Chapter 9 Don't You Dare

• QUARTER TO FOUR, Zero drove his way to Peterson’s residence. When he got there, he was welcomed by Apollo’s mom.
• “Good day, young man,” the woman uttered and greet him with a kiss on the cheek.
• He smiled. “Good day to you too, Mrs. Peterson.”
• “Aw. You’re adorable. Anyway, Apollo is in the garden. You know, he’s hands-on for her sister’s debut party,” Mrs. Peterson shared and let out a soft chuckle which makes him stunned for a while.
• The woman was already in her fifties but she was still beautiful—seems like can’t see any signs of aging.
• “Hmm… maybe you can check for him now, Zero,” Mrs. Peterson said. However, he was preoccupied and didn’t understand it well that’s why the woman waved her hand in front of him.
• “Zero?”
• He hemmed to clear his throat. “P-Pardon, Mrs. Peterson. I’ll check for Apollo,” he uttered and smiled, awkwardly.
• “Sure thing, sweetie,” the woman replied.
• When he’s near the entrance of the garden, he saw Apollo crossing his arms in front of his chest while looking at him.
• He frowned, slightly. “What’s with the stare?”
• “Don’t you dare flirt with my mom, you jerky,” Apollo said and gritted his teeth.
• Zero can’t help himself not to laugh. “Dude, I’m not, okay? Calm your balls,” he said.
• Apollo just look at him for a second before he went closer to the crews who were organizing the place.
• Zero walked towards them and started to wander his eyes around the place. He could say that the place was magical. A typical theme for a princess. Well, Isla or they commonly called her Princess or Isla since her true name is Princess Isla Peterson, is indeed their princess.
• The woman was lucky to have Apollo as her brother and of course, they’re also lucky that they have her.
• All through the past ten years, he already saw how the woman grow. He was just eighteen when he met Apollo and became true friends. The man always invites him into their house during their college days. They always bond and he even slept in their house. He remembers how this adorable kid, who was just eight years old, had a crush on him ever since and that was Isla. Until now, according to Apollo, she’s still into him.
• If only she was the same age as him or older, maybe he’ll give it a try. However, she’s too young and he can’t do teens. Besides, he has no intention to fuck his friend’s sister. He got a lot of friends in his circle but never dared to fuck them or even their family members.
• “You’re imagining things again, Zero?” it was Apollo who cut the hum in his thoughts.
• “No, I’m not, Mr. Peterson. Anyway, I thought there was a rehearsal. Where are the others and your sister?” he asked casually.
• Apollo arched his brow. “Why are you looking for my sister?”
• Zero frowned slightly. “You said, there’s a rehearsal, right? That’s why I’m asking her. Is there any reason?”
• Apollo shook his head and tapped Zero’s shoulder. “Dude, it’s a prank.”
• “What?” Zero’s forehead knitted.
• “I just said that so that you’ll not gonna be late for this party since you always do so,” he said and smirked.
• Zero’s got a little pissed. “Seriously, dude? I canceled everything for this but it’s just a joke?”
• Apollo let out a soft chuckle. “Sorry, man—”
• “Zero?”
• A feminine voice called his name. Zero and Apollo both turn towards that voice—Isla’s voice.
• “Don’t you dare flirt with my sister,” Apollo whispered, a warning visible in his voice.
• Zero looked at him and smirked. “Watch me,” he replied which makes Apollo mad.
• “Don’t you da—”
• “Apollo?” this time, Isla went closer to them. “Are you bullying our guest again?”
• Apollo frowned and looked at his sister. “Why would I bully this damn ass?” he asked and looked at Zero.
• Zero just smirked.
• “Anyway, Becca is already on her way. We’ll wait for her and have some snacks, okay?” Isla asserted.
• Hearing the name: Becca, Apollo was stunned again but shook his head after. Zero knows about it and tapped the man’s shoulder. “She’s too young for you. So, hands-off with my cousin,” he said and grinned.
• Apollo and Isla heard it right and knew about it ever since. Becca is Zero’s cousin on the father’s side. Becca’s mom and Zero’s dad were siblings.
• “I’m not into your cousin,” Apollo denied but his reaction says differently.
• “Yeah. I just pretend that I don’t know anything,” Zero teased.
• Isla sighed upon watching the two important men in her life. Huh? When will that Zero become important to you? asked the other corners of her brain.
• When the moment my heart beat fast, she thought.
• “By the way, there’s an after-party after my debut ceremony,” she informed the man.
• Zero nodded.
• “No drinks allowed for you, young lady,” Apollo warned which makes her grimace.
• “Seriously?”
• Apollo nodded. “I’m dead ser—”
• “Dude, Isla here, turns eighteen this day. Maybe you can consider it. Besides, she’s just inside your house not in a club… right?” Zero looked at her when he mentioned the word club. Seems like the man sends another message because of that.
• She then glared at him which makes the man form a sly smirk on his face.
• “It’s still a no,” Apollo asserted.
• She glared at her brother. “I’ll tell mom,” Isla said and was about to turn her back away from them when Apollo called her name.
• She faced him and she saw how he heaved a deep sigh.
• “Fine. You can drink but two bottles are enough, okay?”
• She smiled, widely. “Yes, father,” she said which makes Zero laugh.
• Apollo and Isla looked at him and glared.
• “What?” he asked. “I’m just having fun seeing the two of—”
• “Shut up!” they said in unison. They looked at each other and laughed.
• After a few moments, they stopped. “Feel at home, Zero. I’ll just wait for Becca in the living room,” she said.