Charmaine and Laura stood behind a glass wall inside a private room in the second floor of the bar. That VIP room overlooks the dance floor downstairs and the many tables spread across the ground floor. From up there, they could see Bianca talking to the bartender as she sat on a bar stool drinking cocktail.
"What if he doesn't come?" Charmaine asked. They were there early but there's still no sign of Ivan. Laura has been drinking out of boredom and she's afraid she'll get drunk before Ivan shows up.
"I don't know. I just have this feeling he'll come." Laura answered as she stared outside. A glass of wine was in her right hand.
Sure enough, Ivan came to view a few minutes later. He approached Bianca and sat beside her. Laura clenched her fist at that moment. It was like a validity confirmation of her grievances.
***
"May I take this seat?" Ivan asked with a smile."You know, you look very much alike a friend of mine." he said as he sat without waiting for her reply.
"Yes. People always tell me that." Bianca answered.
"Oh, don't get me wrong. It's not a pickup line or something. I really mean it. You looked like my friend. Can I know your name?", he asked.
"I'm Bianca." she said with a smile.
***
"Let's go." Laura uttered as she put down the empty glass she was holding on the table. "It's time to end this." Ivan had expressed his desire to see Jienna. He doesn't visit bars but he came tonight in hope that he'll find Jienna -alive and well. This is as far as she can deceive herself.
Charmaine and Laura left the VIP room and went downstairs but Laura approached Ivan alone. Charmaine kept her distance as she didn't want to meddle. She just watched as Laura stood behind the two people happily chatting.
"Hi Bianca! Didn't know you were here!" Laura greeted the woman with a smile. Bianca nodded meaningfully while Ivan stared at her with wide eyes as if he has just seen a ghost. "Ivan. You're here too."
"Laura!" he exclaimed. "You know each other?" he asked, incredulous.
"Well of course. She's my brother's girlfriend. How would I not know her?" she replied. She's a bit tipsy but she can still act. She acted as if she didn't care. As if her heart wasn't breaking.
Ivan's face became pale. He was tongue-tied as he had a hard time processing what was happening. The girlfriend he has been trying to get back just caught him flirting with another woman. It was really terrible.
"Well, excuse me, I'm with someone. I need to go now." Laura told them. "See you later Bianca."
The music was loud and place was crowded. Laura needed to shout the words for them to be heard, but the moment she turned around, it's like everything stopped and she became deaf. She didn't realise Ivan was chasing after her and calling her name. When Ivan finally caught her wrist, she pulled her towards him. Stunned, Laura resisted and pushed him. "Let go of me, Ivan." she uttered.
"Let's get out of here and talk." Ivan said as he pulled her to the exit. Laura was alarmed. She tried resisting even more.
"Let go of me! I already have a new boyfriend!" she yelled. "I'll sue you for harassment!"
Ivan paused and turned to look at her. "You're lying!" he blurted.
"I'm serious!" Laura looked around trying to find someone she knew but there were so many people. She then saw a tall man walking towards them. In her panicked state, she quickly flung Ivan's hand away and ran towards the stranger. "This is him. He's my new boyfriend." Laura declared as she wrapped an arm around his waist.
The man was surprised but soon realised what was happening. He smiled and put an arm around her shoulder. "What's wrong honey? Do you know this man?" the man played with her.
"Just my ex-boyfriend." Laura responded.
Ivan was obviously furious. He demanded for Laura to explain but she just sneered at him. "We've already broken up and I'll be damned if I take you back. Put that in your head." she told him before looking at the stranger beside her. "Let's go. Let's not waste our time here." she said before leading him away.
***
Charmaine jolted when she felt an arm hugging her waist. She looked over her shoulder and was surprised to find a familiar face. "Yo!" the guy greeted. "You're here alone?"
Charmained sighed. "It's you! Why are you here?" she asked. Shouldn't you be resting at your hotel right now?"
"My cousin asked me out to grab some beer. Why are you here alone?"
Charmaine relaxed at the sight of Drei. She hasn't seen him for a few weeks now. It's good to see him again. "You look gorgeous." she told him. "I was with my sister in law. She was just busy with something personal so I'm giving her some space. Want to sit down for a chat?" she asked before quickly covering her mouth. Geez! How could she forget!
"What is it?" Andrei asked when he saw her gasped.
"Nothing! I think I should find Laura first." she replied before looking around. She almost forgot about her promise to Leo! She said she wouldn't meet Drei. But they only met by accident! It shouldn't be counted!
Charmaine searched for Laura's figure but she couldn't find her. She walked closer to were Bianca was sitting but none of the three people who was chatting just a while ago was there anymore. But there was so many people around her. Maybe their just out there.
"Drei!" Charmaine turned to Andrei and clasped her hands together. "Please help me find my friend!" she pleaded.
***
Charmaine's heart raced as she realized something. Laura is no where to be found!
"What should I do? She's not answering her phone!" Charmaine uttered in panic. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have taken my eyes from her!" she exclaimed.
Drei crossed his arms and lift his eyebrows. "Relax. She's a grown up. What could possibly happen to her? I think she'll be alright."
Charmaine looked at Drei. He doesn't understand. If Ivan was the one who took her away, who's to say he won't hurt her? How is she going to explain this to Leo?
Leo.... yes. She needs to tell Leo. She took out her phone from her purse and hurriedly dialled Leo's number. "Leo, I need your help!" Charmaine blurted right after the call connected. She didn't even wait for Leo to say anything. "I lost Laura. What should I do?"
Inside his moving vehicle, Leo furrowed his brows. He was currently on his way to find her after Luke provoked him. The boy told him he sent people to look after the two women, but now Charmaine is telling him she lost Laura? "I'll be right there. Just wait for me." he mumbled.