Best Defense

City Lifestyle

Mia and I are getting ready for a 'comforting Maggie' event that's in turmoil. I've been exchanging clothes with Mia since her size started to match mine. Back when I was in college, I always brought Mia to accompany me to work. Wait, did I not tell you?

So, during college I used to work as a cafe singer. I do it not because I need money, but because I love it and I like to see other people entertained with my voice. And through those days, Mia was always by my side.

When I sing, no matter where I perform, how many audiences, or what songs I sing, the moment is always the same. It was like standing on the brink, challenging yourself to jump. Although there were countless times I waited beside the stage, there was still a small unknown element left, which I would only find when I stood before the audience. A mixture of intoxicating risks and opportunities and it is impossible not to feel the flames.

At that time, changing clothes in the pub toilet, gas station, and more than once in the broom storage cabinet was nothing foreign to me. I've had to apply makeup to a strange body position on a powder mirror, sit on the toilet with one leg against a lockable door, more often than you'd like to believe. It's all because I had to sneak around when I got out of the house to avoid being noticed by Ed.

Finished getting dressed, I smiled looking at the reflection in the large mirror framed with white wood while putting on makeup. "Remember the terrible toilet-toilet where we have to change clothes at Rock Cafe in Jakarta?" I asked Mia, who was wearing clothes in front of the closet.

"With flickering lights that can't be relied on and mirrors made of polished steel? How could I forget?" sahut Mia, from the closet. "It looks like the kind of toilet where people get killed in the pathology drama Netflix. Kira's lucky to get out of there alive."

"He-uh. Just sorry. The audience is no better either. Remember that shameful man who was more than drunk, came to you and dabbled in front of you?" I laugh.

The clattering of steps rang out and Mia joined me in the mirror, she took out a mascara setube from the make-up pouch. "Don't remind me." she said cynically. She began to imitate the seductive movements of the drunk middle-aged woman who during my appearance at the unconvincing Rock Cafe by wriggling her hips, who worriedly looked like a snake.

I started pinning my hair back, spraying it with hairspray all at once. While Mia and I were standing side by side, it made me think that we both looked attractive tonight. Mia in her dark green satin cocktail dress, her hair that was faded red because it had not had time to be colored again stacked to the top of the head. While I was in a midi tosca dress, my rolling brown hair was now neatly arranged into a loop at the bottom of the back. Although sometimes difficult, especially when in a hurry, I am happy to be able to dress up to show myself.

I had more tops and gowns than I could possibly need, a collection of jewelry that grew in number as I married Sean, and dozens of pairs of beautiful high heels I could choose from. But unfortunately none of that is here, in Queensland. It was fun to transform yourself before stepping in for fun, not to mention the boost it generated to my self-confidence. It's all part of the magic of life as a woman, I guess.

"I like your hairdo, Panda."

"thank you. I'm thinking of trying something new." I said cheerfully.

Mia glanced at me. "So, did you tell your husband that we're going out tonight?" He continued to apply his face.

"I've sent him a message." I answered calmly, then polished my lips with a flaming red lipstick.

Mia grimacing. "I don't want him to blame me for thinking I took you."

"Don't worry. I can control it. After all, who told him not to pick up my phone."

Mia stepped up to take her bag from the nightstand and then came back to put in the things she might need later, while I did something similar, but not as much as Mia. My quilted bag only contains a wallet, cell phone, powder and lipstick just in case who knows I need both of those items. Then together we went out to meet Sam and Maggie.

"Wow, Franda, you look like Kate Middleton!" Sam exclaimed with glittering eyes looking at me, followed by a nod of the head by Maggie. "Truly eleven-twelve" he added.

I turned around a little and smiled at him. "You yourself look great too."

"Tuh, right. What I'm saying is, my taste is better at picking out your dress, Sam." Sambar Maggie fast.

And I turned my gaze to her, my mouth wide open, not believing what was in front of me. Maggie Thomas, looking glittering in a satin gray one shoulder dress that wraps around her body. "Oh my God, Maggie!" I looked at her from head to toe, watching her performance which I might say was more graceful than The Duchess of Cambridge herself. "Listen, no matter what happens between you and Matthew, he deserves to regret having missed such a beautiful sight." I muttered excitedly without exaggerating.

"Ah, you can do it the most." she replied, shaking her hand in front of her face. The red hue that appeared around her cheeks stated that she blushed with my praise.

We headed straight to one of the bars about a half-hour drive from the resort. The rows of cars lining up at the red light that caused the traffic jam caught my attention. It was as if every family was trying to leave the city right then, like the scene in the movie about the disaster where everyone tried to escape the apocalypse.

When I reached our destination parking lot, I smiled broadly like a child, even though my eyes were sore from everything that was blinding white.

Stepping into the bar, we were greeted by You Should Be Dancing by Glee, which was swiveled through a loudspeaker. Several pairs of eyes looked at us with astonished looks. Maybe they think we got the wrong place because the dress we were wearing did seem excessive for a simple bar in the style of the 80s. But who cares? We do want to have fun, be it with looks or with a drink that will entertain us in a moment. A pleasure that cannot be understood by everyone.

"Return!" maggie exclaimed as she pushed her chair back and raised the glass with the martini.

"Are we celebrating something?" I asked with a loud voice to overcome the music, but still joined in pitting my glass with them.

Maggie finished her drink in one gulp, which made Sam, Mia, and I glare, then put the glass roughly on the table as if she were throwing something at the same time. I'm sure it's an annoyance with Matthew.

"Yes, I'm celebrating my free day from that heartless man." For a few seconds his face looked angry, but immediately smiled as he looked at us in turn.

Sam and I exchanged glances while holding back laughter. Watching Maggie, 'the mute' Taylor said, acting like this is ridiculous.

"Drink until you're satisfied, Mags. We'll keep you company." My head turned towards Mia who was filling Maggie's glass again.

We drank and chatted quietly until suddenly Taylor, Jason and Matthew showed up near us.

"The girls seem to be partying without us, man." Taylor said to Jason deliberately insinuating us.

"Yes, unfortunately one of our personnel is not here. If he's around, then our nights will be longer than theirs." Jason replied with a big grin. While Matthew was still silently looking towards Maggie who was looking at him sharply.

I suddenly rolled my eyes at Jason's words that were purposely intended for me. I'm actually upset that Sean's not here right now, but there's nothing I can do about it. He needs to get things done first to get back here, or at least pick me up. Well, actually I could go home and give him a surprise, but it's not that easy considering there's Mia I have to keep. I couldn't have left him alone here even though I knew Sean must have put some invisible bodyguards around us, even I'm sure one of them is in this bar right now. And bringing him back to Jakarta is impossible to do. The scandal case that ensnared him with the mayor is still a hot conversation there.

I exhaled in despair and gulped down a bit of my drink while looking at the people around me. They look relaxed, except Matthew of course. Her face was still gloomy, while Maggie would not stop emptying her glass.

"Mags, you'll die if you drink like that." Matt's voice sounded for the first time.

Maggie snorted, her eyes as sharp as a samurai staring at Matt. "What do you care, goddamn it?" he snapped, then gulped again his drink.

Matthew rubbed his face rough, obviously he was frustrated with the anger of his wife. We don't yet know the cause of their quarrels because they don't want to get involved further in personal matters, but it seems like the problem is quite big.

Distracting from Thomas' cold war partner, I looked at Mia smiling across the table. His eyes flashed with Jason, who was also smiling. He seemed to like something Jason was saying, no matter what. And I'm happy to see my brother's attitude change so much with Jason, almost entirely.

"Look at them, it looks like Sean and you as the hottest couple in our group will soon be displaced."

I smiled amusedly at Sam's whisper in my ear. She talked to me but her eyes were on Mia and Jason.

"It doesn't matter, as long as it's not you and Taylor who replace us." I laugh.

Sam turned her head slightly, frowned while patting my arm softly, then glanced at her husband sitting between Mia and Matthew. "That's never gonna happen!"

"Why? You guys are a good couple."

Sam grimacing. "Yeah, you don't know yet."

Watching the various expressions of the people around me, made me again remember my husband who was lost like being swallowed by the earth. I miss him, and somehow it's hard to stop thinking about everything about him. I mean, I should be able to relax for a moment with these people without imagining his amazingly thrilling figure. I don't know how long I have to wait for him, but if he comes later, he will have to pay all my wait properly.