I quickly took on a shower and put something on. I had no time to waste on my appearance right now as Nicolo's life was on the line.
"Time to go meet our baby daddy." I thought to myself as I took my purse. I would be damned if I forgot that. It had the blood type and DNA test I had carried out. It also had some of Nicolo's hair wrapped up in it.
Just in case he thought I was trying to pull a fast one on him. Not that any of this was necessary. A picture was more than enough to convince him. Nicolo was the carbon copy of his father. All this shit won't be happening if the damn man had just picked up my calls in the first place!
I stepped out of the penthouse and locked the doors. I would drop the keys with the receptionist. I did not want to risk losing them. I took the elevator and went down.
"Good evening."
"Evening ma'am. Can I help you with anything? "
"Oh yes you can."
" What can I help you with?"
"Yes I want to drop my keys here. I can't risk losing them."
"Oh it is ok. We have a spare here. You can go with them if you wish."
"Oh then I would prefer to go with them then. Thank you for your time."
"You are welcome ma'am. Do have a lovely night out."
Sigh... Lovely huh? I sure as hell wasn't going to have such an evening. If I managed to keep any body parts and my sanity intact after tonight, then my guardian angel must have been doing some serious overtime for me.
I walked out of the hotel and hailed a cab to the one club I knew Alessio went to one week days like these.
"Little Sister Lounge."
"Get in."
I entered the cab and clutched my purse tightly. Tonight would decide a lot of things for me.
***
"Evening ma'am. May I see your reservation?"
"Oh I am here for Mr Alessio Rodriguez. He gave me this."
I fished out one of Alessio's guest club cards I had on me. I knew his cards lasted five years and he always lost them. I always kept one just for going to the club in his absence and he never minded.
"Here it is."
The security scanned it and found I wasn't lying. I was damn lucky it went through. I planned to get into this club by hook or crook. If the card hadn't worked, it would have been a hassle. Good thing I always had one of his cards when I was still his wife.
"I will be escorting you to the VIP lounge ma'am."
"Oh there is no need. I know my way around."
"Oh..... But I insist ma'am. My Alessio does not like his ladies wandering around."
Ladies huh? The damn bastard was still seeing different women.
Well it was not like I cared anyway. I needed one thing from him and that thing was in his damn body. I gripped my purse tightly and nodded.
"Alright then. Lead the way."
The bouncer walked ahead and we climbed up the steps. I could hear the low music playing in the inside and I checked my watch for the time and the bouncer spoke up,
"Mister Alessio arrived a few minutes ago so you aren't late."
"Oh thanks."
He opened the doors to the club and I walked in.
"You do not have to escort me all the way to the lounge. I want to get a drink first. To cool my nerves."
"Nervous huh?"
"You could say that. First time here."
"Just go with the flow and try not to get hurt. Mr Alessio may seem difficult but I heard he's easy to please. So long as you do not cross him, you'll be fine. Stop being so nervous and try to have a nice night ma'am."
This bouncer was sure being chatty. Wonder how long he worked here to be this comfortable. Well that was not what I was here for anyway.
"Thanks a lot err–"
"Ricky."
"Thanks a lot Ricky."
He nodded and shut the door.
I moved towards the bar and soon enough, I sighted Alessio at the VIP lounge. But I couldn't get there by flashing a measly card. The guards there were damn strict and I couldn't lie my way through either. I had no make-up on and could be easily recognized if someone paid attention. Like the paparazzi . Also it would be violating a term of the contract. I was not supposed to show up or seek him out after the divorce but this situation was urgent and demanded it. It was about his own flesh and blood. Nothing would ever make me seek out someone as dangerous as him.
I sat at the bar and ordered a drink. A mock tail to be precise.
"Get me a Virgin Cosmopolitan."
"Alright ma'am. Virgin cosmopolitan mock-tail coming up."
I watched the bartender mix cranberry, lime and orange juice with a splash of sparkling water.
This drink was totally the best and non-alcoholic. I could not drink tonight. That would be a really stupid idea.
The bartender handed me my drink and I stared at my watch. In a few minutes, Alessio himself would come to the bar and order a Diamond cocktail. It was one of the most expensive cocktails and this bar was one of the few that served it. I never understood why he ever drank that. Throwing money after what did not have any value.
I sipped my drink and waited. Alessio was a routine person and never broke from his routines. Everything about him was scheduled from top to bottom. All I needed was to wait.
And… He stood up.
As he walked towards the bar, I remembered the first time I had ever met him at this very club and it all rushed to me in an instant.
Just like yesterday.
The club was dimly lit and packed with people, the low murmur of chatter and clinking glasses filling the air. I was nursing a drink at the bar, trying to relax a little after a long day at school.
I was really worried about the bills that Alicia and I had incurred recently. Life in this place was damn difficult.
I downed another glass and opened my mouth to order another when I saw… Him.
He was tall and lean, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through you. He wore an expensive suit that hugged his muscular frame in all the right places, and carried himself with an air of confidence that demanded respect.
Something about him drew my gaze, and I found myself staring at him, unable to look away. He strode confidently over to the bar, his eyes sweeping over the other patrons as if he was taking in the scene. When his gaze met mine, I felt a shiver run down my spine.
As he approached, I could sense the danger that surrounded him. He exuded an aura of power and authority, as if he was used to getting whatever he wanted. And I could tell that he wanted me.
I let my eyes roam his figure, taking in the delicious sight and wondering what was under those wraps.
"May I buy you a drink?" he said, his voice low and smooth.
I hesitated for a moment, weighing the risks against the undeniable attraction I felt for this dangerous stranger. But I couldn't resist the pull that he had over me, so I nodded my agreement and we settled into a conversation.
As we talked, I couldn't help but notice the sharp edge to his words. He wasn't the type of man to mince words or play games – he said what he wanted and didn't care who he offended in the process. I could sense his ruthlessness, and it both frightened and excited me.
As the night wore on, I found myself more and more drawn to this dangerous man. He was confident, commanding, and utterly irresistible. But I also knew that I was playing with fire and I couldn't care less. I had so much on me. Bills and my friend's idea of marrying a rich guy. I could remember Alicia's crazy talk of marrying a guy for money. Pfft a contract marriage? As if!
It wasn't until we left the bar that he revealed his true nature. I was a bit drunk but still able to comprehend what was going on around me. A group of men approached us, their intentions clear. To make a hit on the strange, handsome guy. But the dangerous man seemed prepared, and he dispatched them with a precision and savagery that left me shaken to my core.
As I watched him fight, I couldn't help but feel like I was in the presence of a predator. His movements were fluid and smooth, his eyes cold and lethal. In that moment, I knew that I was out of my depth, and that this man was far more dangerous than I had anticipated.
When it was over, he turned to me, his piercing blue eyes meeting mine once more. And in that moment, I realized that there was no going back. I was hooked on the danger and the thrill of the unknown, and I knew that I wouldn't be able to resist this dangerous man no matter how hard I tried.
Despite the madness and the danger of the night, I couldn't help but feel that this chance encounter was the beginning of something more. I didn't know what the future held, but I was excited to find out…even if it meant dancing with danger.
I looked into his eyes and felt them stare deeply into mine… I felt the rush of excitement come over me…
"What the fuck are you doing here Reina?"
I snapped out of my reverie and found Alessio staring at me with fire and wrath in his eyes.
If only I was going to know the kind of trouble that chance encounter was bringing to me, I would have taken off from the day I saw him.
I stared at Alessio and replied,
"You did not believe what I had to say over the phone so here I am."
He stared at me with such an intensity that I almost shivered in fright but I held my ground. I was doing this for Nicolo. For his survival.
"You have five minutes to convince me why I should even believe some of the shit you said."
I gave him a cold smile and replied,
"That is more than enough."