Brooklyn

Chapter Ten - Arielle

They posted the letter on the way to the nightclub called Bubbles. When they got there, they got immediate entrance because it was still quite early.

"What say you ladies that we get some tequila shots?" Zac said as they made their way through the room.

"Sure! I'll help!"Cheryl said quickly. Kirsten and Arielle found a free booth where they sat down. Arielle looked around the club. It was steadily filling and the music was playing loud. A few people were dancing.

"Did Cheryl tell you?" Kirsten asked.

"No. What?"

"The engagement has been broken off."

"What?!"

"Yeah.. John said he was sick of Cheryl looking for other men all the time."

"God... Why didn't she tell me?"

"She didn't tell me either. John did." Ouch, Arielle thought.

"So she'll be on the rebound then tonight." Arielle said with a sigh.

"Yep." Zac and Cheryl came back with a tray of shots. They all had the shots and by this point, the club was filling.

"We should go dance!"Cheryl said, looking at Zac hopefully. Zac was looking at Arielle hopefully too.

"I'll stay here." Kirsten said.

"Yeah I might as well. I need to tell you about Marianne's contract."

"Eurgh boring! Come on Zac! Let's show them what they're missing." Cheryl said, taking Zac's hand hopefully. Zac froze up a bit at the gesture.

"Yeah go on Zac." Kirsten said. She was looking at Arielle with a slight frown. She knew about the contract, Marianne was keeping her up to date it was Cheryl who didn't know. Zac left the booth with Cheryl and the two danced on the dance floor.

"What's wrong, Airy?" Kirsten asked.

"Zac... I think he likes me." Airelle admitted. Kirsten rolled her eyes.

"Ya think? The boy hasn't looked away from you all night." They both looked over at Cheryl and Zac. Cheryl was really trying to grab his attention but failing because he kept looking over at Arielle.

"You like Zac don't you?" Arielle choked on thin air.

"What?" She looked up at Kirsten through streaming eyes. Kirsten was twirling a straw between her fingers.

"It's not obvious. But I know you, Airy. You love Jaxon... But I think you like Zac. Am I wrong?" Arielle ran a hand through her hair.

"I don't know anymore,Kirst... I'm scared... I don't know what I want anymore..."

"Don't be a negative stereotype. Easy enough."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you have any idea of the stereotypes for military partners? Girls get with other men because their partners are away for a good cause. It's a negative stereotype but it's unfortunately quite common."

"So what are you saying?"

"Get rid of the temptation, Arielle. Jaxon is a good guy. He's fighting for a country that's not even his own. Tell Zac he has to go."

"He hasn't got anywhere to go."

"Then Plan B. I'll help."

"Help how?"

"Trust me. Think about the opening of your store and leave Zac to me." Kirsten smirked to herself.

"What are you going to do to him?!" She smiled and patted Arielle's hand.

"Don't worry about it. Now do me a favour and tell Cheryl I need a word. And go distract Zac for this one time only."

"Okay." Arielle sighed and left the booth. She pulled Cheryl close to her and whispered in her ear that Kirsten wanted a word. Cheryl frowned but left to join Kirsten.

"Do you want a drink?"Arielle asked Zac.

"I would love one." He smiled at her. They went to the bar together. Arielle asked for a gin and tonic and Zac had the same. Arielle paid this time and they drank their drinks together.

"Having fun?" Zac asked her.

"Definitely." She told him. They drank their drinks then they danced together. Cheryl joined them and got inbetween them to dance with Zac. Arielle caught Kirsten's eye as she had come over to dance with them too and Kirsten winked.

*********

Marianne got in contact with Arielle the next day and told her that the contract had come through, that she was satisfied with it and when was the next time they could meet up for property viewings?

"Today?"

"Brilliant, darling. I'll have my car be at your... Apartment in an hour."

"That's great. Bye." Arielle quickly leapt out of bed and got dressed. The apartment door buzzed and Arielle froze in surprise.

"I'll get it." Zac groaned.

"It's Cheryl! Let me up!" Zac buzzed her in and Arielle heard Cheryl's heels clicking quickly as she jogged up the steps. Zac poked his head around Arielle's door.

"Is she here for you?"Arielle shrugged mysteriously.

"Hope not. I've got Marianne coming for me in thirty minutes." Zac rolled his eyes and went to let Cheryl in. Arielle packed the last few things in her handbag then joined them in their living room. Cheryl was sat cosily on the couch. Zac was standing above the couch, in just pyjama bottoms, running a hand through his hair. Once again it was very distracting to have a half naked man in her apartment. Arielle instead looked at Cheryl who was flicking through channels on the television.

"Cheryl, what are you doing here?" Arielle asked, seeing as Zac wasn't going to. Cheryl looked up at them, smiling.

"Don't you remember? From last night? You said you wanted to hang today." Arielle raised an eyebrow.

"I said no such thing." Cheryl shrugged.

"Ah well. I'm here now."

"Well... I'm leaving...I'm meeting Marianne in a second. And I'm on the night shift at work..." Cheryl smiled, ever more cheerfully.

"Ah well, Zac will keep me company." Zac looked from Arielle to Cheryl, in frustration.

"Arielle! A word in the kitchen! Please." He stormed into the kitchen. Arielle followed him. As she passed Cheryl, Cheryl winked at her. Arielle rolled her eyes back. Zac shut the kitchen door behind them.

"You definitely did not say for Cheryl to stay did you?" He asked.

"No... I don't think so but I could call Kirsten to ask if I did?"

"No! No! One girl is enough, thank you!" The apartment door buzzed. Arielle shrugged.

"There's nothing I can do, I've got to go..."

"Fine." Zac stormed back off into the sitting room and Arielle followed.

"Bye guys."

"Bye Airy!" Cheryl said cheerily.

 "Have fun guys." Arielle said with a smile as she opened the apartment door. Zac sat down on the sofa beside Cheryl and without looking back at Arielle,flipped her off with his middle finger. She closed the door and went downstairs, giggling quietly.