EXTRA: Laura x Bailey (Before the Proposal)

THE NEON signs reflected in Laura's pitch black irises. She's not a neophyte in terms of partying, but it's not wrong to say that it is her first time coming into a place like this.

Her friends often make joke about getting pregnant just by merely standing outside the establishment. As Laura stood unmoving and the lights alternate on her face, she wondered if the nausea in her gut was because her friends said the truth or that the lighting production isn't par to her standards.

'I hope it's the first.' Her palms wet and clammy, she walk to the front door. The bouncer outside wink at her playfully, as if he knew that she's a new costumer in town.

'Victoria said, it's not hard to get some action inside. Do I stand like this and someone will eventually pick me up?' Her face crumpled when she figured that sounded so crude. As if she's the undesirable kiwi in a silver platter of assorted fruit stand. A not-easily acquired taste. Not sure if anyone will like it.

Still, her alcohol tolerance is pretty high. She can drink herself to a mush when the attempt begets disappointment in the long run.

Laura get herself an almost transparent drink with a lemon on the rim. She drank it in one go. Her lips twitched when she realized that it was not a mild drink.

'In a bar, harmless looking things are actually poison in disguise. I should have expected it.' Laura breathed evenly. She can feel the thrill creeping from her toes to her scalp.

The sweat and mixed perfume heated her lungs, but she doesn't mind. She liked the lively ambience.

Though it was necessary to move aside because the people began to dance everywhere. Someone started to grope a certain blonde on the side. Laura bit her lips and congratulated the two for having a go at it.

'As long as they're both single, I don't care.'

"What does a woman like you doing in a rowdy place like this, Mrs. Adenhart?"

Laura blanched. The skin-tight red top is useless against the chill that she felt on her back. She swallowed lightly before turning around.

It was a man with a handsome, clean face. His nose were upright and proud, too proud for her liking by the way he look down on her. His amorous lips no longer seductive because he pursed it tightly.

He was the only one wearing a formal suit in a bar.

Laura found hope. She's not the only ridiculous person inside the building.

"Do I know you?" she tried to ask politely. Laura honestly did not have any recollection of this man. Is he Max' subordinate? No. If that's the case, this man should know by now that she's no longer Max' partner in paper.

His eyes twitch. She was surprised to notice it despite the dimness of the area. Laura had drifted to a corner with less people while walking mindlessly. "I'm Williams. Bailey Williams. So you can't remember me?"

Laura rarely goes out of the house before. She can't find the need for it when all they desired is safety and stability in the family. "I'm sorry. I... I don't. Maybe you're mistaken? I'm not Max' wife. The contract was broken long time ago, Mr. Williams."

She's glad that the music isn't too loud. Her voice was reluctant and shy, hence she can only mumble softly. If this man was one of Max' business partners, she can't afford to anger him.

"Ah, I'm sure Ms. Laura had met a lot distinguished men in her life. It's not surprising to know you've forgotten someone like me." The words were cutting and the insinuation behind it made Laura double-take. She noticed the way his shoulder sag in relief while his tone is mildly annoyed.

'What did I do to you?' Laura shook her head. "Uh, right. Can I excuse myself? I... I need to use the comfort room."

"Did you bring someone with you?"

"No," Laura answered before she can stop her mouth. She winced afterwards. "Ah, but I have someone picking me up soon."

"Oh..." Bailey shuffled his feet uncomfortably. His eyes wandered somewhere else before he resolutely offered, "How about we share a table for tonight? I can make sure no one will disturb you while you're waiting. I saw you brought no bodyguards with you."

'I'm here to get laid, what do I need them for? An audience?' She lowered her eyes. "Right. That's... that's nice of you. Then..."

Bailey smiled but it was long gone before Laura can stare at him longer. "This way."



_______


If Bailey hadn't insisted, the woman would continue fake her way to the comfort room just to avoid him. Laura is heartless that way. He had long since made peace with it.

If Bailey is an optimistic person, he will positively think that Laura's refusal was because she's easily embarrassed or that she's socially awkward. That she had a vague impression of him and it's just that she's afraid to mistook him for someone else that's why she said 'I don't know you'.

But he isn't a ball of sunshine. Bailey broke all his imagination when it comes to Laura right from the start because he know she's not someone to be trifled with.

She may appear sweet and modest. The truth is she can bite anyone's head off. Laura had a tough upbringing.

He was glad when her contract with Max finally ended.

It doesn't suit with him.

'It's okay if I can't have you, but you don't have to lower yourself to the extent of marrying your own cousin. Even if you don't like me, shouldn't you be at least mortified with that arrangement?'

In reality, Bailey only nodded at her. He raised a hand and ordered a strong glass of booze for himself.

He needed two.

Just to keep his toes from curling in anticipation. 'What's there to be fucking excited, Williams? She's not here to snog you dry. Keep your hots in.'

"Two for mine as well. Thank you."

Bailey paused. He reminded her, "Careful. That's a strong drink."

She smiled with patience. "I wouldn't order the same with yours if I can't handle it."

'Really?' His brow raise imperceptibly. 'Is this an invitation or challenge?'

"Hmn. So you can drink a lot."

"Naturally. I grew up with my dad. I can even drink poison to impress you right now." Laura grinned. "Sorry, that's inappropriate of me."

Bailey nodded his head but in his heart, he thought of a possible meaning behind her words. His eyes flashed with hurt. "I'm not going to drug you, if you're thinking that I'm going to take advantage of you."

"How do you do it, then?"

His mind cleared. "What do you mean?"

"How do you usually take advantage of someone?"

Bailey huff. He leaned to the soft chair. "I don't. I make them interested with me, only then I will hold them in my hands. If they're still not caving in, I let go. I'm not a dog."

'You're the only exception to that rule. You rejected me once yet I'm still following, stalking you around.' He thought it's a nasty habit.

But then so what? He's not harming her. It's not important if he knew that Laura went to the office during lunch time and go to her friend's house before proceeding in this bar.

Bailey was on his way home when he received the news that Laura went to a bar alone.

He didn't even have the time to change his clothes. 'I look like a righteous prick, damn it.'

Their drinks arrived. Laura downed one glass in a go. "Wow. Maybe I can use that technique this night."

Bailey followed. "What for? You don't need that if you want to hook up with someone. There would be a long line waiting for you if you only asked for it."

"That's different." She smiled bashfully. "I want to get pregnant in just first attempt."

Bailey pat the cold booze. He almost swallowed an ice cube when he understood her words. "What the—"

"Take it easy." Laura fetch a small handkerchief and gave it to him. Bailey's head warmed when he saw where did the piece of fabric came from.

"Why are you keeping that in your chest?!"

She looked affronted, as if it was Bailey who was being unreasonable. "This... red top is too tight. The way it cling to my skin leaves it moist and sweaty. And... it's a great enhancer, makes the chest look fuller. So I.. put it inside."

Bailey failed to react in time. He shifted his face to the side. "It looks fine without that handkerchief. You don't need it."

Laura hid the surprise in her face. She nodded a little. 'Does he mean it looks great without an extra cloth inside?'

"Not all men like large, bubbly boobs. Some men like modest sizes, okay?"

She lowered her head and reach for the glass of booze. 'Forget it.' She bit her lips when the bitterness had passed. 'He mean my boobs are... small, but it's okay because being humble is a trend?'

Bailey ordered another drink. Laura followed his actions. She intended to drink her sorrows away.

When the night deepened and her excuse of 'waiting for a friend' had long gone spoilt and inedible, she confessed, "I... my friend is not coming. I guess I have to go."

"No, no." Bailey struggled to keep up with her drinking speed but in the end, he ended up the first one to be drunk. "How about we dance?"

Laura agreed. She stood and lead the man on the dancefloor. Her back collided with his solid chest when she suddenly stopped. "We can dance here."

Bailey sniffed the side of her face before pulling himself away. "I think I'm done for the night. I can't..."

Laura observed him with the corner of her eyes before smiling. She held her head. "I... My head hurts. Damn, the drink has got to me..."

"What?" Alarmed, Bailey held her back. "Then... I'll send you home."

Laura's lips grazed the side of his lips. "…okay."

Maximilian's Fateful Discovery in Little Maddison
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