Chapter 3 Reunion

• Fenella’s POV
• I quickened my pace towards the nightclub. There was a long line to get into the club. They were just ordinary people. Meanwhile, thanks to Jessy and my agency, I had member access to several entertainment venues in New York.
• One of them was the popular Club Davo. One membership card to improve my reputation and those of the places I visited. I showed my annual membership card to the doorman. He nodded and grinned as he allowed me in.
• I immediately walked to the bar because I was sure Laird wouldn't go to the dance floor. My guess turned out to be correct, and I could immediately see him in the bar.
• No mistake! Finally, I have found him!
• I saw him sitting side by side with a brunette girl I didn't know. With their stiff body gestures, I knew the man had just met the woman. It's just that the woman kept teasing with her daring fingers, caressing the man's neck.
• Stop! Get away from him! I couldn't let this happen!
• I moved closer until I was right next to them. The brunette girl was the first to acknowledge my presence. Then I interrupted to stand in the middle.
• "Hi," I smiled at him.
• His eyes were widening, and he gasped. He stared at me for a long time, and his face seemed as if he were seeing a ghost.
• "Fenella?!"
• "Miss me?" I asked him with a smile.
• "Do you know this bitch?" the brown-haired woman asked Laird in annoyance.
• "I'm her date." I cut her off.
• Hearing that, the woman scoffed and got off the bar stool. As soon as she left, I immediately took the seat to replace her. Laird just gave me a crooked smile as he watched me intently.
• "Wow, Fenella. You look so different," Laird said, his gaze seemingly captivated by mine.
• "Yeah. Do you like my new look?" I asked, running my fingers through my straight hair.
• Laird chuckled, seemingly at a loss for words. He shook his head with a wide smile.
• "This is truly a surprise. We should celebrate this reunion," Laird said.
• "Two vodkas," I ordered the bartender, handing over my membership card to claim my three free drinks per night.
• Laird smiled crookedly again, one eyebrow raised. Once more, he seemed surprised as I confidently presented my exclusive membership card. He continued to gaze at my face, then my body, down to my feet.
• "Are you really Fenella Baxter? The spoiled girl from Boston?" he asked again, half in disbelief.
• I laughed at Laird's question. I guess I managed to impress the guy. Of course. I've worked hard to get to this point, and it seems to be paying off.
• No, not enough yet. I still have to make him beg for my love. I still have to make him melt in my hands.
• "Yes, I'm Fenella Baxter, your neighbor from Boston. But I'm no longer the spoiled girl you once knew," I said as the bartender placed two vodka shots in front of us.
• "Cheers!" I raised my shot and toasted.
• In one shot, the hot liquid burned inside my mouth. The vodka seemed to strike right at my heart and gut. It was tight and uncomfortable, but I liked it. Better like this. I could feel the pain in my body rather than dealing with unseen pain from a heartbreak.
• "I'm surprised you can handle the heat of this drink." Laird smirked, still with an unbroken gaze.
• "Of course. I've grown up," I said slowly.
• "Funny. I don't recall maturity being judged by one's ability to drink alcohol," he snorted before raising his shot to the bartender for a refill.
• He held his words as the bartender refilled our shots. Afterward, without pause, we raised our glasses again and drank them dry. I groaned softly as, once again, the vodka fueled the fire inside me. I knew my limit was three drinks, but I felt tonight was an exception.
• "So, what's your parameter?" I asked spontaneously.
• "Occupation," he answered shortly.
• "Fashion model," I quickly said. "And you?"
• "Corporate lawyer," he said with a shrug.
• "You can't stray far from your father's grasp," I said sympathetically.
• "But I live independently in New York. Far from him," Laird countered to refute my assumption that he still lived under his father's thumb.
• "Oh, I've also become an independent woman. Look, I came to the club alone," I shrugged.
• "And why is that?" Laird asked with a tone I thought hid a hidden meaning.
• "I just broke up with my boyfriend," I replied bluntly.
• "Really? Is that why you dared to claim that you're my date now?" he asked, his eyes darkening.
• "You seem to need help," I said with a shrug.
• "Actually, I don't need any help at all," Laird said with a thin, meaningful grin as he raised his hand again for a vodka refill.
• "Does that mean I should leave?" I asked.
• "On the contrary, now you have to drink with me," he said, raising his shot again for another toast.
• I downed my third vodka of the night. I knew I was pushing my drinking tolerance, but I didn't want to be seen as a child in front of Laird again. It seems the man can drink strong now, and I shouldn't show my weakness to him at the moment.
• "Come on, let's dance," I said, pulling Laird's arm.
• I was starting to get a bit tipsy, and I didn't want to end the night early. I knew dancing would keep me sober longer. Laird just huffed and shook his head.
• "You know I'm not good at dancing," he said.
• "Then why did you come here if not to dance?" I asked, still holding onto his arm.
• "For the crowd," Laird shrugged.
• "Oh, come on," I still insisted, and eventually, Laird complied.
• We broke through the dance floor and began to blend in with the crowd. I swayed my hips and jumped around. Occasionally, my hands brushed against Laird's, and he would embrace my waist, our bodies colliding.
• Maybe because I was tipsy, but I felt so happy tonight. All the annoying incidents with Tom were quickly erased by Laird's presence. Isn't he always there at the right moment?
• Laird was in my arms, and we could dance together again. I just realized Laird's body was taller than I remembered. His jawline became sharper with a chest that turned out to be very sturdy.
• Truly, I was curious about everything beneath his clothes. Every touch I felt while dancing only drove me wilder.
• Suddenly, the crowd near us cheered. One of them seemed to be celebrating a birthday and was challenged by their friends to do a body shot. Unfortunately, the young girl seemed hesitant and shy to accept the challenge.
• "Do you see that?" I asked, tilting my chin. I and Laird locked eyes after seeing them.
• "Do you dare?" he asked with a mischievous grin.