CHAPTER 25
Though because of the different lights from the disco ball, she still recognized the person that got his back at her and was talking to Ade. Even at the distance, his figure was noticeable. She withdrew her gaze and focused on creating a tempo on the drums. She was gritting her teeth from the rush of feelings.
Then after a few minutes, she did some fast runs, twirled a stick, and tossed it in the air like she did earlier. As she caught it smoothly, she dropped the last beat and stood up. People gave her a round of applause. She bowed at them and put the sticks on the table behind her. She picked up the glass and swallowed the remaining contents.
She stepped down from the platform with the empty glass at hand. She went in Ade's direction. Her friend was waiting along with the newcomer. As she stopped in front of them, the guy offered her a shot. Though she doesn't know what it contained, she accepted it and gulped it down before placing it on the countertop. The strong liquid tasted different. She bet it was vodka mixed with something else. She looked up at him.
"In all the clubs, why here?" She asked.
"Heard there's a chic behind the drums. So, it's you." He casually answered as he moved the brandy glass he was holding in a circular motion, shaking its contents.
"Are you disappointed that it's me?" She knew that he already had the idea because they sometimes saw each other at the bar, and he was even watching her perform.
"Yes, because I can't bang that chic." He raised his glass to his lips and gulped its liquid.
She scrunched her nose. "Eww, Primo." Then she stepped beside him to occupy the vacant seat between him and Ade.
The guy laughed and faced her. He put his elbow on the counter and gave the empty glass to the bartender. He ordered something before returning his attention back to her.
"You won't be saying that if it's Max." He instantly gulped the drink the bartender gave him.
Her mouth fell open from what he said. Ade at her right side almost choked on what she was drinking. She coughed and cleared her throat.
Ade hid her smile by continuing to drink her order.
Aurora changed her expression to being passive. "Cuba Libre, please." She stated to the bartender. "What's it got to do with your brother?" She asked the man to her left. He then sat up on the stool beside her.
He looked at her with a sarcastic smile. She raised a brow at him. She was waiting for his reply, but instead, he averted his gaze as he shook his head. "Kids." He said under his breath and swallowed another drink.
Her forehead knotted as she glared at him. She felt Ade elbow her, so she turned her attention to her right. She glared at her friend as well. But Ade gave her a sheepish smile.
The man to her left was none other than Primodeus D'Arco. Half-brother of Max. He was two years older than him. That meant he was five years older than Aurora.
While Max was the typical boy next door, this man beside her was the professional delinquent, the resident bad boy in a group. He was trouble, just by the looks of him. He had slightly wavy red hair that had clearly been tousled a couple of times, deep-set sea-green eyes, a strong Greek nose, thin lips, a prominent jawline, high cheekbones, and a white complexion. His Irish Celtic features were giving him the dangerous vibes along with his troubling personality.
Primo was the kind of danger most couldn't resist being involved with. His face alone was worth the risk, as those idiots thought. That was what all the girls did, except her. Even Ade was caught in his deadly charms.
Though her friend was silent beside her, she knew that she couldn't stop smiling and was unable to talk. That was how Ade was if Primo was around, especially in close proximity. She was speechless from how starstruck she was by the man. Later in the car, she knew that she wouldn't stop boggling her with comments about Primo.
The redhead beside her stood at 6'3, an inch taller than Max. He was half Italian and half Irish or whatever. That was all she knew about him.
"How's life there on the campus? Any progression with Max?" He asked after some time.
She swallowed what she was eating first before she answered. "Don't talk to me. You're not my type." Just one more word about Max…
He glanced at her with an amused look. "I know. That's why I'm just talking to you." He emphasized. Clearly, those words had a lot of threats behind them. He stared at her directly, and she didn't back down. "Besides, you can't handle me anyway." He gave her a taunting smile. "Max suits you better."
She had enough. She stole the brandy glass from his hand and drank the alcohol before she stood up. "I'll go upstage." She turned to Ade and left the two on their seats.
Why do people always mention Max now? In the mansion and even to the club.
She approached Omar's group, who was setting up the stage for the live band. It was about to start, and she was the drummer for the first set of the night.
Primo was shaking his head from Aurora's reaction. He liked teasing her. Especially that she wasn't affected by him. She was such a fine lady. He considered her off-limits because of the relationship between their families. She was like his younger sister every time they roasted each other. They were in a platonic relationship.
He whirled the seat to face the stage as the first song started. His attention was focused on the drummer. Seeing the look in her face while being in her world, she looked ecstatic. And he dared to say that she was a one damn chic. He'd admit, he was interested with her. But she wasn't for him, obviously. He knew that damn well.
An hour went by. The first set was done and Aurora wouldn't be playing anymore. She approached Ade while she was wiping the sweat from her face and neck. "Where's the red-head?" she asked when she didn't see him around.
"He left just now." Ade answered while munching something. She saw what it was and picked some using the unused fork at the side of the tray. She sat at the stool beside her.
"Margarita, please." She said to the guy in front of them.
Ade's face winced at her. "Aren't you done drinking?"
Aurora looked at the orange juice in front of Ade. "I'm not the one driving." She replied. "And one more thing, I wasn't really affected because I'm burning it out of my body." Sweating would make the alcohol's effect drain out from the system. That was why she like drinking while performing.
Ade shrugged her shoulders. She was right though. She already had a couple of drinks. "Your alcohol tolerance would skyrocket for that." She commented.
Aurora snorted. "Isn't that great then? I can last longer in parties. At least I can manage my alcohol then. Unlike most girls. Why don't you try it?" She smiled at her.
"My tolerance would be over the roof as well if only I wasn't the one who always drive whenever we go out. But I don't mind. As long as you enjoy what you're doing. It's the least o can do to help relieve your stress."
Aurora grinned at what her friend said. She took a deep breath and started to share what was bothering her.