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IT’S BEEN THREE WEEKS since I last saw the Master’s face, and Oliver told me he will be taking the food to him instead of me for now. After the night, his illness attacked, I gave him space as it was also Oliver’s advice since he 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 the Master 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 why he doesn’t want to be touched.
But not wanting to cut our connection, we’re sending each other notes about his meal or how our day went. I’d sometimes go 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 whenever I want to talk to him 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 horiatiki salad. Knowing that he is eating the food I’m cooking for him, makes me somehow relieved. This way, I know that we are still connected.
Then 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 with a smile.
“Oh, hi!” I smile back. “You can bring this to the Master now.”
“Of course.” He grins. “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 only been lurking in my kitchen and my room for the last two weeks. I only go outside when I’m looking for some 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.”
He chuckles. “Sure. I’ll wait for you outside.”
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OLIVER IS LEANING ON a white Bugatti Veyron 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 so 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 wore a royal blue, haltered, knee-length dress that is not very classy. I never had the need to buy flashy clothes. Nonetheless, I remember I’m not trying to impress anyone anyway.
“Hi,” I greet, getting his attention. He’s currently frowning at his smartphone.
Oliver looks up at me. “Oh, hey,” he greets back with his signature boyish grin. He swiftly puts away his phone, and attentively opens the door on the passenger side. “Hop in.”
“Thanks!” I step inside the car, and Oliver gets in the driver seat.
“Buckle up,” he says.
“Oh.” I then secure myself in the seat.
“Alright. You ready?”
“Yep.”
He grins and guns the car engine to life.
Oliver brought me to a nightclub, but the place was 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; underneath the dry-ice, smoke spins an array of neon greens, blues, hot pinks, and yellow gold. 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 towards us. She waves her hand.
“Jenny, hi! How are you?” he greets, and they kiss each other’s cheeks.
“I’m good.” She nods and smiles sweetly. “It’s a great night. Have a nice time!” she says, leaving a gentle touch on his shoulder before she leaves.
As we walk through, another man in a russet jacket appears at Oliver’s side and greets him as well. “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 patted Hans’s shoulder before we continue to walk.
We settle by the VIP floor and slump on the couch near the end corner, where it isn’t too loud. Oliver takes his jacket off, leaving only his 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 the Master’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 go 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. I’m just not used to see you being so carefree like this.”
“I’m more of a friend and family,” 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. “Sorry. Can I have a blackberry gin & tonic, please?”
He chuckles. “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.
It’s been fifteen minutes since Oliver left, but he still hasn’t come back. I watch the people passing by in front of me, and the ambiance is starting to get dreary. I’m also beginning to worry.
Did he get stuck up on the dance floor? Did someone spill juice on his shirt? Or is he in the restroom?
I stand on my seat to look for Oliver, but Cassius appears in front of me.
“Cassius,” my mouth parts at the sight of him. He is gorgeous as hell, 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 dress shirt, unbuttoned on the chest, exposing his smooth pectorals.
I quickly look away. What the hell am I thinking?
I notice a small grin is 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 sigh 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 from the side of his eyes.
“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 with a charming grin. “I heard you stopped seeing Brandon.” He looks at me and munches another piece of strawberry.
I shift my face to his side. “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 let out a delicious laugh. He should stop using his charms on me. Or maybe he just isn’t aware? 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 bring me to the dance floor. He begins to move his body in accord to the beat. The song One Kiss by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa is now playing in the air.
“May I?” He lays out his palm, seeking permission.
I nod, and carefully, he slips his arms around my waist, and I slightly jerk with the gesture. The electrifying heat instantly radiated between us, 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 lowers; he started swaying his hips.
I move my hips in accord with his rhythm.
This is something I cannot do with Brandon. Something I won’t ever experience with him. My brain shouts.
“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 numb,” he points out.
My brows arch with his confidence. Undeniably, he is probably right. He’s playing this game.
“So are you.”
He smirks. “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. Do you 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 song?”
He laughs softly. “Oh, I plan on dancing with you for more than one song. At least just this night.”
Cassius spins me around so my back is pressed against his chest.
“What do you think he would say if he found out you are dancing with me?”
“Stop provoking me,” I warn. “It’s just a dance. It means nothing.”
He softly laughs at my statement, but then he presses me against his body, and this time, his mouth was only an inch away from mine.
“I’m sorry,” he breathes. “I won’t mention it again.”
“Good. Then let’s continue this dance, and don’t say anything more.”
When we come back to our table, there’s still no sight of Oliver. We can’t find him anywhere in the VIP area or on the dance floor. He’s still probably with his fiancée, or he went home without me.
“Things got heated up with Ollie and Betty earlier,” Cassius says.
I frown. “What happened to them?”
“I don’t know. I guess they 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.” I smile.
“You’re welcome.” He beams. “Can we do this again?”
“Of course. Saturday is my free day.”
“Another Saturday, then. I will take you somewhere else. I don’t know why Oliver took you here. This is his usual place, but this 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.” He chuckles. “You can come here as much as you want, but never come alone.”
“Why not? This place looks fine.” I shrug.
“Yes, but there are nasty guys in here. You wouldn’t want to encounter one. And since it’s getting late, I think I should take you home now.”
“Oh, of course. I’ll just go to the restroom first.”
He nods. “I’ll wait for you here.”
I nod in response.
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 head to the stairs when I suddenly bump into someone.
“Ouch!” I touch my forehead and try to look up to the person who abruptly stops in front of me.
“Going somewhere?” asks the most melodious voice I’d ever heard in my whole life. It’s the voice I’d missed the past few weeks. I thought I was only dreaming, but it’s real. He’s here.
Brandon.
BRANDON
Why 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 could 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 couldn’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 all for nothing?
A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. I open immediately, hoping to see Alayna.
“Brandon?” It’s Oliver, but he’s alone. He steps inside and closes the door.
“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 question, but that isn’t important. “She’s still there? Why did you leave her with him?” I rage, my voice rising.
Oliver stretches his head. “It’s unavoidable. I’m sorry, but she’ll be fine with him. He’ll drive her home safe.”
“But that’s the problem, Ollie!” I snap. “I don’t trust Cassius.”
He shakes his head, his eyes 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 hissed, pointing out the door.
“It isn’t like that, Brandon. You don’t understand. I was in a tight situation earlier.” He scratches his head. “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 once more, 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 get more than two kilometers. The club is in the middle of the city. Cassius will take care of Alayna. He’ll bring her here.”
“How could you know? He’s different from 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.”
