"And I've never met anyone like you," Danielle said with a mock scoff, weaving her fingers through my hair. Her smirk caught my reflection in the bathroom mirror, light and teasing. I couldn't even muster a response to match her energy. My thoughts were tangled, disjointed, and her reaction to my half-told story wasn't helping.
"Seize the opportunity and willingly drown in love," she added with an exaggerated flourish.
"What does that even mean? We just—" I stopped myself with a sharp sigh, pressing my lips together.
"Oh no, you're not dropping that sentence halfway." Danielle's hands stilled, and her eyes narrowed on my reflection. "Spill. The. Tea. Now."
"What do you want from me?" I asked, slumping forward, defeated.
"The whole story! You're holding back, and I need details. Come on, Nelly, I'm listening, no judgment."
I side-eyed her, unimpressed. "You were judging the second I opened my mouth."
"That was moderate judging. My bestie suddenly catching the attention of a billionaire? What did you expect me to do"
Her tone, playful yet prying, made me turn to face her directly. Her hands held my hair tightly in place, clearly unwilling to sacrifice her progress.
"It's just… weird," I muttered.
Danielle raised an eyebrow. "What's weird?"
I hesitated, chewing on the inside of my cheek. The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "Let's just say I was attracted to him. And things got... physical."
Danielle's jaw dropped, her hand slackening slightly in my hair. "Girl, what are you thinking?"
"Don't even start judging!" I snapped. "It's not—ugh. Not like that."
"I'm not judging!" she shot back quickly, hands raised in mock surrender. "No TMI, though, okay? But if you two are already... involved, then why are you sitting here making that face?"
"Because it's still weird," I muttered.
"How is it weird?"
I sighed again. "Later, okay? Let me find some alcohol to drown the embarrassment first."
Danielle rolled her eyes but didn't press further. "Fine. Turn back around; we're running late. But listen, Nelly—if you're already giving that man sugar, stop letting him ration it."
"Danielle! Stop!"
"I'm just saying!" she replied, grinning as she resumed working on my hair. "Fine, I'll stop. For now."
I let out an exasperated laugh, glad the subject was changing. "And why are we even going all out tonight? It's my first day back. I just wanted to chill with you."
"This is chilling," Danielle said, stepping back to admire her work. She reached for a hairspray bottle, gave it a few decisive pumps, and grinned. "You've been locked up in your estate long enough. You need to see the world again, see how normal guys act—just in case you've forgotten reality."
"In Aiden's estate, you mean," I corrected her, deadpan.
"Whatever," she said breezily. "Now, look at this masterpiece." She spun me toward the mirror with a dramatic flourish. "Perfect."
I stood, shaking my head with a soft laugh, and went to grab my bag. A dress caught my eye, and I pulled it on, smoothing the fabric down. The reflection staring back at me was almost unrecognizable—bright, confident, and polished.
"This is nice," I murmured, tilting my head to admire it.
"You know it is," Danielle said, not missing a beat.
"I missed these. I haven't worn anything like this in a month," I said wistfully.
"Speaking of a month, darling—you're paying tonight," Danielle teased, her grin cheeky.
I groaned. "Calm down. I just got paid. I have a lot to settle. Don't go crazy."
"Relax, I won't." But she was already dancing around the room, humming in excitement as she grabbed her purse. "Let's go."
I followed her out, walking past my old room. Something made me pause, peering in. It was exactly the way I'd left it—untouched.
"Wait," I said, frowning. "My room's still here?"
Danielle glanced over her shoulder. "What? Would you rather we gave it to a new roommate?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "Who's covering it?"
"Steve and Liam, mostly," she said with a shrug.
"What? And I didn't know about this?" I asked, frowning.
"The boys adore you," Danielle replied, nonchalantly.
"I mean... Liam's as broke as I am." I folded my arms, still trying to piece it together.
"Was. None of y'all are as broke as you used to be."
"Oh, right. Heard Liam's channel blew up."
"It did—more than you could imagine." Danielle's grin was almost smug, like she had inside knowledge I didn't.
"But you still should've told me," I pressed.
"Slipped my mind," she said with a shrug. "Besides, you need a home, and Liam said that estate is just your workplace."
"Yeah, workplace but" I echoed. "We should discuss this when I get back."
"Nothing to discuss. Liam's just being responsible, finally facing his life head-on. Should've done all of this earlier, though," Danielle said matter-of-factly.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, I don't blame him for waiting so long, he seemed like he was incapable of taking care of himself, but I do blame him for it, you know?"
"That makes no sense."
"Exactly. There's no good that comes out of trying to dissect Liam's issues," she said with a wave of her hand, like she was brushing the topic away.
Her cryptic tone gnawed at me. "Hmm. That reminds me—he said Rose is Aiden's wife."
Danielle rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I told him that. He wouldn't stop bugging me about your 'safety.'"
"Safety?" I repeated, incredulous. "He's the one who told me to go there!"
"Men and their egos," she quipped, grinning.
I scoffed, shaking my head, but her words started connecting dots I didn't even realize were there. My eyes widened, and my stomach twisted. "Wait. You're not trying to tell me that Liam— he acts cold to me"
"Shhh! Just ignore it," she cut in quickly. "You've got no clue. Unless..." She smirked. "You're interested?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" I demanded.
"Never say never," she said with a wink, darting for the door before I could stop her.
"Danielle!" I called, hurrying after her.
By the time we stepped outside, the night had fully fallen, the darkness softened by a string of dim yellow lights that lined the streets in perfect rows. They gave just enough glow to guide us but not enough to overpower the inky black sky. The air buzzed with the city's energy—distant music, honking cars, and the laughter of strangers spilling out of brightly lit bars.
Danielle raised her arm to hail a cab, and I hurried to climb in after her. The smell of worn leather and the faint hum of the car radio washed over me as I settled into the seat. Nostalgia hit me. How had I missed this so much in just a month?
"Where are we going?" I asked, my voice coming out an octave higher than usual. I couldn't stop the grin that stretched across my face.
"The most exclusive spot in town," Danielle said, practically bouncing in her seat. "Took me months to get a VIP pass. It's gonna blow your mind."
"I already feel like I'm living in a simulation," I replied, turning toward the window.
The city outside glowed, neon signs blurring into streaks of pinks, blues, and yellows as the car sped past. The streets were alive, people spilling from every corner. It all felt infinite, like an ocean of light and motion.
"I miss being a city girl," I murmured, the words slipping out.
Danielle nudged me with her elbow, her grin contagious. "You're back now, babe. Let's make it count."
My friend and I burst into laughter at her over-the-top accent and excitement. The cab slowed, and my jaw nearly dropped as we pulled up to a grand, cool-looking venue I'd never have guessed we'd visit tonight. I leaned out slightly as I stepped from the car, my curiosity piqued.
The sign read club, but this place looked nothing like your typical rowdy dance hall. A month of living among luxury had sharpened my eye for these things, and the subtle hints were everywhere. From the sleek, high-end cars rolling up to the valet to the polished stone pillars framing the entrance, this was wealth, no matter how understated they tried to make it.
I turned to Danielle, suspicion laced in my voice. "How did you even get a pass to this place?"
She smirked, tossing her hair back. "Trust me, babe—I only go for the best."
We strode toward the entrance, where a burly bouncer with a military-grade build stood guard. Danielle flashed a sleek black card with a triumphant grin. "VIP pass, baby!"
The bouncer grunted in approval, pulling the door open for us.
I stepped inside, and whatever response I had ready for Danielle got lost somewhere between awe and disbelief. The club was unlike anything I'd seen before. No seizure-inducing strobe lights here—just a vibrant, sophisticated glow that bathed the room in soft hues. The energy still thrummed, the bass pulsing through the air, but it felt... refined. The dance floor below was alive with movement, people swaying and laughing as the music drove them.
I was about to drift toward the main floor when Danielle grabbed my arm. "Not there, babe. We're heading to the VVIP section."
Before I could process, she tugged me toward a sleek elevator tucked discreetly to one side. As we ascended, my initial hesitance melted away. Maybe it was the excitement—or the luxury—or just the idea of letting loose for one night, but I felt ready to let go.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, revealing a sprawling, lounge that overlooked the dance floor below. Large glass windows framed the space, offering a perfect view of the crowd. The muted lighting added to the sense of exclusivity, and plush leather seating was arranged around low tables topped with expensive-looking drinks. A massive screen at one end played music videos in time with the beat below.
Danielle led me toward a slightly ajar door. As we stepped inside, the vibe shifted again—this wasn't just VIP; it was another league entirely. A group of men and women lounged casually, their laughter and low murmurs adding to the ambiance. Beautiful women were tucked between four well-dressed guys, their flirty energy effortlessly blending with the pulsing music. Others women simply sat in small groups, sipping drinks and soaking in the view.
Danielle didn't hesitate, beelining toward one of the guys. Her face lit up as she hugged him, and he pulled her close like they were old friends—or maybe something more. I rolled my eyes and headed toward a nearby seat, deciding to ignore her for now.
Then I saw him.