Chapter 19
“We’re here, ma’am. That’ll be. The driver’s voice cut through the quart
The taxi pulled up in front of the grand entrance of the Santirove Club. Calista handed over the fare, muttering a quick thanks as she stepped out
of the car.
She walked straight through the entrance, heading for the front desk. “Hey, I need to get to room 1001. Could you point me in the right direction?”
The receptionist, a pretty young woman, barely glanced at Calista at first. Dressed casually, no makeup on, Calista dela’t seem like glance. But even without the glam, there was something about her slurp features that stood out. Sull the receptionist huid seen enough women come through the place to be unimpressed.
But as soon as Calista mentioned the room mumber, the receptionist’s eyes flickered with interest. She subtly checked her out again, obviously. wondering what kind of connection this woman had with the VIP staying in room 1001
“One moment while I confirm that the receptionist replied with a hint of caution in her tone.
“Sure, no rush,” Calista said, completely unfazed by the receptionist’s obvious curiosity,
She was used to this kind of reaction whenever she strolled into high end places like this, especially when she wasn’t all dressed up
Still, she couldn’t help but notice how the receptionist’s attitude shifted once she dropped the room number. Not everyone can just waltz into room 1001, huh‘ Galisa missed
A minute later, another staff member approached, smiling politely. “Ms. Terell, right?”
“That’s me.” Calista replied.
“Great. I just need to see some ID before we can proceed?
Calista raised an eyebrow. I knew it Room 1001’s not open to just anyone. They’re even checking IDs!
“I don’t have my ID with me. Will a driver’s license work?” she asked.
“That’ll do just fine,” the staff member nodded.
Calista pulled out her license, flashing it with a confident grin
“Follow me, please,” the staff member said, gesturing down the hallway.
She followed them to the door of room 1001. As the door swung open, Calista took a quick look inside.
The room was dimly lit, with most of the light coming from a large LCD screen playing a music video. Her eyes instinctively followed the light to a nearby microphone stand.
Standing at the mic was a graceful woman with a soft, melodious voice singing a song, the lyrics drifting through the room. “I stay out too late, got nothing in my brain. That’s what people say, that’s what people say
Calista raised an eyebrow.
“Hey, Mr. Hawthorne, look who’s here!” a
el” a male voice called out, sounding excited and curious. His voice, amplified by the microphone, echoed clearly through the room.
The hostess stopped singing, turning to look toward the entrance.
After opening the door, the staff member bowed politely and left. At that moment, Calista stood alone at the doorway, not stepping inside.
The hallway light was brighter than the dim interior, so Calista stood backlit. The people inside couldn’t make out her features clearly.
She squinted slightly, her gaze following the direction of the voice from the mic.
Across from the large screen, shadows danced over the area near the sofa, keeping it mostly obscured. The figure sitting there was shrouded in darkness, so Calista couldn’t see who is was.
The man with the microphone laughed and continued, “Come on, Mr. Hawthorne, she’s here. Aren’t you going to say something Here, Like the
mic
“Tell her to leave.” The man’s deep, resonant voice came through the speakers, vibrating in Calista’s ears with a clear note of irritation
ALL,
, that must be my new bows, Calista thought,
“Come on, it’s late, and she came all the way here by herself. You can’t just turn her away at the door–it’s not polite, the man cominues, his tone ligluhearted as he got up and walked toward Calista.
Chapter
Kalia had to adimate ho calle
anyone who dared to tease Kieran like that had to be pretty bold. Still, Calista knew better than to ignore who was
the man could reach her, Calista remained at the doorway, smiling politely toward the tall figure partially hidden in shadow on the sofa.
urbance. Ill be leaving now.
wait a second?” Jasper Mercer called out when he saw Calista tum to leave the moment she finished speaking, moving so fast she looked like
to disappear.
bed over and grabbed her wrist. Don’t listen to Mr. Hawthorne–he’s totally wasted. If you leave, who’s gonna take him home? I’ve got a
later, so I can’t stick around.
Before Calista could get a word m. Jasper tugged her back into the room.
She frowned, trying to figure out if Jasper was being straight with her as he led her over to the couch and nudged her to sit down.
already packed with a mix of guys and girls, so she didn’t stand out too much. But then again, it all depended on who she ended up
