Chapter 5 The Game

Ria still couldn't believe that she had allowed these girls convince her into getting into their crazy game.

There was no way she could win this though. The terms of the bet were impossible, so at the end of the day, she might not have to have the one night stand after all. All she had to do was play along until she failed, because yes, she was bound to fail.

She sat in the lounge, surrounded by the little group of witches. She was dressed in one of the dresses which Miss Rosalie had given to them as souvenir. It was a small emerald green dress with sleeves so sleek that all her shoulders and arms were left completely exposed. Thankfully, it was a warm night, so Ria didn't have to worry about catching a cold. The dress stopped just above her knees, but went up when she moved or sat down, and it hugged her body so tight, every single detail was emphasized through the dress. She was grateful for the gift, but after she tried it on, she knew that she would never wear this dress again after Vegas, especially not in front of her parents.

She wore dainty looking silver heeled slippers that matched the silver belt of the dress. Her afro was styled with several silver hair pins. She was dressed to kill, and even though she refused to accept it, she could feel it.

"Now, listen up Ria. The rules are quite simple." Keisha began to instruct her as soon as they had made their order. "We'll pick out a man for you. You don't wait for him to come to you, but you go to him first, and try to woo him." She said. "If he comes to you first, disqualified! Cheap men don't count."

"How am I supposed to woo someone I just met?" Ria asked. She was feeling so nervous she thought she would throw up.

"Well babes,that's up to you to figure out. That's why we are here." Keisha said.

"Can I get a sample, please. A demonstration, something. Please. I have no idea what to do or how to start." Ria begged.

"Well little angel, we've got all night. We'll be here for you after every failure." Camila assured her, and the girls giggled.

Ria sighed and slouched.

"Chin up little princess, you'll ruin your make up." Helena teased her.

"Now, for our first target..." Keisha said, looking around the lounge. It was packed full of people, mostly men. Helena was right, there were so many gentlemen in the lounge, varying in height, size, weight, color, everything distinguishable. There were just so many men, Ria had never seen them in their multitude like that, all at the same time in the same space.

"What about that one?" Helena asked excitedly, pointing into the ocean of people.

"Which one?" Keisha asked, squinting.

"The one by the bar. In grey pants and a black shirt." Helena described.

"He's wearing a head warmer on grey pants in June, in Vegas. I don't trust him." Keisha said.

"Do you have to trust him?" Kris asked, scratching her jaw thoughtfully.

"Yes. I know what I am looking for. He doesn't have it." Keisha said.

"You speak as if you were selecting the one nighter for yourself and not Ria." Sonia commented.

"Trust me, I know what I am doing." Keisha assured them. "Ria might not succeed on the first attempt. I am looking for a man who would turn her down with the utmost respect. Someone sensible enough. Now look at that man, wearing a head warmer on a warm day and on plain trousers. Does he look sensible enough to you?" Keisha asked.

"Okay. I get your point." Helena surrendered.

"What about that one." Camila asked, pointing at a blonde man in a white T-shirt and flowery shorts.

"Doesn't he look gay to you?" Kris said.

"Don't be so judgmental Kris!" Helena cried. "Just because he is wearing flowery shorts doesn't make him gay."

"It's not about the flowery shorts" Kris said. "It's just, he looks so bright."

"My brother is gay, and his favorite color is black." Sonia said, rolling her eyes at Kris.

"Okay, sorry. My bad." Kris surrendered. "Commander Keisha, you give the go." She said.

"I'm still thinking about it." Keisha said thoughtfully.

"Uhm, well. Since it's my one night stand, how about I choose?" Ria suggested.

"No Ria, you don't get to choose. You know nothing about these things. It's your big night, yes, but this is our project." Camila answered her.

"I'll go with this one." Keisha announced, pointing at a mysterious looking young man who was dressed in a black top and blue denims. His black hair fell over his face, covering his temple completely in a tumble of stubborn hair.

"That's the best you could do?" Sonia asked in surprise.

"That guy looks like a serial killer! Ted Bundy, straight outta the county's cell and into a lounge. You trying to get Ria killed or what?" Kris asked.

"I choose him." Keisha insisted.

"Can we refuse?" Sonia asked.

"Nope. This is my project." Keisha said.

"We're putting our money on it too." Helena argued.

"Y'all are just investors. At the end of the day, the franchise remains mine." Keisha winked at them. "Y'all can choose on the next round." She consoled them.

"Why are you so sure Ria would fail?" Helena asked.

"Because I know she would." Keisha said.

"Because she's setting the poor girl up for failure." Kris whispered loudly.

"I can hear you Kris." Keisha said.

"I know." Kris said, flashing an evil grin.

"Well," Keisha ignored her. "Ria. Let's get to work." She said to Ria, who sat frozen to her spot.

"I don't want to." Ria cried.

"Yes darling, I know you don't want to. But you have to." Keisha smiled at her, a smile that was supposed to be warm and reassuring, but it only heightened Ria's fear and agitation.

"I really don't want to." Ria begged.

"Don't be a cry baby. We are here already, just get it done and over with." Keisha said, pulling Ria up to her feet. As she did so, their drinks arrived. Keisha took a glass of booze and put it in Ria's hand.

"There! Drink for good luck and be on your way. We've got all night, but we best start early." Keisha said.