Taming A Billionaire

Isabella's point of view:

Anabelle was a killjoy. A good one at that. None of the games I brought up were good enough for her, either they were too brilliant for her to engage in - she claims we're too smart and can't be beaten against - or was too tedious for her to join - Anabelle claims we're stronger than her. Ugh! It was too irritating! 

All of my plans for the night were dashed to pieces. What the hell was fun without the thrill of it?! And now, we're having our pizza in boredom.

I wonder why I even listened to her? I was changing and that I knew because the previous me wouldn't care about Anabelle's fucked up opinion. What changed in me? Or rather, who changed me? It was almost as if I was losing my touch or something.

Oh, gracious God, this was worse than I thought. What happened to Isabella?!!

"This is boring," I didn't bother to hide thev displeasure in my tone. My idea of a perfect blissful night was tossed out of the window before it even began. 

"Let's play a game," Anabelle flashed me a smile. She knew I was pissed and was looking for ways to placate me. 

Yeah, Anabelle wasn't that hard to read. Actually, she was like an open book, a blank one, which I write upon and like a robot created like the other pathetic humans out there, acts upon it. Except that this particular robot was a bit dumb and stubborn. 

"What game?" I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. Who knows? She might have something fun in mind. 

"Truth or dare!" she announced. 

This time, all three of us at the table groaned. Was she trying to bore us to death? Who does that game these days? Moreover, we all had deadly secrets we'd rather keep to ourselves. Yep, we were not just ordinary kids, but ones born out of crazy, dysfunctional families. 

"Nope," I was the first to object. There was no way on earth I was revealing the skeletons in my wardrobe, especially not in front of my baby, Pedro. What if he's unable to handle it and gets scared of me? Nope, I'm not risking it. 

"I second that," Julie was in support.

I smirked, guess I wasn't the only one who doesn't want their partner to know their toxic past. It comforted me - if Julie went out of line, I wouldn't hesitate to use one of those to blackmail him. 

"Come on guys, it's going to be fun. And to guarantee that, we're going to use the alcohol. Anyone who fails to accept their respective truth or dare challenge would have a drink. And no, I'm not objecting this time," she persuaded us firmly. 

My brow raised in interest, this sounds like fun? Since Anabelle was so passionate about it, who was I to turn down the offer - an evil plan forming in my head. Oh please, I'm not evil. It's just a smart scheme.

"Fine, I'm in," I clapped my hand, conclusively. 

"God, no," Julie groaned, rubbing the side of his temple with a sigh, knowing my sudden change of heart was no good to him. 

"I'm in," Predo supported me as usual. I grinned at him, he was a very reliable team player and I couldn't ask for any better partner than him. 

Done, the three of us then turned to Julie, staring at him expectantly. 

"I don't like this. You trio are ganging up on me," He groaned, wiping his face with his palm. 

I snorted, "There is no more time to be wasted, you in or out or what?" 

"What do you think?" he glared at me. 

"He's in," I happily translated for Anabelle. 

"Yeah!" Anabelle celebrated and without second thoughts, cleared the pizza boxes on the floor, beginning to set the drinks while we all gathered in a circle waiting for our moderator aka Anabelle to commence the start of the game. 

"Alright," She began, "Let's start with Isabella," 

Oh, I'm so delighted. 

"She's going to spin the bottle..." Anabelle said, handing an empty bottle to me and don't even ask who emptied its contents - it's quite obvious. 

"She's going to spin it and whoever the bottle's neck points to, would have to entertain her truth or dare, and that procedure pertains to practically everyone else in this room. Also, there's no redo unless the bottle 

points at the space between two people. So now..." she readjusted on the floor, "You can begin, Isabelle," 

"Thank you," I said and without wasting time, spun the bottle hard in the middle. The bottle began to spin and after a while, completely stopped at….. 

"Anabelle," I smirked, the universe was on my side today. 

"No, that's impossible," Anabelle blanched from shock, "How can it be me?"

"There's no foul play if that's what you're trying to say. You all saw it..." I held all of their gazes, "It was pure luck,"

"Yeah, there was no foul play but then you're incredibly smart and could have calculated the trigonometry, formation of the lines and stuff like that, I don't know how you do it or say it, you're the smart one here..." Anabelle accused me of cheating. Smartly.

And yes, I did a bit of calculation in there, but in the end, it was left in the hands of probability and luck. Hence, I cannot accept her alleged claims.

"You said there would be no redo, are you ready to play this game or not, Anabelle?" I asked sternly. I hated delays and most of all indecisiveness.

"Fine," She pouted and fluttered her eyelids sadly. As if that look would work on me.

"Truth or dare," I asked.

"Dare," Anabelle said to my surprise. Seems she has grown some balls. However, I was wrong because when she realized what she just agreed to, Anabelle's eyes widened and she changed her mind as predicted.

"No, I mean truth. The dare slipped out of my mouth, Izzy?" Anabelle pleaded.

"I'm sorry, honey," I told her, "You've made your bed, sleep on it, "I added immediately knowing how fickle Anabelle could be," And don't tell me, you're about to chicken out, "

"Of course not!" She stomped her feet, looking irritated that I would even think of that, " Bring it on, Isabella." She looked so brave.

This would be interesting.

My gaze shifted to Julie and our eyes met, he shivered. However, he gave me a look that says I- don't - know - what - you're - planning - but - keep - me-out - of - it.

I smiled inwardly, if only he knew this one was going to favor him. I tore my gaze back to Anabelle and announced, "Anabelle, I dare you to kiss Julie on the lips. A deep french kiss,"

For a moment there, nobody talked. Anabelle looked as if she had seen a ghost while Julie was simply stunned, he had not anticipated that from me - he thought I would come up with something harmful to his reputation. 

However, I didn't do it for him - even though he ended up benefiting. But the point is, Anabelle is modest and shy about her relationship and if I want to make sure that my sacrifices of getting them away from their parent's works, I have to make sure they're madly in love with one another. And there was one way to solidify that, intimacy - the music "touch my body" begins to play in my head. Gosh, I love being evil. Wait, what?

Predo coughed awkwardly by my side, rousing me back to the presence. I caught Anabelle, her face was as red as an Alaskan pink shrimp. I caught her right where I wanted her to be. 

"Why?" I goaded her, "You don't want to kiss your boyfriend?" 

"No! Is not that…" her voice rose from a high pitch to barely a whisper, scratching her scalp awkwardly. She was shy. 

"There's nothing wrong with kissing the one you love in the open, I do that all the time with Pedro -" 

"We know," Julie interrupted, "And thankfully don't need an illustration," He knew exactly what I was thinking. 

"Well, to be frank, kissing Julie openly means you're proud of your boyfriend and not scared to show him off. Moreover, you're staking your claim on him - so back off bitches. Yeah, that kind of thing," I can't believe I was pep talking. What happened to the previous Isabella?"

But then, amid my inspirational speech. Anabelle still looked conflicted and I was about to think of another approach when Pedro thought of something better. 

"Kiss him! Kiss him!" Pedro began to goad her and my grin widened. I love my man. 

I joined him, "Anabelle, come on, all you have to do is to kiss the boy!" I hollered.

Anabelle covered her face, embarrassed and after a moment, pulled her hands down, there was a new resolution in her eyes. 

"Woohoo!" I jubilated, knowing she had made up her mind. However, I rejoiced too soon. 

Before our very eyes, Anabelle choose to pick the bottle, poured herself a drink, and downed it. 

"Kiss…. ugh... no... " Our faces were filled with disappointment. We had so much hope that she would gather courage and move out of her shell for once. Well, so much for having hope 

But then, to our shock, Anabelle turned to Julie by her side, straddled him, and kissed him fully on the mouth. 

I was so shocked that I didn't even realize when a scream of excitement rippled my mouth. Anabelle did it! I guess she took the drink to build up her confidence. Nonetheless, I was a great instigator. 

Give me an applause, people.