"How's the day going?" Kendall halted from walking upon hearing the voice of Maxwell Ross. She twitched her lips before turning back at him. The lass doesn't like him around, she despises the lad's presence.
"Obviously, Ross. You see that I'm stuck in this fortress, don't expect me to appreciate the plain tiresome dusty walls around the four corners of this mansion." She replied and glared at him. As a response, he smirked. He stepped forward and held her hand, making her flinch in pain because of the wounds she got the moment Lucas chastened them.
"What are you planning to do, bastard?" She firmly uttered when she sensed that he's about to lean closer to her. He let out a heavy breath, glancing at her with a serious complexion.
"I wouldn't do it in the first place, Kendall but Lucas wants me to execute the punishment." He explained, trying to convince her.
"Forget about it, it's done, okay? What are you doing here anyway? I thought you're with Rutledge?" She pushes him with frailty and walks away yet her feet stop when he directly cornered her on the wall.
"Let me invite you for breakfast…" he insisted yet Kendall Von gradually shook her head, 'I won't let you fool me, Ross.' she thought.
She stared into his deep submerged irises, a bitter smile fled from her edges and she spoke. "Thank you, but I can't accept your invitation for now. I'll be joining Turner. We can share our meals next time. Have a good day, Ross."
Before she could move away, he grabbed her hands and peered deeply into her eyes. When their sight met, he smirks again. "Drop the formality, Kendall. I'm jealous of how you often hang out with Turner. I wish you could smile at me as you always smile for him." She paused and barely looked back at him, Von knows how tricky Ross can be.
"Just let me go," she retorted.
"Where are you exactly going? Have breakfast with Turner in the kitchen or would you go out for a date with him?" A bitter smile escapes from his lips upon the thought, he can't make Kendall fall for him yet he still hopes for the brighter side.
"Wherever you aren't, I'll be out for a meal, not for a love affair." Before she could get away from him, his next move shocked the young lady. She froze on her location the moment he leaned closer and kissed her. Her eyes rounded upon his abrupt action yet she remained still.
The lass' complexion changed, glancing at him, her cold irises pierced down his soul. "I'm sorry but I don't feel the same way." She uttered in a firm tone of voice and hastily went downstairs, leaving him dumbfounded.
Kendall Von felt numb. The moment she met Hase Rutledge along the way, she didn't greet him and simply passed by him. She knew he saw what happened and she doesn't want to discuss it.
The guy steps upstairs while handing his cup of coffee for the morning break. He pauses momentarily upon beholding Maxwell Ross in the hallway. "I can't tell if you're blushing because you had the chance to kiss her, or perhaps you're mad at yourself because she'll never like you, still it's gross." Hase retorted, which made Ross' attention fixed on him. He glared at his colleague, yet a teasing smile drew down his edges. He likes seeing Ross disgruntled and embarrassed.
"I might as well kill you," Maxwell Ross commented and gritted his teeth in bitterness, unable to accept the fact that he can't own Kendall Von.
"Don't talk to me, Ross, someone might think we're friends. Can you see these gashes and injuries? you did this, bastard." Hase hissed and strode past him.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and breathed heavily, "Damn this team," he mumbled.
The blue sky which mirrors the deep sea had its clear reflection as clouds were scattered above. A bright day greeted Hase Rutledge, he had arrived at Hardon Hotel and Resort.
Supposedly, Kendall Von will be with him yet upon knowing that she has something else to work out, he decided to do his appointed task unaccompanied. The thought that he couldn't get a chance to talk with Kendall disturbs him, he did see what happened earlier at the mansion yet he felt awkward to open up with her for it might create a commotion.
He's going to finish his mission to this very day, preoccupation is a must. He checked into the hotel and let the bellboy assist him. He has decided to have breakfast at the resort as well since he wants to enjoy his stay and admire the beauty of Hardon City. He will be having his stay for three days so it won't be obvious to recognize him as the offender with many schemes.
Hase Rutledge wants to consume his time concurrently with Kendall yet he's having a tough bit communicating with her. He noticed that she bothered none of them to enunciate any single word, she seemed to be unsettled in any way and madness could be seen in her gazes.
The hunger he felt the moment he arrived at the place drove him to head in his direction to the bistro and requested a meal. As he expected the Resort has many guests, mostly nonnative strangers visiting, and many past times taking place which serves as entertainment. There are various areas and in front of the diner, there takes place a badminton area. Even though the glaring sun shone brightly on the surface, the heat didn't hinder the guests from playing.
A woman with her black two-piece bikini caught his attention. Her deep bronze skin screams its daring beauty and she has this elegantly curved body, more like those types of girls he likes. He was concentrated upon watching the lady with her company on the sand when someone suddenly spoke to his side.
Rutledge, assuming that it was the waitress because of the accent of her voice — turned his head and placed his gaze into the woman before him. A wide smile was drawn on his lips when he saw a lovely lady with her floral light pink dress. She has fair skin and a sweet gaze, sunglasses were at the top of her head while on her pink thin lips are her lovely smile.
"Uh, how can I help you?" Hase Rutledge asked, trying to act like a gentleman. Surprised upon her sudden approach, he offered her a seat and shared a table with her.
"My name's Blythe, I noticed that you're watching the players on the field, and I just thought that maybe you're interested in playing badminton as well, that's why I decided to approach you." the lady answered, and eyed the other women who were playing under the sun.
"Uh, no, I actually don't play badminton, I'm good at playing tennis, how about you?" Acting so cool before her sight, he let out a chuckle and peek once more at the field. He heard her giggle and so he darted back at her.
"Well, actually, I was just thinking if we could play badminton too but my sport is volleyball. I'm free this afternoon, how about that?" Her smiles were plastered into her face, Rutledge felt so awkward after hearing her request.
He knows that the woman wants to befriend him, but he couldn't help but overthink that perhaps the lady wants him. "What's your name, anyway?" Blythe Reyes questioned, making him feel uneasy.
"Hase Rutledge," he simply replied and looked away, which made Blythe giggle.
"Do you like Val? I notice that your eyes barely avert from her." She simply asked with an unusual mood.
"What? Who is Val?" his brows met and annoyance could be seen on his expression. He's baffled, 'who on earth is Val? And why is she jumping into different topics?'
Blythe chuckled before answering the guy's question. She finds herself enjoying poking fun at him around, she thinks his reactions are way funnier because he's a bit slow.
"It's the lady you'd been looking at, they're having a vacation with her family ever since the traumatic incident took place at the South Cassinfield. I swear it's the scariest thing that ever happened to me! I can't imagine how real was the rumors about the murder case which ignited six years ago." Her countenance suddenly changes as if the thrill and fear coated her entire being.
She forced a smile and lowered her head. "... We don't attend the same school but we know each other since we joined the same cell group at Cassin Heights." She added and glimpsed at the players. Rutledge gradually shook his head and focused himself on the scenery before him yet she spoke once again.
"You know what, you're cute." She confessed, complimenting him and he smirked, scratching his nape and shifting his gaze. Even though he's a bit confused, he chooses to escort the lady. He doesn't want to be rude, his image of being handsome will be ruined.
"What school are you attending?" Rutledge asked, glancing in her direction. Seeing her pale skin which suits her pretty face, he can say that he adores her yet he likely wants those with creamy tanned skin.
"I'm from Hardon University, it's around this village and Valliree is from Castrill Academy, but Cassinfield Heights has been our meeting place for our cell group." That made Hase pause for a moment and look at Blythe Reyes, stunned.
"I can see that you're fond of traveling places. The two nations are way distant, it'll take you hours to travel. How come you'd consume your time attending that cell group? What's it all about?" The lady chuckled upon seeing his reaction, she widely grinned at him and enunciated her trip.
"Cell group is more like a bible study thingy, to be honest, I had a crush on Louis Feldirez, he's currently attending Cassinfield Heights. I dislike being included with such groupings, yet having the opportunity to see him around the campus pushes me to join over. So, I often visited their school every Wednesday, and I met friends including Sera Lindy, Valliree Morgan, and Antoinette Mclaren, I can say that we have the same vibes so they're fun to be with." She confidently spoke and peek at his reaction.
"What a good student you are, you attend a Christian group without even knowing the true value of it. It seems like you're taking advantage of the privilege that has been offered to you." Hase commented in a sarcastic tone, Blythe's waves of laughter were all he could hear. His meal arrived, and she watched him take his spoon.
"You know it's rude when you stare at someone while he's eating?" He retorted.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that."
"I heard that you mentioned about me taking advantage of said privilege. What are you pointing out?" She added and leaned her back on the seat.
"Nothing… I just thought that stalking your crush is way more time-wasting than heeding every word from the cell group you are talking about." Rutledge explained and shrugged off his shoulder.
"I actually don't understand a thing, perhaps I can listen carefully the next time around." She asserted and looked at him deeply into his irises. Silence overran the atmosphere and had the chance to stare at one another's views as if they understood each gaze they threw.
"... You should not waste your time with nonsense stuff if I were you. Many people are hungry for His Word, many are thirsty for His presence, you should seek the value of it. It doesn't profit your flesh yet it secures your soul." Stunned upon hearing his thoughts, her lips parted, amazed by his words.
"Are you a believer?" She curiously asked, yet he let out a sheepish smile.
"Let's just say I am a believer who only knows Him by mind and not by heart, I don't usually obey His Words and that includes His commandments." He bitterly responded. 'I killed hundreds of men for the sake of money and I don't think God would forgive me.' He thought.
"Oh… uh, I think I should go now. It's nice meeting you by the way! Let's see each other later, I'd love to have a game with you. Bye, Hase!" She bid her goodbyes. Though he doesn't like playing the said sport, he's already agreed with her.
"I hope I'll have a nice stay here." He mumbled.