Chapter Five

"If you don't get laid tonight, I've failed my job as your only friend."

I adjust my red leather mini skirt and smack my freshly painted lips together. "You're not my only friend."

It's nine o'clock, Saturday night, and I'm in Bella's hotel room. Girl appeared at my door this morning, then quickly stole me away from my mother. When mum asked when I'd be back, Bella said not to worry, I wouldn't miss work on Monday.

I had no objections.

Right now, we're getting ready for a night out. That concert Bella is attending is happening over the weekend, but she only got a ticket for the last show tomorrow. Tonight, we're going to have fun.

She scoffs. "Right, sorry. I forgot you're the social butterfly."

I smile and turn sideways, observing myself in the mirror. Bella picked out my outfit and did my makeup. She knew if she let me do it myself, I wouldn't be able to create the 'wow' effect, as she called it. A black knit sweater is tucked into my red skirt, with a pair of black ankle boots completing the look. Earlier on, Bella did twist outs on my hair. I let them free a while ago and now my hair is all soft, shoulder-length curls, framing my face. For herself, Bella picked out a black leather mini skirt, black ankle boots, and a red cropped sweater. Do we look like a set of matching twins? Yep. One that's going to bring down the roof tonight.

And she was right, about the one-friend thing. I used to be a popular person when we were in high school. Had many friends…or so I thought. Then dad passed away, my family's social class took a dive, and overnight, I became the has-been. One of the many changes that happened when I lost my dad. Taught me a damn good lesson about the fake people of this world. Of all the kids who hang around me at school, only Bella didn't disappear. I really did have a bad taste in friends back then.

Bella stands beside me and smiles widely. Bella - her full name is Bellamy, by the way. But many people assume it's Isabella or something cute like that. She's fine with that because the other option is people asking, "isn't Bellamy a boy's name?" at which she goes into a tirade about how it is a unisex name.

She's a little taller than me, at 5'5. Her hair is in a wavy bob hairstyle, colored lilac. Heavy eyeliner plus dark red lipstick completes her sexy, intimidating look. "Only guys who know their stuff will dare approach," she commented earlier on. I agree. 

"Ready to go?" She beams.

I nod. We're headed to some fancy club she claims doesn't let 'just anyone in.' Apparently, it's a popular hang out spot for celebrities and other popular public figures. Bella just so happens to know the manager, who invited her to hang out while she was in town. 

"Let's get it," I say, smiling back at her.

We take a taxi and about ten minutes later, we're standing outside the club entrance. According to a large, glittering sign on the outside, it's called 'The Daze'. Now that I think of it, I've heard of it before. A lot of high-profile parties happen here.

Bella approaches one of the bouncers at the entrance and shows him a card that the manager gave her. The guy nods after studying it, then ushers us in.

A while later we are at the bar, drinks in hand. The club looks quite fancy on the inside. The bar area is massive and is lit up in neon blue and purple lights. There's plenty of sitting area with leather seats, and a huge dance floor that seems to get crowded by the second.

My body involuntarily sways to the beat. 

"Look at you, already getting excited," Bella laughs. 

"Do you know the last time I had a night out?" I ask her. I shrug. "I don't remember."

"This is why you need me in your life."

I agree.

We're planning on venturing into the dance floor three drinks later when someone taps my shoulder. I turn, praying to find some hot guy I can have fun with.

Instead, I come face to face with my confirmed least favorite co-worker, Fiona.

"Oh my God, it's really you," she says, her eyes assessing me up and down twice. "So you can clean up nice."

I hold back a snicker. What's that supposed to mean? That I look like a hobo at work?

I force a smile. "Hello, Fiona." I turn to Bella and indicate the other girl. "This is Fiona. We work together. Fiona, this is Bella, my friend."

Bella studies her but makes no move to offer her hand or anything. Instead, she takes a sip from her glass. "I see."

She has already detected that I don't like Fiona.

"So, how did you manage to get in here?" Fiona asks. "I didn't know you were anyone...important."

I recall Bella saying The Daze is a nightclub for the who's who in town. I wonder 'who' Fiona is. 

Before I or Bella can come up with a brilliant comeback, Fiona continues.

"Oh, but then again, sometimes they do allow random girls in to spice up the atmosphere."

This time, Bella has the perfect response for her. She turns abruptly and 'accidentally' flicks her wrist, sending the rest of her drink flying in Fiona's direction.

Fiona shrieks in horror as the drink splatters all over the front of her neon pink tube dress.

"Oops," Bella exclaims, pressing her fingers to her lips. "I'm so sorry."

I press my lips together to keep my laughter held in.

"You did that on purpose!" Fiona accuses, glaring at Bella.

"Why would I do that?" Bella asks, all innocent-sounding. "I'm sorry, okay? The bathroom is that way, need me to show you there?"

Fiona seeths, frantically wiping down her dress with her hands.

Serves her right.

"Fiona?" someone calls her name. A familiar voice that makes me frown. Nope, it can't be him...

Fiona turns towards the guy. "Roberto! My dress is ruined!"

No way.

It can't be him.

I can't face another fake-ass idiot right now.

Bella curses beside me.

The guy steps beside Fiona and we finally get to see his face. The moment he sees me, his eyes go wide and he steps forward.

"Emma?"

Nope it's not me, it's my twin sister from a parallel world. I'm tempted to ask "who's Emma," but I guess that's childish.

"Do you know her?" Fiona asks, looking between us two.

Roberto nods. "Yes, she's my friend."

Friend my ass.

"Oh, wow, it's a small world indeed," Fiona mutters.

I wish it wasn't so small right now.

Who's Roberto, you wonder?

Just some guy who used to be my fuck-buddy until I decided I had enough of his selfishness in bed. I admit, he is good looking, and that's why I had sex with him in the first place. A few sessions of in-between the sheets action later, I realised he was the sort of guy who knew nothing about pleasuring his partner. It took me a while to kick him to the curb, and I'll never forgive myself for having months of bad sex just because I was afraid to hurt his stupid ego

I haven't seen him in about a year, and I definitely wasn't planning on running into him anytime soon. Or ever.

"It's been quite a while," he says, moving to my other side and sitting on the empty stool. "We need to catch up."

No we don't, asshole.

"I'll be back," Fiona tells him then disappears, towards the bathroom I presume.

I hope Bella can save me from this one too.

*Our CEO comes back in the next chapter ;)*