Underhanded Tricks (6)

Lina quickly put her phone back into her purse and walked back to the bar where her two companions sat.

As she got into her chair, she noticed the atmosphere was heavy. Both women, Ayu and Mana had nothing much to say to each other and had on fake smiles, as if to bear the torture they were being put through. 

In Mana's head, Ayu was a thorn in her side. And in Ayu's head, Mana was a third wheel, intruding on her and Lina's time together. 

As if trying to cut the silence, Lina commented breezily to Ayu, 

"Ayu, you haven't had more than one sip of your drink. I thought you liked this brand, didn't you?" 

'Better if the assistant keeps drinking too, then I can get her out of the way' Mana thought to herself. 

"Yes, drink up Ayu! It's on me tonight because I am celebrating finally having a night out with my best friend!" she smiled at Lina as she squeezed her arm, also hoping to coax her into drinking.