Rendezvous

"To love and be loved is life's greatest blessing."

-anonymous.

"If I had my life to live over. I'd have fewer meetings and make more rendezvous."

-Robert Brault.

"If you are feeling fancy-free, come wander through the world with me, and any place we are chanced to be will be a rendezvous. Two for the road, we will travel through the years, collecting precious memories, selecting souvenirs and living life the way we please."

-Henry Mancin.

Hello beautiful and wonderful people of substance, how are y'all doing?

Hope you are observing social distancing and keeping safe?

I hope you enjoy reading this chapter because I enjoyed writing it!

You can check out my other book titled "Fangs and Wands."

Trust me when I say it is lit.

I will be dedicating this chapter to these amazing people

You can click on their profiles and check out their books too.

The song suggestion for this chapter is, I wanna dance with someone by Whitney Houston.

_____

Ever since I discovered Nate's predicament, something died inside of me.

What happened to Nate could happen to any other person, including myself. I've lost track of time and I just sit every day feeling like a lost soul with no sense of direction as emptiness further tugged at my mind and dragged me to the filth-- into a void of nonchalance.

I can feel a black hole in my head, black and sharp in colour and feeling inside my soul, slowly consuming my judgment of sentiment. A new sense of disinterest replaced it all. I think it is the realization of the vacuum, the nothingness, the absurdity of my existence. I feel utmost sorry and pity for Nate-- yet my hands are tied. The sentence 'I can do nothing to help' tastes like bile in my mouth. I don't think bile does enough justice, I think tastes like a bitter malaria and typhoid pill sounds better.

And when Ralph claimed he knew how to lighten my mood, I accepted. Not because I know that he is capable of filling up the emptiness eating me from within, but because I appreciate his efforts and I don't want to act adamant to it. I should give it a try, shouldn't I?

Loud voices echoed around the house as my friends climbed up heading to my room.

I could hear Ralph telling them not to go in because I was changing. A smile adorned my face as I thought of how sweet he was to protect my privacy.

"Come in everyone," I hollered and opened the door to let them in.

Ralph's mouth was wide agape as he stared at my unchanged form in shock.

"Take a picture while it last," I advised, shooting him a wink.

"I thought you were busy dressing up," he reiterated, totally flabbergasted as his face stretched in surprise.

"Sorry to burst your bubble Mr big fat ego, I'm yet to find what to wear," I concluded shrugging my shoulders and heading in.

"Where are you guys going to?" Ian poke nosed as his Asian face gave him a cute look.

"We are--" I started, but was rudely interrupted by Ralph.

"Going out privately, like a couple's outing," Ralph confirmed, his lips fixed in a thin line.

"Well, we came to check up on her when we heard she got suspended," Jess divulged, as she blew a bubble out of her gum.

"Besides, since we all are here now, we can go out together," Ian rubbed his hands together for warmth.

"This was supposed to be baby doll and myself outing you know?" Ralph stated tensely.

"Oh c'mon, they're all here now, we can't just leave them and go out, that will be totally unreasonable. Besides ever heard the saying, the more, the merrier. this ain't any matter to sweat on, cut some slacks baby," I said soothingly and rubbed his hand to relax the tension.

"Fine, just because of you, we can all go out together," Ralph affirmed smiling again at everyone.

I moved closer to him to kiss his cheek. "You are such a good boy Mr big fat ego," I whispered into his ears before walking towards Jess who was dressed to kill obviously.

"So guys, get your flat asses outside, the girls need privacy," Jess hollered and began shooing all of them outside the room.

"You know I'm different from them baby doll, I can stay, can't I?" Ralph stamped his feet on the floor and pouted, he batted his eyelashes rapidly at me to swoon me over. Too bad he was failing excellently terribly.

"I might just have to kick your ass to get you outside if you don't simply comply, dearest boyfriend," I threatened with a sinister smile that seems even scarier than a glare.

"Hell no, what was I thinking? I can't believe I thought of staying in the first place, I will get my idiotic ass outside to give you all the privacy you need, as long as I don't get to see you smile-glare at me," Ralph stated as he took little steps backwards and began heading outside.

He kept making smiley faces until his head hit the wall since he was apparently walking backwards without looking at where he was going to.

"Ouch," he hollered. Glaring at the wall and massaging his head.

"Awn, I'm not sorry for you, next time you should look at where you are going and don't keep staring at me." I retorted folding my hands.

"Is it my fault your magnificent beauty distracts me? And how about how terrifying your scowl is? You wound me baby doll," he whined, patting his chest.

"Where? Enlighten me more Smith because the last time I checked I was standing right here without touching you," I started by gesticulating with my hands.

"My heart baby doll, you wound my heart love," he said before opening the door to leave.

Jess and I sighed in exasperation, and we chuckled at how annoying my boyfriend could be.

"Your boyfriend is weird and annoying," Jess uttered as she began unpacking her cosmetic products on my bed.

The room door cracked open to reveal a slightly crouched Ralph as he peered inside the room to search for me.

"What do you want again smith?" I stood arms akimbo and frowned at him.

"My surname sounds so good coming from you, I forgot to throw you a kiss before heading out," Ralph wiggled his brows as he began making kisses sound and threw kisses my way.

I reluctantly caught them and plastered them to my cheek and heart as we both chuckled like kids.

"Enough with your tantrums latest couples, I am beginning to feel suffocated with your lovey-dovey thing that I might just purge." Jess slammed her fist on my table.

"Fine, I will let you both be," Ralph stated but not before throwing another kiss and closing the door.

Jess hurriedly stood up and locked the door with the key and bolt.

"Now, where were we?" Jess perused ready to get into her dolling up business as a knowing smirk took over her face.

"I hate I have to do this, but you can finally have your way," I muttered quietly as I sat on the high stool she directed me too.

"Oh shut up! You will so love yourself when I'm done with your ass." She pushed my head.

___

Ralph and the guys were busy playing video games in the living room.

Mike and Ralph were seriously beating Ian and Eric's ass as they manoeuvred their remote of the PS expertly.

Every now and then, a shout chorused from them when they won the opposing party. While the opposing party claimed it was cheating. They even wanted to declare the game null and void and wanted to restart it.

The sound of our heels and voices brought their attention to the staircase as they suddenly turned to stare at us.

Jess appeared in a pair of long pants, a flashy white dazzling crop top that also looked like a corset or bralettes and denim jacket paired with six inches stiletto. Her lips were pouted as they showed her signature cherry red matte lipstick and her perfume wafted the air. The boys were marvelled.

I also came down wearing a navy turtleneck long-sleeved top, a pair of camo jeans, black sneakers with a white wedge, black and gold earrings and a cute black leather bag.

My face was totally highlighted and contoured as every sharp feature of my face showed, Jess really outdid herself for my dressing. My lips were also painted blazing hot glossy red.

After spending a chunk of an afternoon trying various hairstyles, Jess finally came up with a hairstyle she labelled valentine's day heart bun. Which consisted of my hair been held in half up and half down. The upper-division of the hair was turned into a chignon and the lower part was straightened and very silky as a braid adorned the middle of the hair. She also did edges for me which framed my face.

I must confess I looked really different when I stared at myself in the mirror and I knew certainly that I could never come up with such a dress sense like the fashionista herself.

Jess curled her hair and did edges for herself too.

The look on Ralph's face was priceless. I found myself chuckling since he simply gazed at me with mouth wide agape like a fish. He opened and closed his mouth trying to mutter something but his voice was stuck in his throat.

He finally cleared his throat and looked kind of flustered for previously gaping like an idiot.

"I might just call the firefighters because someone is about to set the house ablaze with her hotness." he strolled towards me casually with a big smirk plastered on his face while I laughed at his antics.

Everyone was ready to go as we filed out of the house.

Ralph's 2020 mustang eco boost black convertible waited for us outside. He removed his car remote from his denim pocket and opened the brand new car for us to settle in.

"Did you just get this car?" I queried admiring the interior décor of the car. The stereo blasted cool music and the A.C was really refreshing. The car smelt of his cologne, air freshener, and the new smell that comes with brand new cars.

"Yup, I got this yesterday night and decided to cruise you around with it," he affirmed, as he strapped the seat belt around him.

I did the same thing since the others sat at the back seat.

"Damn, I will need my two years allowance to be able to afford such luxury," Mike stated and Ian wolf-whistled.

"This is such a nice car, now I feel like my hummer jeep is a huge crap compared to this," Eric chipped in.

"So, where are we heading to?" Jessica asked, changing the topic since she was obviously tired of car talks, and she hates it more when they talk about football.

"It was a surprise for my baby doll, but since we all are going together, I thought we should go for karaoke." Ralph smiled sheepishly and scratched his hair from behind as his tousled hair fell to the front giving him a cute look.

"Whoa! can you sing?" I asked eagerly as my ears got enlarged at the sound of karaoke.

"I can sing way better than you can imagine baby doll," he answered in his familiar rusty voice giving me a wink that sent chills down my spine.

If only he knows how little things he does affect me internally he would stop, but me spilling will only fuel his ego which I wasn't ready to do.

"I doubt you can sing," I rolled my eyes at him.

He cupped his ear with his right hand facing me, "Is that a challenge I hear, tell me if I prove you wrong what's the price?"

"Well, if you fail the challenge you get to shave your brows," I said, smirking evilly as the others laughed at the price I stated.

"And if you do, you will shave up your brows too?"

"Sure!" I shrugged my shoulder.

"Hmm!" He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I wonder what you will look like without a brow."

"Congratulations, you just earned yourself a deal," I confirmed, extending my hand for a handshake while he kissed my cheek instead.

"Eew, get a room guys," Mike blurted out giving us a disgusted look while we chuckled.

"Last time I checked, you are in my car. You can simply get a room if you don't want to see more of this," Ralph clapped back.

"Anna, do you think challenging Ralph for karaoke is a nice idea?" Jess whisper-yelled in my ears.

"Definitely. I'm sure even a mouse can sing better than him, all we need do is to watch him embarrass himself," I whispered back.

"But you will also get yourself embarrassed, your voice is like the worst sound ever," Jess spilt, staring at me wide eyes before realising what she just said as she slapped her mouth with her manicured hand.

"You had better remain silent forever else what you say or do will be used against you in the court of law!" I scowled at her and she snickered and relaxed on her seat.

Ralph drove expertly and manoeuvred the steering wheel across the busy city of Newyork. Soft music boomed from the stereo, a thousand miles by Vanessa Carlton to be precise. The guys behind kept having little talks with themselves. Jess was so intrigued with her phone and Ralph hummed silently along with Vanessa Carlton as he faced the road.

"You know you are going down the drain and your brows will be totally chopped off," Ralph bragged, as he gave me a side glance before focusing on the road again.

"You brag a lot Mr big fat ego, let see how well that ego of yours helps you today," I reiterated, smacking my lips as I stared at myself with the side mirror of his car.

"You look really beautiful today I must confess," He started.

"Why? thanks. You have Jess to thank for that," I stared at his muscles as they bulged from turning the wheel. Adrenalin surged through my pulse as he continued confessing how beautiful I looked.

"Ouch," I suddenly groaned, holding my head in between my hands as I winced in pain.

"Are you okay? What's the problem? Are you fine? Should I park the car?" Ralph yelped hurriedly as he kept staring at me.

"There isn't any need for that, do you have a bandage and plaster in this car because I think my head got swollen from all your praises," I grinned and he joined me.

"Girl, you scared the shit out of me. For real you should take a course in drama because you are pretty good at it," he said, chuckling again at my drama.

"Thank you, thank you, that is one of my numerous talents you know," I disclosed, still smiling as I stared at the window. The car speed has reduced, we drove into a street.

The car finally parked in front of a huge building that has its name and descriptions painted on it. It says Spot karaoke is a hidden karaoke gem located on the 9th floor in Korea town's art Deco, new York district.

"Whoa! This place looks cool and lit," Jess said for the first time as she glanced away from her phone.

"Prepare to go down the drain Ralph," I winked at him. I was about opening the door for myself when Ralph beat me to it.

"I might be quite a gentleman but don't mistake my gentleness for cowardice. I will beat you hands down, I promise." Ralph whispered in my ear before kissing my cheek.

"You are so cocky," I whined and began entering the building with Ralph strongly behind me as he guarded me like a bodyguard and glared at anyone who dares flirt with me with their eyes.

We went in, Ralph paid our fees, we signed our names and the songs we will be performing and when to take a seat. We bought popcorn and sodas and watched other applicants perform on stage. Some did awesomely good while others did awfully bad.

Soon, Jess and Ian's name was announced. We wished them good luck, as they giddily went to the stage to perform.

Jess started singing off-key and the crowd went boo!

Ian tried to mend things as he tried to blend in with his high soprano voice. he sang, woke the fuck up by john bellion.

Jess joined only this time more carefully as her auto voice parted with Ian's soprano voice creating a beautiful melody. The crowd went crazy wolf-whistling, screaming and clapping. While those who knew the song joined to sing the song with them. Altogether it was a beautiful performance, they finished with a high note and the crowd went crazy again.

They smiled happily as the came back to their seats. the seat row was a little tight and just before us, a huge fat girl sat there making it more narrower to pass.

Ian couldn't pass the narrow place because he is muscular and a little bit huge too. He tried to pass the row but got stuck.

"Somebody push me please," Ian pleaded as we chuckled at his state. His face looked so sorry and uncomfortable as the fat girl glare at his back didn't help matters either.

Jess used her sharp high stiletto to kick Ian's butt as he fell face flat on the floor next to us.

"Please tell me there isn't a shoe print on my ass right now!" Ian fumed. His pale white-nose became red.

We all snickered and told him what he wanted to hear, the negative answer.

"Maybe there is a new cute shoe logo on your ass though, but don't worry, it's cute," I patted his shoulders and the others laughed at his state.

Jess passed easily with her slim figure and plopped on her chair next to Ian.

"I swear I can't feel my butt," Ian stated, rubbing his butt on the chair awkwardly.

"You want me to kick your butt, maybe you will feel it better?" Jess smirked at him.

"Don't you dare?" Ian glared. "Witch!" He added.

The loud microphone called Smith Ralph and Gray Anna.

We both filed out as our friends wished us luck, I could feel my heart heaving to my mouth maybe because of stage fright or because of the fear of getting embarrassed.

"Get ready to shave your brows off baby doll because you are in for a roller coaster challenge." Ralph threatened cockily as new determination set within me.

We mounted the stage, and the hall became suddenly quiet in anticipation. Ralph had his signature smirk on, has he bowed for the crowd. Girls screamed and flirted shamelessly. Some even threw him kisses.

"You all may refer to me as your god." Ralph blew a kiss to the giggling girls and they all screamed, "sweet god! Hot god!!"

"Yes," he stretched his arms widely. "That sounds right. Call me god except from the young miss over there in a camo jeans." He winked at me. "You can call me sir or sweet zaddy." A jovial grin took over his features.

I smiled and shook my head at the attention seeking bad boy. "Watch yourself," I said. "If this becomes a fight, you know who will win." My lips stretched into a smirk.

Ralph's grin widened as his gaze locked me in place. "I'm glad you know when to accept defeat."

I set my hand on my hip, pouting as the red cherry lipstick on my lips dragged attention. Guys started wolf-whistling and some screamed hot. Some made a call me signal with their hands attached to their ears.

I stuck my tongue at a mad looking Ralph. Two can play the game.

The instrumental of señorita by Shawn Mendes and Camilla Cabello started.

Ralph stretched his hands to me as I took it, he twirled me around as he grabbed the microphone and started in the most beautiful soprano voice I have ever heard, at this point, I knew shaving my brows was inevitable.

"I love it when you call me señorita.

I wish I could pretend I didn't need ya,

But every touch is ooh la la la.

It's true la la la.

Ooh, I should be running.

Ooh, you keep me coming for ya."

The crowd went crazy, screaming and thrashing things as they got up to dance and sing along. It was like we were in a freaking concert and it really did freak me out, like how on earth am I supposed to beat that?

Ralph removed his jacket and threw it to the crowd as girls struggled for the jacket fighting over it.

Ralph did a little bit twirling around in Michael Jackson style and threw the microphone to me with a challenging look as his head cocked to a side.

I knew I was officially screwed because I can't even sing to save my life.

I summoned courage and sang as best as I could, I cleared my rough throat and continued.

More beats came up and I danced, doing some breakdance and Michael Jackson move to make the crowd go crazy and boy, they sure did!

"Land in Miami,

The air was hot from summer rain.

Sweat dripping off me.

Before I even knew her name, la la la.

It felt like ooh la la la.

Yeah, no.

Sapphire moonlight.

We danced for hours in the sand

Tequila sunrise.

Her body fit right in my hands, la la la.

It felt like ooh la la la, yeah."

The crowd booed at me when I started singing but later softened up since it wasn't that bad.

Ralph danced on the stage and extended his hands to me. I danced to match his steps, accepted his hands, and together we held the microphone to continue.

More beats came up and we danced wildly as I grinded on him while he snapped his fingers.

I didn't know what that was for, but I joined him and before we knew it everyone was bobbing their heads to the beats and snapping their fingers. It felt like magic. Of course, it has to be magic.

"I love it when you call me señorita.

I wish I could pretend I didn't need ya.

But every touch is ooh la la la.

It's true, la la la.

Ooh, I should be running.

Ooh, you know I love it when you call me señorita.

I wish it wasn't so damn hard to leave ya.

But every touch is ooh la la la.

It's true, la la la.

Ooh, I should be running.

Ooh, you got me coming for ya."

My face glistened with sweat and my hair stuck around my face as a huge smile took over my features with my heart beating rapidly. We both grinned at ourselves as the crowd continued screaming, it was amazing. I'm really glad I left my house and came with Ralph. The experience is inexplicable. I felt like we were superstars and our fans were going crazy by our performance.

He kissed my forehead and we both curtsied to the crowd as we got down from the high podium.

People came asking for our autograph on their bodies and clothes. It was a great day all together and for the first time in my life, I considered becoming a musician.