Chapter 8

• “Alright, enough of all these. Who's up for a game of dare?” Zoe suggested as she placed her now empty glass of gin on the table.
• “Me! Me!” Sienna shouted, feeling adventurous.
• “Count me in,”
• “Me too!” The girls chirped in as Zoe spun an empty beer bottle and it stopped in Rose’s direction.
• “I dare you to Sing along with the next song that plays on stage,” Zoe smirked as Rose grinned nervously as she waited for the song to start. It turned out to be “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor. Rose got up from her seat and walked towards the stage confidently while her friends cheered for her.
• The commotion from the other corner of the room caught Kaemon and other’s attention. They watched as Rose grabbed a microphone from one of the band members and started singing along loudly and proudly. She nailed every note and added some dance moves for extra flair. The crowd cheered her on and joined her in singing the chorus:
• “Oh no not I!
• I will survive!
• Oh, as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive!”
• Kaemon’s eyes, in all of it, was fixed on Sienna. He watched as she sang along, danced and laughed. Her smile so bright it could blind anyone around. Everyone clapped and whistled for Rose as she finished her performance with a bow and returned to the table with a big smile on her face.
• “Girl that was amazing!” Zoe cheered.
• “Who you could sing and dance like that.” Ava chirped and the erupted in laughter.
• “Enough with the compliments. Now, Mia, it’s your turn.” Rose grinned evilly rubbing her hands together.
• “Shoot,” Mia said as she waited for her dare.
• “Order the most expensive drink on the menu,” Rose said and Mia gasped softly as she looked at the menu.
• The most expensive thing on the menu was a champagne cocktail that cost $50 per glass. We watched as Mia bit her lip nervously as she waved at one of the waiters and asked for it politely. He nodded his head and went to get it for her quickly. He came back with a tall flute filled with bubbly liquid that sparkled under the lights like diamonds. He handed it to Mia carefully as he said: “Enjoy your drink, miss.”
• Mia took it from him gently and said, “If this doesn’t taste like dream, I swear.” She raised it up high as she said “Cheers, everyone!”
• They cheered back as they watched Mia gulp down her drink. “Now your turn Sienna.” She said as she placed the glass on the table.
• “Bring it on.” Sienna exclaimed
• “Okay, I dare you to kiss the next person who sits on the corner stool of the bar,” Mia said, pointing to an empty seat near the counter.
• “Easy peasy. I am not afraid of a little kiss.” Sienna said with a grin and accepted the challenge.
• Not caring about who it might be, Sienna felt this surge of confidence and daring. Abandoning her table, she casually strolled to the bar, dead set on that cool corner stool. She noticed a gentle-looking old man coming to the bar from the opposite direction. His smile exuded warmth, and a distinguished grey beard framed his face, adding to his benign and charming demeanour. A quick kiss on the cheek would be enough, but if that was not enough for her peers, she could kiss him on the lips. She was indifferent as long as the person was a stranger to her. She walked confidently to the bar, but before she could reach him, someone else cut in front of him and grabbed the seat. And to her shock, it was Kaemon Mace!
• Kaemon rose from his table, intending to make a swift detour to the loo. However, his plans were interrupted as a lively group of women cut off his path, eager to engage him in conversation and perhaps a little more. After that and a visit to the loo, all he wanted was a refreshing drink.
• As he navigated through the crowded bar, his eyes caught a glimpse of Sienna making her way to the bar counter. To his mild surprise, he noticed their female colleague giggling and exchanging excited glances, their attention clearly fixed on a particular corner stool at the bar.
• Swiftly recognizing an opportunity, Kaemon adjusted his course with a newfound determination. He quickened his pace, skilfully navigating through the crowd to reach the spot at the bar. With a swift move, he claimed the stool just as Sienna approached, leaving the watching colleagues momentarily disappointed or perhaps shocked. Kaemon, however, settled in with a satisfied smirk, relishing the small triumph.
• Aware of her friends' gaze fixed on her from across the bar, Sienna turned to meet their eyes. Shocked expressions adorned most faces, except for Mia, whose grin widened into laughter. It dawned on her that they were eagerly anticipating her completion of the dare. Meanwhile, Kaemon remained blissfully unaware of the unfolding situation.
• Caught at a crossroads, she weighed her options: either chicken out and risk losing respect or take the bold route of kissing him, stirring up a scandal. Embracing her rebellious nature, she chose the latter. Closing the gap, she approached Kaemon and gracefully leaned over the stool. Placing her hand on his shoulder, she whispered in his ear,
• “Hey, Kaemon. I have something for you.”
• Kaemon turned his head and gazed at her with astonishment and interest. He was about to speak when Sienna moved closer to his face, hoping he wouldn’t realize her plan until it was too late. But before her lips could meet his lips, he stopped her with his hand firmly yet gently holding her shoulder.
• “Sienna,” he said sharply, looking into her eyes with a command and such intensity that made her tremble.
• “What are you doing?” He questioned and she tried to act nonchalant even though her heart was racing. She didn’t even want to think about the rush of adrenaline. Sienna attempted to shake his hand off, but his grip stayed firm.
• “Nothing,” she fibbed. “I just wanted to say hi.” He squinted his eyes and smiled faintly.
• “Hi,” he said back.
• He didn’t pull away from her or let go of her shoulder. He kept gazing at her as if he could see through her thoughts. He seemed to know she was lying.