Chapter 2 CRAZY LITTLE SECRET

"Oh shit! Use your eyes when you walk, girl. You just got my expensive shirt wet."

Gabrielle shook the front of his soaked shirt while hurling harsh curses.

"What? You're very rude. I already apologized to you, Mr. Rich. Besides, it's not entirely my fault. You suddenly turned around when I passed by."

"This is clearly your fault. You carry a punch in your hand, but walk carelessly."

They shouted at each other loudly, and became a spectacle for the club visitors. Piston was the only one who immediately got up from his seat to separate Gabrielle from one of Miranda's friends.

"Gabe, I don't think this is something to make a fuss about."

"Shut up. This damn woman spilled her drink on my shirt."

"She didn't mean it," Piston whispered in his ear.

"What did you say? You are a truly rude and immoral man."

"Belle, stop it!"

Just as Belle was about to scratch Gabrielle's arrogant face, suddenly Miranda and Nathalie came to pull her back. They gave her sharp looks and told her to stop embarrassing herself.

"Sorry, this is my friend, Belle Triston. I'm sure she didn't mean to spill her punch on your shirt."

"He was rude to me," Belle said fiercely. She was annoyed because Miranda seemed very polite to the man

"It's okay, Miranda. Gabrielle is just in a bad mood tonight."

Piston calmed Gabrielle and took him away from Miranda's friends.

Before Belle could say anything, Miranda and Nathalie dragged her away from Mark's friend's table.

"Beib, I have to go cool Belle's head. Enjoy the party with your friends. I'll be right back."

Before Belle could say anything, Miranda and Nathalie dragged her away from Mark's friend's table. They dragged Belle to a quiet corner of the club.

"What was that? Why are you defending that damn man?"

"Belle, you're embarrassing yourself," Nathalie glared at her.

Meanwhile, Belle didn't seem to care and just crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"You've dealt with the wrong man."

"Who is he anyway?"

Belle accidentally found a man winking flirtatiously at her. The guy was about twenty years older than her and he had several sexy women lining up for his attention. Belle shot him a disgusted and sharp look, go to hell.

"What the hell are you looking at?"

"Nothing. So, who was the guy who hit me earlier?"

"Gabrielle Rolland."

One second, two seconds. Nathalie and Miranda were both waiting for Belle's excited reaction. But after five seconds had passed, they still had nothing but a confused frown on Belle's face.

"You don't know who Gabrielle Rolland is?" asked Nathalie in amazement.

"No. Is he someone important enough to know?"

"Oh my, Belle! You must really be living in a cave."

"Hey, I have an apartment. Yes, even though it's not in the elite area of LA. But I don't live in a cave!"

"For your information, Gabrielle Rolland is one of the most desirable rich men in LA. He is the owner of the largest automotive company in LA, Starlight Company. And you know, he married a very famous actress of this century, Fleura Delacour."

In contrast to Nathalie, who looked enthusiastic when explaining Gabrielle's brief profile, Belle didn't seem interested at all. She did not like his rudeness and arrogance.

"To me, he's nothing but a fucking bastard with very bad manners. Such a great man should be able to respect a woman."

Miranda and Nathalie looked at each other. They both gave up trying to persuade Belle to stop her cynicism towards Gabrielle.

"Okay, forget that. Didn't we come here to have fun? Belle, I want you to meet one of Mark's friends."

"Nothing really caught my attention. The man named Piston is talkative and flirtatious. He tried to rub my thigh when I sat next to him. And his other friend looked terrible. He kept drinking and he was sweating profusely even though it was very cold here. I assumed he was nervous."

"Geez, Belle, you're too picky."

"Being a picky is important. Especially for my future."

"Then you will remain single forever."

Miranda crossed her arms in front of her chest in annoyance. This was her thirtieth attempt to match Belle with a man. But things never worked out. Belle was always fussy about the men. Tonight Belle was even more annoying because she caused a scene with a hot guy like Gabrielle Rolland.

"I will find the right man someday. Now, is just not the time."

Nathalie rubbed Belle's arm, trying to calm her down.

"You should be like Nathalie. She even made it after just one date."

"Well, that's her luck. Nathalie found the right man like Ernest. He is smart, handsome, and gentle. If I were dating a guy like Erenest, I wouldn't be so cranky either."

"Gurls, this debate will get us nowhere. Besides, I have to go home now."

"Nat? Why?" Miranda whined.

"Tomorrow I have an operation scheduled at eight o'clock. I don't want to show up with dark circles under my eyes while anesthetizing my patient. And Ernest must have returned from his business trip. We promised to have a video call before going to bed."

"Ahem... Are you guys going to have phone sex?"

"Geez, Belle! You're so nosy," Nathalie laughed.

"If you want to know, you should find a lover, so you can make a video call with your lover."

"Oh, that's really rude," Belle pretended to touch her chest and acted dramatically.

"I'm leaving, gurls. See you tomorrow at the hospital. And you Belle, I hope tonight you manage to find at least one interesting man."

Belle waved her hand in the air. "Don't expect too much. I'll go home after drinking a few shots at the bar."

They hugged each other before Nathalie left the club.

"I have to go back to Mark."

"I'll go to the bar alone. Tell Mark I'm sorry for the mess tonight."

"Okay. See you tomorrow, Belle."

Belle waved softly at Miranda and turned towards the bar. Tonight might not be her luck. But for how long?

Belle groaned inwardly. She was tired of going on all the dates arranged by Miranda. Not a single date ended well for her. She even experienced some unpleasant things with random men. She was once asked to pay the bill for the cliche reason that the man had forgotten his wallet. She was also almost raped by her date. She never told Miranda, but Miranda thought she was too picky and fussy. Well fine, maybe the man she was destined for didn't want to come just yet.

"Hi beautiful, you're back."

The bartender greeted Belle cheerfully while wiping the glasses lined up in front of him.

"Umh yeah, my friends just got home. Please make me a Bloody Marry."

"Sure. This will be the best Bloody Marry in town."

The bartender added a flirtatious wink before he got busy mixing some liquids to make Belle's order.

Meanwhile, Belle took the only empty place at the bar counter and sat on a high stool. She really didn't have any inkling until someone next to her spoke sarcastically.

"You still have enough courage to stay, Belle Triston?"