"Right this way Carl. We prepared the owners table for tonight".
"Thanks Pascual. I need three bodyguards for tonight. One at each end of the table and one in the front".
The club was packed. Insanely packed. I felt chills going through my body.
I wasn't sure if it was me feeling nostalgic or actually missing these types of places.
I turned to Carl.
"Babe".
Carl nodded.
"Three Vodkas 75 ml. Two grey goose one Belvedere. 6 Red Bull. Two pitchers: one cranberry, one orange" he glanced at back at me. "And two Moet Chandon 75ml each".
"Did I get the order correct Bella?"
I smiled.
"Just like old times babe".
"Anything for you darling. Now, let me just make a few rounds. This is work you know".
Laughing I nodded at him while he said hello to his vip clientele.
Now it was my turn to work
"So Tokyo boy. Having fun?"
"Amazing. Just amazing".
"This club was renovated just a couple of months ago. So it's the hottest spot right now".
"I thought you don't party Miss Manila".
He now had full attention on me.
"Or was that just a facade".
"I-". I didn't know what to say.
Annoying. Why was he so damn annoying h.
He smirked.
"Sam let's dance".
Oh right I forgot Kate was here.
"You should dance with her".
Before he could say anything Kate dragged him to the dance floor.
Looking around the club made me feel an all too familiar vibe. It felt like home and that scared me. What time was it? I took my purse rummaging for my phone.
1:05 am. Still a long way to go.
"Bella?" I looked up.
Ugh.
"Bella. What a sight for sore eyes".
Yuck. Another past mistake.
The bodyguard glanced at me.
I sighed. I gave him the ok sign and he let him in.
"George. I see you haven't changed".
This was the hardest part in the club.
Avoid people who you don't want to see and trying to suppress the urge of the biggest eye role ever.
"And I see you stayed as hot as ever".
Yuck. What a douche.
"George you do know I'm only tolerating you because your Kate's brother right".
"And I intend to use that power". He inched in closer.
I stopped him, "Chill George, it was one time. Two years ago. One very drunk time".
He signaled the two waiters to get two shots.
"Strong".
The waiter winked at me.
What was that?
"Sure sir, please wait while I grab them from the bar".
A few minutes later the waiter holding two shot glasses.
"Miss this is your shot, and sir this is yours".
"Bella", he clinked our two shots together and drank it.
Hesitating I looked up at the waiter, "Miss I insist".
I closed my eyes and too my surprise I took the shot with ease. I mean it was water.
I gave the waiter a silent 'Thank you' while he took our glasses.
"Ooof that burns, want another one Bella?"
No. Of course I didn't, but I knew he wouldn't take no for answer.
"George what are you doing here?"
Kate had saved the day. George scowled with annoyance.
"I'm just here to visit your best friend, dear little sister. And I can see your preoccupied right now" signaling to Sam. "Why don't you run off with your toy of the week. Bella and I have important discussions to...discuss" he said while winking at me.
Double yuck.
"Is your eye twitching? I have eye drops in my pocket".
Did Sam just say that?
"Excuse me?"
Was Sam glaring?
I saw Carl at the corner off my eye.
Finally.
I pushed George off of me.
"Now now George, Kate and my friend Sam here just came in time for the show".
Carl could sense something was off and figured it with one look at George.
"George baby I missed you, have you been working out".
The look on George's face was priceless. He slowly retreated back into the corner of the table.
Carl whispered in my ear.
"Bella look at the Dj screen in 5 seconds".
I peered put into the middle of the dance floor.
What was Carl talking about?
The screen turned black and read,
"The queen is back. We love you Bella"
Just then a girl being carried in a carriage came out with our bottles. Dancers were on the balcony behind us with my name spelled out each of them accompanied by someone holding a bottle and a sparkler.
All eyes in the club were focused on our table.
The spotlight didn't help either.
I shivered. I loved being the center of the attention but this is what drove me into...that.
It was addicting, and I craved that addiction.
I looked at Sam. He was most definitely enjoying what was in front of us, but why did I feel like something was off about him.
Sam saw me staring and walked towards me.
"So Bella. Want a drink?"