Vengence's Odyssey

Chapter five

Christian hoped it was a bad joke, but she didn't seem eager to laugh it out anytime soon, she even looked a little nervous, biting her bottom lip and her gaze a little uncertain. 

Bafflement was clearly on Christian's face as Alice struggled to explain what she meant. "It's...not a real boyfriend Christian, I mean, I need your help." She said quickly, hoping to calm Christian who looked too shocked to function. 

  "Look, I don't mean a real boyfriend, it's gonna be a faux, I just couldn't think of someone else that would be better for this than you, and I thought I could finally take that debt you said you owed me," she stated with a shrug and Christian nodded. 

  "My father thinks I just attend his fundraiser night, I don't know why he lets them drag him to these fancy fake things but...he insisted I must come too. There's a man I'm trying to avoid and...I want you to come with me, just to make me have a plus one, maybe he'll back off once he sees I'm not alone." She explained calmly and Christian nodded, this time with a relieved sigh. 

  Alice frowned at him, apparently he seemed quite comfortable the moment she explained that it was merely for show. "So, you think there's something wrong if you're my boyfriend for real?" She asked, her plump painted lips in a cute pout. 

  Christian shook his head, fumbled with words to explain to her and not hurt her, but Alice soon burst out laughing and made him know she was merely pulling his legs. "I know you're married, Christian, how could I possibly want to be your girlfriend?" She asked and smiled at him kindly. 

  "Well, I'm not so married anymore. I just signed the divorce papers with Stephanie, we're officially no longer together." He said and Alice's face fell, her eyes wide. 

   "That's a lot in such a short time, your grandma, your wife? How?" She asked and Christian simply shrugged like it didn't matter. "Irreconcilable differences I guess," he replied. 

  "When did this happen?" She asked and he responded, "Few hours ago, with a straight face." 

   "You divorced a few hours ago?" She asked and Christian nodded, his reaction a little too calm for her liking. She almost couldn't believe him but then she knew Christian was not one for frivolities and dry jokes. 

  "I'm so sorry, I guess I have the worst timing in the world." She said but Christian assured her it was fine, he would be glad to help and have that debt settled. 

  "We're meeting the best in the city, Christian, I need to go shopping and so do you, don't worry, I have a place in mind." She whispered to him in a mischievous tone and winked, then instructed the driver to head to a designer's boutique a few blocks away. 

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   Dressed in a tuxedo and a finely tailored trouser, Christian got out of the Rolls Royce parked in front of the bright lit club house. It was an exclusive club and the luxury cars that parked stretched out into the pavement. Christian walked in  hand in hand with Alice who was dressed in a silver sequined dress, her heels strapped up to her calf, she held a silver purse and her hair was pinned up in a chignon. She looked beautiful and Christian looked his best. 

   "You're not relaxed." Alice noted as they crossed the double door of the club and the bright chandelier light shone on them, making her dress glitter. 

   Christian did not reply, he merely looked down at her palm which was holding his arm lovingly, "Oh, that's for show remember, we have to play romantic, right. It's best to start now." She answered his unspoken question and winked as she held him and took him to the VVIP section which was at the left of the party. "If we want everyone to believe we're together, then we have to act it right." She emphasized and smirked at him, swaying her hips exaggeratedly.   

   Soft music filtered through the club and bodies gyrated, mingling and interacting. Alice was greeted by many as she walked by, saying hellos and introducing Christian to whomever asked.  Then she spotted her friend, Emily as she sashayed towards her, her face wearing a small frown. 

   "Hey, Emily." She said as they hugged, "This is Christian, we're together." She stated and Emily rolled her eyes, pretending not to hear her nor did she take the handshake that Christian offered. 

   "Can I talk to you?" She asked and stepped aside, "Alone." She added as Alice pulled Christian along. 

  "Everyone has been waiting for you, I think Harry has a huge announcement, he wants you to be his girlfriend, officially." Emily said and casted a mean look at Christian, "Why did you bring him here anyways?" She asked, her glare evident. 

  "I was trying to avoid Harry,didn't know he'd want to ask me anything, not tonight." Alice said, a little panicked. She knew how irrational Harry was capable of acting, she did not want Christian to get caught up in his drama or get hurt in the process. 

   "This was the worst idea ever, Harry is here and he told me to get you, he's been looking for you and he has a surprise set up, he wants to ask you out, Alice, you can't ruin that." Emily said. 

  Alice did not get the fuss, she'd never been into the man, but then she wanted to make sure Christian  wasn't tangled in that drama. "Give me a minute." She said and hurried to Christian who was by the champagne fountain, a glass in hand. 

  "Hey, Christian, I think it's best if you leave." She said, a sheepish look on her face, her eyes scanning the crowd, hoping she didn't find Harry yet. 

   "Why? What's wrong?" Christian asked, concerned over her sudden fidgeting.  

  "I think...look, I think it's best if you just leave, I didn't really plan tonight to go this way and I'll...I'll call you and tell you everything later, I promise." She said and tugged him towards the exit, hoping he'd just leave and quit asking her for specifics. 

   "Alice," came the husky voice from behind her and she jerked, she was apparently not quick enough. "Why don't you introduce me to your new friend." The tone was most unfriendly and she swore under her breath