The venue of the party was very crowded and messy. The party did not look like an ordinary one. With the presence of huge bouncers ready to kick the ass of anyone not invited, the party was indeed one of a kind.
The house vibrated from the non stop jazz and vibes the DJ made. Rhea, Claire and Carter walked into the house after presenting their invites.
"Hey man!" Someone called after them as they walked through the crowd of people. Although Rhea and Claire did not recognize the voice, Carter did so they stopped and turned to see a tall guy jogging towards them.
"Bro" Carter greeted as soon as the guy was in front of them. The two guys did their signature bro handshake as an exchange of pleasantries.
"What's up bro... man, where did you get these beauties!" The guy said giving Rhea and Claire a look over shamelessly. Rhea really wanted to knock him hard on his skull but as for Claire, it was the opposite.
"My friends.." Carter said and continued. "This is Rhea, and this is Claire" He pointed at them each at the mention of their name.
"Hello ladies, I'm Kayden" He said smoothly. Rhea concluded in her heart that he was a certified Playboy.
"It's a pleasure meeting you" Claire said with a small laugh causing Rhea to roll her eyes till it nearly fell.
"Care to have a drink" Kayden offered looking at Claire expectantly.
"Yes sure" Claire answered in a breath and before Rhea could blink, her best friend disappeared with a guy right before her eyes.
She turned around only to find out that Carter was no longer where he was and he was no where around. She was officially left alone.
She was clueless as to what to do in this huge and crowded party where her friends ditched her.
She walked in the midst of the sweaty people trying to do one thing or the other but nothing came to mind. Her legs were beginning to hurt.
She saw ahead of her a cupboard like door that everyone walked past her entered. Curiously, she found her way into the cupboard.
She walked the stairs leading down the cupboard door. At the last step, she finally understood what the cupboard was. A basement! It was the grotto Carter talked about.
Rhea's jaw dropped in absolute awe. In the middle of the basement was the pool. It was illuminated by the rays of colorful lights in the room.
Rhea noted that there was difference between the people down here and in the main house. Girls stripped showcasing their bikini before jumping into the pool. Someone popped a drink and everyone cheered. This was the real party, Rhea thought.
She looked around and saw Claire with the guy from earlier and some other guys. The held a can of beer each and were having a good time.
Not wanting to spoil the fun, she turned to leave when she sighted Carter among some guys sitting in a circle in a corner of the basement.
Thought it was far from her line of sight, she could still see some of them holding syringe and some others snuffing strange stuff.
If she thought correct, things like that are hard drugs. Could Carter be doing drugs? she asked herself.
'No, he doesn't look like it' She thought to herself and walked out if the basement.
She was a bit glad that only a few people were left in the main house. She looked for the kitchen while wanting to have water to drink. With the way things were, if she had alcohol like her friends, they might end up being wasted in this unknown world.
She found the kitchen and walked in. She was not so surprised to see it was a modern kitchen. She filled a glass she found with water and drained it with one gulp. Feeling refreshed, she filled the cup again and sipped the water calmly.
She felt her ankles starting to ache, she pulled a chair and sat down. She rubbed her aching angles before kicking off one of her heels. She massaged her bare feet.
Her ankles were a bit red from the tightness of the shoe. She tried kicking off the second leg but to no avail. She tried removing it but it was a bit tighter than the first.
"Argh..." She cried in frustration and pulled the shoe but it won't remove from her leg.
Angrily, she kicked the counter.
"Ouch—" She winced in pain.
"What are you doing?" A masculine voice said and footsteps can be heard approaching her.
Rhea raised her head and faced a beautiful man. She unintentionally stared at him till she drooled.
'Rhea focus!' She smacked herself back to reality.
Before she knew it, the guy had reached in front of her and bent down. He held her shoeless leg in his hand and she wince in pain.
She was not trying to play the role of a damsel in distress here but the leg really hurt after she had kicked the counter with it.
"You are hurt here" He pointed out before standing straight and walking to a shelf. He pulled out a First Aid Kit and laid it out on the counter.
He took out an ointment and smeared it on Rhea's red ankle. He rubbed it gently that Rhea's cheek felt hot. But he was not done with his assault.
He took the other leg and carefully removed the tight shoe. He also applied the ointment on the leg delicately.
When he was through with caring for her legs, he packed the kit and pulled a chair for himself. He poured an orange juice in a cup for her and for himself.
"Thank you" She said in a small embarrassed voice. She couldn't meet him in the eyes because her cheeks were stained red.
He watched her avoiding his gaze and could not help to wonder why she was doing that.
'Is she always this shy?' He wondered. Time ticked and they were overwhelmed with silence. Rhea still refused to raise her head.
This made the guy think of a way to make her look at him. When he saw her roam about his house and entered his kitchen, he was just curious and followed after her to know if she was one of the girls he met earlier that were full of mischief and had ulterior motives.
Having seen her drink water instead of the expensive alcohol in the kitchen, he thought she was different. When she struggled with her shoe, he concluded she was not one of them. He then felt the urge to talk to her.
After all his efforts, she was now ignoring him. He didn't want to be forceful either so he thought of another way. He came up with a bright plan.
"Hey" He said and she immediately raised her head. Before she thought of turning away, he quickly added.
"You've got something here" He said using his hand to point at her face although there was absolutely nothing wrong with her face.
Without even asking for further explanation, she used her hand to wipe her face continuously trying to wipe the imaginary substance on her face.
Her make up became smeary all over and he fought the urge not to laugh. Even with the smeary face, she was still cute and real.
"Is it gone" She asked curiously bringing the guy back to his senses.
"Actually..." He did not know how to explain. It was his fault after all and now he felt guilty for ruining her make up.
"Tell me, did I not clean it yet?" Rhea asked again wondering why he was lacking in his response.
'Should I perhaps hand over a mirror to her?' He wondered and thought against the idea.
He decided it was best to tell her the truth about her face. Not the entire truth though.
"Your make up is—" He started but Rhea cut him off.
"The fuck!" She yelled causing him to nearly jump off his chair.
"Sorry, it's just that I told my crazy friend not to paint my face, now look at what is happening.... I'm sure I have smeared the whole make up and I'm looking scary" She said.
The guy was surprised, he never expected her to be this outspoken. He thought she was actually a quiet little angel but he guessed wrong.
"Here, let me help you since there is no mirror you can use" He offered without giving it a thought. After all, he lied to her first leading to the situation.
Before she answered, he scoot closer to her and reached for wipes. He cupped her face causing her to gulp immediately. The truth is she had never been this intimate with any guy.
He began wiping off the layers of make up while the uncomfortable girl was turning bright red. He reached her lower lips and wiped off the smeary red lipstick. He wiped slowly and gently causing the scene to have a sensual intent unknowingly.
He looked from her red lips to her red face and he swallowed. Her lips parted and time slowed. But before he could take any step further, Rhea jumped up and dashed out of the kitchen leaving the guy's hand hanging in mid air.
He sat still without moving. He was amused by Rhea's act. He looked at his hanging hand and smirked. The suddenly felt a surge to know more about Rhea.
"That one is a shy one" Somebody walked in.
"How long have you been snooping around?"
"I have been helping my best friend keep an eye on his home and he called that snooping. Man you are a bad one" The guy cried.
"Matt, stop whining... I have headache already"
"Really now or the great Jordan is finding it hard to believe someone did not find him eye catching enough" Matt said to his friend.
Silence.
"Anyways, she looks good though. Better than the other one" Matt spouted causing Jordan to give him a look.
Even though Matt had only placed his sentences vaguely, Jordan knew what he was trying to say.
"Whatever" Jordan said. He jumped off the chair and walked out of the kitchen leaving his best friend speechless.
Rhea who was still flustered walked on and on hoping to get far away from the party. She suddenly bumped into another girl head on.
"Ouch... sorry—" Rhea started.
"Rhea, is that you. ..(hiccups) I don't know ....(hiccups) but it really (hiccups) really... really looks just like you!" A very very drunk Claire said. Rhea forget about the pain on her head and stared at her wasted friend.
"It is you! (Hiccups) I know ...You are Rh–Fre– Rhea!"
"Claire what is wrong with you! You are so drunk! And why are you alone, what about Carter!" Rhea yelled over the loud music.
"What are you(hiccups) you.. tloc– talking about? Carter was here(hiccups) is here.... there– I don't know (hiccups) It's so hot here" Claire started to pull at her clothes and Rhea held her hand.
"Let's get you home" Rhea said pulling her uninterested friend outside the house. Rhea dumped wasted Rhea at the back seat of the car and went along to find Carter.
She looked around and found Carter spread out on a couch like a sheet. She walked towards him as if sensing her presence, he sat up.
"Why did you come back, I just told you I don't want to play any more. Shoo" He said and Rhea turned around to check if there was any other person around that he could be talking to.
"Stop being stubborn Claire" He frowned and tried to stand up.
'Ah... I get it now. He is wasted too' Rhea nodded mentally.
"It's alright, let's go home already" Rhea said to him.
He looked around. 'If this is not home, then where are we..... nevermind' he thought and walked towards Rhea.
"See what I told you about drinking, I will have to get you home now" He said and Rhea rolled her eyes.
"It is you who is drunk" She said to him.
He did not say anything as they walked to the car. He dug his hand into his pocket and brought out the car keys. Rhea quickly snatched it away from him.
"What are you doing silly, I should take you home already!" He spouted.
"It is I that should take YOU home" Rhea explained with gritted teeth. He was beginning to vex her.
Carter gave Rhea a really had look as if asking 'and why is that happening'.
"Because you are drunk!" Rhea answered his unasked question.
"You said that before" Carter rolled his eyes. He wondered why the girl in front of him was being silly.
Rhea shook her head.
"Anyways, I love these shoes on you.... better than those from earlier— sneakers was it?" Carter scrunching his brows as if thinking about the matter then he shook his head and entered the car.
Confused, Rhea bent down and looked at her legs. They were no shoes on her leg. All these while, she had been walking barefooted.
She had forgotten all about her shoes after dashing away from the kitchen in embarrassment. Thinking about it, she didn't need the shoes anymore, she thought.
She entered the car and started the engine. She planned on taking them to Claire apartment. Since Carter was obviously drunk, it would be time wasting asking for his address.
"Do I know you?" She heard Claire say after a long while. Rhea knew her friend was still drunk. She was grateful she was close to Claire's apartment already.
"You are in my car!" Carter snapped definitely not interested in the discussion with the intruder.
"You are crazy!" Claire yelled.
"Shut up!" Carter yelled back at her.
"Do you...!"
"ENOUGH!" Rhea shut the two of them up instantly. She was so mad at them and would surely reprimand them once they are sober.
The car came to halt in front of Claire's house. Rhea came out and marched into the house leaving her two friends in the car.
She had enough of their tantrums already. One night at the back seat of a car should not hurt after all.