CHAPTER 16: THREE DARES
THE GIRL WHO CAN’T DATE
By Eleventh
CHAPTER 16: THREE DARES
“Men are really confusing. Sometimes they’re rude. And sometimes they’re sweet. And it’s hard to believe that sometimes they can be the same person.” – Ira P.
2017 JOURNAL
WEDDING DAY
“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we will be entertained by our beautiful pair with three dares which they will pick from the bowl.” The host declared. Her assistant stood beside her carrying a bowl with rolled papers inside.
Most of the audience has been anticipating and rooting for the two.
“They look good together, don’t you think?” Fiona remarked when Joey sat beside her instead of going back to the entourage’s table.
“You think so?”
She slipped her arms through Joey’s and leaned on his shoulder. She carefully observed the pair in the spotlight.
“Isn’t that the guy who took her away when we had lunch the other day? You know what, love? I thought he was jealous or something. I mean he doesn’t have any reasons though but taking her away like that was cute.”
“That’s a different guy. That’s his twin brother.”
“Really? Wow! They look so alike!”
“I was pretty shocked too when I saw them face to face. But their personalities are so different.” Joey observed.
“Who do you find suitable for Ira?” Fiona asked smilingly.
Joey paused for a moment. He thought for his answer for a minute and said, “Neither.”
“Why?”
“The one at the café was too despicable and this one’s too good to be true. I don’t even trust this guy.”
Fiona looked at Joey with a confused look. She did not expect such an answer from him.
Meanwhile, Claude had already picked a paper for the first dare.
“For their first dare…” the host opened the paper and read the dare. “Carry the lady for a minute. Woah! This is one is sweet.”
The crowd cheered and whistled, excited to see the pair do the dare.
“May I?” Claude asked permission.
“You’re not gonna let me fall, right?”
Claude sniggered. “I won’t! Promise, I’ll hold you tight.”
With the host’s cue, Ira hanged on to Claude’s neck as he carried her with his buffed arms. She did not feel uneasy but she’s awkward too. She pursed her lips while looking away.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“Ha? No! I’m okay. Te-hee! I just hope I’m not heavy.”
Claude shook his head, still his smile intact on his face.
“You’re very light actually. I guess it’s because you’re short and petite.”
Ira sniggered. “That’s a relief. I don’t wanna hassle you with my weight.”
“Looks like our beautiful couple is having fun!” The host remarked.
“They’re not a couple though,” Ares whispered.
Seah laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re being overprotective. Are you?”
“She’s my sister,” Ares replied. It made Seah snigger again.
“Three… two... one! Time is up!”
Claude gently put Ira down and even helped her straighten her dress.
“See? You’re in good hands.”
Ira was definitely charmed by Claude’s affability that she can’t keep her lips from smiling whenever Claude speaks.
This time, Ira picked the dare and gave it to the host to read it.
“Our next dare is… ooh, sweet dance!”
Ira can’t help but giggled as she looked at Claude’s baffled face.
“This is… too cheesy. Don’t you think?” she said.
Claude placed his hands on his hips and laughed while thinking about the dance.
“This is ridiculous. Do you dance?”
“Not at all!” Ira replied shaking her head.
Sniggers were all over the place for the two who admit that they’re not into dancing. Yet when the DJ played the music, Claude decided to have fun.
“Hey, I love this song!” Claude stated.
“Me too! Closer by The Chainsmokers, right?” Ira replied with an excited face.
Claude then grabbed Ira’s hands and began to swing her hands at the beat of The Chainsmoker’s Closer. Swaying hands and spinning around, the two enjoyed the moment as they laugh and have fun at their silly dance. Even the crowd danced with them.
The music ended and so was the dance. Yet, the two were still laughing at their silly selves. Ira was still sniggering when she picked the last dare.
“Seems like the two were having fun, huh? Alright, everybody! For the last dare we have…” When the host read the paper, her eyes bulged and gasped with an excited grin on her face. “… A KISS!”
Orion accidentally spurted the water he was drinking when he heard the last dare. Eros dropped his phone and frowned. Ares was about to protest but Seah held his hand and signaled that it’s okay.
Everyone oohed and yelled, “KISS ON THE LIPS! KISS ON THE LIPS! KISS ON THE LIPS!”
Meanwhile, their father just laughed from afar, seemingly enjoying the scene.
Fiona covered her mouth in excitement.
Joey flinched.
And Skye clenched his fists and whispered, “Don’t you dare!”
Claude faced Ira and gazed at Ira’s lips thoughtfully.
Ira suddenly felt flushed. “Y-you’re not… gonna do it, right?”
Claude laughed. “Of course! But we still have to do the dare, right?”
“Huh?” Ira winced.
Before she could even back off, Claude had cupped her face with his smooth hands and gently gave her a peck on the head. Ira didn’t see that coming. When she looked up, Claude seemed to be unbothered about it
“Wow! That was one sweet kiss! Do you agree, everyone? Right! Thank you so much for being such a sport, Miss Ira and Mr. Claude! You can now go back to your seats!”
Ira seated with her brothers still feeling flustered. Eros can’t help but worry for his sister.
“You okay?”
“I think I need some air.”
“Why don’t you go to the beach for a while?” Orion suggested.
“Great idea!”
Once again, Ira escaped the party and went out to get some air at the beach. She ran to the shore embracing the cold breeze and screamed, “Aah! Thank you for this, Lord!”
Oh! How she loves the smell of the sea and the strokes of the wind! She took off her sandals to feel the water as she listens to the ocean waves.
Sitting on the sand, she replayed how Claude kissed her. Though she feels comfortable with his presence, that move made her very anxious.
[I must be out of my mind. I should stop thinking about that kiss. It was just a game and it wasn’t even on the lips.”]
“You okay?”
Ira turned her head to check who followed her. His straight face, cold eyes and proud stance tells her that he’s the other twin.
“What are you doing here?” Ira scowled.
“Just checking on you,” Skye answered, his undershirt dangling carelessly out of his pants, his tie loosely flying in the air, and his hands hidden inside the pockets of his pants.
Ira stood up and faced her colleague.
“Why would you check on me? We’re not even friends.”
“You shouldn’t trust my brother.”
Ira was taken aback by Skye’s remark. However, she doesn’t quite agree with him.
“You’re not in the position to tell me who I should trust and who I should not.”
“You like him, do you?” Skye sneered.
Ira creased her eyebrows. “Yeah! So?”
Skye sneered again shaking his head in dismay.
“I guess smile and charm easily fool you.”
Annoyed, Ira placed her hands on her hips, ready to nag. “You know what! I don’t care. But to make it clear to your malicious mind, I only like your brother AS A FRIEND! Because he is nice. He is friendly. And he is very gentlemanly! Unlike you!”
“He is not what you think he is.” Skye playfully teased.
“Whatever! I think you’re just jealous because a—a—achoo!” Ira sniffed. “As I was saying, a—a—achoo! Oh, my gawd! Wait!”
Ira sniffed again, wiping the snot on her nose.
“I think we should go in! You’re catching colds.”
“A-a-achoo!” As Ira sneezed one more time, she sat on the sand.
“Don’t be stubborn, will you? Let’s go in already!”
“WAIT, OK? I’m wearing my sandals. I can’t go inside barefoot, can I?”
Ira’s colds worsened, and Skye was concerned. So, he took off his coat and covered her with it. That unexpected gesture surprised the young lady. It was pretty unusual.
“T-thanks!” Ira uttered when she stood up.
“Claude’s not the only gentleman. FYI!”
Ira grimaced. “Whatever!”
Skye sniggered. Annoying her amuses him.
Suddenly, their attention was snatched by a loud firework display and a joyful noise from the inside. People whistled and cheered. They also oohed and aahed with the beautiful fireworks.
“Beautiful! I wonder what’s going on inside.”
But that beautiful moment pounded Ira’s heart. She badly wanted to enjoy the fireworks and join the celebration. However, she got a hunch that she wouldn’t like what she will witness inside.
Skye noticed the change in her mood and could see how her eyes speak sadness and defeat.
And he understood. He seemed to have read her mind.
“Would you rather stay here than go inside?”
“No! Let’s go and join the celebration.” she pressed her lip, forcing to curve a smile, and led the way!
Everyone has gathered in the garden again. And in the middle, there Joey and Fiona stood waving and smiling as everyone congratulated them.
“Congratulations to the newly engaged! Let’s party some moooore!” Orion screamed as he popped open a bottle of wine.
The music turned louder as everyone danced to celebrate.
But Ira stood frozen at where she was, meters away from everybody. Her mind wrestled between crying her heart out and forcing herself to be okay so she can congratulate her friend.
But her tears won’t come out even if she wanted to cry. She neither wanted to join the crowd and pretend she’s happy.
So she chose to stand there and be in silence, her hands gripping tightly on Skye’s shirt.