Love, is not for us

#2 - The Night Before

Tiara

"Hey, T! U're not doin anything tonight right? I'll pick u up at 7..make sure to dress for party!"
No way, I need to be up early tomorrow. I've been trying so hard to secure this meeting. This client is launching a new product line, plant-based meat. With their reputation, and the plant-based hype, will definitely boost our name. So nope, I'm not going to any parties.

After god knows how many times I've revised & practiced my pitch, I'm finally satisfied. I didn't even realize it's already 5pm and I actually missed my lunch.

3 missed calls, all from Luke.
79 unread messages, some from the family group, mostly from Luke.

Startled by his goofy caller photo appearing on my phone, I answered his call, "God, T! I've been trying to call you! Did you saw my messages?! Where've you been?? Wait, did u skip lunch?"

"Relax, Luke. Gosh you're so dramatic, are you my mom or what? Is this about the party?"

"Yes, sure is! Are you home already?"

Although he can't see me, I'm rolling my eyes, "No I'm still at work and no I'm not going. U can't just assume I'm free and I'm up for a party at last minute, L! I've work tomorrow morning.."

"U didn't answer my question earlier, did you skip your lunch? How many times this week?" I kept silent. I hate it that he knows me so well.

"I knew it. Come on, take a break T! You're being such a workaholic. I'm sure you're planning to go over the pitch until you go to bed. You will and you have nailed it, so come on! I'll be sure will be back home by midnight, for your beauty sleep...pleaseee", I can imagine him using his puppy eyes now.

"Urgh.. fine! by midnight! not even a minute late ok?", I'd kill him if I'm not at my top tomorrow because of this.

"See you, T! Wear that black dress that you never wore! You'll look amazing in that"

—-

I'm standing so awkwardly and so uncomfortably with this tiny black dress. What did I even think when I bought this. Luke is just around, chatting with some girls, I'm pretty sure he would have make plans to bring one of them home tonight if he didn't haul me along.

Finally, after what felt like hours, he is walking towards me along with his step brother, James. I can't remember when was the last time I saw him, didn't know he's in town. Why do I have a bad feeling as I make eye contact with him?

James

I've been travelling around the world and I hardly ever stayed at the same place longer than a month. But after I hit 30 last year, it doesn't excite me anymore. What used to thrill me, and sets me free, now tires me. So few months back, I decided to return for good.

Here I am, at a club which Luke forcefully dragged me to come. He is very annoying and love sticking his nose to where he doesn't belong.
I'm not sure what's his plan for tonight, and he's been bugging me for weeks now, so I finally agreed.

"Hey T! Remember James? My step bro?

James, remember T? my best friend?" he introduces me to this beautiful lady. She looks... like she doesn't belong her. Don't get me wrong, she dresses perfectly for this.

My eyes travels on her from top to bottom, she's wearing a long sleeved dress which clings perfectly on her body and ends just below her bum. Hot & sexy. But the look on her face, clearly shows she's uncomfortable. Is it the dress? the club scene?

"Not sure if I got the right person, because as I recall there was only 1 girl stuck with you. Specky, always holding a book or with her laptop. What's her name? Theresa? Pretty sure not her", I smirk at her.

"Sorry to disappoint, that is me and I'm TIARA, short for T not Theresa", oh she was fuming.

"Tiara, Theresa..whatever it's the same", somehow I feel the night won't turn out as bad as I expected.

"No it's not the same! What if I call you Jackass instead of James?!" she's beyond angry now and I'm enjoying it. She's cute when she's angry.

Before I could annoy her more, Luke interrupts us, "Now now tiger, it's been only a minute and u know J, he likes to annoy others.. Let's not spoil the mood shall we and just ignore him ok..".

"I'm pretty sure annoying others is more of your specialty", and she rolls her eyes again but with a slight smile. I guess we have something to agree on.

—-
Moments later, Luke left us to get more drinks. Since I decided to stay put, he felt I need a good friend and he has this brilliant idea, that she's the best candidate.

"So, you and Luke, are you guys finally together?", I barely have anyone I would call as my friend, but I surely know how things work. Man and woman doesn't stay just best friends before one of them fall for another.

She groans and chose to ignore me.

"Hello? Did you not hear me? I take it as you're not together and perhaps the one sided feeling is on you." reeling her is my new entertainment.

"What is wrong with you? Me and Luke is not like that ok. He's my best friend, my brother! I thought traveller like you would have better mindset than this" she got up and left to the dance floor.

My eyes stays on her and watch her sways her hips to the music.

Some guys trying to get touchy with her, she shyly moves away from them and started to look uncomfortable.

I couldn't stand it anymore and went up to her and not so lightly shove those guys away. She looked startled but surprisingly relaxed after realising it was me.

"I didn't think you would have the courage to dance like that in a club surrounded by horny guys", hearing that, she frown at me again. Is she constantly angry?

"I may be nerdy and specky, but doesn't mean I don't know how to enjoy. Luke told me to relax and stop being workaholic and dancing like this happens to works the best for me. Plus, I know how to protect myself.", yea she surely knows how to protect herself, shyly.

After some moment, I can see she's getting tired so I whispered into her ears, "I heard a certain Cinderella has to be home by midnight, want me to drop you off since Luke seems to be busy?". I got a whiff of her sweet floral scent, if I wasn't aroused earlier, I am now.

She looked unsure but nodded eventually. I sent Luke a quick text.

Sorry Luke, your idea sucks and I have a better idea now.

I end up on her bed and after some amazing rounds, she finally fell asleep close to 4am. I would normally take this perfect chance to leave, but I decided to snuggle into her next and fell into a deep sleep.