Chapter Three - I didn't think this would be you kind of place...

                                       Aubrey

My plan to have a night alone failed! When I settled down after my call with Gabe, my friends decided to call and informed me that we were going out tonight. It was the weekend, after all. I was too tired, but they insisted. Now, here I am, getting myself ready for a night of bar hopping and clubbing. I would rather be snuggled up on the sofa with a good book. I could have told them no, but it would not have worked because they would just show up at my door. I love my friends, but they can be a pain in my ass. I know they don’t want me to be boring and alone, but sometimes that is exactly what I want. 

I was mostly ready. I had my hair done, letting my naturally wavy hair lose, and I had my make-up also done. All I needed was to find an outfit for the night. I didn’t lack a choice, but I couldn’t decide. 

“Hey, bitch! Where are you at?” I hear my best friend Dulcie call out. 

“Bedroom, hoe,” I called back, giggling. 

That was how we all talked to each other. Are you really best friends if you don’t talk to each other that way? I hear heels on my floor, and Dulcie arrives in my room and our other best girlfriend, Mia. 

“Why aren’t you ready?” Dulcie complained.

“I am. I just need to find an outfit, and now you are here. You can both help,” I said, smiling widely.

Dulcie was in love with fashion. She worked in the fashion industry, and Mia was a fashion photographer. It worked out well for me. 

“You are lucky that I love you so much,” Dulcie laughed.

“I know,” I said brightly. 

I would be lost without these two girls. They have been my lifeline for the last eight years. They headed over, raiding through my closet. 

“Oh, you should wear this!” Dulcie said, holding a red dress up.

“As much as I love that, isn’t it a little cold for something that short?” I laughed.

It was one of my favourites. But it was tight and short. 

“Throw a coat over it, and you will be fine,” Dulcie said,” And we aren’t going to be outside too much,” She added. 

“I guess,” I reply. 

Dulcie tossed it my way, and I pulled it on as they found shoes to match it. And in no time, I was ready to go.

“How was work?” Mia asked.

“We are getting the chance to take over Advertisement for Modern Vintage, which is great,” I smiled, “But the downfall? Mr Gabe Hunter himself is taking the lead on it, and I have to work closely with him,” I added, rolling my eyes.

“You should totally get in there with him. That man is sex on legs,” Dulcie purred.

“And he is an arrogant jackass also,” I said,” I would not go near him even if someone paid me,” I added.

I don’t give a damn how sexy he is. Plus, he is the CEO. I wouldn’t even think about going down that road. That would make things complicated.

“Tell me that again, once you have spent time with him, “Dulcie smirked, “You can give him my number. I can punish him for being a jackass,” she added.

“Eww!” I laughed, screwing my face up. 

My friend laughed, shaking their heads at me. 

“Come on, let’s go before I change my mind,” I said.

“Cab is on its way,” Mia smiled. 

“Yay! Party time,” Dulcie said as she did a little dance. 

“I am not staying out all night. I have work tomorrow,” I said firmly. 

Dulcie was one for partying into the wee hours. She always, without fail, finds a house party to go to after the clubs close. Tonight, that was not happening. Kay was going to be in crazy-boss mode tomorrow to make sure everything was ready for Monday. I can’t be hungover and working on only a couple of hours of sleep. I would be no use to anyone. 

“We will have you home by four a.m.,” Dulcie smirked. 

“I will be home before that,” I snicker, shaking my head. 

“Glad you think so,” Dulcie said as we headed outside. 

I should know better than thinking I would be home at two a.m. I rolled my eyes and didn’t say another word. There was no point arguing with her. The three of us piled into the cab. 

“Rouge bar please, Sir,” Mia said politely.

“Sure thing, ladies,” He smiled.

We chatted with the driver on the ride to the bar. He was a nice guy, and we made sure to give him a good tip along with the bill. 

“Hopefully, we can find a table,” Dulcie said. 

The bar would be starting to get busy, but hopefully, we will be lucky enough to find somewhere to sit. We headed in, looking around and spotting a couple of open tables.

“You two grab a table. I will grab the drinks,” I said 

Dulcie and Mia headed to grab the table before anyone stole it, and I headed to the bar. It was busy, so it may take a little while. I hated waiting, but I know the staff can’t help it. I was tapping my fingers on the bar, not to be rude, just to keep myself occupied. 

“Can I get you a drink, gorgeous?” I hear a male voice say from behind me.

It was a voice that I recognised, but at the moment I couldn’t work out who it was. I rolled my eyes before turning around. I was only in here five minutes, and I was already getting hit on. I was not out to get hit on, but then again, anytime I wear this dress, a lot of attention comes with it. I put my best smile on before turning around. The smile didn’t last long when I saw who it was. This was just my damn luck! 

“Gabe? Are you joking? Are you hitting on me right now?” I laughed. 

“Miss Winters, fancy meeting you here,” He smirked, letting his eyes trail over me. 

“Yes, fancy that, what are you doing here? I didn’t think this would be your kind of place,” I said. 

I hope he didn’t know it was me when he made his way over to hit on me. 

“That is because you don’t know me, Miss Winters,” He said. 

“Please tell me you did not know it was me when you came over here?” I asked, resting my hand on my hip. 

“Of course, I didn’t know it was you,” He said, sounding a little disgusted. 

“Way to make a girl feel good. There is no need to be disgusted with the thought,” I said, turning away from him. 

“Don’t be such a drama Queen. I didn’t mean it like that,” He said, “I just mean I don’t get involved with anyone who works for the company,” He added. 

Who is he calling a drama Queen? I was quick to turn back to him. 

“I am not a drama Queen,” I barked,” And good because I wouldn’t go near you if someone paid me,” I added, shaking my head. 

“Gee, thanks. I know you dislike me, but I didn’t know I repulsed you too,” He said, annoyance in his voice. 

Hmm, maybe I should have worded that better. That was harsh, true, but harsh. 

“You don’t repulse me. I am not an idiot. I know a handsome man when I see one,” I said, “I just mean you aren’t my type, and I also work for you,” I added. 

I see a smug look take over his face when I call him handsome. God, how arrogant! 

“Handsome, uh?” He smirks.

“Go and fuck yourself, Gabe,” I said, moving down the bar away from him. 

I hear him laugh and then walk away. Yes, I know I work for him and his family, but I am out of work, and he is acting like a douche, so I have the right to stand my ground. What is he going to do, fire me? Obviously not because then he would need to say why, and I don’t think us meeting in a bar and him trying to crack on to me is a good excuse for him to do that. 

I have not ever been happier to see a barman than I was right now. I ordered three vodka’s and coke, along with six shots of tequila. I can handle my liquor not too bad, but I know my limits and when to stop. 

I paid the barman and took the tray back to the table. I had to walk by Gabe and his friends as I did. I could feel them all looking at me, their eyes burning into my ass. I walked by them. Perverts! 

“What is the matter with your face?” Mia asked. 

“Gabe is here, and he just tried to hit on me at the bar before he knew it was me,” I said. 

“Oh, he is, where?” Dulcie said excited, looking around. 

“It doesn’t matter where,” I laughed, “Please do not even go there, especially with him,” I pleaded. 

“Fine!” Dulcie groaned, “But I can still look,” She added. 

I don’t see the big deal about him. Why does every damn woman want him? Yes, I get that he is handsome, successful and rich, but remove all of that, and he is nothing but a douche! I would instead do without someone like him, thank you very much! 

“Yes, just don’t touch,” I laughed, “Anyway, enough about him. Drink!” I added. 

“Cheers to that,” Mia said as we took our shots. 

“For someone you think dislikes you, babe, he has no problem glancing at your ass,” Dulcie said. 

“What? Are you serious?” I asked. 

“Yip, and by the look on his face, he imagines all the dirty things he would like to do to it,” She replied, giggled. 

He has no right staring at my ass or thinking anything about me. I swung around to face him, and he wasn’t even trying to hide the fact he was looking at me. I sent a glare his way and flipped him off. He smirked and laughed. I roll my eyes before turning away from him.

“Damn perv,” I complain, taking a long swig of my vodka. 

My friends found the entire thing amusing. It isn’t them that needs to work with him. I hope he leaves soon. That way, it is one less idiot to deal with. 

“So you wouldn’t fuck him if he offered?” Dulcie asked. 

“No. I would rather punch his smug looking face,” I said firmly. 

“You need help, girl, if you would knockback that fine man,” Mia giggled. 

“Or maybe it is all of you that need help because you would happily jump into bed with him,” I laugh, shaking my head. 

He must love all the attention, all those women falling at his feet. 

“I think your opinion will change after spending time with him. You will want to rip his clothes off,” Dulcie said confidently. 

I didn’t even respond. What is so hard about them believing that I don’t want him? I will never want him! 

He is not worth me losing my job over. No man is, and especially him! 

“Another round?” I suggested. 

“Yes,” Mia said,” “This round is on me,” She added. 

Mia headed off to grab drinks. Gabe and his friends stared at her as she walked by. She smiled at them and walked by with confidence. The girl knew how to make men crazy without even touching or speaking to them. 

“That girl is something else,” Dulcie laughed.

“Yes, she is,” I agreed. 

I watch as Gabe’s friend’s eyes follow her until she is out of sight, but Gabe’s attention has directed to me. He smiled; well, it was more like a smirk. Who is he smirking at? I didn’t even respond. Instead, I quickly turned away.

“Idiot,” I mumbled to myself. 

I think after this round, we should find somewhere else to go. I don’t want to spend my night with him watching me!