Chapter 1241 - Karaoke (1)

Dinner was in a cozy-looking restaurant. The stage has screens which display lyrics during karaoke performances.

Steve and Bridgette arrived in time for dinner. They were unable to join for lunch and Bridgette was upset that she missed the escape room, but Sarah promised that they will go again some other time.

While guests worked on their food, a local band was providing a soothing music. The band will also be on a standby to fill in the gaps between karaoke-singers from the audience.

When they confirmed that everyone finished with their meal and were helping themselves with a variety of snacks and desserts while sipping on their drinks, Sarah and Aiden took the stage. The two of them congratulated Ellie and Jasper for their upcoming wedding, thanked everyone for coming and wished them a pleasant evening.

"Why are they still on the stage?", JoAnna asked Sophia in a whisper.

Sophia shrugged in response.

Everyone was surprised to hear the music while Aiden removed his jacket.

"To the new ladies here… He is taken. Don't even think about it.", Sarah gave a warning while looking at the few new faces in the restaurant.

The additional eight people in the room have invitations (they are Jasper's and Ellie's friends), but they didn't join them for lunch or escape rooms, so Sarah had to make a point that the hunk next to her is taken. Just to avoid unnecessary trouble later.

"Is he going to do a striptease?", JoAnna asked through giggles.

Her giggles stopped and her mouth was partially open when Aiden started rapping while his gaze didn't leave Sarah:

"This a number-one champion sound…

Yeah, Sarah, we 'bout to get down..."

Sarah was humming to add melody to his rap performance.

After the initial shock, everyone started clapping and enjoying their performance. Sarah and Aiden were so much in sync and even their seductive dancing was spot on, that it was obvious they practiced.

Flashback from two weeks ago…

"Aiden, love… as organizers of the pre-wedding party, we need to kick off the event.", Sarah said sweetly.

"Yup. We will finish the escape room first.", he said matter-of-factly.

"There is a karaoke after that.", she reminded him gently.

Aiden frowned when he realized where this is going. "I'm not singing."

Sarah knew that this is coming. She heard him hum and sing more than once, but in the shower or when he thought that he is alone, and it was never loud or long enough for her to hear if he is any good and based on his reactions she knows that he does not want sing in front of others (even if that is her). However, this is karaoke, no one needs to be a good singer. If you can say the lyrics while following the beat of the music, it's fine. Right?

"Singing is something that improves with practice. The more you sing, the better it gets.", Sarah said cheerfully. She assumed that he thinks how his singing is not good, because Aiden was never shy. "How about..."

"No.", he rejected her flatly.

Sarah decided not to give up easily: "But we are the…"

"No."

"Aiden, honey…"

"No.", Aiden was stern about this, and gradually losing his patience.

"Love?"

"NO!"

About a week ago…

Sarah made another attempt: "Aiden, love…"

Aiden narrowed his eyes. Based on her tone of voice, he suspected that she will ask something he is not willing to give or do… and there are not many things he will refuse to Sarah. "What?"

"Hear me out before you respond, OK?" She saw him nod reluctantly and continued: "Remember karaoke? What IF you don't need to sing?"

Aiden paused while contemplating her words. "I am listening…"

Back to present…

Sarah was singing her parts to Aiden:

"Take me on a trip…

I really want to come kick it with you.

You'll be my American boy…"

Sarah and Aiden were taking turns until the end of the song.

Their performance earned them big claps and cheers and they left the stage with big smiles. Sarah is super-happy that Aiden performed with her, and he is happy that he appeased his woman and that he didn't need to sing. There are few more songs they practiced (she sings, and he raps), but they decided to perform them later.

Next on the stage were Ellie and Jasper.

They thanked everyone for coming, and Sarah and Aiden for organizing the party.

They didn't lag behind Sarah and Aiden with their performance.

Jasper started singing with the music:

"I got chills, they're multiplying

And I'm losing control…"

Ellie danced with Jasper and then continued singing when it was her turn:

"You better shape up 'cause I need a man…

And my heart is set on you…"

Their singing and dancing was amazing, and whoever watched it could tell immediately how in love they are.

The performers took turns. First few songs were from the couples, and then single performers took the stage.

Penny, Emma and Sarah went as a trio. They could not decide which song, so they picked one each and sang three in a row.

Others were dancing and clapping while singing along, and it was getting livelier as the evening moved along.

JoAnna and Jeff slow danced on the stage while harmonizing: "Two hearts that beat as one, our lives have just begun…"

Charlie's and Emma's intense gazes were locked at each other and they made everyone hold their breaths while singing: "And we both know, that our love will grow, and forever it will be you and me… Come with me my sweet… Let's go make a family…"

"If I didn't know better, I would think that it's your wedding tomorrow!", JoAnna cheered when Charlie and Emma got off the stage.

"Well… we are engaged.", Emma responded while leaning into Charlie's embrace.

The band was sitting in the back and sipping drinks. They didn't get their chance to perform, because there were no gaps.

Later the evening, Jeff, Jasper, Vincent and Russel were seated at the table and they noticed that the table has six chairs around it. They shared the same thought: Bradley and Christopher are missing.

Looking back, the six of them attended many events, and they were usually seated together. Even if the official seating arrangements split them apart, at some point in the evening, they would gather and catch up.

But those days are gone.

Now they all have mixed feelings while looking at the two empty chairs at the table. They are not sure what is coming, but they are all missing those days when it was six of them… chatting and teasing each other.

"To hell with this!", Jasper exclaimed, making the other three jolt in their seats. "The past can't be brought back. I know that each of us here wishes to return a year back and to talk some sense into those two, but that is not an option."

"What are you saying?", Russel asked.

Jasper's gaze moved over all of them while responding: "I am saying that we should learn from what happened so that it does not happen again. Together we are strong, but if any of us turns his back from here…", Jasper pointed at the table. "Then he will be alone, treated like a traitor and defeated easily."

Vincent nodded in agreement. "Together we prosper. Separately we fail."

Russel repeated Vincent's words and spoke to Jeff: "No one here blames you because we would do the same if we were in your place. And we've got your back."

JoAnna smiled at the sight of three men giving affirmative glances to her husband before all four of them clinked their glasses and downing the contents.

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