Chapter Ten: The Obsidian Room

Andrew’s POV

The building was emptying fast. Laughter, the shuffle of heels, the hum of printers dying down—Sterling Enterprises exhaled for the night.

I stood by my office window, watching Lily gather her bag. She smiled politely at a passing coworker, but her eyes—those eyes—carried something heavy. Something she was trying too hard to hide.

She disappeared into the elevator, and I finally looked away.

Work was over. But my mind was far from quiet.

The image of her from this morning—her lips pressed together in irritation as she brought me the fourth cup of coffee—flashed through my head. The little quip she’d thrown at me, voice low but sharp: “For the petulant child that you are.”

I’d almost laughed. Almost.

Instead, I’d watched her walk out of my office with that sway in her hips that could ruin my composure.

Now, with my tie hanging loose and my patience shot, I needed release.

Not from her—never from her—but from the pull she created just by existing.

So I did what I always did when the walls of control started to crack.

I went to The Obsidian Room.

---

The black car slid through the city like a shadow. When we stopped, the building rose in front of me—dark glass, no signboard, no noise. Only those who knew, knew.

Inside, the air was thick with low music and sin. Masks, whispers, touches that lingered too long. The scent of leather and wine.

I tugged the mask over my face, feeling the shift.

Andrew Sterling, CEO, disappeared.

In his place—someone who could watch without being watched.

Couples moved under dim crimson light.

A woman knelt before her partner, his hand tangled in her hair.

Another leaned against a mirrored wall, breathless, lost.

I watched in silence, detached but aware of every detail. Power. Control. Surrender.

It fascinated me, not because I wanted to lose myself in it—but because it reminded me how people reveal themselves when they stop pretending.

My phone buzzed. I ignored it.

Instead, my gaze drifted to the far end of the club where the manager stood, tall, tailored suit, sharp eyes scanning the floor.

Adrian. The one who ran this world of velvet and shadows.

He caught my eye briefly, nodded once, then turned away. He knew me well enough to leave me alone.

I ordered a drink, leaned against the rail, and let the night unfold.

And yet… even here, surrounded by distraction, her face wouldn’t leave me.

Lily Hart.

Too stubborn. Too soft. Too tempting for her own good.

I took another drink.

I needed to forget her.

*****

Lily’s POV...........

Someone is in my house.

I definitely remember turning the lights off before leaving, I grabbed a stick and opened the door quietly.

I tiptoed in and heard music coming form the kitchen

What the hell

I walked into it and saw her

“Sophia?”

Her familiar laugh echoed from the kitchen. “Surprise!”

I blinked. “You broke in again.”

“Please,” she scoffed, waving a takeout bag. “You gave me a key, remember?”

I sighed, half smiling. “You still can’t text first?”

“Not when my best friend’s life sounds like a slow-motion disaster.” She plopped onto the couch and handed me a drink. “You look like you need this.”

I took it, slumping beside her. “You have no idea.”

She pulled me into a hug and I smelt her familiar vanilla and cream scent and closed my eyes, finally, someone here for just me.

“So,” she said, eyes narrowing playfully, “this new job—any hot bosses?”

I froze. “Define hot.”

“Oh my God.” Her grin widened. “You do have one.”

I groaned. “Sophia—”

“Spill it.”

“He’s… impossible,” I muttered. “Cold. Arrogant. Infuriating. And also—”

“Gorgeous?” she supplied.

I glared. “…Yes.”

Sophia’s laughter rang out. “And you’re already in trouble.”

Before I could argue, she clapped her hands. “Perfect. We’re going out.”

“What? No.”

“Yes.” She stood, already heading to my closet. “You’ve been moping for weeks. You need to remember you’re still hot. I know a place.”

“I have work tomorrow Sophia" I glared

“We'll be back before midnight”

I hesitated. “What place?”

She tossed me a black dress. “A club. You’ll love it.”

“I’m not—”

“Lily Hart,” she said firmly, “get dressed.”

---

I was wearing a leopard print corset top, and a very short black skirt courtesy of Sophia.

My hair was packed in a ponytail, I applied my pink lipstick and I definitely looked hot.

Sophia was wearing a white extremely short dress, tht hugged her killer curves and her blonde hair was packed in pigtails

“Ready?“ She asked

I groaned

Thirty minutes later, we stepped out of the cab and my stomach dropped.

The glowing sign ahead read Obsidian room.

No way.

“This is—” I started.

“Fancy, right?” Sophia interrupted, already linking her arm with mine.

I swallowed. “I just… booked a reservation here. For my boss.”

Sophia grinned. “Then clearly your boss has taste.”

Inside, the air was thick with luxury — dark velvet walls, flickering candles, the soft pulse of music. The atmosphere hummed with something dangerous and enticing.

I tried not to stare too much. Failing miserably.

We found a table near the balcony and ordered drinks. The martini glass was cold in my hand; my nerves were not.

“This place feels… different,” I murmured.

“That’s the point,” Sophia said, eyes scanning the room. “It’s supposed to.”

“Everyone is wearing masks and having orgies so openly “ I gagged

“It's a light bdsm club Lily what do you expect “ Sophia rolled her eyes

That’s when I noticed him — a tall man in a perfectly cut black suit, moving through the crowd with an easy confidence that made people turn. No mask. Just sharp features and a gaze that could pin you in place.

He stopped by our table.

“Ladies,” he said, voice smooth as silk. “Welcome to The obsidian room. I’m Adrian Wolfe, the owner.”

Sophia’s face lit up instantly. “We were just admiring the place.”

Adrian’s smile deepened, mostly for her. “Would you like a tour?”

Sophia nodded before I could answer. “Absolutely.”

I hesitated, glancing around — the golden lights, the whispers, the allure.

Adrian’s eyes flicked briefly to me, unreadable. “You’ll find it… enlightening.”

And with that, he offered his arm to Sophia and led us deeper into the club.

The music swelled. The air thickened.

****