Chapter 2 CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCE ME TO HER

"Sorry..." The only word she could utter out of shock and guilt as she didn't expect him to stop Mr. Cruz from slapping her. She felt guilty as Ardunce uttered the word ingrate.

The owner of the bar Aljun Simon, who happened to be Ardunce' friend, appeared. He walked with ease while his hands in his pants side pockets. Exuding with aura similar that of a Mafia leader. Mr. Cruz recognized him and thus he instantly became apologetic.

"Mr. Cruz! You again? How many times did I tell you that our Lhan here is not an escort?" A smile pasted on his face despite his domineering posture and introduction. Everyone knew that his smile was masking a fury.

"Aljun! You are here. I thought you went to Europe. Sorry this is a misunderstanding. I just want to talk to her about her performance. She was really stunning tonight." Mr. Cruz was goosey.

"Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! It's not because I am out of the country means you can already do what you want. Ahhh, you cannot just force her to do that." Everyone in the business circle knew the character of Aljun. As he belongs to the upper crust of the society that no one can be trampled on, he was also the type that could throw punches and still law will not reprimand. "Lhan! Another table is broken." He then turned his attention to the girl.

"It is not my fault. It is an accident caused by self-defense. I felt being harassed." Lhan defended herself although she knew that it was just an act as Aljun never actually asked her to pay any damages.

"Whether that would be the case or not you still need to pay for the table. Didn't I tell you to call for security and not to be impolite to our customers. Don't take everything in your hands. You're a performer not a bouncer." He continually berated her. Even though he doesn't like what Mr. Cruz did, Aljun still showed that he doesn't spoil his employees and respect customer's right.

"Sorry. This won't happen again. I will pay for the table." She retreated immediately so not to take the arguments further. She's been tired the whole day as she attended school during daytime.

"Okay go back!" Aljun dismissed her to which she nodded in response. He then looked back to Mr. Cruz. "I hope this would really be the last!" His words were more like a threat than a warning.

Afraid that his presence might add to the bar owner's fury he said, "I remember, I have some things to attend to. Here! Tips for the waiter!" He scooped few bills and put it on the table. Mr. Cruz and his group left instantly.

As soon as Mr. Cruz left, he turned to his friends and greeted them with fist bumps.

"Dunce! Looked at you. Still so handsome. Why are you here? It is very unlike you to stay in a crowded place." Aljun rested his arm on Dunce' shoulder as if nothing happened.

"Asked that Pedophile!" Ardunce answered calmly referring to Jaden while trying to wipe the wine from his clothes.

"Hey! Aljun. Can't we really not table the girl? How come you never introduce us to that beauty." Jaden jestingly voiced out disregarding Ardunce mockery.

"Huh!? She's just a college student. Not someone who does dirty tricks to earn. You can choose from our hostesses. Go to the other floor." He glared at Jaden then looked again at Dunce. "Say, Ardunce we have great collection. You can choose anyone and it's on me."

"Woah! Is that really you. Both you and Ardunce are weird tonight. One who used to spout nonsense be it a girl or a boy now talk good about and protect a girl and one who used not to care about other's business just saved a girl." Thedd said in mockery.

"Really?! Are you interested in her?" A smile and surprised eyes appeared on Aljun.

"Is she your girl? You never speak that way with the others." Ardunce asked earnestly and one could sense a hint of jealousy.

The three looked at each other.

"Nope! Look at you. The dashing, mysterious CEO of Frost Group of Companies, now being interested, huh! Are you removing your purity ring?" Aljun said in jesters.

"Quit it. Lend me a shirt. I'm all wet. The wine is a bit sticky." Annoyed with what happened, plus the fact that his suit was stained, Dunce decided to cut their jokes.

"VIP Box then?" Thedd suggested.

They all stood up and walked to the elevator.

The four went to a VIP Box on the fifth floor of the same building. The room was like a hotel room with a small bar inside. Ardunce went to the shower room while Aljun got spare clothes. Jaden then switched the 105" LED monitor and chose the one that focused on the bar's stage instead of tuning to other tv programs. Thedd just went straight to the couch and poured wine in the glasses. The four of them seated on the couch. They drink and talked more about business.

Almost thirty minutes passed, the stage welcomed Lhan's Band. All eyes directed on the monitor as the Lhan's group prepared for their second set of performance. Three guys and two girls. One at the drums, another guy at the organ, and the last one holding the bass. The two ladies however were tuning the guitar.

"How old is she?" Although there were 5 people on the stage, Dunce attention was focused on Lhan.

"Turning 20 this year, currently studying at Imperial University." Aljun answered after a sip from his wine.

"Woah! Our little guitarist is smart." Jaden exclaimed in wonder.

"Not smart, but genius. She's a Presidential scholar. She's an orphan, though I heard that she has adoptive parents. She's my girlfriend's best friend together with the other guitarist, Elise." Aljun pointed at the other girl on the stage. "By the way if you are trying to hook up and play with her don't. My girl will kill me. Spare the two girls. Even the fact that someone treated them as hostess, if my girl found out about it, she might break up with me." He calmly explained while leaning back on the couch with both hands stretched out.

"Did I ever play with girls? And who's your girlfriend? I haven't heard of her." Dunce squinted as he interrogated his friend.

"She's quite busy so I didn't have the chance yet to introduce her to you."

"How's that, Jaden is also interested at her." Thedd broke his silence trying to jokingly sow discord between the two.

"What?!" Ardunce and Aljun chorused.

"Yeah, I remember he said a while ago, I can't wait to bring her to my bed." Thedd picked up his wine glass and swirled it with a wicked smile on his face.

"Don't worry now that you are interested at her I will not pursue." He gaved Thedd the evil eye.

"How about the 'bring her to my bed'?" Ardunce intimidated him by locking his stare at Jaden.

"I will stop that dream now." Jaden raised both arms as if he surrendered from a crime he committed.

"Better." Dunce relaxed.

They continued watching. After their performance Dunce suddenly said, "Introduce me to her."

Aljun choked on wine upon hearing Dunce' formidable words. He coughed hard before he asked, "Wha-what?!"

"You heard me right." Still looking at the monitor. Lhan's band were putting the instruments in order.

"Fine. Come with me then and we'll take her home." Aljun yield when he saw the earnest conviction on Dunce eyes.

"I'll drive!" Jaden excitedly initiated raising his right arm. He said to himself, 'this is fun'.

"I'm drunk and can't drive so take me home as well." Thedd smilingly said. He also was interested. This was the first time that Dunce showed interest in opposite gender.

"Okay, okay. Let's use your Mercedes Benz Limousine, Thedd." Aljun agreed as he knew he couldn't stop them. 'I hope Fleur won't get mad at me. Honey, forgive me.' He prayed silently.

They all stood up. But before they went out of the room Aljun turned and looked at Dunce seriously and uttered, "Dunce, I'll introduce you to her but if you aren't serious don't pursue her. Lhan is a good girl. I am not saying this because I am afraid of my wife, okay?"

Dunce simply nodded.