Chapter 13
(Stacey)
She saw how her half-sister looked at her. She is not sure if Heather noticed the way she is walking which is a bit awkward because she still feels a bit sore. It has been just two days since she had sex with Derick. She just let out a sigh. She should be at least thankful that Heather is as usual giving her the cold shoulder. Her life is quieter though at the back of her mind, she can't help worrying about the June edition of Not Eye Candy magazine. She has a feeling that the copies were already distributed to the subscribers. She had been avoiding Tyler because of that. She feels uncomfortable knowing that he had seen her almost naked photos already.
"Miss Hotness! From your admirer I think!" She heard Blake called her while she is looking at herself in the mirror.
She was too absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't hear or see him come inside. She just finished her number with the girls and Blake told her to stay in the dressing room after each performance. She is fine with that. Since the night with Derick, she started to feel a bit conscious when she is onstage. He could be one of the audience for all she know.
She frowned as she takes a box with a single long stemmed white rose which he is handing her.
"From whom?"she asked.
Blake shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno. One of the waiters just gave that to me. He said it's for you and it's from one of the customers. Get ready. We have to leave in 20 minutes. We'll use my car. Eve said to meet them somewhere. I know that other bar. It's not far from here." he playfully ruffled her hair before leaving.
They will meet Eve and her long-time boyfriend, Lance. Finally, he, popped the question so the four of them will celebrate. Blake has to leave the bar with her earlier than usual. The assistant manager will be in-charge for the rest of the night.
She looked at the box of flower. No card. She just put it on the table to start removing her make-up. She just wants to have a nude colored lipstick on her lips. Nothing more. (Nick)
"Happy birthday Billy!!' he told his best friend.
They are in an exclusive bar and he just arrived. He was planning not to go but last minute, he changed his mind. His friends had been complaining that he had been invisible. Since that night with Stacey, he stopped joining their bar hopping.
"Thanks mate! "Billy said with a grin.
"I have to say thank you to Billy because if not for his birthday, I am sure you will be a no-show. Just like these past few days." Jim said with furrowed brows.
"I am just snowed under at the office. Sorry about that. " he said in a dry voice.
He roamed the room with his eyes. The crowd is not that big yet. They are occupying five tables. Billy just invited some close friends and a few of his co-workers.
"Is it really work your busy with? I wonder.... " Jim joked.
"Dang mate! Maybe you have a new girl! Introduce her to us! Don't be selfish!" Billy said with a wider grin.
He just shook his head and gave them a sneering smile as he drank his scotch on the rocks. He sat himself on a bar stool.
"Mate, even if it's my birthday, I will give you a gift. I know that you have been bored recently." Billy whispered to him.
His brows knitted. "What gift?" he asked.
His friend patted his shoulder and said, "My gift just came in."
He turned to his right. He saw three women walking in their direction. It's Billy's ex-girlfriend with her friends.
Now it dawned on him who his friend is referring to.
Damn! It's Stacey's half sister! he told himself.
He looked the other way when he caught Heather's eyes which are directed at him. She obviously likes him but he's not interested. The woman is also pretty but it's Stacey he wants.
"Hi Nick." Heather greeted him in a husky voice. She sat on the empty stool on his right side.
Without looking at her, he just mumbled a hello.
"Sorry about last time. I heard you had to carry me to my bed."
"That's okay." he said. He signaled to the waiter to bring him another round. This time he has to look at Heather. "You want anything?" he asked.
She smiled sweetly at him and moved closer to his side. "Tequila." she said.
He frowned but said nothing.
(Heather)
She can't take her eyes off him. Nick is really soo hot! He is in a dark blue long-sleeves and black trousers. She wonders how his stubble would feel on her skin if he kisses her neck, nape and other parts of her body. He seems hunky even with his clothes on. She felt giddy just by imagining how his muscled body look like. She made a promise to herself that she will seduce Nick Alcantara. He is a walking dream. He is not only very good-looking, he is rich as hell and his family is well-known. If he will be her man, all her friends and especially her chubi (bitch) half-sister will die from envy.
(Nick)
He gave Heather the glass of tequila without looking at her. He is thinking of Stacey because he really misses her. He knows she got the flower he sent her.. He almost smiled at the thought. It's a first. He had never given any female such present. He will definitely see her in a few days time but before that, he needs to do something first.
The night he took her home, he wanted to kiss her on the lips but he didn't. It's his first time to have the urge to kiss a woman on the lips. He slightly shook his head as if to clear it. He gulped some of his booze. He started to do a lot of things he wouldn't normally do all because of Stacey.
He called his driver that night before they left the townhouse. He ordered him to bring his big bike near Stacey's house. The place where he stopped her car is only a few blocks away from her house but he can't risk it. He has grown protective towards her. He wanted to see her arrive home safely before leaving her. She won't recognize him because he will have his helmet on.
"Nick...don't you like me?" he heard Heather asked.
Frowning, he turned to her. She touched his hand which is holding the glass with alcohol. Her fingers traced his hand the it slowly went up to his arm.
"Heather..no!." he quietly but firmly told her.
"I like you. Don't you like me? I know you are single. Billy told me." she said while her eyes are twinkling.
He shook his head from left to right."Stay away from alcohol." he said coldly as he took another gulp of his drink.
He knitted his brows. Stacey's half-sister is the same as the other females he doesn't like. She is too aggressive for him. He saw her pout her lips in protest when he removed her hand on his arm.
****
"Miss Hotness, Eve and Lance will be a little late. Maybe they haven't finished smooching so let's just wait until they are spent. " Blake said dryly which made Stacey laugh.
Blake took hold of her hand as they get inside the bar. She just let him. Few people are inside and they can't see any vacant tables. Music is playing in the background. She is glad it isn't ear-splitting unlike in other bars.
Blake leaned towards the side of her head to whisper, " Let's just sit on the bar stools."
She nodded. The counter is a little brighter compared to the rest of the room. She is a bit relieved that Blake has her hand in his. She is not used to going to bars very often until she started to work for Eve and Blake.
(Nick)
"I am not drunk. I know what I am saying." he heard Heather say as her hand touched his arm again.
He turned to look at her then his eyes narrowed when he noticed something. He didn't see Heather moved her head to what he is glaring at.
The man from the bar where Stacey is singing, approached the bar counter. Behind him is Stacey. The asshole's hand seems to be holding hers. There are ten stools. The farthest to the left is occupied. A couple is seated at the middle. Stacey sat on the man's left so she is now hidden from his view. He can only see the dickhead's side. He saw him somehow leaned on his side to say something to Stacey's ear. FUCKING HELL! He cursed inside his head before he angrily gulped his scotch.
He felt heat crept from his neck to his face. He saw Blake put his other hand on Stacey's hand which is on the top of the counter. Seems like the bastard wasn't satisfied with just holding her hand while they were walking.
(Heather)
She is also glowering at Stacey and Blake. Although she cannot see Stacey clearly, she knows it is her. She couldn't believe her bad luck. She didn't expect to see her bitch of a half sister here. She snorted in disgust. She transferred her eyes at Nick and her brows creased. Nick seems to look more pissed than her.
(Nick)
Control yourself Alcantara! You can't ruin this! Her half-sister is next to you! He scolded himself.
He called the bartender and asked for a whole bottle of scotch and a bucket of ice which made Heather smile again.
"We are so partying tonight Nick." she said huskily.
(Stacey)
"Club soda." she retorted to Blake when he asked what drink she wants.
He chuckled then touched the tip of her nose. "No good girl tonight, Miss Hotness."
She just smiled. Blake called the bartender. He ordered whiskey on the rocks for himself and margarita for her.
He again turned to her with his beautiful bluish gray eyes.
"My cousin is finally tying the knot. How about you, miss hotness? When will you introduce your boyfriend to us?" he asked in his sexy voice.
The image of Derick came to her but she quickly got rid of it. "I have no boyfriend." she said while her eyes are on the top of his hand which is above hers. She had the sudden urge to remove hers from his. But before she can do that, he spoke again.
"If I were single, I would woo you again..." he said with a serious tone.
That's when she raised her face to see his. Blake's eyes became darker and he is looking at her with a certain emotion which she cannot place.
Blake is also very good-looking like Mr. Grumpy. They are probably of the same height too. Their bodies are both hunky but though she only had seen Mr. Grumpy once, his hot as hell features had been imprinted in her mind. The two men are both hot but somehow, she likes Mr. Grumpy more.
"But you are not...how sad for you... " she joked with a light laugh when the bartender served their drinks. Blake chuckled and his expression lightened.
(Nick)
He is gulping his scotch like water because he is really pissed. Through the mirror behind the bottles of booze on the wall's shelves, he can see them. Obviously the bastard is flirting with Stacey. She told him that night that she is single and he hopes that the asshole with her is not wooing her. He will ask her about him next time.
"Nick, let's dance." came Heather's too husky voice.
He hesitated for a moment but he badly needs a distraction to cool down before he smacks the dickhead with Stacey. He has to suppress his anger because he can't let Heather discover how he really feels. His plan for Stacey and Derick will all go to waste if he starts getting violent now.
He stood up and took Heather's hand. She excitedly looked at him.
(Stacey)
"Blake, I have to go to the restroom."
She stood up after removing her hand which is under his. She turned to her left and bumped into someone. She gasped when she saw it's Heather.
Her half-sister is with Mr. Grumpy who is glowering at her.00000000☐☐☐☐