Chapter 2 Prologue

Four years ago

Russell's POV

"You are showing too much skin. Get changed!"

As it was prom night, and I was dressed sexily, Ryker, my big brother, arched an eyebrow at me. I am fifteen, but how he looked at me made me feel like I was only thirteen. He never likes the way I dress. When I wear sexy dresses, he acts like he sees me naked.

"Big B, prom dresses aren't in style anymore. This looks okay," I said. I'm wearing a tight red and black dress with some skin showing in the back and cleavage. Ryker, 12 years older, has different clothing tastes than I do. He is too old-fashioned and pretends to be a good gentleman, which he is not.

"Change your clothes!" Ryker yelled at me again.

"Ryker, you don't know anything about how women dress these days," said mom. "That's how most women I see dressed..."

"Of course, I do know, mom..."

"How would Big B not know? He's officially a womanizer, and he and Daniel make the perfect perverse couple." I was even meaner to my older brother.

"Mom, do you want a man who sees her drool and eyes swell? Russell puts herself out there like... "Ryker said, but he couldn't finish what he wanted to say because our mom had already spoken.

"Like what, Ryker? Spit it out and hurt your sister's feelings."

Ryker scowled. "She's spoiled because you give her everything she wants. You're still taking her side even though Russell's wrong. What will she do when she is of legal age? What will your daughter do without us? Without you and us, mom, she doesn't know how to protect herself. She can't even stand on her own two feet."

I stuck my tongue at Big B and rolled my eyes at him. I'm sure he's getting jealous because of the attention my parents gave me.

Daniel glanced at me with a grin and said, "Hmm, my date is gorgeous."

Ryker and Mom both looked at Daniel, the newcomer. Daniel took a quick look at Mom. "Hi Auntie, good evening."

"Daniel, you are the one who gets the last word. Do you think Russell is showing off too much?"

Daniel looked at me again. He was staring at me, which made me aware, knowing what Big B was; Daniel would definitely like my outfit. Daniel is a man whore, and he likes sexy girls like Big B. However, in many ways, Daniel is a modern man who knows what's in and not.

"Well?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. He's staring at me too much as if he's going to strip me with his eyes.

"Her dress doesn't bother me at all, auntie..." Daniel smiled and told my mom, "I'm her date. No one can touch or even look at her, but men can drool over her."

I looked at Daniel. What did I expect from a womanizer like Daniel? "Does what I'm wearing not make you think of me as a prostitute?"

Daniel was surprised. He looked at Kuya and then looked back at me. "No. You'll only look like a prostitute if you act like one. Also, we can't pass judgment if others see the work as a job."

"Okay, fine. Daniel is your date, so you can wear it if you want to. Be nice to him."

I took a quick look at Daniel. He is grinning from ear to ear, and it looks like my prom night will be a night I will never forget. Puff!

"Let's go. My date may be waiting for me," Ryker said.

Ryker took my hand and led me to the garage.

---

Claire said, "Ryker is so handsome," in a whisper.

We were in the backseat. Even though lots of guys asked me to be their date before prom night, Ryker wouldn't let me have someone my age as my date. Instead, he left me with his best friend, who is twelve years older than I am.

"My brother is a pervert and a stripper; do you find it appealing?"  I spoke in a whisper. "Look, we should hang out with other teens our age since it's prom night. This is once in a lifetime, and they ruined it."

"It's fine with me. Ryker still looks young and handsome. And Daniel, too," Claire whispered. "Why not appreciate Daniel's efforts? He's a busy guy, but he makes time for you. Also, our date will be the star of the night. Look how good-looking they are! All of our classmates will ask for their numbers, but I'll give them a different number when they ask for Ryker's."

I said nothing. I kept frowning until we got to school.

--

Daniel immediately helped me get out of the car. The smile on my face faded. Daniel grinned when he realized I didn't want him as my prom date. Imagine that all of my classmates are the same age as their dates, while Claire and I have bodyguards with us.

Daniel whispered, "Hey baby, smile. You should enjoy the night."

I gasped when I felt his warm breath. It gave me goosebumps. I push Daniel to stay out of my way.

"Shut it, Daniel. Remember, I'm still fifteen. "Jeez, you're such a pervert," I said, irritated.

Daniel chuckled. "I'm not doing anything. I'm just asking you to smile."

"Shh, smile your foot," I growled.

Our entrance caused a stir as everyone inside turned to look at us. My schoolmates didn't seem to mind that our date was too old for us. That night, everybody was watching us. My older brother and Daniel have a lot of charisma. Everyone asked for their numbers and even took a picture with them.

Daniel took my wineglass and set it on the cocktail table, which surprised me.

"Let's dance," Daniel said.

"I don't want to dance with you," I replied.

I saw Ryan and Monique dancing on the dance floor. I couldn't help but sigh as I watched them. Ryan was supposed to be my date. He should dance with me, but my annoying brother made him go out with someone else. Even though I want to become his official girlfriend tonight after having a fling with him for two weeks, it seems impossible.

"C'mon, Russell. Let's enjoy the evening."  Daniel said, "It only happens once.  As you can see, many young people wanted to dance with me, but I turned them all down so you wouldn't be a wallflower tonight. If you don't want to dance, I'll find someone else, and you can stand here the entire night."

"Hey, what did you mean by that? Are you the only one with a handsome face? I have a lot of admirers, and they are all good-looking."

"I know, but I won't let them approach or dance with you. I am your date. Your attention and your night should be mine alone."

As I took a deep breath, Daniel pulled me into the middle. It surprised me when he put his hand around my waist and pulled me closer to him. I put my hand on his shoulder and tried to avoid his gaze. Ryker and Claire were there, and they had a great time.

"Hold me properly, so it doesn't look like you hate me," Daniel said.

"That's how I'm feeling tonight," she said with annoyance. "I said I didn't want to dance, but you insisted."

Daniel said nothing. Instead, it surprised me when Daniel's warm palm touched my back.

"You've lost a lot of weight. I think your waist was 32 inches before, but now, it seems like..." Daniel said.

"I know I'm sexy," Russell said. "There's no need for you to say that to me."

Daniel chuckled. "You know you shouldn't listen to my brother," I said. "We don't like each other, and it won't be fun for either of us."

"I don't hate you. I..."

"Hi, Russell. Can I dance with you?"

Daniel turned around, so I quickly let go of him. Ryan is asking me to dance with him.

"Sure," I said, smiling.

Before I could walk, Daniel grabbed my wrist. "Wait, Russell…"

I pulled Daniel's hand away from me, annoyed. "There are a lot of women who want to dance with you. You can choose among them. Enjoy the evening!" I said with a smile, leaving him alone in the middle of the dance floor.