"What???" Both Luke and Sheila exclaimed, looking at me in shock
"I can't go there with you looking like that. They will battle for you like you are a piece of the art they can bid on," I said, laughing.
They both started laughing at my remark.
"Sheila, I don't know what kind of magic trick you pulled, but these are magnificent," I said.
"The designer just sent these. This is the only outfit like this, and while she hasn't said it, I don't think she plans on making a second. Still, the moment they arrived, I couldn't stop thinking about you, too. It was like she had it specially designed for you, and by the way, it fits. It really seems so," Sheila explained while giggling.
After paying for the outfits, satisfied with ourselves and the most outstanding outfit we could find, we went to an ice cream shop.
When we left Muse Square, it was already dark outside
"Frey, I just got the greatest idea," Liam said thoughtfully, and I knew something stupid will come next
"Let's hear it," I said, almost curious
"Let's go to Escape," Liam said, now full of enthusiasm
Escape was one of the most popular fancy clubs, and all hotshots would go there, from celebrities to business people and everyone who wanted to feel important. It was the talk of the town for years, and we would go there from time to time.
"Dressed like this?" I asked, looking at my comfortable clothing
"Who cares Frey, most of them are drunk anyway," Liam rolled his eyes at me
"Fine, I need a drink anyway," I smiled softly
"That's my girl," Liam chirped while kissing my cheek and almost running to the car.
I told Simon where our next destination was, and in about 30 minutes, we were at the Escape's entrance. The long waiting line was going out for a block. At the sight of it, I thought to myself, people must be really eager to get in if they wait for such a long time. So, without a second thought, we went to the bodyguards at the entrance, not bothering with the waiting line. I can be friendly and easy to talk to most of the time, but I will use my status occasionally. After all, if you don't enjoy the perks of having a position like this, what is the point? I told the guy at the entrance that we want the usual VIP booth, and he told us to wait for a moment, then quickly returned to walk us to it despite us knowing exactly where it was.
Not long after getting seated, the server came, and she was googling her eyes at Luke. I told her I wanted a bottle of scotch, and she took my order, but her eyes remained glued to him. With a gaze so intense, as if she would blink, he will disappear.
"Careful not to drool, darling," I told her, so she will just leave already
After hearing that, her face went a bright red, and she quickly left the booth.
"Wow, you're no fun. She didn't even hear what I wanted," Liam said in a childish voice.
"That's for the better," I teased him.
He punched my arm lightly, but before he could retort, the server came back with my order and asked him shyly what he wanted. He ordered a round of shots, and I almost wanted to strangle him for that.
She quickly returned with his order, too, and we bottomed them in seconds. I then topped my glass of scotch and bottomed that as well.
"Woo, slow down, girl. I said the others are drunk. It wasn't a suggestion," Liam laughed.
"Shush, you brought me here; you carry me out," I replied, laughing as well
A couple of minutes later, he caught sight of a nice-looking blonde on the dance floor and went hunting. Oh, I am so leaving here alone, I thought, letting out a deep sigh while watching the show unravelling in front of me.
Author's Pov.
Hades was standing at the entrance of Escape with Liam, listening idly as the latter was trying to get them into their usual booth. By what the man talking to Liam said, someone was already there, and he could offer them another one. At that time, Hades didn't care about what booth they sat in. All he wanted was to get her out of his head. The only moment that stirred him awake was when the man speaking with Liam mentioned her name, and he suddenly listened in. Liam asked the man to see if Miss. Murik will allow him to join her and share the booth.
While looking aimlessly at the crowd of dancing bodies, the same man who led her and Luke to the booth pulled Freyja out of her daze.
"Miss Murik, I am sorry to bother you. Mr. Hughes just came in asking for the same booth as you. When I told him it was occupied, he demanded to know by who. Then, at the mention of your name, he asked me to come and see if he can accompany you, as he stated you know him," he said apologetically.
Why is Liam here, she thought. Given that Luke deserted her, she saw no harm in letting the man accompany her. After all, she liked him, and they got along well.
"Yes, I know him. He can join me," Freyja said in a calm voice.
He gave a stern nod and disappeared into the distance.
When Liam came, she realized that this night just couldn't get any worse. Because along with Liam, into the booth entered the same man that made her want to drink herself senseless with his oh-so insanely scent.
"If I knew you had company, I would've refused," she said in a low growl.
Hades shifted in his spot, feeling awkward at her comment. 'The guts of this woman,' he thought to himself. But her scent was intoxicating, and he couldn't help but crave her even more now that she was in front of him. Meanwhile, Liam was unfazed by her remark.
"That is exactly why you didn't know I had company," Liam replied, letting a small laugh escape.
"Mr. Hughes, you have grown bolder. You do remember I am the one paying your salary?" Freyja asked. Looking straight into his eyes, she could sense him stiffening up at that mention.
"A well-deserved one, if I may add, but for the sake of this night, this was just a coincidence. Nothing planned, and I know we could have some fun together," Liam tried pleading with her.
While she did not know if it's just her terrible luck or an attempt at an unofficial meeting, she was barely holding herself sane in such a closed space with Hades. He was so close to her, his scent was making her ache with desire, and Rhea was restless as well.
"Very well, then I say let the fun begin" a glimmer of lust flashed through her eyes.
She topped all their glasses and then asked for a round of shots, then for another one. When she was at the third round of shots, Luke came in, rushing to her side. He gave the two men a death glare before he sat beside her.
"You intend to get out of this bar crawling?" Luke asked, looking at the shot glasses on the table.
"Hmm, no, but I may intend to do something foolish, and I need to blame alcohol on it," Freyja laughed bitterly.
He gave her a questioning look, but she just shook her head as she didn't want to get into more details. She emptied her shot and topped her glass of scotch.
"Mr. Loke, tell me, how are you planning to revive a dying business?" Freyja asked, fixing him with her eyes. The tension between them was already intoxicating as it was, but now it was growing even more resounding.
"How do you know we are in trouble?" Hades asked, gritting his teeth. He was wondering how much does she know while a flash of anger was rushing through his body.
"For once, you sought my help. Besides that, a lot of your previous clients and partners have now switched to the Lycaea group. Of course, one can just assume, but you have just confirmed," Freyja replied, smirking arrogantly at him.
'She was just guessing. And I was such an idiot to admit it…' So Hades thought to himself, his eyes going dark at the sudden realization she was trying to make a fool of himself.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Miss. Murik, even if Maplebite group has a rough patch, we can still manage with or without you," he replied coldly in a low growl, but he knew it's a gigantic lie.
Could this man have more effects on her, she thought. He just spoke, and it sent shivers all over her body.
"I'm very pleased to hear that. I can't wait to see how Maplebite group regains its glory after being quietly destroyed," Freyja replied, still not breaking eye contact with him.
In the same booth, Liam and Luke were watching the standoff playing in front of them, ready to take them both out if they jumped at each other's throats, they could feel the tension growing, and they were worrying if anyone would come out alive if one of the latter losses it's cool.
A song started playing in the club, and Luke suddenly was tugging at her arm.
"Frey, let's go dancing. It's one of your favourites," he said and almost dragged her from the seat just to make her leave.
She gave Luke a nod and stood up to go to the dance floor. Meanwhile, her eyes remained glued to the man in front of her. Despite that, she ached with desire, she fought to keep her composure.
Down on the dancefloor with Luke, she unleashed all her frustration, and she completely lost herself to the music. Yet, at the same time, Luke let out a relieved breath when he saw her dance.
Hades was watching her from the booth, his eyes dark with lust at every move she made. Similarly, Seth was restless and pushed him to get to her. He craved her so severely. Hades wasn't used to someone having so much power over him, and he couldn't understand why he was so drowned to her. She was human, and he was sure the Moon Goddess wouldn't give him a human Luna. Given that her scent was floating in the entire club, and he couldn't take his eyes off her, he could swear she'll be the death of him. She was so beautiful with the way she swung her hips and curled her body.
"You're going to burst a hole in her if you stare any longer," Liam said jokingly beside him.
"She looks so good, man, and I can't get Seth to settle down," he replied, not lifting his eyes from her.
"Just go dance with her. Hopefully, she won't break your arm or something," Liam added, but he worried she might.
After hearing Liam's words, he decided. He didn't know what pulled him to her, but he had to give in and see where it leads.
Heading to the dancefloor, he went straight to Freyja and grabbed her hand, twirling her around in a dance move to face him.
Despite her feeling his scent getting closer, she didn't break her dance, not until she felt his large hand on hers and he twirled her body to face him. Almost losing her balance, she landed with her hands on his chest. The sudden twirl made her dizzy for a second. She looked up and met his gaze fixed on her, his deep blue eyes making her legs go numb, trying with all her might to hold her composure and to resist the urge to melt in his arms and make him hers.