Chapter 2

As soon as Beth had told her mom what had happened, Sarah had then dragged her out to a mall for shopping, no excuses permitted. Guilt had set in and Sarah had light scolded her for giving in to her temper like that, but had also admonished her to do away with the guilt. After four whole hours of shopping, they proceeded to eat out and walk around the city for a while. The rest of the day turned out to be very fun and exciting. The next day, she went back to the coffee shop, confident and comfortable and she kept that mindset going. Her new clothes had been spot on and so far, everything was fine. Even for Wade industries. She'd seen it on TV. Oh well, Lucky him.

She was right. Later that day, he'd gone in as meekly as he could to his employees and had given a few of them free reign to tell him what they really felt. He was an asshole and a lot of heads had nodded to that. Turns out he really hadn't been listening and honestly, the amount of them who feared him, baffled him. Was he really that bad? After that day, he'd made a conscious effort to listen more and make himself a bit more approachable, without looking too lenient. The name tags vanished. A lot of new ideas had been brought forth investors and partners were liking it and trooping in. Also, he was learning the names of his employees. His ego had taken a blow..... but he couldn't have been more thankful to that italian spitfire. He had amazing minds around him. Minds that he hadn't recognized or appreciated enough. Four months later, company sales and productivity had gone up by a full forty-five percent. 

He was egotistical and he knew it now but really, what was a man without ego? He owed her his apologies too. After the news of the alarmingly breakthrough of the Wade Industry a day ago, Brandon was currently sat in his favorite bar with his best friends to celebrate. The day had ended early, with him allowing his staff an evening of celebration of their own. He'd known Steve, Simon, Brian, Bruce and Rosco since they were all kids but out of all, the one who was more like a brother and confidant to him, was Brian. Whatever he did, Brian knew the genuine reason behind it. Whatever Bruce, Simon, Steven and Rosco knew of him, Brian knew double. They drank and downed shots till the only one with an inkling of sense left was Brian.

"I can't believe you blew up this quickly," Bruce slurred, patting his back in congratulations.

"Better believe it." Brandon smirked.

"Hey, how about we celebrate with something?" Steven said.

"What?" Brian asked.

"A bet."

They all groaned in their drunken states. Steven was very impulsive and enjoyed getting his way. They'd spent a lot of time as kids doing bets he'd brought up to satisfy their urge for fun and his own strange wants, but they'd surely spent more time paying for it. It had been fun back then. Not anymore.

"Really man?" Rosco asked.

"Your bets always get us in trouble." Bruce said, looking at Steven with distrustful eyes.

"Oh come on men. For the sake of celebration. Besides, when was the last time we had fun?" Steven placated.

"We're having fun right now." Brian filled in.

"Let's make it better. Brandon? What do you say buddy?"

Brandon groaned, shaking his head, "Don't put me on the spot like that, bro. What do you have in mind anyway?"

"It's about a girl."

"You're crazy." Brandon said, downing another shot.

"Fuck you, man." Rosco added.

"Hear me out first," he said, catching Brandon's gaze.

Bruce's head shot up, "A girl?"

Brian rolled his eyes and Rosco shook his head. Bruce was a sucker for women.

"Yeah. So, there's this chick thats proving too stubborn."

"So?" Brandon asked.

"Do you like her?" Simon asked.

"She's very hot. Very hot." He emphasized. "You need to see her. I need to prove and get it out of my head that she's not as difficult as she makes herself out to be."

"How?" Brian asked.

"It's either I get her or one of my guys do and what better man than Brandon himself."

"You fucker," Simon mumbled.

"Heck no." Brian refused.

"Why not me?" Bruce pouted. Rosco slapped him upside the head.

Brandon said nothing. Just stared Steven down. 

"You want one of us to fuck her, just to get it out of your head? Isn't that wicked?"

Steven shrugged, swallowing a shot. "Since when did you care?"

Brandon shrugged, "That's an actual person. What's in it for me?"

"Brand, you can't really be doing this." Brian spoke up.

"Don't do it..." Rosco warned.

"It'll get you in trouble..." Bruce warned.

"We're all loaded so money is out of it. How about, I name you the king of bets?" Brandon scoffed.

"Plus! Plus, I'll owe you. You can ask for anything you want, anytime you want."

Now that... That was something. The part of Brandon that loved a challenge rose it's head. Brian and Rosco saw the look in his eyes and exchanged looks.  

"All to sleep with a girl?" Brandon rose a brow, a small smile on his face.

"You get free sex too. Seems to me like she'll be a freak in bed." Steven sat back, returning the smile.

"You're psycho, you know that?" Brandon responded.

Steven shrugged, "Whatever. So, you'll do it?"

The table went silent. Everyone looked to Brandon, knowing that he never went back on anything he said and knowing how drunk he was, Brian knew he'd regret it later.

"Brand, think about it. Don't do this..." Brian etched in, trying to reason with him.

Brandon didn't take his eyes off Steven though. While a small voice shouted at him from within to not agree to anything, he quietened it and said, "I'll do it."

"Fuck," Brian cussed.

"I hope you know what you're doing, man." Rosco voiced.

"I'm curious though. For you to be this interested Steven? Who's this girl?" Simon asked.

Steven smirked, "You'll see."

The next morning, Brandon woke up with a banging headache. He felt like his head was being gripped between two iron walls. He rolled over and watched the whole room spin wildly. Waiting it out, he sat up and dragged himself out to get some water. As he drank, bits and pieces of the previous night came to him but it was all in broken fragments. He managed to make some pancakes and bacon for breakfast, took some aspirin, and went back to bed. By the time he woke up, it was 3pm. He went into the bathroom to relieve his screaming bladder and returned to his phone ringing. The screen was alit with Steven's name.

"What's up?" He asked as he picked up, falling back onto the bed.

"You sound worse than I feel."

"Lucky you."

"Hold on, let me add the rest of the guys to the call."

Brandon waited till he heard Brian, Simon, Bruce and Rosco's voices.

"We're all here. What's up, steve?" Bruce drawled.

"Just wanted to know if the rest of y'all remember the bet last night."

"What bet?" Simon asked, sounding just as confused as Brandon was.

"I knew it was real!" Rosco suddenly exclaimed.

"Oh fuck. Steven..." Bruce drawled.

"What bet?" Brandon asked.

"The to sleep with a girl I find sassy."

"The fuck!?" Brandon grimaced.

"Oh no. It's you, Brandon." Rosco said.

Brandon frowned, "Excuse me?"

"Yup, you agreed." Simon drawled, sounding truthful.

"What bet? Brian?" Brandon called.

"They're right. I tried to warn you."

"Me too." Rosco threw in.

"And me." Simon spoke.

"Steven, what the hell?" Brandon groaned out, running his hand down his face. Now that they were on the topic, he could vaguely recall something along those lines.

"No worries man, she's hot. She's not some dry chick."

"I don't care about that. You need to grow up." Brandon scolded.

"After this. You already agreed."

"Since we were all drunk, does it have to count?" Rosco asked.

"Brian remembers and so do you so yes, it does count."

"If he doesn't do it?" Brian asked.

"His word won't hold water to me anymore."

"That's not so bad. Brand, drop the bet. It's not worth it." Simon threw in.

Brandon knew that betting on a girl was very wrong and every manner he had ever gotten drilled into him by his parents went against it, but.... He respected his word, no matter when they were spoken. 

"If I recall correctly, you owe me?" He asked.

"Dude, really?" Simon threw in.

"Brandon, stop." Brian said, sounding angry.

"This will fuck you up." Roscoe threw in.

"Negative much, Rosco?" Steven bit in.

"It's karma."

Steven scoffed, "Relax guys, it's just a girl." 

Brandon was well versed in the feminine race to know that no girl was just a girl. But then, why did he want to do this? For his ego and nothing else.

"Deal." 

Steven hollered. Brian just scoffed. Rosco sighed. Simon told Brandon to think straight and even Bruce was annoyed by it but... Brandon's word was on the line here. He had to step up. After getting off that call, he went ahead to speak with his mom. Guilt already settled in him but he wasn't going back. The Saturday ended and Sunday went by in a flash.

Brandon went to work on Monday, almost forgetting completely about the bet, that is, until his new P.A informed him that Brian was over to see him.

Brian walked in to Brandon typing away on his laptop.

"Hey buddy." Brandon greeted.

"Yo. What's up?"

"Just finishing up an email." Brandon drawled, eyes focused on his screen. Brian helped himself to a can of coke he saw in the small fridge, and took a seat. Looking up after finishing with his email, he reclined in his chair.

"How's Sherlie?" Brandon asked.

Sherlie was the only woman to have placed a dummy card on the smart Brian's forehead, thus, making her his fiancee.

"She's amazing. Out with her best friend. How are you?"

Brandon could hear the other question under Brian's question.

"I'm going along with the bet."

Brain only shrugged, "Okay."

Brandon rose a brow, "Just okay?"

Brian nodded, "Yup. You'll regret it later."

Brandon smiled, "You sound so sure."

"You have morals. Whether the regret will come before you bed her or afterwards, I know you'll regret it later and that's enough for me right now."

Brandon dryly rolled his eyes, "I only feel bad now because of my morals. Nothing more."

Brian nodded, "Okay."

His carelessness pinched at Brandon. "What do you mean okay."

"Back out of the bet."

"I can't."

"You can but your pride won't let you. You also are excited by this in a away."

Brandon nodded, "I am."

Brian only smiled. "Okay. So, who's the new assistant?"

"That's Margret."

"Hey, if the girl that insulted you was right, why not look for her? You said it yourself that she was more qualified than your last assistant."

Brandon shrugged.

"You don't have a copy of her file?"

Brandon shook his head, "No. She was the last applicant for the day. I had had really good ones come in before her so I underestimated her. When I got her file...." He trailed off, shrugging. "I don't know."

Brian narrowed his eyes. Brandon looked at him with straight eyes.

"What?"

"Brandon."

"Yes?"

"Did you feel attracted to her in any way?"

"Excuse me?"

"That would explain why you obviously didn't remember to have it faxed or even emailed to you, at any time of the day." Brian enunciated.

Brandon frowned, "I never forget."

Brian scoffed out a mocking laugh, "You forgot and you know it."

Brandon rolled his eyes and stood. Shoving his hands in his pants pockets, he casually walked to stand in front of his large floor to ceiling windows, staring down at the busy streets of New-York.

"Someone somewhere probably has a copy of it. Have it sent to you."

Brandon said nothing.

"Tell me what you're thinking." 

"She's insulted me." He said, his voice taking on a tone of begrudging awe.

"And?"

"She looked above my public figure. No one has ever done that."

The room was quiet with no sounds being made between the men. Watching a yellow cab zip down the road, Brandon turned around to see a knowing smile on Brian's face.

"You like her." He stated.

"I'm curious."

"You like a woman. Actually like a woman."

Brandon said nothing. 

"Now, I'm more satisfied."

"Why?"

"You'll find her. I know you will. Imagine how she'll feel when she finds out you're playing with another woman like this..." 

"You'd really like that, wouldn't you?"

"Only too much. Back out of the bet."

Silence.

.

"I won't."

It took a whole week for Steven to text Brandon and when he did, all he sent was

Meet me on king's street at 6.

On a Monday morning.

Brandon slammed his car door shut as at the same time Brian did. They walked towards each other and bro hugged.

"He called you too?" 

"Yes. On a Monday morning," Brian added, slowly turning to look at Steven like he wanted to lunge for him. Steven was casually leaning against his bright yellow Jaguar. Upon Brian's look, he smiled and began towards them.

"Bros," he greeted.

"Let's get this over with." Brandon quipped, looking around cautiously. This was a rather cosy part of town with the tall buildings in front of several shops lined on the side, but one could never be too sure of the media and if nothing at all, they were a pain in Brandon's behind.

"Mind if we use your car?" Steven asked, looking to Brian.

"Sure."

They made their way to Brian's metallic grey Mercedes CLS 450 and got in with Brandon in the passenger seat, Brian in the driver's seat and Steven in the back.

"Where to?"

"Nowhere. Now, we just wait."

Brandon frowned. "Wait? Wait for what?"

"For her to come to work."

"The girl you have in mind works on this street?" Brian asked, spinning around to look at Steven.

Steven shot him a weird look. "Yes. Know someone from here?"

"Yes," Brian responded, feeling very uncomfortable.

"A girl?" Steven smiled.

"Yes."

"Who knows? She just might be the one."

"Don't play with me, bro. Don't." 

"Jeez bro, calm down. I was only kidding."

Brandon watched Brian turn back to face the windscreen with a worried look on his face.

"Who's she?"

"Sherlie's best friend."

"Beth?" Brandon asked. He'd heard about Beth from both Brian and Sherlie but had never met her. From what he'd heard, Beth was an amazing person, loved by both.

"Yeah."

Brandon sighed. "What does she do here?"

"She works here."

Looking at the shops scattered on one side of the street, Brandon asks, "Where?"

"Jackie's coffee shop," Brian responded, pointing at the coffee shop two shops away. Brian was about to say something else, before freezing and turning back to look at Steven.

"The girl... Where does she work?"

"The same shop." Steven said with an expression on his face that told just how seriously he was taking all this.

Brian's heart began to beat faster.

"Describe her to me."

"She's a- there she is."

Both Brian and Brandon turned to the person Steven was pointing at. Brian blanched. Brandon froze. Steven looked between the two of them, gulping softly.

"Ms. West?" Brandon asked, watching the beautiful honey haired woman walk down the road with a jolly pep in her step.

Brian turned to him. "What do you mean- wait...."

Brandon looked to Brian, holding eye contact as the weight of the situation hit him.

"She's the one?"

Brandon nodded. "She's the one."

They both turned around to glare at Steven. He looked between the two of them, slowly inching his way to the door.

"Did you know?"

Steven immediately shook his head, "I didn't, I swear. She's the woman who insulted you? Fuck. Well, take this as payback."

Brian lunged for Steven. Brandon pulled him back, sending Steven a look that had him looking away.

"Do you realize that Brandon insulted her first!?"

Brandon exhaled, dropping his head on the head rest.

Fuck, this was so messed up.

Brian turned to him, "Do you understand what position this puts me in with Sherlie? My best friend is playing her best friend."

Brandon turned to look at Brian.

Whatever he said wouldn't be an excuse. Guilt thawed at him. He just stared at him. Brian sighed, sitting back.

"I know you won't back out."

Brandon said nothing. Steven tried to keep his victorious smile at bay.

"Beth is very different from other girls. Painfully innocent. You'll soon understand what I mean. I don't like this. Not one bit. I can't tell you not to hurt her, because I know you will. Just don't break her." Brian looked to Brandon, willing him to promise.

It was the least he could do.

"I won't."

Brian and Brandon held eye contact, before nodding at each other. 

Brandon watched Steven drive off before Brian. As Brian's car zoomed down the road, Brandon sighed to himself.

What a twist.