Chapter 34: For the First Time

Alex’ POV

Folding the sleeves of my blue button-down shirt, I looked around the bar and found them huddled on the other side, settled on a semi-circle couch that surrounds a round glass tabletop. I managed to find them despite the room being almost full with elite young business people in their casual attire on a night out. Most of them are Xerxes’ friends or business partners.

Four gorgeous ladies are in their dresses. Jea in black, Mitchelle in pink pastel, Maria in deep red and Breana in yellow. The live band has been playing for a while now but the girls haven’t made a move to the dance floor yet. Every now and then I’d caught one of them steal glances at my direction.

I was tending the bar when Xerxes walks in.

“You should join.” He invited.

“I’m on shift and the owner doesn’t want his employees slacking off.” I declined with an irony.

I’m still mad that I got an earful from Jea after knowing I am working for my cousin as one of the bartenders in his restobar. It didn’t help that the three had to disclose to her that it is my second job and the fact that I’m actually still a minor. I only got the job at the café because the owner is Selena’s uncle and this one is my cousin’s.

We’re just as the same age but they wanted to train him up by letting him handle one of their business. It didn’t come to me as a surprise when he accepted it. Unlike me, he actually likes managing people and imagine the perks he gets from this, the booze and girls among others.

“You’re going to miss a lot of fun. Your friends are interesting, particularly the one in pink. Mitchelle. Sunny. Is she single?”

I stopped wiping the glass I’m holding and glared at him. I gave a single warning. “Don’t.”

Xerxes is sweet and all but his actions are misinterpreted by most women as a way of flirting when he is just being himself. Realizing this later on, he just goes with the flow and plays around with lots of women.

“Watch me.” He challenged. We both know that I’ve never lost a dare from him since we were kids but Mitchelle is not some random person and knowing how she is, I know fully well it isn’t a bet I’m confident to win.

I didn’t give him an answer and just continue on with my work.

“Just ask someone to take over your place if you ever change your mind.” He said before leaving and saunters towards Jea’s group.

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I watched as Xerxes order another round of drinks from waiter. He joined in their chat as I poured in what the waiter had dictated to be their beverages. I just hope Sunny wouldn’t down these drinks for being the lightweight that she is when it comes to alcohol. I could trust the others to be able to handle their tolerance better but not her.

After a while, the band stopped playing and Xerxes got on stage. “Good evening, everyone.” His voice boomed. He didn’t sound tipsy but he sure sounds excited.

“I’m your host, Xerxes and I’m with my special friends here.” His hand gestured towards their table as a spotlight finds its way from him to the four ladies and then back to him.

“Since we are being grace by the presence of these ladies, why don’t we make the most of it and hear it from them?! Yeah? I’ve heard they’re good at singing and dancing. Now that’s something.” He continued, basically encouraging the audience.

The crowd cheered as Jea stood up on stage. Xerxes handed her the mic. Being always in the game, Jea didn’t falter on stage. She sang a lively and sweet song that the audience, including me found refreshing. She always has this effect on people. After finishing, they applauded her as she passed the mic to Sunny.

I did not expect her to go immediately as she did and to request an upbeat song on top of that but of course, the alcohol might be having an effect on her already. I might have forgot to check on how many rounds they’ve been drinking altogether.

Xerxes pulled the other women from their table to dance on the floor. The other guests joined in as well.

Unable to continue, Sunny passes the mic to Bree until the DJ had to take reign of the music since more people have become more excited and of course, drunk.

I watched as Bree and Ari dance together. I’m still looking for Sunny in the sea of people when Jea approached.

“Still not joining?”

“Pass.”

She eyed me curiously. “I’m not believing this. You’re acting strange. Since when did you pass the chance of having fun?”

I just shrugged of her comment as she excused herself to the comfort room.

I don’t trust myself enough in holding in my feelings for Sunny. Every moment I’m with her I find it hard not to fall deeper and even if she is not around, my mind always seems to drift to her. Just like how my eyes accidentally found her. Yet, what I saw caused my blood to heat up. I feel my ears burn.

She is dancing with Xerxes. Her back is on him as his hands holds her waist, their bodies are close. Too close, I thought. They’re swaying side to side to the beat of the music. Xerxes looks at me and smirked. I clenched my fist tight. I felt my nails digging into my palms.

When the DJ shifted to a faster song, I stride towards Sunny and pulled her in a more secluded corner of the place. She must have been drunk or shocked or both at the sudden action that she didn’t fight me back. I don’t care if Xerxes saw me do it or not as there were already a lot of people and the place just got dimmer as the sounds roared louder.

“Hey, Alexx. Why are you pull-ing me?” She drawls.

“You’re drunk. I’ll take you home.”

“No. Why don’t you just join instead?” She retorts. She pulled me by the collar with the goal of going back on the dance floor. There’s no chance I’m going to let her.

“No. I’ll take you home.” I grabbed her wrist and took her grasp off of my collar to stop her.

“If you want to go home, just go. If you don’t want to join us, then don’t. But, don’t stop me.” She tried to wring her arm free of my grip but I didn’t let her. Her drunken state makes her weaker.

If she is frustrated, so am I.

For not being able to do anything to stop myself from inevitably falling deeper.

For not being able to act on this developing feelings I have for her.

For not being able to do anything as I watch other people freely and easily do so as I mask everything into a greasy line or joke that she will never take seriously.

It is so damn frustrating holding back and keep watching from the side lines.

“You want to know what’s wrong with me?” I look at her in the eyes as she warily looks back.

She kept silent, waiting for me to say what I’ve been keeping myself from saying all this time. I couldn’t restrain myself anymore. I don’t know why but I felt a little reckless, a little brave.

For the first time in a long time I did not hide nor run away like I did.

For the first time in a long time I actually did something, despite the grave consequences.

For the first time I didn’t give myself the excuse that I couldn’t do anything. So I did something.

My arm snaked her waist as I pulled her in and closed the gap between our lips.

For the first time, I kiss her.

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P.S. How are you all doing? 0_0