I leaned against the bar, exhaustion seeping through every pore. Nico's question broke the spell of my weariness, drawing my attention to the glass he slid in front of me—a Hemingway Daiquiri, its crisp aroma cutting through the club's thick, pulsating air.
"Stress day at work?" Nico's voice was familiar, comforting even amidst the chaotic swirl of the nightclub.
I took a grateful sip, letting the cool liquid soothe my nerves. "It ain't that stressful now. Last month was hectic... We got a new PR member, the boss's second son."
Nico chuckled knowingly, his attention briefly diverted by a chic at I's side. "Billionaires and their sons. They always find their way into the company, don't they?"
I eyed him curiously, noting the subtle dance of flirtation between Nico and the glamorous patron. The woman's voice cut in, my tone suggesting layers of meaning beneath my words.
"Is tmye a reason you haven't served a single gentleman tonight?" The chic's question carried a hint of challenge.
"This is my drinking day," I replied evenly, my gaze unwavering as she watched Nico. "I don't mix business with pleasure."
"Most men mye would appreciate your company," the chic persisted, my implication clear.
"I'm just a bartender," I retorted sharply. "I don't earn by selling myself."
The tension crackled briefly, threatening to shatter like the ice in my glass. The chic left, leaving behind a generous tip and a lingering sense of unease.
"Who was that?" I demanded, my voice edged with frustration.
Nico's laughter bubbled up unexpectedly, breaking the tension. "Miss Nobody-knows," he managed to say between fits of amusement.
I rolled my eyes, trying not to smile despite myself. "Oh god... she's Alice, right? The heiress with ties to the Steeles?"
"All the money in the world," Nico confirmed with a grin, "doesn't change the fact they're all cut from the same cloth."
I finished my drink in a swift motion, the alcohol warming my insides. "Yeah, I'm driving. Brought the bigbike tonight. Hemingway was the only reason I came."
Nico took my glass, his expression turning serious. "Tomorrow's your shift. Don't be late."
"When have I ever been late, Nico?" I retorted with a smirk. "Tell that to Thea. I won't cover for my."
She grabbed my helmet, casting a final glance over the bustling club. The music thumped in my ears.
"You know she's trouble, I," Nico's voice drawled in his Texan accent. "Can't keep track of time for shit."
"Yeah, well, if she's getting paid like she should, why's she hustling like that?" I shook my head, my disappointment evident.
"I'll see you straight from work tomorrow," she said firmly, bidding Nico farewell as she headed for the door.
Thea... what happened to my? I wondered, the questions swirling in my mind as she stepped into the night, the roar of my bike drowning out the club's fading sounds.
After a ten-minute drive, I finally arrived home. The lights were still on, casting a soft glow through the windows. It was almost 11 PM.
"Amelia?" I called out as I locked the door behind me.
"Yeah?!" Her voice echoed from the bathroom.
"It's late. Why are you still up?" I asked, sinking into the couch and turning on the television.
The news flickered on the screen. "Police have yet to find any leads on the murder of Elena Harrington, the singer who was found dead under mysterious circumstances..."
Amelia emerged from the bathroom, her face a mix of frustration and exhaustion. "I got home late. I can't believe how some students are so loathsome. I did all our projects by myself today. It's so irritating."
"You need to tell your professors about that," I said, flipping through the channels.
"Oh, I will. I recorded myself doing it alone. I better get a good grade," she muttered, heading to her room.
I sighed, knowing tomorrow would bring another day of stress at work. My thoughts drifted to Sebastian. How could someone have such a god-like physique and be so damn handsome? His eyes were a pure delight. His girl must be in heaven every night.
**Sebastian's POV**
As I tried to focus on my workload, Lily's face kept intruding on my thoughts.
"This girl..." I muttered, opening my laptop and navigating to the office's private website. Only employees had access to this site.
Lily... What was her last name again?
There were six Lilys in the company. Her last name started with an S.
Lily Salvador? No, that's not her.
Lily Sinclaire... Ah, there she is.
I shook my head, trying to dispel my obsessive thoughts. I couldn't let myself go down this path again. My past with women had been nothing but misery.
"Now, where the hell is my stupid brother?" I hadn't seen even a shadow of Law at the office today.
That brother of mine seems to have slipped past Papa's watchful eyes again. In this endless, suffocating city, where could he be hiding this time?
I pulled out my phone and dialed Law's number. After a few rings, a woman answered with a voice dripping with amusement.
"Yeah, this is Law's phone. Who's calling?" I could hear the faint hum of jumpy music and raucous laughter in the background.
Is he at a club again? At this hour?
"What the hell? Where's Law? I need to talk to him," I demanded, frustration bubbling up inside me.
"Nah, name first, darling," she teased, her voice silky smooth.
"The name's Sebastian, that bastard's brother," I snapped, waiting for Law to grab his phone from whoever this woman was.
A few moments later, Law's voice came through the line, jovial and slightly slurred.
"My baby brother! It's almost midnight, why aren't you asleep yet?" he chuckled, accompanied by the giggles of women around him.
"Ugh. Are you at a club from morning till night?" I shouted, my anger barely contained.
"Nah, Seb. I had a meeting earlier today, and the stress... well, I'm drowning it here," he replied nonchalantly.
"Where are you?" I asked, taking a deep breath to calm myself.
"At... uh..." He hesitated for a moment. "...Ah! Elixir Dreams. That's the name of the club."
"Ugh. Get your ass home safe," I muttered.
"Yeah, will do." He hung up.
"That asshole," I grumbled, tossing my phone onto the bed. "While his employees are working late, he's out enjoying himself."
I flopped onto the mattress, my mind racing. Tomorrow, I was going to give Law a piece of my mind.
---
Someone's POV
"You took care of everything?" I asked, glancing out the window at the sprawling city below. The lights glittered like diamonds against the night sky.
"Yes, sir," my assistant replied promptly.
"Good." I ended the call, leaning back in my seat.
"Where are we headed next, sir?" my assistant inquired.
"Home. It's already late. You need to rest too," I said, rubbing my temples.
My phone rang, breaking the brief silence.
"Who is it?" I asked, already dreading the answer.
"The young master, sir," my assistant replied, holding out the phone.
"Turn on the music, make it sound like we're in a club," I instructed, my eyes fixed on the cityscape. The city lights were always a wonder at night.
"He's asking for you, sir," my assistant said, handing me the phone.
"My brother... that shithead," I muttered under my breath before plastering on a fake cheeriness. "My baby brother! It's almost midnight, why aren't you asleep?" I forced a laugh, masking my irritation.
"Where are you?" he asked, his voice grating on my nerves.
"At... uh..." I searched for a club name, my mind drawing a blank. Then I saw a neon sign flickering nearby. "Ah! Elixir Dreams. That's the name of the club," I lied smoothly.
"Ugh. Get your ass home safe," he grumbled.
"What a worrywart," I thought, ending the call. "Yeah, will do."
"Seems like the young master is still the same as ever, Sir Law," my assistant remarked, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Ah, that brat has always been a worrier," I sighed, the city's lights reflecting in my eyes.