Chapter 3

Katie’s excited smile dies the second she sees the blank confusion on my face. Her eyes narrow like she’s reevaluating our entire friendship.

"Wait… don’t tell me you don’t know the company I’m talking about."

I grin from ear to ear and shrug. "Surprise?"

Katie gasps dramatically. Skylar facepalms.

"Oh my God. She’s hopeless," Sky groans, plopping onto the couch and yanking off her earrings like she’s physically exhausted by my ignorance.

"Seriously, what is wrong with you two? Why are you acting like I just admitted to never hearing of Beyoncé? It’s just some company, big deal."

Katie inhales deeply like she’s about to conduct an intervention. She takes my hands like she’s preparing me for a life-or-death mission.

"Aria. This is a huge opportunity. The pay is amazing, and it’s a secretary position—literally just scheduling meetings and looking hot in an office. You cannot miss this chance."

I shift uncomfortably. "I don’t know… it sounds really serious. Are you sure I won’t get fired within twenty-four hours?"

"Of course not! Plus, hardly anyone knows about the opening, so there won’t be many candidates. That means you actually have a shot. The interview is Monday, and the boss himself is conducting it."

I relax instantly. "Oh. So it’s a male boss? Well, that solves everything." I smirk. "I’ll just seduce him, and boom—job secured."

Katie and Skylar exchange a look. A concerned look.

"Uh… Ari? This isn’t just any boss. We’re talking about Ace Alessandro."

The name does a little ding in my head, but I don’t care enough to connect the dots.

Katie throws her hands up. "Someone please tell her who Ace Alessandro is before I lose my damn mind!"

Sky sighs. "He’s one of the richest and most powerful businessmen in the world. His wife is a famous actress. And in all my years as a reporter, I have never—and I mean never—heard a single scandal about him."

Katie nods. "Yeah. He takes his business very seriously. You do not want to mess with him."

I wave them off. "Yeah, yeah, but he’s still a man, isn’t he?"

Katie’s eye twitches. "He’s a married man!"

I chuckle. "So? That’s not a challenge, babe. Do you know how many married men I’ve been with? Sweetie, a man is a man. Unless he’s gay, which Ace clearly isn’t."

Sky throws her hands in the air. "I give up."

Katie groans. "Ari, please. Just this once, don’t screw it up."

I roll my eyes. "Fine, fine. You guys seriously need to trust me more."

Katie narrows her eyes before smirking. "Tell you what—if you ace this interview, I’ll treat you to the best meal at my restaurant."

I gasp. She knows I can’t resist her food.

My lips curl into a mischievous smirk. "Oh, don’t worry. I will ACE this interview. See what I did there?"

We all groan and chuckle.

Sky claps her hands. "Okay, but first—tonight is Friday. And Friday nights are for—"

"CLUBBING!" we all cheer in unison.

After dinner, we freshened up and picked our outfits—or rather, I picked them, as usual. Then came makeup, which, of course, I handled like the pro I am.

Listen, aside from my exceptional bedroom skills, I do have another talent—fashion. 

When it comes to styling the perfect outfit or mastering a flawless makeup look, Skylar and Katie always rely on me. And naturally, I never disappoint.

Hours later, we strut into our favorite club, greeted by blaring music and flashing neon lights. The bass booms so hard it feels like it’s vibrating in my bones.

We weave through grinding couples, drunken girls twerking on tables, and far too many sweaty bodies.

"I’ll get drinks!" Sky announces, winking before swaying her hips toward the bar.

I turn to Katie. "Let’s dance?"

She scoffs. "Uh, no. I need alcohol pumping through my veins before I even think about stepping onto that dance floor."

I sigh. "Fine. We’ll wait for Sky."

Katie groans, tugging at the hem of her scandalously short dress. "Let’s sit down before these six-inch heels end me. How do you always manage in these?"

I smirk, flipping my blonde hair over my shoulder. "Talent, babe. Talent."

We collapse onto a sleek leather couch. My royal-blue dress hikes up just enough to show off my legs—exactly how I planned. Now, I just need to pick the right man to fall at my feet.

Sky returns with our drinks, and after a few sips of martinis, we finally hit the dance floor.

For a while, we dance together, laughing and twirling under the flashing lights. But soon, we drift apart—each of us finding our own dance partners.

I grind my hips against a very attractive man, not minding the roaming hands and hungry stares. Let them look. I live for the attention.

"You’re gorgeous," my dance partner murmurs, eyes flickering down to my cleavage.

I smirk. "Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself."

He grins, dimples popping. "My friends are going to ask why I’m blushing like an idiot."

I giggle, shaking my head. Adorable.

Then—

"Uh, do you wanna go somewhere quieter?" he asks, leaning closer, eyes filled with anticipation.

Normally, I’d say yes. He’s hot, and I am looking for some fun tonight.

But then—

My eyes land on Katie.

And I immediately forget about Mr. Dimples.

She looks extremely uncomfortable as some guy very aggressively tries to grab her ass.

Oh, hell no.

"I’m sorry, I have to get back to my friends," I tell my dance partner, spinning on my heel.

"Wait! I didn’t even get your name!" he calls after me.

I don’t even glance back.

Storming over, I practically yank Katie away from the sleazeball.

"HEY! Back off, you asshole!" I shout over the music.