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Chapter Twenty-Four- Cozy Bars and Singing Angels
The first and last time I got drunk was two years ago. It was the club's anniversary when Sir Dylan turned Harlow into a tattoo parlor of some sort. Club patrons got a free tattoo and piercing service for every 1000 pesos on their tab.
The club was at its loudest with a crowd so full of life. Drinking and dancing were in every corner. There was a long line outside. Everyone wanted in. My bosses hired extra part-timers and security for the night. We're all busier than ever.
Past midnight, Maam Hailey thought it'd be fun for all the employees to join the party too. I didn't want to be a killjoy so I partied with the rest of them. Since I was a total lightweight, I was wasted after three beers.
To cut the story short, I had a total of five pierces on my ears and one in my belly button that night. No ink, thank god. I'd bloody murder the person who'd mark me.
But that didn't stop my co-workers from making fun of me. I woke up with a henna tattoo of a smiley face on my wrist. Those crazy people. I had a sweet revenge though so we're all even.
I had no plans of repeating that night so I decided as soon we arrived at Deandra to stay sane and sober. It's what I always do whenever my friends find themselves stupefied. Besides, I could still have fun without getting wasted.
Deandra had a very laidback atmosphere. The brick walls and wooden furnishings added to its cozy vibe. The manager and the staff here were all friendly and nice.
It had quite the space for music aficionados to enjoy live gigs. Music lovers of no matter what genre would find an act or two that will blow their mind away. Young bands performing at Deandra were always a delight to hear. State of Mind was one of their house bands.
It was also a fun place for those who liked to play. Further inside the music bar, there was a pool table and a corner for darts. They serve affordable and good food perfectly paired with beer. The place gets pretty packed easily so we were lucky to be with the band. We got two tables reserved for us.
The guys went up front to prepare for their set while we ordered some drinks to begin our night. At exactly ten, SoM started off with a number by Fun. which was sort of their anthem. People started to dance in front of the stage, mostly young women. No surprise there.
My friends stood from their chairs to dance just by our table. I remained seated with Michael. My back was leaning into him and his hands were wrapped around me.
"I'm so glad you're here."
"Me too." he whispered kissing the top of my head.
"What would you do if I get drunk?" I asked with a teasing smile when a waiter came to serve their drinks.
"You have plans of getting drunk?" he asked raising an eyebrow. I simply shrugged. "Hmm. I think, you drunk could be a good thing."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "And why is that?"
"I have a reason to take you home with me." he replied with a smirk playing on his lips.
"Remind me not to get near any alcohol tonight." I teased and he pouted in the most handsomely adorable way.
During the chorus, the girls started pulling me up my chair and to the front to dance even if I can't dance. Michael let me go and he watched as I got dragged by my friends. When we're near the stage, Rico immediately held his hand out for me while he was singing. I got confused.
Then I felt Kyla's hands pressed against my back pushing me. Next thing I know, Rico was gripping my hand and pulling me up the stage.
WHAT ARE THESE CRAZY PEOPLE DOING? I screamed in my head. Rico passed me his mic while Matt handed him another.
Oh god. It was quite embarrassing. There were like fifty pairs of eyes looking at my awkward stance and tomato face on the stage. Even the screaming girls on the front were confused. I knew exactly what these 'awesome' friends of mine were planning. I shot Kyla a glare but all of them were just giving me mischievous smiles.
I took a deep breath and searched the crowd for the perfect pair of hazel eyes I can stare at forever. When I found them, I decided.
Here goes nothing.
Tonight...
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Those who were dancing got back to their happy dancing. Those who were drinking went back to their happy drinking.
I guessed I didn't sound that bad after all. My eyes were set on Michael's surprised ones. His lips moved up to a corner as I sang the next lines.
Carry me home tonight
Just carry me home tonight
Carry me home tonight
Just carry me home tonight
I found myself smiling. We both realized a private joke between us with those lines. Rico joined me on the next part making me break eye contact with Michael. We finished the song and the audience rewarded us with applause. I smiled and took a quick bow. Just as I was about to walk down, Rico pulled my hand again and leaned into me.
"One more, please. I missed this." he whispered and I looked up to him. He was begging me with his eyes. Before I could even respond, he was already yelling and introducing me to the entire music bar.
One more song wouldn't hurt. I thought and tightened the grip on the mic.
A few chords from Matt and I immediately knew what was next on their set list. I never realized how much I've also missed this.
Singing. It was the only way I could express myself willingly. It was the only thing I'd do without being called by my full name or be Gracie-forced. Singing was my thing.
I swallowed hard, squared my shoulders and raised my chin. Like the first song, I searched for Michael's eyes.
We're a thousand miles from comfort
We have traveled land and sea
But as long as you are with me
There's no place I'd rather be
After a third song, my throat felt dry but I wasn't tired with all the singing and dancing I did on the stage. If you called jumping, dancing, of course. Nonetheless, I climbed down the stage after saying a 'thank you' to the band and the crowd. Michael was standing and waiting for me. I don't know why but I ran and lunged myself into him. His strong arms caught me for a warm embrace.
There I was. In his arms. My safe special place.
"You never told me you can sing." Michael broke the silence between us.
Oh, if he only knew all the things I keep from him. Things he'll never know. Things I'll never tell.
I dismissed the sad thought. I had a great day with people I care about and I didn't want to end it with my past hunting me. But for how long will I keep doing this? Trying to forget, pretending I was strong?
Shoot. Where are these coming from?
"I guess it was my turn to surprise you." I boasted with droopy eyes. "I'm thirsty." I mumbled on his chest.
He sweetly kissed the top of my head before. "And sleepy too. Let's get you water so I can take you home."
*****
"Did you mean what you said?" Michael questioned as we rode his car.
After getting a glass of water, Michael and I decided to leave the bar as I was exhausted. Kyla and Rico promised not to get wasted and assured me that they'll all be home safe without anyone going home with a stranger. Michael asked David to drive them home to make me at ease.
Kyla was being crazy pulling me to the side and lecturing me about surrendering my V—card to Michael. My jaw dropped in shock. Where the hell did that come from? I left them at Deandra immediately dismissing the thought.
So now, here we were inside Michael's car. "What did I say?"
"More like sang." he glanced at me before setting his eyes on the road again. "You want me to carry you home tonight?"
"Uh... No. I'm sleepy, not drunk."
"So? I carried you sleeping once."
"I remember. I never heard the end of that from Kyla. She teased me a lot when she heard you calling me 'Angel'."
He chuckled. "You are my Angel."
His angel. Why does hearing that make me want to jump for joy and run of fright at the same time?
So sorry for the late update and that this is a short chapter. Remember when I wrote before that I was going through a huge change in my life? Well, that meant flying to a new country for a job. New place, new people, new everything. I'm just glad everything is working out! Praise, God!
Hopefully, once I'm settled with my new job, I could go back to my weekly update and post longer chapters. Not making promises but praying I'd be able to update as often. Just for you! :)
PS: Thank you for the 6000+ reads, 200+ votes and 100+ comments making it #227 on ChickLit. How awesome, right? Every read, vote and feedback means so much to me so big thanks to everyone who takes time to read, vote and comment. Shoutout also to those who added this story on their reading list! Love y'all. Stay awesome! :D