Chapter 143 Outplayed

Like the gluttons they surprisingly could become, Benjamin, Larry and Casper ordered all the delectable dishes they could, all three of them chowing without restraint.

Granted it wasn’t thumb-dipping into pie chowing, as they prided themselves on being civil, the food they had ordered had still left the waitress in charge of their table slightly baffled.

“I must say,” Benjamin blissfully began after downing a glass of fruity wine, two empty plates stacked next to him.

“Eating on someone else’s card just hits different.” he concluded and began tearing into his next meal–a bacon cheeseburger–with his cutlery.

“I know, right?!” Larry muffled in agreement, the youth nodding in satisfaction as he munched on his pancake and waffles.

Casper was no different, the blonde-haired youth gently dabbing his lips with a napkin, as if he hadn’t just finished his second plate of Haute Cuisine’s gourmet omurice.

“I couldn’t agree more.” he then said and picked up his glass of orange juice to step it down, his sky-blue irises glinting in clear delight.

“Cheers.” he raised the glass slightly, regarding his buddy as he brought the rim of the cup to his lips.

The coal-haired youth simply rolled his tongue around the insides of his mouth in response, a begrudging amusement lingering on his features.

Then he continued eating his eggs and bacon with a relaxed air, while Clyde and Theo who sat on his side of the table quietly chuckled as they all continued dining.

In contrast to the shameless three, they had gone for simple meals–with the curly-haired youth going for a club sandwich, while the bespectacled youth went for a Rueben.

Roughly thirty minutes later, the shameless trio sat with stuffed bellies, each of them thoroughly satisfied.

At the same time, the waitress in charge had come with the bill, one that rounded up to $400.

Casually pulling out his wallet, Aiden retrieved three slips of papers instead of his card.

“I have four vouchers here with me. I was told it was redeemable whenever.” the youth handed it over to the pony-tailed waitress who had a rather surprised look on her features.

The only individuals that got those vouchers were either special or longtime customers.

Since today was her first time seeing the youth before her in particular though, as well as his friends, her surprise was that much more justified.

Nonetheless, she replied respectfully, her smile courteous;

“Sure. Thank you for dining at Haute Cuisine.”

“And you as well. Thank you for your service.” Aiden politely acknowledged.

At the same time, the shameless trio’s eyes had slowly widened in realization as Aiden turned to face them, a gloat forming on his features.

Then he leaned back into his chair, remarking with all the air of a mastermind;

“Congratulations. You’ve outplayed yourself.”

Theo and Clyde found themselves laughing immediately after, while the trio looked like they’d been duped… though they soon found themselves joining in the duo’s mirth.

Aiden had always planned to take his buddies out to Haute Cuisine at some point ever since the first $100 voucher David had given him, back when he finished his summer part-time job at the classy diner.

Unfortunately, he’d found himself so focused and busy with other tasks, he’d sidelined the plan.

It also didn’t help that he’d tucked the voucher away in his desk drawer, buried underneath books and the likes so it had been a literal, ‘out of sight, out of mind’ scenario.

That was until just a couple days ago when David had sent over five more vouchers via his Pops, all on behalf of everyone at Haute Cuisine who wanted to gift him something for college.

That, essentially, was why Aiden still had two unused vouchers with him, one he intended to use at some point or the other.

But for now, it would remain tucked into his wallet.

In any case, the gang soon pivoted to discussing their plans for tomorrow.

Much like they’d been searching for their own apartments to rent, they’d been doing the same as well for their intended base of operations.

During that time, they’d come down to six different places, all of which looked quite promising and just happened to be suggestions from each youth.

To that effect, they’d agreed to go check each one out for themselves before they committed to it as they weren’t in as much of a hurry to get the place, as they had been their respective apartments.

Agreeing to meet with each other by 9:00am prompt tomorrow at the Clyde, Benjamin and Larry’s place, since the first studio was rather close-by to their place, the gang soon dispersed for the day.

Having promised his lady he’d come over to her dorm with her favorite ice-cream, Aiden branched a nearby convenience store that sold just that and then proceeded to make his way over.

In under fifteen minutes he’d arrived at the college grounds, the place concerningly lively even in the late evening, students hanging around every single hotspot available.

That said, Aiden wasn’t giving the place’s grand architecture much attention as at the moment.

As per his babe’s directions, it took him an extra fifteen-plus minutes before he arrived at the said dorm.

That was just how expansive Pacific Heights was.

It had to be said though, that this was largely because he was going by foot. Going by vehicle would’ve cut that time considerably.

Walking through the pathway surrounded on all ends by a well-kept sprawling lawn, rising trees and trimmed flower hedges, Aiden soon stood face to face with the imposingly wide architecture of the building itself.

It had an almost high-class sorority-like feel, its outward appeal like that of a rich billionaire’s playboy mansion. As usual, Aiden remained unintimidated as he walked into its reception area.

Naturally, with how fancy-schmancy the whole place was, Aiden found himself not only having to sign-in at the security desk, but also wait to get a confirmation from Clarissa whom was contacted via landline.

Only after, was he given a pass to head up to her, and warnings to not branch anywhere else as well lest he wanted to be thrown out.

A minute after, he was just about to knock on the door when it swung wide open, his girlfriend already beaming at him like she hadn’t just seen him a couple days ago.

She was dressed in a baggy sweater and pants, her form already lunging onto him like a koala.

“You’ll… have to… forgive me. It’s probably… already… defrosted as we speak.” Aiden managed to say amidst a constant assault of kisses from her and a light chuckle escaping him.

“Nothing you need to apologize for. I’ll just toss it into the freezer again.” Clarissa pulled back with an adoring smile.

“Come on in.” she invited him in whilst still glomped onto him, her hands pointing at the open door.

Obviously used to it, Aiden found himself walking into the apartment.

The living room area alone was already double the size of his, a fluffy, pearl-pink carpet lining every single inch of it, one that allowed the cream-white sofas to naturally stand out in contrast.

In addition to all that, was all the typical living room appliances, furniture and what-nots, one that made it very clear that she and her cousins had spent perhaps a good amount of time touching up the space with a shared aesthetic for how they wanted it to look.

Finally easing off of him, Clarissa soon retrieved the ice-cream from her boyfriend, leading the youth to the kitchen as she scooped some out of it and placed the rest in the freezer.

It was around that time, the Veronica and Valerie decided to come out of the laundry room as they’d been gossiping about something a few minutes prior as they waited for their clothes to dry.

Both had long, raven-black air, a natural glossiness to it that really couldn’t be beat, alongside deep bottle-green irises, honey-toned skins and features that wouldn’t lose to a beauty peagent queen.

The only difference between them, was the beauty mark just under Veronica’s eyelids, one her younger twin didn’t have.

Given they weren’t particularly excited to meet their cousin’s boyfriend as well, there was a leisurely air to them as they continued chatting, both dressed in a similar baggy sweater and pants as Clarissa.

So, when they saw her stepping out of the kitchen with a saucer bowl in hand, a big scoop of butter pecan ice-cream in it, they couldn’t help but individually remark, a playfulness to their words.

“You’re such a grandma, Rissa.” Veronica poked fun at her.

“All that nutrient… just going to your boobs…” Valerie squinted.

“Do you ever watch your weight?” the younger twin added as her gaze singled in on the shapely slope of her chest even in the sweater, the phone in her hand lightly gesturing at it.

Clarissa ‘psshed’ in response to both of them as she scooped a mouthful for added effect.

It was also at that moment that Aiden stepped out from the corner of the kitchen and into frame, and both ladies found themselves slightly angling their heads up with stunned look on their faces.

Veronica quietly gulped a moment after, and Valerie’s phone slipped from her hands.

Thankfully, the rug cushioned its fall, though that didn’t stop Aiden from donning a relaxed smile as he greeted;

“Hello. You must be Veronica and Valerie. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

Thank you for reading!