Chapter 11 Surprise


    Matthew leaned close to ire''s ear; his


    is voice barely audible over the pounding music of the nightclub.


    "Come on ire enjoy it! You used to do this every week!"


    ire nced around, taking in the vibrant chaos of the club. The thumping beats, the swirling lights, the people lost in the rhythm of the music-it was all so unfamiliar yet strangely familiar after three years of staying away from the club scene. As Matthew ordered shots of vodka, he teased ire, questioning her ability to handle the alcohol percentage. ire rolled her eyes yfully "Please, Matthew. I used to pour vodka in my coffee," she quipped, epting the ss


    They clinked their sses together and downed the contents in one go. ire felt the burn of the alcohol, but it was a wee sensation amidst the lively atmosphere.


    With a grin, ire shouted over the music, "So, what''s next?"


    Matthew motioned toward the dance floor.


    "Next step: have fun!" he shouted back.


    ire shook her head, feeling a bit self-conscious.


    "I don''t know, Matthew. It''s been a while..


    "Watch me...


    Matthew sliding onto the dance floor, showing off his entric moves. ire couldn''t help butugh at his antics, her hesitation melting away,


    As the song ended, Matthew struck a dramatic pose, prompting ire to p and cheer. "You''ve still got it, Matthew!" she eximed, still chuckling.


    They decided to have another round of shots, and ire raised her ss in a toast.


    "To us!"


    Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted them.


    "ire?"


    ire turned, stunned to see Talia standing there.


    They hugged tightly.


    "Oh my God! 1 didn''t expect to see you today! Last night we just called" said Talia excitedly.


    "I know. I guess the universe wanted us to see each other."


    "You look stunning, ire."


    ire waved her hand in dismissal.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    "Thank you, but I just got out of work, and I think this is not a best outfit to go out


    "Sometimes it is not the outfit, but the person who wears it."


    out clubbing."


    Matthew raised an eyebrow, intrigued.


    *So, Talia, you''re ire''s best friend?"


    ire nodded, smiling at the unexpected reunion.


    "Yes, Matthew, Talia, meet my dear friend."


    Talia grinned, extending her hand to Matthew. "Nice to finally meet the legendary Matthew, ire talks about." Matthew chuckled, shaking Talia''s hand. "Likewise, Talia. Looks like tonight just got even more interesting." shot for the three of them and they downed the content swiftly.


    Mattheword hers


    "Okay, we have to dance and let the alcohol do the work "Ta yelled to ire over the loud, pumping music,


    With Talia by her side, she found herself easing into the rhythm of the music, even dating to venture onto the dance floor.


    The pulsating beat and perhaps a bit of alcohol had loosened ire''s inhibitions. Talia leaned in close, shouting over the music, "Hey, ire, how are you treling?"


    ire shed a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with newfound confidence. "I''m doing okay, Talia Just taking it all in, you know!


    Ta nodded, her own smile mirroring ire''s "I''m d about the unexpected reunion. It''s been a while since we have seen each other."


    As they danced, their conversation flowed effortlessly from one topic to another,


    As they made their way back to the bar, Matthew, ire''s longtime friend, observed from a distance with a smile of relief.


    She had been through so much and seeing her enjoying herself again brought him immense joy.


    Talia and ire head back to the bar after their dance session.


    Matthew handing them their drinks. "Cheers to a great night," he said, clinking his ss with theirs


    ire raised her ss, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thanks, Matthew. I needed this."


    Matthew chuckled, a protective glint in his eyes as he looked at ire, "Anytime, ire. You know I''ve always got your back"


    As the night progressed, Talia noticed a guy checking ire out from across the room. She nudged ire gently and tilted her head in the guy''s direction, signaling her observation. ire rolled her eyes yfully, shaking her head. "Oh please, Talia. I''m not here to find a date."


    Taliaughed, understanding ire''s stance. "I know, I know. Just making sure you''re aware of your admirers. And for future


    reference. "


    Talia winked at ire teasingly which she shook her head in disbelief but still smile at the situation.


    ire sipped her drink, her gaze sweeping across the dance floor.


    "You know, why don''t you two go and dance and get to lonow each other."


    ire didn''t wait for them to reply as she pushed Matthew and Talia to the dance floor.


    She giggled seeing how awkward they are especially with the slow song ying at the background,


    It had been a long and challenging night for Alex as he made his way to his usual club. His mind was preupied with the troubles at his hotel in New York, which had demanded his attention.


    Reluctantly, he had sent Christian to handle the urgent matters back in the Big Apple, knowing he couldn''t be in two ces at once.


    Earlier, Lisa had insisted that he go straight home, and Alex had promised her he would. However, finding himself not quite in the mood to face the reality of his personal life, he veered towards the club instead.


    As he ascended to the VIP lounge upstairs, Alex surveyed the lively scene below. People danced andughed, their cares seemingly forgotten in the music and lights.


    "Doesn''t they have problem in their lives?"


    then, his attention was abruptly captured by a familiar face amidst the crowd.


    ire.


    Alex''s brow furrowed in confusion.


    What was ire doing here, in a club of all ces? It certainly wasn''t her usual style.


    Alex watched ire''s every move like an eagle tracking its prey, nursing a ss of whiskey as he observed her interactions below. His gaze intensified as he noticed one man and a woman pulling ire from her seat, coaxing her onto the dance floor. He couldn''t help but feel a surge of irritation as he watched herugh and move to the music.


    Why did seeing her happy bother him so much? It made no sense, yet Alex couldn''t shake the feeling of annoyance gnawing at him. "she sh


    shouldn''t be here. She should be at home crying her heart out from our divorced."


    As Alex made his way downstairs, frustration gnawed at him. He had been waiting for the right moment, and when ire headed to the bathroom, he saw his chance.


    ire''s face was flushed with excitement and a hint of tipsiness as she stared at herself in the mirror. This was the ire he knew, her real sell


    With the help of Matthew and Ta, she seemed content to embrace her old lifestyle once again.


    As ire exited the bathroom, her thoughts consumed by her newfound freedom, a rough hand grabbed her arm, startling her. She looked up and was shocked to see the person standing in front of her. This is not what ire had in mind to end her day.


    The universe surely has its way to surprise her even when she vowed to never see him again.


    His tone filled with satisfaction.


    "Surprise?"