Hidden Scars

Chapter 3: underground party

Eliana’s POV

I dart my gaze around and notice we are the only two women here. I’m taken aback when I realize it’s an elegant gentlemen’s club. The way every man watches us as they pass by, makes me feel like an expensive hooker.

While I begin to feel shy, Rosa is all confidence and indifferent to the leering.

Then again, she’s used to being the center of attention with her family being the richest in the country. My father is wealthy and a well established jeweler, but nothing compared to Rosa’s. Hers is can-buy-my-own-state kinda rich.

“Care to share why we’re at a gentlemen’s club?” I ask while she casually takes a sip from her drink.

“I have someone’s night to ruin.”

Fuck. Looks like I’m not the only one looking for trouble tonight.

I don’t need to ask to know who she’s talking about. Only one person exists who’s capable of causing a crack in Rosa’s calm façade. Her sworn enemy and bully, Nova D’Cruz.

Oh, and her soon-to-be husband.

If my future is gloomy, hers is pitch black. Much like her favorite color. I swear, irony can be cruel.

“What the hell did he do now?” I sigh.

I don’t want to spend my night keeping her from tearing his limbs off. Nova is more than capable of handling himself but like an unhinged psychopath, he enjoys toying with her. Sometimes I feel like he does it because he actually likes her but there’s no telling when it comes to him. He keeps his cards close to his chest.

Rosa and Nova were betrothed to each other when they were kids by their parents. Their engagement is more of a business arrangement to tie the knot between the two powerful rival families. No wonder their relationship was doomed from the start.

Rosa links our arms together and pulls me in the direction of the bar, while answering in a pissed voice, “He crashed my date tonight.”

“And?” Knowing Nova, that wouldn’t be all.

“Brought two girls with him until he and my guy left with one on each of their arms.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” She ends the word with a pop before smiling darkly. “Well, if I’m not getting laid tonight, neither is he.”

“So what’s the plan?”

“Cutting his d**k off.”

“Rosa!” I gasp at the seriousness in her tone and the excitement in her gaze.

“My dress is too pretty to ruin with his blood, though,” she murmurs. Like it's the only thing insane about the plan.

I steal the glass from her hand and put it out of her reach while signaling the bartender not to serve her any more alcohol. Ignoring her glare, I suggest, “How about an option where we don’t end up in jail?”

“Way to kill my buzz, Lia.”

I roll my eyes at the disappointing pout on her face. “How did he even know you were out tonight? It’s not like you two have the same set of friends.”

“He has people keeping eyes on me,” comes her reply through gritted teeth. “He’ll do anything to remind me that I'm his property.”

“Please tell me he hasn’t actually called you that.”

“Like I would let him.” She huffs.

“How do you know he’s here?” I question curiously.

“He’s not the only one with people loyal to him.”

“I don’t think women are allowed inside, Ro. How are you going to find him?”

“Find him?” Rosa says this like I’m being silly. “His goons must have already tattled that I’m here. He’ll be by my side soon enough. As for us going further inside, who will be stupid enough to stop his fiancée?”

I can’t help but smile because she’s right. Nobody will dare stop her since everyone is too scared of her family. Despite having grown up beside her my whole life, I’m still not used to the power behind her last name.

“I still don’t understand why I had to dress up for this…”

“You’ll know soon enough,” says Rosa before smiling. “Come on.”

She guides me past the subtly elegant lobby, down a well-lit hallway toward a black door. Our heels clap on the tiled floor and we pause as Rosa opens the door like she’s done it many times before. I expect to see a private elevator or stairs leading upstairs, but instead another lobby greets my sight.

It’s completely opposite to the one we just walked through and is painted a deep shade of red while the floor is covered with a plush brown carpet. I feel like I’ve stepped into another era as chandeliers hang from the ceilings while a wooden door waits for us at the end.

“What is this place, Rosa?”

“Rich and bored men’s playroom, apparently.” Her voice comes out flat, unimpressed.

Meanwhile, I can’t help but admire the way it resembles the eighteenth century’s era with a touch of modern. The decoration and architecture is subtly inspired by it and the interior designer in me can’t help but appreciate its beauty.

“Stop drooling, Lia. I can’t have you losing it when we go farther.”

“Hey! I can’t control it.”

She tugs me forward when my feet stay rooted to the spot. Even the door has intricate designs woven into it as we prowl closer and I shove it slightly. I’m surprised yet again when I notice steps leading underground.

“Don’t tell me the playroom is a dungeon,” I deadpan. “I feel like I’m walking into a lion’s den.”

“Jeez. Relax. It’s just an underground club to make men feel like kings,” says Rosa from behind me. “Don’t worry. We won’t be staying for long.”

Our quiet breathing fills the space as we carefully take the stairs and as we go lower, I hear soft music playing. Soon, we reach the landing in front of a double door. It’s like a freaking maze with too many unnecessary doors. Though this one is locked and heavy.

Rosa knocks twice and a second later, it pulls open and a heavy bodyguard takes us in before hardening his gaze.

“Who allowed you two in here?” he demands in a cold voice.

I shift to the side as Rosa steps forward and commands in a steel voice, “Move.”

He stills at being spoken back to but before he can say anything, a beautifully dressed tall woman rounds from behind him. I’m guessing she’s the hostess.

“Good evening, Miss Kapoor,” she politely greets my friend before meeting my gaze, “Miss Costa. I’m Tasha. Come this way, please.”

The guard blinks in recognition at hearing our last names and swallows thickly. I bite my lip to hide my smile. He backs away as we walk past him and follow the hostess.

“I’m sorry about the guard, Miss Kapoor,” says Tasha.

Rosa nods once before speaking smoothly, “We can find our way, Tasha.”

The woman hesitates like she’s conflicted and offers, “I can arrange a private…”

“That won’t be necessary,” Rosa cuts her off and the poor woman becomes nervous. “You can let Mr. D’Cruz know I wanted to be left alone.”

Tasha appears shocked at first, then it twists into fear and guilt at having been caught. Her position at being stuck between their war has me feeling pity for her. Knowing Rosa won’t budge, she finally relents and leaves us alone.

“I think it’s safe to say you’ve ruined Nova’s night just by being here.”

The dark victory shining in her eyes is unmistakable as she shrugs and says, “Not yet. My date was a p***y but the men here aren’t. He can’t scare or manipulate them so easily.”

“You’re playing with fire, Ro.”

“Just because I’m forced into a marriage with him doesn’t mean I’ll make it easy for him. Either he lets me go or I make his life a living hell.”