5. The figure in Burgundy.

5. The figure in Burgundy.

In the backseat of his luxurious car, Lucien sat with a cigarette in between his lips. He took slow drags as his mind shifted to what his mother had said. This whole event was making him despise marriage deeply. 

"Boss, we got word from that investor" Jace reported. 

Lucien plucked his mind immediately from his seat of thoughts. His work was his only sanity now. 

"What did he say?" he asked, taking a sharp drag from his cigarette. 

"There's someone else in the picture now" Jace replied, his voice a little hesitant. 

Lucien paused mid-smoke, and looked at Jace fully. "What?" 

"Yes".

"We almost had it Jace. How come...? What's the name of that company?" His eyes blazed with rage. He already had enough on his plate, the last thing he needed was an upstart company challenging him.  

"DAH Global" Jace replied. 

Lucien stubbed the cigarette butt into the ashtray beside him. He clenched his jaw tightly. 

"What the hell is that...?" Lucien growled lowly.

Jace swallowed, as the temperature in the car turned colder. "Sir, it's a new company that has its roots in Dallas and the whole of Texas. It has also gained a lot of recognition in every part of the world" he explained. 

Lucien scoffed. He didn't say anything. He just leaned into the seat and closed his eyes. "Start the car. Take me to Loop Club". 

"Yes sir" Jace answered and immediately turned on the ignition of the car. 

"Also, call Damien and Adrian to join me" he instructed.

"Yes sir" Jace replied. He immediately called Lucien's two friends and relayed Lucien's words to them. After that, he set the car I'm motion in the direction of Loop Club. 

Dahlia stepped out from the shower with a towel wrapped around her and a smaller one for drying her hair. A light chuckle left her lips when she saw Kimberly posing for the mirror. 

"You look hot already" she said and walked to the closet. 

"Really? You know I can't look anything less than perfect" Kimberly pouted, her gaze asking for more praise. 

Dahlia shook her head. "Okay. You look excellent, in fact, you will turn heads in the club once we enter". 

"I know right?" Kimberly grinned. 

"Of course" Dahlia replied matching her vibe. Despite all that has happened, Kimberly and her family were the only thing that worth her smile right now. They were the only thing that mattered. 

"Thank you" Kimberly squealed and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. 

Dahlia laughed softly and made way into the walk in closet. She wasn't a club type but tonight...she was having a drink with her friend and needed to loosen up. All work and no play makes Jane a boring girl and she hates boring. She quickly picked out a strapless bustier which was embroidered with burgundy and pink florals on nude mesh and a high waisted red burgundy mini skirt to match. She smiled in satisfaction and quickly dressed up. She didn't want to wear heels so she just paired it with a pair of white Nike sneakers. 

When she stepped out, Kimberly grinned widely. "Oh baby...tell me now, what plan do you have up that sleeve of yours? 'Cause why would you look so damn hot?!"

Dahlia rolled her eyes. "I know, don't worry". 

"Alright then, I can't wait. Let's tell them who's back" Kimberly said dramatically grabbing her bag that was beside her. 

Gaux was already waiting at the living room of the penthouse. When she saw the two ladies, she couldn't help gaping despite being a girl. 

Kimberly noticed and twirled. "Don't worry. We know" 

Gaux blushed when she was suddenly exposed. She lowered her head when she saw Dahlia's sneaky smile. 

"Alright Gaux, we're leaving. I will see you first thing tomorrow morning" she said. 

"Yes Miss" Gaux replied respectfully with a bow. Dahlia nodded and left for the club with Kimberly. 

The bass from the Loop Club pumped with energy through the sturdy walls even before Dahlia and Kimberly reached the velvet ropes. A long line of patrons snaked down the street around the block but, the bouncers' eyes widened in shock when they saw the two ladies. They had already been informed. Dahlia Winters was coming. Just one call during the day has sealed their place inside. 

The bouncer let them in with a deep bow. Heads turned on their arrival, the neon lights gracing the colors of fabrics on their body. Burgundy and Satin catching lights from all directions. 

"A VIP booth?" the manager asked, her tone respectful. 

"Yes please" Dahlia replied but Kimberly cut in quickly.

"No. We'll take a cubicle close to the dance floor" she said.

Dahlia looked at her. "Kim..."

"You need to loosen up babe not cooped up behind a pane of glass" she said. "Tonight is your night love". 

Dahlia sighed, relenting. "Okay. As long as you dance more than me".

"You know I'm good at that" Kimberly smiled and signalled the manager to get them a space. 

Upstairs, in one of the VIP booths, Lucien sat in the middle of his two friends, Adrian and Damien. A cigarette settled in between his lips as he took slow and deliberate drags from time to time. Three bottles of Dom lay chilling in the bucket of ice beside them. 

Mid-smoke, his eyes snagged on a figure on the dance floor. The curve of a shoulder. The sexy sway of a red burgundy skirt. 

For a split second, his pulse spiked. Dahlia. 

He was about to stand but logic was faster. It couldn't be her. She has no one. No connections. No money. No courage. His fists balled on the armrest anger coursing through him. He hated the fact that after everything, even what looked like her silhouette was able to rattle him.

He let out a scoff. 'You're seeing ghosts Luce' he told himself. 

"Hey Luce" Adrian nudged him. "Aren't you enjoying the party? You're different today".

Lucien's jaw tightened. "I'm fine" he replied his eyes darting towards the figure in burgundy but she was no longer there. He laughed at himself. Now he was even hallucinating. 

Just then, a new wave of whispers rippled through the club. Sasha walked in, draped in silk and confidence, soaking every hungry stare that was thrown her way. 

"Well, look who's here" Adrian whistled. "Your woman". 

Damien smirked. "Seems like you want your tongue out tonight". 

Adrian chuckled and shifted from Lucien's side. He gave a shrug. "The whole country knows now". 

"And her" Damien said, catching Lucien's gaze which was already on his. Lucien's gaze was cold but Damien didn't care. It was as though he was inciting Lucien. 

Adrian was about to ease the atmosphere when Sasha walked in. She blew kisses at the two guys which Adrian caught but Damien could care less about her. Well, not like Sasha cared. 

She settled beside Lucien and planted a quick peck on his cheek. "Lucien, I'm here". 

Lucien looked at her. He gave a small smile. "Finally" he managed. Sasha giggled and planted a sweet and sensual kiss on his lips.

Lucien's jaw clenched mildly. Though Sasha was here, kissing him, that whispering image of burgundy wouldn't leave his damn mind and it was infuriating. 

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, though I will still have to leave early" Sasha said. 

"Why?" he asked. 

"Your mom wants to have dinner with me" she said her tone coquettish. 

Lucien just nodded and said nothing to that. It didn't concern him anymore. Perhaps, if he married Sasha, the ghost of Her will stop haunting him. 

He leaned back, holding Sasha in his arms as he exhaled smoke. He told himself it was nothing. Just the nerves. Just the drinks. Simply a ghost from the past. But

deep down he already knew. No ghost has ever felt this real.