Chapter 32: Chapter 32
“Out of bounds. Hands off, Kai! She’s already my girlfriend, not just a date you can try and poach.” YuZhi pressed a pointer finger into the man’s forehead in a playful manner and pushed him away with a little force, grinning as though they were friends, and this was all in jest but there was an undercurrent of seriousness. TangShi was relieved at being rescued, but uneasy that YuZhi’s aura seemed to be turning a little hostile as she leaned against his chest, holding her breath at the sudden proximity of his body jammed into her spine, while his hand was keeping her against him.
“Hey, you know I’m only kidding, Yoonie! Just playing with your pretty little thing.” The man laughed and swiped up a beer to hold up and clink against YuZhi’s as a sign of apology. Seemingly unbothered by the change in mood and playing it off.
“TangShi, avoid people like Mr. Yang. You never know where he’s been.” YuZhi leaned down so his nose was level with her ear and said it loudly enough so everyone could hear.
“I second that. Come sit, we are waiting to introduce my bestie to everyone properly. YuZhi you are so useless. Come over here you two.” Rhea’s bright and bubbly voice cut through the noise of the busy bumping nightclub and YuZhi lassoed TangShi around the shoulders with a protective arm, releasing his current hold, guiding her to the seats Rhea vacant at the other side of the table with Rhea. It was almost a natural manoeuvre, but it made TangShi’s heart stop for a second as she was nestled in against him and pulled forward this way. She had never had any man hold her like this and she felt small and vulnerable.
TangShi had been well prepped about how tonight would go. That YuZhi would play the part of smitten date and convince everyone present they were falling in love. That meant he would make a point of touching her, cuddling up and making it clear they were already an item. She had to act adoring, play nice with this mix of friends, and be aware of people taking pictures. With the recent YuZhi and Rhea news, many bystanders would be quick to upload candid shots to social media of these well-known faces. This was why Rhea chose this club, and this group of friends to make their relationships public, without actually doing so.
YuZhi pushed her in first so she would be seated next to Rhea, never letting go of her fully as his hand slid from around her to rest on her shoulder and he followed her to sit down, sliding in, moving close, and placing his arm behind her across the back of the seat to cage her in when they were seated. TangShi squirmed a little. Aware her heart rate was haywire; her skin was abnormally warm and she was ultra-sensitive of every single touch and brushing of YuZhi’s arm against her. She was having trouble remaining calm and normal while her insides were a fluttering mess of nerves.
“What do you want to drink?” He leaned in, his nose brushing her cheek as he asked in her ear directly. His voice low and husky, and less tight a tone than when they arrived. Making it seem like he was looking for any opportunity to touch his date and get intimate.
“I don’t really drink so I don’t know. I’ve never been to a club before.” TangShi whispered back, trying not to get in his face as much as he did her and blushed at how pathetic she seemed admitting that to him.
“Really?” He asked wryly, wrinkling up his forehead in disbelief.
“Really! Why would I lie? I Don’t really go out like this, to clubs, or go drinking.” She leaned back to lock him dead in the eye and tried to ignore the doubt in his expression.
“Sex on the beach, then?” He winked at her, testing to see if she knew this cocktail and then broke into a smile when she gawped at him with utter shock. Her change in manner and an expression she couldn’t fake told him she had no idea what it was.
“What?” Is the only thing she could say. Her face reddening with the heat of embarrassment at thinking he was suggesting something crude.
“Maybe you’re not lying then. Okay, allow me.” YuZhi smirked, lifted his hand and clicked his fingers towards a passing waiter to get him over. Leaning back over the chair he issued a drink order before coming back to slide his arm down from the seat and around her shoulder instead, pulling her close against him so his mouth was almost pressed to her ear and her heart exploded at how intimate this seemed. Aware of Rhea right next to him them who was acting like this didn’t bother her at all and feeling weird and uncomfy at this whole thing.
“Don’t worry, it’s soda. I can’t have you getting wasted on the bare minimal and making an idiot out of me. If you don’t drink, I can assume you have zero tolerance, so I am best keeping you sober.”
“Thank You.” She sighed in relief, for once meaning it, and pulled away from him guiltily to get her breathing space back. Turning to her saviour beside her and instead focused on her and not at how much YuZhi was moving into this touchy-feely role that was doing strange things to her emotions.
“You look really pretty tonight.” She nodded at Rhea’s dark red dress, that clung to her like a second skin in all the right places while not actually revealing too much. She really did have great taste and knew what suited her the best. It was classy and yet seductive, while being modest. Rhea turned and threw her arms around her in an exaggerated fashion, giving her a hug that took TangShi by surprise. Almost like she was glad that TangShi separated herself form YuZhi’s cuddle.
Rhea already smelled strongly of alcohol, and she could tell when held like this, the woman was a little drunk and swaying. They had arrived here an hour before her and YuZhi did, and it was clear they wasted no time in drinking. TangShi hugged her back and then tried to relax when Rhea kept one arm around her, shoving YuZhi’s away like an annoyed child and pulled her up tight beside her to stay like that. It felt territorial like she was giving YuZhi a clear message.
TangShi didn’t know if this was a jealous reaction and making YuZhi let go, or if this was all for show of painting them as the closest friends and that she fully supported YuZhi’s relationship but didn’t want him stealing her away. TangShi was not one to play games or act up scenarios like this and she was a little out of her depth when trying to read the meanings.
Soon her drink was brought to her and YuZhi handed it over, amused with the way Rhea was all over her and keeping guard as she stuck to her like glue. He turned away as ZhengLi moved to be beside him and the pair fell into conversation easily. Leaving TangShi to look towards Rhea and listen in as she talked animatedly to the other woman around them. It wasn’t exactly a relaxing and fun place to be, but it wasn’t unbearable either and for once YuZhi was not being his usual nasty jack ass self.
“So you two, really are over and this is all …fine?” One particularly pointed faced woman opposite them was motioning towards TangShi and then YuZhi with a doubtful expression and scrutinised Rhea’s response.
“Mmm Hmmm. We have been playing the couple game so long for fear of hurting each other and neither wanted to admit we no longer loved one another that way. Scared to lose our best friend. It was a huge relief to finally admit it and find we were both on the same page. We are friends, we love and care as friends but there’s no romance anymore. I think we just should have stayed as friends all these years.” Rhea was a very good actress and played the role convincingly. Not a single fault in her prepared answer and TangShi felt sad for her that the lie could be so convincing.
“And so, you introduced him to TangShi, or he met her through the collaboration?” The girl beside pointed face, smaller, prettier, but with a resting bitch face was the one throwing questions now and TangShi realised this was an interrogation thy had to pass. If they couldn’t convince this group of friends, they would never convince the public. TangShi had been well versed in responses to and wade din hoping to help.
“We met first, at the fashion show venue. Rhea saw me looking lost and came over and introduced herself.” TangShi put everything into acting natural.
“That’s right. Her father gave her the job of scoping out the day one of rehearsals. We clicked as soon as we met, and I just had to let YuZhi meet her once we grew closer. She’s my darling, sweet angel. This girl has brought so much joy to my life, and I didn’t want to be greedy and not share her with my favourite person in the world.” Rhea slid an arm around her and gave her a squeeze for added effect, beaming at her like an adoring mother. No hint of malice or jealousy.