A/N: So, I know I just posted a couple days ago, but I just had to post this chapter up here. It really sets up the plot for later on. I promise this story will get better. Please comment and vote

Zoey POV

I parked my red Mustang outside the restaurant Bri had directed me to.

Climbing out of the car, I looked around at the restaurant.

It was on the other side of town, just on the outskirts. It appeared small and very cozy. Tables were scattered around out front, many customers sitting and mingling as they ate the meals in front of them.

Looking over to the door, I spotted the restaurant's name written in cursive writing.

"La Café de la Rosa?" I read the name aloud.

"Yep. It has the best banana muffins in LA." Bri stated, and after spotting our friends, rushed over to their table.

"Bri! Oh my gosh, girl. We've missed you." Vidia Gomez, a tall red haired beauty with green eyes, stood up and hugged her, kissing her cheek. Spotting me, she pulled me into an embrace. "And my goodness, the famous Zoey Prescott finally decided to come out of hiding."

I just smiled, and then allowed Rosette Hendricks, who had strawberry blonde hair and gray eyes, pull me into a hug as she greeted us too.

"Zo, why don't you ever hang out with us anymore?" Rosette pouted once the hug was over and we took our seats, the waiter walking over. "Do you not like us anymore?"

"Ugh! Not this again. If I didn't like you guys, I wouldn't have wasted my time coming here today." I groaned and opened the menu placed before me and looked at all the different types of drinks. After a few moments of looking, I made my decision and told the waiter, "Long Island Ice Tea please."

If I had to sit through another conversation of whether I still liked the two bimbos in front of me, I was doing it drunk.

I know, I know. I just had a hangover mere hours ago from the previous night, but what can I say? I liked my alcohol.

Bri raised her eyebrows at me.

"What?" I raised my eyebrows back at her.

After a few seconds of silence, Bri just shook her head and drank her glass of sweet tea.

"So, how's business going, Zoey? Rumor has it you're working alongside Adrian, his dad, and your's on a project." Vidia sipped from her wine glass, the red of the drink staining her mouth.

I groaned at the mention of the project. Yes, the rumors had been true about me working with them, but nearly a year ago, I had removed myself from it, feeling I was just getting in the way with my partying. I wasn't about to tell Vidia that, though.

Vidia already thought her family was better than all of ours. No sense in allowing her to think worst of us because of me.

"Business is going well." Bri budded in, saving me from having to come up with a lie.

She then went on explaining about the project to build a new children's hospital.

I downed my drink once the waiter brought my Long Island Ice Tea and ordered two more.

"What about you, Vidi? How is the modeling going?" I slurred, becoming very talkative after my fourth drink.

The red head smiled cheerily and then began telling a story about how she was offered to model for the Victoria Secret's catalogue.

"How about you, Rosie? Still into photography?" I slurred again, turning to my other friend and trying to listen to every word she was telling me, but it was becoming hard to focus as I felt myself becoming lost into the alcohol.

"Uhm, Zoey. I think it's time we head back home." Bri said to me, giving me a concerned look after I finished my. . . eighth? ninth? tenth? drink. I'd lost count after the fifth one.

"But, why, Bri-Bri? I want to stay and keep catching up with the girls!" I pouted, getting ready to ask the waiter for another drink when Bri cut me off.

"You have a date with Daniel tonight, remember?"

"Oh! I like that guy. He's so sweet and soo sexy! But not as sweet or sexy as Ian is!"

"Did she just say what I think she said?" Vidia and Rosette asked and exchanged a look of astonishment.

"Zoey, it's time to go home." Bri pulled me gently out of my seat and lead me back to my car. To the girls she shouted, "I'm sorry, guys. I'm going to get her home. I'll talk to you all later!"

"Bri, do you think Ian likes me?" I blurted out and even in my state of drunkiness, I was shocked at the words coming from my mouth.

My best friend just stood there, staring at me in shock for a few moments before speaking again.

"Home. . . NOW. Let me get your keys." She fumbled in the small handbag I had brought with me. When she started leading me away from the table she must've grabbed it.

The ride back to the building we lived in was awkward and silent, causing me to sober up pretty quickly.

"Did I blurt out what I think I did back there?" I asked aloud, breaking the silence.

"Oh. You remember that now? Sobering up?" She replied, a slight hint of irritation in her voice.

"Whoa! What's wrong?" I was completemy sober after I caught on to her irritation.

She sighed, parking my car in it's spot in the parking garage, closing her eyes.

"It's nothing. Sorry I snapped at you." She frowned, her eyes showing sadness before she closed them again. When she opened them again, they were filled with happiness. "Ready for me to give you a makeover for your date?"

"Um, yeah. . ." I replied, a little worried at her sudden mood swing. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine." She smiled reassuringly, stepping out of the car, handing me my purse and keys, and then walking over to the private elevator that led up to our penthouse.

I just nodded, climbing out of the car and locking it before I joined my best friend in the elevator.

***

Brinene Vanderbil sure knew how to work her magic with a make up brush and choosing the perfect outfits.

I wore a knee-length, snug-fitting, red spaghetti-strap dress, the neckline plunging pretty far down and showing off my cleavage. On my feet, I wore a pair of red six-inch open- toed stilettos and on my neck, I wore a golden choker necklace. In my ears, I wore a pair of golden dangling earrings and on my right arm, I wore three thin golden bangles. My long dark hair was pulled back from my face and done up in a fancy bun, a red flower pinned next to my left ear. Under my eyes, Bri had ran a black eye pencil and on my lids, she'd applied a golden eye shadow, making my violet eyes pop and appear very entrancing. Also, she had applied a crimson red lipgloss on my lips, making them appear fuller than they were.

"You look ravishing." A familiar English accent whispered into my ear as I felt arms wrap around my waist from behind.

"Oh, do I?" I whispered, spinning around to face him. "Well, you don't look half bad yourself, Mr. Franklyn."

He wore a simple black suit, with a white shirt worn underneath, the top few buttons undone and showing off his chest. On his feet, he wore a pair of designer black dress shoes and on his left arm, he wore a silver rolex watch. His dark blonde hair was sleeked back and his blue eyes held a certain happiness to them as he gazed at me.

"Ahem. Let's go inside." I said after several moments of neither of us saying anything.

"Of course." He took my hand in his and led the way.

Twenty minutes later, we were eating pasta and catching up with each other.

"Another glass?" The waiter asked after I'd finished my glass of Moscato.

"Um, no thank. Just water would be fine." I replied. After drinking earlier, I didn't feel like experiencing another drunken episode.

Daniel looked at me in astonishment. "Did I just hear right? Did Zoey Prescott turn down alcohol?"

I giggled. "Yes. I had a pretty rough night with alcohol last night and today at brunch, I got a little wild."

"Hmm. . . This could be interesting. I've never spent a night with the sober Zoey." He smirked.

"Well, we'll see how it turns out." I winked at him and placed a smile on my face as he began talking about his oil company.

"So, want to head back to your place for dessert?" His voice turned husky and he gave me a seductive look after we finished our food.

"Ah, I don't know. I'm pretty full from dinner." I lied, stifling the laugh that threatened to form on my face when his eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Well, I suppose I could make room for some strawberries and creme." I winked at him, reaching for my handbag and standing up.

"Mmm. . . That's my favorite desert." He winked back at me, licking his bottom lip.

"Well, then, let's go back to my place for that creme."

He scrambled out of his chair, keeping pace with me as I walked towards the parking lot to where my car was parked.

"I'll just head back before you and prepare those strawberries. You bring the creme, okay?" I sent him a wink, climbing into the Mustang and starting the engine.

He just chuckled, running off to get into his silver jaguar and following me.

Adrian POV

I returned home around 9:30 p.m. I'd gone out to my favorite bar with my best friend, Johnathon Hannson, but I hadn't wanted to stay out too long. I already was drunk out of my mind.

I hadn't intended on getting so drunk, but the more I thought about Zoey and her going out on that date with Daniel, my rage and jealously started rearing its head. Yeah, I was pretty pathetic when it came to that woman.

So, I did what any reasonable man would do. I drank until all thoughts of Zoey Prescott were forgotten for the night.

I plopped onto my bed and started closing my eyes, instantly opening them back up when I heard her familiar voice. She sounded distant and looking over to my partially open doors leading out onto my balcony, I realized why.

Being the creep that I am, I quietly made my way outside, ducking behind the conveniently placed shrub that blocked me from Zoey's view on the balcony to the left of me.

She leaned forward with her palms against the balcony's railing, her red silk robe wrapped around her hour-glass figure. Her luscious brown hair blew about her face and appeared wet, her creamy skin appearing red in some spots as if she had recently just gotten out of the shower. Standing next to her wearing loose fitting black sweat pants, was Daniel Franklyn. His dark blonde hair appeared to be wet as well, his lightly tanned skin red in some spots too. I frowned, knowing they had just taken a shower together. A clear sign they had just slept together as well.

"You're so beautiful." Daniel walked behind her, wrapping his visibly well-toned arms around her waist and kissing the side of her neck, causing a gasp to escape her beautiful lips.

I resisted against the sudden urge to run into Zoey's room and throw the man touching her off the balcony.

Get yourself together, Adrian! I told myself over and over again.

"Zoey, I have something to ask you. . . And I know you'll probably freak out. . ." Daniel began and my ears instantly perked up and starting listening intently to their conversation.

"What is it, Dan?" She spun around so that she was facing him, her arms wrapping around his neck.

The Englishman took a deep breath. "I know our relationship isn't what you would call typical, but I would still consider it a strong one. I know you go out and get reckless, but none of that changes how I feel. From the moment I met you three years ago, you've stolen my heart, Zoey Prescott. I've never felt so. . . free. Than when I'm with you. You make me smile, laugh, and just enjoy life."

I rolled my eyes, trying to stifle the scoff I wanted to let out.

Zoey remained silent, watching Daniel with teary eyes as he pulled away from her and disappeared for a moment. When he returned, he was holding a small velvet black box.

My eyes widened upon seeing the box. It better not be what I thought it was!

"Dan, what. . ." Her voice trailed off as the Englishman lowered to one knee, holding the velvet box open and revealing what I assumed was a diamond ring to Zoey.

Dammit! Why did this happen? It was supposed to be me with her, not him. Ugh! I'm going to kill that man. Zoey better not say yes.

What am I saying? Zoey isn't the marrying type. She's a party girl. She hates being tied down. Hell! When we were younger, she hated making promises to Bri, claiming they were just a way to keep people on little strings like marionettes.

I froze in my thoughts. Why did I care if Zoey agreed to Daniel Franklyn's obvious proposal? I said it before already. I couldn't stand the woman. She irritated me to my core and sent my rage boiling with just a glance.

Then, why did I feel heartbroken when I heard her shout a joyous yes to Daniel?