Chapter 3: The Things One Has to Do


He growled at the constant, loud knocking on the front door. Someone's having a death wish, he thought. "Will you bloody hang on? It's still 8 o'clock, you wanker!"

Spike roared as he stomped his bare feet towards the door. Ripping it open, he saw two brunette men standing with luggage next to them. The bigger man was smirking, hands shoved into his duster pockets while the other one with a slight visible beard gave him a brief smile while retrieving their baggage from the floor.

"My boy…ain't ya happy to see your cousin?" Angel said, still smirking. Spike only rolled his eyes before walking back into the living room, leaving the other men to follow. Angel spread his arms as he pulled a mocking pout at his cousin's retreating form. "What? No hug? Aww, I'm deeply hurt, Spike."

"Shut up, peaches! There's only one empty room upstairs, so you two have to decide who's going to take the couch." Both brunettes pointed each other instantly as they spoke in unison.

"You take the couch."

"You take the couch."

Spike shook his head. Amazed how his employees could be so childish at times, and yet able to do some serious work handed to them. Although, the same quality rarely applies to his capricious cousin, Angel. "I don't care who's going to sleep where, as long as I don't need to give up my bed." He strolled to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.

Wesley and Angel dropped their baggage and looked around the entire apartment. Whistling, Angel went to the terrace, pleased to have the beach for the view. He smirked at sight of numerous ladies in bikinis, lying on their chests while reading some women's magazine. "Damn, you could've called me sooner, Spike. This apartment's view is beautiful." He yelled over his shoulder, shaking his head in appreciation.

Spike could only snort in derision at his overt display of ogling the mass of women sunbathing in front of his terrace. "You're more than welcomed to sleep in the balcony if you like. You can have the view 24/7 all to yourself."

Inside, Wesley looked up to the second landing, his face showing astonishment at the open bedroom. "Well, this place is certainly…interesting." He muttered.

Spike chuckled, patting Wesley on the back. "I'm gonna take a shower and go out to get some fags. You two can rest. There's food in the fridge if you're hungry. You need anything else?"

Wesley shook his head. "No, I'll be fine."

Spike nodded before he yelled to his cousin. "Angel, you need anything while I'm out?"

"Yeah! Bring me those fine ladies on your way back!" The brunette shouted back, pointing a finger to the beach, eyes still fixed on the women in revealing bikinis. Spike rolled his eyes and started for the bathroom while mumbling something about his cousin's playboy persona.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Buffy quickened her pace, trying not to trip on her 3-inch high heels. Stupid high heels, she cursed silently.

"Come on, Buffy. Can we just talk for one minute?" The huge man behind her begged while trying to catch up with her.

"No! Talk time is over, Riley. The last time I wanted to talk, your tongue was too busy fucking that bitch, Harmony." She spat over her shoulder, the annoyance on her features turned into disgust and rage.

"It wasn't what it looked like…" Buffy snorted unladylike. The nerve of this guy! He had been caught plain and simple, yet he still had the guts to deny it?

"What, your mouth suddenly tripped over her pussy? I don't think so, Riley." She snapped over her shoulder again and threw him another deadly glare while moving in a hasty pace, heels clacking against the sidewalk.

Riley shook his head in frustration. "Please, baby. I still love you, you know that." He pleaded.

"Well, I don't! So you can go back to that bimbo and leave me the hell- oof! So-" Buffy was about to apologize when she finally acknowledged the person she ran into - again. The man in front of her sighed in exasperation, but was instantly surprised the moment he saw a smile spreading over her lovely face."Hey, baby. Are you about to pick me up? Aww, ain'tcha a sweetie?" She looped her arm into his with a sickening sweet smile plastered on her features. Spike only arched a scarred brow at her action, confusion marring his visage.

"What?"

Buffy quickly turned her head to look at her ex-boyfriend and chimed in, completely ignoring Spike's questioning stare. "Oh, sorry Riley...I forgot to mention my new honey. I don't believe you've met him before. This is..." She trailed off.

Shit, I forgot his name. I could've sworn Tara has mentioned it before. 'I've just got fired by that bastard of Giles, Will-' AHA!

"…William. William Giles." She finished triumphantly, smug washed over her face. Riley didn't look convinced. He scrutinized the blond couple as Buffy pressed her body closer to Spike, her chin lifted high. Spike, on the other hand, looked down at the girl next to him with a perplexed look.

What is this chit up to? He shifted his eyes, glancing at the man in front of him.

"Pfft! Nice try, Buffy." Riley retorted, eyeing the other man with repulsion. Buffy widened her eyes in surprise, clearly challenged at his remark.

"Oh, you don't believe me? Fine, I'll give ya proof."

Before the men could respond, she brought her hands to Spike's face, forcing him to bend down and capturing his mouth. Both men were stunned and widened their eyes, though Spike's eyes soon fluttered closed at the feel of Buffy's soft lips nibbling his lower lip. His arms unconsciously snaked around her small waist, bringing her closer as he deepened the kiss.

Riley clenched and unclenched his fists, his face turning red and shoulders becoming rigid with rage. He never expected his once sweet Buffy could pull such a stunt, kissing a complete stranger before his eyes. Giving one last disdainful look at the embracing couple, he swung around and marched away furiously.

Sensing the absence of her ex-boyfriend's company, she abruptly broke the kiss and drew away from Spike, causing him to stare at her dazedly. "Ha! Serves him right!" She exclaimed jubilantly. She started to walk off when a strong hand seized her wrist, forcing her to spin around facing the owner. Buffy stared down at the hand capturing her wrists before looking up at the man she kissed a moment ago.

"Care to explain what the bleedin' hell was that all 'bout?" Spike quirked his brow, tilting his head slightly as he searched her eyes for answer.

She only rolled her eyes and sighed. "It's just an act, none of your business really." She waved her hand, telling him to let the matter go. The bleached man's eyes widened with incredulity.

"Excuse me? I think I have a right to say something since I am the victim here!" He pointed at his own chest as he stared down at the petite blonde.

Buffy snorted. "What are you, twelve? Please…don't tell me those kind of stunt never happened in your motherland?" She jeered and pushed him off, trying to ignore her still tingling lips as she sauntered away.

Spike could only stare at her retreating form, dumbfounded. What the hell was that all about? One minute she was kissing him and the next she's brushing him off. Shaking his head in confusion, he cursed under his breath. "Bitch!"

to be continued.

(A/N: Sorry for getting the chaps so slow. My beta has been busy lately and am going to busy for the next two weeks. I've sent the next two chaps of Soulmate to her a few days ago. Just hope that she can send me back quickly. *crosses fingers*)