Chapter 31: Friends With Benefits

"Why? Don't tell me, you're confused about how to pay for it, right? Tch, I knew it! It's the arrogant poor people who really piss me off the most!"

"Hey, the most disgusting thing is someone like you!"

"You can still talk, can't you? Never mind, I'll wait until next week! I don't want to know!" Bryan is increasingly showing his power. He knew if it was about money and possessions, Lucia wouldn't be able to beat him. Now he was just biding his time until luck was on his side.

Meanwhile, Lucia who was in front of him only indicated resignation while deep in thought. She really didn't want to work with Bryan. She knew that Bryan would take the opportunity to get revenge on her and now it seemed she was the loser here.

"Give me time!" She said nervously.

"What? Time? For what?"

"I'll try to get money to pay for the maintenance of your car. Although, I know that small scratches like this are nothing to worry about. But, I will still be responsible!"

"What? Small scratches you say? Tch, someone like you really won't know the value of luxury goods. It's useless if I explain it to you, there's no point! Well, I'll wait! If you don't want to pay for it, you'll have to work with me without pay for one year!" Bryan said as he opened his car door and got in with a feeling of satisfaction that he can't express in words.

While Lucia actually felt very weak. She didn't know why something like this had to happen to her. The feeling of having to get into the car that cost her that much money made Lucia feel irritated. This car doesn't even belong to her and she has to work hard for something that doesn't belong to her.

During the way, Bryan kept glancing at Lucia who was sitting beside him smiling happily. Contrasted with Lucia who wore a gloomy face.

"You didn't work today?" Bryan asked excitedly.

"Not your business!"

"Tch, damn it! Why is that your answer? I'll ask nicely!"

"Don't ask me anything! I don't want to talk to you!" Lucia felt so irritated that she didn't realize she was being childish. But somehow Bryan actually felt that Lucia looked very cute.

Bryan smiled and glanced at Lucia who was reluctant to look ahead. He had no idea that making this woman feel angry would be this much fun. It was as if there was a sensation he couldn't resist coursing into his blood.

"Have you eaten? How about looking for a restaurant?"

"No need!"

"I'm very rarely kind like this! So don't refuse!"

"No!"

"I'll treat you to all you can eat! You really like to eat, don't you? How about a French restaurant? You can order anything!"

"No!"

"Tch, this one really doesn't know, huh?"

"I told you not to talk to me! Why are you still talking to me?"

"What do you mean? So, who should I talk to? Damn it!"

"You can shut up and drive!"

"Hey, I'm not your personal driver! Don't just tell me to!"

Sreeettt...

Bryan who lost concentration, almost took the wrong track and made him pull his car to the side of the road and stop before he hit something.

Heartbeat...

Their hearts were beating so fast they were almost hurt. They were catching their breath, making the atmosphere that had been boisterous because of their debate suddenly fell silent for a moment.

"If I get injured in an accident! You're the one who should be held responsible!" Lucia said.

"How much compensation do you want? I'll definitely pay for everything!"

"Tch, you arrogant bastard!"

"You'd better think for yourself! I'll be waiting for your answer next week! Don't think I'll forget it!"

***

"Damn it...! Bryan, you bastard! Even though he was in the wrong, why should I pay for the repairs his car? He must have set me up on purpose! You insolent, Bryan...!"

Lucia screamed hysterically in her room, lamenting that her fate was only getting worse. Living alone on the second floor of this house made her think that no one would hear her screams.

Lucia wanted to cry, but her tears couldn't come out. She couldn't understand why Bryan had the heart to demand compensation from her friend who she knew would not have much money. And Lucia knew why Bryan did it, the plan was clearly laid out.

"Yes, he wants revenge on me! He wants to use me and torture me!"

Knock...knock...knock...

"Lucia...! What are you doing?" Mrs Joana exclaimed who was already standing in front of her bedroom door.

Lucia was embarrassed, she was afraid if Mrs Joana had heard her scream just now. Lucia immediately acted gracefully and carefully opened the bedroom door.

"What's wrong?" She asked nervously.

"Leo came, he said he wanted to meet you!"

"Leo?"

"Yes! Hurry up and meet him!"

"O-okay!"

Lucia was dumbfounded, she didn't know why Leo had come so late, especially at dinner time like this. Lucia immediately went down to the first floor and saw Leo standing on the terrace of the house with his favorite motorbike.

"Leo?"

"Hi, good evening?" Leo smiled gently. He looks very happy.

"What's wrong? You want to talk to me?"

"No, there's actually something I want to give you!" He said as he handed her a paper bag with a box inside.

"What's this?"

"Just open it!"

Lucia opened the paper bag and found a box of chocolates that used to be Lucia's favorite chocolates.

"Chocolate?" Lucia chuckled. She was a little confused as to why Leo had come to see her just to give her a box of chocolates.

"Bryan used to give us those chocolates often, because too expensive, we had to fight to get it!"

"You're right! I have to beat you to get you surrender and give me your share!"

"And that damn Bryan is watching our fight laughing. What a lunatic!"

"Yeah, he's crazy and really annoying!" Talking about Bryan only brought back memories of the day's events and it put her in a bad mood again.

"What's wrong? You have a problem with him?"

"I don't know if this is a problem or not. But I owe him £100,000!"

"What? 100 thousand pounds? How come?"

"Actually, you can't say you owe! This afternoon I passed in front of his house, he came with his car behind me and shouted insults at me. I got angry and kicked his car, I just found out that the price of the car was very expensive and he asked me to pay compensation to repair the scratches on his car!"

"That damn Bryan, he must be on purpose!"

"I also know, he must be on purpose!"

"So, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know! But he wants me to work with him and pay for the car!"

"100 thousand Pounds, huh? The cars he owns are really expensive, so the maintenance and repair costs are big!"

"I don't know what to do! I don't have that kind of money!"

"Then, just accept his offer! You just need to work with him, right?"

"I don't want to! I have a very bad feeling about that. He's grinning like he's plotting something evil!"

"Hahahaha...how can it be? You really don't want to work with him?"

"No! Never!"

"Okay! I'll call him, let me pay for the car repair!"

"What? What do you mean, you're going to pay for it?"

"You said you didn't want to work with him, right?"

"But that's not what I meant! You didn't have to do that, did you?"

"Yesterday I told you that I was going to Macao, right? I have a job there. If it works, I will get 100 thousand Pounds for you!"

"What kind of job?"

"Not a great job, but the pay is great! When my work is done, I'll go to London and buy an apartment there. I'll also open an auto repair shop. If you want, you can work with me later!"

Lucia felt so touched, she didn't know what to say now. Leo's warm smile made her want to cry.

"Leo thanks! But I don't want you to force yourself on me! I'll try myself, I don't want to burden you!"

"What are you talking about? If earning just 100 thousand Pounds was so easy! You don't have to feel burdened. After all, I told you, right? You are someone very important to me. So, now that you're back, I'd like to do everything I can to help!"

Lucia's eyes filled with tears, she didn't want to cry in front of Leo. But ever since she was here, she found so much sincerity that she couldn't get anywhere else.

"When will you be back?"

"You waiting for me?"

"Not really! Don't be too confident, okay?"

"Hahahaha...well! Then, shall I go first?"

"Alright, be careful on the road!"

"Kiss me!"

"You want to die, huh?"

"I'm going away for a few weeks, what's wrong with giving a farewell kiss!"

"Of course it's wrong! You idiot! What do you think our relationship is?"

"Friends with benefits?" Leo said with his trademark smile that was like a wild wolf. His amber eyes are very charming, making anyone who looks into his eyes will not be able to deny his charm.

"You crazy! Go there!"

"Hahaha... come on! Just kiss me once!"

"I said no-"

Leo didn't give Lucia a chance to turn him down. He immediately grabbed Lucia's hand and gave her a kiss that she will never forget.

"Take care of yourself! I'll definitely be back! My dear friend!"

***