CHAPTER 56: SHOPPING AT THE MALL -2

"So what’s the problem here?" Freddie asked,

"I’m sorry Mr. Michael, I had no idea this was one of your friends. I felt he was just playing some kind of expensive joke," Her tone was way calmer now with Freddie around.

But why wouldn’t she calm down, when everyone knew who Freddie’s family was. His grandfather was the owner of one of the most expensive hotels in the city.

Freddie walked beside Yohan and slung an arm over his shoulder, "This is one of my closest friends, we go way back. You remember all the fun times we used to have, right?"

’How can I forget?’ Yohan sighed. Back in high school these three were actually the closest thing to a friend he had, but in no world would he ever call them his friends.

The taller one was called Hazard, back in high school he was really violent so the name just stuck over time. Yohan recalled seeing him on TV sometime in the future, he later became a pro UFC fighter winning a few championships.

Although Hazard would claim that he was nice to Yohan and he didn’t bully him, there were times Yohan had to suffer a few ’friendly’ blows from him.

Then there was Freddie Micheal, the leader of their little gang. A rich playboy that was just a handsome face if you took away his parents’ money. He lived like a king back then, even the teachers showed him respect. For some reason he always dragged Yohan everywhere they went saying they were friends, all while trying to make him look pathetic.

And then there is Jasper, the worst of them all. From the onset he never liked Yohan and would always find subtle ways to show it. Back then he was trying to become an influencer online, and he was able to get a small following making him believe he was an actual celebrity.

He was also the one in particular that showed Yohan the video of his high school crush with Freddie.

’Maybe I’m the one to be blamed for just going along with all their bullshit. Back then I just stayed there like I was powerless, I couldn’t even speak up for myself’ he sighed, disappointed.

But none of that mattered now, he was a completely different person and hopefully they are too.

He forced a smile, "Hey guys it’s been a long time,"

"Yeah dude, it was as if you just fell off the face of the earth. Where have you been?" Jasper asked,

"I’ve been busy–"

But before Yohan could even answer he turned to the phone he was holding up.

"Hey chat, say hello to my boy Yohan. I haven’t seen him since I went to college, and now I find him with such a pretty girl. Yohan aren’t you gonna introduce us?"

At the same time Freddie also moved to Mia’s side, "my friend really wasn’t lying when he he told me you were beautiful, my name is Freddie Micheal as in the same Michael’s that owns the Grand palace hotel,"

He offered her a handshake.

’Who in their right mind introduces themselves like that?’ Yohan shook his head.

Mia accepted the gesture, "I’m Mia, it’s nice to meet some of Yohan’s friends,"

"Same here," Freddie said with a charming smile, "So are you Yohan’s girlfriend?"

"You must be someone special since he brought to a place like this,"

"No, w-we are just friends,"

"Why are you all being so stupid," Jasper chuckled talking to his Livestream, "They keep on asking for her to give you her number,"

At first Yohan was a bit confused at how they just switched focus to Mia but he quickly caught on.

’These bastards actually came here to hit on her’

"Ummm... I don’t think that would be appropriate," Mia rejected.

"Haha that’s fine, I wasn’t really asking," Freddie chuckled.

"But why not, you said you weren’t dating Yohan so there shouldn’t be any problem," Jasper continued, refusing to give up.

"He could even buy you that dress you are holding since Yohan couldn’t afford it," he chuckled.

"Yes I can most definitely help my friend out," Freddie agreed, taking his phone out and trying to get her to put her number.

’So it seems these assholes still haven’t changed even one bit’

"Excuse me, did you fuckers forget that I’m standing right here?"

"Oh no, it seems like you guys have gotten our little Yohan angry," Hazard laughed.

"Hey no need to get so defensive we were just trying to help," Freddie said.

"Yeah man, you shouldn’t try to pretend because of your pride. Just let Freddie buy her something pretty,"

A vein popped on his head, and his fist clenched as he mumbled "You bastards..."

Yohan exhaled trying to let go of his anger, There was nothing to gain by resulting to violence, he shouldn’t let himself be so easily ragebaited like that.

"Well we don’t need your help,"

Jasper asked "You sure? Cause I still remember back then your parents were so poor so Freddie had to feed you some days,"

"Come on, you are making it sound like I’m a saint," Freddie chuckled.

Hearing them say something like that Yohan smiled and it later turned into a small laugh.

It was funny because the only reason Freddie paid was because he was always taking them to expensive places. But that wasn’t even why he was laughing.

"Okay fine, you can pay for her. In fact why don’t we make it a little game,"

"A game? What kind of game?" Freddie asked.

"A very easy one, who can buy her the most things,"

"A-are you serious?" Freddie was confused. There was no way Yohan could actually be serious right.

"Yeah, why not. We could make it like an auction, if you win I’ll try to convince Mia to spend two hours with you and I’ll go home,"

Freddie looked at Jasper who was already grinning from ear to ear, nodding at him excitedly urging him to accept the challenge before Yohan came back to his senses.

"Fine, let’s do it," he shrugged, to him there was no logic behind Yohan’s request. He wasn’t even worried in the slightest bit.