Fatal Attraction

3

Arriving at the Malone99 nightclub, I'm amazed when I step inside. The club looks great and it's definitely not a seedy bar like I know from my old hometown in Louisiana. So it won't surprise me if the place is always packed as it's pretty close to Las Vegas.

I notice that a few people are already sneaking around. Presumably employees preparing everything for tonight. At the bar I recognize a young woman who is polishing glasses. Her blonde hair is tied in a high ponytail and her petite body is clad in short denim shorts and a black shirt with the club's logo printed on it. I approach her with a smile because I like her. I've always been good at judging people. Most of the time it turns out to be correct. Well, except for my ex. But how could I have known he was turning into such a control freak? I quickly banish the thought of my ex. I should start to forget what happened back then...

When I stop in front of the blue, lighted bar, the pretty blonde looks up. "Hey, can I help you?" she asks me kindly.

"Hi, yes. I'm here about the vacancy," I explain. The blonde beauty puts down the rag and now gives me her full attention.

"That's good. We've been looking for someone new for so long." She smiles broadly at me. "I'm Summer," she immediately introduces herself. She holds out her hand. I have to chuckle at her name because it just fits her perfectly.

"Estrele Clark. But you can just call me Ela," I introduce myself to her as well.

"Okay Ela, then I'll take you to the boss," she explains with a wink and I follow her to the back of the club. She stops in front of a door and knocks a few times until a deep, muffled male voice comes from the other side. Summer opens it a little and peers inside. "Jason? Here's someone who's interested in the position."

"Well, finally someone answers!", I hear him say relieved. Summer opens the door all the way and I just see a young man get up from a chair and walk towards us. To be honest, I didn't expect such a young boss. I'm guessing he's in his mid 20's. As he gets closer I can see that he's quite handsome. "Hey, I'm Jason Malone, the club owner. So, you're interested in the position?" He holds out his hand and I take it, smiling.

"Yes. My name is Estrela Clark."

"I'm glad. Please sit down," he says kindly. I nod and step into the office. I watch Jason wrap an arm around Summer's waist and whisper something in her ear. She nods to him silently and finally disappears, before she throws me a smile, which I return.

"So Estrela, how much experience do you have in waiting and mixing drinks?" he asks me as he takes his seat across from me.

"I've worked as a waitress in a pub and made drinks a few times. It was mostly beer or shots," I reply. He nods and looks at me silently for a moment.

"Okay, that won't be a problem. You can still learn how to mix drinks. Preferably from Summer or Silas," he explains to me and I feel relieved. "Well, that's actually the most important thing I need to know. We've been looking for a new temp for a while, so you can start next week. We expect our employees at 9pm. We are open Friday to Sunday, with the exception of public holidays. The club opens at 11pm and closes at 4am. We can then discuss your salary next time," he explains, and I nod in agreement.

"Thank you, Mr Malone." My new boss waves it off.

"You can call me Jason and use my first-name form. We have a very relaxed atmosphere here with everyone. Please come by 8 p.m. on Friday, then Summer can introduce you to something before we open."

"Of course. Thank you Jason."

"Thank you. Have a nice evening, Estrela." We shake hands in farewell. I leave the office with a smile, bumping into Summer.

"So how was it?" she asks curiously and I give both thumbs up.

"I can start next week!" I say enthusiastically.

"Great! I'm happy that I finally have a female colleague by my side again." She winks at me. We say goodbye and I leave the club with good things.

"Dad?" I call out as I unlock the apartment and step inside.

"He's getting beer supplies." I startle and almost drop my cell phone, which I'm holding. Kian is sitting on my dad's couch, holding a beer bottle and watching the TV, which is showing a boxing tournament. What else?

"Damn, you scared me," I say and let myself fall into the chair across from him, exhausted. "What are you doing here? I mean, at my dad's place?" Kian glances at me and points to the screen.

"We'll watch the fight together," he explains the obvious, taking a sip from his bottle. I catch a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye and become curious about him.

"May I ask you something?" Kian takes his eyes off the screen and looks at me. I suddenly have to swallow hard because I suddenly remember that he saw me naked this morning. My cheeks immediately blush and the intense look Kian gives me doesn't make it any better.

"I think you have to work on forgetting it," he says with a smile.

I quickly clear my throat and ask him my question: "You and my father are very close, aren't you?"

Kian just shrugs. "Yes, you can put it that way," he answers simply, averting his gaze from me and seeming to wither away in thought. Because he doesn't seem to want to say any more, I decide to leave him alone and go to my room. "Do you have the job at the club?" comes his voice as I'm about to get up.

"Yes," I announce, smiling.

"I wouldn't have expected anything else. Jason has been crying for weeks because he can't find a new employee." I frown in confusion.

"You know Jason?"

"We're friends," he tells me.

"Oh... What a coincidence," I mumble.

"Yes, it will probably be that I see you not only here more often, but now also in the club," he says amusingly, giving me an intense look. Great!

"I'm going to sleep, good night. Have a nice evening with my father."

"Night, Estrela," Kian says before I disappear and clearly feel his gaze on my back.

I wake up from my sleep when I feel someone open my bedroom door. A large figure appears but cannot place it because it is too dark. She's getting closer and closer and I'm starting to get scared. "Dad?" I ask uncertainly, sitting up in bed.

"Shh... it's me." Kian?

"What? ... What are you doing here, Kian?" I rub my eyes sleepily. What time is it?

"Come with me," he whispers.

"Why?" I ask confused. "Is everything okay with my dad?"

"Your dad is fine. Just come with me. I just want to show you something." Because I don't want to continue the discussion and I'm far too tired for that, I finally get up.

"And what about my dad?" I ask.

"He sleeps like a log when he's been drinking."

"Okay..." I say uncertainly.

"Now come on. And better take a jacket with you." Since I make no move, Kian grabs one of my jackets that was hanging over a chair, grabs my hand and pulls me out of the room. That sudden touch makes me gasp softly. Confused, I let myself be dragged along by him.

"Well, if this is kidnapping, you're really bad at it." Kian doesn't answer, just laughs. We go down the stairs, then outside into the back courtyard, where you can also train here. Kian stops in front of a fire escape, lets go of my hand and climbs up the ladder. What the ...?

"Um Kian, what's this going to be?"

"Don't ask so many questions and come. It will be worth it." Groaning, I follow him, noticing that Kian is quite fast. He's already up while I'm only halfway down the stairs. I put it down to his fit body and not my lack of athleticism. When I got to the roof of the Industrie Haus, Kian immediately hands me my jacket. I gratefully take it off him and put it on, since it's quite chilly up here. Kian sits down and I just do the same for him. I still wonder what he's up to up here.

"Lie down and look up," he whispers. His deep voice sends goosebumps all over my body. No sooner said than done and... Wow! The sky is covered with stars. It looks beautiful.

"Wow..." I whisper. "That is beautiful." I marvel at the sky, which is covered with an infinite number of stars.

"Yes, beautiful," he says. I can feel his eyes on me. I turn my head to him, catching him staring at me. His gray eyes reflect the starry sky.

"Thank you," I blurt out.

"Why are you saying thank you?" he asks with a smile.

"For dragging me up here." A deep laugh sounds from him. We are silent for a while, enjoying the view and deep in thought. Suddenly this curiosity overcomes me again.

"Why are you showing me this?"

"Don't always question everything, kitty," he whispers to me. I turn my head to him and find him staring at me again. I laugh and shake my head. A crackle forms between us and my heart starts pounding madly against my chest. Suddenly Kian's face approaches mine and I stop laughing in an instant. I catch my breath as the tips of our noses almost touch.

"Kian..." I whisper. Suddenly he gets up so abruptly before I can even realize what is happening between us. Did we just almost kiss?

"We should go back downstairs." I just nod and follow him.

"Good night," I say before heading upstairs to the apartment. Kian is about to pack his bag, presumably to go home.

"Ciao," he says absent-mindedly and disappears without looking at me again. I look after him confused. Men! No sooner do they realize they've almost made a mistake than they act like complete idiots. Lying in bed, I try to fall asleep but fail miserably because I can't get a certain man out of my mind...