Page 17 of Sin and Deception

The restaurant had a botanical vibe, with delicate blooming flowers arranged in garden-like sections throughout the room. The luxuriously plush red velvet booths and mirrored walls added a touch of elegance and indulgence. It perfectly embodied the aesthetic of the couple who owned the hotel—Penny, all about nature, light, and air; Hagen, dark, brooding, and indulgent in every way.

A miniature version of the stained-glass ceiling in the lobby floated above. In the center of the restaurant stood a large marble statue of a voluptuous Greek goddess that I couldn't help but admire. She held a massive basket of plants balanced on one hand and raised the other toward the sky in triumph. Confidence radiated from her face as if she were ready to take on the world.

With a wistful gaze at her, I recalled feeling that same way once. There was a time when I stood as the Godmother of the Night for the Angelos Syndicate, with Xander and Theo by my side, and I knew I could achieve anything.

I was ruthless.

Cunning.

Unforgiving and coldly calculating.

But now, those feelings seemed so distant that I sometimes questioned whether they had ever been real. Had that truly been my life? Or had I just imagined it all?

“I wouldn’t have left for anyone else.” I laughed, taking another hearty sip of the well-aged wine.

The deep, rich flavor danced on my tongue,warming me from the inside out. But as the alcohol settled, a slow, intoxicating haze dulled the edges of my mind. I should take it easy, having barely eaten anything today. The last thing I needed was to get drunk so early in the day.

Penny's proposition lingered between us like a tantalizing promise. A night out with her and her sisters-in-law sounded appealing, but my social energy was definitely depleted. Demonstrating my strength by attending lunch had exhausted me, and now Penny was urging another outing.

No way.

“Don’t say no! Think it over! I’ll get us a driver. We can hop from bar to bar if you want.” Penny's eyes sparkled with excitement.

“That sounds awful,” I replied honestly.

“Why? You’re young and gorgeous! A beautiful woman like you should go out and enjoy life a little! Hey! Maybe you’ll meet a cute guy. It would do you good to shake that frown off your face for a bit,” she said, winking at me before finishing her wine and pouring another glass. “You need to let loose."

I shook my head, unconvinced. Meeting some random guy didn't make this outing any more appealing. In fact, it made it even less desirable.

“Hello, ladies. Are you ready to order?” The voice of our waiter interrupted our conversation.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I looked up at him. He was young, handsome, and tall, with dark features that vaguely reminded me of Theo. His smile was warm and inviting, evoking thoughts of Xander.

I sighed, realizing that the only men I desired were both unattainable. The idea of being touched by anyone else repulsed me. Even this attractive waiter didn't persuade me to change my mind.

Penny winked at me and ordered another bottle of wine, a Cobb salad, and a burger with crispy sweet potato fries on the side. I shook my head at her choice. This woman truly lived life to the fullest. She ate what she wanted without apology, and I felt like a slacker for being so uptight. I often saw how Hagen adored her curvy body, which reminded me of how Xander and Theo enjoyed my figure.

Nope, I wouldn’t let my thoughts wander in that direction.

Instead, I joined her and ordered a bacon cheeseburger with fries.

Penny's eyes widened.

I shrugged and said, “If I can't have sex, I might as well indulge in something else delicious,”

“I see you've come over to the dark side,” Penny smirked.

I shrugged nonchalantly. “Why not? You look very happy and well-fed. I should give it a try.”

“Exactly.” Penny beamed with pride.

Once the waiter walked away, Penny continued to nudge me to go out with her.

“I’m serious, you know. Come on; it’ll be fun! I promise! You can’t stay cooped up in that apartment for the rest of your life. It’s not good for you, frankly.”

I sighed again, knowing she was right.

“All right, fine. I’ll go,” I conceded, quicklyadding a critical stipulation. “But dinner and drinks only! No hooking up.”

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