chapter 3

Derek woke up to silence.

Not the peaceful kind. The kind that pressed against his skull and reminded him that he had drunk more than he should have the night before.

His eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the dim morning light slipping through the dark curtains. His head throbbed in slow pulses. The room smelled faintly of his expensive cologne and last night’s whiskey.

He didn’t remember how he got to his room or his bed. But that wasn’t unusual. On several occasions he has found himself in his bed. Yet, he never asked who.

He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling. His jaw tightened as fragments of the night tried to return to him. M1, M2, his master room, the nipple clamps, the threesome… He shook his head, reminding himself that those memories are not important to him.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. Even slightly disoriented, he moved with control. His body was solid, built with discipline and marked with ink that stretched from his shoulders down his arms and across his chest. He walked toward the bathroom, rubbing the back of his neck.

Where are his painkillers? He asked himself. He needed painkillers before the pain in his head kills him.

Before he could reach the cabinet, a knock came at the door.

Derek’s frown deepened because he knew no one knocked on his bedroom door so early unless it was important.

“Get the fuck in!” he commanded, his voice rough from sleep.

The door opened immediately and Paulo stepped inside, already dressed in his tailored black suits and white shirt.

Paulo had been so confident even in times of trouble. But today, Derek noticed something off. He knew if Paulo had a pale look, something disastrous must have happened.

“What is it?” Derek asked, already irritated.

Paulo closed the door behind him. “We have a problem.”

Derek’s expression darkened slightly. “Something you can't handle quietly?”

“Something beyond my control,” Paulo answered.

“Then be specific,” irritation laced in Derek's voice.

Paulo hesitated, swallowing hard.

“Someone posted something online,” he said. Then he paused before he added. “About you.”

Derek didn’t react at first. “People post about me all the time.”

“This is not a regular post,” Paulo corrected.

He pulled out his phone, his hand tighter than usual around it. He stepped forward and showed Derek the screen.

Derek’s eyes scanned it once, then again.

The post was anonymous, but detailed. Too detailed to not trend online. It spoke about a private club inside his residence. About exclusive guests and exclusive performers. Words like dumping them after using them.

It didn’t name him directly, but it didn’t need to. Anyone who had ever visited his space would connect the dots.

Derek’s jaw clenched slowly.

“Where did this come from?” His voice was no longer rough with sleep. It was clear with fury.

“It started circulating an hour ago,” Paulo said quickly. “And it’s gaining attention.”

Derek looked at him, and the anger in his voice was now on his face.

“You were assigned to shut those rats up,” Derek said evenly.

“I did,” Paulo insisted. “I paid them off and made sure they signed a non disclosure agreement.”

“Then how,” Derek cut in, stepping closer, “does something like this slip through?”

Paulo swallowed. “We’re tracing the source. It might be someone who was inside or currently inside.”

Derek’s eyes sharpened at that. If someone who is still inside had done this, it is betrayal. And he would make living hell for the person, dying won't even be an option.

He turned away, pacing once across the room. His headache was forgotten now. Replaced by the rage from the news.

The club was like his child. He monitors it more than his other businesses. And someone dares to touch it.

At once, he turned to Paulo again. “Last night, you blabbered about having everything under your control” Derek spat. “How could you disappoint me so quickly?”

“I didn't see this coming,” Paulo said quickly. “No one saw it coming.”

“I did!” He spat. “That's why I fucking tell you to pay everyone and get them out of my life,” he was shouting now.

Paulo lowered his head slightly. “I’ll take responsibility for this.”

Derek let out a short, humorless laugh.

“Take responsibility? Are you Stygian?”

Silence filled the space for a few seconds before Paulo tried again. “It hasn’t blown up yet. We can contain it.”

Derek walked toward him slowly. Each step was deliberate. “You had one responsibility,” Derek said. “and you failed.”

“I know.”

“You were supposed to prevent problems, not to inform me after they happen.”

Paulo’s voice softened. “It's my mistake, boss.”

Derek stared at him in a disgusting awe. “Yes it is your mistake, Paul. Saying it's your mistake doesn't undo it. Saying it's your mistake isn't the solution to the fucking mess you created. ”

Derek reached for the phone again and scrolled through the comments. He saw comments like “who is the man?” “Give us the whole tea?” “This same thing happened to me last year.”

He scoffed and the anger in him kept brewing. Attention from public was something Derek Stygian hated. He can't even tolerate attention from someone, not to mention the public.

His frown deepened until it became something heavier and dangerous.

“So, what is your plan to clean this mess?” Derek asked.

“The internal team is working to take down the post,” Paulo answered.

“Good.” Derek said before he handed the phone back.

“Find that fool.”

Paulo nodded. “We’re trying to”

“I don't need you to try,” Derek corrected sharply. “I need you to find him.”

“Understood sir,” Paulo nodded.

“I want the original source,” Derek continued. “Not the reposts or some gossip accounts. I want the person who typed that shit.”

Paulo nodded quickly. “Understood sir.”

Derek took another stepped closer, his presence overwhelming Paulo.

“And when you find him,” Derek said, his voice low and steady, “you bring him to me.”

Paulo understood the tone Derek was using. Once Derek asked for someone, he must deliver without excuses. He can only pity the person who started the gist on the internet.

“Understood.” he repeated.

Derek’s eyes held Paulo's gaze for a few seconds longer. Silently warning him not to try nonsense with him.

“Leave!” Derek ordered.

Paulo turned and left the room quickly, closing the door behind him.

Derek stood still for a moment, staring at nothing. His mind was already working. He had started calculating the possibilities. Was it a guest, a staff, a dancer, a security or one of those he usually discard.

His headache returned but it no longer matters. Finding the source of his scandal was his priority and he won't rest until he had dealt with the person.