After Dakota and Curtis separated again, life went on as usual.
Dakota was happy as a clam, frequently sharing updates on her social media about painting, watering flowers, playing with birds, and preparing to start work at the National Museum on Monday.
Curtis had few opportunities to see her.
Well, not quite—
He often saw her in his dreams, but it was always Dakota, after luring him in, turning around and denying everything.
Thankfully, Noe loved organizing get-togethers.
Most weekends, he would gather everyone for some fun, sometimes barbecuing at the beach, sometimes meeting at a bar, sometimes playing pool or board games.
Last time, Noe organized a welcome party for Dakota, and this time it was to celebrate her new job.
It just so happened that the bar Jasiah had just opened.
Everyone was still excited about it.
So Noe called everyone to "Tonight She'll Be There," set for Friday at eight PM.
Dakota had just returned and wasn't yet familiar with Noe's style.
But she had heard about such things during video calls with them back in Italy.
Besides, since the gathering was in her honor, Dakota had no reason not to come, even if she didn't want to see Curtis.
But once she arrived, Dakota dragged Lailah to the dance floor, claiming she wanted to watch host strip at the bar.
Curtis paused briefly, swirling the glass in his hand.
He slowly turned to Jasiah, a dark expression on his face, "They have host strippers at your bar?"
"Yeah," Jasiah replied, oblivious to his friend's mood, "Wanna come check it out?"
Curtis: "..."
He scoffed and brought his gaze back, "What's so great about watching male strippers? Am I not better to look at?"
Didn't she grope his abs when she was drunk last time?
And even while sleeping that night, she did it again.
Now that they finally met up,
was she getting bored with his abs and switching to watching host strippers?
Curtis took a swig of his drink, almost aggressively.
Jasiah, eager for excitement, chimed in, "Jasiah, always looking to stir the pot, said, 'If you're willing to dance, I'll send you a hundred fire emojis right now!"
Curtis: "Get lost."
But as soon as he spoke, he suddenly stood up.
Noe, munching on sunflower seeds, looked up at him, "Where are you going, Curtis? Bathroom? Can I join?"
He spat out a seed shell and stood up.
But Curtis, with a sharp and cold gaze, replied, "Not the bathroom, I'm going to watch the host strippers!"
Almost enunciating each word,
As if gritting his teeth.
Jasiah and Noe looked at him in shock, never expecting their buddy Curtis to be into this.
……
Actually, Dakota wasn't interested in male models.
To be precise, she felt no interest in any men, and if it weren't for her mother's arrangement, she might have avoided marriage altogether.
She just didn't want to stay in the private room.
Watching the strippers was just an excuse.
In reality, Dakota was disinterested, sipping her juice through a straw, while Lailah beside her screamed and clung to her arm, "Aaaah, help!"
"The main dancer splashed sweat on my face!"
"Dakota, look, look! His core strength is insane! Can we touch these male models here?"
The main dancer happened to glance at Lailah.
He smiled at her, walked over, and knelt in front of her, presenting his abs.
Lailah reached out and touched him.
She was so excited she nearly fainted into Dakota's arms.
Dakota: "He's so greasy."
Lailah: "He's so handsome."
Dakota: "That smug smile and kneeling move were so slick they could fry an egg."
Lailah: "Ugh, I don't care, I'm so into it!"
Dakota was too lazy to argue with the fangirl, wishing these guys would leave her alone. She didn't want to smell men's sweat, and that so-called pheromone smell couldn't compare—
She suddenly stopped her thoughts.
She turned her head and saw Curtis sitting on a high stool at the bar, his long legs stretched out, his chiseled jaw partially obscured by the light and shadows.
He also happened to be looking over, holding a glass of alcohol.
Their gazes met.
Dakota remembered the night they shared a bed, how she could still smell his shower gel on her pajamas when she woke up.
Yuck...
Why was she thinking of him at a time like this?!
Dakota looked away with disdain, and Curtis, unperturbed, raised an eyebrow, staring at her while drinking.
Jasiah and Noe mumbled to each other,
"Why does Curtis seem a bit melancholic tonight?"
"Come on, does he even fit that description?"
"The key is, we've never seen him drink continuously like this before. Did Curtis fight with his girlfriend?"
"So who is his girlfriend?"
"How should I know!"
Two heads couldn't come up with a normal answer, so Noe boldly asked, "Curtis, what are you thinking? Tell us so we can help you brainstorm?"
Curtis lifted his eyelids to glance at him, letting out an ambiguous chuckle.
Then he poured himself another drink and sipped it slowly, squinting at Dakota near the dance floor, "I'm starting to think that women's hearts are like hidden treasures at the bottom of the sea. You never know how deep their feelings go—love or indifference."
Noe: ?
Jasiah: ??
Damn, what's up with him?!
