Billionaire’s

As Evelyn and Rayna pulled up to the club, Evelyn could feel her nerves tightening in her chest. The club building was imposing and its entrance was flanked by black–clad bouncers, with a red carpet leading to the door.

entrance. The bouncers barely

A line of people stretched down the block, but Rayna confidently led Evelyn past the crowd, straight to the VIP en glanced at them before waving them through, and Evelyn wondered just how often Rayna frequented this place.

“You do this often, don’t you?” Evelyn asked and Rayna grinned.

“Why do you ask?”

“Seems to me like they know you,” Evelyn said with a shrug.

“Well, there’s a story behind that. I’ll tell you later,” Rayna promised as she led her inside.

Rayna had chosen Sodom And Gomorrah, one of the most exclusive clubs in the city, for their night out, and the moment they stepped inside, Evelyn could see why it was exclusive. The interior screamed of class and luxury.

The music was loud, and the air was thick with energy, anticipation, and the scent of expensive perfume.

Rayna’s excitement was barely contained as she grabbed Evelyn’s hand, pulling her through the crowd. “This is going to be so much fun! Trust me, you’re going to have the time of your life tonight.

Evelyn forced a smile, trying to match Rayna’s enthusiasm, but the truth was, she felt completely out of place. The dress she was wearing, the makeup, the club–it all felt like a role she was playing, and she wasn’t sure if she was doing it right

Years ago she would have been just as enthusiastic and excited, but all that enthusiasm, excitement, and energy had been drained out of her. This wasn’t her scene anymore, and she knew it

As they weaved through the crowd, Rayna swayed her waist to the rhythm of the music, while Evelyn prayed they find a seat soon so she wouldn’t get any unnecessary attention.

Once they reached the bar, Rayna leaned against it, signaling the bartender with a flick of her hand. “Two martinis, please. Extra dirty”

As they waited for their drinks, Rayna turned to Evelyn with a wide grin. “Isn’t this place amazing? I mean, look at all these people. We’re going to have a blast!”

Evelyn nodded, though her attention was beginning to wander. The dancefloor was packed with bodies moving in time to the beat, and she found herself scanning the crowd.

Her gaze swept across the room, and for a moment, she thought she saw a familiar figure in the distance. A man, tall and broad–shouldered, with dark chocolate hair that looked achingly familiar.

Evelyn blinked, telling herself that it couldn’t be who she thought it was. Derek was supposed to be on a date with Sandra. There was no way he’d be here, at the same club, on the same night. The odds were too slim.

But then the man turned slightly, his profile becoming clearer, and Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat. It was Derek.

He was standing near the entrance, just stepping into the club with another man she didn’t recognize. He was dressed in a fitted blazer and dark jeans, looking effortlessly handsome, and he hadn’t noticed her yet

Her pulse quickened as she realized she wasn’t imagining it. Derek was really here, at the same place, at the same time. It was as if the universe was playing some kind of cruel joke on her.

For a brief moment, Evelyn considered turning around and leaving. The last thing she needed tonight was to see Derek, especially not when she was trying to forget about him, about his date with Sandra, about the mess that her emotions had become since she moved back to Ludus. But she couldn’t move. Her feet felt rooted to the spot, her gaze locked on Derek as if drawn by some invisible force.

And then, as if sensing her eyes on him, Derek looked up. Their gazes met across the crowded room, and for a heartbeat, everything else faded away–the music, the people, the noise. It was just the two of them, staring at each other from a distance.

Evelyn’s breath caught in her throat. She didn’t know what to do, what to think. A part of her wanted to march over to him and demand to know why he was here and not with Sandra. Another part of her wanted to flee, to avoid the confrontation altogether. But she did neither.

Instead, she tore her gaze away from him, turning back to

k to the bar as if she hadn’t seen him at all.

Kayna handed her a martini, blissfully unaware of what had just transpired. “Here you go! This will get you in the mood.”

BIUM PM

Evelyn accepted the glass, her hands trembling slightly as she took a sip. The alcohol burned as it went down, but she welcomed the distraction, anything to keep her from glancing back at Derek.

She couldn’t afford to get caught up in whatever was going on between them, not tonight. Tonight was supposed to be about fun, about forgetting. not about dredging up feelings that had no place in her heart..

Meanwhile, across the club, Derek who had just walked in with Ethan, turned to him, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “You won’t believe who’s

here.”

Ethan, who had been scanning the crowd himself, raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

“My mystery lady,” Derek said, nodding toward the bar where Evelyn was standing, doing her best to ignore him.

Ethan followed his gaze, his eyes landing on Evelyn and Rayna whose backs were turned to them. The lady in red or the other one

Derek nodded, his expression a mix of surprise and something else–something that Ethan couldn’t quite place. “The lady in red. And I think she saw me, but she’s pretending she didn’t”

Ethan chuckled, clapping Derek on the shoulder. “Well, looks like tonight just got a lot more interesting for you. But hold that thought–1 see someone I know. I need to go say hello.”

Derek watched as Ethan disappeared into the crowd, then turned his attention back to Evelyn. She was still at the bar, sipping her drink, her posture tense as if she were trying to block out the world around her- or perhaps he was the one she was trying to block out.

He couldn’t help but smile to himself. There was something about Evelyn that intrigued him, something that made him want to strip away the layers and uncover what was hidden underneath.

Without another thought, he started making his way through the crowd, his gaze never leaving Evelyn.

He didn’t know what he was going to say, or what her reaction would be, but he knew he couldn’t let this opportunity pass. Not when fate had brought them together again, in the most unexpected of places.

Derek continued to weave through the throng of people, his eyes locked on Evelyn. He watched as she raised her glass to her lips but he could tell by her body language that she was anything but relaxed.

When

Evelyn turned to look in his direction and saw him approaching, he saw her stiften.

Evelyn turned to Rayna, her voice barely above the pounding music. “I need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back”

Rayna nodded, raising her glass in a mock salute. “Don’t take too long.”

Evelyn forced a smile, then slipped off her barstool, making a beeline for the restroom. But before she could get far, Derck stepped into her path.

Derek’s gaze swept over her, taking in the fiued dress that clung to her curves, the smoky eye makeup that made her eyes look darker and more mysterious, the way she looked completely out of place yet entirely captivating. He was surprised to see her like this- so different from the Evelyn he thought he knew.

“What are you doing here, Eve?” he asked, his voice low enough that only she could hear.

Evelyn avoided his gaze, “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m here to buy and sell,” she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm and Derek chuckled.

“Alright. Maybe that question was stupid…”

“Yes, it was. What do you want, Derek? And why are you talking to me when you should be with your date?” She asked, trying to sound harsh.

“You know what I want. And the date ended already.”

“Well, I don’t care, Evelyn snapped, trying to push past him, but Derek gently caught her arm.

“Why don’t you join us at our table?” he asked, his tone more of an invitation than a request.

Evelyn shook her head, pulling her arm free. “I don’t want to. I’m here with my friend, and we’re fine where we are.”

Before Derek could say anything else, Rayna who had sensed the tension between them from the distance, appeared beside them, holding their drinks. She looked at Derek curiously, then at Evelyn. “Who are you? And why are you bothering my friend?” she asked with a raised brow since she had seen him touch her.

“It’s fine, Ray. I know him…

3.UN PMI

“Oh, you do?” Rayna asked eagerly and sensing what Rayna was about to say next. Evelyn spoke quickly.

“He’s not someone you need to worry about,” Evelyn said dismissively.

Derek smiled, refusing to be dismissed so easily. “Pleased to meet a friend of Evelyn’s,” he said, extending a hand to Rayna. “I’m Deick, and I was Just asking if you’d like to join us at our table.”

Rayna glanced at Evelyn, then back at Derek. “That depends. Do you have a single friend you can introduce me to? If so, we might consider it, slie said, since it was obvious Derek was interested in Evelyn

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. “If you want to join them, Rayna, I’ll just head home. Evelyn said before Derek could speak.

Rayna caught the edge in Evelyn’s voice and understood that her friend wasn’t interested in hanging out with Derek. She smiled politely at bins and shook her head. “On second thought. I think we’re good where we are. It was nice meeting you, Derek.”

Derek felt a twinge of disappointment as he realized that Evelyn wasn’t going to budge. He nodded, masking his frustration. “Likewise,” he said, stepping back to give them space.

He watched as Evelyn and Rayna walked away, feeling the night’s excitement fizzle out, leaving an empty ache in its wake.

“So. how’d it go?” Ethan asked from behind Derek and he turned to face him.

Derek shook his head, a rueful smile on his lips. “Not as well as I’d hoped. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Ethan chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder “Better luck next time, my friend, Though I have to say, she’s one hell of a beauty.”

Derek nodded as he turned back to look at Evelyn. One way or the other he was going to have her where he wanted her in his life. Beside him.