Gray's POV
I had been issued a challenge. What the hell? My eyes scanned over the paper in my hands one last time as I mused over it, a grin coming to my face. He would, he really fucking would.
Grayson Smith,
It has come to my knowledge that regardless of your current relationship status, your eyes having been wandering and your mind unfaithful. What's more is that the person claiming your attention is someone who belongs to me, and Mr. Smith, I do not take that lightly. What's mine is mine and I will not take this matter lying down. If you wish to be with Cliff, you will have to write your wrongs and court him yourself.
Mr. Smith, I issue you a challenge. If you are able to complete this challenge and steal his heart, I will hand him over, but if you are unsuccessful in this task, you must withdraw your emotions completely and accept the fact that his affections belong exclusively to me.
Sincerely,
Dr. Trent Collins
As I finished reading it for the seventh time, still in disbelief, I crumpled the useless paper and jammed it in my pocket. Was the Doctor serious? He really wanted to do this. What's more was that I wasn't aware I was being so obvious with my feelings. I growled as I left the forge.
"Gray, where are you going?" My grandfather called to me from behind the counter as I made my way to the nearest, and only, exit.
"Out," I mumbled. If the Doctor wanted a challenge, he'd have to tell me so in person and stop being such a whiney bitch. I stormed to the clinic, noting that the weather was beginning to get exceedingly hotter with each passing day. How long had it been since the hot springs incident?
I mused over it, and came to the conclusion that it had been about four days since the hot springs fiasco. Meaning summer was soon on the horizon, and that meant that Kai would be showing up soon. Well wasn't that fan-fucking-tastic. It was troublesome enough between Cliff and I right now. We hadn't brought up the hot springs night at all, which left an awkwardness hanging in the air every time we greeted each other.
A part of me wondered if it had even met anything to Cliff. Had he felt like I did? Did the thought eat away at him, causing him to lay in bed at night, staring at the ceiling, wishing for something to happen between us? Did Cliff's heart stop beating and did he hold his breath with every movement I made in the dark.
I was fucking pathetic. I wanted him so much. All of this thinking was not good for me, it was not healthy at all. I'm no good with anything to do with emotions, and then I happen to fall in love with Cliff.
I was soon standing outside of the clinic, hands shoved roughly in my pockets. I took in a deep breath, trying to calm myself before rushing in brutally without a second thought; it wouldn't do any good to lose my cool in front of that bastard. I had to, under this circumstance remain-
"Hey Gray how's it going toda-"
"What do you want?!" I snapped at the stranger walking by, only to realize that it was Claire. She didn't even seem taken aback at all; rather, she had a smug smile on her face the moment I shut my mouth. Her piercing blue eyes looked at me, then to the clinic door and back at me. She knew; this woman knew everything and I hadn't said one word.
"Let's see it." Claire said, holding her hand out in front of me.
My hand gripped the crumpled letter tighter in my pocket. "See what?" I coughed nervously.
All she had to do was raise her eyebrow and cross her arms over her chest. Reluctantly, I pulled my hand free, revealing the challenge letter, in which she grabbed eagerly. Her eyes scanned the words in her hands, her smile growing wider by the second. And then she burst out laughing. "Wow!" She exclaimed holding the paper out to arm's length. "He actually did it!"
Claire handed the letter back to me and turned to leave. "Good luck Gray!" She called over her shoulder. "You're gonna need it." She added with a wave.
I shook my head, trying to ignore her threatening words that for some reason hung ominously in the back of my mind. It was time to focus on the task at hand.
Fucking Trent Collins.
"Good afternoon Gray!" Elli greeted from behind her desk.
Trent's POV
"Where is he?" The blonde man scowled from the other side of the room.
As expected. I glanced at the clock. It was currently 2pm and the blacksmith was knocking at my door, so to speak. I sent him the letter earlier this afternoon, so it was a little shocking that he had not shown up earlier. Before he could get into my office I cleared off my desk and straightened my jacket.
Three….
Two…..
One….
"What the hell is this?!" The blacksmith growled storming into my office in an angry fit of rage. I held my cool and folded my hands neatly in front of me on the desk, knowing all too well that my demeanour would only provoke him further.
"Did you not read it?" I raised an eyebrow, trying to resist the urge to smirk as his shoulders only rose higher in ire.
"Like hell I did!" The man before me snarled, throwing a crumpled piece of paper on my desk. Moments later and his hands followed suite, slamming down roughly as he moved his face inches before mine. "We need to talk." He seethed in a lower tone.
I sat back in my chair, my arms folding across my chest. This should be interesting. "I'm listening." I urged him on. He opened his mouth; finger raised as though to make a point, but then closed it, obviously unsure of what to say. "Well?"
He was silent for a moment before he scoffed and fiddled with the rim of his filthy blue hat. "This is stupid." He uttered under his breath.
"If you believe so, then why are you here in the first place Mr. Smith?" I smirked all too widely, hoping to provoke him further. I could use a bit of amusement and believed that Gray would provide it.
"I've had it!" The blacksmith slammed his hat down on my desk and reefed my forward by the collar of my jacket. His fist was clenching too tightly around the thin material, and his eyes which were usually blue seemed to be burning red with fury. His brow was furrowed deeply, a frown set into his features. "Why are you doing this?" He spat, searching my expression for some sort of logical answer. "Do you even have feelings for him?" His grip loosened some, and his features sank to those more of sadness.
I tossed his hand aside, straightened out my jacket and looked at the man before me. "Of course I do…" I murmured, rather annoyed that he could possibly be so stupid as to ask me such a question.
"Since when?! When have you EVER shown an interest in him except for when he was feeling weak and vulnerable?" Gray shouted, his motions very animated as he threw his arms about. "You just want to take advantage of him don't you?" He continued on passionately, "Do you even care about his own feelings? Are you trying to manipulate him into being your puppet? I know men like you Trent Collins! You'll eventually get bored of him and toss him aside! Don't think I'm that naïve!" His shoulders heaved as he took in a deep breath. "I'm not like that! I care about him! I want him to be happy! I've loved him for a long time and then you," He said, stepping forward to jab his finger into my chest, you just come along and waltz into his life only confusing him further! Did you not consider that because of you he's going to end up hurt? Whether he chooses me or you, he's going to feel guilty and it's all because you had to get in the way!"
That was the most I had ever heard Grayson Smith speak at once. I had to blink a couple times to believe what my ears had heard. I stood up straight, looking directly into the other man's eyes. The tension in the air was drawing heavier by the second, if we were to continue glaring at each other for much longer I feared a string would have snapped and all of hell would break loose.
This issue needed to be resolved.
A smile across my lips eased the tension between us, but Gray didn't move an inch. "I'm glad to know that our feelings for Cliff are mutual." He opened his mouth to speak, but I silenced him. "However-!" I glared at him rather darkly. "You know little about me Gray." I could feel the malicious smile deepening on my face as I stepped forward, easing the other man back. "And to assume that I'm such a terrible man…." I took another step towards him, causing him to stumble slightly. "…will look bad when you find out you're wrong."
I now had the man pinned against the wall. There was nowhere for him to move, nowhere for him to run. He was like a tamed beast now that his rage was out and his heart was in his stomach. I could see the fear reflecting in his eyes and simply chuckled deeply. Gray gulped.
That was enough.
I cleared my throat, standing up straight and returning to the seated position behind my desk. The blacksmith remained baffled on the wall. "Let us settle this like civilized men." I suggested, leaning forward onto my elbows, hands folded beneath my chin. "You've read my letter. You can either accept or decline. But if you decline…you should know that if you lay a hand on what's mine…you won't have hands anymore."
He glared at me, studying my face, trying to get a read but to no avail. There was no way he could break my shell, even if he tried. "Your answer?" I raised an eyebrow, anticipating his response.
"Fine…" The man grumbled almost inaudibly.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" I teased, lifting my hand to my ear.
"I said fine! I'll do it!" He yelled, glaring at me, that flame returning to his eyes. "But mark my words Doctor," he spat, pointing a finger towards me. "I- will- not- loose!"
And with those last words the blacksmith ran for the door. I heard door slam shut, waited a few moments and then let my head fall onto my desk.
This was ridiculous.
I hated myself.
Give it up Trent. You're no good for him anyways.
"Shut up." I argued with myself under my breath.
Stop playing the bad guy; it won't do anything for your image.
"What am I supposed to do then?" A sigh passed my lips.
They don't need your help; you're just getting in the way.
"No. They need this; it's for their own good! I'm their catalyst."
Gray's POV
What the hell just happened?
My heart was still sitting in my stomach, twisting in a tight knot. Trent's wrath could only rival that of my Grandfather's. Sure it was spine shivering, but still tolerable. If he had been talking to anyone else, I'm sure that they would have crumbled under the pressure and demeanour he had displayed.
I shivered nonetheless as I made my way back to the Inn.
Who exactly was Trent Collins?
A/N: So, not much really going on here, but I promise the next chapter will be better and things will pick up a lot more! Please let me know what you think! The more reviews, the more I update!
