Chapter 7: Rude Awakening

Victoria woke up with a killer headache. Memories came flashing back. How she threw red wine at Alice. Graham pissed and disgusted of her behavior. How she flirted with random guys in the club. Panicked, unable to tell if she should trust her memory, she picked up the phone.

“Mandy, please tell me what happened last night!”

“Oh, it’s you? Keshy, pick-up the phone, Vicky is on the line. Obviously she’s got another convenient memory lost.”

Keshia and Mandy had been roommates for years. Before Victoria moved with Graham she was living with the girls in a big apartment at the heart of downtown. For whatever reason, Mandy didn’t want to speak with Vicky. Keshy picked up the phone.

“Hey Vicky, Mandy is pretty pissed right now. I’d be too if I were her. I’m guessing you told her you can’t remember?”

“Well, not exactly, it’s pretty vague. I did throw a glass of red one at Alice, right?”

“Oh yes, you did. And Graham was anything but happy. I’d say he was furious…anything else comes to mind?”

“Gary?” Said Victoria in a soft desperate voice.

“Yes, Gary…you were all over him after Graham left. You even kissed him.”

Vicky wanted to die; it wasn’t all a bad dream. She had kissed Graham’s best friend.

“You told Mandy to beat it when she confronted you. Gary was really nice. He let me take care of you and he went to speak to her. Apparently you and him have a history. Mandy wouldn’t tell me more, she’s very pissed but also more mysterious than usual.”

“That can’t be good, what is she planning? I trust you would tell me if you knew. Wouldn’t you?”

“Of course, Vicky. Listen, I have to leave. You take care of yourself and I’ll let you know as soon as I know more.”

Keshia felt bad but she had to lie. Somehow she felt more loyalty towards Mandy than Victoria. She promised she wouldn’t tell Mandy’s secret until she chose to. It wasn’t her decision to make. Victoria had excluded herself from their circle with her behavior.


Vicky couldn’t find one good reason why Keshia would want to hang up so fast. It could only be bad news. Especially with Mandy being pissed. So what, she had kissed Gary when she knew she liked him and told her she didn’t stand a chance. The guy was an idiot anyways. Yet she knew she’d have to apologize. What made her more desperate is knowing she'd have to apologize to Graham and Alice as well. Alcohol had definitly gotten her into trouble the previous night.

The doorbell rang. A delivery guy was standing at the door with a huge bouquet of roses.

“Delivery for Miss Victoria Lane. Three dozen roses”

Victoria quickly read the card. The roses were from Gary Sloane…Now what was happening exactly?

Eighth chapter: December 25th--- Cooking Revenge

Gary and Mandy "team" up

Chapter 6: If It's War You Want

"Come dance with me, beautiful." Gary whispered in Alice's ear when she got back.

"Not interested, your game's a little weak, playa."

She winked at him before turning to Graham.

"I would however LOVE to dance with you, sexy boy."

Too shocked to react, Graham let Alice take him to the crowded dance floor. She was barely recognizable; she was usually so discreet. Tonight, everything from her attitude to her clothes was different. She had her hair curled when she usually worn them straight, her nails were done, she was wearing stilettos instead of flat shoes. Her outfit was very sexy and yet classy. Bare back with just a little cleavage showing, blue was definitely her color. With white pants, the ensemble was stunning.

Now he understood how Gary could find her attractive, she definitely was. He even had to admit he was having a great time and was flattered she’d rather dance with him than his friend who usually had a lot of success with the female gender. Victoria didn’t matter for the moment, only Alice did.

“What are you starring at?” asked Alice, playfully.

“You. You are just so beautiful.”

“I see Gary and you graduated at the same player’s school.”

“No, no, definitely not.”

“Then where was yours?”

She laughed. Her laugh was so melodic, so cute; he hadn’t noticed it in so many years. How could he not? All of a sudden he felt awkward towards her. He really cared that she didn’t see him as a player which didn’t make sense because after so many years she probably already knew that about him. He just had to make sure she never stopped thinking he was a great guy.



“Vicky, I suggest you leave the bar, you’ve had enough to drink and you have to get Graham away from that girl.”

“I know, Mandy, but what can I do? It’s too late now; can you believe she snubbed me? She’s his secretary; she’s nothing! And the plan to have her hookup with Gary is ruined. Look at her dancing with him; it’s making me sick!”

Victoria tried to step off the stool, lost her balance, let out a loud scream before falling. Even though the club was packed and the music’s volume was making it hard to hear anything, a couple of people rushed in her direction to offer a helping hand. She had never been so humiliated in her entire life and she blamed it all on Alice. She got up on her own and promised herself to get revenge.

“Can I have a glass of red wine please?”

“With all the gin tonics you just had? This will make you sick!

“Only if I intended to drink it, Keshia.”

Victoria winked and threw a devilish look towards Alice.

“Oh no, you won’t.”

“Watch me!”

She had a little too much to drink and was definitely out on a mission, even if the club was set on fire she wouldn’t be stopped. Keshia felt bad for Alice. The poor girl probably didn’t know she was playing with fire flirting and dancing with Graham when Victoria was only a few steps away.



“Graham, so nice to see you again! How have you been?”

“Oh, well, I’ve been fine, Vicky. But I think you’ve had a little too much to drink and I’m not alone…”

“True, true, I’m sorry. Hi Alice!”

Victoria turned to face Alice and deliberately spilled the wine on her. She smiled at Alice.

“This is what you get for trying to get my man. You’re warned, back off!”

Graham approached immediately and looked at Alice with a sorry expression on his face before turning to Victoria, he was really mad.

“What is wrong with you? You left me and now you think you can attack my girl friends? Alice, I’m really sorry, come with me, I’m bringing you home.”

“Your place or mine?”

Alice said it loud enough for a pissed off Victoria to hear. Graham looked at her puzzled. She had no intention of going back to his place obviously. Sure the idea had crossed his mind but she wasn’t that kind of girl. Looking at Victoria’s face was priceless, he now understood. Alice had just won a battle.

Seventh chapter: December 18th---Rude Awakening

Victoria sobers up…

Chapter 5: A Night Out

"I vote for another club!"

"Why Keshy? We all LOVE Kisses, it's the place to be."

Keshia subtly hit Mandy with her elbow and pointed the club's entrance.

"Apparently someone else is in the mood to party."

It was hard to tell if Victoria was mad or amused as she stared at Graham stepping into the club. Mandy was definitely amused and Keshia knew this night would probably be a disaster. Victoria could be so unpredictable, she doubted Vicky saw Gary but it was only a matter of time before she did.

Victoria walked towards the entrance, determined, her night would not be ruined. Graham wanted to move on already? Fine, but she'd make him pay for it. For every minute of fun he'd have tonight, she'd have ten. By the end of the night, he'd be wrapped around her fingers again.

"So Graham is here...can you believe he's already thinking of partying?!"

"Well, you are, Vicky!"

"Shut up, Keshy, I have the right to, that's who I am. I'm furious, do you have any idea how many groupies will be chasing him all night? It's just not something you do right after a break-up!"

"Nice double standard, girl! You don't tell me to shut up, especially not when I'm right. And the groupies might keep their distance, he's not alone."

"You're talking about Gary? You have to be kidding me, he lives for this. And he hates me, I never understood why."

"I don't think Keshia is referring to Gary, there's a brunette with them, well, more with Graham."

"Emergency restroom meeting, I need a plan."

This was Victoria, plans and more plans, the events couldn't just flow, everything had to be planned. Emergency meeting in the restrooms could only mean that she was looking for another tactic. The fun was gone already; she had a goal tonight and would stop at nothing to reach it.



Graham handed out a cosmopolitan to Alice. He was glad he went out, especially with her, he needed to unwind. Gary ruined the whole mood with just one sentence.

"Victoria Lane is in the house!!!"

"What do you mean?"

"She's here, I've been going around to see wherever all the beautiful ladies where hiding. Excepting you, Alice, of course. You don't hide, you shine through and I just followed your glow to find my way back."

Alice blushed; Gary’s attitude was annoying Graham. He felt very protective of her and Gary wasn't exactly a guy he would set her up with. Yet, like any girl, she seemed to like the attention. He thought about Victoria coming to the same venue he chose. Should he avoid her? Go straight to her and say hi? He just didn't know what to do. What if she already knew he was here? Why didn't she bother to say hi? Could it be because of Alice?

"I'm going to the restrooms, boys"

"Don't worry, Alice, we are not going anywhere, Princess."

Alice smiled at Gary, was it the start of a new romance? Thankfully Alice was leaving them alone, probably long enough for Graham to get a message to his best friend considering her.



Alice was done and was about to get out when she heard a familiar voice. She was approached the toilet stall and looked through the small opening. It was indeed Victoria Lane and what she was saying was anything but nice.

"Yuck, he's with Alice!!! Of all people, why her? She's so, so...ordinary. He should go for someone in his league. From me to Alice? I won't tolerate it. I need a plan and quick, I don't want that ugly duck spending the night with him."

"With any luck, she'll end up with Gary. Don't they all end up in his bed anyways? Forget female solidarity, I say we distract Graham and let her fall for the player's game."

"Mandy are you still mad about Vicky not telling you about Gary? From where I stand, this is mean, she seems like a nice girl."

"Who cares about nice, Keshia? I agree with Mandy; this will definitely teach that idiot to stay where she belongs which is the bottom of the ladder! There's no way Graham is interested in her anyways, she's someone you are friends with out of pity. Graham pities a lot of people."

A tear rolled down Alice's cheek, she didn't want to hear of believe Victoria's words and yet they were getting to her. She quickly wiped the tear and decided she would be strong; that evil witch wouldn't win. She flushed, got out of the stall, walked straight to the sink right next to Victoria and her friends. She thought she was moving pretty quickly but the action seemed to be in slow motion.

Alice dried her hand and move towards the exit walking right by Victoria, looked at her straight in the eye before turning her head and leaving while Vicky stood in the same spot in open-mouthed astonishment. Alice had just snubbed someone, and not just anyone! She didn't want revenge but was certainly not going to see the man she loved get tangled in her web once again. As a woman in love and a friend, she had to know she did everything in her power to keep Victoria away from him.

Sixth chapter: December 11th--- If It's War You Want

Chapter 5 continuation