Chapter 3: Business Meets Pleasure
1043 Words
The night air was warm, the Vegas skyline shimmering in the distance as the party continued to buzz behind them. But for Christy, Anna, and Sasha, the rooftop was a welcome escape from the chaos. They needed a breather—a moment of peace before the whirlwind took hold again.
“I’m telling you, he’s definitely not as smooth as he thinks he is,” Sasha said, lounging back on the plush cushions, her long legs stretched out in front of her. She reached for another glass of champagne and took a sip, clearly enjoying the drama she'd stirred up.
Anna leaned forward, tapping her fingers lightly on her glass, her thoughts elsewhere. “You think he’s your competition because he’s got a name in the fashion world, but you can’t ignore the fact that he’s good at what he does. You might need a strategy.”
Sasha sat up, her brow furrowing. “Anna, darling, I always have a strategy. I just like to let them think they’re winning before I swoop in and make them wish they’d never stepped onto my turf.”
Anna raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. “You never do things halfway, do you?”
Sasha winked. “Of course not. Why bother when you can do it big?”
Christy, who had been quiet up until now, let out a deep sigh and adjusted herself in her seat. “I swear, you two are so caught up in your own little games. There’s more to life than all this... business and romantic drama.” She made air quotes around “romantic drama,” clearly mocking the lighter moments of their lives.
“Well, excuse us for trying to have fun while also running empires,” Sasha shot back playfully, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “What are you doing? The whole ‘pretending to be too busy for love’ act? You can drop it, Christy.”
Christy shook her head, leaning back against the railing. “I’m just saying—if you’re gonna get distracted, do it the right way. I’m focused on real business—tech, expansion, my vision. And if I get involved with someone, I want it to be because they can actually keep up with me, not because they think they can change my mind.”
Anna chuckled, taking a long sip from her glass. “So, you’re saying you’re too busy for the drama, but you’ve got your own set of rules for it?”
Christy smirked. “Exactly. No time for anything that’s gonna slow me down.”
Sasha leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. “You really want to be the businesswoman all the time, don’t you? Fine, but when you find someone who makes you forget your meetings and spreadsheets... I’ll be here, popcorn in hand, to watch the mystery man take his turn at trying to impress you.”
Christy’s eyes narrowed. “We’ll see about that.”
The conversation shifted to Anna, who had been unusually quiet, lost in her thoughts. She was always the composed one, the one who never let her emotions show. But even she couldn’t escape the tension in the air, the pull of something more than just business.
“I’m not like you two,” Anna said softly, her eyes scanning the party below. “I don’t need the drama to feel alive. I’ve got more than enough excitement in my work.”
Sasha gave her a teasing look. “Come on, Anna. Don’t pretend you don’t like the challenge. You love a good game just as much as the rest of us.”
Anna sighed. “I love winning, but I also love control. And the moment I give up control for someone else... well, that’s a risk I’m not sure I’m ready to take. Not with all that’s at stake.”
Sasha chuckled. “You say that now, but trust me—when the right person comes along, control will be the last thing on your mind.”
Christy rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. You two are so predictable. But for the record, you’re not the only ones who get attention around here.”
Sasha raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
Christy smirked, her lips curling into a playful grin. “I’m saying that the one man you two can't ignore is already watching. That is the real fun.”
Sasha and Anna exchanged glances, both instantly aware of who Christy was talking about.
“Don’t tell me you’re still interested in him,” Sasha teased. “The guy who’s been circling you like a shark?”
Anna shook her head. “I’ve told you both before—I’m not interested in him. He’s just... persistent.”
“Well, he’s got to be doing something right if you’re still thinking about him,” Sasha countered, nudging Anna with her elbow.
Anna gave her a side-eye. “He’s persistent, not impressive. I’ll have him in check if I want to.”
Christy chuckled. “Right. You’ll just calculate your way out of this one.”
The three of them shared a knowing look. No matter how much they tried to deny it, the truth was clear: romance, like everything else, was another game to play. And whether they were ready to admit it or not, they were all in.
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The Next Day…
The morning after the party was filled with the usual chaos. Christy was up early, reviewing numbers for her latest tech venture. Anna was closing a deal that could change the Vegas real estate game forever. Sasha, on the other hand, was on her third espresso, trying to recover from the night before. Business meetings, press events, and gossip all came at her in quick succession, but she was never too distracted to check her phone for any updates.
As she scrolled through her messages, one name jumped out at her: the mysterious designer. His message was simple, direct, and—surprisingly—charming.
“Let’s make this interesting. You know where to find me.”
Sasha smirked, already imagining how the game would unfold. One thing was certain: this competition was about to get a whole lot more fun.
- Writer
