Chapter 127: Nauseated
Seeing that Mina was safe with the people she had arrived with, Cylus left the bar, entered his waiting car and made a call.
"I need you to investigate a woman named Mina Harlow," he said, then ended the line without waiting for a response. He saw the way President Lee looked at the woman and he knew it was the possessive stare of a jealous man; but what could he have been jealous of? Cylus would not allow himself to be put off. He had already lost to the man once, but he would not lose again.
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Lisa felt great. She had forgotten how much fun her old friends from high school could be. It was around their senior year when she placed all her attention onto Ian, and while she had missed out on a lot, she was finally able to show him off as hers. She had almost forgotten all about Mina, and she couldn't help but to think that Cylus and Mina were perfect for each other. They were both charmers and she had a feeling that they would enjoy stringing each other along in a miserable circle of who could out seduce the other. Lisa's happy thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Zane's voice.
"Mina, you're going to come home with us, okay?" Zane said.
Lisa opened her eyes and tried to force the room to stop spinning. She did not have anything alcoholic to drink, but she had kept her eyes closed for so long that the stage lights that revolved and rotated around the room made her dizzy. Lisa could just make out the sight of Luna and a drunken man making their way out of the bar. Lisa cursed internally. Why hadn't Luna allowed Cylus to take Mina home?
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Mina did not want to leave without Luna, she repeatedly told Zane that she would not go with him unless Luna told her that it was fine. Zane had to pull Mina out of the exit, where they coincidentally caught up to Ian's sister. Once Mina had confirmation that her friend was safe, she relaxed and allowed Zane to bring her to a waiting car. When Zane opened the Door, Mina could see that President Lee and Lisa were cuddled in the backseat. She stiffened and turned to Zane.
"Can I sit in the front?" She asked, but Zane didn't even answer. He just pushed her into the car, then sat in the front passenger seat himself. He looked in the rear-view mirror only to see that Mina was trying her best to keep her distance from President Lee. Lisa was taking up more space than she needed, and it caused Ian's knees to bump Mina's on occasion. Each time, the girl winced as if she were being physically injured.
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Ian tapped Lisa's shoulders and tried to wake her. It was the first time he had seen her drunk, and he preferred her drunken behavior compared to Mina's. While Mina became giddy, Lisa became quiet. Ian thought about how bright Mina's smile was while she was flirting with CEO Rue and how affectionately the man looked at her while he patiently waited for her to sample each drink. He could not hear what they were saying, but he could tell that Cylus enjoyed every word she spoke. The man appeared to be hanging on each syllable that left her lips, and although they sat a full seat apart, their closeness was nauseating to him.
Right now, the same woman was actively trying to meld herself with the car door in an attempt to sit as far from him as possible, and if his leg touched hers even just a little, she'd try to fold in on herself even more. This did not bother him as much as her facial expressions. She looked visibly sickened by his proximity. Luna had warned him about that possible outcome, but the reality was much, much worse than he expected.
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Mina was fighting the urge to vomit the entire trip. Her head was spinning and although she couldn't be sure, she felt like the driver of the vehicle was purposefully making sharp turns. She was already uncomfortable to be seated next to the couple who looked as though they would begin kissing at any moment, but no matter how small she made herself, she could not disappear. The last thing she needed is for Miss Lisa to accuse her of trying to rub against President Lee while she was drunk.
Miss Lisa had already told Miss Luna that she caught them hugging, what lie would she make up if their legs brushed against each other while Mina was wearing a skirt? Mina rubbed her brow and tried to mentally remove herself from the situation, but the motion of the vehicle made it hard for her to keep her distance.
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Zane could see that Mina was struggling, but he knew it would be a good lesson for her. She was told not to drink and yet she was drunk again. He remembered that when he first started drinking, he was warned not to mix liquors. Mina had not been given that advice and now, he could tell she was beginning to feel the consequences of her own actions. He swept his gaze over the people in the back only to see that his friend was looking at Mina in a terrifying manner. In an attempt to break the awkward atmosphere, Zane asked Ian where they were taking Lisa. He watched his friend tap Lisa's shoulder.
"Li Lee, where do I take you? Do you want to go home?" but Lisa did not answer. Zane turned his body to look at his friend in the eye.
"You can't take care of them both," Zane said.
"I don't plan to," Ian responded coldly.
Zane faced forward and asked the driver to make a quick detour. He did not want to help Ian tonight. The man was clearly unwilling to let go of Lisa. It was unfair to both women. Especially Mina, who he knew would have no shortage of men, if that's what she wanted. If Cylus was seriously interested in her, then so be it. Ian would only have himself to blame.