THE SET-UP

EPISODE ONE

 Raven: Why don't we just stop pretending that we don't know why we're here?

Chino: What?

Raven: This is definitely a set-up...

Chino took a pause on his beer when the girl sitting in front of her spoke. His friend Alby invited him to a last minute karaoke that Friday night.

He thought it would be just him and his new girlfriend Gene who will be there.

Raven: Gene invited me tonight just after work without a heads-up. I thought it was some sort of girl's night out...

Chino: Really? I see... (he said then drink the remaining beer from his bottle)

Now that Chino thought of it, she could be right. Come to think of it, the couple been out of the room for a while to order their second round of beer.

Raven: She's been my work friend for a while. (she keeps talking) You're probably Alby's bestfriend?

Chino: Y-yes... (he replied)

Raven: Figures... Gene told me a lot about him, and you. Even if I wasn't asking...

Chino: Aahh... (smiled anxiously) That's kinda weird...

Raven: I thought so too. I'm sorry (she said shaking her head)

Chino: Don't be, it's fine now.

She's very straightforward. Chino thought to himself.

Raven: Thanks. Now that it's out now, let's not be awkward and just have a fun night of drinking, okay? (she grabbed the song book lying on the table) It's not like we are going to fall in love with each other or anything. (she said while already browsing)

Chino: Right...

Raven: Do you like to sing?

Chino: Sure.

Chino left a soft sigh. It's not like this girl is ugly. She's actually quite attractive now that he's seen her closer. Its just that, Raven wasn't just his type. She's over confident and talks a lot.

Also, a girl in a black combat shoes isn't doing it for him.

Raven: Here you pick next.

She handed him the song book after she type the number code for her song. He accepted it as the intro started playing. He was fumbling on the pages when heard her sing.

Then stopped looking at the book.

Gene: Looks like you guys are getting along?

Gene and Alby came back after Raven sang. They have in their hands another round of drinks.

Alby: Food will be here in a while. How's everything Chino? (He pat him on the back with a suggestive look)

Chino: Great, we were just talking.

Alby: That's awesome.

Chino saw Raven looking at him with a smirk. He smiled. She replied with a wink.

That caught him off guard. Without any hesitation he took another bottle of beer, and drink it in one go.

All: Woah! (they all cheered at him)

Chino thought that felt good. He continue to pour himself a full glass of beer every time he finished one.

He drank, he sang, and he had a lot of fun. A lot more fun than he expected.

- - - - - - - - - -

Raven took a quick trip to the toilet before going out with the rest of them. But when she made it to the entrance door, her friend Gene and the boyfriend were gone.