It’s been three weeks since I last saw Brandon’s face, and Oliver told me he will be taking the food to him instead of me for now. After the night his illness struck, I gave him space. It was also Oliver’s advice since his cousin needs to heal again. I have no idea how this illness can affect people; I’m afraid that I might hurt him again, so I keep my distance.
I told Brandon that I wasn’t bothered by any of the things I was told, but after learning about his situation, I have to be more careful around him. Any skin-to-skin contact with him can trigger pain. That is the reason he doesn’t want to be touched.
But unwilling to cut our connection, we were sending each other notes about his meal or how our day had gone. I sometimes went to his now-less-creepy white room so I could hear his voice, his laughter... until he stopped answering me. No more notes and he doesn’t answer my calls anymore in the white room.
It’s bothering me now, wondering what happened to him, and all I can do is wait. But my heart aches for him. At the same time, I can’t help but get mad. He should’ve at least told me he doesn’t want me anymore if that’s what’s going on.
Tonight, I am preparing a Greek-style lobster pasta and will side it with horiatikiThen I remember why he hired me for this job. Aside from being his private chef, he hasn’t asked for Lucia’s information until now. How’s he going to look for her when he can’t come out of his room?
A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. It’s Oliver.
“Hi.” He greets me with a smile.
“Oh, hi!” I smile back. “You can take this to Brandon now.”
“Of course. By the way, Alayna, it’s Friday now, and I’m planning a night out with Cassius. Would you like to come? I know a place.”
My mouth parts. Oliver might have noticed that I’ve been lurking in my kitchen and my room for the last two weeks. I only go outside when I’m looking for special ingredients.
“Is that okay?”
“Yeah.” He beams. “Come on, join us. It’s going to be fun.”
I blink rapidly, slightly surprised.
“Alayna?”
“O-Okay.” I exhale a soft breath. “I guess I’ll go with you. I should probably get dressed now.”
“Sure. I’ll wait for you outside.”
***
Oliver is leaning on a white sports car when I come out of the mansion, and he looks very stylish now in his black leather jacket, ripped jeans, and combat boots. He is casually dressed while still managing to look expensive.
I look down at myself, and I am definitely looking plain. There is no sense of fashion in my outfit. I put on a royal blue, haltered, knee-length dress that is not very classy. I never felt the need to buy flashy clothes. Nonetheless, I remember I’m not trying to impress anyone anyway.
“Hi,” I say to get his attention. He’s currently frowning at his smartphone.
Oliver looks up at me. “Oh, hey.” He swiftly puts away his phone and attentively opens the door on the passenger side of the car. “Hop in.”
“Thanks!” I step inside, and Oliver gets in the driver’s seat.
“Buckle up,” he says.
He grins and guns the car engine to life.
Oliver brings me to a nightclub, but the place is nothing like I’ve ever pictured. I’ve been to one before with my colleagues back in Venice, but unlike that very smoky and compact club, this place is luxurious.
Dancing inside the club feels more like dancing under the Northern Lights. Under the dry ice, smoke spins in an array of neon greens, blues, hot pinks, and yellow golds. The DJ adds the excitement with a LANY remix song playing over the dance floor. I love the atmosphere!
Oliver and I go upstairs, which is for the VIPs. Of course, he won’t go anywhere if there isn’t a place for a VIP like him.
“Do you usually come here?” I ask.
“Yes, are you surprised?”
“Well, not really.” I shrug. “Maybe just a little bit.”
“Come, my usual place is out there. Cassius said he’s already here.”
“Hey, Oliver!” An attractive blonde lady in a red dress walks toward us. She waves her hand.
“Jenny, hi! How are you?” They kiss each other’s cheeks.
“I’m good. It’s a great night. Have a nice time!” she says with a gentle touch to his shoulder before she leaves.
As we walk through, another man in a russet jacket appears at his side. “Oliver, what’s up!”
“Hans. I thought you were in Singapore?”
“Yes, I came back yesterday. Oh, let’s catch up. My girlfriend is downstairs.”
“I’ll catch up with you later. I have company.”
Hans glances at me. “I see, but it’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too.” He pats Hans’s shoulder.
We settle by the VIP floor and slump on the couch near the end corner, where it isn’t too loud. Oliver takes off the jacket he’s wearing over a white shirt. Honestly, I am always surprised to see such different sides of him. He’s usually a very composed man, yet he seems to know how to have fun outside Brandon’s world.
“I’m shocked,” I admit.
“At what?”
“At you. This different you.”
“A man has a right to have fun. I’m a regular here. This is where I come whenever I want to chill.”
“I see that you’ve got a lot in your hands. Being Brandon’s CEO, right-hand man, and everything else. I’m just not used to seeing you so carefree.”
“I’m more of a friend than family to Brandon,” he corrects.
I look away. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up work.”
He chuckles. “It’s okay. Do you want anything to eat or drink?”
“Do they have orange juice here?” I joke, then laugh. “Can I have a blackberry gin & tonic, “Of course, I’ll get you some. Wait for me here.”
“And oh! I’d like to have strawberries too.”
“No problem.” He winks at me and starts walking away.
Fifteen minutes later, he still hasn’t come back. I watch the people passing by, and the ambiance is starting to get dreary. I’m also beginning to worry.
Did he get stuck on the dance floor? Did someone spill juice on his shirt? Or is he in the restroom?
I stand in my seat to look for Oliver, but Cassius appears instead.
“Cassius...”
He is gorgeous, more so than the first time I saw him. I notice that his fashion taste is similar to his older brother’s. He’s wearing a black coat and a black shirt, unbuttoned on the chest to expose his smooth pectorals.
I quickly look away. What the hell am I thinking?
I notice a small grin playing on his lips. He places a glass of blackberry gin and tonic and a plate of sliced strawberries in front of me.
“Why are you bringing this instead of Oliver?” I try to sound flat.
He shrugs and sits next to me. A breath of relief rushes out of his mouth as he sits.
“Probably having fun on the dance floor with his future wife,” he says. He’s holding a glass of drink in his hand.
I frown. “Betty came?” Ollie didn’t say she was coming.
“Yes, he’s occupied, so he asked me to join you.” He flashes out a sexy grin.
“Oh, I thought—”
“Disappointed?”
“No, of course, not. Though I wouldn’t have come if I knew.”
“Jealous?” He drinks the glass of his liquor straight, watching me askance.
“Why would I be? I’m not even interested in him. I don’t need to explain to you.”
“Relax, I’m just kidding.” Cassius puts down his glass, picks up a strawberry, and pops it in his mouth.
I roll my eyes. “Well, it’s not funny.”
“How are you doing?” he asks out of the blue. “I heard you stopped seeing Brandon.” He looks at me and munches another piece of strawberry.
I face him. “It’s more like he stopped seeing me. He doesn’t talk to me anymore. I don’t know what happened to him now.”
“Oh, you’ll be fine.”
“I am fine.” I shrug. “I managed before I met him; I’ll manage it now. I am better than fine.”
He lets out a delighted laugh. He should stop using his charms on me. Or maybe he just isn’t aware that he’s doing it? Damn me.
“Okay, this night was supposed to be about having fun. Do you want to dance?”
“Are you asking me to dance?” I ask.
“I think I am. Come on!”
Cassius stands and grabs my hand to take me to the dance floor. He begins to move his body to the beat. The song “One Kiss” by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa is now playing.
“May I?” He stretches his palm, seeking permission.
I nod, and carefully he slips his arms around my waist. I slightly start at the gesture. The electrifying heat instantly radiates out of him again, and I can feel his breath on my cheek. The warmth between us as he sways with me grows more intense by the second. My heart is beating abnormally fast. His scent, his face, his touch...
“Are you okay?” he whispers. His hand drops; he starts swaying his hips.
I move my hips to his rhythm.
This is something I cannot do with Brandon. Something I won’t ever experience with him“This is probably the most sinful thing I have ever done in my life,” he whispers.
His statement confuses me. “Why?”
“I think you are attracted to me; I’m not dumb,” he points out.
My brows arch at his confidence. “You’re unbelievable.”
His face slightly grimaces. “And yet, you are still Brandon’s girl.”
“We never got to that point,” I say honestly. “I don’t even know what he thinks about me now.”
“I can see that you are still his. Can you say you don’t have feelings for him?”
I avoid his eyes. “I don’t have to answer that.”
“Come on.” He flashes a half-smile. “There’s no need to hide, Alayna.”
“Yes, I guess I do,” I snap. “But can you just stop talking and at least finish one full dance?”
He laughs softly then spins me around so my back is against his chest. “Brandon wouldn’t like this very much. You, dancing with me.”
“Stop provoking me,” I warn. “It’s just a dance. It means nothingAgain he laughs at my statement, but then he presses me against his body, and this time his mouth is very near mine.
“I’m sorry,” he breathes. “I won’t mention it again.”
“Good. Then let’s dance, and don’t say anything more.”
When we “Things got heated up with Ollie and Betty earlier,” Cassius says.
I frown. “What happened to them?”
“I don’t know. I guess they’ve already left. I’ll take you home,” Cassius says as if reading my thoughts.
“Are you sure?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t come in. Brandon would be furious if he sees me with you.”
My shoulders fall. I guess I have no choice. “I’m so sorry, Cassius. I hate to make you take me home... I just don’t know much about the city.”
“Even if you knew the city well, I wouldn’t let you go home alone.”
“Thank you, by the way. It was fun.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiles. “Can we do this again?”
“Of course. Saturday is my free day.”
“Saturday, then. I will take you somewhere else. I don’t know why Oliver brought you here. This is his usual place, but it isn’t for a girl like you.”
“Why not? Am I not allowed to have fun?” I cross my arms.
“It’s not what I meant. You can come here as much as you want, but never come alone.”
“Why not? This place looks fine.”
“Yes, but there are nasty guys in here. You wouldn’t want to encounter one. And since it’s getting late, I’ll take you home now.”
“Of course. I’ll just use the restroom first.”
He nods. “I’ll wait for you here.”
I hurriedly come out of the restroom after freshening up, surprised that even in clubs such as this, the line is still a bit long. I don’t want Cassius to wait, so I am heading to the stairs when I suddenly bump into someone.
“Ouch!” I touch my forehead and try to look up at the person who abruptly stops in front of me.
“Going somewhere?” asks the most melodious voice I’ve ever heard in my whole life. It’s the voice I’ve missed the past few weeks. I thought I was only dreaming, but it’s real. He’s here.
Brandon.BRANDONWhy the fuck is she still out at this hour?
I emptied a bottle of whiskey, but I still feel nothing. The alcohol won’t affect me. I frown at my wristwatch to check the time, and it’s already past two o’clock in the morning.
What else can I do? Is this the life Alayna’s hoping for? Going out, dancing in a club with someone else? Is this the price of everything I can’t do for her? Has she already chosen this path? I almost died by fighting against myself. Is everything I fought for the past month for nothing?
A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. I open it immediately, hoping to see Alayna.
“Brandon?” “Where is Alayna? Is she in her room?”
He doesn’t answer right away. “She’s with Cassius,” he breathes. “I’m sorry, Brandon. I had a small misunderstanding with my girlfriend.”
I frown hard. “When did you get a girlfriend?” I start to ask, but that isn’t important. “She’s still there? Why did you leave her with him?” My voice is rising.
Oliver scratches his head. “It was unavoidable. I’m sorry, but she’ll be fine with him. He’ll drive her home safely.”
“But that’s the problem, Ollie!” I snap. “I don’t trust Cassius.”
His eyes are apologetic. “Are we going to argue about this?”
“Bring her here, or I will. Right now, Oliver,” I demand.
“Will you calm down? Cassius won’t do anything to her.”
“Do you think I’m just going to sit back and leave her alone while Cassius is grinding his dick on her?” I hiss, pointing out the door.
“It isn’t like that, Brandon. You don’t understand. I was in a tight situation earlier. I told you my girlfriend came... and we kind of—”
“I can’t believe I am hearing this!” I cut him off. “I’m going out. I’m getting her back.” I snatch the car key from his hand and stomp out of my room.
“Brandon, no!” he shouts.
“Not this time, Ollie,” I growl.
“Wait!” he calls out again, now coming after me.
I grit my teeth and stop, then face him. “What do you fucking want me to do?”
“Are you trying to kill yourself?” He grabs my shoulders. “You won’t even manage two miles. The club is in the middle of the city. Cassius will take care of Alayna. He’ll bring her here.”
“How do you know? He’s different than you, and I don’t give a fuck if the club is at the end of the earth!”
Ollie runs his fingers through his hair and heaves a sigh. “Okay. I’ll take you there. I’ll drive.”