“Who knows? Maybe Mr. Dreskin will appear any second now, ready to take you away to see those handsome men," Aurora teased, a playful note in her voice.

With a blush, Claudia grabbed her bag and announced, "I'm leaving. I want to go back to sleep!”

To their surprise, just as the duo stepped out of the bar, they found themselves abruptly encircled.

"Miss Haywood, did you remove me from your friend list?" the man asked. How awkward!

Without hesitation, Aurora confirmed, "Yes, what's the issue? It was merely a game, not an authentic blind date. I have no liking for you. Is it forbidden to delete you?"

The man's response was rather mild. He didn't become irate at Aurora's words, merely touching his nose sheepishly and inquiring, “Is it because I assisted a friend in asking for your friend's number?" Aurora scoffed, "You are aware. Why the question then?"

"It's all a misunderstanding. Perhaps your friend is acquainted with mine," the man said, glancing forward.

Both Claudia and Aurora followed his gaze and spotted a tall figure approaching, adorned with a cap and a black mask.

“Miss Marshall," he addressed, his voice tinged with familiarity. Claudia's eyes widened momentarily before recognition dawned on her face.

“Mathews?”

Mathews greeted her with a smile, saying, “We were merely teasing your friend. Please don't mind us."

Aurora was an avid fan of Mathews. How would she mind it at all? Claudia glanced at Aurora, who was rendered speechless with excitement. With a raised eyebrow, Claudia responded, "So, it's all a misunderstanding."

Mathews nodded.

“Did you two come here alone? How do you plan to return? By taxi’

"Yes," Claudia affirmed. She nudged Aurora subtly, murmuring, “Stay composed."

Though Aurora intended to stay calm and composed, her shaking legs betrayed her!

Checking the time on his phone, Mathews noted, “It's Saturday night. Finding an empty taxi might be challenging.”

“That's why we will leave early," Claudia explained.

“We can offer you a ride if you want. We came in a car."

Before Claudia could respond, Aurora eagerly accepted, "Okay." Instantly regretting her hastiness, she tried to recover her poise. "Like you said, it's quite a challenge to find a taxi today. If it's not too much trouble for you..."

“It's no trouble at all,” Mathews assured, smiling.

Turning to his friend, Wesley Bates, he sought confirmation, “Right?” Wesley replied with a resigned, "Yes, it's no trouble at all."

How could it be?

How amusing!