unless I'm the one who takes the initiative to see her and indeed I do. A day is a waste if I don't get to hear her sweet laughter and see her eyes sparkle with happiness.

I don't know if my dad knows that I like her but what I do know is that he's cutting my chances short. The only girl I want to get to know better and he restricts her time so she won't get to see me all the time.

Wait. Kaylie ships Maimai with me. Maybe she can help! Hold on, that doesn't solve the bring-extra-cash-or-not problem I'm facing.