CHAPTER 4

ALINA

"Give me a call if something goes wrong," David said for the umpteenth time as he reached to fix the fallen strap of my top. "You should have covered up more, the weather is getting cold."

Pulling my eyes away from my mirror, glanced at him briefly before returning my attention to fixing my red Fenty lips. "I am sure it is going to be warm in there."

Smacking my lips together, I quickly fixed my hair, turning to David with a slight smile. "How do I look?"

"Beautiful," he replied without having to think it over twice. "You always look beautiful."

Giggling, I reached for the door, opened it, and stepped out. The moment I got to the door, I passed the access card to the security watching and he gestured towards the other entrance.

"Swipe the card in the elevator, it will take you to the VVIP section."

"Thank you." I slurred, very much aware that he was staring at my ass as I strutted towards the given direction.

Stepping into the elevator, I took a deep breath as the doors closed, staring at myself in the mirror as it took me up.

Just as it pinged, I quickly sent David a text.

HAVE YOU REACHED OUT TO HIM? IS HE READY?

His response came instantly.

'He is ready. Will be waiting for you at the bar on the main floor. Look out for the man in a blue striped shirt. The pass code is as cold as fire. Don't accept any drink from anyone without hearing those phrases.'

Nodding as if he could see me, I deleted the message, before stepping into a dark hallway. Following the arrow, I kept on walking, then at a point, I entered a section with a see-through glass floor. Beneath it was the main floor, with people dancing and drinking their hearts out.

"Alira!" I heard a familiar voice called out.

Turning to the left, I saw Vera waving at me from the doorway of one of the booths with a see-through walls.

Plastering a warm smile, I approached her. "It's Alina."

She nodded, then giggled. "My bad. I think this alcohol is messing with my system." She grabbed my hand and led me towards the booth. "Come, let me introduce you to my friends."

She dragged me to a room with three females and two males.

"This is Alina Voss of Voss Bags," she announced loudly to everyone in the room. "The founder of a luxury brand bag named Voss Bags."

"I haven't heard of that name before." One of the ladies with blonde hair said snidely, her nose scrunched up.

"That's because we cater to the one percent of society."

The other two snickered at the silent jab while the blonde lady's face tightened, taking offense at my response.

Vera not caring about the small banter led me further into the room. She pointed at the first lady, "This is Samantha, Riley," She then pointed at the blonde lady. "Elena."

They all, except the blonde lady accepted my handshake.

"And that is," she pointed at one of the males. "Ethan and Raymond."

I tried not to let my disappointment show as I accepted their handshakes, pissed that my main reason for being here did not show u_"

"And that's my brother, Vincent," she continued, gesturing behind her. "The big grumpy wolf."

How did I miss him? Maybe because he is seated in the dark section of the room.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to my target, and the moment my eyes met him, I froze, my lungs seizing, not because of how heart-flippingly handsome he looked, but rather how cold and domineering he looked.

I am not one to be intimidated by men no matter how cold or hollow their eyes look.

His dark hair, styled backwards perfectly without any strands daring to break through looked like he was dressed for a business meeting, rather than unwinding in a club.

His three-piece suit didn't help matters either.

Taking my time to walk over to him, I stretched my hand out for a handshake. "Man of the hour."

His brows slowly arched as he eyed my outstretched hand with no move to accept my handshake.

"I was warned not to flirt with you," I explained, "but seeing how cold and grumpy you look, I wonder what lady would actually want to."

His blue eyes, striking due to the darkness of the room stared at me with so much intensity that would have been unnerving if I hadn't dealt with so many men in the past.

"Just so you know," I mused, withdrawing my hand. "not accepting a handshake offer is considered rude."

I would have sworn I saw his lips stretch into what looked like a smirk before he abruptly took my hand which was falling back in place into his. "Voss Bags."

"It's Alina." I corrected despite knowing that he was not asking for my name. "And no, we do not cater to male clients, unless you are buying for your sister or your girlfriend."

David already looked into his relationship life, but he wasn't able to find anything. I didn't think anyone would be able to hide information about themselves on the internet more than I did, until I met him.

So this is me trying to confirm if he has any woman in his life.

"Is this you wanting to know if I have a woman in my life?" he asked, his head tilting to the side.

"Alina!" Vera called out, before hurrying over. She snatched my hand and pulled me towards the sofa. "Tell me more about your bags, and who you have made them for."

Comfortably seated, I let the lies spill out, whilst trying not to keep looking back at the man who seemed to be staring at me for the entire night.

A few hours later, I reached for my phone and sent David a text.

I AM HEADING DOWN NOW.

Hitting send, I stood to my feet. "I need a glass of water," I informed Vera before heading for the door.

"Sit down," Vincent growled. "I will have someone get it for you."

"That sounds so much like a command, and I don't do well with orders Mr. Sterling." I deadpanned, staring him dead in the eyes.

"You don't do well with orders." He mused, his brows twitching as though he found the words offensive. "I think that has more to do with who is giving the order."

An arrogant man.

I'm not surprised, I just didn't expect him to be worse off than Mason.

"Watch me defy yours." I drawled out before stepping out of the room. Just as I got to the hallway and made my way down the stairs, I noticed one of the suited men who stood next to the VVIP door following me.

I halted. "Is there a reason why you are being creepy?"

"It is our duty to make sure that every VVIP client is safe throughout their stay in the club."

I almost scoffed. "I am going to get water."

"I won't be in your way."

Rolling my eyes, I made it to the ground floor, then headed straight for the bar area looking out for any man in a blue stripe shirt.

I found him on the right side of the bar, and our eyes met. Instantly recognising that he is the one, I slowly walked towards him and leaned into the counter.

"A glass of lime water please." I requested from the barman who nodded and turned to get it for me.

"Red is your best color," The man in stripe shirt whose name I do not even know, complimented. "It makes you look cold as fire."

That phrase! He's definitely the one.

"I am going to take that as a compliment." Pulling the stool closer, I sat down, leaned my elbow on the counter and turned to him.

He smiled. "It is." Sliding his drink towards me, he jerked his head towards it. "I only just got it, but I don't mind giving it up for the beautiful lady."

I reached to pick up the glass, but the security from VVIP took a step forward, his hand stopping mine. "Don't accept drinks from strangers." He stated and from the tone of his voice, he believed me to be stupid for not knowing something as basic as that.

I slapped his hand away. "Don't tell me what to do."

The striped shirt man stood to his feet and adjusted his shirt. "I am not trying to poison her or drug her or anything. I just cannot afford to buy her another glass, and I really wanted to appreciate her beauty."

The security eyed him.

"You can let it sit on the counter if you don't want to drink it." He said before walking away.

Lifting the glass to my lips, I sniffed it a bit, before taking a large gulp, downing more than half of the glass.

My water arrived, and I paid for it before carrying it out of the main floor, back to the VVIP floor.

It didn't take long for the effect of the drug in the drink to kick in. I could feel my system get drowsy as I climbed the stairs, but I fought it hard, needing to be around Vincent before losing consciousness.

Thankfully, I was able to hold it off right until I got to the door. My steps swayed involuntarily, forcing me to hold onto the door for support.

"Is she okay?" I heard Vincent's husky voice ask the security. "Why the fuck is she staggering?"

"I don't think she's fine." The grumpy security answered, "She accepted a drink from a stranger on the main floor."

"She did what?" Vera blurted out, baffled.

Taking a deep breath, I let go of the door and tried taking another step, and that was all it took for everything to go black as I collapsed to the cold floor.