Thank you: Natalie Hart and TheVinersBae for the awesome trailers. <3

1st Trailer on the side, please watch!

So here's the new chapter, dedicated for the both of you! Enjoy!

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Chapter 3 – I'm Back

** ZACH's POV **

"Well, I must say, Nathaniel that was pretty wicked. I can still feel the adrenaline rushing!" I commented as soon as I removed my headgear and walked towards his direction.

He was standing beside his Ferrari Formula 1 racing car with a smug look on his face. We just had our round up for car racing and obviously, he won. "I told you it would be fun!" He bragged, as if his point was proven right.

Well, I hate to admit but it was indeed proven right.

"Yeah, yeah." I said as I waved my hand dismissively. No point in arguing. He would just keep on insisting until I agreed to it. "You've been so obsessed with motorsports ever since that Grand Prix F1 de Monaco."

"And I'd been bugging you for too long to try it, dude! And you're always chickening shit on me!" He pointed out with a chuckle as if he was ruling that situation amusing.

"Hah!" I objected. "First off, I'm not a wimp, and second, may I remind you that I just had a car accident before and the last thing I want is to end up in your hospital, Monte Carlo branch."

Nate let out a vigorous laugh that looked like he was making fun of me. I jabbed his chest just to make him stop. And I earned myself a dangerous glare from him. This time, I was the one laughing. "And that was what I call real fun!"

"Oh really?" Nate's dangerous glare turned into something suspicious, something close to... evil? His brows perked up as if he had been planning something enjoyable in his own vocabulary. "You know what real fun is?" Now, he was smirking.

His query left me hanging. This time, it was my turn to give him an incredulous look. "And what is this real fun in your dictionary, Hemmington?" His smirking face turned into a Cheshire cat. And it seriously gave me a chill.

He pushed his body away from the car he was leaning on and he started walking. I, on the other hand, followed him. "Well, you know. Summer at the Hamptons." He said casually.

I almost tripped at the mention of Hamptons. Almost. But luckily, I didn't. I wasn't sure what Nate was trying to say with the way he was looking at me. It was as if he was expecting me to do something. Like what? Like I would turn his offer down?

"Sounds like fun to me." I said.

Nathan stopped and turned to look at me with a face as if I grew another head. "Wait? Did hell just freeze already or did Zachary Anderson decides to–"

"Oh, don't exaggerate yourself, Nathaniel. It's just summer at the Hamptons. No big deal. What could possibly go wrong, right?" I said with a chuckle.

Yeah, I think it's about time.

"Wow." Nate breathed out in a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "Well, I never thought you'd agree that fast. I still have this long speech locked up in my head in case you wuss out again."

"Well, lock that speech out because I'm coming. Besides, I've been dying to play Polo again with real players. And yes, you're a lousy competitor. You suck at that sport, dude."

Nate just ignored my insults. "So, you're really coming?" He asked in a tone of skepticism.

"Nathaniel. Do you really want me to come or not? Because I'm sensing that it is the latter." I narrowed my eyes to him and waited for his answer.

"Nah." He shrugged and continued to walk. "I'm just curious, you know. Oh, by the way, I have a feeling that everyone would be there. Chloe, River, James, Tori..." He trailed off.

I just shook my head in disbelief. He was acting like a child. What was he expecting me to do when he said her name? Back out?

"Nate, I'm coming. Even if Hitler was there, I'm still coming." I told him sternly and this time, I continued to walk away from him so that I can avoid his whatever approaching questions that were itching to roll out from his mouth.

"Alert the New York Times, Zachary Anderson is coming back!" Nate announced in a loud voice.

I just shook my head at his childish antics.

New York.

It's been a while, huh.

What kind of surprises are waiting for me in the City that never sleeps?

There's only one way to find out.

* * * * * *

"Ready Anderson?"

I was sitting at the couch reading the newspaper. I looked up and there I saw Nate barge out from his room with baggage on his right hand.

"Ready for what?" I asked.

"Didn't we just have a conversation about this? New York? Hamptons? Please don't tell me you're just messing with me? Because if you–" Nate was talking a mile per minute.

"Whoa, okay, that's enough." I cut his rant short. I set aside the newspaper and stood up. "I'm not bailing. Like what I'd said, I'm going back to New York. I just didn't realize that when you said you wanted to go back to Hamptons, I didn't know that you're pertaining to it as in now."

"Well, I wouldn't wait for an opportunity for you to back-out on me so let's do this!" He exclaimed in a cheery tone.

"Geez, Nathaniel. What's with the rush? Hamptons will not go anywhere."

"You know me. When I want something fun, there's no way for me to delay it any longer. Besides, summer at the Hamptons already started and I don't want to miss a lot. And I already told Sarah about this so there's nothing to worry about."

"Good then. Because I don't want to hear her complaining about us ditching her, again."

"Okay, enough of this shit. You're wasting our time. Pack up and then we'll leave."

"I'm not taking orders from you, Natha–"

Nate scoffed. "Oh just give it a rest, Anderson. Just pack up and continue your girlish ranting on our way to Nice. The car service is waiting for Pete's sake!"

"Easy with the PMS, Nate. Is it the time of the month for you already?" I didn't let him have the last word. Before he could even react, I already walked out on him with a big smirk on my face.

* * * * * *

The moment the plane landed at JFK, I immediately felt the New York feels. The busy crowd, the big lights, yellow cabs, Manhattan skyscrapers. I swear I could even hear the Empire State of Mind playing inside my head while walking out of the gate.

Oh boy, how I miss the city!

Thirteen hours.

Yeah, it took us thirteen hours to travel from Nice to JFK airport and now, to East Hampton.

In the span of those long hours, I couldn't help but think. And I wasn't even sure of what I was thinking. There were a lot of things swarming inside my head that I haven't had any idea which of these things I should think about first.

Nathan was on his hibernate mode in that whole flight. Well, good for me. The last thing I wanted at that moment was to hear his words and speeches that would likely unnerve me.

The sun wasn't up yet when we arrived at the Hamptons. We stayed at one of our summer villas prepared by Boris. I took it as an opportunity to rest and sleep off the headache before we head out and explore the Hamptons. Besides, I wasn't even planning to go out today. All I wanted to do at this moment was to rest, sleep, and wait for something good to happen.

I headed straight to my room and dozed off!

I woke up and I could see that it's still dark outside.

How long had I been asleep? I swear I felt fully rested. But why was the sun still not up yet?

I walked out of my room and went straight to the entertainment room where I saw Nate watching a baseball game.

"Oh, you're still alive. I thought you're dead." He remarked in a humored tone.

"Dead?" I couldn't help but asked.

"Well, you've been dozing off for more than twelve hours and–"

"Twelve-freakin-hours!" I burst out.

"Do you really have to repeat my words? It's getting tiring, you know."

"Spare the sarcasm, Nate. Just answer me. I slept that long? Why didn't you wake me up?"

"Move on, sleeping beauty. There's a lot more in-store for you than wail on how long had you been asleep. First, Leo called. He wants you to play at the charity Polo match tomorrow."

"Now, you got me interested." I settled myself on one of the couches and listened to him. "You said yes, right?"

"Of course, Mr. Anderson." Nate made a fake bow as if he was imitating Boris.

I intentionally ignored him and just went on with my curiosity about what are the other things in store for me. "So, what else? There's a second, right? Because you said first. In every first in the news, there's always a second."

"Oh yeah, about that. There's a masquerade ball–"

I didn't let him finish; I just laughed out loud at him. "A masquerade ball? A ball? In summer? Seriously, Nate. I'm not buying this bull. I'll just sleep it off."

"Oh don't be such a buzz kill, Zach. Everyone will be there. Everyone. Besides, I got you a mask." He held out a mask as if it would make me change my mind. He was grinning like a fool.

"I may have been born at night, but not last night, Nathan. So don't make a fool out of me. I know what you're trying to do." I said icily.

"Oh really? Enlighten me? You know what, Zach. I think you're over thinking. It's just a party. The part of having fun, remember? Unless–"

"There's no unless." I interjected.

"Then prove it." He challenged.

I gritted my teeth in frustration. This guy was totally fan-fuckin'-tastic. He really knew what kind of buttons to push to infuriate and challenge me at the same time.

Well, come to think of it. Maybe he was trying to help me in some way. Maybe he sensed something in me, something that I wanted to prove... to myself? After all, I think it's about time, right? How long had it been, huh?

"Fine." I said dryly. I stood up and walked away.

"Oh, I'm loving the Hamptons already!"

Why did I even hang out with that guy again?

* * * * * *

Well, just as I thought. It's a bad idea to come here after a long flight and long sleep. I could feel my head aching and the tonic wasn't helping.

I was leaning at one of the arc in the room with a tonic on my hand. I was busy observing the people. Some were chatting, some were dancing.

Maybe if we arrived earlier, I might enjoy this party. It's not that lame, party at the Hamptons was anything but lame. I guess I was just too sleepy to socialize and the headache was making it worse.

I was about to call it a night when suddenly, my eyes caught someone very familiar.

"Really?" I said to myself with a chuckle.

I was just busy looking at her, she walked in a crowd full of people but she obviously stood out, as always. I couldn't help the smile that was forming on my lips as I continued to gaze at her.

Nothing has changed. She's still a beauty.

My eyes were trained at her, watching her every move.

One thing I noticed, she came in alone. Why so? That's been bugging me, and I couldn't help but think of the reasons why.

My heart got caught in my throat the moment her eyes locked into mine. And to make it more surprising, she smiled.

She freakin' smiled at me?

Did she, somehow, sense that it was me?

I didn't let that opportunity pass. The next thing I know, I was walking at her direction with a wide grin on my face. Although I know that she wouldn't notice it because of the full mask that I was wearing, somehow, I know that this smile was obvious in my eyes.

Every fiber of me was smiling at the sight of her.

Foolish, was I?

Well, it's not everyday that you have a chance like this. So what the hell? Grab it or regret it, right?

I raked my hair with my hand as I continued to make my way to her direction just to add some cool vibes. It probably looked tousled right now, but I don't care.

This brown hair. Well, at first, Nate said that I looked like James. That was totally ridiculous of him to think that way. Not trying to be vain but I could pull off brown, too. Even better!

When I finally reached her destination, I reached out as if asking her for a dance. She gladly took it with a smile!

That smile.

Fuckin' crazy, man. I said to myself as my smile got wider and wider.

I led her to the dance floor and pulled her hands to my neck and I wrapped my hands to her waist. She was nervous. I could feel her hands trembling. At first, I thought that she was uncomfortable, but then the smile on her face says otherwise.

Nate was right. Summer at the Hamptons was fun!

There were a lot of things that I wanted to say to her; too many that I don't know where to start. I wasn't even sure of what would I tell her. Should I ask her how she's been? Should I ask her if what happened between her and James? Were they still together? Was everything really gone for the better?

God, I'd been dying to ask those things. I wasn't even aware that I wanted to ask her that not until I saw her.

Cat got your tongue?

Speak up, boy! What was wrong with you!

"James. You're surprisingly silent tonight. What's gotten into you?"

I immediately swallowed the words that were about to come out of my mouth the moment I heard James' name.

Of course... James.

How foolish of me to think that after all this time, she still thinks of me. She didn't even notice that it's me all along.

You know the saying you don't know what you've got until it's gone? Well, I never understood the significance of that before because I was so used of getting everything that I wanted. Not until now.

I was standing here with a loud and unsteady heartbeat. With the girl of my past in my arms, looking so gorgeous and beautiful as always, talking about someone else.

I was lying if I said that it didn't get me. I was being dishonest if I said that I didn't feel a punch in my gut. And I was being untruthful if I said that it didn't hurt me at all.

Well I guess, that's life. People come and people go. You make sacrifices and live with it. At least, she's smiling. At least, they're still together. No tears and pain were put into waste.

I leaned forward and smiled.

I missed you, Victoria Peige. You're...

"...stunning as always." I whispered into her ear.

I felt her tense up.

She pulled back her arms to her side and she looked at me with wide eyes, playing a mixture of shock and disbelief.

A sign that she's really not aware about my presence and my identity.

I'm back, Tori.

I wanted to say it, to make my presence known to her in case she still didn't have any idea that it was me. But I guess there no need for that one. It wasn't that important anyway.

I turned around and started to walk away, without even trying to look back.

Yeah, Anderson. Move forward. No looking back.

I was out of the premise and headed to the car. Surprisingly, Nate was already there, standing beside it, mask off.

"Something on your mind?" He asked.

I took out the stupid mask and tossed it aside. "You're right. I looked like James."

"Meaning?" He furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Meaning, I'm such an idiot."

Nate nodded and grinned in approval. "The understatement of the year."

Instead of getting annoyed by this, I just let this one slide. I couldn't think of other things to describe myself right now but an idiot. And Nate was right. It was the indeed the understatement of the year.

I laughed this one out and pat his back. "Good one, Nate. Now, let's call it a night. I still have a Polo match tomorrow. You know that I'd been dying to play this game with real players. And I think I had enough–"

"It's been a long night for you, buddy. Let's get you home." Nathan patted my back as if he knew what was running inside my head. As if he knew that I was running out of excuses.

Well, that's one thing about him. You didn't have to say anything or stress-out something for him to understand what you're going through. And he's not being pushy to know what that was all about.

"Hey, idiot! Come now if you want to have a good night sleep for your Polo match tomorrow!" Nate shouted, putting me out of my train of thoughts.

I took one last glance at the party and smiled.

"Enjoy the night." I whispered.

--- END OF CHAPTER THREE ---

Well, I just to say that I'm not going to retell the story of Must Hate The Playboy in ZACH's POV. I just want you to know what was running inside his head in these special occasions. Just few chapters back to see his side of the story. =)

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