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Chapter One-hundred Forty-Four: Sense of Adventure

Chapter 144

Sense of Adventure


Jordi was driving to work with Gina in the passenger seat. He wore his black suit, and she was still wearing her silk robe over her nightgown.

Gina: “Jordi, I don’t want to be alone!”

She whined.

Jordi: “I understand, but I have to go to work. Tell your parents about this, and they can have security guards around your house.”

He nodded. Gina pouted.

Gina: “But I want you to protect me!”

Jordi rubbed his forehead.

Jordi: “And I will, but I have to go to work!”

He said irritably, banging on the steering wheel. Gina’s bottom lip trembled.

Gina: “So you don’t care if I die?”

Jordi gaped at her.

Jordi: “I never said that! I can’t miss work, Gina! Besides, your dead boyfriend almost killed me, and you never told me you were seeing someone else when we slept together!”

He fired back at her. Gina drew back and started to cry. Jordi heaved a deep sigh and started to feel his ire soar.


Jordi: “And I don’t want your parents to help find a caretaker for Grandpa! YOU made me lose his caretaker with your big mouth!”

He screamed at her. Gina sobbed.

Gina: “So you hate me now!”

She cried. Jordi shook his head and rolled his eyes.

Jordi: “Yes, it’s always about you. No, ‘I’m sorry I made you lose your caretaker’ or ‘I understand you have to work to provide for yourself and your grandfather because no one else will.’ ”

He huffed.

Jordi: “Unfortunately, not all of us are as privileged as you are!”

He snapped.

Jordi: “I don’t have a trust fund to turn to! I have to work for a horrible woman to afford healthcare so my grandfather can have SOME quality of life and so I can survive! How difficult is it to see something from another point of view?!”

He barked. Gina embraced herself and sobbed.


He pulled up to her house.

Gina: “The reason you got mad that I said you were my boyfriend is because you don’t want it!”

She wailed.

Jordi: “Or it could be that you sprang it on me without consulting me first? I told you that numerous times!”

He snapped.

Gina: “You got what you wanted, Jordi! I don’t want to date you! We’re done!”

She fired back through hot tears. Jordi bowed his head.

Jordi: “...Okay. Do what makes you happy, then.”

He said flatly. Gina stormed out of his car and into her house. Jordi heaved a deep sigh and drove away.


~


Adventure World is a massive amusement park that just opened in Pink Top City. It's one of the largest amusement parks in the country, next to Zabney World, for families and thrill seekers.

Spanning three hundred and thirty acres, the park boasted over two hundred attractions, including eighteen rollercoasters. There is also a twenty-acre water park called Water World, which features the world’s tallest water slides.


Jaxon, Celeste, Tristan, and Deimos arrived at the park’s entrance. The entrance was buzzing with excited people, itching to get in. Jaxon wore a white tiger-stripe button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the buttons undone to reveal his dragon chest tattoo, tight blue jeans, and Chelsea boots. Celeste wore a white Megadeth tank top, daisy dukes, a denim jacket, and knee-high heeled boots. Tristan wore a light blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, white shorts, and white slip-on Vans. Deimos wore a black Kreator shirt with the sleeves rolled up, jean shorts, and black motorcycle boots.


Tristan waved when he saw Jordi approach them. Jordi wore a white button-up shirt, beige shorts, and brown boater shoes.

Tristan: “Hello, Jordi! Thanks for accepting my invitation!”

Jaxon: “I can’t wait to get on some thrill rides with my Green Queen!”

He put his arm over Celeste. She grinned up at him.


The five went up to the admissions office to pay for their tickets and then entered. The tall yellow Ferris wheel caught their eye. It had beaming lights and multi-coloured carriages with passengers of all ages, getting a scenic view of the entire park. Each carriage could fit up to six people.

Tristan: “Let’s go on the Ferris wheel first. It’s a great way to see the entire park and see what catches our eye.”

He suggested.

Deimos: “Good idea, Tristan.”

Jordi: “I’m in.”

The five stood in the queue to go on the ride. When it was their turn, the five entered a teal carriage, and the ride attendant shut the door. When it rose, Tristan looked out the window, admiring the scenery. Deimos gazed at Tristan, admiring him. Celeste leaned on Jaxon’s shoulder.

Jaxon: “So, Jordi, where’s your girl? I noticed something was bothering you.”

Jordi winced and sighed. Tristan turned his head to gaze at him. Deimos quirked an eyebrow.


Jordi: “The other night, she came to me scared about someone watching her. I’m not sure if someone was watching her, she had a dream, or… if she said that just to be with me. But I had to work the next day. I told her to inform her parents and let them hire security to investigate it. She went off on me and accused me of wanting her dead, and I didn’t love her. Let’s ignore that her dead werewolf boyfriend almost killed all of us because she never told me she was seeing someone.”

He huffed. Deimos rolled his eyes. Tell me about it, he thought.

Jordi: “I told her I needed to work and I can’t take time off, especially when her parents have all this money to hire bodyguards. No, she wanted me to be with her and hurled these accusations at me. When I told her how much it hurt me, she broke off with me.”

He laughed bitterly. Tristan knit his eyebrows. Jaxon inhaled sharply. Celeste blinked.

Deimos: “So what is the problem?”

He asked evenly.

Jordi: “...Am I wrong?”

Deimos: “No, you’re not. You have a job to attend to, and you don’t know if this entity or being is watching her or if she’s making it all up. She flew off on you for not being at her beck and call and broke up with you. The problem solved itself.”

He said bluntly. Jordi knit his eyebrows. Tristan drew a long breath.

Deimos: “Why would you want to be with someone who jumped into bed with you right away and didn’t tell you she was dating a crazed killer who can turn into a werewolf?”

He challenged. Jordi looked away and cupped his mouth.

Jordi: “I crushed on her in high school.”

Deimos: “So what? That was then. This is now. And her dreams of dancing for cruise lines should tell you that you’re dating an idiot. Do you want to date an idiot? Your friend, Fabien, did that, and he can tell you how utterly draining it was.”

Jordi bowed his head.


Celeste: “Maybe she was insisting you protect her because the person or thing watching her is vulnerable to lightning!”

She blurted. Deimos gaped at her. Jaxon laughed and kissed her head.

Deimos: “And how would she know that?”

He challenged.

Celeste: “They have fish powers!”

She nodded. Deimos gaped at her.

Tristan: “I don’t think Craig is watching her.”

Jordi heaved a deep sigh.


Jaxon: “Look, I wasn’t my best when I first met Celeste, and I grew and changed. Maybe Gina can if you give her some hard truths? She seems like she hasn’t much experience outside of her home and whatever life the wolf guy gave her.”

He explained.

Jaxon: “Celeste saw something in me and gave me a chance.”

He smiled at her.

Deimos: “Yes, but when we were trapped in that ball of Robin’s, you encouraged me to get over my fears to fight for Tristan. What does Gina offer him?”

He asked Jaxon.

Jordi: “Companionship? Do you know how lonely I am?”

He laughed a hollow laugh. Tristan knit his eyebrows.

Tristan: “Jordi, you need to be with someone on a deeper level than wanting to fulfil your loneliness.”

He sighed.

Jordi: “What about you telling me to follow my heart?”

He asked sharply.

Tristan: “Of course, I stand by that, Jordi, but you shouldn’t be with someone just because you’re lonely. That’s settling and, in the end, you’ll both be miserable.”

He said firmly. Jordi looked away and recalled that Hannah had told him something similar.


Celeste: “But you keep coming back, so maybe that’s a sign things will improve! I couldn’t stay away from Jaxon!”

She grinned at him. He smiled back at her.

Tristan: “Nevertheless, I think you need space from her to reflect, and I am hoping she will reflect on her choices and actions. If she comes to you and apologizes, she wants to mend things, and the ball is in your court to decide whether to accept or not. Suppose she doesn’t, chalk it up to a poor experience. Feel your feelings, then release them.”

He said firmly but gently. Jordi smiled a bit.


~


Blair was driving slowly down the highway in his blue 1987 Toyota Corolla. He was driving under the speed limit as old ladies passed him by. He was dressed in a neon green ninja tortoise shirt that said, “Say no to drugs, say yes to pizza.” He was wearing a colourful vest over the top of it, along with navy shorts and mismatched socks, and red Converse shoes on his feet.


Ivy was in the passenger’s seat doing her makeup, and Yoshi was in the backseat. Ivy wore a skin-tight black dress with lace at the neckline and shoulders and angel sleeves, black criss-cross high-heeled sandals, and dangling emerald earrings. Yoshi wore a bright yellow Voyage Burger t-shirt that was too large for him, jean shorts, orange high tops, and a backwards baseball hat.

Ivy: “Aren’t you going a bit slow, Blair?”

She asked with irritation as she checked herself in her compact mirror. She smacked her lips after she applied her dark red lipstick.

Blair: “Not at all. Speed thrills, but kills! Safety is no accident!”

He declared.

Yoshi: “Yeah, thrill rides! WOOOOOO!!”

He screamed.

Blair: “Are you all wearing your seatbelts?”

He asked them and saw neither Ivy nor Yoshi was wearing them. Blair twisted his mouth.

Blair: “HEY! Buckle up! Don’t be a fool! Keep yourself and others cool!”

He scolded them, waving his finger at them.

Blair: “Seatbelt on, worries gone!”

He leaned over, buckling Ivy’s seatbelt for her.

Ivy: “Yes, Blair, take your eyes off the road and off the wheel to buckle my belt for me. Will you also make me wear a life jacket for two feet of water?”

She asked sardonically.

Blair: “Not at all, Ivy. There are no water rides here today.”

He smiled at her assuringly.

Yoshi: “Actually, there are!”

He flipped the pamphlet around.

Yoshi: “It has mostly roller coasters, but it has a sweet waterpark, too!”

He grinned.

Blair: “Oh, well, we should get our floaties then.”

He said doggedly.


Ivy: “We didn’t take our swimsuits.”

Yoshi: “We could buy some! I know Blair and I will make all the ladies turn their heads at the park!”

He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.

Blair: “Excellent idea, Yoshi! I will buy your swimsuit, Ivy! Oh, no, Yoshi, the only lady I have eyes for is eye-vee! Ivy!”

He smiled at her. Ivy forced a smile. The only one you have eyes for is Ashley, she thought bitterly. God, I hope I can win Tristan soon, she thought. She read his mind when she stood outside of Jaxon and Celeste’s house and knew they were coming here today.


They finally arrived at the park where Blair parked his car. Ivy stepped out and gazed at the park. Yoshi cheered.

Yoshi: “WOOHOO! Adventure World! I am feeling preeeetty adventurous today!”

He exclaimed.

Blair: “Aha, walk, don’t run!”

He scolded him as they headed towards the stores.

Ivy: “Where’s your sense of adventure, Blair?”

She asked wryly.

Blair: “We will adventure once we get our swimsuits and sunscreen on, Ivy!”

He assured her, leading them into the swimsuit store in the park.


There were various racks of swimsuits with jacked-up price tags on them. Ivy smiled at a strapless black wrap swimsuit with a gold ring on the waist.

Ivy: “Okay, I want this one.”

She beamed as she held it up.

Ivy: “And I want a matching black sunhat, too!”

She batted her eyelashes. Blair came bursting down the aisle with a big smile on his face, holding a neon pink shirt with cyan and pink swim shorts.

Blair: “Great idea, Ivy, we should be matching!”

He grinned, picking up the matching women’s one-piece cyan swimsuit with a pink sash over the breast. Ivy gaped at Blair and glared at the swimsuit he picked.

Ivy: “No, Blair, I want this one! With this, I will be Queen of the Waterworld!”

She said loftily. And Tristan will admire me, she thought.

Blair: “No, Ivy, you will be the Queen of Waterworld and I will be the King of Waterworld in these matching swimsuits!”

He beamed proudly, hovering them over their bodies. Ivy gaped at Blair and wanted so badly to slap him and storm out, but she had no way of getting home and had to overthrow the family so Tristan could take over Donati, Inc. Do I have to wear this hideous thing to get what I want?! She wondered.


Yoshi: “Wow, imagine Ashley wearing that instead!”

He smiled dumbly. Ivy turned to him and agreed with him. Blair reddened and hardened, and then his face quickly twisted with a loud scoff.

Blair: “Hmph! Ashley would look like a big fat whale in that! Ivy would look like a beautiful queen!”

He pouted. Ivy flicked her gaze to his boner and then to him.

Ivy: “Are you sure about that, Blair?”

She asked dryly. Blair froze and picked up a pink bucket hat, covering his crotch.

Blair: “Y-Yes, Ivy, you’d look like a beautiful queen in that swimsuit!”

He stammered and smiled at her.

Ivy: “Whatever. I think Ashley would look better in it.”

She smirked. Blair froze and swallowed hard.

Blair: “N-NO, YOU’D LOOK BETTER IN IT!”

He hastily rushed over to the counter, fumbling with his wallet and purchasing it for her.


Ivy left the store when she saw Tristan sitting alone in the park.

Ivy: “Nihao, airen!”

She giggled at Tristan. Tristan glared at her.

Tristan: “I told you never to call me that. Fancy running into you here.”

He said sharply.

Ivy: “It’s destiny, Tristan.”

She sighed.

Tristan: “Or you read our minds when I was discussing coming here to get our minds off certain things.”

He said dryly. Ivy froze and smiled.

Ivy: “You know me so well, Tristan! It amazes me how you know me inside out.”

She batted her eyelashes.

Tristan: “Interestingly, you don’t know me.”

He said as his voice trailed off.


When Blair stomped over to them carrying the swimsuits, Tristan rose.

Tristan: “My God, what are those ugly swimsuits? Is that something for Ashley?”

He asked Blair. Blair glared at Tristan.

Blair: “NO! IT’S NOT FOR THAT FAT WHALE! IT’S FOR IVY!”

He cried. Tristan rolled his eyes.

Tristan: “Well, I know Ivy inside out, and she wouldn’t wear that hideous thing. I am not even sure Ashley would, but they might be more compliant.”

He shrugged. Blair scoffed at him.

Blair: “You wish! You had your chance with her, and you missed out on a princess! IT’S NOT FOR THAT FAT WHALE! IT’S FOR IVY!”

He cried and panted.

Tristan: “I don’t care who Ivy is with now, but it’s evident you still have your eye on Ashley.”

He said coolly. Blair gnashed his teeth, flaring furiously at him.

Blair: “SHUT UP, TRISTAN! NO I DON’T! Ashley is a fat whale that threw me away!”

He whined and stamped his feet. Tristan smirked.


Tristan: “Ashley was your friend who chose Lazaros. By the way, after Vasilos defaced the car you had given them, they took the liberty of selling it.”

He grinned, wanting to rub salt in the wound. Blair’s bottom lip trembled.

Blair: “That ungrateful fatty! They took advantage of me! Nice guys always finish last! It’s not fair! I was the perfect shining prince, and they threw me away like a salad!”

He warbled and sobbed. Tristan gaped at him and rolled his eyes.


Deimos approached Tristan and sat with him.

Deimos: “Hey, my prince.”

He kissed Tristan and turned to Blair.

Deimos: “Nice swimsuit, Blair. Is the swimsuit for you, and the trunks for Yoshi?”

He deadpanned.

Tristan: “No, the swimsuit is for Ashley.”

Deimos: “Yeah, Ashley would look like a million dollars in that swimsuit.”

He said dryly.

Blair: “NO, it’s not! It’s for IVY! It’s not for that million-pound whale!”

He hissed and glared at them both.

Deimos: “Yeah, Ivy is not going to wear that. Are you that fucking oblivious? Oh, wait, you are. You’re Blair Dumbati.”

He rolled his eyes. Tristan chuckled at his quip. Ivy pouted and folded her arms. That feeling when Deimos knows me better, she thought bitterly.

Blair: “You’re just jealous, Deimos! That’s why you’re a mean bully! You had your chance with Ivy, but you lost your princess, and now she’s mine!”

He pouted, draping his arm around her awkwardly.

Blair: “Come on, Ivy, we’ll show them, let’s put on our matching swimsuits and become the King and Queen of the water park!”

He beamed.


Celeste: “BLAIR DUMBATI?! Oh my God, that is a good one, Deimos!”

She laughed as she approached them with Jaxon.

Jaxon: “Uh, is that ugly swimsuit for Ashley?”

He laughed. Blair’s fury soared higher when he saw them.

Blair: “Oh great, it’s dumb and dumber! IT’S NOT FOR ASHLEY! Gosh, you’re dumb! It should be called DUMB, not ADHD!”

He huffed. Jaxon furrowed his eyebrows.

Jaxon: “If anyone is dumb, it’s YOU, Blair DUMBATI. You actually believe we can’t see you’re hot for Ashley. Ivy is just a spare tire!”

He fired back. Ivy felt a pang in her heart. Goddamn Jiro, but he’s right, she thought angrily.

Blair: “I TOLD YOU BEATNIKS! I’M NOT HOT FOR THAT FAT WHALE! THE ONLY SPARE TIRE IS AROUND ASHLEY’S WAIST! IVY IS MY PRINCESS!”

He wailed, punching the wall and quickly recoiling with a yelp.

Blair: “OWW! My hand! See what you made me doooo!”

He whined, waving his limp hand. Celeste laughed. Ivy buried her face in her hands.

Celeste: “No need to throw a tantrum, Blair. If you’re not hot for Ash, it would speak for itself, but you are.”

She grinned.

Blair: “NOO! I’M NOT INTO THAT FAT WHALE!”

He screamed and cried.


Celeste: “I came here to go on thrill rides with my man, not watch some kid whine about nothing. I would have gone to Toyz ‘n More if I wanted that.”

She quipped. Jaxon laughed.

Jaxon: “Good one, babe!”

Deimos: “Alternatively, listening to a Sex Bees album.”

Jaxon: “Dude, no!”

He winced. Blair glared at them all.

Blair: “You beatniks are JERKS!”

He cried.


Jordi approached them, and Ivy zipped up to him.

Ivy: “Nihao!”

She purred.

Jordi: “Hello!”

He smiled politely.

Blair: “Get lost, Jordi! There isn’t free food you can leech off of, unless you’re leeching off these beatniks, and you are! Like you did to my grandmother!”

He snapped. Jordi glared at him.

Jordi: “I didn’t leech, Blair! Will you seriously piss off with that baseless accusation? It was in the past, so leave it there!”

He snapped. Blair pouted and glared at them.

Blair: “Come on, Ivy, let's get into our swimsuits and rule the park! We'll show them!”

He exclaimed, holding up the swimsuits proudly.

Jordi: “That is… the most hideous swimsuit I’ve ever seen.”

Ivy: “IT IS! I wanted another swimsuit, and he forced me to wear that ugly thing!”

She cried on Jordi. Jordi gaped at her and shifted his eyes. Tristan and Deimos looked unimpressed. Jaxon shook his head, and Celeste rolled her eyes.

Celeste: “Sinking your meathooks in another victim?”

She asked wryly.

Ivy: “SHUT UP, CELESTE! I don’t want to wear that ugly thing, and I don’t WANT to be here anymore!”

She cried. Blair glared at Jordi.

Blair: “Hey! Get your meathooks away from my princess!”

He cried. Ivy shoved Blair away.

Ivy: “YOU GET AWAY FROM ME, BLAIR!”

She bawled and ran away from them.

Blair: “Nooooo Ivy!”

He cried out for her.


Celeste: “Tick-tock. It’s only a matter of time before she belts it out of there.”

She shrugged.

Tristan: “Blair, you are insufferable. You turned ASHLEY against you, and that alone is telling of your character.”

He hissed. Blair’s bottom lip trembled.

Blair: “This is YOUR FAULT!”

He snapped at them and marched off to find Ivy.

Celeste: “Okay, now that the clowns are gone, can we have some real fun?”

She grinned.


Celeste grabbed Jaxon’s arm and pointed to a rollercoaster called “Diablo.” It was a large roller coaster that was over four hundred feet tall. The entrance to the roller coaster featured a large statue of a demon with its mouth open, “Diablo” written in flames. The rollercoaster operated with three open-air steel and fiberglass trains colored red, orange, and black. The face of Diablo covered the front of each train. Each train had eight cars with four seats per car.


Jaxon beamed at her.

Jaxon: “You’re speaking my language, my Green Queen.”

He draped his arm around her.

Celeste: “Any of you guys coming?”

Tristan turned ashen when he stared at the rollercoaster. He waved his hands around.

Tristan: “No, thank you.”

Jordi: “I’ll go.”

He smiled.

Deimos: “I’ll stay behind with Tristan.”

He rested his hand at the small of his back. Tristan smiled down at him.


Celeste, Jaxon, and Jordi went to the queue of Diablo, and Deimos stayed with Tristan. They hugged and kissed. Ivy stood behind a gaming booth, watching them with a sneer.


~


Jaxon led Celeste to the rollercoaster and boarded the carriage with Jordi next to them. Celeste’s breathing hitched. Her leg rubbed against Jaxon’s. He grinned at her.


The ride began with the carriage ascending the elevated track, accompanied by the clattering sounds of the chains and wheels along the track. When the carriage reached the top of the track, it stopped for a moment. Jaxon grinned at Celeste. Jordi gazed down at the park, and his heart hammered in his chest.

Jordi: “Ay dios mío…”

He muttered.

Jaxon: “Here we go, baby!”

Celeste: “All right!”

She laughed.


Suddenly, the carriage tipped forward and dropped down at a lightning speed. Some people screamed in terror, while others cheered. Celeste felt a thrill as she sped down the track, making sharp turns. Jordi felt his adrenaline surge, experiencing a mix of excitement and fear. Jaxon cackled as adrenaline pulsed through his body, shaking and jeering them in different directions until they came to a halt, leaving off where it had begun. Jaxon beamed and clapped his hands together.

Jaxon: “That was fun!”

Celeste hopped out of the carriage and turned to Jaxon. She took his hand and helped him out of the carriage.

Jordi: “Yeah, you said it! I don’t remember the last time I’ve been to an amusement park!”

He beamed and wrung his hands together.


~


Deimos and Tristan were in the queue for the Tunnel of Love. When it was their turn, the ride attendant guided them to a swan boat. Deimos stepped in and held Tristan’s hand to help him in. The swan boat traveled through the tunnel. As they rowed through, the area was dimly lit, with some hearts illuminated.


Deimos put his arm around Tristan and held him close. Tristan rested his head on Deimos’ shoulder and placed his hand on the wall of his chest. Deimos took his hand, and their fingers intertwined. Deimos gazed into Tristan’s emerald eyes. He kissed his hand.

Deimos: “I think this is the best ride in the park… I get to hold you, gaze into your beautiful eyes, and kiss you.”

He said softly as they drew closer and kissed deeply. Deimos threaded his fingers through Tristan’s soft, silky, snow white tresses. Deimos softly tickled Tristan’s neck, and he laughed into Deimos’ mouth as they kissed.


Deimos broke the kiss and smiled tightly at Tristan. Tristan smiled back at him and rested his hand on the back of Deimos’ neck.

Deimos: “I wish we could go further.”

He whispered into his ear. Tristan laughed as it tickled him slightly.

Tristan: “Ooooh, naughty.”

He teased.


Deimos lifted Tristan’s shirt slightly and tickled his sides. Tristan burst out laughing.

Tristan: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! DEIMOOOHOHOHOHOS!”

He laughed and squirmed. Deimos stopped and put his shirt down. Tristan panted and cuddled into Deimos.


When they reached the end of the tunnel, Deimos hopped out of the boat and held his hand to help Tristan out. He smiled and took it.


Celeste ran up to them with Jaxon following behind.

Celeste: “Come on, you two! Let’s go on ‘The Bat’!”

She pointed to another tall rollercoaster that went upside down.

Tristan: “Hehehehehe, no, I’ll sit it out.”

He waved his hands around.

Deimos: “I’ll go.”

He turned to Tristan and kissed him.

Deimos: “I love you.”

He said softly. Tristan smiled and kissed him back.

Tristan: “I love you, too.”

He whispered.


He smiled as he watched Deimos go with Celeste and Jaxon. He looked around and saw a gift shop. Maybe I can buy a book in there to read, he thought.


When he strolled up to it, Ivy cleared her throat to catch his attention. Tristan turned to her and scowled.

Tristan: “Whatever it is, the answer is no.”

He spat.

Ivy: “I was going to ask if you love Deimos more than me, but I can see the answer is no.”

She purred. Tristan glowered at her.

Tristan: “Get the Hell away from me.”

He hissed.


Ivy: “Tristan, do you think I’m happy right now?!”

She blurted and cried.

Tristan: “Frankly, Ivy, I don’t give a shit!”

He snapped. Ivy’s bottom lip trembled.

Ivy: “Well, I am NOT happy, Tristan! Dating that manchild is HELL! Did you see the tabloids where I had to wear that stupid life jacket in two feet of water and for a toddler slide?! Blair was SCARED of a waterslide for babies!”

She bawled. Tristan gaped at her.

Tristan: “...Is this somehow worse than me missing one lunch date because my groomer was just released from prison and attacked my friends, so I had a lot on my mind?”

He asked flatly. Ivy cried into her hands.

Ivy: “Blair is NOT a man, Tristan! Blair is a fucking loser! I hate him! He pines for that fat girlfriend of Lazaros’! That doesn’t bother me, but I need a man who can protect me and be there for me! Not some ninny who cries because a dragonfly flew in front of him and recites stupid lines from cartoon PSAs!”

She bawled through hot tears. Tristan gaped at her.


Tristan: “And?”

Ivy blinked.

Ivy: “WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!”

She snapped.

Tristan: “...You chose him, so leave him if he doesn’t make you happy, or grin and bear it. Why are you telling me this? What do you want me to do about it?”

He rolled his eyes and threw his hands up. Ivy growled at him.

Ivy: ‘I’m only dating him so I can overthrow that family and you can take over Donati, Inc.!”

She blurted angrily. Tristan blinked, and then he threw his head back laughing.

Tristan: “Are you SERIOUS?! On what grounds do you think you can achieve that?! Are you that deeply entrenched in Hallmark movies?! That would never work in real life, and I don’t want to run Donati, Inc.!”

He fired back. Ivy’s right eye twitched.

Ivy: “HALLMARK MOVIES ARE NOT STUPID!”

She snapped. Tristan clicked his tongue.

Tristan: “I love how out of everything I said, the only thing you got from it was Hallmark movies are stupid.”

He said dryly.


Ivy bared her teeth at him and read Deimos’ mind. He’s drawing near, she thought. She had an idea she got from her favorite Hallmark movie, “Just Her Desserts,” where the heroine reveals her love interest’s dirty secret to pry him away from the other woman.

Ivy: “So, Tristan, did you tell Deimos everything?”

She smirked. Tristan raised an eyebrow.

Tristan: “About what exactly? I just learned you’re going to overthrow Blair’s family, so I can take over the company I don’t want and am not entitled to. I had a hunch that was the case anyway.”

He rolled his eyes.

Ivy: “No, silly boy, I meant the time you took me out to dinner and we almost made love in your bedroom.”

She grinned. Tristan’s heart sank.

Tristan: “...That was a mistake, and I am glad I put a halt to it.”

He said grimly. Ivy planted her hands on her hips and grinned.

Ivy: “So you never told Deimos we almost made love in your bedroom and had a romantic dinner where we kissed deeply and passionately, and you told me you loved me in French.”

She purred. Tristan’s bottom lip trembled. He then glared hatefully at Ivy.

Tristan: “I know what you’re doing… and I’m not playing this game.”


He turned around to see Deimos with Jaxon, Celeste, and Jordi. Tristan froze and saw by Deimos’ expression that he had heard everything.

Deimos: “Is this true, Tristan?”

He asked with a hurt tone. Ivy smirked. Tristan’s bottom lip trembled.

Tristan: “It was before we got together, Deimos! It was a year ago!”

He cried.

Deimos: “So, while Ivy and I dated?”

He trembled. Celeste bowed her head. She knew about it and said nothing about it because it wasn’t her place. Ivy read her mind and grinned.

Ivy: “Oh, so you told Celeste but not Deimos?”

She batted her eyelashes. Deimos turned to Celeste with hurt. Jaxon put his arm around Celeste.

Jaxon: “Fuck off, bitch! It was a year ago, and he stopped it because you’re a mistake!”

He spat.

Ivy: “Oh, shut up, Jiro!”

She rolled her eyes.


Suddenly, Ivy was lifted.

Ivy: “HEY!”

She screamed as Celeste lifted her over her head and threw her in the garbage.

Ivy: “AUGH! GODDAMN YOU, YOU FUCKING TRASH CAT!”

She shrieked.

Jaxon: “Good going, my Green Queen!”

He cheered and put his arms around her.


Deimos: “When did this happen, Tristan?”

He asked slowly as his hands trembled with hurt and fury.

Jaxon: “Deimos, it was a year ago! Don’t let that bitch win!”

He interjected.

Deimos: “Stay out of this, Jaxon! This doesn’t concern you!”

He snapped at him. Jaxon knit his eyebrows and drew back.

Tristan: “As he said, it happened a year ago!”

He cried.

Deimos: “WHY didn’t you tell me?!”

He snapped.

Tristan: “I didn’t want to ruin yours and Ivy’s relationship!”

He sobbed. Deimos’ right eye twitched.

Deimos: “Ruin it?! Tristan, YOU KNEW I WAS MISERABLE WITH THAT FUCKING BITCH!”

He bellowed. Tristan embraced himself and sobbed.

Tristan: “I’m sorry, Deimos! I stopped it because I don’t love her! I led her on, okay?! I wanted you to notice me! I’m sorry!”

He wailed through hot tears.


Ivy heard Tristan, and it felt like a rusty sword driving through her heart. Celeste kicked the trash over with Ivy in it and stood in front of Tristan.

Celeste: “I told him not to tell! I didn’t want to listen to Ivy crying!”

She blurted.

Deimos: “Get lost, you fleabag! All you do is sponge off others! I let you eat my food, and you couldn’t tell me what happened, but your loyalties always lied with Tristan, didn’t they?!”

He snapped at her. Celeste was deeply hurt. Jaxon stood in front of Celeste.

Jaxon: “HEY! Could you not speak to her that way? It’s not her fault!”

He snapped and held her close.

Tristan: “Deimos, stop this now! Please don’t take it out on her! I made a mistake! It was a year ago! I never loved Ivy!”

He cried.

Tristan: “I stopped it because I didn’t love her!”

He snapped through hot tears.

Deimos: “But if you told me, I could have left that bitch sooner!”

He fired back.


He started to walk away.

Tristan: “Deimos, don’t leave me, please! I’m sorry! Nothing beyond that happened!”

He said beseechingly.

Deimos: “Get away from me.”

He said coldly and left him there. Jaxon bowed his head, and Celeste was deeply hurt. Jordi stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to say.


Ivy scrambled to her feet, brushing the trash away. Now he will love me just like in Just Her Desserts, she thought. Tristan turned to Ivy with pure hatred and anger in his eyes as he glared at her.

Tristan: “If there were no witnesses here, I would kill you. I hate you with every fiber of my being!”

He said coolly. Ivy’s bottom lip trembled. That isn’t what the love interest said to the heroine, she thought.

Tristan: “I never want to see you again, Ivy. If I do, I will kill you. I will do it again, mark my words. I run deep!”

He hissed. Jordi went to Tristan and put his hand on his shoulder. He turned to Ivy.

Jordi: ‘You’re a bitch, and you disgust me.”

He spat. Tears dripped down Ivy’s cheeks, and she cried into her hands.


Jordi: “I’ll drive you home.”

He said gently.

Jordi: “I’ll see you two later.”

He said to Jaxon and Celeste.

Tristan: “See you, Jaxon and Celeste.”

Jaxon waved. Celeste sighed.


Blair panted as he caught up to Ivy.

Blair: “There you are! I was looking all over for you! Now, let’s change into our matching swimsuits and get our lifejackets and ride the lil squirt! I know it’s scary, but it’s safe!”

He grinned and nodded. Ivy threw her head back and wailed.

Blair: “Ah, crying tears of joy because my princess is wearing this sexy swimsuit and not that fat whale who betrayed me!”

He nodded.


Jaxon rolled his eyes.

Jaxon: “She deserves him.”

Celeste noticed a kiosk by the love tunnel and went to it. She saw pictures of Deimos and Tristan kissing in it. She looked at Jaxon and pressed the button to purchase them. The printer popped out the photos, and Celeste picked them up. As Blair dragged a crying Ivy away, Celeste held up the photos to show her and blew a raspberry. Ivy’s wails filled the park.

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