CHAPTER FIVE

The sun had set and the moon now smiled to the world. The twinkling stars were having their playdate. However Theresa wasn't in a cheerful mood, she stomped to reception. She was furious. Her room was too dusty when she had gotten back from work and the bedsheets had not been changed. She slammed her hand on the counter.

"Didn't I pay for my room to be cleaned daily?" she yelled. 

"Yesterday, you didn't clean and today, the same thing. What's wrong with you people? Do..."

The receptionist cut in, "Sorry ma'am. We will clean it now"

"Oh! I don't deserve my beauty sleep!" her voice dripped of sarcasm. She flipped her hair to her shoulder and placed both hands on her waist. Her tiny waist gave her the sexy hourglass figure. With her eyes narrowed, she gave a dominating look. 

"Ma'am, you can stay in the swimming area. You can relax there while we clean. Your mates hang out there often" the receptionist informed with an attempt to mollify the tension.

"Can you believe what you are saying? I need my beauty sleep but the room is in a mess" Theresa glared at the receptionist, a plump blonde woman at front of the desk.

"Ma'am, please have mercy. We will clean it. Please!" It was a pity that the receptionist was lowered to the point of begging.

"Whatevs! We will stay at the swimming pool. Get your staffs working now" she stabbed her index finger on the counter and strutted back to her room. 

Thelma lay on the bed. A soft music filled the room as she did some paper works.

"Thelma, we have to leave. They want to clean this place" Theresa snorted and stood at the side of the bed.

"I thought I said you should not complain. You could have done that in the morning when we are leaving for work" Thelma scolded.

"Can you just shut up and let's go. Since when did I started listening to you?"

They left the room as the cleaners walked in.

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They got to the swimming pool area. The moon was still smiling as the stars twinkle amongst the dark blue sky. There was an arrangement of chairs with a table at the center and a big umbrella at the top. They were shock to see a number of people occupy those chairs.

A person walked towards them. At first, due to the dark, they weren't able to see the person until he drew nearer.

"Hey girls! What brings you here?" Oscar greeted with a bright cheerful smile. His dimples were also smiling. Everyone had a smile except Theresa. 

"Oh, Oscar! Hi! We are here for some reasons. What about you?" Thelma replied, smiling back.

"I'm hanging out with some friends. Care to join?"

Thelma turned to Theresa. She pouted. Theresa shrugged with a disinterested look, "I couldn't care less. So don't even bother asking me".

A broader smile slipped into Thelma's lips, "Let's go".

Oscar turned to Theresa. His hands hung loosely at his sides, "How about you? Coming?"

Theresa just walked passed him as if he didn't exist or say a thing.

"Please, don't take it to heart" Thelma pleaded in sympathy. That would have definitely hurt.

"Me? No way! I expected that. Beside she is Theresa. The opposite of you"

"No! Don't say that".

"Then, you are saying that you are alike?" he rose a brow at her.

"Well.. " she faltered.

"Exactly! She is different! Let's go" he concluded and smiled.

Thelma and Oscar got to a table surrounded by some fellow young adults. Two women and two men were comfortably balanced in each chair.

"What's up, Thelma?" Kelvin greeted. She smiled and nodded.

"She wants to hang out with us," Oscar announced.

"Sit! You are welcome" Kelvin replied, gesturing to a chair.

She sat on the chair in between Kelvin and Oscar.

"So... What game are we playing?" Kelvin threw the question to the group.

"Let's play truth or dare" a young man suggested.

Thelma shook her head, and replied "No! Let's play a different game".

"Guys! Let us not forget that we have a goody two shoes in our midst" Kelvin teased.

"Don't be mean. Thelma, this is what we are going to do. We will make the game easy and good. No indecent act! Agreed?" Oscar remarked and she nodded.

The game began. The first player was a man and he selected dare. He was dared to go to the pool and sip some water which he must drink. The dare wasn't simple because some people were swimming. Not much but it would be irritating. Imagine drinking the water that washed a person's body.

The next player was a lady. She selected truth and she was asked the number of males she had kissed. At first, Thelma thought that question was dumb until she discovered that the lady could kiss any male, young or old.

She replied twenty in total for the last two weeks. At that moment, Thelma was disappointed. Why would you kiss that much men? For Thelma, every kiss counts. She wanted to share them with the man she loves.

The game continued until it was Thelma's turn. An unknown guy was to ask her. I must say truth, Thelma said to herself.

"Truth or dare" the young man asked. He stroked his goatee at his chin.

"Dar... No.. Hmm... Truth. I said truth," she blurted. She gripped her hair with wide eyes. 

"No! Your first pick was dare" the guy smirked. Everyone laughed at the unlucky Thelma.

The man rubbed his palms together, licked his lip and said, "Hmm...I dare you to... Kiss Oscar".

That gave Thelma a big shock. Her heart palpitated and her stomach knotted as she felt edgy.

She would never do that. Oscar? She didn't even know him that well. She hasn't had my first kiss. Alex was her dream guy. She wanted to kiss him, no one else.

"Hmm...Can you make it easier? I can't kiss Oscar" she looked at Oscar whose expression had changed. 

"She... She is right. Uh! Make it easier" he stuttered and pursed his lip.

"Okay! Since you won't kiss him. How about a peck?" the guy suggested and sipped from his drink.

Quickly Kelvin snapped,

"Is it only Oscar that's here?  Dare her to peck me!"

Everyone laughed except Thelma. She felt uneasy.

"Just peck him. It's no big deal" the guy teased and chortled.

It's a big deal for a girl that hardly come close to guys. Thelma haven't pecked a guy since her college days. And she did it because those guys were like her brothers.

"What's even your name?" Thelma asked.

"I am Dave also known as the Boss"

"Wow! I'm not surprise," Thelma sighed. "Can someone else dare me?" she  pouted.

"No! That's the rule. Just do it" Dave insisted.

A sigh escaped her lips, leaned forward to Oscar and pecked his cheek. 

"You see! It's that simple" Dave snickered. 

"Wow! Look at Oscar. He is blushing," Kelvin teased. His shoulder vibrated as he tried to suppress an obvious laughter. Thelma turned and saw him look down shyly. His cheek tinted red.

You don't see that everyday, she thought and smiled at him.

"Thelma peck me too. I want to see the magic that made him blush!" Kelvin jested. Amusement danced among his light brown irises. 

"Kelvin, you are the worst" Dave jeered, slapping the back of Kelvin's head.