Chapter 84
Strobe lights and an ear hammer music embraced my senses as we entered the bar. Chandria put her hands up in the air and went to the dancefloor. She started dancing as if she has her own world. She looks very wild and carefree. Her spaghetti strap fitted dress is sparkling. It is designed with a mixed color of neon green and pink that almost caught everyone's attention. Some of the boys in the dancefloor are trying to get near her as she's really a good dancer and too beautiful.
"Mind you, she haven't drink a single glass. Look at her," I told Kaira and smiled at her.
She glared at me and smiled, "We can let have fun for now. She needs to loosen up a bit. She's really pressured because of Sei."
I nodded. I would say that Chandria is quite different. Some of the women want to get married, that's part of their dream already however it is not the same when it comes to my best friend. Yes, she joked about wanting to have a baby but she's more obsessed with her dreams. I know that she really wants to be a famous painter and she's working hard in order to reach her goal. Perhaps she is only confused as to what should be her top priority- to settle down while still chasing her dreams or to finish the chase before anything else.
But knowing Chandria, I know what she truly wants.
Kaira and I looked for an available table where we can stay. We paid for a perfect VIP table located in the second floor. Kaira ordered some drinks enough for us three to pass out. I sat on the comfy couch and leaned my back on it. "You should try this drink," Kaira suggested and offered me a drink that has a blue colored fire on top of it.
I smirked. I took the drink from her hand and slowly blew the fire away. Based on its smell, I already knew that this is a hard drink but then I didn't hesitate and finished it right away.
It feels like a ball of fire entered my lungs and traveled all the way down to my stomach. My body started to feel the hotness all over. I cleared my throat and looked at Kaira in disbelief and awe.
"Whoa!" Kaira clapped her hands. She's totally happy that I drank the drinks she offered. It might be one of her favorite drinks here.
We both laughed. I can still feel the sting inside my stomach but I can't deny that the drink she offered was terribly good.
Kaira finished her drink as well. I gazed at her in awe as she just drank the liquor as if it is just a water. Her face did not make any reaction at all.
I pursed my lips. I bet she's really used to it.
I then turned my gaze on the dancefloor located on the first floor to check on Chandria. Our girl is still dancing and enjoying the loud music.
"You see, Kaira. She's too carefree..."
"Yeah, right. That was actually my first impression of her the moment I saw her in the club house. She challenged Clyde to play a race with her and I was quite surprised to know that she's a painter. She's kind of versatile." "She is. I'm happy that you're here with us. How's Clyde, if I may ask?" I asked her carefully and then took another glass of liquor from the table.
She breathed in heavily and then smiled as if her world is still in control despite of my unwanted question.
"Well, I don't really know. He's doing fine... I guess..." she answered and then shrugged her shoulders before finishing another shot glass. "We are living separately for weeks now, Nathalie."
I frowned, surprised to hear her last statement. I watched her carefully. She took another shot glass and blew the blue fire away from it. She then finished it without further ado. She sighed afterwards and smiled at me. "We're not romantically in love just like the other couples, Nathalie. Our marriage was just arranged by our parents so we don't really care about each other. He can do whatever he wants and I can do whatever I'd like to do with my life." She added.
My lips parted in disbelief. I can't believe it... I never thought that they were just arranged for convenience. I thought they are happily married. That was what I saw when Evan and I visited the club house a few days ago! "Uh, I am sorry that I asked you, Kaira. I didn't know..." I told her sincerely.
She shook her head and then she chuckled. "No worries, Nathalie. We love the pretension though. We pretend like real lovers so I bet that was your first impression when you saw us. But, yeah... we're not that normal too." Our conversation went on and on. After a few minutes, Chandria finally joined us on our table and started to talk about her relationship with Sei.
I also opened up some things with him. Perhaps because of the strong drinks that's why I'm becoming too talkative, I don't really know. The only thing I knew was my heart feel calm because I get to discuss my situation with these two empowered women who are both willing to listen. And they understand me more than Evan does, actually. That gave me a warm feeling.
"I mean... why is it so difficult for them to accept Evan? Why is it so difficult for them to see that I love him badly? I don't understand my parents but I have no other choice... It's not like I can decide or choose the parents I want to have," I sighed in defeat. "I'm just getting tired."
I took another shot of Kaira's favorite drink that I don't even know the name. Chandria started to cry that got our attention. Sighing deeply, I consoled her by patting her back.
"Do you know what I fear the most?" Chandria asked and wiped her tears away. "I am afraid that I will become irresponsible towards Sei, that I won't be able to give everything he needs from me such as my attention and love because I am too obsessed to reach my dreams. That's what he doesn't understand and I am having trouble to explain it to him because he doesn't even have the will to understand me."
"He has to understand, Chandria. If he stays that way and choose not to understand how you feel, then break up with him. If he truly loves you, he will let you grow and achieve your dreams. Regardless of how long it would take, he will wait." Kaira explained carefully.
Chandria cried her heart out. In the end, all we could do was to drink and have fun as we try to forget all the things that bother us the most.
***
I can no longer carry my own body that all I could do was to sit and lean on the couch in order to prevent myself from vomiting. Dizziness consumed the shit out of me that I can't even manage to open my eyes. Kaira's favorite drink was way stronger than what Chandria and I are usually drinking so its impact was way harder than we thought. Shit...
"Chandria, can we just run away?" I asked her while I was on the verge of crying. She just laughed while sitting beside me.
What the fuck is she laughing at? She's crazy, really... I just really want to run away and forget this world. I will just return once my father decides to love me again... once he finally accepts Evan for me and will give us his blessings. "Iwww! Nathalie, I love Sei, okay?" Chandria laughed again.
I shook my head and hugged her, "No! You loved me first!"
Everything went blurry. The last thing I knew was Kaira took care of us while speaking with someone over the phone. I just didn't understand all the words she said because I am fucking wasted already.
My world spinned around. I closed my eyes for a moment. When I opened them, I saw Evan' concerned eyes fixated at me. Is this a dream? I squinted my eyes so I can have a better look. I even held his cheek hoping that he would disappear. I laughed when he didn't disappear like a bubble.
"Are you real?" I asked.
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He seemed real. I smelled his familiar perfume and his mint breath. A smile escaped my lips.
"Risha, you're so drunk." He stated.
I shook my head. "No, I am not drunk yet. I just finished some drinks but I am still okay!"
"You're not..." he sighed in defeat.
I smiled playfully at him. I held the collars of his suit and pulled him so that I can kiss him. I claimed his soft lips as I really missed it.
"Let's run away, love..." I mumbled after our kiss. Even though my visions are already blurry, I managed to look at his face carefully. "Evan, let's escape, please?"
"No, we can't," he replied firmly. "I will send you home. You will no longer drink. You have enough."
"I don't want to go home!" Hot tears started to roll down my cheeks.
I don't want to go home. Going home means going back to the camp of loneliness. That home used to be my comfort but it is not anymore. Alcohol does gives me a comfort more than that house! "No, you will go home." He stated firmly.
He didn't listen and with all his strength, he carried me. My eyes shut closed automatically when I smelled his familiar manly scent. He smells really good!
"Why do you smell so good?" I asked him weakly and tried to open my eyes to meet his gaze. He's still serious as he walked our way going out of this bar. "Hey! Evan! Handsome!"
He didn't respond. What a snob! I leaned my head on his chest instead. I felt the familiar warm. My heart is warm now that my man is with me, keeping me safe and loved.
"I love you, Evan..." I whispered at him.
"You're such a troublemaker..."
***
I felt someone caressing my cheek. I slowly opened my eyes. I met Evan's gaze. I blinked weakly, throbbing pain slowly hit my head.
"Evan..."
"We're here in front of your house," he said huskily.
I nodded and smiled at him. I still feel so dizzy but I my vision is already clearer than earlier. I stared at Evan carefully. He's still wearing his business suit. It looked like he really pick me up as soon as he got off from work. "I don't want to go home yet," I said while staring at his face.
God, I missed his face! I would trade everything just to see him everyday... If only my father was a little kinder...
"Please, don't do this, Rish. I am doing my best, alright?" He said huskily. "I'll win their trust, I promise."
Hot tears started to fill the sides of mu eyes. I know he's trying his best but knowing my father, he won't approve this relationship no matter what. He doesn't like Evan anymore. He doesn't even listen.
"Alright..." but we can't give this up.
I don't want to give up but damn it, I am so tired.
I then felt his lips on my forehead. That made me close my eyes and seize the moment. I know that he's already suffering enough to stay away but he is still loving me despite the treatment he gets from my parents. How can I even stop lovinf this guy?
"Quit drinking, Risha. You're making me so worried..." he whispered. He leaned forward and gave me another kiss, this time on my lips. "Don't you ever dare going out with this sultry dress again." Sultry dress?
"It's too short..." he stated.
I looked down my clothes. I am wearing a fitted black V-neck dress. My cleavage is slightly exposed as well as my legs... Sultry dress it is. Shit!
My cheeks flushed immediately when his hand travelled on my legs. I gasped and looked at his eyes.
"Are you even listening to me, Nathalie?" He asked me in a cold tone.
I gulped a bit. He caressed my leg with his warm touch. My lips ran dry.
"I... I am... I will not do it again.. Promise..."
"Good," he smirked and then removed his hand from my leg.
I heard the sound of the gate opening. My eyes darted on our main gate. My father went out with his brows furrowed. He then looked at us here inside the car. "Let's get inside, Risha." Evan told me.
I glanced his way. His eyes are fixated on my father. I inhaled sharply. I still feel dizzy but I gathered all my courage and nodded at him.
I can't let him yell at Evan again. Not today, Daddy.