I sat there frozen, unable to move as I watched in great antonishment at his expression. I saw nothing short of sarcasm on his face, almost mockery. My embarrassment feels like a water reaching its boiling point.

I am beautiful. Too beautiful. But I don't have the appeal? Really?

"That's too foul, dude. Are you blind? That is Mera Francheska. She already has everything a man would ever want when it comes to physical appearance!" one of the player said.

I kept my eyes on the arrogant man. He stared at me with so much goofiness on his face. He still looked amused as if he finds my reaction funny.

How dare you insult me ​​in front of these people?!

"What? Did I say something wrong? I said she's beautiful. She's very beautiful. But I really don't find her appealing. Our team needs a muse who looks fierce and seductive. This girl ..." He paused and scanned me, making me feel uncomfortable. "... she's like an angel. Too calm and demure."

Angel my face! After you embarrass me, you will tell me those sweet words as if you're trying to wash the burned area with cold water? If I look like an angel, you look like a devil then!

"That's it! She's like an angel so she's the perfect girl to be our muse!" the coach appealed.

"Maybe Daniel wants Crisanta to be our muse." a player threw that joke that made everyone laugh.

Daniel the arrogant man laughed as he shook his head. She wrapped the mini towel around his neck and looked at me. I averted my eyes, my face almost still burning with extreme heat because of the embarrassment he gave.

"Tss. She's not even belong to my options. Stop asking for my opinion if you won't follow it in the first place." he replied laughing.

What an arrogant! Does he still has options? And why is he the one who decides for that matter? I have heard that he is the captain but does it give him the rights to decide?

"That's awful! Daniel is damn harsh towards you. I didn't expect him to be that rude. He's very fond of pretty girls. You're too beautiful, Cheska. ​​It's weird!" Camille whispered.

"Maybe he just doesn't really type women like Cheska who are modest? You know what kind of girls he's always with. Look at Crisanta Malfori, she's liberated as if she's going to be part of a fucking pornographic film." Amanda groaned.

I growled. I don’t care what Daniel wants for a woman. I don’t live in this world to meet his expectations. But I don't mean that I will let him embarrass me in front of people.

"Miss Mera?" Coach calls me.

I turned to them. "Yes?"

"My offer still stands. If you agree, I'll take care of everything. I'll even talk to your professor. Think about it. It's still a long way-"

"No need, coach. I'll take it. I'm willing to be your m-muse." Holding my breath, I said it as my eyes were on Daniel. The smirk disappeared from his lips. He shot his brow up as if he didn't like my decision.

You have no choice but to accept it, Daniel the arrogant. Your team want me. You are alone and majority always win.

His team mates shouted quickly, even their coach smiled at me, too. I felt my friends poking my legs but I ignored that. My eyes were still on Daniel who was also looking at me. The smirk returned to his face... this time, it's dark... and sexy.

"We will lose in the muse category. Mark my words." Daniel growled before he dropped his bag on the floor and turned his back on us.

My fist clenched. I followed him through my gaze as he walked away. He picked the ball from the floor and dribbled it. I leered on him.

"Sorry about Daniel, Cheska. He's probably not in the mood," Coach said. "But you won't take it back, huh? You'll be our muse."

I exhaled once more and nodded. "Yes, coach."

"Great!" he smiled then looked at his players. "Okay, team! Line up! We'll start in a minute."

"Thank you, Cheska."

"Thank you, Ches!"

"I'll see you around, Cheska."

I only smiled at the players who showed their gratitude towards me. When they're already away from us, I glanced at Amanda and Camille and they're already shoting me a confused glare.

"Why?" my brows were furrowed.

"Are you really willing to do it? You're going to wear short skirts there! Even your cleavage will be out the moment you walk in front of the crowd!" Camille said, eyes rolling.

"I've been wearing a skirt before-"

"But not in front of a lot of people, right?" Amanda cut me off.

I caught my breath. "Y-Yes. But I guess it's fine. T-There's nothing to lose. I'll just go and walk there and it's over!"

"Are you sure? You are just challenged to do that because of Daniel, right?" Camille asked, there's a teasing look for me.

"He insulted me in front of a lot of people. I just want to prove that even if he doesn't find me appealing, I can still walk in there and show that I'm the girl his team could be proud of."

"Hmm. You sound different, Cheska. When did you ever care about what people are going to say towards you? Well, I mean people never dared to talk ill about you. I always hear praises from them. But what's with Daniel that you're obviously triggered?"

What's up with him? Nothing! I just felt insulted! At least maybe that's how it feels when you're embarrassed in front of a lot of people. Especially that those are men. Never in my life I have doubted my physical appearance. My sister and I always receive praises from people throughout our lives. This is the first time a stranger insulted me.

Compared to the girl he was with awhile ago, I'm certain that I'm prettier than her.

"No. I just really want to prove that I have something in here. That's the only reason I got. It doesn't feel good to be embarassed in front of many."

I was just thinking about Daniel's girlfriend and now, she's already walking towards our direction and sat on the vacant bench. I scanned her from his face down her feet.

Short skirt ... tight blouse and full of make up face ...

Hmm.

The training game began. I don’t know anything about basketball but I see Daniel always having the ball. He is the tallest of his teammates. He also has that firm body. For sure, he spends most of his time on the gym.

Daniel dribbled the ball. One of his team mates was guarding him, arms spread wide open as if he's preventing him to shoot the ball or even make a move. Daniel continued dribbling from behind and then brought the ball in front of him. When he saw an opportunity, he escaped from his opponent, dribbled the ball, spun around then jumped and threw the ball in.

"Go, Daniel!" shouts the woman next to us when she sees the ball enter the net.

"He's good at playing, seriously." Camille commented.

"Yeah! But I've been annoyed with the woman next to us for a while. I want to throw her inside that ring instead!" Amanda's irritated voice made me laugh.

"That's Daniel's girlfriend, isn't it? Crisanta?" said Camille.

"It's her!" Amanda said. "She's not worth our attention. She's ugly."

I just laughed at Amanda's cleverness. I looked back at the players and saw that Daniel’s team is almost winning. And most of the points came from him.

Arrogant!

The players had a fifteen minute break. Daniel went to his girlfriend who had been standing and greeted her sweaty boyfriend.

"You're awesome!" said the woman as she handed Daniel the towel.

Where did her towel come from? I didn't see her bringing anything before. Maybe he took it from Daniel's bag. She has an access?

My God, Ches. Probably! They're in a relationship, remember?

Daniel laughed and took the towel from the girl. "Thank you, Santa."

"What time will the game end?" Crisanta asked.

"Fifteen more minutes. Why are you still here, by the way?" he asked.

Suddenly his eyes met mine. Its intensity and darkness almost sent shiver down my spine. I quickly pulled my gaze away and focused it on the center of the court.

"You'll take me home, remember? You promised me!"

"I made?"

"Yes!"

"Right. Wait for me then."

With the amount of women he has, he doesn't know anymore who he's making a promise to. I wonder how many girlfriends he has.

He's handsome. But he's still a playboy and arrogant! If I would be given a chance to fall in love, I would never let myself fall in love with him. It's as if I'm going to pick up a rock and hit it on my head.

Time passed and the game ended. Camille, Amanda and I walked out of the gate at the same time. Their drivers are already there while mine was still on his way. We said goodbye and kissed each other on the cheek.

As I stood under the waiting shade while hugging my books to my chest, I felt someone stand beside me. When I tried to look who it was, I almost groaned at the sudden irritation that erupted in my chest.

Daniel stared at me through his dead black eyes. Her clean cut hair was a bit damp as if he had just got out from the shower. He was wearing a gray jersey short and a new t-shirt. The expression on his face was also serious and dark.

"Yes?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Take your decision back ..." he said, serious and dark.

My eyebrows met. "What?"

"Your decision, take it back. Don't agree to be the muse of our team."

Irritation flowed into my veins like a hot molten lava. I turned to him as I placed my hands on over my waist.

"And why would I do that?"

"Because I said so ..."

"Ha! You said so? And who do you think you are to tell me what I should do?"

"Daniel Gideon Monasterio." he said sarcastically, his face still serious.

"I don't care who you are! I won't follow you just because you don't like me. I don't care if you don't find me appealing. I'll be there and you can't do anything to stop me!" I said out of breath.

His jaw clenched. He looks mad and annoyed with me. Why? Did he really hate me that much that he has to talk to me personally? Is he so affected that his team chose me to be their muse and that he doesn't find me appealing?

"You want to walk in front of a lot of people just by wearing a tiny little skirt? Is that it?" he growled.

"Yes! What's wrong with that? My stomach is flat so there's nothing to be ashamed of! I'm proudl of my body!"

His jaw tightened even more and the fire of darkness in his eyes blazed even more. What the hell is his problem with me? Maybe he really wants his girlfriend to be the muse instead of me? Because to be honest, I can't see any reason for him to be this rude against me.

"Fine. If that's what you want. Go and flaunt your body in front of everyone. I don't really care. I just don't want to embarrass our team because of you." He turned and walked away from me, leaving me speechless and hurt.