---

The atmosphere at Love and Laugh Cafe was a little quiet compared to the previous days. Western menus combined with modern concepts are indeed suitable for millennials. Most of the current generation of children prioritize aesthetics over expensive prices. Visiting some cafes is also considered to have a positive impact because the publicity gained is good enough to attract more Gen-Z people today.


The latest trend of café service set up in the South of New York City was visited by only a few patrons, given that it was not a relaxing hour for the nearby corporate slaves.

Harry took a pull of the Mik Tea with extra ice and sugar that he had ordered moments ago, then started to take a small sip before finally looking at Ken and frowning. "You want to cancel the bet because of what? How come it's not usual?"

"Well, let's just say that I've lost. Do you want me to pay cash or transfer?"


The man who was bigger than his two friends leaned back, resting his back on the top of an aesthetically pleasing wooden chair with its distinctive brown color. His big eyes then looked at Alan, then at Ken in turn. "No, no, one second. This is really weird for whatever reason, since when does a Ken Kalandra cancel his bet to fuck a girl? This must be something, or is the bet not enough money? Should I increase it to make you more challenged?"

Alan sighed, then pulled out his glass. The man with the mulatto face ordered an ice vanilla late that afternoon, considering that it was quite hot and sunny out there. "Never mind, Ta. What's the point of betting anyway. It's not like if we like a girl we just wrap it up. If Ken doesn't want to continue with this bet, it means he really doesn't like Gabriella. Right, Wa?"


Ken, who is now the center of attention by his two friends, can only bow his head. He felt a dilemma. Thinking about the best possibility that he would choose, only made Ken feel even more at a vague crossroads.

He then recalled the betting agreement he had made with great confidence.

"Shall we make a bet?" Harry suddenly exclaimed enthusiastically. The owner of the wedding organizer business loved challenges, especially challenges that could make money. Ken looked over quickly, while Alan seemed to have lazily responded to his two friends there. "If Ken can date that girl, Gabriella, within a week, Alan and I will give you two million. How about it?"

"I'm not in," Alan said curtly. "From the beginning, I didn't agree with Ken's crazy idea. Especially with all the bets. I mean, if you want to fuck a girl, go ahead, just not your coworkers or friends at the office. I don't want to join the bet."

Hearing Alan's long-winded rambling and clearly against his will, Ken decided to wave his hand in the air and ignore him. "Well, don't force Alan. He's not a fun person, what about you?"

Harry mumbled for a while, before finally saying, "Okay, why not?" The man then extended one hand forward. "One week. If in one week, you don't respond at all, you pay me two million. Deal?"

Ken raised one eyebrow. "Are you sure one week isn't fast?"

A chuckle escaped Harry's lips. "Tsk, are you now unsure of your own abilities, Wa? Where's the one that said you have great skills to attract girls, hm?"

"Shit, you're talking about it." Ken patted Harry's forehead without permission, making him groan quickly while rubbing his clean temples. "You're challenging me, huh?"

"Yes, I am. So, are we a deal?"

Without hesitation and full of confidence, Ken immediately shook Harry's hand which was extended to him again. "Okay, one week."

"Deal."

Ken then chuckled. "Well, let's just say that I lost. After all, we made the bet for one week, right? Tomorrow is exactly one week and I have no sign of being able to fuck Elle. She also doesn't seem to be interested in my face like other girls. Instead of giving me a headache, let's just end it, right?"

Harry narrowed his eyes probingly. "Dih, if you end up canceling the bet, don't make it at all. Your reasons are so vague."

"I don't like Gabriella. She's not my type."

"Ken?"

A familiar female voice made Ken round his eyes quickly as he turned his head. He found Gabriella and Wendy there, Gabriella with an expression of disbelief while Wendy could only gape in shock.

"Elle," Ken muttered as he got up from the chair. Suddenly, the man became very panicked. "It's not like you-"

Plak!

A hard slap landed on Ken's cheek. But the movement did not come from Gabriella, but from Wendy. Ken held his throbbing left cheek in pain as he looked at Wendy in confusion. But quickly, the short-haired woman crossed her arms over her chest and gave a short snort. "That's because you hurt my best friend's feelings, Wa!"

Then quickly, Wendy pulled Gabriella's hand away from that place.

"Gabriella!"

Alan who was there also left. He watched Wendy's departure with a guilty feeling.

---

A few minutes before.

"Is it seriously okay if we follow this?" Gabriella pulled the seat belt and fastened it properly.

The woman in her short black dress deliberately chose a semi-formal but still boyish-looking outfit to accompany Wendy to catch up with Alan. She said they had made an appointment to meet at their usual cafe. Who would have thought, if they all had the same hangout by chance.

"Alah, just relax. After all, Alan himself invited me to join. And, Ken was also there. We could have a double date, I'm so excited!"

Gabriella looked at Wendy who was sitting behind the wheel, then chuckled amusedly. "Double date, isn't that wrong? Ken and I aren't even a couple yet, how can we double date?"

"Duh, Elle. I don't know, but just by looking at you, I can immediately guess that you actually have a crush on Ken. You see, he has a masculine Chinese face. Handsome for a future husband," said Wendy without any pause. While Gabriella just chuckled listening to the babble said by her best friend. "Then yes, he also seems to like you. Even though you are jaim, but I think this is the time you have to release your masculine energy, chase him first so that he gets sticky with you."

"I think you've been drinking, Wen?" Gabriella teased.

Wendy laughed, and Gabriella did the same. The two of them traveled by talking about romance. Since the streets of New York City were always congested, casual conversation could stretch their muscles on the simple car seat.

"But what do you think Ken is like? I've never seen you hanging out with or being close to anyone other than Mr. Wira, you know," Wendy said, starting the conversation again.

"How could you even discuss the bald guy?"

"Ih, it's really bad about the bald guy," Wendy said and then laughed contentedly. "He's also the one who feeds you every month."

"Hahaha, I swear it's really annoying to have to talk about him." Gabriella tapped Wendy's shoulder with one hand, making her groan. But in the second after, Wendy laughed again.

The trip they took in about twenty minutes was comfortable. Although occasionally the car driven by Wendy had to slow down, but it did not discourage Wendy from catching up with her new love, Alan.

Since the incident a few days ago, Alan and Wendy had become closer. The two of them often spend time on the phone and chatting just to make sure how each other is doing these days. The little attention Alan gave, had a big impact on the feelings of Wendy, who had just broken up with her lover. Moreover, the cause of Wendy and her ex's breakup was due to intolerable misbehavior.

"Well, here we are." Wendy unbuckled the seat belt, then pulled a small clutch from the dashboard, carrying it confidently. "Come on, Elle. Let's meet the handsome guys first."

"Ewh really, Wen," Gabriella replied with an amused look.

After they both got out of the car and left the Cafe's parking lot, they held hands as they entered the building. The sound of music that was playing songs from New York artists greeted the two as soon as they arrived inside. Wendy and Gabriella glanced around, looking for the table occupied by Ken, Alan and Harry.

Gabriella finally found the spot. "They're over there, Wen."

"Let's go over there."

As they walked closer, the three men's conversation stopped them in their tracks.

Ken then chuckled. "Let's just say that I lost. After all, we made that bet for one week, right? Tomorrow is exactly one week and I have no sign of being able to fuck Elle. She also doesn't seem to be interested in my face like other girls. Instead of giving me a headache, let's just end it, right?"

Harry narrowed his eyes probingly. "Dih, if you end up canceling the bet, don't make it at all. Your reasons are so vague."

Wendy and Gabriella looked at each other, then both frowned.

Then the climax ... when Ken finally said,

"I don't like Gabriella. She's not my type."

---