The Oralei

Three; VIPs

*Morgan’s POV*

As the driver opened the door to allow Avianna to exit the limousine, I quickly pulled out my phone to text Jaxon.

‘Hey, we’ve just pulled up at Mission. I’m taking her to the VIP area.”

I pressed send and put my phone back into my clutch. I took a deep breath and climbed out of the limo to Avianna waiting patiently.

“Everything alright?” She asked me with a questionable expression.

“Oh, yes! More than alright! Let’s go inside and get a drink!” I smiled widely.

Avianna glanced at me as though she didn’t believe me but quickly flashed me a smile and turned to go to the back of the line of people waiting to get inside.

“Errr, where are you going honey?! VIP entry is this way!” I said, while pointing to the red, velvet rope at the front of the queue.

“What?! But I’m not a VIP! I don’t even know anyone yet, well except you…I don’t think I’m anywhere near that status yet Morgan!” Avianna whispered with her eyes wide.

“Babe, I’ve lived here my whole life - and I know A LOT of people in this city. Trust me!” I replied with a chuckle.

Avianna glanced nervously at the long line of people waiting to get in and then back at me. She shrugged her shoulders and murmured ‘Ok then, I trust you.”

We made our way to the infamous red rope and reached the huge bouncer blocking the doors.

“Morgan Adams,” I stated confidently.

The bouncer glanced at the names of VIP guests.

“Hmmm, sorry love, your name isn’t on the list.”

I noticed Avianna’s face turn bright red as she glanced at me with an expression full of panic.

“Then, I suggest you check again honey…I am 100% on that list!” I replied impatiently, tapping the clipboard simultaneously with the last three words.

The bouncer looked between us both with the utmost seriousness, before his face cracked into a playful smile.

“Only joking, sweetheart!” He laughed heartily.

I narrowed my eyes at him and he ceased laughing immediately.

“Come on in ladies, your first drinks are on me,” he murmured whilst removing the rope from the hook.

“You go first Avianna,” I said whilst gesturing towards the entrance. “Just wait inside the door for me, I’ll be there in a minute.”

Avianna entered through the door somewhat hesitantly, but did as I asked and waited just inside.

I turned my gaze towards the bouncer and moved closer so he was the only person who could hear me.

“Pull a stunt like that again Luke and I’ll tell my parents…or better yet, my brother,” I whispered.

His face drained of colour at my words and he shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

“I-I was only joking Morgan, I-I apologise for any disrespect,” he muttered, with his gaze to the floor.

I tried my best to hold a stern expression but I just couldn’t hold it back anymore.

“Hahahahaha Luke! You should see your face!” I laughed. “Only joking, sweetheart!” I winked with a smile.

Luke raised his head back up and it was his turn to look at me with his eyes narrowed.

“Very funny Morgan. I honestly thought you were being serious. I should know by now that is never the case!” he said matter-of-factly, his facial expression returning to its usual seriousness. I didn’t miss the corners of his lips slightly turned upwards in amusement though.

“By now, you would absolutely think you would know what I’m like,” I chuckled. “Thanks Luke, see you back at the packhouse. It probably won’t be until tomorrow now though, it’s going to be a late one!” I waved as I moved towards the entrance.

Avianna was stood there waiting for me and looked up as I walked through the door.

“Everything ok?” She asked nervously.

“Yes honey, absolutely fine!” I laughed. “Now come on! Let’s go and get these free drinks!” I said, as I linked arms with her and steered her towards the set of stairs leading up to the club.

*Avianna’s POV*

What was that all about?! I thought to myself. I shrugged it off thinking maybe Morgan didn’t like that the bouncer - Luke she called him - maybe embarrassed her in front of an audience. She did seem annoyed. I won’t press any further though as I certainly didn’t want her to look at me the way she looked at him, it was kind of, no, very intimidating.

Morgan had linked arms with me and was practically dragging me up the stairs to the club in excitement. I could hear the upbeat music blaring and vibrating the floor beneath my feet. I have to admit, I may be a rather shy and reserved person the majority of the time, but I do love a good dance session. Although I’m not a big drinker, I’ll try to let my hair down and have some fun whilst the opportunity has presented itself.

Morgan pulled the door open to the club and practically pulled me inside. The scents of alcohol and sweat literally threw themselves at me the moment I entered the packed out club.

“This place is huge!” I shouted. My eyes roamed my surroundings in awe. There were 2 separate floors that I could see. The bottom had an enormous dance floor located in the middle with booths, tables and chairs surrounding the sea of people dancing to the extremely loud dance song playing. Two long, lit up glass bars were situated at either side. Glass elevators were at the far ends of the ground floor, taking the partygoers up to the top floor.

“Come on, VIP area here we come!” Morgan squealed, as she pulled me towards one of the elevators.

“VIP area?! Morgan I can’t afford the fee to go up there!” I sighed and stood still. Even I knew that VIP areas in any club held a hefty entry fee. London was notorious for it.

“You forget, you’re with me honey. Tonight you’re a VIP whether you like it or not! Everything is on me!” She winked.

I gaped in disbelief at her words. “I’ll pay you back Morgan, I promise! I start my new job on Monday.” I said quickly.

“Trust me Avi, it’s okay. I don’t need the money and I just want to see you have a great first night in the city!” She smiled.

Avi? Wow, I’d never had anyone give me a nickname before. I kinda liked it. I beamed back at her and nodded my head. She took my hand and carried on in the direction of the elevator. We got in and Morgan hit the button for the VIP floor and inputted a code into the keypad. Wow, this place really was swanky.

The elevator swiftly took us up and when it opened, my mouth dropped.

“Oh. My. God! This is the best club I have ever been to!” A few faces turned to look in our direction and my face immediately turned red with embarrassment. Oops. I may have got just a bit too excited and basically shouted that quite loud. I spotted a few people laughing as if I was the first person they had ever seen with that reaction.

Morgan let out a little laugh. “Come on babe, the alcohol is calling my name!”

We made our way towards the bar that wrapped around the whole floor. The lit up dance floor was big - smaller than the bottom but still a decent size.

“What do you drink?” Morgan asked me, whilst gesturing towards the array of alcohol bottles on the stands behind the bar.

“Gin and lemonade, with a slice of lemon please,” I replied.

Morgan looked at the bartender who had appeared in front of us promptly. He wasn’t there a second ago, I thought.

“You heard the lady, gin and lemonade with a slice of lemon please, Jay! Oh, and make that two doubles, these are on Luke!” She grinned.

“Coming right up! I must say you’re looking gorgeous tonight ladies,” Jay said to us cheekily, throwing a wink in our direction.

Almost instantly, a loud sound resembling a growl shook the floor. What the hell?!

I looked at Morgan but she didn’t seem to have noticed. Maybe I was imagining it. It must have been the music I was hearing and the vibrations from the bass beneath my feet. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone’s eyes were on me though.

I looked around casually and noticed a group of men sat in the far corner, overlooking the bottom dance floor. The man sat in the middle was staring right at me. It made me feel slightly uneasy, but there was something about him that seemed vaguely familiar. I must admit, he was drop dead gorgeous. I shook the feeling off. It isn’t possible, this is the first time I have ever been to New York. He must just remind me of someone I’ve met back in London. I diverted my attention back to the bartender.

“Behave Jay!” Morgan said playfully in return. “We’re just here to have a girls night, with plenty of drinks and an epic dance sesh!”

“No problem Morgan! Have a great night both of you!” He replied, with complete professionalism.

Well that was a u-turn. He was in full on flirt mode a moment ago, very strange.

Jay handed us our drinks and we turned to go and find an empty booth.

We found the first free one closest to the glass balcony overlooking the dance floor below. I took a sip of my drink and set it down onto the table. Glancing up, I noticed that the strangers eyes were still on me from the other side of the room. I quickly looked away and picked up my drink, downing it in one.

“Woah, steady Avi! The night is young! We have plenty of alcohol at our disposal and plenty of time to drink it!” Morgan chuckled.

“I know,” I replied, “I just haven’t been out for so long and I need that buzz to get on the dance floor.”

“Well in that case…” Morgan picked up her drink and threw it back just as I had done. “Let’s go hon!”

She stood up and gestured for me to follow her. I got up from my seat, leaving my clutch with Morgan’s on the table and went over to the VIP dance floor.

This one was almost as busy as the bottom floor, which was a relief. I wasn’t keen on people staring at me whilst I was dancing away…one person in particular.

I made my way through the throng of people to the back of the dance floor, shielding myself from eyes of the strange man who had been staring at me since I got up here.

Morgan reappeared in front of me with two drinks in her hands. She handed me one and proceeded to gulp hers down.

“What was it you just said to me?!” I shouted above the pumping music.

“I know, I know!” Morgan laughed. “It’s going to take a lot more than a glass of champagne and one gin to get me started though honey!”

I laughed at her and swigged my drink down too.

I could feel the buzz of the alcohol even more so now. I started to move to the beat of the music and let all thoughts leave my head. Dancing was so freeing, you could be whoever you wanted whilst moving to the music and there was no better feeling.

I swayed, shimmied and danced with Morgan until my feet started to ache.

“Come on, let’s get another drink!” I shouted to her.

She nodded at me in return and held a finger up as if to say ‘in a minute,’ just as a man came up to her and started to dance with her.

I made my way towards the edge of the dance floor to wait for her to follow, when a stranger came right up to me.

“Hey sexy, fancy a dance?” He winked.

“No, I’m fine thank you! I’m just waiting for my friend to go and get a drink!” I replied.

“Ahh, come on sweet cheeks, don’t be like that!” He shouted back. I could smell the whiskey on his breath. He reached to grab my hand and pulled me back onto the dance floor. I snatched my hand away and glared at him. “I said no. thank. you!” emphasising each word so he understood.

“Well, now you’re just being a rude, uptight little b*tch!” He shouted.

Grabbing my arm tightly, he forcefully dragged me towards him, spun me round so my back was against his hard chest and locked his arms around my waist.

“Get the f*ck off of me!” I screamed whilst struggling to release myself from his grip.

Not even a second later, I felt the man being wrenched away from me.

I quickly turned to see him being launched across the dance floor, landing on a glass table and shattering it to pieces…