Rian's POV:
We arrived in two cars, I and Gavin in his Audi while Jenny and Cari were with Nick. The crowd was starting to occupy the dancefloor when we entered the club.
"Whoa!"
Cari and I uttered in awe and with wide eyes. This club is bigger than our usual nightclub and has a second floor which is probably the space for the club's VVIP customers.
"Okay! It's time to turn the club upside down!" Gavin shouted as soon as we reached the counter.
"Yeah!" all of us girls answered in unison.
The more time passed, the more wasted we got. We, the girls, were pacing back and forth on the dance floor while the boys, as usual, became our escorts. Of course, with our friend Sierra and her boyfriend-- Paolo who was already in the VIP section on the first floor.
We were currently dancing when I bumped into a hard shoulder.
"Oops, I'm sorry!" We immediately said to each other without looking at the face of whoever that person was.
"Rian?" But then I was forced to look at him when he called my name.
"Ryan?"
Funny... how our names rhyme. He's my husband's best friend and one of his best men at our wedding. Also, a womanizer like his best friend.
"What are you doing here?" he asked me the (most stupid) question as he danced directionlessly in front of me.
"What do you think I am doing here? Obviously Dancing, duh!" I answered the last word in a whisper.
" Yeah. How stupid of me. Anyway, who's with you? Friends?"
"Yes, I'm with Cari and some of my friends."
"I see," he said with a smirk. Thankfully I was looking straight at him, otherwise, I wouldn't be able to see his reaction. I didn't want to ask who was with him tonight, because I already knew the answer.
"Hey!" Cari tapped on the shoulder as she smiled like there was no tomorrow at the man in front of me.
"Hi, Ryan, right?" I mentally rolled my eyes. They were smiling like teenagers who had just seen their first crush.
"Yeah, and you're Cari." Ryan his hand for a handshake which was gladly accepted by my best friend.
"Yup, that's me! So, are you alone or are you with someone tonight?"
-'Wow! The question I don't want to ask has already been taken care of by my best friend. I will make a note to slap her on the forehead when we get home'-
"Oh, no, I'm here with my colleagues," he answered looking at me.
-'Oh, yeah! What's new?'-
"What I'm talking about is your girlfriend. Are you with your girlfriend?"
-'Nice... Cari for the segway!'-
"Nope, I don't have a girlfriend. How about you, do you have a boyfriend? Is he with you tonight?"
"I also don't have a boyfriend and I don't plan on having one in the future."
I bit my inside cheek to suppress my laughter at how Ryan's jaws dropped when Cari threw the bomb.
"Ohh... but why is that?"
"Because for me, all men were just good and kind to us girls in the beginning. No offense ahh?" She looked directly at Ryan before continuing. "But when you got all you want from us and you already got under our pants, we won't matter to you anymore. You'll cast us aside and dump us like we're some kind of trash." she ended it with a shrug.
Huh! That was a hard blow. She really is a straightforward person. Ryan was shocked for a moment before composing himself again.
"W-Wow! I-I don't know what to say about that."
Did he just stutter?
"Well, you really don't have to. It's just my opinion anyway." Another shrug again.
Right after she finished speaking, the music died, and the echo of the microphone on the stage where the only sound left.
"Oops! I'm sorry guys, " The band vocalist was now introducing his group mate to the crowd.
"I think we need to go back." I was talking about our seats.
"Uhm... can I buy you girls a drink?" we looked back at Ryan who had a look of hope in his eyes.
"Ahm... maybe Cari can come with you. I'm going back to our table, I think I'm a little tipsy."
"Alright," He nodded. "Cari?"
"Sure. But, can I just follow you to the counter? I'll just talk to Rian." she grabbed me by the elbow.
"Yeah, sure. I'll wait for you there."
"Okay,"
"Uhm... Rian!" We stopped walking as soon as we heard Ryan call my name.
"Yes?"
"You look different tonight."
"Huh? What do you mean by different--- bad or good?" I asked raising an eyebrow and with a challenging tone.
"A good one," he answered with a smirk.
"Can you describe that good one?" Cari asked the question in my head.
"You looked stunning. Gorgeous as ever."
"Well, thank you, you don't look bad yourself." I just smiled at him and turned around again.
"Cari, I'll wait for you at the counter."
"Sure,"
As soon as Ryan was out of our sight, Cari turned me around so I was now facing her.
"You heard what he said, right?"
"Which one? He said so many things,"
"Oh, come on, Rian! He said he was with his colleagues. That means the husband of yours is also with him. One of them."
"And so?" I already knew it since I saw Ryan on the dance floor earlier. What I don't know at this moment is what's in Cari's head.
"Well, I have an idea--- a very nice idea." She then walked away smirking while I was left confused.
When I went back to where our group was seated, I saw Cari whispering something to Gavin and Nick.
"Okay, guys, I have to go, someone's waiting for me at the counter." she winked at me before walking away again. And when I turned to the group, Nick and Gavin suddenly disappeared.
"What the--- what's going on?" I asked them with crunched eyebrows.
"Just trust Cari, Rian." Jenny winked at me too.
"What? Weird!" I just whispered in confusion.
"You look gorgeous tonight, Rian," Paolo commented, the second person who said that word.
"Yeah, I like your curls." Sierra who was sitting on Paolo's lap stood up and sat next to me. "You never told us you were a former band vocalist back in college."
"Oh..."
"And tonight, you're going to perform for us," Jenny screamed, clapping her hands.
"Yeah, I was--- what?" I snapped when my head had already processed what Jenny had said.
"Yes, and there's no room for excuses because Gavin is already on the stage."
Sierra urged me to stand and then we heard the lead vocalist along with Gavin on the stage call my name.
And the next moment, I just found myself on the same stage with Gavin, who gave me a microphone, and suddenly kissed me on the forehead. Not that I mind because I'm already used to his gesture and it's our way to keep his precious secret.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Gavin, and here next to me is a gorgeous lady whose name is Rian."
And since I was still dazed, I didn't notice he also mentioned the word gorgeous. I just found myself smiling at the crowd and to Gavin who was whispering in my ear.
"Come on, honey, it's your time to shine!" he said with a wink.
What's with these guys always winking at me?
"Let's give your dear husband a wonderful show tonight!"
Ohh... so, this is what Cari's plan, huh?
"So, is this all about for him?" I glared at him when I found my voice again.
"Honey, let's just play the role tonight. I promise you're gonna enjoy this. I know you, girl, you love singing so much."
I tried to take a breath because I suddenly felt nervous.
"Can you hug me?" I don't know why I voiced that idea, but I didn't have to repeat myself.
"Oh, girl, I love you." he was grinning like an idiot after hugging me and kissing me on the forehead for the second time. The cheers and applause and cheers of the crowd echoed throughout the club.
And then the show began. We're going to sing 'Who am I to stand in your way' by Chester See. Which was requested by one of the club's customers who was just in front of the stage.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ryan's POV:
I didn't have to wait long for Cari as she came right after a few minutes. This girl got my interest. I have to admit, no one has left me dumbfounded like what she did. I had never experienced stuttering with any girl but with her. Luckily, I caught my jaws before they fell earlier. She's really the outspoken type. We've only met once and this is actually our second meeting.
"Hi," she said with a smile as sat on one of the stalls.
"Hi, " I smiled back. "So, what drinks do you want?" I couldn't help staring at her.
"Margarita's fine with me."
"Alright," I ordered her drinks while getting a refill of mine.
"So, what do you think of Rian?"
"Huh?" I was taken aback by her question. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you know... as a man, how would you describe her as a person or as a woman rather?"
"Wait, why do you suddenly ask me this?"
Does she seriously want to talk about her friend?
"Because I want to know some man's opinion about her--- regarding her attitude, her personality. And it seems to me that you're also close to her."
"And why do you want to gather someone's opinion about her?"
"Well, because she's my best friend!"
Even though I was still confused about how this question was going, I answered her with all honesty.
"I met her when I was still in college. She's the younger sister of one of my best friends, Daniel. She's the shy type, but she's smart. As I heard from Daniel, she skipped 2 years in elementary that's why she graduated early in college at the age of 20. She's a strong girl even before."
"If you will compare the Rian before and the Rian today, what can you say?"
"Ahm... well, as I can see, she's still the same girl I met before. Except that she's more mature and beautiful today than before. She doesn't hold grudges towards people."
"Yeah, that she is and she always thinks of others before herself." she added.
"I didn't know she had a talent for singing."
Wait--- what? "Is that Rian on the stage?" I asked her, I wasn't sure of what I was seeing.
"Yup, that's her! I wonder why her husband never sees those things in her."
-' And I wonder if he's watching her right now. Wait--- did she mention the word husband?'-
"You know that she's married?" I glanced at her while she was looking at the stage where Rian and maybe one of their friends were whispering something sweet to each other.
"Yup, I told you she's my best friend. But I've never met her husband. She doesn't even want to talk about him or this matter".
-' So, she knows Rian is married, but doesn't know who the guy is. Hmm... interesting. I want to see Alex's face when he sees his wife singing with a guy on the stage'-
We watched the silent conversation on the stage and when it was about to begin...
"I think I have to go. You know... I have friends and they're waiting for me." She stood up and smiled at me.
"W-Wait... that soon?" I don't know why I don't want her to go. I haven't asked anything yet.
"Yup, thank you for the drinks and for your time, Ryan."
Damn! I like the way my name rollw off her tongue.
"You're welcome, Cari."
"See you next time."
-'Yeah... I'll make sure we see each other, baby.'-
"See you next time, Cari."
I wanted her to stay a little longer, but I didn't know how to ask her. For now... I'll get back to the boys. I really wanted to see Alex's reaction when he sees his wife in the same bar.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Where have you been?" was the first question Alex threw in my face when I went back to my seat.
He has two girls on either sides caressing his arms and his chest.
"I thought the dance floor had already swallowed you." it's Jack with an amused expression and he also has a girl on his side.
I think it's time for me to drop the bomb.
"Well, guess who I bumped into on the dance floor?" I only looking at Alex's face.
"Whoever it was--- the hell I care!" he said in a disinterested tone. And Jack just laughed about it.
-'Really? Let's see,'-
"Yeah, I know. You certainly wouldn't care about her."
He frowned at me.
"She looked hot tonight in a tight dress. And I didn't know she could sing. She has the voice of an angel. Surely you wouldn't though." I shrugged at his unreadable expression.
"Who are you talking about?"
"Nah! Nothing that you would care about and nothing that concerns you." I shrugged again.
"Ryan!" he snapped in a warning tone.
I studied his face. Now I finally got his attention.
"Oh... just look at the stage. You will see the girl I've been talking about. She's none other than your wife." I smirked, emphasizing the last word. Shock registered in his eyes before masking it.
We were on the second floor with an amazing view of the stage.
"Look! Maybe she's in the middle of her song." And he also looked where I looked.