Chapter 2 The Night We Met

Adrian's Pov

I hated clubs.

Too loud. Too sweaty. Too full of people faking happiness.

But for some reason, Leo, my best friend since diapers, thought the best way to spend Saturday night was to drag into places I had no business being.

"Try not to look dead inside," he didn't say, but heavily implied.

So here I was, pressed between leather seats, overpriced whiskey in hand; surrounded by cologne, clout-chasers, and conversations that made my skin itch.

Every time someone approached, I pulled out my phone and stared at it like it held the cure to my boredom.

Leo slid a drink toward me I didn't ask for. "Welcome to Club 99."

"A strip club, Leo," I shook my head. "Really?"

He laughed and leaned back like a king in his booth. Unlike me, Leo didn't have the weight of a family empire on his shoulders. No board meetings. No headlines to clean up. His older brother was the heir. Leo was free to be reckless.

I wasn't.

Being spotted here was a risk in itself.

"I've been here before," He patted my back with a huge grin. His eyes were gleaming already, probably because of the alcohol he kept downing.

He shrugged, "It's not a sin to loosen up once in a while."

"I'm relaxed when I'm not surrounded by sweat and silicone," I muttered.

It felt strange that my hands weren't flipping through business reports. Instead, my fingers were scrolling through my contacts, my thumb hesitating over Drake, my driver's name. One tap and I'd be out.

He scoffed, "The only reason you are uptight is because you haven't gotten laid in months, Relax."

I scoffed, but the worst part was he wasn't wrong.

I downed the whiskey anyway. Enjoying the burn. Expensive enough to forget the noise for half a second.

"Anyhow," he smirked. "I prepared a surprise for you after the show," he wiggled his eyebrows.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Something tells me I'm not gonna like it,"

"Oh, you will," he smirked, looking smug.

The last time Leo said that, I ended up bribing two cops and paying for a wrecked Benz. So yeah, I was skeptical.

I wonder what kind of trouble his surprise would land me this time.

Before I could press him, the announcer's voice boomed through the speakers.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," the announcer's voice made me look at the stage.

"Up until now, you were able to enjoy some of our best dancers," a bunch of whistles indicated that the crowd was pleased.

"Now, it's time for the main event of the evening. Please welcome Club 99's star, Angel!"

The room erupted, whistles, cheers, bills already flying. Even Leo couldn't contain his excitement, whistling with the crowd.

I groaned and downed another drink. I didn't expect much, just another pretty girl hustling for tips and validation. The performances so far, hadn't touched me.

"I should have just stayed in my office," I muttered, exasperated.

I almost looked away. Almost.

Purple lights dimmed the stage. The music turned sultry. Then she stepped onto the stage.

Red mask. Red lingerie. Red lips like sin, the embodiment of temptation herself.

Next thing I knew, her legs wrapped the pole, they sliced the air in a perfect split, her head thrown back, hair spilling like waves.

"Holy Sh-"

The words died in my throat.

No one, no one, has ever been worth looking at twice.

Leo whistled. "Told you."

I didn't answer. Couldn't.

Because while the crowd saw hips and curves, I saw her eyes. The sadness behind them. Eyes that didn't belong here.

Something about her broke through the ice in my chest.

"Who is she?" The words slipped out before I could stop them.

"The star of the club. Worth every damn dollar."

The crowd cheered, hands reached for her and several bank notes were thrown at her. She bent and made a whole show to pick them all before disappearing behind the curtains.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "That was-"

"Fantastic," Leo finished, smirking. "How did you like your gift?"

I turned to look at him for the first time since the dance. "What gift?"

He shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out a golden key that gleamed under the neon lights.. "I booked her. For you,"

I stared at the key like it was a trap. "You what?" I spluttered in disbelief.

"You're welcome."

"Leo, I don't sleep with random girls. You know that." My voice was sharp enough to slice glass.

He snorted, "She wasn't so random when you were drooling over her."

"I wasn't-"

He cut me off, "Just go in there and enjoy your gift."

I glared at him, but my pulse betrayed me. Because the truth was ugly. I don't pay for sex. I don't sleep with hookers.

And yet as I stared at the vacant stage, every cell in my body was screaming want. I wanted her.

"I paid triple the price for her, try not to emotionally destroy her. You are free to, physically." He chuckled unaware of the emotional torture I was going through.

"What room?"

Leo shoved the key into my palm. "Room 90. Second floor. Don't worry about me. Enjoy the spa treatment for your libido!"

I stood slowly, downing the rest of my drink.

"I'm out of my damn mind." I murmured to myself as I walked away from the bass and bodies.

The hallway was quiet and dim compared to the chaos outside. My shoes thudded against the carpet, each step heavier than the last.

I slid the key into the lock. I turned it. Pushed the door open.

Peach. The scent hit me first. Subtle, feminine and alluring.

And then her voice, low and sweet.

"I've been waiting for you,"