(Aurellia's outfit above ⤴)

FOURTEEN: DRUNK & DANCE.

GIVING A FINAL glance at my appearance in the mirror, I exited my room.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

Jesus! This man hadn't learned what patience is in schools. I tried to walk as fast as I could in those three inches high golden sandals. My body was wrapped in a wine-colored silk dress that reached just two inches past my butt. And my hair fell in loose waves.

I stepped out of the elevator and he honked the horn again. I deliberately walked slower. As I neared the black SUV on the other side of the road, the car door opened. He was already inside, not even bothering to come out. Talk about chivalry!

I carefully seated inside, trying not to hit my head.

"My choice is good." His voice came out husky.

I looked over to his clothes which consisted of a white V neck shirt, a brown leather jacket, and a pair of black jeans. Nothing extraordinary yet he made it look stylish and sexy.

"What do you mean? The dress that you chose for me, whom you chose to marry?" I smirked, raising an eyebrow.

He just smirked back. I got my answer.

We were both similar in many aspects, I found. Confident, hardworking, ambitious, stubborn, opinionated, proficient, and maybe even more which is yet to be discovered. And at the same time, we were opposite to each other as well.

The way he wanted to live his life to the fullest. And the way I evaluated and the way I deduced that we all would die one day, so why to spend energy uselessly.

The way he could go to any extent to pursue to serve all his conceited demands, which included money. And the same way how even I can cross any limits just got the NGO.

The way he had so many people, friends, and family to take care of him. And I had no one but myself.

"If you are done with brooding and do not wish to spend your night in the car with your lovely clothes on, then for your kind information, we are here." I heard his voice suddenly which made me pull out of my reverie.

Glaring at him, I got out. Idiot.

Cole invited us all to celebrate the bachelor's party at his private bar. Perks of marrying a millionaire!

I rested my hand on the rough paintwork that coated the door and pushed. The hinges squeaked as if warning me, but their plea was silenced by the blazing music inside. Conversations swirled in the dirty cloud of smoke, a stagnant stench of cigarettes occupied the room. A sharp smell of liquor wafted towards me and chased its way up my nostrils.

Blake, being his normal conceited brat was between two busty strippers on the massive red leather couch. One sucked his neck and he kissed the one on the other side. Hands all over. Gross.

As if sensing us enter, he got rid of those two women and stood up. Blake and Theodore did their bro-hug thing and I stood behind him.

At my sight, he gave me a wide grin and was about to step forward when I interrupted extending my hand to stop, "Stay there."

I took a step back. "Hello Blake, all good? Please stay where you are and kindly enough don't spread the STDs to me." I spoke in a fake sweet tone, smiling throughout without any cause.

"Oh babe, don't you know that the air around me is concentrated in varieties of STD's." They both chuckled at my lack of retorment.

I felt two hands on my throat, pulling me. My throat constricted and I brawled to free myself from the clutches of the criminal. A second later the grip loosened and I exhaled dramatically and coughed to make it look serious. Jesus!

I turned around panting and the one standing in front of me was short. Very short. The adjectives I'd use to describe her are a chubby, bubbly happy soul with a side of mischievous maneuver. She was dressed in a white cute little dress.

"Don't scare the girl already, baby elephant." The familiar voice rang.

Adrian.

Adrian came from behind me and stood with the criminal, we'll for the time being. He slid his hand across her waist pulling her into him.

"Your girlfriend?" My voice echoed.

"Yes. Meet Cassiopia Jones."

"But you can call me Cassie for short-" She beamed.

"Or even baby elephant. " Cut Adrian with a teasing smile.

"No, if she calls me baby elephant then you'll have to find a new name for me." She pouted adorably and if I weren't me, I would have definitely gushed 'aww'. Mature he, childish she. A perfect love story.

"Okay." He smiled sincerely and kissed her hair and then joined Theodore and friends after giving me a side hug. Theodore was already looking at me. He nodded at me as if asking 'everything good' and I did the same.

"What are you waiting for? Come on." She pulled me with her to the bar where Christian and Rohanna were chatting delightful, radiation couple goals. I smiled without any barrier at them.

Christian hugged me and then Rohanna did. After we exchanged our greetings, we three ladies sat down on the high stools.

"What's your favorite drink? Wine or beer?" Cassiopia asked.

"Definitely beer. Pilsner to be exact." I said.

"Mine is stout beer but Pilsner is cool, crisp, and bitter," Rohanna stated and we nodded.

Cassiopia gave the orders to the bartender.

"So... tell me, how's life?" Cassiopia asked.

"Cool. Though I am sure Lia must be having the time of her life... ya know, marrying Theodore." Rohanna gushed.

I shook my head in agreement.

"But Theo has changed a lot. During high school, he was too famous, the typical bad boy." Cassiopia informed as we all looked at the men chatting amongst themselves.

"But then he became mature. I heard that during high school times Theodore and uncle Dalziel used to have constant banter. Thank God, eventually, things became good."

"Yeah, I visited him the day before yesterday." I apprised.

"How's he?" Cassiopia queried, her verses shadowed with deep concern.

"Trying."

"You know, Theo has slept with the entire cheer team, back then." Cassiopia seemed to change the topic.

"Weren't you in the cheer team? " Rohanna asked, scrolling through her phone.

"I was the head!" She proudly replied.

"And how come you haven't slept with Theodore then?" I questioned out of inquisition.

"Oh, the drinks are her. Come on let's compete. Whosoever wins, will get to punish the other two." Cassiopia jumped.

Was she changing the topic? The thought was eating my brain. I wanted to know what happened. She didn't say 'no', did she?

"You two compete, I'll judge." Said Rohanna.

"Don't be a pussy Roh. All of us will race. That's final." Cassiopia declared. Isn't she Hitler here?

I pulled my tray of six shots. We clicked the glasses and gulped. My throat burned at the stinging liquor and I coughed. What was this!

Rohanna rubbed my back, smiling sympathetically. I managed a smile of my own and went for the next one. I observed that she wasn't in this game with us in spite of what Cassiopia said. She was normally playing with the rim of the glass and scrolling her Instagram.

I just picked my last shot when Cassiopia started yelling on top of her voice, blaringly.

"I won. I won. I won. Yeah, I wonnnnn. I always win in races."

'I wish you knew who I am then, baby elephant.' I thought to myself and smirked.

She started doing a happy dance in front of us, tweaking and popping, rolling her hands from this side to that. Everyone's attention was drawn to this act and from a corner Alicia, Cole's wife gave me a smile. I smiled back, compliantly.

"Now we'll dance!!" She said in an overjoyed voice, warming up with a few steps.

"But we are drunk," I complained.

"I won. You are my minions for the night. Come on, we'll danceeeee."

Against our will, we or rather just me because Rohanna accompanied us without any drama, we're pulled to the center.

Automatically, the music started blasting in-ear defending high sound and I wanted to glare and murder the DJ.

But, once the One Direction songs filled the air, I danced freely. I cannot say no to One Direction even if they say no when I ask them to meet me.

After a few songs, Christian came so Rohanna had to dance with him. But she yelled that she'd come back to us soon after one song but that never happened. So I and Cassiopia swayed to the music, laughing and giggling. She wasn't hard to get along with.

Adrian came into the circle and I planned for my departure, beforehand itself. He gave me an apologetic smile and I assured him that it was alright. Wasn't it?

I began walking back, waving them goodbye. Then, then I collided with something or rather someone.

I turned around and muttered a sorry. It was Theodore watching me skeptically. "Everyone is dancing. Why don't we..."

Without waiting for affirmation he drew me back into the circle. He brought both my interlocked hands above his head and rested on his shoulder. I cleared my throat nervously and looked down. My head touched his chin.

His hands snaked tentatively around my waist and the thin silk sheet between was enabling the heat to seep within, making the hair at my back stand. His fingers entwined slowly, menacingly. Then, he jerked me onto him making me breathe out a sudden soft yelp. His eyes never left me as I looked at the silver zip of his jacket.

"What are you doing?" I whispered. But he just tightened his grip and I was drowning in the tempting feel.

"Look at me." He commanded. His breath hitting close to my left ear.

"Why?" I blew the words out of my mouth.

"Everyone is watching." He stated emotionlessly.

Oh.

His hands roamed up and down, caressing my skin, and the sensation of his touch made shivers run down all my veins, making my toe curl in pleasure-pain.

We danced together for six songs.

***

"You lost again! Looser! Looser! looser!" I remarked clapping and poking my tongue after defeating Blake for the third time in beer pong.

"What is wrong with you? After getting drunk till the brim how can you set a target even? " He voiced in astonishment and I laughed. "Do you drink every day or what man? Your alcohol tolerance is boom. Just boom."

"Thank you. Thank you. Now, don't compliment me too much also. I might start flying. I already feel like I am floating on the clouds." I giggled uncontrollably. Christ, it's the cloud nine moment.

"We are going home. C'mere." Someone said. His voice was deep and rasping. He definitely had the looks of a model, I thought, turning around. Why didn't I see him before? *pouts*. I could have done pole dancing with him. All muscular and hot! Yummy.

"Who are you, handsome?" I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively. I let my finger run down his chest, teasingly. I felt a range of chortles and sniggers.

"She's a gone case now!" More laughter.

"Why didn't she lose it just five seconds ago? I could have won?" The whiny sound was getting on my nerves. I hissed, knotting my brows.

"Why did you drink so much? Now, I'll have to handle your drunk head. Let's go." His voice was commanding yet it felt nice to hear it.

"No, I am not going to do hanky-panky with you tonight. You take," I pointed to a stripper who was dancing on the pole, "her. She'll be good else, you can take the bigger boobs one too. Or even the redhead. She looks feisty and horny. Definitely a good feed for you." I suggested. The girls turned around and looked at me, no leered at me.

"Enough. I am done with your idiocy." He picked me up bridal style and I squealed.

"Take care buddy."

"Will try. Though pray for me!" the man, who held me in his arms shouted. His voice came out muffled, full of frustration and goosebumps renting.

"Don't shout!" I hissed, covering my ears and pressing my eyes to close, tightly. I could feel his heated gaze on me but I didn't open my eyes.

"Why did you choose me, even though I said that I won't sleep with you? What are your intentions mister?" I asked him, adjusting my hands on his shoulders properly.

He mumbled something but I didn't catch much apart from 'why drink' and 'not handle'.

I pouted when he didn't reply.

The fresh cold air hit me like a tide and I shivered. I clenched my teeth to stop the chattering sound.

"Cold?" He asked

"No," I answered between tittle-tattling my teeth.

He shook his head and said, "I am going to put you down-"

"Why? I am enjoying this. Oh, you are punishing me? Because I won't warm your bed... " I answered my question sadly.

"I am putting you down and I'll bring the car. Behave. Say yes, now."

"Okay," I mumbled dismally with a pouty face and batting eyelashes. I saw the features of his face soften.

But inside I yelled a big fat 'No'. The hell I'll take orders. It doesn't matter if the guy is hot. I just listened to myself and sometimes I don't even do that! Even my own self was complaining to myself how naughty child I am! Like, come on! Who even says that anymore! I passed the nursery ages ago!

*shakes head*.

He slowly put me down. His eyebrows were furrowed, his eyes calculating if he made the right decision. I look at him innocently. Once I was down, I cast a glance at the road and then at him. He was rubbing his face, looking sexily exhausted. Aw, he looked cute.

Sexy and cute both?

Looking at the road, I smiled mischievously and ran, yelling 'Ahhhhh.... Safe meeeee.'

***

To find a sound connection
Is more than an epiphany,
Its destiny.

***