“We need the port logistics cleared before the weekend, or the whole shipment sits in open air,” Rowan said, resting his arm on the high polished wood of the bar counter.
His voice remained smooth and controlled, cutting cleanly through the heavy bass thumping in the background.
The man in the black suit beside him leaned in slightly, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.
“The harbor master is already demanding a higher cut given the short notice.
Pushing it through by Friday means paying double the standard fee.” “Pay it,” Rowan replied without hesitation, taking a slow sip from his glass.
“The delay costs us more than his extra fee ever will.
Just make sure his team keeps their mouths shut once the crates land.” “Understood.
Everything will be ready on our end.” The man stood up, buttoning his jacket, and extended his hand.
“I shall take my leave now.” Rowan nodded, offering a brief, firm handshake.
“Keep me updated.” As the man disappeared into the dim crowd, Rowan turned toward the counter and signaled the bartender.
“I’ll take a refill.” “Yes, sir, right away,” the bartender nodded, reaching for the bottle.
Before his glass was filled, the heavy glass doors of the lounge swung open.
Layla strutted in alongside her friend Kisha, both surveying the packed venue with high energy.
“We are going to get wasted tonight,” Layla said, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
Kisha grinned, raising her arm and snapping her fingers to the rhythm of the music.
“Yes!
And hopefully, we find a hot, handsome, rich guy to carry us out of here.” “Girl, we are going to get fucked tonight!” Layla declared with a smirk.
Kisha laughed loudly, shouting over the thumping bass, “Girl, you are crazy!” They pushed their way to the counter, taking the empty high seats a few feet down from Rowan.
Layla tapped her long nails on the glossy wood.
“Hey!” The bartender turned, wiping the surface with a white rag.
“Yes, ma’am, what can I get you two?” “Two shots of tequila, please,” Layla ordered.
The man nodded and turned to grab the bottle.
As they waited, Kisha pulled her phone out of her bag, glaring at the glowing screen with deep annoyance.
“This son of a bitch has been blowing up my phone all night.” Layla glanced over, amused.
“He’s still disturbing you?
Jeez.” Kisha hissed, tapping her screen aggressively.
“Like, bro, you’re broke.
I don’t need you anymore.” “After you finished all his money, too,” Layla smirked, shaking her head.
“A man who can’t keep money is no man,” Kisha declared coldly.
Layla burst into a loud laugh.
“You’re damn right, girl!” Kisha kept tapping on her phone with a heavy frown.
Layla leaned in, watching her friend’s frustration.
“Why don’t you just block him?” Kisha paused, a sly smirk spreading across her face.
“I love the attention.” “Of course you do,” Layla scoffed playfully, rolling her eyes.
Leaning back, Layla swept her gaze across the dim lounge, searching the room until her eyes landed on Rowan sitting alone at the end of the counter, calmly checking his phone while sipping his drink.
A sharp, ambitious smirk crossed her face.
“Jackpot,” Layla whispered.
She unzipped her bag, pulled out a tube of dark red lipstick, and applied a fresh layer in the compact mirror before tossing it back in.
She pulled her top into place to lift up her bosom, adjusting herself with practiced precision.
When the bartender dropped their tequila shots onto the table, Layla ignored her glass and immediately began walking toward Rowan.
Kisha turned, watching her move.
“Girl, where are you headed?” Layla flashed a wicked smirk over her shoulder.
“I’ve found my fish.” She glided down the bar and stopped right beside Rowan, leaning casually against the counter as if she were waiting to order a fresh drink.
She tilted her head, putting on her softest tone.
“Oh, hello there.” Rowan kept his gaze fixed on his phone screen, taking a sip of his drink as if she didn’t exist.
Layla’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second.
Raising an eyebrow, she smoothed her expression and tried again, stepping closer into his space.
“Hello?” Rowan slowly lifted his head, his dark eyes fixing on her with complete indifference.
Layla smirked, leaning in.
“I didn’t know this bar offered premium access for hot guys.” Rowan let out a quiet sigh, looked her up and down without an ounce of warmth, and turned his attention straight back to his phone.
Layla scrunched her face in disbelief, her ego stinging.
“What is wrong with him?” she thought, scoffing under her breath.
Refusing to leave empty-handed, she quickly pulled out her phone, raised it high to capture them both in the frame, and snapped a picture.
“Im gonna post this on my Instagram,” she said with a triumphant smile, tapping her screen.
“And…
posted.” Rowan stood up smoothly, sliding his phone into his jacket pocket.
He looked directly at her.
Layla’s smile widened, thinking she finally had his attention.
“Oh, now you notice me?” Rowan’s expression remained entirely flat.
“There’s a spider on your face.” Layla’s eyes widened in sheer panic.
Her smile vanished instantly as she gasped, clutching her face and screaming in terror.
Rowan turned on his heel, walking toward the exit with a faint, mocking smirk on his lips.
“Idiot,” he muttered quietly under his breath.
Kisha ran up to her, wide-eyed and confused.
“Are you okay, girl?!” “Is there a spider on my face?!” Layla shrieked, slapping frantically at her cheeks and hair while people around the bar turned to stare.
…
Meanwhile, miles away at the quiet Carven estate, Esme was propped up in her bedroom.
She was completely buried under her thick duvet, trying to distract her restless mind by aimlessly scrolling through social media.
As she refreshed her feed, a new post popped up right at the top of her timeline.
The image loaded instantly, a close-up selfie of Layla posing coyly beside a very recognizable, sharp-jawed man sitting at an upscale bar.
Esme’s thumb froze on the glass.
Her eyes widened in absolute shock, her chest tightening as she sat bolt upright in bed.
“What the fuck?!” she gasped out loud into the empty room.
like girl you were on the low for days and now you come out.
Don’t even try me darling, cause i will mess you up!!!