Page 19 of King of Deception

Needless to say, my conversation with Adele proved futile. She insisted that she and Toby were ‘enjoying their time together’ and that she was ‘helping him heal’—whatever that meant.

As she settled in the back of her car, she rolled down the window and grinned. “I can tell that you don’t like Zeina, and that’s fine. But if you don’t have some real fun of your own soon, I’m afraid you’re just gonna keep obsessing over my brand of it.”

Stiffly nodding, I tapped on the hood of the car, signaling for her driver to move along. Turning around from behind the glass, Adele threw me a kiss in the air, childishly waving until the vehicle disappeared down the road.

At the club, I stood in the center with my suit and tie, surrounded by the crew. The event manager stood in the corner in anticipation of my instructions. I almost never did this sort of thing, so I could see why everyone was on their toes, nervously staring at me while holding their breaths.

“Okay, so tonight is just any other night in your line of work. Except that I have a special request. Let’s call it a game.” I explained, “A miss Ella Rosa Boraine is on the guest list tonight. VIP. As soon as she enters from these doors,” I pointed, “I am… one of you.”

The confused looks in their eyes were accompanied by hushed whispers and inaudible murmurs.

“That means…” I carried on, pointing at the first waiter in front of me, “You’ll hand me a tray and shots… and let me make the rounds.”

A waitress stifled a laugh, and I turned to the manager, who quickly approached, clearing his throat. “Uh, Mr. Drakos—”

“It’s pretty simple, guys,” I raised my hands, adding a casual flair to my body language as I smiled. “All I need you to do is not come to me doing exactly that,” I pointed at the manager. “No ‘Mr. Drakos’ while I’m talking to that woman. Only Abel.”

Wide eyes and humorously outraged grins greeted me while the manager returned to his position in the corner, utterly baffled.

“So. Think you can do this for me tonight?” I grinned.

“Yeah!”

“Sure.”

“Of course.”

Single-word responses poured on with shrugs, smiles, and nods. They must have secretly believed that I was a bored, spoiled billionaire trying to spice it up. If that was what it took for them to do as I asked, then it was a cheap price to pay.

When it was nine o’clock, everyone took their positions, and the mixers began pouring their colorful creations into exquisite little crystal glasses. At first, I had to mingle with my partners, associates, and notable guests in the VIP section. I was clasping the phone in my hand the entire time, anticipating the vibrating buzz that announced her arrival.

Much to my surprise… she came.

It was half-past ten when the head of security alerted me that Ella Rose Boraine had just stepped through the front door and was on her way in. Swiftly, I signaled to the waiter from earlier, and he rushed toward me with a tray, placing it in my hand. He then quickly and skillfully began arranging shot glasses in a colorful formation. My eyes remained on the entrance.

And she emerged.

In a pink slip dress that flowed down to the floor, Ella Rose donned silk like no woman I’d ever laid eyes on. The smooth fabric cascaded down her curves like water falling in slow motion, accentuating the smoothness along with her figure. Her feet gracefully mastered the silver heels with thin straps around the ankles as they peeked through the tasteful slit down one leg as she walked.

Looking around—doubtlessly in search of a familiar face—she exuded confidence and comfort. Her fingernails were painted the same shade as her dress, and the little purse that hung over her shoulder matched the shoes.

And then there were those dangly earrings. My heart skipped a beat as I approached, realizing that they were pure silver, oscillating gently between her golden locks.

“Explicit?” I stood next to her with the tray.

As if startled, she swiftly turned, “Excuse me?” Her eyes immediately locked with mine, and I grinned, pretending to be surprised. “It’s you!”

“And… it’s you?” I dipped my chin an inch. “Explicit. It’s our signature drink.”

A smirk curled up the corner of her mouth, “Explicit.”

“It’s got cinnamon,” I explained.

“Right.” She gracefully picked up a shot glass, immediately downing it. As she bent back her head, I examined the shiny earring up close. It was shaped like a moving snake.

“Interesting earring,” I said.

“What?” she furrowed her eyebrows.

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