Chapter 10
1351 Words
BELLA, not in her right mind, downed the remaining contents of the drink she had left on the table she shared with Mara earlier. When she returned, she found Mara quietly sitting and munching on nachos and fries, which seemed to be a new order. Those weren’t there before. When Mara looked at her, she frowned.
"You took so long! I thought you ditched me," she pouted.
"Sorry, there were a lot of people in the restroom. That’s why I took so long," Bella made up an excuse.
‘You’re really becoming a liar, Bella.’
When Mara seemed to believe her excuse, she smiled and offered her some of the food. "I got hungry, so I ordered some snacks for us," Mara said, shoving more nachos and fries into her mouth. Since it was already quite late, it was only natural for her to feel hungry after all the excitement of the night. She had been screaming nonstop—who wouldn’t get hungry from that?
Bella took a piece of fries and popped it into her mouth. When a waiter approached them, she ordered another glass of Spritz.
"Oh, are they done performing?" Bella asked when she noticed that the stage was empty.
"Yeah, they just finished. You took forever," Mara replied.
"Oh, is that so?" Bella mumbled, nodding as she grabbed some more nachos.
‘Then what was JG talking about earlier when he said they were about to start?’
‘And who was that guy with him?’
‘Is he also a member of Danger Zone?’
‘Why wasn’t he part of the performance?’
Bella’s deep thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a microphone crackling, followed by Mara’s excited squeal.
"Oh my gosh! They’re about to announce who gets to date JG tomorrow!"
So that answered her question. That was probably the part of the program JG was referring to earlier. Bella quietly continued eating while keeping an eye on the stage. When her drink arrived, she took a sip.
Moments later, the upbeat music changed to a slow and romantic tune. The crowd hushed as the emcee took the stage, drawing everyone’s attention.
"I hope everyone’s having fun tonight! Are you all enjoying yourselves?" the emcee asked enthusiastically, trying to hype up the crowd. The audience responded with loud cheers and a resounding “yes.”
"Get ready because in just a little while... we will announce the lucky girl who will be going on a date tomorrow—Valentine’s Day—with the newest member of Danger Zone, JG!"
The crowd erupted in cheers again, including Mara, who was visibly thrilled. She was acting as if she was the one who would get the date with JG.
"Wait, what were the criteria for choosing JG’s date?" Bella asked out of curiosity.
"Here’s how it worked. The theme of the event was ‘Valentine’s Treasure,’ so it was like a treasure hunt," Mara explained excitedly.
"So that’s why you kept dragging me around and going out all the time these past few days?" Bella asked, finally understanding.
Mara nodded eagerly. "Yeah! I was looking for the treasure."
"Oh? And? Did you find it?"
Mara shrugged and shook her head. "Nope."
Bella sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Then why are we still here? And if you didn’t even find it, why are you still so excited about this announcement?" she asked in disbelief. "You’re so weird, Mara!"
Mara grinned and leaned in close. "You see, no one’s really sure if someone actually found the treasure. And since it’s a treasure, it must have been really hard to find."
Bella listened seriously and realized she had a point. "Okay, so? What if no one found it?"
"Then I’ll just ask JG out myself. That’s why we’re sitting near the stage—so I can get up there quickly. Smart, right?" Mara said proudly, as if her plan was flawless.
"You’re insane," Bella said, shaking her head.
"No, I’m not! My idea is genius!"
"Ugh, whatever." Then Bella realized something and asked another question. "Wait, what exactly were you supposed to find in the hunt?"
Before Mara could answer, the emcee returned to the stage, catching their attention. Bella’s question was left hanging, but as if on cue, the emcee spoke again.
"Whoever found the special bottle hidden in this island resort will be JG’s date."
Mara gasped as several girls screamed, raising their hands, claiming they had found the bottle. But moments later, the emcee spoke again.
"But wait! There’s more! The bottle must have a sparkling design and a paper inside that says…"
The emcee deliberately paused for suspense, and at the same time, a projector screen on the side of the stage displayed a message.
"If you happen to pick this bottle, that means that you’ll be my valentine."
Bella unconsciously whispered the words along with the emcee, and then it hit her.
‘Wait… That line sounds familiar…’
"So, who’s the lucky girl who found the bottle?" the emcee asked dramatically. The crowd fell silent, with disappointed murmurs from the women who clearly hadn’t found the treasure.
"Oh no, it looks like no one found the bottle! I told you so!" Mara said excitedly, her attention focused on the crowd.
Meanwhile, Bella, seemingly in a trance, reached into her bag and pulled out the small bottle she had picked up the night before. She took out the paper inside. It was the exact bottle the emcee was talking about!
"Oh my gosh…" she whispered.
Mara shrieked beside her, finally noticing what Bella was holding.
"Oh my gosh! That’s the bottle from the hunt! You’ve had it all along!"
"H-huh?" Bella stammered, placing the bottle on the table.
"I thought you didn’t know anything about the hunt? Why do you have that?" Mara asked, her eyes filled with curiosity and a bit of resentment.
"I-I don’t know! I swear! I had no idea—"
Before Bella could finish her sentence, a bright spotlight suddenly shone directly on them.
"There you have it, everyone! Here’s the lucky lady who found the bottle, and she will definitely be JG’s Valentine’s date! Congratulations!"
Bella’s gaze darted between Mara and the emcee on stage. She raised her hands to protest, but before she could react, she found herself surrounded by the band members, ushering her toward the stage.
She bit her lip and glanced back at Mara, who remained silent.
‘Sorry, Mara. I didn’t know…’
She could only say it in her mind. When they reached the stairs leading to the stage, she suddenly stopped and took a step back. The band members looked at her in confusion.
"What’s wrong, miss?" the drummer asked. He was tall, with a sharp nose, slightly slanted eyes, and gray hair.
"A-actually… I’m not really into dating," Bella said hesitantly.
"Are you taken?" one of the guitarists asked. He had a tan complexion, tousled brown hair, and striking brown eyes.
"N-no… But… I just… Please, don’t make me go up there. Just give it to someone else. Or let my cousin go instead—she’s the one who likes JG. She should go," Bella reasoned, glancing at Mara, who still wore a serious expression.
"But, miss… You’re the one who found the bottle. Don’t you want to date JG?"
"I was just here to accompany my cousin. She’s your fan, not me. Please, let me go," Bella pleaded.
She thought it was over when they started stepping away, but one of the band members approached her and whispered,
"Miss, just cooperate, please. We’ll make it up to you later. Your idea is good, but if you refuse, two things could happen. First, those girls out there will celebrate because you backed out, giving them another chance. Second, you might instantly gain haters if they find out you don’t like JG. You know how it works, right?"
"But…"
Bella looked at the audience—mostly women—watching them intently. When she turned back to the guy, he spoke again.
"It’s your choice, miss."
‘Oh my! What am I going to do?’
- Writer
