The Trouble Lady (Project of Love)
Chapter 23. The Plus One

The dinner was over, and Nisa, who was escorted home by Ricky, was again upset as soon as she got home. Because her father, mother and sisters had been waiting for Nisa at home. In fact they were all very curious about Nisa's first date.

Nisa insists that she is not dating, but no one believes her, so she walks into her room upset that all her family is mocking her.

***

The day changed, on this Sunday was the day where the cocktail party was held. The cocktail party was held at a hotel, called Hotel Royal which will take place from 9 p.m.

As per yesterday's agreement, Ricky is a plus one that Nisa will invite to the party. This time Ricky looks charming as usual, with a gray suit. While Nisa, this time she wore a dress that showed her shoulders while the back was tightly closed, light blue and the skirt part was fluffy.

Nisa, who was ready, got into Ricky's car and said, "Sorry to make you wait a long time."

"Eh? No, it's okay ..." Ricky momentarily gawked, he stared at Nisa's smooth white neck and shoulders. Her neck was flat and teasing because this time Nisa was twisting her hair.

"See what?!" asked Nisa who immediately made Ricky turn his face.

"Emm .. just a wonder. Just this time I heard you apologize, but yesterday when I drove you home, thank you was not there. Good too, now you have a development in respecting people." replied Ricky with a slightly blushed face.

"..." - ".Nisa was silent, she turned her face to look at the car glass with a pouting expression.

What the hell? I was just like that, but the reaction was overrated.

"Nisa, the invitation didn't forget, did it?" ask Ricky.

"I've brought it, let's go!" nisa replied without looking at Ricky.

Ricky then stepped on the gas and immediately drove to the intended hotel. The hotel is quite far from Nisa's house, taking at least more than 30 minutes.

Once there, there are also luxury cars from other guests who are also invited. When Nisa was about to get out of the car, she suddenly said, "Later grab my hand!"

"Eh, why am I holding your hand? I'm not a kid, I'm not afraid of missing."

"Not so Senpai .. look at the other guests, they all join hands with their plus one! I'm actually reluctant to join in, too, but I'm just following other guests!"

"Oh, so yeah." Ricky smiled awkwardly. "By the way ... have you ever been to a party before?"

"Often, but only this time I'm attending a cocktail party for young people like us. Usually the party I go to is a business party, my father forced me to come along to just introduce to his business partners and learn about business. Then when there was an important conversation, I was left and told to play by myself. I didn't know the people there, I was confused and didn't know what to do but eat and drink. I hate that kind of party, but luckily I can taste the delicious wine to the fullest! Yahh .. although I'll be scolded by dad when I get home."

"..." - ".For a moment Ricky was stunned.

Nisa is similar to me, sometimes dad also forced me to go to party events to be introduced to his friends. They talk about shit, stuff like that takes up a lot of my time. I'd better get home and study.

"Ehm ... Nisa, are you serious as you like with wine? Not afraid of getting drunk?" ask Ricky.

"Heh, drunk? As long as you know yes, my tolerance for alcohol is very good! Drinking a few bottles is also still strong! Just take it easy, I won't get drunk or throw up, I won't burden you when I get home!"

"Good, but most alcoholic drinks are also not good for health! I'll keep an eye on you for a fair amount of drinking!"

"Yes-yaa .. whatever! Let's get down!"

Nisa and Ricky get out of the car, they join hands while entering the hotel despite the awkward feeling. After the party invitation was verified, the hotel maid escorted Ricky and Nisa as well as the other guests to the special room where the party was held.

The atmosphere of the party looks so festive, the color of the ornament is dominated by pink. For decoration, there are heart-shaped party balloons, candles neatly arranged in such a way and also beautiful flowers. As well as the accompaniment of soft music that increasingly liven up the atmosphere.

The main drink in this party is a cocktail, then in the corner of the room there is a bar table next to which there is a table for snacks. The snacks provided are also quite appetizing. Beautiful mini-sized foods, such as chocolate, canape, sandwiches, volovans, tartlets, cheese, kebabs and others.

The guests present were all young, as per what the principal of Sky Blue High School said that this was a lavish cocktail party attended by selected students from elite schools. Some brought their girlfriends, relatives, family, but only Nisa brought her guide.

"Nohh ..." Nisa and Ricky both frowned. They find it strange to enter a party, seeing that most guests look so intimate with each of their plus one.

"Nisa, do we have to imitate them?" ricky asked with an awkward smile.

"No! Why are we following along?!" Nisa gasps.

"You were teaching me yesterday to be a fun person through this party. But I see other people seem to be having fun, so I think maybe we should emulate them."

"Well .. Who is this?" ask someone with a contemptuous tone. When Nisa and Ricky turn to the person, it turns out that there is Abimana, Nisa's eternal rival who last met in the public library.

"Heh, a barbarian girl like you isn't at this kind of party!" Abimana.

"What right do you have to say that, huh?! Is this your party?! Did you make it?!" asked Nisa in a high tone.

"Ssttt .. doesn't need to be responded to" Ricky whispered to Nisa.

"But he's the one looking for trouble first!" Nisa then glared towards Abimana. "Who doesn't fit, huh?! Ngaca dong! A little girl like you who is not suitable to come to the party! If I wanted to, I could sabotage this party and throw all the blame at you! After that rich, powerful kid like you will be thrown out of the party!"

"Ckck, girls don't have ethics. Your words have reflected what you are like, you who have this behavior are most suitable to be on the streets, you little thugs!"

"What did you say?!" Nisa's emotions are ignited, she is about to step forward to approach Abimana but her hand is held back by Ricky.

"Let's go, don't pay him!" ricky said with great emphasis.

"Get away with your boyfriend!" abimana said with his eyebrows raised next to him.

Nisa is very upset with Abimana's attitude, but on the other hand Ricky is getting tighter clutching her hand. Nisa then took a deep breath and said, "Okay, let's go!"

Cih, if Ivan had also come to the party then you could have been a little girl! Unfortunately he's in special training at the base, it's your lucky day, little boy.

Nisa then resigns to obey Ricky who invites her to leave Abimana and move on to the other side of the party, which is clearly a place where Nisa does not see the face of her rival anymore. Even before leaving, Nisa also glared at Abimana and walked away in a haughty style.

Ricky invites Nisa to step aside, they also taste the food and drinks provided at the party. And shortly after that suddenly the accompanying music suddenly stopped. Then 2 women and men who act as the MC of the show showed their voices.

"Hello everyone, how are you tonight? Are you guys happy to be at this cocktail party? Surely you guys are happy, because later the main event of this party is to have fun by playing games together! Oh yes, there is a saying that says do not know then do not love. My name is Violet, coming from Wisteria High School! It's an honor for me to be the MC of this show!"

"I'm Charlie, from Cakra Mandala High School! Before we get into the main event, let's thank the sponsors and organizers who have worked hard to make this cocktail party! As we know, this party is attended by special young generations like us! Only the chosen ones can attend this party, and we must not waste this opportunity either!"

"Hm, that's right what Charlie said! On this occasion we who are selected who also come from various favorite High Schools can get together, we can expand friendships and build good relationships with others! Then surely you already know what the theme of this party is ... What's ituu?"

"Valentine!" guests at the same time.

But there are 2 people who are even confused, which is none other than Ricky and Nisa. The two people looked at each other and smiled awkwardly. They are confused not because of the wrong costume or what, but between them absolutely no one realizes about valentine. Valentine is a day of affection, synonymous with affection between lovers. But obviously it's the opposite of Nisa and Ricky's relationship.

"Ehem! I don't mean to offend anyone, but surely the plus one you guys are taking is definitely not a random person! Must have a place in your hearts!" violet.

"For that, a special event is made, for those of you who are shy or who harbor feelings, this time you can express your feelings through the game! Each person will be given 2 roses, red and white roses! Red roses to express love, then white roses are revealed as friends. You are free to give the flower to anyone!" said Charlie.

"Remember, just love and friendship. Because today is the day of love, you must not seek out enemies! There are no black roses! The rules of the game are simple, 2 flowers in your hand should be given to someone else! It cannot be kept alone or thrown away!"

"Game starts!!" violet and Charlie said at the same time.

Several hotel waiters handed out red and white roses to each guest. Most of them give red roses to their plus one.

But Ricky and Nisa are different status is very confused. The two flowers were very unsuitable to describe their status.

"Ck, silly game!" muttered Nisa while glancing towards Ricky.

Which flowers should I give? Red is impossible! But white time? I also don't want to acknowledge him as a friend!

On one side Ricky was also confused, he then turned his back to Nisa. He looked at the two roses in his hand. "Hmm .. so close," muttered Ricky.

Professor said I should get close to Nisa, but how close is that? Isn't being a friend enough? Then it means white rose!

Ricky smiled and picked up his white rose. But unexpectedly suddenly someone nudged him from the side until the flower fell, even the flower was also stepped on by others who were near Ricky.

"What ...?!" Ricky gawked when he saw that the white rose had been broken. He turned to the side, but he could not find who had nudged him just now.

Ricky clasped the only flower left. "Red roses mean love, love, love .." he murmured in a tone that still found it hard to believe.

Stay red! Ahhhh! What does this flower mean I have to give it to Nisa! What if Nisa misunderstands?! What if Nisa thinks I like her?! Finish me ...