"What a pervert!" Thedd Malcolm muttered but enough for Jaden to hear. "Why is Dunce not yet here?" He squinted.
Both guys looked prim and elegant in their business suit attire. Sitting at one corner, in the VIP couch on the second level which looked like a balcony seat. On their table are some pika pika food, chasers, brandy and wine, Chateau Latour.
"He's on his way..." Jaden's remarked was cut mid-sentence when he spotted Ardunce' profile. "Oh, speaking of the devil."
"Dunce!" Shouted Jaden. Calling his friend's attention as to usher him to where they were seated.
"Why did you suddenly choose to drink here? Why not book a VIP Box?" His brows furrowed as he questioned his friends. Ardunce Arbiz, Dunce in short, was one of those who would rather choose to stay in a private room or suite than be in crowded places. Not really a party goer but often hang out with his friends to chill after long day of stressful work.
"Today is Friday! The disco will be full of college girls." Jaden stood and held the wooden hand grills in front of them then excitedly scanned below to look for a new prospect.
"Are you into Pedophile Type of relationship now?" Slightly annoyed at Jaden's remark, Dunce asked with narrowed eyes. Jaden was a well-known playboy them.
"Jerk! There are college students who are passed 18 years. And since when did the bar let a 17 and below enter here. I'm into meek and innocent type you know?" Jaden jestingly exclaimed.
"Would a meek girl enter a bar? Age you say? Some fake their ID's. Your IQ is deteriorating fast and you haven't reached your 60's yet." Dunce now seated near Thedd. Thedd handed him a glass of wine.
Jaden's rebuttal was stopped when a sweet raspy voice aired. The lead guitarist suddenly sang a pleasant and dreamy song that silenced the crowd. Everyone gazed up to the singer. Truly an ear catching song accompanied by guitar and organ. Her voice was high but clear. At some point it was husky.
Tonight, was a "Girl's Night Out", a special day that the bar promoted where girls gain free entrance and may request songs from the band to play. It happened that one of the female guests requested for the song "Grace" by Bebe Rexha.
All eyes were focused on the girl. Exuding a mysterious look yet with a hint of elegance. Looking at her guitar while singing and never glanced at the audience. Clad in a fitted black sleeveless collared top, partnered with black leggings and black mini skirt and knee-long boots. Though her clothes were in minis and hugging type, she doesn't look slutty at all. Her long black hair was ponytailed, exposing her beautiful heart shaped face. She looked confident but not arrogant. Her remarkable beauty matched her exceptional performance.
The silence suddenly became thunderous when the song was finished. It seemed like everyone enjoyed the entertainment. After the song, Lhan and her group exited the stage. Their first set of performance was done. After an hour rest then they would have their 2nd set of performance.
Thedd and Jaden were surprised when Ardunce unexpectedly called the waiter and asked for the girl's name.
"What's her name, the girl who just sung?" He asked the waiter while still not removing his gaze at the stage.
"Lhan, Sir!" Politely answered by the waiter.
Dunce nodded and waved his hand suggesting the waiter to go.
Thedd and Jaden looked at each other with eyes widened since it was very unlikely for Ardunce to be interested to a woman. Usually women flocked to him and he just drove them away.
Silently communicating with each other, the thougt 'this is the first time he asked for a girl's name. Is this for real?' was like a telepathic message sent as they stared back at each other.
However, on the other VIP couch beside them, one of the guests was making a scene, forcing the waiter to call for Lhan.
"Tell her to come here." The plump guy's voice slightly raised. He was in his late 30's.
The waiter scratched his hair. "Sorry, sir, but you know she is not one of those escorts that can be tabled." The waiter fearfully apologized. His head bowed down while holding a stainless tray. Pearls of sweat were formed on his forehead. To all employee of the bar, it was very clear to them that Lhan, the owner's friend, was not allowed to be tabled by anyone. However, the person in front of them was not someone to be trifled with.
"Get her here or you both will lose your job." He grumbled firmly.
Leaving the waiter no choice, he walked away feebly. He said to himself, 'why would he come here while the boss is not here?'
••••••
At the resting room for band performers.
"Hey!" The waiter gently tapped Lhan's shoulder. "Someone is calling you."
"Hmmm...?" Lhan removed her earpiece and asked confusingly to the waiter who patted her shoulder.
"Mr. Cruz wants to see you, again." He embarrassingly informed her.
"Again?! Are you insane? I am not a hostess. I'm a band performer!" Lhan answered with eyes widened.
"Lhan, please! I will lose my job if you will not go there." The waiter begged with praying hands.
"Manager!" Alvin, the band Leader also their bassist, called the manager's attention when he heard the waiter. "This is not what we have agreed. Lhan is our band member not a slut or whore that can be checked out by your customers. Where's Boss Aljun? Surely he will not allow this." He continually protested. He acted as the big brother among his bandmates.
"Boss Aljun is not yet here. They are not someone we can offend. Maybe you can just have a chat with them." The dining manager looked sorry. He was new to the position and wasn't well experienced when it comes to situation like this.
Lhan stood up emotionlessly. "Impossible!"
"Lhan, you don't have to go!" It was Elise, one of Lhan's best friend, also a singer and another guitarist, who tried to stop her anxiously.
"Boss Aljun is not yet here. I'll just talk to them. Don't tell Fleur and Gideon, okay?" Elise nodded in response and Lhan calmed her surging anger before she went to Mr. Cruz' group.
•••••
"Come here sit down..." Mr. Cruz grinned from ear to ear as he saw seeing Lhan approaching.
"I'm sorry but I cannot do that, sir. If there's a song that you would personally request from us, my band and I will gladly play it for you." devoid of any emotion, Lhan said calmly like a professional performer.
"We just want to have a chat with you." Mr. Cruz waved his hand telling him to sit beside him.
"I only have an hour rest before our next performance. So, I humbly request that you let this peasant go." Head bowed, Lhan said with her signatured apathetic tone.
"Lhan, my dear Lhan. Do you want to finish your college degree? I know someone from Imperial University You know I have ways of removing you from being a scholar." Mr. Cruz stood up and caressed Lhan's long hair.
Lhan remained silent. She maintained a poker face masking the disgust she felt towards the man. One thing that repulsed her the most was those filthy rich who abused their money and position to get whatever they wanted. Mr. Ben Cruz was known for his supermarket business who had at least 38 branches nationwide. She felt helpless as she was aware that she dared not to deride the person in-front of her. 'That's how wicked the society was, ' she thought. Those who have money have the power. She wasn't poor but because she gave all her money to her adoptive parents only few was left on her account.
Seeing her contemplating, Mr. Cruz cockily said, "Sit beside me. I'll pay you per hour. No per minute. Come on!"
His gang laughed audaciously. One of them uttered, "Ah yah, your girl doesn't give a you a face."
Lhan said to herself, 'I am not someone's girl'.
Mr. Cruz stood up. As he groped her shoulder Lhan reflexively mustered all her energy then grabbed his hand, turned 180 degrees made a step forward, from the back she carried and flipped him. He landed on the next VIP table to where Ardunce' group were sitting. The men who witnessed were dumbfounded. Because of shame and excruciating pain, Mr. Cruz leapt to his feet and about to punch her but was stopped by another man's palm. It was Ardunce who suddenly stood up and went to protect her. Hanging on his thought was the question 'What am I doing? I've gone insane!' Truly it was out of his character to join any argument let alone a fight. He hated being in a situation where he became a center of attraction. He shook his head out of amusement by his own action.
Good thing that their location wasn't well lighted and a loud song was playing on the background. Thus, only those who sat near them had the chance to see and hear what had happened. Mostly onlookers just ignored it as this commonly happened in a bar.
Ardunce' friends, on the other hand were more shocked than confused. He was never nosy.
"Lady! If you want to fight this guy better do it outside. You are disturbing us. Also, pay for the drinks." Still holding Mr. Cruz' fist, Dunce stared at the girl sternly.
Lhan walked to Mr. Cruz and pulled out his wallet. She took out some cash and handed it out to the guy. "Here." She coldly voiced.
Dunce didn't take the cash so Lhan put it on the other table that was not broken.
"Bitch! Who allowed you to take out money from my wallet?!" Mr. Cruz pulled out his hand and distanced himself from the overbearing guy. Though Ardunce was a well know business magnate, he remained lay low and hated appearing on news. Thus, no one exactly knew how the number one tycoon looked like.
"Aren't you the one who fell on their table? I just helped you in handing them the payment. You're hurt! I am just being kind." She looked at him, still, emotionless.
Thedd and Jaden laughed out loud. Because of anger, Lhan threw a dagger eye look at them that silenced the two guys. Thedd couldn't help but admired the girl's strong aura while Jaden felt a little shiver as it was his first time to see a girl as fierce as her. He first, thought that she was his type. She looked cold, meek and innocent minutes ago then suddenly turned into ferocious one.
Out of shame, Mr. Cruz tried to slap her. But Lhan automatically reached the closest glass with wine and splashed it onto him. However, the liquid stained Ardunce expensive business suit as he came in between them to stop Mr. Cruz from slapping her.
"Ingrate..." He annoyingly said to the girl. Creases appeared on his forehead which enhanced a more imposing and disgusted expression.