Chapter 7

Alison’s POV

I don’t know why I let Roberta talk me into this but the very sight of Ralph Vandyke set me straight. The man scares me, I have no idea why! His mere presence sends shivers down my spine. As badly as I wanted to get my revenge after Cory’s betrayal, his father was just not a man I saw myself getting into bed with.

There was just something unusual about him, it put a lot of fear in me. As I tried to escape he called out in the most terrifying tone ever,

“Stop right there!”

I don’t know why I stopped when this man asked me to, I had been humiliated by the bouncer and just wanted to go home but he had suddenly appeared and made things worse. Now everyone outside was looking at me and Roberta, especially me.

He walked up to me and placed both hands on his hips.

“Why are you leaving so soon? Didn’t you come here to party?” He asked sarcastically and I expected him to laugh or smile after that question but he didn’t. He was honestly expecting an answer.

I was going to say something but didn’t even know where to start from, “erh… yes.”

“So where do you think you’re going?”

“Your bouncers say my friend and I don’t belong to your class or society so we are on our way out,” I responded with a wave of bravery.

“Let them in.” He sternly instructed the bouncer who stared at him like he had lost his mind.

“But…”

“Just let them in.” He insisted and led us inside,

I turned to look at Roberta, a bit upset that she had gotten us into this mess, but she only shrugged and smirked, looking happy that it had turned out this way.

He led us to some seats behind the counter and pointed to them. “Sit down you two.” He said.

We obeyed with no fuss,

“On Monday you were at my office demanding payment from my son. Today you’re here quarreling with my bouncer, what do you want?” He said, pouring glasses of wine. He passed one to Roberta and one to me.

I didn’t drink mine, this guy looks devilishly dangerous. The last thing you want to do is drink something the devil gives you. He observed me for a second and then snatched my glass and downed the contents in one gulp. Then shrugged with a smile, that was the first time I had seen him smile like that, my God! I never knew men in their 40s were this drop-dead gorgeous.

“See? I’m not trying to poison you.” He said.

Very observant, it was almost as if he could read my mind by just looking at me.

“Now tell me, is this about Cory again? What did he do to you?”

I stole a glance at Roberta who stole one back at me and shook her head, I got the message.

“No, this isn’t about Cory. Roberta and I heard that there was a party going on here and we’re… we’re tired of being single and… and broke so we came here to erm, meet some rich guys.” I stuttered and fumbled wondering if my story made any sense.

He laughed again, “If you’re looking for men you’re in the wrong place,” he laughed again and shook his head,

I looked around trying to make sense of what he had just said, there were men around so what did he mean?

“Listen, you ladies shouldn’t be hanging around these places at this time of the night. It’s not safe, if you’re looking for men, go somewhere else. Stay away from Moonlight County and if you need money find a job. Do you want me to hire you girls at Elektro Hardware?” He said.

“Yes, yes, yes.” Roberta chimed.

I was quite cross with her for that, we both were dropouts from college in our second years. We didn’t have the qualifications to get employed at that company. Also, why would I want to work in a place where I get to see Cory every day? I didn’t come here for a job.

“How about you… what’s your name?” He suddenly asked.

“Alison Quinn.”

“Quinn, don’t you also need a job?”

“Uh… I just came here for a man, I have a job…” I can feel Roberta glaring at me from my peripheral vision but I ignore her.

“Clearly it’s not paying well if you’re looking for a rich guy…”

Suddenly a woman crept up on him and tried to kiss but he moved away as if he had eyes behind his head. This guy was let’s say… alert.

“Al…”

“Hey! Melody! Are you leaving already?” He said.

“You left me all alone, thought we were on a date?” The lady complained.

Roberta gasped, “You’re the one who gives the weather forecast on the late news.”

I could swear that the lady’s eyes changed color from pure joy. “Yes it’s me, and you just jacked my date.”

“We’re so sorry, we were just on our way out,” I said getting up, and in haste to leave, I grabbed Roberta and dragged her after me.

“Thank you, Mr. Vandyke, for the drink and the job offer but since there are no ‘men’ here we will be on our way,” I said dragging Roberta as she protested.

“It’s late at night, at least let me drop you girls somewhere you can find your kind of guys.”

I turned around sharply to look at him, I wasn’t the only one, Melody glared at him and other people in the club. It seemed like they weren’t expecting that from him. I wasn’t expecting it either. What was happening? Wasn’t he supposed to be on a date?

“You see I told you… he’s a playboy and here’s your chance to get that revenge!” Roberta whispered.