Page 1 of Concealed Deception

One

Ava

Can you unpack any slower?My grandmother would run circles around you if she were here.”Lacey fills two wine glasses while she criticizes me.

“I’m wondering where I’m going to put my things.I think I brought half of California with me.”I scope the apartment, ignoring my outrageous judgment, searching for places to put them.Between Lacey and me, we’ve already filled this place up with more crap than we need.

“How would you feel about going out tonight?Maybe find ourselves a couple of hotties, maybe get lucky…” Her voice becomes very suggestive toward the end, making me believe she’s already scoped out the area for potential guys.

I know I’m going to say yes.What woman doesn’t want a hot guy between her legs?The only problem with that being, it’s never me who brings a guy home.I don’t know what it is or what kind of vibe I let off, but it always leads to me attracting arrogant assholes.Lacey, on the other hand, attracts the clingers.The leeches.The mama's boys.

I abandon any further attempts at unpacking and sit at the little outdoor table and chairs we’ve proclaimed to be our dining table.It makes me laugh at the ridiculousness of our living situation.A small living room with two even smaller bedrooms; our beds take up ninety percent of the living space.Not to mention the tiny bathroom and kitchen.At least we can fit a decent sofa and TV in the living room.

I watch as Lacey pours another wine for herself.When I first came to the Big Apple, I fell in love.The thriving ambiance hooked me instantly.Not only the nightlife but the way people moved on the sidewalk during the day, like it was an unspoken language.The noise most would hate reminded me I’m at a thriving time of my life.I have a new job, in a new city, with my best friend.What more could a girl want?

“Earth to Ava.Come in, Ava.”Lacey’s mocking voice brings me back to her curiously raised brow.“Would you like to listen this time or are you going to disappear into no man’s land again?”

I spring to my feet, holding my now empty glass toward her, wearing a mischievous grin.“I think it’s time to leave this shitty apartment and find us some Big Apple studs.”

She scoffs and nearly spits her wine all over the table.“Never say that again.”

I shrug, not giving two fucks.

“Ava—” Lacey’s words are cut short by me grabbing her hand and dragging her to her room.If we’re to find attractive men in this town, we need ammunition, and she’s the one to make us look killer-hot enough to lure them in.

Looking through the most crammed closet, we search through the latest fashion racks.Lacey has every dress and jumpsuit you can imagine, for any occasion.She’s a rebellious, yet spoilt trust fund baby.She’ll happily buy her weight in clothes, but when it comes to Mommy and Daddy telling her what to do, she does the opposite.Putting my own budget aside, this is the exact reason she’s okay with us being in one of the smallest apartments she could find in downtown New York.

I’m envious of her model-like figure.Her toned physique is a stark contrast to my compact frame.Her blond pixie styled hair shines, next to my long and wavy cocoa bird nest.I’m really lucky to have her help, otherwise producing anything more than tamable takes hours on my own.

After no consultation with yours truly, Lacey has me wearing a black off-the-shoulder mini dress that has a split so high up my thigh you’ll be able to see my choice of lingerie if I bend over.

Later that night we’re standing at the entrance of Envy.In front of the black doors are two scary looking bodyguards, making me second guess Lacey’s venue choice.“Are you sure this is a nightclub and not a secret society?I’m getting a real bad vibe here.”

“You need to loosen up.It’s exclusive, which means I had to use my connections to get us in here.”

“You mean use your parents as your connections, and we’re not inside yet, so don’t go getting too excited.They haven’t let anyone in since we arrived.”

“C’mon.”Lacey grabs hold of my hand and drags me toward the two men who are now blocking the door with their arms folded across their broad chests and scowling at us like we don’t belong.

“Name,” one asks with a stern tone.

Lacey’s charm takes on a commanding edge.

“Lacey Montgomery.”

The man who asked our names speaks quietly into his wristwatch, then nods to the other.Both doors inwardly open to a foyer lit only enough to illuminate our path.The two men on either side of the double doors gesture our entry while other patrons line the path in protest, still denied entry.

“What have you gotten us into, Lacey?This has sex club written all over it.I’m not about to get collared, am I?Oh my God, I am, aren’t I?”

“Will you settle!This is an exclusive club, not a sex dungeon.This is where the wealthy come to let their hair down, so to speak.We have every right to be here, so please, calm the fuck down and follow my lead,” she whisper-hisses as we follow the two men to the end of the corridor.Although, I don’t think her hushed tone was quiet enough for the men as the one in a crisp white shirt turns his head then winks at us before reverting his focus in front of him.

“Um, Lacey…?”I freak out, my skin covering in goosebumps.Then I notice the end of the corridor is a dead end and begin panting.I reach for Lacey’s arm as we watch the man who winked speak into his wristwatch the same way the bodyguard had.

To my astonishment, a hidden door opens and welcomes us into a thriving club.Mood set lights are dimmed enough you can see where you’re going and who you’re with, and the music is playing at the perfect level you can hold a conversation without yelling.There are tables and leather couches scattered around us, much like a luxurious lounge, all black and red themed.The three-hundred-and-sixty-degree bar sitting in the middle of the room sets a statement that if you’re not here to spend money, you shouldn’t be here at all.

As I take in more of my surroundings, I see more private sections made up of what I can only guess are booths, which are at the top of a stairway manned with two more bodyguards.

My eyes rove the room, expecting more secret doors to open, like the one we entered, but none do.

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