Chapter Five

JENNA

I stood up from the chair, picking my bag up as Aria's message rang in my head.

Who was Nick to Clara?

Why did her message sound like I just made the worst mistake of my life.

"Fuck", I cussed as I walked out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind me, leaving the stranger called Nick in the shower..

I walked into the club, the loud music blasting through my ear.

I fought my way through the crowd looking for where I could stand.

Maybe call or text the Aria.

Not like I would understand if I saw her.

I made my way to an hallway right beside the club, I was about to bring out my phone to call Aria when a voice made me jump.

"Clara", the voice said, tapping my back.

I looked beside me and I saw a young girl, almost like my age.

Petite...a perfect shape, her hair a mixture of black and pink sat right above her shoulder as her dark brown eyes stared back at me.

"I was just on my way to Nick's room", she said.

"Aria...she's Aria", I thought in my head.

"Don’t tell me you actually did it.”, she said, her voice a mixture of shock and amusement and her eyes low-key looked like she was judging me.

She had no unique scent....just cologne and humanity.

Just like Nick.

She was also human.

"All her friends are humans", I thought as Aria's small, strong hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling me out of the hallway towards the glowing bar

"Why are you surprised I had sex with him, isn't that suppose to be my shit to deal with", I answered her, my voice loud as I needed her to hear me above the loud music.

I really wasn't sure how Clara would act.

I didn't know what had happened between the two of them..

I was acting based on hunch and I hope it's right this time..

We walked to the drinking bar and we both took a sit, Aria flagged down the bartender with a flick of her fingers.

"Max, two martinis, dry", she said and he smiled.

"Good evening Clara", he said before turning.

So he knows me?

"A good one...huh", I replied back.

"Now, darling", Aria said, turning to look at me.

“I’m surprised because you told me, you and Jeremy finally talked your shit out and that you spent hours in the bathroom, making up with each other", she said smiling.

"Did you forget that fast?", She said.

"Uhh...Noo, Nick just happened in a flash", I answered her.

So she knew about Jeremy.

"You said you were going to turn him down, you swore you were done with the drama. That you were going to be committed.” She leaned in, her lips close to my ear. Her breath was warm and smelled of mint and gin.

“So, seeing you flee to his room, the moment you walked into the bar....yeah I’m a little surprised.”

"I got caught in the heat of the moment, it won't happen again", I said.

"It's always like that with Nick, Poor Jeremy", she said

"Maybe it was true for Clara this time, maybe she really was done with Nick", I thought.

I had managed to ruin that for her.

Max dropped the martinis on the table and I grabbed it instantly, chugging down the whole content, the liquid burning down my throat.

I needed it.

“So,” I started, my voice steadier now, fueled by the alcohol.

“What’s the plan for tonight? Anything… special going on?”, I asked in the hope that she'll probably say what we're both doing in the club on a tuesday evening.

Aria sipped her drink, raising her eyebrow in confusion at the question I asked.

“Special? It’s Tuesday. It’s always special if you make it special.”

"Right I know, it's a great meeting place", I said, hoping to get some words out of her.

"So remind me, my brain's a bit foggy", I said laughing, hoping she'll believe me.

"What are we doing in this goddamn club", I said, slurring my words..

She sets her glass down..

"What we're doing here, are you joking Clara?", She said.

"You can't tell me you're drunk, your alcohol tolerance is a bit higher than mine even though I hate to admit that", she said .

"And all of a sudden, your brain is foggy, you're freaking me out, you’re acting like you’re not you. Why are you asking so many weird questions?” Her gaze was intense, searching.

“Is this some post-Nick fuck breakdown?”

“No! No, I’m fine. Just… talk to me, I'm feeling a bit bored, tell me about anything", I said yawning, hoping she'll answer this time...

"Okay", I said, clapping my hands together like I just thought of the perfect thing..

"Bore me about the things we did the last we met, let's go down memory lane", I said.

She studied me for a long moment, then shrugged, a playful smile returning to her lips.

“Okay, weirdo, Last Saturday, the two brothers from Mexico, remember?, It was the most beautiful day ever, Her eyes beamed with happiness over with a memory that I didn't even remember.

At least, I was getting a hint about their relationship and it wasn't going well.

Do they go around fucking men?

“The younger brother with the tattoo… fuck, he knew exactly how to use his hands. I watched as he tied your hands to that pole, while he took his time watching you...ooh, lucky you", she trailed off while I felt a heat wave surge through me.

Was this the life I was about to live?

My own breath hitched as I grabbed the glass of alcohol that had been refilled, bringing it to my lips.

As I raised the glass, Aria's hands snapped out, wrapping around my wrist, stopping me from drinking.

“Ah, ah, ah,” she said, collecting the glass and placing it back on the table.

“It’s almost time to work. You know the rules. You can’t get drunk. You have to be present for the audience.”

Work?

Audience?

Inside the club?

I didn't know what to think.

"Ohh, don't give me that look, you've been doing it all day", she said.

"You didn't think we were waitresses, did you?", She said laughing.

“The private room is booked, darling. And Mr. Amato, as I have heard,” she whispered, her voice a bit low, almost inaudible

“requested both of us, let's go buddy", she said, pulling me off the seat.