Twisted Inheritance

Chapter 3: I want to Know her

Adriana’s POV

I couldn't look away.

Neither could she.

There was something about the way she looked at me that made me wonder if she was thinking the same thing I was.

Who the hell is she?

The music continued playing, but I barely heard it anymore.

She finally looked away and turned her attention back to her dance.

I frowned.

Why did I suddenly feel annoyed?

"Adrian."

I turned to Nicholas.

He was already back in his seat.

"So?"

I looked at him.

"What's the problem?"

He gave me a confused look.

"The manager said no."

I raised an eyebrow.

"That's it?"

"What else do you want me to say?"

I looked towards the stage again.

"Did you ask about her?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"Her name is Elena."

I repeated it quietly.

"Elena."

"Yeah."

"What else?"

Nicholas laughed.

"Are you interviewing her?"

"Just answer me."

"That's all I got. She doesn't give out personal information."

I leaned back.

"Why?"

"How am I supposed to know?"

I ignored him and kept watching the stage.

She was dancing with another man now.

I didn't like it.

Not even a little.

The man was standing close to her, throwing money at her while she danced.

I rubbed my jaw.

Nicholas noticed.

"Oh no."

I looked at him.

"What?"

"Don't tell me you're already jealous."

"I'm not jealous."

"You look jealous."

"I said I'm not."

He laughed.

"You've been watching this woman for the past twenty minutes."

"I like what I see."

"That's what I'm worried about."

I picked up my drink.

"Go and ask the manager if I can speak to her."

"I already did."

"Ask again."

"Adrian."

"Do it."

He stared at me before shaking his head.

"You know you're annoying, right?"

"I've been told."

Nicholas stood up.

He took two steps before turning around.

"Don't cause trouble."

"I won't."

He walked away.

I turned back to the stage.

Elena had finished dancing.

She walked backstage without looking in my direction.

I waited.

Five minutes.

Nothing.

Ten minutes.

Still nothing.

I checked my watch.

This was strange.

I had never waited around for a woman in my life.

Women usually came to me.

I didn't chase them.

Yet here I was, sitting in a club waiting for a stripper who probably didn't even know my name.

"f**k this."

I stood up.

Nicholas came back just as I reached for my jacket.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm leaving."

He looked surprised.

"Already?"

"Yes."

"What happened to wanting to talk to Elena?"

"I changed my mind."

He stared at me.

"You're lying."

I ignored him and walked toward the exit.

We were almost at the door when I heard someone call my name.

"Mr. Alexander."

I turned.

The manager was walking toward us.

"Yes?"

"Elena is asking to see you."

I was shocked.

Nicholas slowly turned toward me.

I saw a smile on his face.

I ignored it.

"Where is she?"

"She's in the private lounge."

I looked at Nicholas.

He immediately stepped back.

"Go ahead, bro."

I followed the manager down the hallway.

My heart wasn't racing.

I wasn't nervous.

I just wanted to know why she had asked for me.

The manager stopped in front of a door.

"She's inside."

I reached for the handle.

"Mr. Alexander."

I looked back.

"Yes?"

"Don't make things difficult for her."

I frowned.

"I don't understand."

"You will."

He walked away.

I stared at the door.

Then I opened it.

Elena was standing by the window with her arms folded.

She had changed out of her stage outfit.

She was wearing a simple black dress.

She turned when she heard the door.

Our eyes met again.

"You wanted to see me?"

She nodded.

"Yes."

I closed the door behind me.

"Why?"

She didn't answer immediately.

Instead, she walked toward me.

"Your friend came to my manager asking if you could spend the night with me."

I frowned.

"That's not exactly what I asked him to do."

"Then what did you ask him to do?"

"I wanted to talk to you."

She looked at me suspiciously.

"About what?"

I had no answer.

I had spent the entire night wanting to get close to her.

Now that she was standing in front of me, I suddenly realized I didn't know what to say.

"What's your surname?"

She laughed.

"That's what you wanted to ask me?"

"I want to know you."

"Why?"

I stared at her.

"Because I do."

She shook her head.

"That's not an answer."

"Fine."

I stepped closer.

"I've never seen you here before."

"You don't know that."

"I would remember you."

She smiled.

It was the first time I'd seen her smile.

And damn, it suited her.

"You really think you're charming, don't you?"

"No."

"Good."

She moved past me.

"Because you're not."

I laughed.

"You're the first woman who's ever said that to me."

"Maybe everyone else was lying."

I turned to face her.

"What's your surname, Elena?"

She looked at me for a few seconds.

Then she stopped smiling.

"You don't need to know."

"Why?"

"Because you're going to forget about me when you leave this club."

I shook my head.

"I don't think I will."

She picked up her bag.

"Goodnight, Adrian."

She walked toward the door.

I watched her hand reach for the handle.

"Elena."

She stopped.

"What?"

"I'll see you again."

She looked over her shoulder.

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

Then she walked out.

I stood there staring at the closed door.

Nicholas was waiting outside.

He took one look at my face and laughed.

"So?"

I walked past him.

"Let's go."

"Did you get her number?"

"No."

"Her surname?"

"No."

"Anything?"

I stopped walking.

I had nothing.

Except her name.

Elena.

I knew that wasn't going to be enough.

Because I had spent one night looking at her.

Now I wanted to know everything about her.