Chapter FIVE

Isabelle’s POV

When I arrived at the club, I waited for Jena for a while. I want to get drunk myself tonight. I can’t forget the words that Dad said. It’s like he stabbed me in my back. I think he is not aware of the words that are coming out of his mouth, all he wants is to control our lives. But as I said earlier, I will never imitate my siblings. I’m the one who will choose whom I will marry.

I lit the only cigarette in my car as I waited for Jena. I only smoke when I'm under stress. After a few puffs of cigarettes, Jena came.

"Isabelle, why are you smoking again? "She questioned.

"My father is making me anxious and angry.” I responded by saying with a tear in my eye, "I feel like he never treats me as his daughter.”

From my side, Jena hugged me. “Isabelle, don't worry; I'm here to help you with your problem. You can count on me at any time, so don't worry.”

"Jena, I thank you for constantly being at my side. Maybe I would have lost my mind if you and Jayson hadn't been by my side," I murmured.

"Don't say that, Isabelle. We're here for you through the good times and the bad, as I mentioned earlier, okay? So let's go inside and drink,” she smirked.

I was surprised to see so many people inside the club when we first arrived. Even though it was still early, the crowd was loud when we walked to find a seat.

Jena will then call a server to take our order after we've found a seat.

"Isabelle, what do you want to drink tonight? " Jena enquired.

I responded, "Please order a bottle of beer for me."

Jena ordered a bucket of beer and a bottle of Jack Daniel's from the waiter.

“Why did you order a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, Jena?” I asked.

“You said you want to get drunk tonight. So here it goes, we will waste our life for tonight,” she responded with a smirk.

While waiting for our order, I simply scan the area to see if we know anyone else at the bar. I looked at the second floor because of the noise of the people there.

I wasn't expecting to see the man from last night, which surprised me. He must have been the one to save me from the other guy, I'm so sure of it.

I quickly seized my friend. I muttered, "Jena, I saw the man who saved me last night."

“The what?!” she exclaimed.

I hesitantly responded, "The man who saved me last night, he's on the second floor and I think he is glaring at me."

Jena gently turned to look at the bar's second floor. “There are now five people watching us, Isabelle. Which one of those five are you referring to?” she continued to stare at the men's place while she spoke.

I dared to look where the boys were, for Jena to be able to see Jericko.

“The one who is wearing a leather jacket,” I said secretly without opening my mouth.

I saw in my peripheral vision Jena's mouth dropped open in shock.

“Are you sure Isabelle? In fairness he is handsome. But why does it feel like I only just saw him here?”

Me too, but try not to stare at them because they might catch on that we are also watching them,” I replied.

Thankfully, our drinks came, and Jena and I began to sip. And she managed to turn her attention away from the second floor.

After finishing a bottle of beer, Jena blurted abruptly, "You know what Isabelle, I know that one guy who's with the person that you are talking about."

I faced her with a frown on my face. "What? Really? How did that happen?”

She smirked and replied, "Secret. Would you like us to approach them?"

Jena's words made me frown even more.

“Jena, are you already drunk? Why did your mood change so quickly?” I asked.

"No, I'm not drunk,” she insisted. "I'm simply saying that I know the other guy. And if you want we can go upstairs and approach them.”

“No, I don’t want to. Why would we do that?”

“Woah. Is that you Isabelle?” Jena asked with a laugh.

I also laugh at what Jena said. “Why?”

“You were the one who figured out how to approach men back then, so why does it seem like the wind is blowing differently now?”

I replied, "I don't know Jena, I feel different now.”

“Maybe because you have a strange feeling for that guy.”

Jena's statement made me pause because I see a definite difference in how I feel when I see that man.

“Jena, I'm not sure, but I just really feel this feeling now,” I answered.

Before Jena could respond, a man approached us.

He grinned broadly and added, "Excuse me, two lovely ladies. Would it be okay if I joined you?”

When the man sat next to Jena, I saw the annoyance on her face.

“What are you doing here Clyde?!”

“Oh hi Jena, will you please introduce me to your gorgeous friend here?” asked the man.

Jena rolled her eyes. “Oh sorry Clyde, you are not her type.”

He quickly said, "I know I'm not her type, but I also know she likes my friend."

I felt stunned. "What are you talking about? Where did it come from? I said in an irritated tone.

“We can tell you have a secret longing for him just by the way you stare at him, miss.”

“Clyde, will you please shut up?! Go back where you came from!” Jena shouted.

"Jena, could you kindly stop talking too? Why are you the only angry person? Don't bother us; I'm talking to your friend right here,” said the man with irritation.

“Hey don’t make a scene here you two-” someone suddenly cut me off before I could complete my sentence.

"I apologize if our friend is disturbing you, lovely ladies. Let's go, Clyde," the other man stated.

“Wait Fred, I’m still asking this beautiful girl if we can be friends,” Clyde stated.

I have no idea what this man wants to happen. “Mister, can you please get that man away from us, he looks like he's already drunk,” Jena said.

“No, I'm not drunk Jena, maybe you're the one who's drunk,” answered Clyde.

I'm not sure if we are still talking about me or the two of them. My attention was drawn to Clyde's friend's head-scratching; he appeared to be upset with his buddy.

Three men suddenly came to our place; at first, I didn't give them much attention, assuming they were just picking up the two men here, but when I saw Jericko, my eyes went wide. I couldn't speak during Jena and Clyde's argument earlier, and with Jericko here, I can't speak even more.

“Oh all my friends are here,” Clyde stated and stood up. “Let me introduce you one by one to my ex-girlfriend and her friend here,” he added.

The other man remarked, "Clyde, you don't need to do that." If our friend is bothering you, I'm sorry. Let's go upstairs, Clyde, please," he continued.

They don't get my attention because I'm just focused on Jericko, and I also observed that he was staring at me.

When they finished talking and turned to go, Jericko gave me a startling wink before he followed his friends.

Because of what he did, I feel like I've lost my breath. I don't know where to turn, and I don't want to disrupt Jena because it's clear from her face that he is upset or annoyed. I also can't shout here for fear of what people would think.

Even though I had a rough day earlier, today is turning out better, so I just kept the happiness I felt to myself.