Meeting Mr. Mogul(21)

"Okay. I also wanted you to come, but they wanted you too," he admitted.

I chuckled at his gullible nature. Sometimes, Terry had a soft spot  about lying to me. The boy had always been truthful, which made us  become friends faster and easier. I couldn't have asked for a better and  more suited person to be in my life right now.

I pause for a second and hmmm-ed as if I was still thinking, prolonging  the suspense. But in truth, I already had an answer. I needed the drink  and I needed some company after what happened over the past few days.  But I'm not planning on getting drunk like last time. One glass, or two,  is enough to calm the nerves.

"Okay. I'll go out with you guys tonight. But you have to pick me up and  return me home in one piece," I finally replied as a smile danced at  the tip of my lips.

"Finally!" Terry exclaimed excitedly, which made me laugh.

He was going to pick me up around midnight after his shift at work. We  were going to Jack's bar with Andrew and his friends. I was excited to  be hanging out for the first time rather than working. It would be weird  to go to the club I used to work in, but I knew I'd be having fun  tonight since I'd be going with a weird and fun crowd.

When midnight came, I was already dressed to go. I wore one of the few  sexy clothes I own. I was thankful that I bought it before moving here,  knowing that people in the city wore more refined clothes. But at least  there are others here who dress like I usually do, so my everyday  clothes don't look that out of place and I didn't need to buy anything  new.   





 

I studied my reflection for the last time in the mirror. I was wearing a  loose black tank top with a white tube undershirt. I paired it with the  only black mini skirt-well, the only skirt-I owned that went down to  mid-thigh. I paired the whole look with the black satin pumps given to  me by Alexandra. I completed the outfit with my watch and a black clutch  that I used during prom. I am quite a sentimental person (or you could  call me cheap). I even still had the same sneakers from back then.

Around ten minutes past twelve, there was a knock on the door. I quickly  turned off the television I was scanning through and grabbed my things.  I skipped towards the door, excited about going clubbing that night.

"Good evening. Are you ready?" Terry greeted with a beaming smile as I opened the door.

"I'm so ready," I replied just as enthusiastically, then locked the door behind me.

The ride to the club was short. If I'd known that it was near my  apartment, I wouldn't have asked Terry to pick me up. Maybe if he and  Andrew had some plans tonight, I could take back my request and walk  home. But I wouldn't bet on it.

When we finally got there, Terry had a good look at me as I hopped out of his motorcycle.

"Goodness, Andy! I didn't know you had killer legs," he remarked as he took my helmet.

"Well, only you who can wait this long to notice. I'll forgive you for  that because of your sexual orientation," I replied with a chuckle,  lightly blushing at his comment.

"Yeah. Sorry about that. You know I'm visually impaired when it comes  your kind," he said while laughing at his own joke. I snickered at his  cunning way of giving me a compliment.

We didn't have to wait in line as we reached the front door, like last  time. Once we got inside, the place was already packed with people. Some  were dancing to the thumping beat of the music while others drank  themselves to oblivion on the sidelines. The rowdiness was one of the  many reasons why I don't like such places. The crowd was another thing  altogether.

Terry half-dragged me from the dance floor towards the bar, where I  could already see Jack making drinks. With him was another guy who  looked too young to be a bartender. Once we reached the counter, Terry  lightly shoved a few drunken men aside and guided me to one of the  stools in a protective stance. Sometimes, I found him sweet.

"Protective much, ‘boyfriend'?" I teased.

"I might not be attracted your kind, but I can still be a gentleman, Andy," he replied with a grin.

"Where is Andrew?" I asked and swiftly changed the topic as his body  heat started to wreak havoc on my hormones. I'm only human. I have  needs, too.

"They're here somewhere," he replied as he leaned away from me, scanning the room thoroughly.

I took this as an opportunity to put a bit of distance between us. In  doing so, I lightly bumped into someone behind me. Startled, I turned  around to apologize, but stopped as I looked up at the person. My mouth  suddenly went dry at the familiar blue eyes that were staring directly  at me.

"Ms. Peterson, fancy seeing you here," he said softly, his eyes still on me.

"Mr. Maxwell, hi," I replied, my voice thick with surprise.

"Would you like something to drink? I'm about to order," he asked, his eyes smoldered a little.

Taken aback by his offer, I nodded in reply. Why was this man nice to me  all of a sudden? We have not been talking to each other for days, but  now here he is, casually asking if I'd like a drink.

I continued to gape at him as he snapped his finger to get the  bartender's attention. I recognized that the bartender was the new guy  and not Jack.

After he made our orders, he faced me again. He still looked so handsome  even under the dim lighting, which made his bright blue eyes prominent  and clear. And that dirty blond hair of his gleamed whenever it was  struck by the light. I noted that he was still wearing the same suit  from this morning. That meant he directly came to the bar from work.

"Did you come here from work?" I asked outright, my curiosity gnawing at the back of my head.

"No. I came from dinner," he replied with a smirk tugging at the end of his lips. This action made my stomach knot a little.   





 

"Oh. Okay," I said awkwardly, not capable of asking him another question.

"I was having dinner with my sister's fiancé since he will be off to  Europe tomorrow," he said, responding to my unspoken question.

I gave him a shy smile in return. I can't believe he had read me so  well. Maybe it was written all over my face again. I decided to turn  away from him and face Terry, who I thought was beside me. But he  wasn't. I can't believe he left me here, when he knew about my unstable  relationship with Mr. Mogul. I stood on my toes and scanned the room,  looking for him and ignoring William.

I felt someone tap my shoulder, which made me turn around to see William  handing me a glass of dark red liquid. With another shy smile, I  grabbed it from him and drank a little sip before saying my thanks. I  was surprised he ordered me cranberry juice with a pinch of vodka. How  did he know what I wanted? Then, at the back of my head, I remembered  ordering the same thing from his sister's engagement party. I was  surprised that he remembered something as insignificant as what drink I  liked.

"If you're looking for your boyfriend, he is there in a booth with some  other guys," he drawled as he slightly leaned forward to point  somewhere, his face almost a few inches from mine.

My breath hitched as I stood frozen. He smelled so intoxicating. Maybe  it was his cologne, but the scent seemed more natural than perfume. As I  leaned away, I finally took a breath and looked at the place he had  pointed out. It was then that I found Terry and Andrew seated together  with a few of their friends. After a few seconds of studying the group, I  turned my attention back to William, only to find out he had walked  away from me.

I quickly scanned the room and found his retreating figure on the other  side of the room, heading towards the exit. With him were two other men  in full black suits, which I guessed were his bodyguards. I kept my gaze  on him until he left. For a moment, I was in a trance.

Did that really happen?





Fourteen





After looking at the empty space William occupied earlier, I snapped  myself back to reality and joined Terry and his friends. They were a fun  crowd. I was able to get to know more about Andrew because we talked  for a few minutes when Terry left to get the group more drinks.

"So, how long have you guys been dating?" I asked Andrew when Terry was  out of earshot. The boy didn't really like to talk about his romantic  life, just like me.

"It's been a year and a half," he replied with a light smile. Andrew  didn't look as attractive as Terry. I wasn't saying he wasn't handsome,  though. He was cute in his own geeky way, with his glasses and  sweatshirt combo. He was more the next-door shy type while Terry was the  bad boy.

"Wow. That long," I acknowledged, mumbling more to myself. "So, is it  really true that I'm the reason you fought a month or so ago?" I pried,  wanting to know the truth since Terry didn't want to talk about that  incident.

"Yeah. Uhmm …  It wasn't really about you. I was supposed to move in on  the same month you showed up, but then... you know," he replied,  stuttering a little, looking uncomfortable.

I took his hand, gave it a little squeeze, looked at him straight in the  eyes and said, "You don't have to be embarrassed, Andrew. I'm sorry for  coming between you two. And I'll kick Terry's ass for letting that  happen."