Chapter 2. The Drunk Nalzen

Aaron’s POV

We immediately come back to the Bird’s Eye Club. Meeting with the so-called client is a pain in my head.

A real wedding? I wanted to march down the aisle with my fiancée. Not with the spoiled brat rich lady.

It’s hard for me to accept the fact that it is happening. Arthur never mentioned this. Well, he didn’t know it too.

What was I doing here? I could have quit and left this all behind.

“Arthur, you better find another employee. I’m not in favor of this wedding idea,” I told him.

“We already signed the contract, Aaron. You know how business works.” Arthur shouted angrily.

My goodness sake. Arthur is willing to continue this bullshit contract.

“I said, I quit. How much did Nalzen pay? I will pay it four times.” Yeah, I am rich, yet I will become a husband for rent! This is going crazy.

“This is not a matter of money that we are talking about now, bro, they can sue us anytime. And you? You can’t go back to South Carolina!” he shouted again. So, he is pissed off to me right now.

The hell of going back to South Carolina. I can go back if I like. But I can’t just marry a woman easily! Andrea is waiting for me...

“I get the point, but I can’t walk down the aisle even if it’s fake,” I told him.

“Can’t you just close your eyes? You turned down the famous Nalzen Villarreal. She was hurt, didn’t you notice it?” Arthur asked. Is he joking? How could I close my eyes?

“Why should she feel hurt? It’s her nature to mingle with different boys,” I answered sarcastically.

This kind of woman should not be respected. Yeah, I’m not against her but from what I heard about. She is not a good woman at all! And the fact that she have a boyfriend and still did these absurd things is unclear to me.

“By the way, where is her boyfriend? Why let her suffer all alone?” I asked.

“That’s her personal life, Aaron, we are out of it,” Arthur answered in disbelief. He looks angry and irritated by me.

“I guess, I cannot escape this bullshit wedding. What else can I do? Of course, marry the spoiled brat, Ms. Villarreal.”

I’m supposed to enjoy my vacation on the different islands here in the Philippines. Relaxing while drinking coconut juice. Now, I will become a married man with a woman I don’t know who? What a joke of life!

“I’m sorry, Aaron. I don’t have an extra employee now. They are all fully booked. And I don’t easily hire an employee if they are not qualified.” Arthur sighed. Sadness was all over his face. And he is making me guilty!

Poor Arthur. This kind of business is not good at all. But he poured all his money and effort into this club.

“So I am well-qualified for this kind of job, is that what you mean? You make me laugh,” I answered laughing just to ease his sadness.

“You are overqualified. It’s just that, you are my friend and I trusted you,” he is still sad and sounds desperate.

And I’m glad that he trusted me.

“Okay, let’s stop this nonsense drama. I agree and like what you said I will close my eyes during our wedding. Let’s drink tonight bro! Tomorrow I will move to my wife’s house. Let’s celebrate in advance.” I cheer him up.

Maybe I was a bit overwhelmed. Accepting the wedding thingy is still hard and against my will. But Arthur is my best friend. I will do this favor for his sake.

***

[Bird’s Eye Club]

There’s no fun in here. All the employees are boys. Showing off their abs and half-naked body. No girls! kind of boring. But it’s much better as I am away from any temptation. And speaking of it...

A wild girl suddenly appears in the middle of the dance floor. Dancing beautifully. Wearing a sexy crop top with a matching mini skirt that perfectly fits her body. She got the moves. She dances softly while holding the pole. Invite some boys to dance with her.

What a wild girl!

Then she turns around...

Nalzen Villarreal?

It’s a small world after all. I guess it’s time to face my soon-to-be wife and help my best friend Arthur.

***

Nalzen’s POV

I called Nica after the failed meeting with my supposed-to-be husband for rent. I felt rejected. Likewise, I know, I should not act like this. This is purely business. But never in my entire life, that I’m being humiliated like this. Nobody turned me down. No one!

“Why didn’t you tell Arthur about the wedding? It’s the most important one,” I asked her.

But she just smile. “I’m sorry. I thought that we just need to pay them and thereafter, we are free whatever we may like to do on our rented boys,” she answered.

“But this boy, no! This man is very annoying. Pretending to be decent and innocent.” I think I already drink too much.

I felt a little dizzy. And I am very annoyed with him! Drinking till I’m drunk to forget those rejections from him.

“Don’t worry, my friend. I called Arthur, and he said everything is fine. Aaron was just shocked for a moment and acted out of impulse,” she reassures me.

Is it really fine? That man is more stubborn than her!

Oh, I need to shake this dizziness off. Why bother my brain thinking of him? Let’s enjoy the night!

I stand up and go to the dance floor. “Come on, Nica, let’s dance!” I shout happily.

She just laughs at me and said no.

Well, I will enjoy this night then. I dance and feel the beat of the music. I can see the admiration and lust of the boys. Raising my hand and creating a signal for them to come and dance with me.

They are just a boy for rent. This is the right way to act. Unlike that arrogant fake husband of mine! And speaking of the devil...

I can see him coming. Am I drunk, or it’s just my imagination? What is he doing here?

I am enjoying the night before we get married. But it’s fake, he-he. Don’t tell me he will ruin my beautiful night.

I think I’m drunk. Maybe it’s not him.

“So, this is what my soon-to-be wife always does. Flirting with the boys, during her free time,” he said, smiling dangerously.

Oops... He is real? And sounds jealous?

I don’t care! He rejected me. I’m still angry with him.

“Yeah, so what? You are free to do whatever you may like. This is what I told you that we are only a character in the plot that I make,” I smile sarcastically.

“Speaking of that, I’d like to play the role of a husband now!” And he immediately carries me into his back.

“What are you doing? Put me down!” I said trying to move my body.

But he is strong, so I let him be.

Nica is laughing, hardly at the table. Well, she is my loyal best friend indeed. She only laugh and didn’t bother to help me!

“You are Nalzen’s friend?” Aaron asks Nica. 

He puts me down but didn’t let go of my body. He sits down while carrying me on his lap. The position is very awkward. But he will never let me go!

I can smell that he is also drunk. But it smells good... What are you doing, Nalzen?

“Yes, I am Nica Santillan. Nice meeting you.” My friend smiles all ears while shaking Aaron’s hand.

“I am Aaron, her rented husband. Can I take her home? I decided to move into her house tonight,” he said.

What?

“Are you serious?” I asked him, but he just smile.

“Yes, master. I am serious,” he answers winking at me.

And my heart jumps because of that! What’s gotten into him? At the meeting, he is very against our wedding. But now, he is willing?

“Sure, you can take her home. I finally meet you. Arthur said that you are the perfect person for this job. And he is right. You got the looks! Who would have thought that you are working in here?” Nica asks with sarcasm in her voice. She looks down, Aaron’s job!

And looking at Aaron. I can’t guess his facial expression if he is angry or hurt. He seems calm.

“Yeah, this is our job. So, we have high maintenance, especially when it comes to our looks. Just turn around and look at those hot male employees. They are all handsome and I am proud that I am one of them!” Aaron said proudly.

“You are right. Bird’s Eye Club is the best,” Nica answers smiling sweetly but she seems angry.

I don’t know why she is acting like this. Maybe she didn’t like Aaron?

“So, if you don’t mind, Miss Santillan. Can I take her home?” Aaron asks while hugging my back.

“Sure, here’s the key to her car. Nalzen, you call me tomorrow.” Then she winks at me. Stand up and go out. Leaving me with the devil. She is a true friend...

“Let’s go,” he will carry me again?

“Wait, just put me down. I can walk on my own.” It felt very awkward! Can’t he feel it? Uh...

“Are you certain?” There is a gentleness in his voice. He’s kind. He changed from devil to angel!

I tried to stand up but failed. I can’t walk. It’s very shameful, Nalzen. Next time, don’t drink too much.

He carries me again.

Am I too heavy? I didn’t eat dinner today, maybe not? Oh...

He is a good driver. He drives slowly. I can’t help myself from getting sleepy. Then I fall asleep...

***

Aaron’s POV

Looking at her face peacefully sleeping. She looks like a baby. She is wild at the same time she is innocent. And doesn’t even know that she got a fake friend. This spoiled brat girl will cry soon.

I can sense danger on that Nica Santillan. She is full of pretensions and I can see hatred in her eyes while looking at Nalzen happily dancing on the stage.

Poor Nalzen... I don’t know her real story but I am slowly beginning to know her...

“I’m hungry, Nathan, what did you cook?” she is dreaming, I guess. But hearing the other man’s name in her mouth seems wrong to me. I am her husband, right? But wrong, you are fake. I don’t know what’s happening to me. 

The moment I saw her dancing with some boys. Anger and rage immediately kick in. And I didn’t notice that I went to the stage. Maybe I’m drunk? But I am not! It’s just a little sip of wine.

And this Nathan... It’s her boyfriend, I guess. What am I thinking? I don’t care about her boyfriend! 

Andrea is waiting for me. Wake up, Aaron! You and Andrea are happily loving each other for eight years And you are getting married for real. So just do your job and after two months, you should leave.

I just need to focus my mind and stay away from temptations. But how? It is right in front of me, smiling so sweetly!

Nalzen opens her eyes and smiles. “I miss you, Nathan.” Then, she pulls me closer and surprisingly kisses me.

What to do now?!