Chapter 1: That Sexy Bachelor 1

Yumi's POV.

-

I hurriedly pay the taxi driver as I step out of the car. The middle-aged man simply nods and I briskly walk away. Climbing onto the pavement, I adjust the chain strap of my leather bag and quick strides bring me to the entrance to a fast-food restaurant.

I know Zana and Zainab must be here already. Letting out a calming breath, I push the glass doors open and the aroma of various sweet delicacies welcomes me so enticingly that it gets my stomach churning in delight.

“And there she is!”

“Truly took her time.”

I smile foolishly, quickly joining the girls at a table by the semi-glass wall. I drop my bag onto the table and run a smoothing hand from my butt to mid-thighs to straighten my skirt before settling into the empty seat.

“Hey guys,” I force a weak smile. The girls frown at me but Zainab quickly dismisses my lateness and jumps into talking.

“Guess who bumped into someone today?” She wiggles her brows excitedly and Zana rolls her eyes.

I look between the two as I pick up the menu, “Bumped into someone? Can you elaborate further?” I burrow my eyes into the list of enticing yummies while a grumble rolls out of her.

“Fine, I’ll just tell you since you can’t guess it.” Her wide grin returns to her mischievous face. “I bumped into him! The one and only billionaire bachelor, Henry Slater!” She screams out in her shrill voice, having us both shielding our ears with our palms.

“What’s with you, girl? We’re in the midst of people!” I scold angrily with a gnash of my teeth and she clamps a hand over her mouth, giggling softly, “I’m sorry”.

The frown on my face simmers down as I place the menu flat on the clothed round table. “Why does that get you so excited?” I deadpan.

“Ugh, I’ve forgotten you’re not into this kinda stuff. But hey, it’s Henry Slater we’re talking about.”

“There’s nothing special about a guy who uses his money to sleep around with every girl in town. It still baffles me how he’s an Alpha,” I roll my eyes dryly and shrug my shoulders. Zana steps in to talk since Zainab is busy pouting.

“Do you really mean that? You haven’t met him, have you?” She questions with interest and I shake my head in the negative.

“Nope. And I don’t wanna.”

“That’s why you’re saying these things!” They both exclaim together and I hiss.

“Look…” Zainab starts, placing her elbows on the table and leaning forward, “…ever seen those slate-blue hazel mix orbs up close? The hunk is damn six-foot-seven inches! Seen those biceps and all the finely sculpted muscles before?! He’s a crusher!” She goes on with his praises and I blow out a sigh.

“Don’t forget those eyes of his hold mysterious powers too. They bewitch every woman he merely glances at in the eyes and they fall effortlessly. I know he’s a stench and chronic player, but…” Zana leans forward, trying to defend him and I huff.

"Honestly, I don’t ever wanna meet him; If I can. I’d like to live a normal human life and fall in love with a human man. Hmmm…or maybe a wolf who lost his mate…”

“You’re a crazy girl! Ending up with a wolf is not different,” Zainab debunks and I stick my tongue out at her. 

I don’t get why they have to bombard me with the one celebrity I’m least concerned about. Stop trying to convert me into the Henry Fanatics you are.

“It’s still way much better than being stuck to such a disgusting guy for the rest of my life. Sorry Zana,” I go on to say, nonchalantly while having my attention slowly returning to the menu. The girls giggle and finally wave over for the waiter to come take our orders.

“Just be careful of what you wish, girl…you aren't exempted from his tastes. Keep safe,” Zainab winks at me and I refute angrily, “Keep shut!”

“So…between him and Hwang Hyun Shik from ‘Paper Hearts’, who do you think is hotter?” Zana asks with a smirk forming on her lips and I bite mine, quickly jumping into the defense of one of my favorite Korean characters from my favorite author’s novel.

“Oh please, don’t just go there! Hyun Shik is on a whole new celestial level of male beauty. Leave him-”

“But, Henry Slater isn’t much different, is he? His godly looks can challenge Hyun Shik’s, don’t you think? Not to mention, it's just a fictional character and not someone real.”

Zainab wiggles her brows at me and I pout, not wanting to give in, but they’re very right. I never knew such a man could exist. Nah, I never wanted to accept it. He may just be lacking the gorgeous dimples Hyun Shik has but….It truly hurts to admit this against myself.

“…fine.”

  -

“Alright then, see ya.”

I wave the girls bye after stepping out of the taxi, and they wave back before taking off. I watch till they get out of sight before stepping into the seven-story tall apartment building I live in. When I get into my condo, I quickly get my phone charging before walking to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. I take it with me to the little comfy living room where I sit to watch TV.

“Henry Slater.”

Right the moment his name slips from my lips, his face appears on the TV screen and I almost yelp. It feels like I just summoned him.

“Damn you!” I curse at him, busy talking to the over-blushing female presenter interviewing him. As usual, he has a super beautiful girl next to him. I relax in my sofa, just watching him.

He’s a real hot shot; so tall and well-built. His midnight-black hair just makes his mysterious eyes glow with a charming glimmer. Those hypnotic and enchanting orbs have every woman submitting to him, their mind, heart, body, and soul.

Not me though. I shake out of it along with my strong denial. “Who cares about his looks? I don’t like him”. 

Why would I? He’s the capital definition of a ‘man whore’.

There are constantly updated pictures of him with his numerous flings on social media and nasty gossip about his sex life. He’s gone to every club in this world, I bet. And the dark rumors only keep worsening. Although he’s the wealthiest bachelor in the entirety of the U.S.A and well-known across the whole world at the young age of 24, he’s probably broken more hearts than any other player in the world. And if his mate doesn’t come soon, there’s no telling what his record might skyrocket to.

This is annoying, now they’ve got me thinking about him. “Those girls.”

I lift myself off the sofa and make my way to the kitchen to prepare dinner; a delicious meal of Italian pasta. My phone starts ringing on the counter top and I quickly snatch it while moving away from the electric cooker.

“Yeah?” I say dully as I press the gadget against my receiving ear. ‘Yumi, tell me you saw him!’ Zainab’s fangirling voice responds excitedly. I roll my eyes and lean my back against the counter. “Saw who?”

‘Who else? Your beloved Henry Slater!’ She cheerfully teases. I frown instantly, “Oh shut up, Zainab. You don’t joke about that. Now go straight to the point, I’ve got a meal cooking.”

‘Oops, sorry. His convoy just sped past your apartment building a few minutes ago.’

That must have been when I was busy watching him on my TV screen. I twist my lips to the side and frown like she can see me. “Don’t tell me…” I growl and hear her giggle, ‘Sorry, I just wanted you to-’

I cut the call with a hiss. I can’t believe this girl! She’s such a crazy fan of his. Maybe bumping into him got her rational brain cells falling off. She’s unbelievable.

I check on my meal and when it’s done, I dish it out onto a flat round plate and carry towards my little dining table. I’ve got only an afternoon class tomorrow so I can drop by at the Kindergarten in the morning to help out. I and Zana co-own a kindergarten school here in California, El Dorado and we’ve got our hired staff doing all the work but we do drop by when we’re not so busy with University; courtesy of our family's support.

Zana Marlow is half Spanish and half white. She’s a werewolf as well and a member of her pack’s warriors; belonging to the largest and strongest pack in the whole of the U.S.A… ’The Black Forest Pack’, and possibly the whole world of which Henry Slater, is its Alpha. Just like me, she’s 21 and also attends the same university as I and Zainab. Zainab Kazeem is the idiot of the three of us and also of the same age. She’s a werewolf too, from the Turkish Thunder Spear Pack’. She easily gets carried away and is so into her favorite celebrities and won’t spare us from any gossip. She’s fun and a sweetheart most time.

Both girls have been my best friends since I came to the States to study. We’re well-known on the school campus to always stick together. And that, we do.

I finish my meal and put the plate into the sink to wash later. Picking my phone, I draw my password pattern and skip to the living room where I crash into my sofa but it starts ringing and I don’t know this strange number. Debating on whether or not to pick it up, I decide to answer the call instead as I slide my thumb over the receive icon.

“Hello?” I call carefully.

'Hi, I’m sorry to disturb you. I’m calling from Shuga Club. Are you an acquaintance of a Miss Eliza?-'

“Eliza?!” I cut him off with surprise.

Oh please, don’t tell me she got dead drunk again. Her boyfriend isn’t in town. I grit my teeth, growing pissed. “Yes, please look after her till I get there. Gosh! She never listens. Thanks.”

‘It’s no problem at all ma’am.’

After ending the call, I quickly grab my scarf and keys and then dash out of the condo. It’s such a good thing I gave her my number or else who’ll go take her from there? Nathan is many cities away and I’m like the only person he trusts. I let out a sigh, drumming my fingers on my thighs to contain my patience till the taxi gets there. The taxi arrives there and I feel my whole body tense up in reluctance.

Okay, Yumi…you’ve got to go in there. I know you’ve never done this but…it's for Nathan and Eliza…you must.

I squeeze my eyes shut like the scene will just suddenly morph into a restaurant or something else but upon opening them, the sight only worsens with scantily dressed women crowding the entrance of the nightclub. I cringe dreadfully as I alight the vehicle stiffly. I wish Zana was at least here with me right now. Gulping, I fasten my clothes tighter to my body and take heavy steps over there.

I’m met by the two giant bouncers on either side of the entrance who I croakily explain my reason for being here, especially because of the odd way I’m dressed. That tells me a lot that I don’t belong to this world. They do let me in and I’m met by the barman who called from her phone.

“Oh, thanks for looking after her…” I appreciate his help and he smiles at me. “It’s no biggie. She’s barely awake. Are you sure you’ll be fine on your own?” The Spanish edge in his accent sounds beautiful.

I nod my head. “I will. You’ve done more than enough for me…thanks again.”

“Alright then miss, do take care, and goodnight,” He walks away and I puff out a deep sigh.

I know in such a place like this, other men won’t hesitate to approach such a wasted girl and not take advantage of her. Yet, this stranger helped to watch over her. Decent men still do exist out there huh? I approach the wasted blonde slouched in a very awkward position on a curved red sofa and I sigh, tapping her on the arm.

“Hey…Eliza."

She moves, her dead eyes slowly coming open. “Y-yumi?” Her voice is almost a whisper. “Yes, it’s me. I’m here to take you home.”

“I’m…so-sorry…”

“Let’s deal with that later. Come on, I can’t carry you all by myself,” I hold her arm, helping her up. She staggers and almost falls back when I feel another hand grip her back and a sensational presence dawns behind me.

“Careful there”.

A deep, cool, manly voice prickles over my skin in a rush of pervasive excitement and I momentarily feel light-headed. I regain myself after seeing Eliza’s done-in form and help her back up with the stranger still hiding behind me.