Chapter 8

Lauren Hastington

"You okay?" Nial sat beside me and I just smiled a little.

"I think I'm okay." I said as I rubbed my arm because it's damn cold here. Nial suddenly took off his suit and then he gave it to me. He smiled.

"Better?"

"Thankyou."

"You know.. we can get some fresh air outside." He said and I nodded. We both got up from our seat and walked outside. My eyes caught Dylan walking towards us and my eyes landed on a lipstick stain on his lips.

My breath got hitch seeing it and I.. stopped in front of him.

"Where were you?" I asked Dylan.

"Taking some fresh air." He said and I wiped the lipstick stain on his mouth.

"Check yourself after making out with someone." I hissed and then I turned to Nial. We walked past him and walked out to the balcony.

"Blane or Dylan?" Nial asked and I turned to him. I smacked his arm and he chuckled. Nial is sure to be one of the nicest people. He and Blane are kinda good friends too.

"I'm done with Blane and have nothing to do with Dylan."

"So.. can I take this opportunity to take you on a date?" He asked and that made me a little bit. I turned to him and laughed.

"Nial.. this is not a place to do stand up comedy." I said but he gave me a flat face.

"What? You're serious?"

"Do I look like I'm playing around?" He raised his eyebrows.

"No." I said in a small tone.

"I know.. I bet you kinda think it's weird but who wouldn't be attracted to you?" He asked and I chuckled.. Dylan doesn't.

"I don't know.."

"So.. how about I'll take you to the movies this Sunday? You'll be in New York right?" He asked and I smiled nodding.

"Is that a yes or a now, princess?"

"It's a yes." I said and he smiled. We talked about other things later on, business.. foods.. drinks.. and others. Since Nial is one of our circle, of course being with him is really comforting. He knows the situation.

We walked inside again but Nial was stopped by someone and I excused myself to go first. I saw Dylan was drinking hard and I sat beside him.

"And what makes you drink like this? Got rejected?" I mocked but at the same time.. I felt my heart crushed.

"Something like that.. well not exactly rejected." I raised my eyebrows trying to process his words.

"Who's the bitch?" I asked and he turned to me.

"Diana." Oh Diana.. I turned to her and found her talking to another man. His words yesterday made me think a lot. It's clear that he doesn't want me and he only thinks of me as a game. The kiss that we shared didn't mean anything to him.

Before I fell too deep, I decided to just let him go. I did fall too deep and too fast when I was with Blane and I don't want to repeat the same mistake again.

"Do you need help?" I asked him.

"Help what? I don't need it." He hissed and then he drank all of his alcohol.

"Okay then." I said as I took champagne from one of the waiters.

"Hey little red." I turned to see Aiden sitting beside me.

"Hey A."

"Oh.. we're going to have a drink together, wanna join us? How about you Dylan? This gala dinner is sure to be boring." Aiden said.

"Call." I said right away.

"I'm not going."

"I'll go." Nial joined.

"Great.. let's go. Look for Deluxe bar, room 501." Aiden smirked and then he left.

"Should we go now?" Nial asked me, smiling and I nodded. He put his hand in front of me and I took it. I got up and turned to Dylan.

"If you're here.. she will think that you're waiting for her." I said and then I walked away from him. We walked to the lobby and the car was already ready. We got into the car and told our driver to go to the Deluxe bar.

"Your hand.. it's cold." Nial said as he caressed my hand.

"It was cold inside and I regret wearing my new dress."

"You look beautiful.. as always."

"Look at you.." I chuckled and smacked his chest playfully.

"What? Is it weird?"

"Oh come on, Nial. We've been friends for years.. I mean you've always been nice but never like this."

"Like a gentleman?" He smirked and I chuckled nodding.

"I guess so.." He ruffled my hair.

"Let's have fun." He smirked and yes.. he's right. I need to have fun these days. I kept being sad these days.. I think I need to lose up a little bit.

We arrived at the club and went up to the 501 room. It's on the 5th floor. We got into the lift and pressed 5. I gave Nial's suit back because it's not that cold anymore.

"Thanks." I said and then we walked out to find the 501 room. I walked in and found Aiden, Andrew, Matthew, Archer, Daniel and Autumn there. I sat across Autumn with Nial. She's already drunk and I bet she's here a few hours ago.

I took 2 new glasses and poured the alcohol into the glasses.

"Here." I gave one to Nial.

"Thanks." We cheered and drank the alcohol.

"Gala was boring.."

"I think.. I want to dance." Autumn said.

"Morris won't like it." Aiden reminded me.

"He's not here."

"Oh he's in Orlando, honey. He just landed 30mminutes ago." Archer said.

"Shut it." Autumn hissed and then she walked out.

"Go.." I looked at Archer.

"Gosh!" Archer groaned and called someone.

"Your girl is dead drunk and I currently hate babysitting my own sister." Archer hissed and we all know that it's Morris but he followed his sister out anyway.

"She's so drunk." Nial said.

"She is and I'm going to get drunk too.." I said and then I sipped my drink. I texted Christian that I will go drunk and he needs to take care of me later on. I put my phone on the table and started to.. get drunk.