Chapter 2

Exactly one hour later, after my nap, I was standing right in front of the five-star hotel where I’d be having the fun of the night. Not that anything in my life was fun in the first place.

I entered the hotel and the hotel attendant rose up from her seat when she saw me.

“Welcome, Miss.” She smiled politely at me while I nodded.

“Is he here?” I asked.

“Yeah, he was at the restaurant earlier but…” she trailed off as she glanced through the computer on her desk. ‘He’s at the hotel’s club.”

“All right.” I smiled at her and began to head towards the club.

As I got closer to the club, I went through my bag to get my mask and when I had it in my hold, I was quick to cover my face with it. We wouldn’t want anyone seeing my face, would we?

“Jeez!” I exclaimed when my forehead stung from the sudden collision.

“I’m so sorry, Miss.” The person I bumped into hurriedly apologized.

I raised my head slightly, but before I could get the chance to see who it was, someone interrupted us.

“Miss, this way please!” I looked back to see Jones. “He’s been waiting for you.”

“All right.” I smiled at him, even though he could hardly see it with the mask on my face. I began to walk away as I completely forgot about the guy that was apologizing to me.

“Miss, I’m really sorry.” He yelled after me.

“It’s fine.” I waved him off, quickly dismissing the attention he called on us from the other people in the club as I followed Jones to the VIP booth.

“Welcome, Lia.” The old man that I never get tired of seeing said to me with a smile. I reciprocated the smile as I walked closer to him, finding my way through the ladies that flocked around him.

Carefully securing the mask over my face, I bent down slightly to place a chaste kiss on his cheek. He also responded by kissing my cheeks. I pulled down the mask.

“Been a while, Uncle Mark.” I said as I sat down on the couch that was opposite his. Jones stood guard at the entrance of the room. Reminds me of my work at Anderson’s.

As if Mark read my mind, he said; “I heard about your new job.”

A young girl walked in with a tray that had a glass cup. She placed it on the table, filled it with wine and handed me the glass.

“Thank you.” I told her, and she left.

“Do you think you’ll cope with all the strenuous work?” he asked with a worried look.

“I should.” I shrugged. “He doesn’t know who I am anyway.”

“But don’t you think he’ll fish you out?” I laughed.

“He can’t. Your informant didn’t tell you I’m a guy at the Anderson’s?”

“I know but…” he tried to say, but I cut in.

“But you think I can’t handle it?” I frowned.

“No, that isn’t what I meant,” he defended.

That was an age-long issue. Always quick to conclude, I could never go through the rough tides. At this stage, I have no idea how many times I’ve tried to prove him wrong. Yet every single time something popped up, he clearly showcases his doubts.

“Then what do you mean?” I asked as I drank the last bit of wine in my cup.

I glanced at the wine glass and unconsciously clenched my fists.

“You shouldn’t take out your anger on the glass.” He chuckled. “You could get hurt.” I shifted my gaze to him.

Did he think I’d miss that?

“Hey,” I beckoned to one of the ladies that sat with my uncle, ignoring his words in the process. “Yeah, you!” I pointed at the only blonde-haired girl in their midst. Everything about her seemed fake and that included the blonde hair.

Don’t ask me how I knew that. I just sensed it.

“Refill my glass,” I ordered as I dropped the wine glass on the table.

“Excuse me?” she scoffed in annoyance. “Hey, I’m not a waitress nor am I a bar attendant, so fix your issues yourself.” She retorted.

I chuckled as I stared at the girl.

“Bravo!” I clapped silently with a smirk. “What a nice speech!”

I grabbed the wine bottle, raised it to the girl’s eye level before pouring its contents into my glass cap until it was full.

“This is my first step to fixing my issues myself, girl,” I said to her before turning to Uncle Mark. “You’ve got a brainy with you, uncle. Keep her.” I smirked.

“Lia!” he called with a tone of warning.

“You know what, girl?” I began as I pulled out a gun from my small bag. All the girls screamed in fright, which caused Jones to turn.

“Young Miss!” he called, swiftly walking towards me.

“Don’t!” I warned. “You know how I can be when I’m pissed off.” I said when I saw him try to make another move.

“Now,” I stood up and moved closer to the girls. Uncle Mark didn’t even bother to say anything. He only resulted into staying calm to watch my tantrums with his folded arms.

“Where were we?” I asked the visibly shaken lady. “Oh, right!” I stopped.

“Fixing my issues was it,” I smiled as I bent slightly towards the lady. “You’re one of my issues. Wouldn’t it be nice if I start from you?” I pouted and winked at her.

“Lia, you can’t shoot or kill someone in here.” Uncle Mark warned. I turned to look at him before I let out a small laugh. I walked away from the girls and towards my uncle.

“I can’t possibly kill her. Who said anything about killing anyone?” I asked innocently. I glanced at the girl and just when I saw her heave a sigh of relief, I snapped my fingers in her direction.

“Ah!” she groaned as the needle, which had been in between my fingers since she started ranting, hit her chest, after which she lost consciousness. Her friends, probably, screamed when they saw what happened.

“Now, will you get out?” I yelled at them.

They all stood up, pushing one another out of the way till they exited the room. I smirked and headed back to my seat.

“Finally!” I exclaimed with closed eyes which I opened almost immediately. “We can finally have a quiet night here.” I grinned.

My grin, however, faded when my gaze met my uncle’s, who was seriously glaring at me.

“Oh my bad!” I faked gasp. “Actually, it’s going to be your quiet and lonely night alone because I’d be on my way now.” I winked at him as I grabbed my bag by its strap.

I turned to exit the room when I noticed Jones checking the girl’s pulse.

“She’s still alive.” Jones raised his head to look at me. “She’s just asleep, and she’d be out for three hours to be precise.” I explained before exiting the booth.

Ryan’s POV

“Hey, triple R.” I didn’t need to look back to know who in the world it was that just called me. “How are you?” he suddenly popped out from behind me with a wide grin on his face. If it wasn’t Roman, who else would call me triple R?

He would always say; “I make up the last R in your name. You should be grateful for that, triple R.”

“I’m good, Ro.” I breathed. “At least my day was good today.” I said as a sudden memory of what happened earlier in my office with Sam, my new guard, flashed through my mind.

“Common, you know how we do it.” He winked. I sighed as I dropped the wine glass in my hand. “Get me a glass, please.” He said to one of the workers he saw nearby.

“I’m all ears.” He turned to me. “What was that special thing that made your day good today?” he asked.

“Well, nothing special,” I drawled. “But I kinda had a new personal guard.” His smile faded, and he stared at me with a frown.

“And I was here thinking you let that witch,” I glared at him. “Sorry, your girlfriend... off the hook.”

“Thank you.” He said to the guy that brought him a wine glass and filled it with wine.

“It’s nothing of such.” I sipped my wine. “Why won’t you let Ann be? Why do you hate her?”

“I do not hate her.” He shrugged, and he sat up with an eager expression. He looked extremely eager to share something. “Let’s forget the issue of Ann.” I nodded.

“I bumped into a lady while coming.” I raised my brows at him with mocking smile. “And damn! Was she gorgeous? Absolutely!” he exclaimed.

I dropped my wine glass and folded my hands across my chest while giving him the full attention he thought he needed when talking about a new girl.

Did I tell you Roman was a playboy? Geez! He was hell of a playboy. Always after all in skirts!

“And did you get to talk to her?” I inquired, seeing those dreamy eyes. I bet he is interested in the lady he bumped into.

“No,” he frowned. “I didn’t even get to see her face.”

I burst into laughter.

“Hey!” he whisper-yelled.

“You didn’t get to see her face, and you knew she was gorgeous?” I asked with a hint of mockery in my tone.

“Seriously, Ryan, you should see her. She’s got those killer curves.” He smirked. “I’m so sure she’s beautiful. Her beauty lies behind that mask.” I frowned.

“She used a mask?” Roman nodded. “Why? This isn’t some secret gathering.”

“You can never tell. She might be a Cinderella with a little twist in the story. What says the time?” he asked as he glanced at his wristwatch. “It’s not time yet for her to disappear. I’m sure I'll meet her again.” 

“You’re dumb.” I shook my head negatively as I stared at my beloved best friend who has no shame.

“I know and that’s why you love me.” He winked.

“You wish.” I scoffed. I lifted my wine glass to my mouth and turned my face away from him to hide my smile.

“Rule 2?” he pushed.

“Do not lie?” I answered and he winked. “Fine.” I raised my hands in surrender-like form.

“I wonder how you got to be my friend in the first place,” I sneered and we both laughed.

“So how about the contract you wanted to sign with the Brooks?” I suddenly asked him after silence ensued.

“Well, it was a check…” he trailed off dramatically.

“And mate?” my eyes widened as he nodded. “No way! Congratulations, man.” I stood up to shake hands with him and hug him.

“Wow, it’s going to be a hit.” I smiled.

“Yeah,” he drawled with no focus. His eyes weren’t even fixed on me. “If it isn’t my Cinderella.” He hurriedly stood up.

“Your Cinderella?” I laughed, but he was already out of my sight. “Seriously?” I scoffed.

I turned to see who he was going after and when my gaze fell on them, I could clearly tell why the lady had an effect on my friend.

She was indeed beautiful even with the mask on. Her body was clad in a long red gown that had a slit at its left side. She wore stilettos that defined those long legs, which made her appear taller. Was I mesmerized? I sure was.

“Hi,” I snapped out of my thoughts to notice the beautiful lady in front of me, waving slightly at me.

“Hi,” I replied. 

Oh God!