140 - The chapter where Andre is a jerk

Rose

In the end, Liam, Skyller and Christian joined me for breakfast and soon, my friend started taking care of all the details for the party that would start as soon as all the guests arrived in the middle of the afternoon. The staff hired by his parents, who had opted to leave, giving us more privacy, began to arrive, as did the catering service that would take care of our food for the weekend.

The cars bringing all the selected guests of that celebration started to arrive around thirteen o'clock, and that's when things started to get really lively. With all the details sorted out, it wasn't long before everyone was enjoying a lively pool party, some even jumping off the infinity edge into the sea, going around a small deck to return to the area afterwards.

Everything seemed to be going well at the celebration. Allie was avoiding even drinking in the presence of her older brother, pretending to be the perfect little girl as usual, Avery was busy with a new boyfriend, so she kept her distance from our group and Wayne seemed to be getting along very well with Savannah Hill, and as for me, I was just willing to enjoy as much sun and warmth as I could in the company of my friends.

Soon after lunch was served, I left the table where Christian and the rest of the gang finished their sandwiches and went for a walk around the place, enjoying the sun that was getting hotter and hotter, allowing the sun's rays to bathe my skin, knowing that it would be a while before I could enjoy that high temperature at Grayfox Mills.

It was then, as I passed the tennis court next to the property, a male voice caught my attention.

" Hey, Rose. Just the person I need right now," Wayne waved at me, causing me to frown.

" "Me?" I widened my eyes at that unexpected contact, approaching the entrance of the court, where some people were gathered around the net.

" Yeah, you... We're getting together for a game of badminton, and we need one more person to play," he winked at me.

I crossed my arms, raising both eyebrows at that invitation. Is he really inviting me to a competition? After what happened at his party? The poor thing must be suffering from heatstroke.

" Are you sure about that? Remember what happened on your birthday? " I smiled.

He approached with a gallant smile on his face, holding two rackets.

" I remember it well, and that's exactly why I'm asking you to help me kick those guys' asses," he indicated the spot where Andre and another guy stood on the other side of the court.

" Hey, Simon. It's best to let the girls watch. We'd hate for a hottie like that to get hurt," Andre quipped as he watched me.

"Tell me you're going to help me," Wayne insisted.

" 'Give me the racket and don't get in my way,' I warned, holding out my hand.

Wayne winked at me as I twirled the racket in my hands, walking to the center of the court.

"Are you sure about this, Rose? You're dealing with athletes,” Andre teased as he watched me assume the serving position.

Without much thought I jumped, hitting the shuttlecock with the racket, sending the small object across the net, receiving a surprised look from the two boys when the shuttlecock hit their side of the court.

" In that case, the athletes better stop talking and start playing,” I warned, turning to Wayne, “you better not make me lose, Simon.”

That seemed to have made them decide to take me seriously, and they weren't willing to lose the game to a girl, just as much as I wasn't willing to let them win, often throwing myself to the ground or pushing Wayne out of my way so as not to lose a point.

" What the fuck! " I slammed my racket on the ground as I lost a point.

" Great, haven't you learned to leave Rose out of competitions yet? " I heard Theo's voice outside the court.

" What is it, kitten? Are you ready to give up yet? " Andre smiled at my outburst.

" 'I'm not leaving this court until I make you lose, kitten,” I returned with a defiant smile, hitting another shot.

" Rose, that's mine," Wayne warned, hitting the shuttlecock once more.

" Good play, Simon," I complimented him as the boy scored another point.

Andre's partner took the shuttlecock, preparing to serve while I concentrated on the trajectory of the object, hitting it to the opponent's side, and then being repelled by Andre.

"What do you think about making it more interesting, Rose? " he proposed.

"My only interest is to win, Waldorf " I denied, throwing myself on the ground for another hit, being helped by Wayne afterwards.

" Rose, you're going to get hurt, watch out! " I heard Cam's voice ring out from the court.

"I can let you win if you give me a kiss," Andre smiled as he scored another point.

I froze in my place, blinking dazedly at that sentence. For a second, memories of that party so many months ago came into my mind, as I heard a buzz forming around us at that proposal.

" Hey, dangerous ground, Waldorf" Wayne growled in response.

" She said she wants to win…”

I took a deep breath, turning to Wayne, handing him the racket.

" I'm outta here.”

" Rose…”

" Are you that sensitive? I asked you for a kiss, what's the big deal about that? " Andre came towards me.

I turned to him, lowering my voice to an annoyed whisper as I raised my face to face him.

" You better stay away from me, if you try one more of those cute little things, I'll personally see to it that you end up with that perfect, annoying little smile of yours. Now forget about me, because as far as I'm concerned, you'll spend your night having the exclusive company of your hand " I turned my back, not expecting an answer.

Leaving the court, I saw Cam approaching, but I wasn't interested in company at that moment, and I just shook my head negatively at her.

" Hey, why are you trying so hard? " I heard Andre's voice rise.

" Dude, if you try to follow her, you're gonna have a problem with me,' Theo warned, standing in the boy's way.

" Come on, she's overreacting,” I heard the boy complain.

I hurried my steps towards the nearest entrance of the house, bumping into someone on the way.

" What the hell, why don't you watch where you're going? " Alicia complained.

" And why don't you get out of my way? " I retorted angrily.

I didn't wait for an answer, I just hurried my steps towards the stairs, willing myself to stay in my room until I felt safe not to collapse in the presence of anyone.

As soon as I found myself in the safety of the room, I slammed the door hard, holding myself back from breaking anything in my friend's house, as much as that was my desire at the moment. Or maybe I should go back and break the nose of that smug asshole who thinks he can treat me like that!

I threw myself on the bed, muffling a scream in the pillow, remaining motionless in that position for a few minutes, turning on my side, finally managing to start getting rid of all that anger. I left the room only when I felt I could smile again and act like it hadn't affected me. Deciding to join my friends to avoid any unnecessary worry during that celebration.

Walking back down the stairs to join the others, the voice I wanted to avoid the most at that moment made me stop, considering returning to the room to avoid meeting Andre, but something in its tone made me stop.

" Is that a threat?”

" No. It's a warning. You better stay away from my girl, because if I know you looked at her again," I felt my heart race as I heard Christian's voice.

Andre adopted a more aggressive stance, moving closer to Christian. I moved, ready to interfere if necessary.

" Do you really think it's a good idea to threaten me in my family home? Who do you think you are?”

" I'm the guy who's willing to break your legs if you insist on it. And guess what, I don't care about your family or rules when it comes to Rose. Then you'd better rethink that attitude of yours,” Christian returned nonchalantly.

"I didn't know my cousin hung out with Psychopaths now," the boy muttered disgruntledly.

"Now you know, so you'd better watch out." Christian turned away, walking back up the stairs, making me enter his field of vision.

His gaze locked on mine for a second, not bothered by the fact that I had witnessed the situation. Andre looked in my direction, surprised to see me standing there, turning his back and walking away.

Christian wrapped his arm around me, leading me back towards the bedroom, without giving the boy a second glance.

"You just threatened Liam's cousin," I commented, snuggling into his arms. I felt protected at that moment.

"Yeah, I know who he is," Christian shrugged.

"I thought we should keep the peace this weekend," I tilted my head to watch him.

He stopped walking, turning me to face him, holding my jaw to make me look into his eyes.

"I meant it, Rose. I don't follow rules when it comes to you, and if anyone thinks they can take advantage of you, they're sorely mistaken," he emphasized before leaning in, giving me a brief kiss on the lips, "Now let's get some rest, what do you say?"