Cherreads

Chapter 10 - The Proposition

Sandra walked up to the bar, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, each step a testament to her impatience. She leaned against the counter with an air of authority, fixing her eyes on the barman who was tending to a few other customers nearby. 

"Guinness for me and my friends," she ordered, her tone commanding. "Bring it over now. I'll pay you when you bring the drinks." 

The barman nodded quickly, too used to dealing with patrons who weren't afraid to voice their demands. As he moved to prepare the drinks, Sandra turned slightly, her gaze sweeping over the crowded nightclub. The music throbbed in the background, a bass-heavy beat pulsing through the air. But Sandra was focused on one thing—and one thing only—getting her drink and relaxing with her friends. 

However, as she turned, her eyes locked with someone standing near the entrance. James. She felt a slight twinge of irritation in her chest. His gaze was fixed on her, intense, unwavering. He was the last person she wanted to deal with tonight. 

Sandra stiffened, annoyed that he was still staring at her. She made to walk away, brushing past him without a word. But just as she took a few steps toward her friends, she felt a hand on her arm, gently but firmly stopping her. 

"Wait, Sandra," James said, his voice smooth, almost too calm for her liking. 

Sandra jerked her arm free, spinning to face him, her eyes blazing with frustration. "Get out of my way right now," she snapped, her voice laced with anger. 

James didn't budge. "Baby girl, calm down. You're always so angry. I just want us to be friends, that's all," he said, his words easy, almost playful. 

Sandra stared at him, her lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze filled with fury. She didn't say anything in response, just glared at him, her emotions a storm brewing beneath her cool exterior. She wasn't interested in hearing his excuses, his apologies, or his so-called attempts at friendship. 

She turned to walk away again, but before she could take another step, James moved in front of her, blocking her path once again. "Leave my way right now," she said, her anger mounting. 

This time, Sandra didn't even wait for him to respond. With a swift push, she shoved him aside, not caring how forceful it was. James stumbled back slightly, his eyes narrowing with something between amusement and irritation. Sandra didn't give him another glance as she marched back to her seat, her heels clicking decisively with each step. 

She plopped down beside her friends, Amara and Celin, who were both looking at her with raised eyebrows. Sandra's face was set in a deep frown, the anger still bubbling just beneath the surface. 

"Babe, why do you look so angry?" Celin asked, her voice filled with genuine concern, though she couldn't help the teasing tone that slipped in. 

Sandra didn't answer immediately, her fingers drumming impatiently on the table. Amara glanced at her friend, noting the tension radiating from her. 

"Did someone offend you on your way to the bar?" Amara asked, leaning in slightly. 

Sandra's jaw clenched. "Yes," she replied, her voice sharp. 

"Who was it?" Celin pressed, sensing that there was more to the story. 

Sandra let out a frustrated sigh. She'd been trying to avoid talking about it, but the anger had built up so much that she couldn't keep it in anymore. 

"There's this guy we met the other day," she began, her voice dripping with disdain. "He's the one who splashed dirty water on me with his car. And when I confronted him about it, he insulted me. I was furious. But then, we met again yesterday, and he had the nerve to say he wanted to be my friend." 

Sandra's voice grew louder with each word. "I told him no, that we couldn't be friends. I made it clear. And now here he is, in this nightclub, doing everything he can to make me change my mind. He's obsessed with the idea of being friends, and I don't understand why. It's maddening." 

Celin's eyes widened. "Wait, hold on. Is this guy rich and handsome? Because if he is, you know, you can always introduce him to me. I mean, you can't keep all the good ones to yourself, right?" she said with a cheeky grin. 

Amara shot her a look, and before Sandra could respond, Celin added, "I'm just saying, I wouldn't mind meeting him myself if he's got the looks to match the attitude." 

Sandra rolled her eyes, trying to control her rising temper. "Really, Celin? After everything he did to me, you're only concerned about how he looks? Are you serious right now?" 

Before Celin could reply, Amara chimed in, her voice rising in irritation. "Why is it always you, Sandra? Why do all the guys come to you? It's like you've got some magnetism or something. Why don't you go find your own hottie, huh?" 

Celin shot back immediately. "Why are you always sticking your nose in Sandra's business? Maybe she doesn't want the same guys you're interested in. Ever thought about that?" 

Amara's face flushed with anger. "I wasn't talking to you, Celin," she spat, her voice laced with frustration. 

Sandra could feel the tension building between her friends, and she sighed. "Alright, enough. Stop it," she said firmly, her tone cutting through the noise. "Let's just drink and forget about it, okay?" 

The barman arrived with their drinks then, setting the three glasses of Guinness in front of them. But before he could leave, Sandra stopped him. 

The barman smiled back, clearly amused. "Mr. James already paid for your drinks," he said, his voice casual. "He took care of it already."

Sandra's expression froze for a moment, her smile faltering. "Who is Mr. James?" Amara asked, clearly confused by the sudden mention of the name.

"The guy who was talking to your friend earlier," the barman replied, gesturing toward James, who was still standing near the bar, watching them intently.

The barman turned and walked away, leaving the three women in stunned silence.

"Wait, who is this James?" Amara asked again, turning toward Sandra.

Sandra's frustration surged again, but she held it back. "The same guy I just told you about—the one who's been bothering me about being friends. He paid for our drinks, and now it seems like he thinks that makes up for everything."

Celin raised an eyebrow, glancing over at the bar. "Well, it's a good thing he paid for the drinks then, right? We should thank him for that, at least. Let's drink up and celebrate."

Sandra shook her head but smiled a little. "Yeah, let's just do that."

They raised their glasses and clinked them together, the sound of glass against glass mingling with the music. Sandra took a sip, the bitterness of the Guinness helping to calm her nerves, though the thought of James still lingered in her mind.

Amara leaned in again, grinning. "I wouldn't mind meeting this James. He sounds like an interesting guy. Maybe I'll go talk to him."

Sandra chuckled. "You're free to meet him if you want. Ask the barman for him," she said, the amusement returning to her voice.

Amara stood up, a mischievous gleam in her eye. "I think I'll go talk to him. Celin, why don't you come with me?"

Celin gave Sandra a sidelong glance and then shrugged, standing up as well. "Fine, I'll go with you. But if he turns out to be a jerk, don't say I didn't warn you."

Sandra smiled, shaking her head as her two friends walked toward the bar, leaving her to sip her drink and watch the unfolding scene.

Amara and Celin walked into the bar, their excitement palpable as they stepped into the dimly lit space. The rich smell of wood, alcohol, and warm bodies filled the air, creating a lively yet intimate atmosphere. As they approached the counter, the barman glanced up from his task, his eyes briefly scanning them before offering a welcoming smile.

"What can I get you ladies?" he asked, his voice smooth and friendly.

Amara leaned in slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Actually," she began, her tone more confident than usual, "I was hoping to see someone. A guy named James. Do you know him?"

The barman raised an eyebrow but didn't seem surprised by the inquiry. "James, huh? Sure, he's over there with his buddy Franck." With a subtle nod, he pointed toward a table in the far corner of the room where two men were seated, deep in conversation. "You can't miss them. They're hard to ignore."

Amara's eyes widened as she followed the barman's gesture, and her gaze landed on the two men. James, tall with a casual yet confident posture, was sitting next to a man who seemed to be laughing at something James had just said. But what really caught Amara off guard was the man beside him—Franck. Her breath caught as she realized that the man she had been eyeing for weeks, the one who had sparked so much internal conflict, was sitting next to none other than James.

"Wait, what?" Amara muttered, her voice a mix of confusion and surprise. "Franck and James are friends?"

Celin, who had been quietly observing, glanced at Amara. "Yes, they are. Seems like a small world, huh?" she replied, her tone amused.

Amara shook her head, trying to process the surprise. "I didn't know that. But... well, now I have to see him," she said, more to herself than to Celin. "Thank you for the help," Amara added to the barman before turning to Celin. "What should we do now?"

Celin, always the voice of reason, thought for a moment. "Since you're here to see James, not Franck, why don't you go ahead?" she suggested, her tone more cautious.

Amara nodded, her resolve firming up. "You're right. Let's go." Together, they made their way toward the table where James and Franck were seated.

As they approached, Amara smiled broadly, her confidence returning. "Hey, hotties," she called out, her voice light and playful. The words hung in the air, and both James and Franck looked up from their conversation, their expressions shifting as they registered the presence of the two women.

Franck's eyes widened for a brief moment as he recognized the two women. Amara and Celin had been the ones involved in the altercation earlier with Sandra. He remembered them well, but what really caught him off guard was the sudden reminder that both of them had been fighting over him.

"Are you not...?" Franck began, his voice trailing off as he tried to process the situation.

Before he could finish, Celin quickly cut him off. "We're Sandra's friends, the girl you were talking to earlier. The one you were rude to," she said with a mischievous smile, clearly enjoying the awkwardness of the moment.

Amara couldn't resist adding her own jab. "Was the rude part really necessary?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at Celin, who, though slightly embarrassed, didn't reply.

Franck looked at the two women, clearly processing what they were saying. "So, her name is Sandra, right?" he asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

Celin, now more composed, nodded. "Yes, Sandra. She's the one you were talking to. She was rude to us, though," she added, a subtle hint of bitterness in her tone as she recalled the earlier encounter.

James, who had been quiet up until then, smiled and spoke up. "Hmm... I see. Sandra has a beautiful name, just like she is," he commented, his eyes lingering on Celin for a moment before turning to Amara.

"Can we join you guys?" Amara asked, her tone sweet but with an undercurrent of flirtation.

"Sure, you can. But..." James's voice trailed off, his eyes scanning the space around them. "Why isn't your friend with you guys? Is she not joining?"

Amara shrugged, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "She's a bit full of herself. She doesn't do young guys like you," Amara said, her voice dripping with a hint of disdain.

At that moment, Celin, who had been standing quietly beside Amara, suddenly stomped on her foot, causing Amara to yelp in surprise. "Ouch! What was that for?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with irritation.

Celin leaned in and whispered sharply in her ear, "That part was not necessary."

Amara frowned, trying to push the pain aside. "But it's the truth," she muttered, her voice defensive.

James, who had been watching the exchange with mild interest, raised an eyebrow. "Are you two okay?" he asked, a touch of concern in his voice.

Amara and Celin both smiled at him and nodded in unison. "Yes," they replied. However, as soon as they said it, Celin leaned in close to Amara and whispered, her words barely audible, "She gave you permission to come to the hot guy who's been disturbing her, so why are you saying all this rubbish?"

Amara's face turned red with frustration, but she smiled sweetly at James. "I just tell the truth; it's not rubbish," she said, her tone firm.

Franck, who had been quietly observing the interaction, gestured for the women to sit down. "Go ahead and sit," he said, offering them a seat at the table.

Amara and Celin took their seats, and James, who had been watching them closely, ordered drinks from the bartender. "Thank you for paying for our drinks," Celin said, offering a polite smile to James.

"You're welcome," James replied smoothly, leaning back in his chair. His eyes briefly flickered toward the door before returning to the two women. "What about Sandra? I thought she was with you?"

Amara chuckled lightly. "Not yet, actually. We left her there to come join you guys," she said, her tone casual, though her eyes glinted with a hint of mischief.

"Don't you think she'll be lonely?" James asked, his brow furrowed as he glanced toward the door.

Amara waved a hand dismissively. "She's used to it. Don't worry about her," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

James nodded slowly, as though accepting her explanation, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Amara's body language.

Amara, sensing an opportunity, tried to inch closer to James. She subtly adjusted her dress, allowing the fabric to shift just enough to draw his attention to her cleavage. James, ever aware, caught the movement, but his expression remained unreadable.

"What was that about Sandra? You said she doesn't do young guys? What do you mean by that?" James asked, his curiosity piqued.

Amara hesitated for a moment, her mind racing to come up with a response. "Well, what I was trying to say is…" she trailed off, her words faltering under James's intense gaze.

Before she could continue, Celin quickly cut her off. "She wasn't trying to say anything," Celin said, her voice firm, though her eyes twinkled with amusement.

James smiled slightly, clearly entertained by the dynamic between the two women. "Can I see you for a minute, Franck?" he asked, his tone casual.

Franck, who had been silent through most of the conversation, nodded and stood up. "Ladies, we'll be back soon," he said before following James to a quiet corner of the bar.

As the two men walked away, Amara shot an angry look at Celin. "You're such a fool," she muttered under her breath.

Celin, surprised by the harsh words, blinked in shock. "Why did you call me a fool?" she asked, genuinely puzzled.

Amara turned to face her, her expression one of frustration and disbelief. "Because you are a fool! Why did you cut me off? I was trying to tell James the truth about Sandra!" she snapped.

Celin shook her head, a gentle frown forming on her face. "That wasn't necessary. We're all friends, and besides, Sandra's been good to us," she replied calmly.

Amara's eyes hardened. "Good to us? Don't you see what's happening? Franck went to Sandra, and James too. They both need to know the truth about her. The kind of person she really is. If we don't tell them, she'll keep winning, and we'll keep losing," she argued, her voice growing louder.

"She has everything—cars, a sugar daddy planning to buy her a house and set her up in business, while we have nothing. We're just following her like sheep. Do you want to keep doing that?" Amara continued, her anger rising. "This is our chance. We have to grab it while we can."

Celin stared at her, speechless, as Amara's words hung in the air like a challenge. The atmosphere between them was tense, and for a moment, it seemed as if their friendship might fracture under the weight of Amara's ambition.

Meanwhile, James and Franck stood in the corner, Franck looking perplexed as James began to speak. "Why did you bring me here?" Franck asked, his voice laced with confusion.

James glanced over at the women before speaking. "One of them is trying to seduce me, and I'm not interested," he said quietly.

Franck looked puzzled. "Which one? Amara or Celin?" he asked.

James shrugged, his eyes scanning the room before he answered. "I don't know their names, but the one in the red dress—definitely not the one in black," he said.

Franck's eyebrows shot up in recognition. "Ah, that's Amara. She tried to seduce me too when I was talking to Sandra," he said with a chuckle.

James nodded slowly. "So, the one in black is Celin?" he asked.

"Yeah," Franck replied.

"Hmm… I see," James murmured, then his expression shifted, and he looked at Franck with a more serious demeanor. "Can you do something for me?" he asked, his voice low.

James and Franck had just finished their conversation, and the air between them felt charged with unspoken excitement. James, still processing Franck's request, couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation. Franck had been bold in suggesting they both spend the night with the two women, and the idea seemed to intrigue James, though he wasn't entirely sure if he was ready to dive into that world.

Franck, noticing James's hesitation, turned to him with a grin. "What do you think? You in for a night to remember?" Franck's tone was light, but there was a certain intensity in his eyes that made James pause.

"I'll think about it," James replied with a hint of uncertainty in his voice, but Franck just waved him off, confident in his own approach.

"Good idea, bro," Franck added, slapping James on the back. "It'll be a good time. You know I'll take care of everything."

"Thanks for this idea, man," Franck said again, his voice full of appreciation as he turned his attention back to the ladies. James nodded, acknowledging the gesture.

"No problem, man," James replied, his voice calm, before he made his way toward Sandra, determined to make his move.

Franck, on the other hand, walked back to the table where Amara and Celin were sitting. He smiled at them, his confidence shining through. The women, both smiling back, seemed pleased with the attention, though Amara's expression betrayed a sense of curiosity. She glanced around, scanning the room for James, her eyes searching the crowd.

"Where is James?" Amara asked, her voice filled with concern and confusion.

Franck, always quick to respond, tried to ease the tension. "Eh, don't worry about him. He's... doing something," he said, his smile widening. "Ladies, how about we head out? I've got a room here at the hotel, and I was thinking, why not make the night even better?" he suggested with a wink, trying to keep things light and playful.

"Are you serious?" Celin responded, her tone surprisingly casual. "I'm in," she added with a confident nod, seemingly unfazed by Franck's suggestion.

Amara raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Will James join us?" she asked, the thought of him still lingering in her mind.

"Yeah, he'll join us later," Franck assured her, offering a wink as if to say, "don't worry about it."

Amara smiled, a sense of relief washing over her. "In that case, shall we?" she asked, already standing up.

"Yes!" Celin responded enthusiastically, though she paused for a moment. "I should tell Sandra first," she said, turning to walk away.

"Yeah, you should," Amara agreed, but her gaze followed Celin as she made her way toward Sandra.

As Celin walked toward Sandra, she noticed James nearby. He quickly ducked out of sight, hoping that Celin wouldn't see him. He was still unsure about what to say, but he wanted to ensure his interaction with Sandra went smoothly.

"Hey, babe," Celin said, approaching Sandra, who was sitting alone with a drink in hand. Sandra looked up, her face a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"I'm sorry we left you alone here," Celin apologized, offering Sandra a warm smile. "But Franck has offered to take us to a hotel. We're heading out."

Sandra raised an eyebrow, sipping her drink slowly. "And where is Amara?" she asked, clearly not thrilled by the idea of being left behind.

"Well, Amara's with Franck, and I think it's best if we just go," Celin explained, trying to keep things light. "Franck said James will join us later."

Sandra's eyes narrowed slightly. "Only Franck?" she asked, the tone in her voice skeptical.

Celin nodded quickly. "Yes, but James will join us later," she reassured her.

Sandra sighed, her frustration visible but subdued. "I see. Well, you two can go. I'll leave soon anyway," she said, her tone flat but resigned.

Celin smiled warmly, walking over to give Sandra a quick hug. "Thanks for understanding, babe," she said before turning to leave with Amara and Franck.

As they left, Sandra stood up, feeling a mixture of emotions—anger, confusion, and a touch of loneliness. She made her way toward the exit, ready to leave the nightclub. As she walked to her car, she was startled when someone ran up behind her, blocking her way. She turned quickly, only to find James standing there.

"You again," Sandra muttered, her voice sharp. "Why are you stalking around?"

James, trying to keep his tone light, smiled and raised his hands in mock surrender. "I just want us to be friends, Sandra."

Sandra looked at him, momentarily thrown by his unexpected words. "How do you know my name?" she asked, her suspicion rising.

James smiled confidently. "Your friends told me," he said with a wink.

Sandra's anger softened slightly, but she was still cautious. "Oh... I see. It's nice to meet you, James, but I need to go now," she said, her hand already reaching for the car door.

Before she could open it, James stepped forward, grabbing her hand gently. "Can I at least have your number? I like you, Sandra. You're troublesome, and I respect that. You're not like your friends," he said, his voice sincere.

Sandra's expression changed from surprise to fury. "How dare you speak ill of my friends? How dare you call them cheap?" she snapped, pulling her hand away from his grasp.

James quickly apologized, his face showing genuine regret. "Oh, I'm sorry about that," he said, trying to smooth things over.

Sandra, still angry, didn't let it slide. "You call them cheap, but you want to get with one of them tonight? What kind of man are you?"

James, now a bit defensive but still calm, shook his head. "I'm not getting with anyone tonight, Sandra. It's not what you think," he said, his voice firm.

Sandra raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued despite her irritation. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"What I meant is that Franck is the one who's going to be with them tonight, not me," James clarified, his voice low but clear. "If I like a girl, I'll keep chasing her until I get her. And I like you, Sandra," he said, his tone almost apologetic.

Sandra stared at him for a long moment, processing his words. Finally, she smiled, her demeanor shifting. "Hmm, I see. Well, you should keep chasing then. But just so you know, you won't get me that easily," she said, giving him a teasing smile.

With that, she opened her car door and climbed in. James stood there, watching as she drove off, but instead of walking away, he climbed into his own car and began to follow her, not wanting to let her slip away just yet.

Meanwhile, Franck, Amara, and Celin arrived at the hotel, ready to settle in for the night. Franck had already taken the lead, confidently checking them in and getting the room key. As they walked toward the elevator, Amara looked around, wondering where James was.

"Where's James?" she asked, a bit concerned.

Franck, already undressing as he walked toward the room, gave a shrug. "James won't be here tonight," he said with a grin. "But I'll be here with both of you. If you're up for it, I'll offer each of you fifty thousand dollars. I can give you anything you want tonight."

Celin raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Can you give us a minute to talk?" she asked Amara, pulling her aside.

Amara, intrigued by the offer, nodded and followed Celin to the side. "What do you think?" Celin asked. "Fifty thousand each, plus anything we want? This could be the chance we've been waiting for."

Amara considered it for a moment before smiling. "You're right. This guy seems crazy, but I think he'll take good care of us. Why not go for it?"

Celin grinned, and they both turned back to Franck, walking confidently toward him. Amara had already begun undressing, slipping out of her pants and bra, while Celin pulled off her dress, revealing her toned body. Franck smiled at the sight, his eyes gleaming with approval.

Celin quickly grabbed a towel, wrapping it around herself while Amara stood, ready for whatever would come next. "We should start in the bathroom," Franck suggested, and they all headed toward the bathroom, the night ahead filled with possibilities.

"Wait a minute," she said, a mischievous smile creeping onto her lips. "You're not just going to dash us these drinks for free, are you? You didn't even wait to collect your money," she teased. 

 

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