C9 Chapter 8

After her performance, Stacey nodded at Tyler as a signal for him to wait for her. She will just change in the dressing room. She doesn't feel comfortable with what she has on so she wants to be out of them quickly. Tyler smiled back then nodded too.

Nick is sitting with Billy on a table at the farther side of the room which is partly hidden from Stacey's view. He saw the exchange.

He clenched his fists.

"Dang man! That number is so hooot! Wheewww!" Billy said as he pretends to wipe sweat from his brow.

"But mate, I can't stay long. I just dropped by to make sure that Jim wasn't pulling my leg when he said that Miss June performs here regularly. Too bad he can't be here." Billy added with a shake of his head from left to right.

"Stop calling her that!" Nick said through gritted teeth.

Billy's forehead creased a little. He thought that Nick isn't interested in Stacey but he is puzzled why his friend is acting a bit strange.

He just shrugged his shoulders after several seconds. He can't blame his friend if he probably had a change of heart. Stacey is oozing with sex appeal.

"Tell your brother I want to talk to him tomorrow, first thing in the morning ." Nick said before gulping his scotch on the rocks.

Billy just nodded with a heavier frown but he chose not to ask Nick why. The latter seems to be in a foul mood .

"I have to go. Are you staying?" he asked Nick.

The latter just murmured a yes with a chilly tone as he looks at the man Stacey nodded at.

Billy just scratched his head before saying goodbye again. Something must be bugging Mr. Hot Millionaire. He is really behaving weirdly.

***

Stacey came out wearing a pair of low-waist faded jeans and a purple half- sleeve body fit top . She tied her hair in a high pony tail. She just applied lip gloss on her full lips and left her face bare of make-up.

"Stacey!" called Tyler before pulling a chair for her.

"Thanks. I didn't think you were serious about coming tonight. " she said with a small smile.

He grinned. "I won't miss this for anything. You were breathtaking!"

"Thank you." she said shyly.

"Can I talk to Stacey for a minute dude?" Blake asked as he looked at Tyler. They didn't see him coming.

Her former boss' brows creased slightly but he just nodded.

She is also wondering why Blake wants to talk to her. She had no choice but to stand up from her chair when he took her hand.

He led her to the wall near the bar.

"Miss Hotness, your friend or not, you can't talk to any customer while the others are looking." He whispered to her. He has to lower his head and she has to raised her face a little as he towers above her.

"I just wanted to thank him for being here." She said with a frown. She is slightly light-headed. She had two shots of vodka before their number as advised by Eve. She needs a little alcohol to calm her nerves before her performance.

Blake shook his head and lightly touched her left cheek.

"Cause the customers can't have a chit-chat with the vocalist . If we allow that, every male in this room would want to be close to you. They might take advantage. All these men who watch you sing and dance sexily have the hots for you. I don't want things to be out of hand though I can easily break their necks if they touch you or talk to you in any way that will make you really uncomfortable. I want to protect you. Eve will kill me if I won't take care of you." He joked.

She sighed. He has a point. She knows that he is just after her welfare. "Okay. Sorry. I won't do it again." she said.

"You can't go back to his table . Is there anything you want to tell him? I could relay it to him. "

"Can't I even say goodbye properly to him?" she asked.

"No. The other customers are looking at us. You can't do that. And maybe we have to put on an act." he suggested as he looked around the bar.

"Put on an act? What do you mean?"

"Let's pretend that you are my woman so the others won't think that's it's okay for you to mingle. I want them to think that I didn't like you talking to that man that's why I immediately took you away from him. But since my girlfriend is so gorgeous, it's okay for them to look but they can't touch you or be near you. I will smack them. " Blake said as he stares at her. His eyes are twinkling with amusement.

She pouted."Do we really need to do that?"

He touched her chin and tilted it. Stacey knows that their act is about to start. She prepared herself. The little alcohol she had made her less shy of him.

"I am harmless Ms.Hotness. But I will enjoy pretending to be your boyfriend. Just don't fall for me, okay?" he joked while he has a naughty smile on his lips.

She almost giggled.

She knows that he's right. She knows that Blake loves his real girlfriend and their son. She should not forget that.

Blake may be committed already but she can't hide the fact that he is oozing with sex appeal. It's just so unfortunate that they can't be a couple now. If he were still single and wooed her again, there is a big chance that she will consider being his woman . She likes his types now. Very good-looking bad boys. She finds them attractive. Then a tall man with a stubble flashed in her mind . She blinked her eyes twice to erase the images of Mr. Grouchy.

She touched his cheek. "Okay..you're the boss." she said huskily.

She stifled a laugh when she saw his mouth slightly opened. She had never touched any part of his body before. He is pleasantly surprised.

" As you said, this is all an act. I don't want you falling for me again." She teased with a sexy smile.

They both know that they are just friends now and it should stay that way.

***

(Nick)

He cursed under his breath because he can see everything that is happening . Now the gold digger is openly flirting with the man with tattoo.He has a strong desire to punch his face. He is a little taller than the bastard. And though, like him, the other man is muscular too, he is confident that he can beat him up. He has a black belt in karate.

He is more pissed now with Stacey. She was openly flirting with another man awhile ago right under her boyfriend's nose.

You are a slut! Women like you need to be taught a lesson! He furiously thought before he stood up angrily.

***

(Stacey)

Blake didn't let her leave the dressing room again so Tyler had no choice but to go. She told Eve's cousin that she wants to go home already but he said that she should stay for a while because her former boss just left the bar. Her approaching Tyler's table half an hour ago caused quite a stir among the other male customers.

She just messaged him and told him that they can talk some other time. She explained the situation through text. Tyler called her to tell her that he will wait for her outside to take her home but she said no. She told him that she brought her car.

She sighed after hanging up.

How long will I need to stay here? She mumbled to herself as she looks at her reflection in the mirror.

She just wants to sleep on her comfortable bed. Then with another sigh, she slid her phone inside her pocket. She put on her light black hoodie.

She carefully opened the door and looked outside.

The corridor is clear. She took her bag before turning off the lights. Eve left half an hour ago because she has a date with Lance. She saw Blake talking to some customers. The others are busy watching an all male band perform.

She hid her face in her jacket's hood before walking quickly to go outside.

Luckily, no one saw her leave. She felt relieved when she was finally out the door. Her car is parked at the far end of the parking space. There was no one around and it was a bit creepy. She got her phone and texted Blake as she walks fast. After sending her message that she is going home already, she slid her cellphone in her hoodie's pocket and walked even faster. It's a bit dark where her car is parked. She almost ran to reach it quickly.

She opened her car's door when suddenly someone grabbed her from behind and she felt something like a piece of cloth covered her mouth and nose. She did her best to struggle but after several seconds, she felt dizzy.

***

She woke up.

She feels a soft bed on her back. The room has a very cool and comfortable temperature which made her drowsy again. Then she remembered what happened. She was about to get in her car when someone grabbed her.

She opened her eyes but she couldn't see anything. She gasped.

Then she realized that she has a blindfold on and she can't move her arms and legs because someone tied her up on the bed. She was suddenly filled with fear and her heart started to pound.

Who did this to her and why?

"HELP!!" she cried as she tried to free herself.