With suspicion rising and my curiosity clawing at me like a fierce cat, we hit the nightclubs owned by Lenkov. There is only three that I know of, Dragonfly, Club Cabana and The Red Ruby.
I found nothing at Dragonfly or Club Cabana, but The Red Ruby is different from the other two, it’s more ‘fancy’, it’s a true spectacle to behold. The blazing neon lights of the club draw a never-ending stream of revelers to its door. The grand entrance of the place has a red carpet leading to the door and velvet ropes cordoning off the line of people waiting to get in. The doormen, dressed in a crisp black suits, stood guard like sentinels, checking IDs and maintaining order with practiced ease.
"Let's call it a night I don't think we'll be able to get in tonight." I let out a long sigh. Knowing this is the place I need to get into.
Rosemary lets out a long tiresome yawn, "Yeah, we should come back tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll call you, see you tomorrow then.” I call for a cab,
"Okay, bye." She waves as she hops into her uber.
"Four queens please," I say as I hop in.
The night was long and wearisome. At least the night wasn’t a total bust, I uncover Lenkov is going bankrupt, in the nightclub industry at least, which is weird. His clubs seemed to be doing great. In the line of The Red Ruby two girl gossiped a little too loud and I overheard their conversation that some hot shot is buying The Red Ruby, I would thought that it is his pride and joy so why sell it? Lenkov’s casinos is also hitting bad luck after bad luck. That must be why his so grumpy.
Driving up to the hotel I can feel the night's excitement wearing off and the exhaustion taking over. Pulling my phone from my purse, I sent a text to Rosemary to let her know I am unharmed and save.
She replies with a party emoji and thanks. Heading up to my room I grab my keys out of my bag and unlock the door just as another text come through.
Miss Lilly-Ann
I did warn you.I shake my head at the text, too tired to care. Tossing the phone aside I strip down, pull on some PJ and crawled onto my bed. Within seconds I drifted off to sleep.
***
The next morning or more like afternoon, I pour all my energy into research. I need to find the guy buying all Lenkov's nightclubs. I wrote down what I know, not that there is much to work with, but if you keep on digging, you will find the diamonds.
I check the clock it is already past five, “Crap,” jumping from my chair, I rush to the bathroom to take a quick cold shower. I need to meet up with Rosemary.
Pulling on a nice skin-tight white number and silver open toe high hills. Finger combing my curly hair and applying some makeup, checking myself in the mirror, seems okay. I grab my phone and dial Rosemary.
"Hey, girl" she picked up on the first ring
"Hey, where are you?" I can hear the noise in the background.
"In the line at that Red Ruby club."
"What? Why?"
"Cause I want to see how it looks."
"Seriously?" I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Okay, I'll be there in a few."
****
Stepping into the club is like stepping into the heart of Vegas. The pulsing lights, the sound of clinging glasses, and the laughter of the patrons creates a symphony of indulgence. The walls are draped in silky, black fabric, studded with glittering diamonds. A bar, surrounded by velvet stools, snaked along one side of the room. In the center, the dance floor lit up with neon lights, beckoning guests to get loose. For those looking for a more intimate experience, there were private booths, surrounded by curtains.
"This place is amazing!" Rosemary almost jumps in excitement as she grabs me and pulls me to the overcrowded dance floor.
The air is thick with scent of designer perfumes and excitement buzzes of conversation as we step on to the dance floor. Our bodies swayed and gyrated to the beat of the music, synchronizing with the flashing lights.
"Oh, shit Annie, don't look now but I think Rayon just walked in." Rosemary says looking over my shoulder.
"You have to be shitting me." I let out a sigh. His a great reporter of course he would investigate this place.
"Oh crap, his coming this way." She exclaim. "You should kiss another guy." She nods her head and smiles seductively.
"No." I hold up my palms, "No way I will just grab a stranger and lip lock with him."
"It will make him jealous." She pops her brows at me.
"Hey ladies." Rayon says behind me.
"Rayon." Rosemary narrowed her eyes and greeted him with her fuck off look.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" I give Rosemary a sideways look and spine to greet him.
"Oh, you know. I like dancing." He smirks as he makes a sad attempt at a dance move.
"Lame," Rosemary says disgustedly, rolling her eyes.
"Okay, okay. Actually, I need to talk to you, alone." He gives Rosemary a once-off look.
"Nah ah, you don't get to shoo me. I was here first." She keeps on shaking her hips to the beat of the music ignoring Rayon.
"Please." Rayon looks at me pleadingly
"Fine, come." I grab his hand without a second thought. I forgot how warm and big they are, as I pull him along to the bar.
"What do you want?" I slide onto an open chair
"Can I get you something?" the bartender asks.
"Two beers please." Rayon says sliding onto the chair next to me.
"You didn't come here to drink a beer with me, now talk, I'm busy." I say annoyed with him
"I heard some weird rumors about Lenkov." He stops talking as soon as the bartender steps in earshot. He places the beers in front of us and moves to the other customers.
"His opening a gentleman's club." He whispers
"Okay and what about it?" I ask confused.
"Apparently that is where he'll be auctioning the girls.".
"Why are you telling me this?" Shocked, if we can get in there, we will have him cornered.
"Well, this is more your style, so I was thinking we should work together, for old-time sake." He smirks and gulps down the last of his beer.
I scan him up and down, not sure what his motives are, "Where's your proof?"
He pulls out a piece of paper from his jean pocket, an address is written on it with red lipstick.
"Do I even wanna know?" I ask rolling my eyes as I scan the paper.
"A man got to do; what a man's got to do." He smirks leaning closer to me. "So, what do you say, partners?"
"I don't know."
"Come on, I showed you mine, now it is only fair if you show me yours." He falls back into his chair smiling his gorgeous smile.
Nothing about that statement sounded right. A faint smile paints my face. "Fine, I'm gone regret this." I shake my head as I gulp down my beer.
"Awesome." He holds out his hand to seal the deal. I place my hand in his, to my surprise he gently brushes his lips against my knuckles. I gulped as our eyes met, seeing that fire in his eyes, sending a shiver down my spine. Shit, this was an awfully bad idea.
Just a short back story of Lilly-Ann and Rayon. They say you never forget your first. In Lilly-Ann's case, she wishes she could forget about him.They met in college. She fell head over heels for the charming eye candy. He promised her the moon, just to get another mark on his wall of sex. He was kind and caring, everything a girl wants, but on the same night he proposed, he hopped into the bed with Clara, Lilly-Ann's younger sister. Saying it was the stress of work and the planning of their wedding. With a broken her heart and a shatterd soul, Lilly-Ann broke the engagement. Unfortunately, he won't just disappear seeing him at work hurts like hell, she acknowledge the feelings she still has feelings for Rayon. He ignites a fire in her, like no other man can, they have a history, that won't just go away.***With only two days left, and only one lead. I grab my phone and hit the call button. I need some inspiration or just some advice."Hey, Shane.""Lilly-Ann, enjoying Vegas?""Yeah
The tiny piece of material is spread out on my bed. I am sitting on the chair ogling it with only my bathrobe on. My phone buzzes, it is Rayon calling. "Hello.""Hey, are you done yet?" "I can't wear this," I exclaim, nervously biting my nails "Ann, if you want the story, that's the only way in." I can hear him smirking on the other end of the phone. “Do you need me to help you get dressed?" He asks flirtatiously."No!!" I yell and jump out of the chair. "Okay then, you have thirty minutes before I come up there and dress you myself." He ends the call. I pull off my bath rope and let it drop to the floor as I glare at my new stripper uniform just. It is a mission to get into my disguise but I manage to pull it on after plundering onto the bed and yanking it. I slip on the black pantyhose and the heels that came with the dress. I ruffle my hair a bit and put on some makeup. Well, if I am doing this I might as well go all in. I glance at the mirror, if my mom saw me now, she would m
As we walk into the dimly lit backstage area, the air is thick with the smell of hairspray and perfume. In the corner, a group of women huddle around a mirror, each applying their own makeup with deft strokes. Some are smudging on thick black eyeliner, while others focus on layering red lipstick.A woman in a glittering costume is bent over, lacing up her boots. Her fingers move quickly as she expertly looping and tying the strings. She looks up briefly, catching my eye with a knowing smile before returning her attention to the task at hand."My stage name is Candy. My real name is Florence." She smiles holding out a hand for me to take."Lilly-Ann, nice to meet you." I return her smile and add. “Tell me about Lorenzo?""Oh, well, his a mystery. All I know is that he owns this place." "No last name?" I ask, she just pulls her shoulders up. "Who cares about last names, his hot." She smirks elbowing me in my ribs.I cannot disagree with that, but why would Rayon think his auctioning wo
I can not sleep. My mind keeps on replaying the events of tonight. It was a night filled with excitement and plenty of firsts for me, but something just doesn’t add up. Why would Lorenzo own a place, Rayon thinks is use to sell girls? Well, by the looks of the place and all the women there I would have thought so too, but then there is something Candy said that tells me otherwise.It is 3 am and still no shuteye. "Jeez!" I throw the blanket to the floor and make my way to my laptop.Googling the one and only Lorenzo. There is not a lot about him, just that his a nightclub owner and CEO of Green Seed Agro, GSA for short. No siblings and no kids. There is tons of business photos of him, shaking hands with big CEO of very wealthy and well known companies. Photos of his latest project, save the planet, seem to pull a lot of attention.I grab my notepad and jot down all the clubs he owns, Maybe I should pay them a visit as well,for research purposes only.A nice long shower is all I need
I wish it was different between me and Rayon. My addiction, sad but true, I will never be able to tell him no and he knows it. This is why I am afraid of tonight. Stepping into new territories with him, the friend zone, or colleagues. I just need to play it safe and choose my outfit carefully.My small frame is accentuated by a pair of fitted jeans, which is hugging my curves in all the right places. To offset the casual look of my denim, I decide on a blouse that is as feminine as it is soft. The fabric flows around me, draping me in a gentle embrace, while the delicate lace accents the trimmed sleeves and neckline to add a touch of sophisticated charm. Happy with my choice, I stroll to the elevator, when my phone buzz."Hi, I'm on my way down."Okay, I'll wait for you then." Rayon ends the call.Checking myself in the elevator mirror before I exit. Get it together Lilly-Ann, this is NOT a date.Rayon stands at the door with his hands in his jean pocket, freshly shaved, and dressed i
Rosemary is waiting at the door for us as the car comes to a stop. I am frozen in my seat. "Rayon," I whisper shaking my head and trying to fathom what he just said. "I just wanted you to know, I'm not expecting an answer or anything from you, Ann." He smiles, leaning closer to me, and placing a kiss on my cheek. “I’m not giving up on us.” He whisper before sliding out of the car. "Now, let's go enjoy ourselves." Opening my door for me and holding his arm for me to take, I hook in, as we walk to the door like nothing happened. "Annie!" Rosemary yells, waving us over, but frowns when she notices that I am on the arm of my ex. She glares at me and shakes her head disapproving. "Hi, Rose." He grins, and she gives him a once-off look before spinning on her heels. "Follow me." She pouts, handing me a VIP pass. "I don't think she likes me." Rayon whispers in my ear. "Yeah, I got the same message." I give him an apologetic smile as we enter the club. The pulsing bass of the music thunder
I crawl onto my bed and kicking off my shoes. I pull myself in a small ball on the bed. My heart feels as empty as this apartment, surrounded by the remnants of my shattered heart. Tears streams down my cheeks, leaving behind a trail of heartache and despair. I grab my phone and dial Shane. I need him to shout at me."Hey, girl."I fight back the tears as Shane picks up. "Shane.""What happened? Did that mother fucker do something to hurt you. I'll kill him, I swear.""No, no. Well, he didn't hurt me.""Ann, what are you saying?""I don't know, Shane I'm so confuse.""When are you coming home?""Tomorrow, my flight is at 9am""Good, that's good, you need to stay away from him, Ann."I let out a soft giggle, Shane can be so overprotective. "I love you. Shane."I love you too, See you tomorrow.""Yeah, see you then." I end the call, staring at the ceiling as my phone drops to the floor. I know when I get home Shane will be ready with a long lecture, which I’m in need of.*****Packed an
Sometimes in life we take for granted the people close to us, not considering how our actions might affect their lives. We are selfishly pursuing our goals, middle-fingering the people we love, without knowing it.Stepping out into the cool air of NYC, I inhale sharply. This is the first time I’m nervous about a story. I’ve done so many undercover jobs and investigate so many people, but never did a knot form in my stomach. It’s like my body is trying to warn me something bad is going to happen, which makes it even more intriguing for me to go, but why am I nervous?Just as I’m about to cross the road a SUV stop and the back door swings open. “Get in.” The voice demands. I try to push past the car but it keeps blocking my path. “Get your fucking ass in this car!!” His deep raspy voice exclaimed, but this time more demanding.My heart starts pounding in my chest, I know if I get in, I might never get out in one piece. The front door swings open and a big man, dressed in all black, gra