83

83
Rosa’s POV
The music in the club was deafening, the bass vibrating through my chest as I took another sip of my cocktail. It was my second-or was it my third?-drink of the night, and I was starting to feel the warm, comfortable buzz creep in. Not enough to let my guard down completely, though. I wasn’t the type to lose myself, not even in a place like this.
I glanced around, watching the crowd sway and dance under the flickering neon lights. It was a mix of strangers and regulars, faces that blurred together into a kaleidoscope of movement and sound. The bartender caught my eye and gave me a knowing smile, sliding another drink down the counter toward someone further down. I didn’t smile back-I wasn’t in the mood for small talk.
Pulling out my phone, I checked the time. It was getting late, and I was starting to debate whether I should stay or call it a night. That’s when it happened. My phone vibrated in my hand, the screen lighting up with an unknown number.
I frowned. I didn’t usually answer calls from numbers I didn’t recognize, but something made me hesitate. Maybe it was curiosity, or maybe it was the faint hope that it was someone interesting, someone worth my time.
I swiped to answer, holding the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Rosa,” came a low, familiar voice on the other end.
My heart skipped a beat. I recognized that voice instantly. It was the man I’d just met not an hour ago-the one with the easy grin and the sharp eyes that seemed to see right through me. Allesio.
“How did you get my number?” I asked, more intrigued than annoyed.
“You gave it to me, remember?” he said, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. “On a napkin. I’d like to think that means you wanted me to use it.”
I couldn’t help but smile, though I tried to keep it out of my voice. “Fair enough. So, what’s this about?”
“I want you to meet me,” he said. “I’ll send you the address.”
“Now?” I asked, glancing around the noisy club. “You’re not exactly giving me much notice.”
“Is that a problem?” he asked, and there was something in his voice-a quiet confidence and an unspoken challenge-that made me pause.
I hesitated, weighing my options. A part of me wanted to tell him no, to remind him that I wasn’t someone who just jumped at a guy’s beck and call. But another part of me, the part that had been bored out of my mind for weeks, was intrigued. There was something about Allesio that felt…different. Dangerous, maybe. But in an exciting way.
“Alright,” I said finally. “Send me the address.”
“Good,” he said. “I’ll see you soon.”
The line went dead before I could say anything else, leaving me staring at my phone like it might explain what I’d just agreed to. A moment later, a text came through with an address attached. It wasn’t far-a ten-minute drive, maybe fifteen.
I took one last sip of my drink, savoring the sharp tang of the alcohol before setting the glass down on the bar. The bartender raised an eyebrow at me, but I ignored him, slipping my phone into my bag and making my way out of the club. The cool night air hit me as I stepped outside, a welcome contrast to the stifling heat of the dance floor.
Hailing a cab, I climbed in and gave the driver the address. As we pulled away from the club, I couldn’t help but wonder what I was getting myself into. I didn’t know much about Allesio, other than the fact that he had a sharp wit and a smile that could disarm just about anyone. But there was something about him, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on, that made me curious.
The cab ride was short, the streets flashing by in a blur of headlights and neon signs. When we pulled up to the address, I paid the driver and stepped out onto the sidewalk. The place wasn’t what I expected-an upscale lounge, quieter than the club I’d just left but no less impressive. It had an air of exclusivity, the kind of place you didn’t just stumble into by accident.
I walked through the door, my heels clicking against the polished floor as I scanned the room. And there he was, sitting at a table near the back, a glass of something dark and expensive-looking in his hand. He looked up as I approached, a slow smile spreading across his face.
“You made it,” he said, standing as I reached the table.
“You didn’t give me much choice,” I said, sliding into the seat opposite him.
“Fair enough,” he said, sitting back down. “Drink?”
I nodded, and he signaled to a waiter, who appeared almost instantly with a menu. I ordered something simple-a gin and tonic-and leaned back in my seat, studying him.
“So,” I said, crossing my legs. “Are you going to tell me why you dragged me out here?”
He shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “Maybe I just wanted to see you again.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And you couldn’t have waited until tomorrow?”
“I’m not the waiting type,” he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Besides, you seem like someone who appreciates spontaneity.”
I couldn’t argue with that. The truth was, I liked his confidence. It wasn’t overbearing, like some guys who tried too hard to impress. With Allesio, it felt…natural. Like he didn’t have to try at all.
The waiter returned with my drink, and I took a sip, letting the cool, sharp taste settle on my tongue. For a moment, we just sat there, the silence between us charged but not uncomfortable.
“You’re different,” he said suddenly, breaking the silence.
“Different how?” I asked, tilting my head.
“I don’t know,” he said, his gaze steady. “You’re not like the others.”
I laughed softly, setting my glass down. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
“Take it however you want,” he said, his lips curving into a smirk.
I shook my head, unable to hide my smile. There was something about him, something I couldn’t quite figure out. But for now, I decided to just enjoy the moment.
“I feel like you called me here for another reason entirely,” I murmured, flipping my hair over to my shoulders. There was no point in wasting time and acting like I didn’t know what we both wanted.
“Straight forward. I like that,” he murmured with a smirk. “I have an apartment just across. Let’s go,” he answered, getting up and leading me out of the lounge.