The night was alive with music and laughter, energy spilling from the club into the cool night air. Jeslyne stood at the bar, waiting for her drink and savoring the rare night out with friends. The past few weeks at work had been relentless, and tonight was a chance to let it all go.
Suddenly, a deep voice cut through her thoughts.
"Jasmine, is it?"
She turned, assuming it was someone who knew her but had somehow misremembered her name. "It's Jeslyne," she corrected him politely, meeting his gaze.
The man smiled, stepping closer and sliding into the seat beside her. "I meant the scent," he clarified, a hint of amusement in his voice, his dark eyes fixed intently on hers.
"Oh…" Jeslyne felt her cheeks warm, slightly embarrassed. He was strikingly handsome, with an intense gaze that seemed to hold something hidden, a quiet mystery. His style was casual yet refined, and she felt an inexplicable pull toward him.
"Do you always address women by their perfume?" she asked, trying to shake off the flustered feeling and sound playful.
"Only when it's a fragrance I can't seem to forget." His words had a calm confidence, but there was a depth beneath them that made her heart race.
She blinked, slightly caught off guard. "And...do you make it a habit to follow women in clubs, too?"
He laughed softly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Only the intriguing ones," he replied smoothly. "But here's the part I'm curious about—how is it you don't recognize me?"
Jeslyne tilted her head, frowning slightly as she searched his face. He seemed familiar, and yet she couldn't place him. "Should I know you?" she asked, half-joking but genuinely puzzled.
His eyes danced with mischief. "Let's just say we've crossed paths in a place with fewer flashing lights."
She laughed, still feeling that strange, inexplicable pull toward him. "I don't know if that's supposed to clear things up or make it even more confusing."
He leaned in, his gaze steady. "Confusing might not be such a bad thing," he murmured. They held each other's gaze, the noise of the club fading as if they were the only two people in the room.
Jeslyne shook her head, trying to regain her composure. "So, mystery man—are you going to tell me your name, or is that also supposed to be confusing?"
He grinned, a hint of playfulness in his eyes. "Rolland," he said, extending his hand. "Rolland Williams."
She blinked in surprise, repeating the name in her mind. Rolland Williams. The CEO she had heard so much about? She had never actually met him, and here he was, sitting beside her in a club. She hesitated, her gaze studying him for a moment longer before shaking his hand.
"Well, Rolland," she said, trying to keep her voice steady, "I'd say it's nice to meet you…though I can't tell if this is some elaborate trick to keep me guessing."
"Guessing can be good sometimes." His tone was light, but his gaze held steady on hers. "Keeps things interesting."
She found herself smiling, her pulse racing faster than she would like to admit. "You're something else, you know that?"
"Funny, I could say the same about you."
Before he could respond, Jeslyne's friend approached, nudging her shoulder. "Hey, your brother's friend is here to pick you up. He said you've been gone a while."
Jeslyne glanced back at Rolland, feeling a strange reluctance to leave. "Well, I suppose I'll see you around, Rolland."
"The pleasure was mine," he replied, his gaze lingering on her as she walked off with her friend.
Outside the club, Jeslyne waited on the curb, scanning the street for an available cab. It was getting late, and the cool night air was refreshing after the warmth of the club. As she rubbed her arms against the chill, a car pulled up in front of her. The window rolled down, and to her surprise, it was Rolland.
Without thinking, she leaned down slightly. "My brother sent you, right?"
He arched an eyebrow, clearly amused but letting her assumption slide. Before he could respond, she slipped into the passenger seat beside him.
He started the engine, casting her a sidelong glance. "So…do you often get into cars with strangers?"
Jeslyne gave him a sheepish smile. "I guess I assumed. But now that you mention it…should I be worried?"
He laughed, his voice rich and smooth. "Not unless you're the type to worry over every small detail."
"I see. So I'll take that as a no," she said with a smirk, turning to look out the window and settling comfortably into the seat.
He glanced over at her, his eyes warm and intrigued. "You don't strike me as someone who likes predictability."
Her phone suddenly rang, and she saw her brother's name flash on the screen. She answered, his voice immediately filling her ear. "Hey, where are you? I thought David was supposed to be picking you up?"
Realizing her mistake, she pressed her hand to her mouth, laughing softly. "I'll call you back," she said before hanging up and turning to Rolland, her eyes sparkling with embarrassment.
"You realize you got into the wrong car?" he asked, though he didn't seem particularly bothered by it.
"Apparently," she replied, still laughing. "I guess I owe you an apology…or at least a thank you for the ride."
"Don't worry about it. I was already planning on driving you." His tone was casual, but there was a look in his eyes that was anything but.
She settled back into the seat, feeling a little more at ease. "Well, it's kind of nice to have a bit of mystery every now and then."
They continued their drive through the city, exchanging bits of conversation and lingering looks that seemed to speak louder than words.