About an hour before The Masked Siren graced the stage, a man at the prime age of 27 stood outside the club. He leaned on the door of his McLaren P1 with his arms folded over his chest. His silver hair glinted against the dark sky. Heads turned his way whenever they passed by. The females giggled at his handsome looks.
Leon Orsino would glare in their direction every time he heard it—his icy blues eyes frostier than the largest glacier in Antarctica. Then, the ladies would scurry away from intimidation.
"You really gotta stop scaring women. I know you don't like when they do that but don't kill our own chances please?" His best friend, Reuss, pleaded while clamping a hand on his shoulder.
"Besides, you are meant to have fun tonight," Reuss continued. His warm features of blonde hair and ruby eyes balanced Leon's arctic appearance. "So loosen up. You're not in the office."
Alone, Leon caught surrounding eyes.
Together with Reuss? They took breaths away. Their clothings of dress shirts and trousers were of the highest quality. Rolex watches and oxford shoes added to their implied status—nothing but the best for their tall frames and radiant auras.
"Why did you even bring me here?" Leon asked.
Cars rolled down the street and parked near their spot. Businessmen stepped out of the vehicles. Reuss waved at them, revealing their presence.
"I just told you," he said. His ruby eyes remained at the entourage. "To have fun."
"At a strip club?" Leon gaped at him. He fixed his expression just before the others joined them. Greeting their new companions, he wore a tight smile. One of them slapped his back and teased how he'd enjoy his first time at a strip club.
He was a small fry in their eyes despite being the youngest businessman to climb to their level.
Reuss diverted the topic and let the others chat among themselves. He walked back to Leon's side and elbowed the latter in the ribs. "It's certainly a place you haven't been before but The Docks is a reputable place."
"How is a strip club ever reputable?" Leon hissed under his breath.
When the other businessmen looked at him, he flashed his best smile and waved them off.
"Chill, will ya?" Reuss warned. He joked that his best friend just had nerves which was a hit to the others. "You're also here to gain the favor of Mr. Adams. You know he's a playboy and likes strip clubs even at his age. This is the best way to seal that marketing deal you want."
Leon weighed his chances. The problem with his success was many still doubted him, especially old geezers. They had attached a time bomb on him and waited for his downfall. It took them decades to where they were today.
A kid like him still had a long way to go—inheriting his large family business meant nothing.
"Fine," Leon huffed. He dusted off his sleeves and eyed the establishment. Faint lively music boomed through the roof. Its supposedly contagious energy had no effect on him. "But I won't be taking anyone home."
Grinning from ear to ear, Reuss wrapped his arm around his best friend's shoulders. "I'm just glad that thought even came to your mind. Come on, let's go in."
The inside was worse than Leon thought.
Escorts loitered around the place and entertained the guests. A few of them greeted him and his companions as soon as they came. It seemed that the others recognized these women. They greeted each other like old friends.
It sent a shiver down his spine.
Another one slithered when fake nails brushed his shoulder.
"Hmmm," the escort purred, walking around behind him. Her breath tickled the back of his hair. "I've never seen you here before. Is this your first time?"
Leon hardened his face. It made his chiseled features sharper. His gaze dwelled ahead despite how rude it must seem. "I take it that you know everyone here?"
The escort finished her small tour of his body. She stepped into his line of sight and twirled her hair. A smirk curled on her lips. "A sharp tongue. I like that."
"I can't say the same."
"Oh, you're one of those icy statues. Although, I do think you'd look good in a punch bowl."
Reuss held back a snort. He coughed into the side of his fist. It caught the escort's attention. She made her way towards him and held out a hand. Her head tilted sideways, letting the light highlight one side of her face.
"Why hello," she greeted. "I'm Linda."
"Reuss."
She gripped tighter when he returned the handshake. Walking up to him, her eyes flickered at Leon for a split second. "I can tell you're nothing like your friend over here."
"I never turn down good fun." Reuss shrugged. His face mirrored her seductive expression.
"How about another good f-word?"
"We'll have to see about that."
Leon rolled his eyes. 'Screw it!'
He searched the place for a secluded area. The more he heard the flirting, the more his desire to gag increased. His nose scrunched in disgust. It didn't help that it was jam-packed. Everywhere he looked, there were pairs close together and whispering.
Someone walked away and revealed a straight path to the bar.
Without a moment to lose, Leon headed for it.
"And where do you think you're going?" Reuss yanked his collar and pulled him back,
Leon struggled to get out of his grip. Who cared that he was a grown adult? He won't stand for this to continue. "You can all have your fun. I'm not leaving. Find me somewhere in the corner."
"Oh, you're not going anywhere. We have the best seats in the house for tonight." Reuss forced his best friend to face him. He let go just in time for their companions to notice the commotion. Then, he addressed all of them. "I heard there's also going to be a special performance."
"You're here for The Masked Siren?" Linda guessed. Her eyes immediately sparkled. She heard the sponsor was a big shot. It had to be one of these men. Or maybe, if she was lucky, it was the one beside her.
Reuss lowered his lips to her ear. His arm snaked behind her waist and kept her close. "Between you and me, do you think she can melt this ice sculpture?"
Linda eyed Leon up and down. He seemed like Kamil's type. Well, he was unique compared to most men. Even if he wasn't her usual type, she'd spare him the attention and it would certainly be interesting to see their top seductress try her skills on him.
"It's certainly worth the shot," she decided to say.
"You won't mind that he goes to someone else?"
"I like you better anyway." Linda placed her hand on his chest and giggled right by his neck. Then, she nodded at the rest. "If you follow me please, I will guide you to your seats."
Leon ordered the strongest alcohol the club possessed. He would need it if he was determined to survive this night. Reuss had turned his chair away from the table and faced the stage. He could see a pole at the front of the runway.
Others who had seats like him also turned theirs towards the same stage. Anticipation was evident in their eyes. Leon took a quick swig of his drink. The alcohol burned his throat and flowed down to his stomach. It would be a while before he'd feel the effect.
He just hoped that it would happen before he finishes the drink.
Otherwise, he'd ask for another one and end up drunk.
The music soon screeched into a halt. A man appeared on the stage and greeted the guests. His enthusiasm raised up the energy of the place for the main event. The lights dimmed and the curtains parted. Leon didn't know what to expect.
But this wasn't one of them.
The Masked Siren, as the woman was called, walked up to the pole by following the music's rhythm. Her silhouette had a magnetic presence. The audience stopped to give her their full attention. Even her smallest movements didn't go unnoticed.
Grabbing the pole, she circled her leg around it and lifted herself off the ground and. Her top hat fell to the floor. Her gold boot kicked it off the stage. Alluring eyes peeked from under a black laced mask. She let the pole go and landed with her feet apart.
It ripped her coat apart and revealed a red corset. Feet back together, her back brushed on the pole as she lowered into a squat. Her hips swayed side to side all the way. Then, her leg stretched into an arc, turning her front towards the pole. She pulled herself up in slow motion.
Her raven hair cascaded in waves over her arched back.
Leon's vision began to blur at the corners. His head began to feel lightweight. He closed his eyes briefly and pinched the bridge of his nose. 'Did I underestimate the alcohol?'
When he opened them again, he found a pair of obsidian eyes staring straight at him.