Chapter One

The golden arrows on the dark brown old clock in the cream colored office seemed to mock her. She had been staring at them for over ten minutes and it felt like they had not changed a bit. She started to look around the office for something else to distract her. The only none expensive thing in this office was the dark mahogany desk she had had shipped in six months ago after the old one had completely broken under weight of heavy files. She turned to the right and saw the blue crystal ball she had gotten him a long time ago. It made the room a little more lively.

The boss was taking forever to read through the proposals from the catering companies who had submitted their tenders a week ago. She was trying so hard to keep her foot from fidgetting.  It was a Friday for heaven's sake! She wanted to let loose tonight. Her best friend  and roommate Ella would probably be out with her on and off boyfriend Brett. The pig nosed loud and annoying Brett. She disliked that guy for some five reasons. One; he did not deserve Ella. Two; he was always taking advantage of Ella's kind heart. Three; he was a slob. Four; he smelled like glue and five he was Brett. 

She glanced at the old clock again and saw that it was almost over twenty minutes. She could not stop the tapping of her foot this time. 

"Robyn, do you have somewhere to be?"

"Ummm....actually Sir..."

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Sir when we're alone?"

"Well Sir.... I mean Uncle Peter, today is Friday and it's almost half past four and you've been reading that tender for the past  half hour..."

"Oh Friday, then why are you still here?!"

" I can't leave you alone here. We know what happens when I do...."

" That was one time..."

"One time? That was more than one and I do not want to find you here passed out from exhaustion again Uncle!"

He looked at her with a smile plastered on his face.

" You're a wonderful young lady you know..."

" Don't even go there."

Uncle Peter chuckled at her.

" You know what, let's go now. I promised your Aunt I'm taking her out for dinner. You need to let loose.Maybe you will stop abusing that poor guy Br..." 

"Do not mention his name!" She said putting on a scary face.

"You look like an angry kitten, Kitten." He said packing the papers in a folder and almost laughing.

"You might be my favorite uncle and all, but I will not hesitate to stop bringing you coffee.

He put his hand on his chest and faked shock. 

" You'd never..."

"Try me. Now let's go you old bull."

"I will drop you off the house."

"Thanks. By the way where are you taking Aunt for dinner?"

"Noah's."

"Of course you're."

****

She let herself into the apartment. Ella must have just gotten out of  the shower because the hallway smelled like  cherries. Ella peaked her head from the bedroom. 

"Robbie you're home!!!!"

Ella shouted running to hug her, dressed in an elegant peach knee length dress. She must have been going  on a date with that thing...

"Okay, enough hugging. Where are  you going?"

"Brett is taking me out to dinner. Maybe he will propose finally!"

"Ells, I love you I do, but I don't promise not to cut off his little friend in his pants. I do not like him."

"I know, but you promised  to get along with him."

"No, I said I would act civil. Anyway,that dress would go great with the nude heels you got last week."

"Really? Thanks. Where are you guys going tonight?" 

"We're meeting Beau at Neon, he is in the city."

"Ohh Beau your boo? You guys getting it on?" Ella said wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"Don't be dirty, it doesn't suit you. And we're just friends."

She walked off laughing. Yeah just friends.

"I'm out, say hello to Beau for me."

"Be home by ten young lady or else..."

She heard Ella laugh as she closed the door. She took a quick shower and served herself the chicken Ella had kept for her in the oven.

Around six she dressed in her tourquise jumpsuit that wrapped her amazingly exposing her not so big yet noticeable curves. She finished the look with her favorite leather jacket and black boots.

She looked herself in the mirror and realised she forgot her lipstick 'dark and stormy' in the purse she took to work. She applied it just as the doorbell rang through the apartment.

"I'm coming! She yelled!"

She opened the door and let Layla her other friend friend.

"Girl!!! You look hot!"

"So do you girl! You're going to get some tonight!"

"You too. Speaking of, Ella already out with Mr Blurrrr?"

"Yes. Man I can't stand that guy."

"I know. Let's go before Neon gets more crowded and Deba gives our spot to other people."

The made a little detour to a yogurt shop. Robyn liked having some yogurt before and after drinking. It was rather odd but she claimed it helped her hangovers to be bearable.

They got to Neon and  found a long line outside. Deba the bodyguard spotted them and called them upfront.

"Damn baby! I almost didn't recognize you! You stun!"

Robyn rolled her eyes smiling. They turned to go in and Deba whistled as Robyn gave him the finger and he laughed. 

The two women made their way through a mass of sweaty, drunk bodies to the upper floor where it was less crowded. They got to the bar and ordered a few shots and beers. Layla was asking the bartender about a nix she liked when someone blindfolded Robyn with their hands. She felt an odd warmth settle in her as she gasped and elbowed whoever was behind her.

Layla looked back shocked as the individual choked a little. Robyn turned and saw Beau clutching his stomach. 

"Oh my goodness Beau? Are you okay?"

"I'm good. Whoa! You have a mean elbow." He said to embracing her in a warm hug.

Layla could not hold in her laugh anymore.

"Serves you right for sneaking behind a woman in a club." She said lightly hugging his side.

"Oh shut it. You ladies look amazing! I must be ready to keep flies off you."

Robyn zoned out a little as they all laughed and took a good look at Beau, he looked even hotter now than before. She shook her head to stop her mind from going sideways. 

After a few more drinks they made their way to the dancefloor. At first it was fun till Robyn started feeling like a third wheel. She excused herself to go to the bathroom which the others seemed not to notice.

After she got back she saw Beau and Layla dancing in a rather intimate way and she turned away to the bar and ordered another shot. She debated herself on whether to keep being a third wheel or just leave before the voices in her head started whispering nasty things. 

She left without saying goodbye to the front of the club to hail a cab home. She was almost out when someone called out her name and grabbed her hand. It was Beau.

"Robbie, you're leaving?"

"Yeah, I have to get some rest. I'm going to the parade tomorrow with Ella."

"So you wouldn't say goodbye?"

"You looked rather busy and I didn't want to disturb." She said looking anywhere but  at him.

"Oh come on Robbie, wait here I will be back." He went back inside and came back a minute later with Layla in tow.

"You're leaving?"

"Yeah Lay, I sent you a message."

"Oh sorry I didn't see. Alright I will see you tomorrow at the parade then, little Debbie is in it so I'm her ride."

"Alright. You will be safe in there Lay right? I have to make sure she is okay."

"No it's okay, you guys have fun I will be fine. I will text you when I get home."

The grin on Layla's face was so adorable and prominent she wanted to smack her. She did not know where these thoughts were coming from so she smiled instead and hailed a cab waving at her friends as she got in.

She got into the the apartment and sighed. What a night! She noticed the light coming from Ella's room and heard sniffling.

Why was Ella home and crying? Who had died?

"Ells? What's wrong?"

She said opening the door wider and going in. Ella turned to her, eyes red and puffy as she flung herself to Robyn.

"Hey hey, it's okay Ells,I'm here."

Ella sobbed some more and Robyn knew she was going to have the jacket cleaned into the morning. It did not matter though, her best friend needed her. She was making the list of people she had to murder for making Ella cry like this. Brett at the top of course of he was responsible for these tears.

"Brett said we should take a break." Ella said between hiccups.

"He what?!"