Bab 10: The night out
Silas was not serious about any woman. Flustered and at a loss, Silas stared at Ewan, his mind reeling as he tried to comprehend how to maneuver this unexpected turn of events.
Ewan's smile faltered for a moment as he saw the incredulity etched on Victoria's face. He cleared his throat, attempting to salvage the situation. "Well, uh, I suppose it's only natural for a parent to want to meet the person their child is interested in. Especially when it comes to matters of the heart."
Ewan's voice grew more measured, his tone conciliatory. "Now, Victoria, you should consider it. Silas says he's serious this time. Don't you want to hear more about the woman who has captured his heart?"
Victoria's lips pursed, her skepticism plain. She reflected on Ewan's words deeply.
Silas shifted uncomfortably in his seat, feeling the weight of his parents' scrutiny. He had hoped to deflect their attention away from his personal life, but now it seemed he was trapped in a web of his own making. His mind raced, searching for a way to extricate himself from this awkward situation.
After considering something, Victoria nodded and said, "You are right, Ewan. We should meet her." She turned her attention to Silas, who seemed lost in his thoughts. "Bring her home. Let me see who this girl is and what qualities she has."
Silas tried to muster a smile, but his expression betrayed his inner turmoil. He had no idea what he should do. If he said he couldn't bring that girl, his parents would doubt that he was lying. But the problem was that he couldn't bring any random girl home. He was trapped.
His eyes fell upon the photo of himself and Esme in the tabloid, and a sly idea sparked within him.
"Alright then, I'll bring her," Silas declared abruptly, swiftly standing up and grabbing a tissue. "I got to go now. Bye, Dad. Bye, Mom." He bid a brief goodbye to his parents, hugging his mother despite her cold reception.
Silas walked out of the mansion, wiping his hands. A sly smile tugged at his lips, his mind already formulating a plan. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he muttered under his breath, "We'll meet again soon, Miss Esme Shaw."
================
Silas stood beside the floor-to-ceiling window of his cabin, gazing out at the bustling city below. His hands were thrust deep into his pockets, his back was straight, and his shoulders were squared, giving him an air of determination. However, his expression was pensive, reflective of the inner turmoil he felt.
He had been replaying the conversation with his parents in his mind, specifically the part where he had casually mentioned introducing his girlfriend to them. It seemed like such a simple statement at the time, but now that he thought about it, he realized just how difficult it would be to follow through.
First, he had to find Esme. And even if he did manage to find her, there was no guarantee she would agree to help him out. The task ahead seemed daunting. The more he thought about it, the more impossible it seemed.
Silas let out a frustrated sigh. His hands clenched into fists inside his pockets. His jaw set in determination, and he tried to will himself to come up with a solution.
Knock-Knock…
"May I come in?" The door knocked, followed by Caleb's voice.
"Come in," Silas replied, glancing briefly over his shoulder as Caleb peeked into the room and handed over a file. Silas resumed his composed demeanor, settling into his chair.
Caleb stepped inside, closing the door behind him, and approached Silas's desk, his footsteps light against the plush carpet.
"Miss Esme Shaw's background report," Caleb said, extending a folder toward Silas.
Silas took the folder and opened it, scanning the contents with interest. His brow furrowed briefly as he read, his lips pursing in thought.
Caleb cleared his throat nervously. "Her boyfriend, I mean ex-boyfriend, works for Sullivan Group of Industries," he added, his voice filled with apprehension.
"I see," Silas responded casually, absorbed in Esme's report.
Caleb, growing more anxious, added, "His name is Julian Ray, a hard-working and dedicated person. He got promoted recently."
"Come again!" Silas's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he met Caleb's anxious gaze. "What did you just say?" he asked, his voice low and even.
"J-Julian Ray, Miss Shaw's ex-boyfriend, works here," Caleb stammered, nervousness creeping into his voice. He was afraid Silas would fire Julian.
Silas leaned back in his chair, a calculating smile spreading across his face. "Interesting," he mused, stunning Caleb further. A cunning plan began taking shape in his mind. He steepled his fingers together, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"I need to locate her as soon as possible. Contact the reporter from The Hotline tabloid who published my photo with Esme," Silas ordered, closing the file and setting it aside. "Spread the rumor that I am serious about this girl."
"Huh?" Caleb gulped, his heart racing at the dangerous glint in Silas's eye. "A-are you serious about Miss Shaw?" He asked hesitantly.
Silas's countenance darkened as he glanced up, his tone turning threatening. "Do as I instructed without questioning," he warned.
Caleb swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing visibly. "I understand. Is there anything else?"
Silas waved his hand dismissively. "You can leave now."
Caleb nodded hastily and spun on his heel, almost colliding with the door in his haste to exit the room. He stopped short, remembering something important, and turned back to Silas. "Your meeting with Jack Woods is fixed. He'll be meeting you at The Lucky Club."
"Noted," Silas acknowledged, his attention already focused on the folder in front of him.
With a final nod, Caleb left the office, the sound of the door clicking shut behind him echoing through the room. Silas remained seated, his thoughts centered on Esme Shaw. Silas had never lost a game and was determined to do so again. A sly smile spread across his face at the prospect of meeting Esme again.
Later that evening...
Esme prepared herself for the night ahead. She slipped into a short silver dress with spaghetti straps, the fabric hugging her curves tightly. The neckline plunged deep, showcasing her ample cleavage, and the hem ended mid-thigh, highlighting her toned legs.
As she inspected her reflection in the mirror, Esme appeared somewhat uneasy in the attire. Accustomed to tops, jeans, or skirts, she had never worn such a revealing dress before.
Esme had not brought her clothes with her, as she had boarded the flight in a hurry. So she had to borrow one from her friend. She tugged at the fabric, trying to adjust it to cover herself more adequately.
"This dress is too short. Can I try another one?" Esme asked, hoping for an alternative.
Adelynn paused in the midst of applying lipstick, casting an assessing glance at her from top to bottom. "You look hot," she remarked. "This dress suits you perfectly. It accentuates your curves so well. Why do you want to change?"
"I don't feel comfortable," Esme grumbled, her expression slightly displeased.
Setting the lipstick down, Adelynn reached out, holding Esme's shoulders gently. "Listen, Esme. You possess natural beauty, and sometimes it's essential to showcase it. If you hadn't kept yourself confined to pants and tops, Julian might have recognized how stunning you are. Perhaps his attention wouldn't have wandered to another woman."
Esme's head dropped, and her face was shrouded in sadness. Adelynn's words struck a chord, resonating with her own doubts about her appearance.
Adelynn instantly recognized her mistake and offered a quick apology.
"I'm sorry, Esme. I didn't mean to upset you. Now is the time to celebrate your freedom. Show him what he has lost. Let him regret it. Even if he comes back to you and begs for mercy, don't pay attention to him," she encouraged, aiming to uplift Esme's spirits.
A glint of determination lit up Esme's eyes, dispelling her earlier hesitation. She drew in a deep breath and declared resolutely, "Yes. I'll make him regret it."
"That's the spirit. Come on, let's celebrate."
With renewed zeal, they grabbed their coats and exited the house, their laughter ringing out, ready to take on the world.
Several minutes later...
Adelynn's sleek car came to a stop in front of The Lucky Club. The two friends, looking like a million bucks, exited the vehicle and made their way into the club with confident strides. Every man in the vicinity froze, their attention drawn to the captivating figures of Adelynn and Esme. Despite the lingering gazes, the two women ignored the attention and walked directly to the bar.
The bar itself was a cacophony of colors and sounds, with neon lights flickering rapidly and the beat of fast-paced music reverberating throughout the space. Youngsters danced energetically, while others engaged in conversations. Esme and Adelynn settled at the counter, ordering cocktails and immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere. In the midst of it all, Esme momentarily pushed aside her pain, allowing herself a moment of respite.
It wasn't long before their cocktails arrived, and the pair began sipping their drinks, engaging in light banter. Adelynn caught sight of Julian upstairs, accompanied by none other than Ruby.
Bab 11: Miss Shaw, we meet again.
Adelynn's anger flared. She leaned over to Esme and murmured in her ear, "Look who's here. Julian and Ruby are enjoying themselves quite nicely, aren't they?"
Her gaze bore into the couple, a fiery rage simmering within. She yearned to confront him for hurting her best friend.
Esme followed Adelynn's gaze, her eyes locking onto the couple. A pang struck her heart at the sight of Ruby nestled close to Julian, her arm wrapped around his. Tears welled in Esme's eyes, prompting her to look away. Her fingers trembled slightly as she lifted her glass to her lips.
In an attempt to expose Ruby, Esme sent a message to Julian, but he seemed oblivious to the truth. He might have thought that she was trying to manipulate him by sending a fake message, failing to see through Ruby's ruse. Resentment and anguish swirled within Esme as her heart burned with pain.
Adelynn reached out and placed a gentle hand on Esme's shoulder, trying to calm her down. "Hey, don't pay attention to him. Just ignore him," she said softly with concern.
Despite her efforts to reassure her friend, Adelynn couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for bringing Esme to this place. If she had known that Julian would be here, she would have never suggested coming to The Lucky Club.
Esme forced a smile, feigning unaffected composure in the face of Julian's presence. "I am fine. Let's dance."
"Are you sure?" Adelynn asked skeptically.
"Yes, I am sure." Esme walked up to the dance floor.
Adelynn couldn't help but steal a glance at Julian as she followed her friend. He was sitting there, sipping a drink, and looking right at Esme. Adelynn's anger flared up again, and she turned away, focusing instead on her friend.
On the dance floor, Esme let loose, moving to the rhythm of the music with abandon. Adelynn joined her, trying to lose herself in the beat and the lights, but her mind kept wandering back to Julian and Ruby. She couldn't believe that he could be so callous and insensitive to Esme's feelings. A part of her wanted to confront him, to tell him exactly what she thought of him, but she restrained herself, knowing Esme would teach him a lesson.
Adelynn turned her attention back to Esme, watching her dance with a newfound sense of liberation. Maybe this was exactly what Esme needed—a night out, surrounded by music, lights, and people—to forget about Julian and his betrayal. She grinned and swayed her body with her.
Julian found it impossible to tear his gaze away from Esme. He had never seen her in such a provocative dress before, and he knew it had to be Adelynn's. He was furious that Esme had come to a club wearing such an outfit. At the same time, he was pulled to her curvaceous body, which she kept hidden beneath her jeans and tops.
Watching Esme sway and move her hips on the dance floor only fueled Julian's fury. He was baffled by the inexplicable urge to beat every man near her. But why?
He held no affection for her, right? Their relationship had been a mere appeasement to his father, and he had always desired to end it. So why this sudden, peculiar surge of jealousy now that he had finally severed ties with her?
Julian couldn't understand what was happening to him. He tried to shake off the feeling, telling himself that he had no claim to Esme anymore. But as he continued to watch her dance, he couldn't help but feel possessive toward her. He wanted to protect her from the lecherous gazes of the other men in the club, even though he had no right to do so.
Ruby grew increasingly agitated as she sensed Julian's lingering gaze on Esme. She wanted to confront Esme, scratch her face, and kick her out of the bar. How dare she flaunt her figure in front of Julian?
Ruby thought it was Esme's blatant attempt to win Julian back. She glanced at Julian and found him still staring at Esme. Furious, she fidgeted with her fingers. She couldn't stand the thought of him being attracted to Esme, and she wanted to do something to get his attention back.
"Julian." Ruby tugged at his arm. "Let's dance," she proposed and smiled at him, pushing her frustration away.
"I don't want to dance," Julian grumbled, withdrawing his hand to take a swig of his drink.
"Please, Julian. I want to dance," Ruby insisted, her tone pleading.
"Then go ahead and dance. Don't trouble me."
Ruby pouted, reclining back on the sofa and crossing her arms across her chest. She couldn't understand why Julian was acting this way, especially after separating from Esme. As she sulked, she noticed Adelynn and Esme dancing together, laughing, and having a good time. Ruby's envy grew stronger, and she couldn't wait to get her revenge.
Esme and Adelynn finally made their way off the dance floor, collapsing onto a nearby sofa, their breaths shallow and rapid from their energetic dancing.
"Oh my god, I haven't danced like this for ages," Esme exclaimed, a wide grin on her face. "I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks, Adel, for bringing me here."
"Anything for you, sweetheart," Adelynn responded, raising her hand to signal a passing waitress. She swiftly ordered drinks for both of them.
As they waited for their drinks to arrive, Adelynn posed a question to Esme. "So, what's your plan now? Are you going to stay here or head back to your hometown?"
"I'll find a job here," Esme replied. "I want to make Julian regret it and teach Ruby a lesson that I can't do if I go back home."
"That's awesome!" Adelynn exclaimed with enthusiasm. "I'll help you find a job."
"Thanks, Adel." Esme smiled gratefully at her friend, appreciating the support.
The waitress returned with their drinks, and the two friends clinked their glasses together in a toast. They sipped their drinks, chatted, and laughed, relishing each other's company.
Ring-Ring-Ring…
Adelynn's phone rang, interrupting their conversation. She glanced at the screen, recognizing her chief editor's number. Sitting up abruptly, she answered the call.
"Hello."
"Where are you, Adel? Why is it so noisy?" The editor grumbled through the phone.
"I came to a club to have fun with my friend," Adelynn replied honestly.
"Get out of there right away and go to the Moon's bar," the editor commanded urgently. "We just got intel that Silas Sullivan was spotted there with his new girlfriend. I want this news covered before it reaches the others. The cameraman is waiting for you there. Go, hurry up."
"Okay."
Beep…
Adelynn looked at Esme apologetically. She didn't want to leave her alone, but she wouldn't pass up the chance to capture Silas with his new love interest.
"Work call. I have to go," she explained.
"Okay, no problem," Esme responded with a smile.
"I am so sorry, Esme. I..."
"It's okay." Esme gave her a reassuring nod, clasping her hands. "I can take care of myself. Go."
"Thanks, Esme. Don't stay here for a long time. Go home and wait for me."
"I will."
Adelynn hurriedly rose from her seat, bidding Esme farewell before dashing out of the club.
Silas sported a sly smile as he watched Esme from a private room on the second floor. The moment he spotted her, he instructed Caleb to send Adelynn away, craving some privacy with Esme.
"Miss Shaw, we meet again," he murmured with a mischievous grin.
Hadiah
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