"Is it okay for me to be attending clubs yet? It isn't up to a month since the divorce."
Noami looked at Tiffany's direction. "What could possibly go wrong?" She said with a smile. The car door opened, and Tiffany got out.
She wore a black halter top with a triangular handkerchief design. The front is sleek and fits closely, forming a sharp, inverted triangle that ends at her waist. The back is open and secured with thin crisscrossing straps, showing off her shoulders and back. She paired this unique top with loose-fitting black pants that are slightly oversized. The pants sit low on her waist, giving her a casual look.
Tiffany let her long, straight black hair flow past her shoulders. She wears red lipstick, black thin heels and a small white handbag.
Naomi on the other, stepped out wearing a soft pink, off-the-shoulder dress with delicate ruffle details along the neckline, fitting her curves with the hemline stopping above the knees. She accessorizes with a simple yet sparkling necklace and matching drop earrings.
Noami locked her hands with Tiffany, walking towards the club. As they reached, Naomi's hands slipped out of hers, waving towards a buff man at the corners.
"Daniel!" Noami waved, and his hands opened inviting her in.
Tiffany looked around, exhaling as she let Noami have her moment, but little did she know she would be dragged.
"Daniel, this is my friend I told you about, Tiffany Halton," she said, smiling.
Tiffany looked up at the man. "Daniel Choi."
Tiffany looked at Noami, and her eyes shot daggers at her. Was Noami setting her up?
"Oh, Daniel. It's nice to meet you. I didn't think would be having companies," Tiffany said, shooting Naomi's daggers back at her.
"You know what. Why don't we go inside?" Noami said, cutting Tiffany short.
The music from inside the club pulsated in the air as they stepped past the velvet ropes. Tiffany still felt her cheeks flush with annoyance, her gaze flicking between Daniel and Naomi, who was already chatting away with him.
Tiffany adjusted her grip on her small white handbag and took a deep breath. This is fine. It's just a night out, she thought, reminding herself to stay calm. But Daniel's towering frame and disarming smile made her feel timid.
"So, Tiffany," Daniel said, his deep voice cutting through the music spilling as they walked in. "Naomi's been hyping you up. Said you could use a good night out."
Tiffany forced a polite smile, her red lipstick doing all the heavy lifting. "Yeah. I guess."
Tiffany glanced at Naomi, who was suddenly very preoccupied with the bartender slipping him a playful wink.
"This is insane," Tiffany muttered to herself.
He chuckled, his voice warm, catching her sneaky glances at Noami. "She's got good intentions. And trust me, this place? It's a perfect escape."
The dim lighting of the club engulfed them as they stared at each other. The bass reverberated through the floor, and neon lights splashed colours across the crowd. Tiffany squinted.
"Daniel, I'm divorced," Tiffany said and headed towards the bar.
Naomi was already at the bar, ordering drinks, her pink dress catching the light. Tiffany trailed towards Noami, feeling the energy of the crowd press against her.
Daniel turned to her as they reached Naomi. "Nice, a divorcee. My type."
Tiffany scoffed, staring at him. She looked away, slightly amused by his response.
"What's your drink?" he asked, leaning closer to be heard.
Tiffany hesitated. "Just something light," she said. "Maybe a vodka soda."
Naomi passed her a knowing look as she handed her a glass. "Relax, Tiffany. You're here to have fun, remember?"
Tiffany took a small sip, the fizzy drink cooling her nerves. "Right. Fun," she said, forcing herself to focus on the music, the lights, and anything other than Daniel's lingering presence but Daniel leaned against the bar, watching her with a curious expression.
Naomi clinked her glass with Tiffany's, her smile mischievous. "To fresh starts," she said, raising her glass high.
Suddenly, she felt a hand tap her from behind. "Tiffany?" As she turned around, Levi Jones— Francessa's brother stared at her with a wide smile.
She turned to Daniel who looked confused but plastered a warm smile.
"Oh. Levi! What are you doing here?" Her eyes scanned around for the possibility of Kai being here.
"I'm here for a friend's birthday. What about you? You look gorgeous as ever," he said, and Daniel stood straight beside Tiffany.
"I'm here for some celebration," Tiffany replied, awkwardness tugging at her.
"Let me not bother you. I'll call you soon," he said, glaring at Daniel. Before Tiffany could respond Levi had disappeared in the crowd.
A few hours later, Tiffany had already digested ten glasses, while Noami placed the eleventh one on the table for her. Tiffany shook her head, rejecting it. Her eyes could barely open as she could already feel tipsy.
"I can't! No more!" She said, Daniel chuckled.
"You know what? Let's go dancing!" Noami said, grabbing Tiffany's wrist, and pulling her up towards the dance floor. Her eyes met with Daniel who followed slightly and shifted towards their belongings.
"My bag," Tiffany muttered, but Noami spun her, jumping to the beat.
Everything felt so spiny. It's been ages since she had drunk this much. Back then as a stripper, it was a regular, but with Kai, it was slight and wine. Tiffany could feel her body dropping.
"Are you okay?" Daniel asked, catching her.
"Oh," she murmured, moving away, but he caught her wrist, holding her. Tiffany looked back at Noami she had already found a dance partner.
"You need to sit," Daniel said, helping her back to their chair. Tiffany dropped to the chair, covering her face with her hands as she exhaled. "I'll get you water."
Tiffany watched him find his way through through bustling crowd. As she looked around for her bag. A bitter scoff escaped her lips, her frustration mounting as she realized with a sinking feeling that it was no longer there. Panic began to rise within her as she searched for her missing bag.
"Uh! No," she cried, scanning their table hoping to find it, but the only bag left was Naomi's. "Damn it."
A hand suddenly shoved it in her face, and Tiffany's face brightened seeing her bag appear to her. As she raised her head, her smile dropped seeing Kai. His dark hair framed his face in soft, slightly tousled locks, the fringe brushing casually against his forehead, giving him an effortlessly charming and boyish look. His sharp yet gentle—high cheekbones and a defined jaw softened by the warmth of his easy smile and Broad shoulders. Draped over him was an oversized, fluffy white sweater, its texture cosy, as though it had been designed to match his understated yet captivating presence, he matched it with a pair of white jeans.
Tiffany sighed, rolling her eyes. She reclined on the chair, breathing loudly but the sound of the music masked it all.
Kai bent before her, taking out a bottle of water. "Here, you'll need it."
Tiffany stared at him, leaning forward, her eyes dancing in his piercing deep blue eyes. "Why are you here? Are you stalking me?"
"Maybe."
"What?" Tiffany asked, flushing red.
"Because I find you interesting," he said, his eyes flickering in the light.
Tiffany moved away, swallowing as her heart trembled in her chest. She glared at Kai, watching him open the bottle, and handing it to her with a lighthearted smile.
Taking a deep breath, Tiffany took it from him, carefully drinking it. Her eyes didn't move away from Kai as he arranged her things.
Their eyes met, and Tiffany raised her gaze. Kai glanced around the club. "You're coming with me."
"Why should I?" She asked, grumpily.
"Because you can't walk. I'll take you home," Kai said, approaching her, but was stopped by a presence. Kai and Tiffany looked up to find Daniel glaring at Kai.
"She's fine. What are you doing to my girl?" Daniel asked. Kai raised his brows, looking at Tiffany. Instead, she swallowed, avoiding his gaze.
Kai scoffed, his smile turning into a mocking smirk. "Your girl?"
"Get your hands off her," Daniel warned spitefully.
Kai inhaled, looking at Tiffany. Her eyes could barely stay open. Kai stood up, his height matching Daniel's. He smiled warmly, placing a hand on his shoulders.
"Tiffany Halton isn't your girl. That's my wife," he said, Daniel glanced downwards at Tiffany.
"She's divorced."
"It isn't yet finalised. Why don't you move, you don't want to cause a scene. Tiffany is my responsibility," Kai said.
"You might want to prove that. How am I supposed to let her go with a stranger?"
"Uh? Mr Winson? What are you doing here?" Noami said she looked towards Tiffany, and she seemed to have passed out on the couch.
Daniel turned to Noami, "You know him?"
They both stared at Kai, and she nodded. "Ugh, he's Tiffany's husband— I mean, Ex," she pulled Daniel, whispering to him. "He's the popular Kai Winson of the Winson family. You know that multibillionaire family."
"Mr Winson, the car is ready," Audrey said behind him. Kai looked at Tiffany.
"Since you've confirmed my identity. Tiffany is going with me," Kai said, wearing her bag, and reaching for her but pauses midway at Noami's statement.
"Uh? I don't think she would-" Noami swallowed her words.
"I don't think-"
Noami pulled Daniel away, "shush!" She said, watching as Kai picked her up, Audrey cleared the way.