23 Within Reach

23: Within Reach

"I don't think I can pull that off though," Lara said, worryingly. She never wore something like that.

The dress is stunning indeed. But she doesn't think it'll ever suit her.

Rachel took the dress from Chance's hands and stuff it into her arms.

"Oh, stop worrying and just try this on. We'll be here waiting for you." She said before pushing Lara to change in the bathroom.

Lara sighed. "Fine..." she gave up. Rachel can be stubborn especially if she wants something.

When Lara disappeared into the bathroom, Chance tapped Rachel's back calling attention.

"How do I look?" He asked, doing an exaggerated pose like the leaning forward poses most model use during a photoshoot.

Chance personally wore his favourite outfit, a black party suit that has spikes on both shoulders, making him look glamorous and gothic simultaneously, especially with his smoky eye makeup.

Rachel gasp. "Magnifico!" She clapped her hands in appreciation. 

Chance grinned.

"Gee, thanks!" 

"How about mine?" Rachel did a pose as well. She's already wearing a pink body-hugging tube dress that accentuates her outstanding figure, especially her ass. Rachel's golden blond hair hanged loosely on her shoulders, framing her beautiful face. She looks like the very definition of a living barbie!

"Bellisima!"

Chance made a chef kiss with his fingers.

Rachel laughed. She was about to add some compliments to his outfit when the door behind them opened, revealing Lara Louis wearing the dress they chose for her.

"Uh, guys?" She uncomfortably fiddled with the length of her dress. "I don't think the guards will let me in wearing this dress," She said. She didn't want to come out at first coz she's conflicted with the dress. It was tight and short but knowing Rachel and Chance, they will probably drag her out so she willingly revealed herself to them before that happens.

Chance and Rachel both gasped in amazement upon laying their eyes on her. 

"Oh my gosh..." Rachel fanned herself. "You look-"

"Smoking hot!" Chance finished. He squealed like a crazed fangirl afterwards, shaking Rachel by the shoulder. "Oh em geee!"

Lara grimaced, even when her friends liked what they see, "Did you bring me anything other than this?" She said, pointing at her dress. "I feel like I'm going to expose myself with one wrong move." She said, pulling down the hem of her dress. "Bloody hell..." She cursed. The dress was skin-tight and she was uncomfortable wearing it, especially with her legs on full display. Lara really wanted to change so badly.

Any dress that's less revealing for her would do...

"Na-uh." Chance shook his head. "Too bad for you, bestie, we only brought you one dress, so suck it up."

Rachel nodded in agreement. "Yes. And what are you talking about? You look gorgeous in it. Own it, gurl!"

Lara sighed. She reluctantly looked at herself in the mirror and studied herself. Hmm. Aside from being ridiculously short, the dress did look good on her. Especially her legs. She didn't know her legs were this long!

"I really think this dress lacks more coverage."

Rachel shook her head and smoothed her dress with her palms. "Nah, it's perfect. It goes naturally with your make-up so no need to change anything."

"You think so?"

"I know so." she answered.

Lara sighed. She still has second thoughts about the dress. But since her friends had more experience with human partying than her, she has no choice but to believe their suggestion, including their fashion taste.

Taking a deep breath, Lara straightened her back and studied herself in the mirror once again. She forced her mind to forget her worries when Chance' phone rang. 

"Okay, girls. The cab is here. Let's go. I heard the Rig is going to be full tonight!"

Rachel cheered, bouncing on her feet to the door. Lara and Chance followed behind her.

After locking the apartment, they rode the elevator directly to the lobby. When they got out, there's a cab waiting for them outside. They got inside and Chance sat at the shotgun seat while Lara and Rachel sat in the back. 

"The Rig, please." Chance gave said to the cab driver and Lara turned outside the window appreciating the view. Rachel tapped on her phone to check the time with an excited smile. 

A few minutes later, they arrived at the club. The neon light sign of the famous bar can be seen from across the street.

The entrance was bustling with people and a line formed outside the entrance. Each person patiently waiting for their turn to get inside the famous night club.

"Follow me, girls." Chance paid the cab and led them across the street. To their surprise, he went straight to the club bouncer. He greeted the frowning mountain of a man and whispered something in his ear. Afterwards, the stoic expression on the bouncer's face turned into a grin, letting Chance and the ladies in.

"Wow." Rachel smiled. Obviously impressed at their friend's ability to get them inside without falling in line like the others. "I didn't know you had connections here."

That boost Chance's confidence, making him smirk. "Oh, you've seen nothing yet, my dear. C'mon, follow me, I've reserved a VIP spot for the three of us to enjoy."

Rachel cheered and giggled, "Tonight is going to be fun!" She's excited to get herself wasted tonight!

Lara followed behind her friend while studying the interior of the night club, she felt overwhelmed by the loud music, and the scent of the huge crowd dancing on the dance floor below made her slightly uncomfortable and stuff. The place was small and the sea of people inside made it even smaller. The disco lights danced in the air as the music continued to fill the crowd with energy. A club hostess wearing a black skin-tight leather dress approached them with a smile and greeted them professionally before leading them to the VIP room. 

Rachel whistled in appreciation, taking in the entirety of the VIP room when they arrived there. "Wow. This is definitely high class."

Lara was impressed as well. "I agree." At least, her first night of partying wouldn't cause her to feel claustrophobic.

Chance turned to the hostess and smiled, saying his thanks. When the hostess left, he went to the minibar and pour himself a drink.

"Are we allowed to do that?" Rachel asked, watching him.

"This is a VIP room, we're allowed to do anything we want especially in this room. By the way, all the drinks in here are free so feel free to pour yourself a drink of your choice." 

"Awesome! I haven't tried renting a VIP room before. How much did it cost?"

Chance calculated the cost inside his head and stopped, "Meh, it's not that much really."

Rachel stared at him, "Are you a secret millionaire or something?"

Hiding his laugh, Chance shrugged. "I'm not telling you."

Rachel gasped. "What? Then how did you get us this room then, hmm?" She asked, raising her eyebrow at him in interrogation.

Chance couldn't help his laugh, "Hm, let's just say... I know someone who has a lot of connections. Especially in this city..." he said, raising his glass in the air before drinking its contents in one gulp.

Rachel's eyes widened at that. "No kidding?"

Chance nodded. "I'm not kidding."

Lara only listened to her friends talk and smiled at their banter. She then went into appreciating the room and went to the glass wall which serves as a viewport where she can see a whole crowd of people dancing to the beat of the music below. 

She likes this. It's private and no one's going to bother them here. They have the whole room to themselves. In other words, they can party however they want as long as they're inside the four walls of this room.

"Oh, another thing. I heard the bartender coming soon so think about what you're going to order coz we're going wasted tonight!" Chance announced to the three of them and started dancing around the room, glass in hand.

"Wasted it is!" Rachel laughed and followed suit. She danced in front of Lara, showcasing her made-up dance moves and Lara laughed at this, feeling ridiculous.

Chance snatched Lara's hand and twirled her again, forcing her to move. "Dance for me, angel!" 

Finally, Lara let herself go. She danced without any directed moves or learned steps. She just closed her eyes, feeling the music as it compelled her body to sway with it.

***

Noah glanced at his phone when it pinged indicating that a text has arrived. 

He opened it and smiled. "Good..."

Now, he doesn't have to worry about his mate mingling around with other males since he reserved her and her friends a private room in the club they were in.

When he heard that they were going to do a girl's night out from Stefanny (since Chance told her about it), he immediately contacted Stef to tell Chance that they can do that at THE RIG since he owns it and he'll be able to watch over Lara while she enjoys herself.

The text message came from his club manager telling him that Lara and her friends have arrived and are currently enjoying the VIP room. In fact, he's sitting in the next room while drinking by himself...

He can hear Lara enjoying and that brought a smile to his face. He's satisfied with just this. Knowing that she's safe. And that she's within his reach. If anything happens, he knows he can get to her side and protect her.