Chapter 2 - Night of freedom

The sun had already dipped below the horizon, and Isabella stood in front of her walk-in closet sifting through racks of designer dresses, each one more extravagant than the last. Her fingers landed on a crimson silk dress with a v-shaped neckline and a thigh-high slit. Perfect.

She paired it with strappy gold heels and bold red lipstick, highlighting her full rosy lips. The woman staring back at her in the mirror was drop-dead gorgeous.

"Wow! You look so beautiful!" Sofia exclaimed looking at her dreamily. "But are you sure about this, Bella?" She asked from the bed, watching her with a mix of worry and awe. "What if your father..."

"I need this, Sofia," Isabella cut her short, fastening a diamond chain around her long slender neck. "If I have to leave tomorrow, I can't spend my last night sitting around here depressed feeling sorry for myself. I don't even know what's waiting for me there."

Sofia sighed in surrender, Isabella had a point, and she knew better than to argue.

Isabella grabbed her clutch and turned to Sofia. "Come on, let's get going," she said pulling her along.

The nightclub was exclusive, tucked away in the heart of the city. 'Citrus' catered for the elite members of the city, the celebrities and all the influential heirs and heiresses of the country.

As the girls neared the door, a bouncer lifted the velvet rope for them with a nod. This club was one of Allesandro's investments in the city.

Inside, the air was electric, the pulsating beat of the music vibrating through their body as they descended the staircase into a sea of glittering lights. The girls made their way to the VIP section before Isabella ordered a shot of tequila, and gulped it down, dulling the frustration burning inside her.

"Hello there, sweetheart, would you like some company?" A blonde young man with a creepy smile walked in and sat beside Isabella. Frustrated by the intrusion, Isabella glared at him making the young man flee in fear.

"Come on Bella! That is the tenth guy you scared away. I thought you wanted to feel a taste of freedom," Sofia sighed in frustration and excused herself following the blonde. Watching Isabella shoo away all those handsome young men was driving her crazy.

As Isabella downed the second glass, she felt a pair of eyes on her, boring holes in her back. Turning around, she met the gaze of a man sitting in the VIP section across the room.

From a distance, he was handsome, with a sharp jawline and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through her. His tailored black suit clung to his broad shoulders, exuding an air of power and danger which for unknown reasons, excited her.

Isabella's heart skipped a beat. She could feel the intensity of his stare on her. She drowned her drink, playing it off.

Moments later, he was standing beside her. "Mind if I join you?" Without even waiting for a response, he sat beside her. How rude.

"You don’t look like you belong here," he said, his voice deep with a faint Russian accent.

Isabella raised an eyebrow, feigning disinterest. "And what makes you think that?"

"Because I have never seen you here before. I'm a regular," he replied, his lips curving into a faint smirk. "I’m Nikolai, by the way," he added, extending his arm to her. "And you are?"

Isabella hesitated for a second before shaking it off. "Isabella. You can call me Bella."

"Bella," he repeated, as though savouring the sound of her name. "It suits you."

After a minute of comfortable silence, the bartender arrived and set several more bottles before them. Isabella glanced at Nikolai and gave him a nod.

"Cheers," Nikolai said. "To a wonderful night." Isabella clinked his glass before drowning the liquor, and as she felt the burning sensation down her throat, she sneakily glanced at him with admiration. He was very handsome! She glanced at him admiringly, she felt drawn to him in a way she had never felt with anyone. There was something dark about him that made her forget everything else.

"Come, let's dance," Isabella said sluggishly, pouting her lips as she pulled him forward, already tipsy. Nikolai allowed her to take the lead, the music wrapping around them.

On the dance floor, Nikolai's hands found their way to her slender waist, pulling her close, making the butterflies in her stomach churn in excitement. For a few blissful minutes, she moved sluggishly, out of tune, her hands clasped around his neck.

"Can you do me a favour?" Isabella whispered in Nikolai's ear, sending a shiver down his spine. It has been a very long time since Nikolai last felt that way toward any woman. Five whole years of mourning his wife and daughter. And in all those years, he only sought pleasure from them and had never allowed any closer than he had allowed her.

When he didn't push her away, Isabella took it as an approval and without another word, she tiptoed and kissed him. Her first kiss! She had lost it to a stranger! Nikolai was taken aback and for a few seconds, he remained dumbfounded at the spot. Finally, he pulled her closer and kissed her back deepening the kiss.

"You started this, princess. Don't blame me if I can't hold back," he whispered and lifted her to his torso...

~~~

It was in the wee hours of the morning when Isabella woke up to a handsome young man beside her, her whole body hurt. "What did I do?" she groaned as she perked at her naked body under the sheets. She shut her eyes in embarrassment. She slowly tiptoed out of the bed and hurriedly put on her dress. She had to get moving before the man could wake up.

"Running away already?" the man asked sitting up. "Yesterday you were all over me asking me for more."

Embarrassed, Isabella turned around shyly, facing anywhere but him. "I'm sorry about that, but I have to leave." She adjusted her dress and hair and gave one last glance to the stranger who sat watching her with his red lustful eyes.

Nikolai studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. He walked to her and hugged her from behind, pecking her cheeks, "Will I see you again, princess?"

Isabella hesitated, knowing the answer but unable to say it. How she wished she could meet him again. Instead, she offered him a small bitter smile, turned around and pecked his cheek and opened the door, disappearing out of the corridor. She didn't regret it!