Chapter 8: The stranger upstairs
1277 Words
As they entered the club, Rose’s eyes immediately widened.
A towering glass fountain sparkled beneath golden spotlights, sending tiny reflections across the polished floor. Above the grand entrance hung a massive crystal chandelier, its countless pieces catching the light and filling the space with a warm, luxurious glow.
Everything looked expensive.
From the elegant furniture to the beautifully dressed guests, Eclipse felt like a world Rose had only ever seen in movies.
Flashing lights painted the dance floor in shades of blue and crimson. Expensive perfume, laughter, and the faint pop of champagne bottles filled the air.
The bass from the speakers vibrated through their chests.
Sophia’s eyes lit up.
“This is life!”
She shouted over the music.
Before Rose could respond, Sophia grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the dance floor.
“Come on!”
Sophia moved to the rhythm of the music, laughing as she danced.
Rose, however, stood awkwardly beside her.
She felt eyes passing over her, and suddenly she became very conscious of herself.
“Hey, Sophia, I think we should sit down or something.”
Sophia stopped dancing and looked at her.
“Yeah, we probably should.”
She smiled and pinched Rose’s cheek.
“My girl is shy.”
Rose rolled her eyes.
A waiter soon led them to a quieter corner away from the dance floor. It was far enough from the crowd for Rose to breathe comfortably, yet still close enough for them to observe everything happening around them.
Rose settled into her seat with a relieved sigh.
Sophia looked around before turning toward her.
“So how is the man going to see you if you’re hiding here?”
Rose glanced toward the crowded dance floor.
“I don’t know.”
She leaned back.
“I want to leave.”
Sophia laughed.
“We party till dawn. Tomorrow is Saturday.”
Rose gave her a look.
“You’re serious?”
“Completely.”
⸻
Across the club, a man stood quietly in the VIP section.
Unlike the people around him, he wasn’t dancing or laughing.
He simply stood there, one hand resting casually in his pocket, his attention moving across the crowded room.
Then something caught his eye.
A woman sitting far away from the dance floor.
He watched her quietly.
He had seen many women come to Eclipse. Women dressed beautifully, confident in their appearance and eager to attract attention.
But she was different.
She looked uncomfortable.
Almost as if she had entered the wrong place.
She wasn’t trying to impress anyone. She wasn’t dancing or looking around for attention.
Instead, she constantly glanced toward the exit and held onto her friend as though she were looking for a reason to leave.
For some reason, her innocence and nervousness caught his attention.
His eyes remained on her for a moment longer.
Then he gestured toward a waiter.
The waiter approached.
The man leaned closer and whispered something in his ear.
The waiter immediately nodded and walked away.
Moments later, he approached Rose and Sophia’s table carrying a small folded note.
“Excuse me.”
Rose looked up.
The waiter handed the note to her.
Before Rose could open it, Sophia quickly snatched it from her hand.
“What is this?”
She unfolded the paper.
Her eyebrows lifted as she read it aloud.
“The man upstairs wants to see you.”
Sophia’s eyes widened.
“What?”
Rose looked at her.
“Who?”
They both turned toward the VIP section upstairs.
A man stood behind the railing.
The lighting was dim, leaving most of his face hidden in the shadows. Only his impressive figure was clearly visible.
Sophia’s lips slowly curved into a mischievous smile.
“You might have just found yourself a new man.”
Rose immediately shook her head.
“I’m not here for love. I’m here to find a fake husband who can help me get revenge on Ethan.”
Sophia leaned closer.
“I know, and that’s why we are here. You need a man to forget him, darling.”
Rose frowned.
“I’m not interested.”
“Not under my watch.”
Sophia pointed toward the staircase.
“Rosy, do you know where we are? Eclipse nightclub. Only the rich come here.”
Rose raised an eyebrow.
“Ah… you’re pushing me toward a rich guy now?”
“Yes.”
“What if he is just like you and used half of your savings to come here?”
Sophia stared at her for a second before laughing.
“Whatever. Just go. Rich or not, you can tell him what you want.”
She gave Rose a playful push.
“I’ll be watching you. Don’t leave that spot, okay?”
Rose sighed.
She looked toward the staircase.
The whole thing felt ridiculous.
She had come here because Sophia convinced her that the nightclub might be their last chance to find someone willing to become her fake boyfriend—or fake husband.
Now a complete stranger was asking to see her.
Every step upstairs made her want to turn back.
This is a bad idea.
She nearly stopped twice.
But somehow, she continued.
One step.
Then another.
Until she finally reached the VIP section.
The stranger stood waiting for her.
Rose stopped.
The light finally revealed his face.
For a moment, everything seemed to stop.
He was handsome.
Not just handsome in an ordinary way, but striking enough to make her forget what she had been about to say.
His sharp features were perfectly defined. His calm expression revealed little, while his intimidating gray eyes seemed to study her with quiet curiosity.
Rose had expected someone ordinary.
Instead, she found herself standing before a man who looked like he belonged to a completely different world.
A world of wealth, power, and effortless luxury.
Eclipse was clearly a place for luxury and beauty.
Now she understood why Sophia had brought her here.
The man watched her as she stood there silently, seemingly lost in thought.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
He snapped his fingers.
The sound pulled Rose out of her thoughts.
“You seem lost.”
Rose swallowed.
She quickly looked away.
“You look beautiful.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
I should be the one saying that.
She quickly pushed the thought away.
The stranger gestured toward the seat.
“Come.”
He turned and walked toward his table.
Rose followed slowly.
But before sitting down, she glanced over her shoulder.
She could still see Sophia below.
Her best friend gave her an encouraging smile.
Rose turned back.
The stranger noticed the insecurity written across her face.
“Are you scared?”
Rose immediately shook her head.
“No.”
He studied her for another moment.
“You seem shy.”
His lips curved slightly.
“Is this your first time here?”
Rose looked at him.
“What about you?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Is this your first time too, and you already booked the VIP section to impress people?”
For a moment, the man simply stared at her.
Then he laughed.
It was a genuine laugh, deep and unexpectedly warm.
He found her amusing.
Not only was she beautiful, but she was also honest and interesting.
For the first time in his life, someone had looked at him and assumed he was pretending to be someone important.
Most people who approached him already knew exactly who he was.
They knew his name.
They knew his wealth.
They knew his position.
But this woman didn’t seem to know any of it.
She clearly had no idea who she was talking to.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD