1. The Target

ISABELLA’S POV:

"Ma'am, there's a package from someone named Derrick Petals," Margret, my secretary, announced as she approached my desk, holding a big bouquet of roses and a wrapped medium-sized box. I tore my eyes away from my laptop and gave her a frustrated look. She knew how much I disliked men and their irritating gifts, but she kept accepting them.

"I guess you’re tired of working here, Margret?" I scolded her.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am," she apologized, placing the wrapped box and bouquet on my large office desk before leaving. I shook my head in annoyance and returned to my work on the laptop.

As the only child of wealthy parents, I found managing their big business to be quite exhausting. It left me with very little time for my personal life, but luckily, today is a Friday, and I could use a break.

"Thank goodness!" I exclaimed as I checked my wristwatch, which showed it was already six o'clock. I quickly packed my bag and organized my desk to leave. Standing up, I grabbed the wrapped box and bouquet, then headed out of my office.

Leaving my company, which I had inherited from my late parents. My company was a grand establishment, occupying a large, modern building in the heart of the city. The exterior was sleek, a glass and steel structure that reflected the surrounding skyscrapers. Inside, the spacious lobby featured marble floors and a reception desk manned by our efficient staff.

My office, on one of the upper floors, was spacious and tastefully decorated. Large windows offered panoramic views of the city skyline. I spotted a large trash can outside the compound and I furiously tossed the unwanted gifts into it and hopped into my car, eager to leave the office behind.

I drove to my regular club, where I usually spent my weekends. Upon arrival, the loud music pounded my ears, making it hard to hear. I looked around the club. It was a spacious place with colorful lights flashing everywhere. The music was incredibly loud, thumping through my chest. People were dancing, and their smiles and laughter filled the air. The atmosphere was electric, and it felt like an energetic party where everyone was out for a good time.

I made my way to the crowded bar area and took a seat on a tall stool, ignoring the advances of men who lustfully eyed my figure in the tight black leather dress I wore.

"Could I have a bottle of champagne, please?" I requested, winking at the lovely blonde bartender. She responded with a gentle smile, swiftly placing a chilled bottle of champagne and a glass in front of me before tending to other customers. I filled the glass to the brim and downed it in one go, all the while scanning the bustling club for my target.

NARRATOR’S POV:

“ Liam! Liam!” Clara a slender redhead girl, was seen chasing after Liam and yelling his name.

Liam Blackwood, a confident and handsome twenty-four-year-old finalist at “RYARD UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO,” was walking along the campus road. He stood at a tall six feet, his slender frame complemented by long, carefully tied blonde hair. Engrossed in the music from his airpod, he didn’t notice the red-headed girl running toward him.

“Liam! Hold on!” she called out as she reached him, breathing heavily. She swiftly removed the airpod from his ear.

“ Will you remove this goddamn thing from your ear, right now!” she snapped sharply,

“Clara, what’s good?” Liam inquired, stopping in the middle of the road as Clara held his clothes tightly.

“Are you leaving already? Aren’t you attending the party?” Clara asked.

“No, I’m not. Can I have my airpods?” Liam extended his hand.

“But I would like to go with you.”

“I don’t have time for that,” he snapped, taking back his airpods and walking away.

Clara persisted, “The Singers Brother will be performing their debut song at the party too!”

Liam suddenly stopped upon hearing about “The Singers Brother.” He was an up-and-coming musician, and one of his dreams was to sing alongside the popular singer’s brother.

“If you perform one of your songs at the party, who knows if The Singers Brother would find it interesting,” Clara said convincingly. She had been Liam’s best friend since freshman year and knew how to persuade him.

Liam flashed a soft smile. “You sure know me the best. See you at the club later tonight,” he said and continued on his way.

Back in the club, Isabella continued to sip her drink while scanning the guys in the club, but she didn’t seem to find her potential match.

“I guess I’ll call it a day,” she said and grabbed her half-filled bottle of champagne, making her way out of the club. As she reached the busy entrance, someone suddenly collided with her, causing the bottle of champagne in her hand to fall and shatter into pieces, scattering carelessly on the floor.

“Watch it, boy!” she yelled furiously at the handsome blonde guy.

“I’m sorry, babe,” he said politely, using his handkerchief to clean her body, which was soaked in alcohol. Isabella eyed him lustfully as he fearlessly wiped off the liquid from her body, including her thigh, and even called her “babe.” She couldn’t help but develop a flicker of attraction for him, he was just the type of man she had been looking for. But before she could make her move, the guy had already disappeared into the club.

“What the actual heck!” she muttered under her breath as she couldn’t find him anymore. She rushed back inside the club, which now seemed even more crowded than before, and scanned around carefully. After a few minutes of what appeared to be a fruitless search, she moved to another part of the club, where a group of people who seemed to be college students was partying hard. Looking up at the stage, she saw the blonde guy she had been looking for performing a song.

“Go, Liam! Go, Liam!” the students hailed as he performed. Isabella couldn’t help but watch him with keen interest as he sang on the stage, a beautiful smile curling up on her lips.

“Liam? Well, he’s quite cute,” she chuckled as she admired him.