To Infinity and Beyond

A Royal Mess

Alice's POV

The sight of his hand at the small of her back, and the admiration that twinkled in his eyes whenever she smiled, burnt my insides like acid. He drew contentment only by watching her from afar, ensuring she was happy; such was the mighty flamboyance of the love he held for her.

If we could ignore for a minute that she belonged to another man, these two could easily fare as the couple of the century.

My fiery retort held an earnest potential of burning down this lively night. The extravagant decor and the glamorous interiors of the club couldn't leave an impression on my impervious heart either. The chortles of my cousin and her friends sounded like baseless whispers from the far end of the world. I was barely coping with their bouts of enthusiasm.

I gulped down the last glass of cocktail laying helplessly on our table and decided to go looking for another one at the bar. I could at least enjoy the free food and drinks, which was topnotch by the way, and could be my compensatory trophy, a reward for bearing tonight's ordeal. After having a tough week, this was the last thing I expected.

Nothing could go wrong anymore. This was already the worse.

"Hey Alice, where are you going? Don't tell me, you are leaving already?" In between her catching up, I somehow caught Britney's eye. She held my arm from behind and nudged me before I made my way out.

"No. Not yet darling sister. I have just waited an hour for my date to get free and grant me his company. I think I could do at least an hour more, or maybe two, what say?" I laughed at my own sarcasm, and Britney's head suddenly swung in Mark's direction, watching him in Emma's company. They were now talking to Mr Grey Business Suit #13.

"Shit. They are still attending people from their work." Britney murmured. Rolling my eyes at her scant observation skills, I made my way to my previously decided destination without any further ado.

"Hey, one more Margarita please," I ordered to the broad back of a bartender, who was dressed meticulously in red and had a neatly placed man bun at the back of his neck. The moment he turned, he gave me a playful look, checking me out from head to toe.

"Are you done drooling? My drink now, please?" I clicked my fingers twice, right at the tip of his nose to bring his attention back on my face.

What a jerk!

"Yes, Mam." He winked. Even though he was a decent looking guy, the haughtiness on his face was replusing. Irrespective, I took a seat at the counter and decided to bear his obnoxious company, than going back to the over-enthusiastic lot of friends, who were now hooting on Barry's funny breakdance. On a typical day, I might have enjoyed with them too.

But today? Well. Nevermind.

"What's your name Red Coat?" I gave him a piercing gaze, which made him flinch before he pointed at the name tag on his coat.

"Addie. Is it?"

"That's me." He bowed.

"If you are done with your tactics. Pay attention, mister." I clicked my fingers again. Even though it looked like a nasty habit, at the moment, I enjoyed doing it. His face immediately turned serious, and I gave myself a virtual pat for my ability to tame him into obedience. In an equally snooty tone, I commanded him. "Now. You will turn around and make me one of your record-breaking Margaritas, and when you do, you will not stop it from coming until I tell you to. You got it?"

"Yes, Mam." He bowed again and started to prepare my drink while I began to settle-in. This was going to be an interesting evening.

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