Challenge

Challenge

I ignored that strange feeling. I got out of the car and looked around the resort.

Club Fort Med is a resort located at Arbor, same barangay with El Grande Lat. Not too simple and not too flashy just enough for a quiet weekend. The edge of my lips curled up.

I looked up at the large wooden placard on which the name of the resort was engraved. It was my first time to be with the Vine. It's scary but also exciting.

I saw that Tiden was already inside the resort so I followed. He went straight to a modernized restaurant that was slightly elevated than the rest of the resort. He went inside and sat in a chair next to a large glass wall where I could see the entire resort.

'Not bad,' I thought.

I sat in the chair opposite him and looked outside the glass wall. I saw the three pools of Club Fort Med which the resort's known for.

There was a small round table between us and a small blooming cactus in the center planted in a small pot. A bonsai plant. I took the menu that was on the table and opened it, checking what to order.

"Do you want to order?" Tiden asked.

I pursed my lips. Honestly, I'm not hungry yet because of the pancakes at the mansion, but seeing the delicacies in the menu, I think I want to try. "This will do," I said then pointed to what I ordered on the menu.

He called the waiter and ordered. I didn't wait long because the man immediately delivered what I ordered. I swallowed my saliva and took a bite.

Tiden even laughed when he saw that I was satisfied with the food. I just glared at him. Even though CFM was still in Arbor, I haven't really visited the resort so it was my first time to taste the special menu.

After we ate at the restaurant, Tiden took me to the cottage where they were staying. My chest kept pounding as I thought about Levi's reaction when he'll see me, whether he will be happy or not?

It's a good thing that Nicole is staying in the other cottage because I don't know what will happen when she sees us all inside.

I stopped in front of a bungalow-shaped cottage. Tiden opened the closed door and let me in. I stepped inside. A clean living room was the first thing I saw. The cover is small and I believe only a thin divider separates the bed space and the living space.

I sat on the sofa and waited while Tiden entered the bed space. Soon I heard movement behind the divider.

"Tid! What are you doing, man? Get lost," Ariel said hoarsely.

I heard Tiden snort. "Rishel's here, dude."

Then the bed space became quiet. I just heard the movement of someone and later I saw Tiden with Ariel coming out from there.

"Rishel," Ariel smiled and scratched the back of his neck. "Thanks for waiting," he said.

I just smiled and said it's fine. I simply looked behind to see if Levi is up. I didn't see him. Looks like he is still sleeping.

The three of them sat on the sofa opposite where I was sitting. June closed his eyes while Tiden and Ariel argued softly. The latter blamed Tiden for not waking him up early. The corner of my lips twitched.

After a while, Ariel looked at my way. "Welcome to CFM, Rishel. Are you hungry? We can order a breakfast. I heard they have special menu available for first time visitors and I have tasted it yesterday. You won't regret it," Ariel said and flashed his infamous smile.

Well, I didn't know that he's this talkative. I shook my head. "Thank you, but Tiden and I just ate at the restaurant nearby."

My gaze landed on June who was silent since earlier. His eyes were closed and after moments of staring at him, he seemed to sense my stare because he raised his hand and waved at my direction without opening his eyes. That silly boy. I just shook my head.

Ariel grinned at me. "It's our first time staying together, isn't it? Well, I want to introduce myself formally to you," he said and a smug smile appeared on his lips. "I'm Ariel Labastida. Twenty. Vine's drummer and sub-vocalist. Never been kissed, never been touched. Would you dare to break the record?" Then he winked.

My smile faltered a bit before looking away and clearing my throat. Such a lame introduction full of lies. I might not know him personally but I heard a lot of stories about Ariel's debauchery especially when I am a member of the exclusive fan group made by their manager.

"Rishel Joy Larica," I said, introducing myself to him.

"Just a name?" Ariel complained.

Oh? What else did he want? The corner of my lips twitched and looked at Tiden when my best pal spoke for me. "Yes, just a name. Do you have a problem with that?"

Ariel winced and hit Tiden jokingly at his shoulder. "I'm not asking you, dude." Then he turned to me, smiling widely. I was charmed by his smile. It seemed like someone's planning something bad. He sighed and dramatically closed his eyes before opening them up again and stared straight into my eyes. "I know your name is Rishell Joy Larica. Tiden once told me that you're a good swimmer. So I'm placing a bet on your plate. If you win, I'll treat you to a fully-loaded buffet lunch and dinner. If I win, you'll stay here in Club Fort Med until tomorrow. Deal?"

Just as I thought. He really plan to do something naughty. I sighed. I don't plan to stay long in CFM because Mama will definitely not allow me to stay here for a long time, otherwise I really look forward to his bet. Something inside me wants to try if I could beat Ariel, a famous local personality.

My lips formed a line and was about to decline his challenge when someone entered from the open cottage door. When I looked up, I was stunned in my seat. It's Nicole. Her two eyebrows met when she saw me sitting with the Vine. Biting my lower lip, I sighed. I think now's not the right time to visit their cottage because the true princess of Vine is here.

"Who is she?" Nicole asked hatefully and raised an eyebrow at me.

I looked away, afraid to meet her gaze. Her gaze was full of malice, condemning me, and of course I understood her point. Having her teammates with a strange girl is upsetting. So I don't want to be with Nicole, it's nerve-wracking. I knew that she also hates Levi's die hard fans because she's in love with my idol and wants to own him. That's one of the reasons why she hate me, yet I am satisfied seeing her crumpled face because I know she can't do anything to me when Tiden is here.

'Yes, just glare all you want, Missy!' I thought and tried to hide my grin. It's amusing to have an upperhand in this situation.

"Rishel, June and I are friends," Tiden introduced.

Nicole looked me over from head to toe. The edge of my lips twitched at what she did. Should I cover her hateful eyes?

"That drench girl in dock?" Nicole asked, frowning. Then she laughed softly upon remembering something. "Poor you. Can't catch Levi's attention and now you are here, appearing out of nowhere. What a desperate girl," she added. She whispered the last thing but because I was sitting close to her that's why heard it.

The faces of the three men darkened and I took a deep breath. Before I could speak, Tiden spoke for me first. "What kind of behavior is that, Nicole? Apologize to Rishel." he said, gritting his teeth and squinting his eyes on her.

The corner of Nicole's lips curled up. "Why would I do that? That girl is really desperate."

"I invited Rishel," Ariel interjected, also frowning. His tone was impatient and annoyed. "Apologize or else I'll let Maingey cut your allowance," he threatened.

Nicole clenched her fist and glared at me, "If she can win against me in singing, I'll apologize. But if I win..." She smirked. "Never appear in front of Levi again."

I frowned at what she proposed. Tiden was about to speak but I stopped him. I looked up at Nicole and met her sharp gaze. "A bet, isn't it?" I flicked my tongue and grinned at her. "Is that all you can offer? Nah. Your bet is not worth my time."

Nicole drew a breath and squinted her eyes at me. "I'll give you a million if you win!"

"That's too low," I said and shook my head, sighing. I was secretly watching her from the corner of my eye.

"Ten million!" Nicole yelled.

I stopped myself from grinning and acted as if I was thinking about her offer. "Hmm... not bad. But that's all you've got?"

Nicole gritted her teeth and clenched her fist. "Don't be too complacent! Ten million is enough to pay a filthy whore like you!" she yelled.

"Nicole!" Tiden roared. Even Ariel's face was dark and June opened his eyes to glare at Nicole.

Drawing a breath, I stood and looked at Nicole whose face was red due to anger and shame. I stared at her with a blank expression and walked close to her. My feet stopped in front of her. "You can't afford my time, Missy. If you can't raise the stake, I'll do it." I smirked at her. "If I win, I'll stay and you'll post an apology video to me in social media. If I lose, I'll pay you a hundred million and I'll leave Vine alone. What can you say?"

Tiden widened his eyes in shock and June stood. "Rishel, don't overdo it. The bet is unworthy for that huge sum," June said with a serious expression on his face.

"A hundred million is just a number to me, June. If someone can't afford it, I am more than willing to bet that money else someone badmouth me for being too stingy," I said while staring at Nicole.

It was interesting to watch how her face paled at the moment I spoke the huge sum as if I was talking about the weather. She stared at me and after a minute, she regained her calm. I applaud her for that.

She was silent for a few seconds before smiling sweetly at me. "Deal."

Before I could say more, Nicole was gone in a second. Phew. That's fast.

I looked at Tiden whose head was hanging low and June who was staring at me with no emotion in his eyes.

Ariel stood and walked closer to me. "Don't forget our bet, Rishel. I'll wait for you at the pool," he said and walked out of the cottage.

Tiden, June, and I were silent for a few seconds before June cleared his throat. "I sometimes forget who you are, Rishel."

"Sorry..."

"Why are you apologizing?" June asked and patted my head. "It's good that you are born in the finish line, not like us. But it's not good to act on impulse even if you have the means to pay that bet money, Rishel. A hundred million is no joke."

I sighed. Yes, he's right. My gaze landed on Tiden who was silent. I walked to him and tapped his shoulder. "Hey, are you okay?" I asked.

Tiden raised his head and smiled wryly at me. "I'm sorry for being useless, Rish."

"Huh? What do you mean?"