Chapter 3: Unexpected Encounter

Alexander’s POV

The moment I stepped into the club, my eyes swept across the room.

flashing lights, bodies pressed together on the dance floor, the bass vibrating through the floor. I took in everything. The VIP section to my left. The amber glow of the bar to my right. The men pretending not to stare. The women who didn’t even try.

A lady approached me, hips swaying confidently. I gave her one look..cold and uninterested. She turned back immediately. Not tonight.

Eyes followed me as I made my way toward the VIP. Some stared lustfully. Others watched with envy. It wasn’t my business. I didn’t even know why I was here.

When I needed to clear my head, I did that at the private bar in my penthouse. Not here. Not in noise. Not in chaos. Yet here I was.

I pushed open the VIP door, expecting to see Ethan and his so-called “client.” Only Ethan was there, typing on his phone. I sat down, a small smile playing on my lips.

“Where is she?”

“I’m not in for your teasing,” Ethan said without looking up. “As you can see, I’m the only one here.”

“Hm.” I poured myself a glass of alcohol and took a slow sip. It burned down my throat.

“What’s up, bro? You sounded off on the phone earlier,” he said, finally looking at me. I told him everything...every frustrating detail. My hand ran through my hair as I spoke.

Silence settled between us when I finished.

“Will I ever see her again?” I asked quietly, my eyes dropping to the image on my phone. Her. The thought of never seeing her again felt like losing something I never fully had.

“It’s been two years, man,” Ethan said softly. “If it’s meant to happen, it will.”

We fell silent again.

“Let’s go down. Have some fun,” Ethan suggested. I nodded. He blinked. “Bro, I didn’t even put much energy into dragging you to the show floor tonight and you agreed immediately. That’s not you.”

He was right. When I’m frustrated, I isolate. VIP. Penthouse. Or distractions that mean nothing. But tonight felt different.

We moved to our usual corner on the floor..a strategic spot that gave a full view of everything. The dance floor was wild. Grinding. Kissing. People lost in the music.

“Going home later tonight?” he asked. I gave him a cold look. “Man, chill. That stare can kill,” he laughed.

Then he nodded ahead. “Look who’s coming.” I followed his gaze. Luca Moretti...Ethan’s cousin. Owner of this club and several others.

“Alexander,” Luca greeted, shaking my hand.

“Luca.”

“Long time.”

“Work,” I replied.

“And women,” Luca added with a smirk.

“Say that to Ethan. He even brought one here.”

“Shut up,” Ethan muttered. I smirked and excused myself to the bar. “A bottle of Macallan 30,” I said calmly.

“Yes, sir.”

I turned and collided with someone. A drink splashed across my shirt.

“Holy Christ! I’m so sorry!” Her voice. It did something to me. I looked up. Time stopped. Everything inside me froze. “Emma…” I muttered.

***

Emma’s POV

The moment we stepped into the club, heads turned.

“D*mn it. This is why I don’t like clubbing. I hate attention.”

“You’re the one they’re looking at,” Lila laughed. “Your looks draw attention everywhere, not just clubs. Accept it.” she said and I chuckled.

Lila was already feeling the music. Her black crop top hugged her curves perfectly. An olive-green mini skirt rested high on her thighs. Knee-high black boots completed the look. She was a baddie.

She signaled for me to join her, and I didn’t waste a second. We moved with the music. She turned her back to me as I matched her rhythm effortlessly. My black sheer corset hugged my waist. High-waisted shorts flared slightly at my hips. Thigh-high boots made my legs look endless. We danced like we had no worries. Until I got thirsty.

“Let’s get drinks,” I told her. We headed to the bar. I ordered and took a long sip. Relief. We found a spot to sit.

A young guy approached us. “That’s the friend I told you about,” Lila whispered.

“Hi, ladies,” he said. I waved politely.

“This is my bestie, Emma,” Lila introduced.

“I’m Johnny. You’re beautiful.”

“Nice meeting you.”

I excused myself to grab ice for my drink. And then it happened. I crashed into someone. My drink spilled all over him.

“Holy Christ, I’m so sorry,” I said quickly. He looked up at me. My breath caught.

“Ah…” I trailed off, staring at the man in shock. Is he real? How can someone be this good-looking? Sharp jaw. intense eyes. Commanding presence. Emma, get yourself together.

“I’m so sorry, I just ruined your” Before I could finish, Lila grabbed my wrist. “Let’s go.”

“Lila, wait” But she was already dragging me toward the dance floor.

***

Alexander’s POV

Before I could snap out of it, she was gone. Dragged into the crowd. I followed immediately but she disappeared.

Not again.

“D*mn it,” I muttered, scanning the dance floor.

“Alexander, what’s going on?” Ethan asked.

“She was here.”

“Who?”

“Emma.” Ethan froze. “She spilled a drink on me. Before I could say anything, she was dragged away.”

He studied me. “Are you drunk?”

“I know what I saw,” I snapped. “I’m not drunk. And I’m not imagining things. She was here.”

Luca joined us. “Calm down. We can check CCTV.”

Minutes later, we were in the control room. The footage played. And there she was. Clear. Real. Her. “She’s back,” I said under my breath. She had changed...more mature, more confident. Even more beautiful. Where has she been?

Anger surged through me. What was delaying that investigator from getting any information about her except her name? I hated incompetence.

I pulled out my phone and dialed him. He picked up on the first ring. “You’re fired,” I said coldly. Silence. My voice carried authority. I didn’t need to explain.

Luca leaned against the desk. “I have my own investigator. You’ll get her whereabouts in less than two hours.”

“That’s a good one,” Ethan added.

“No,” I replied firmly. They both looked at me. “I’m letting this unfold naturally.” For the first time in two years, fate had placed her directly in front of me. I wasn’t going to chase shadows again.

I walked out without another word. Her face replayed in my mind, the way she had looked at me, those eyes, those lips. She wasn’t a dream. She wasn’t a memory. She was here. Right in front of me. And this time… I would play according to how fate wanted it.