Chapter 42: Chapter 42

RUBY.

"Ruby, nice to see you again! OMG, we are twinning." Yasmin said with a laugh, bending to peck the sides of my face in greeting. Toby had risen to greet her but I hardly noticed.

"Nice to see you too." I managed to say that even though seeing her was more of a nightmare than something nice. She sat down beside Toby and me, the woman beside her complimented her saying," that dress looks so good on you," and I took It as her throwing shade at how the dress looked on me.

"Waiter," I said signalling the waiters that were going about serving drinks, "I would like the whole bottle," I said after he offered me a glass of wine. I ignored the judging eyes of people looking at me like an alcoholic and downed a glass of wine.

I was halfway through another glass of wine when Sapphire approached our table. I jumped up, almost spilling my glass, rushing to meet her halfway.

"I didn't know you'd be here," I said as I embraced her in a hug and peppered kisses all over her kiss.

"You look amazing." She said.

"You should see Yasmin." I scoffed.

"Huh? What happened to Yasmin?" She asked.

"Duh, she looks better than me."

"You seem drunk." She laughed.

"I'm not drunk, not yet at least. Why don't we head to the bar and take some shots to hurry the process along." I rambled.

"Why are you trying to get drunk?" She asked.

"My life is a joke," I whispered dramatically.

"What happened?" She asked worriedly by this time she had pulled me aside to a corner of the room towards the back away from prying eyes.

"My original dress got stained but luckily they got me this little thing. I was looking good in it or so I thought and I even got a few compliments but then Yasmin showed up wearing the same dress and looking better in it." I narrated.

"Calm down sis, it's not the end of the world. I haven't seen Yasmin but with how good you're looking I know you're wearing it better." She encouraged.

"You're only trying to encourage me." I sighed, "but what I need right now is a drink."

"Okay, why don't you head over to the bar and get your drink while I go say hi to Toby, I'll join you in a few."

I give her a nod and skip over to the bar. "Three shots please," I said to the sexy bartender. "You look fine this evening, don't you?" I added with a wink as he lined up three shot glasses and poured my drink with finesse.

"What's got a pretty lady like you drinking alone? If I was your man I'd keep you close when you look this fine." He answered slipping into a flirty role he played several times a night.

"Smooth," I said and then drowned a shot. "Refill please," I said right after I get over the burning sensation in my throat and chest.

"I like a woman who can handle her liquor." He said with a clap and poured me another set of drinks.

As I was about to take another shot when Sapphire joined me and snapped it off my hands.

"That's mine," I whined. She downed my shot and slapped the glass on the counter. She stuck her tongue out at me reminding me of when she would snatch my things from me as a child. She used to love my toys, clothes, anything that was mine and it used to annoy me so much until we became not just step sisters but best friends and then it became endearing. I always pretended to hate it but I never minded sharing things with her.

"I can't believe you're worried about how you look. You're rocking that dress ten times better than she is." Sapphire said and I answered with a scoff.

"Aiden!" I shouted excitedly when I spotted his fine self strolling into the hall. He could be seen turning from side to side searching for where the sound of his name emanated from. A few moments later his eyes found me bouncing up and down on a bar stool, waving excitedly at him and his eyes lit up.

"You look amazing, Ruby." He said.

"Thank you," I slurred blushing hard.

"Hi Aiden," Sapphire said popping her head between us.

"Hey Sapphire, you guys are drunk." He laughed.

"No, I only had one glass of wine and," I giggled " just one shot."

"You are drunk, we need to get you some water."

"No water." Sapphire and I said in unison.

"Okay," he said and raised his hands in defeat.

"Let's dance," I said and pulled Sapphire and Aiden to the dance floor. Sapphire and I were at a point where we were sober enough to move almost normally but drunk enough to not care about drawing attention to ourselves. A bad recipe for the dance floor, we dance with no inhibitions, Aiden in our middle feeling awkward at the attention we were giving him. A sensual song came on and I turned my back towards Aidens front and grind him slowly. I felt someone's eyes on us and searched to find Toby staring daggers at us. I sent him a wink and continued to dance.

"I need to pee," I announced and grabbed Sapphire, running off in search of the lady's room.

"Wait!" I heard Aiden yell after me but we either ran surprisingly fast for two tipsy people or he didn't bother chasing us.

We rushed into the lady's room giggling, I rushed into the stall and quickly relieved myself. I was washing my hands, splashing water and giggling with Sapphire when Yasmin walked in.

"You're behind this right?" I said, turning to face her, pointing at our dresses.

"Of course I am, now it's obvious to everyone who looks better on Toby's arm."

"Yeah, we do and it's not you." Sapphire retorted.

I rushed toward her pulling at the neckline of her dress but Sapphire quickly restrained me, holding me to her body with a strong hold I didn't know that she possessed.

"Let me go, let me teach her a lesson," I repeated.

"It's not worth it," Sapphire said but I wasn't having any of It. I kept struggling against her trying to get at Yasmin.

"Looks like the fat girl wants to get beaten." Yasmin taunted.

"Let go of me, let's see who gets beaten," I shouted.

I broke free from Sapphire, shoved Yasmin aside, marched out of the restroom and did the first thing that came to my drunk mind.