"Good morning, Dad," Adley greeted, her voice laced with the grogginess of a restless night filled with childhood dreams. Or maybe it was simply the jet lag. Mr. Evans was already pushing his chair back, a harried crease marring his brow.

"Are you going out?" she inquired, sensing the urgency in his movements.

"Yes, Ley," he replied, his voice apologetic. "I'm so sorry I can't spend the day with you. Something urgent came up."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Adley's face, but she quickly forced a smile. "That's okay, Dad," she assured him.

Her father nodded, his mind clearly elsewhere. Something was definitely weighing on him. "Dad, about tomorrow's party," Adley began, "can I help with the arrangements?"

He offered another absent nod. Adley longed to press him about his worries, but she knew better than to intrude. All she had to focus on right now was securing his blessing to marry Liam and continuing with the life she'd meticulously planned.

"By the way," Mr. Evans interjected, pausing abruptly at the doorway, "I'll have the party organizer reach out to you. She has a fantastic network of contacts in the city and can recommend some excellent restaurants or clubs. Just make sure you take the car, a driver, and a couple of guards whenever you go out, alright? And Ley," he added, his voice softening, "Joseph is a good driver. He's known for his caution and will happily accommodate your preferred speed."

Adley couldn't help but smile at her father's sweet protectiveness. Even though she wasn't in the car with her mother when the accident happened, enclosed vehicles still triggered a wave of nervousness within her. "Sure, Dad," she replied, her voice warm.

"By the way, Liam landed a few hours ago," Adley chimed in. "So can I go meet him?"

"Of course," he agreed. "But be careful, Ley."

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"Damn, I am falling in love with these streets," Liam declared, his eyes sparkling with amazement as he gazed at the streets. Adley, in a knee-length blue floral dress and brown boots that complemented Liam's brown jacket, squeezed his hand, their fingers intertwining. The familiar London fog swirled around them, a damp chill clinging to the air.

Adley couldn't help but laugh at Liam's wide-eyed wonder. She loved her city, even with its usual fogginess. "How are the party preparations going?" Liam asked, sipping his hot coffee. A tiny trace of coffee lingered on his upper lip. Adley reached out, a playful glint in her eyes, and took her handkerchief to wipe it off.

"I like the way you used to clean them back in New York," Liam said with a smirk, a playful reminder of their past moments. A rosy flush crept up Adley's cheeks at the memory.

"Stop being naughty, Liam," she teased. "About the party, the organizer seems to be handling most of it. I just give some input. By the way, there's this place I went to with Stella yesterday..." Her voice trailed off, a hint of mystery in her eyes. "It has a vibe unlike anything you've experienced in New York. Up for checking it out tonight?"

"Of course I'm free," Liam replied eagerly. "I wanted to explore London more anyway. What's the name of this amazing place?"

A sly smile played on Adley's lips as she replied, "Heaven of Nightingales." She remembered the huge board sign with neon highlights, promising a luxurious escape.

Liam's eyes widened as he scrolled through search results on his phone. "Fancy name," he remarked. "Most of the articles say 'Heaven of Nightingales' is the hottest spot in London, even cracking the top five most famous clubs."

"Sounds like people would sell their kidneys to get in there," Adley said with a playful edge.

"Very true," Liam agreed, leaning in to plant a peck on her rosy cheeks.

They continued their sightseeing, but two figures trailed them discreetly, a constant prickle at the back of Adley's neck despite her efforts to ignore them. Mr. Evans had instructed them for her safety, a new change she wasn't used to. But she didn't want to create a scene, especially with her father acting so stressed lately. She'd asked him a few times, but his responses about work pressure seemed like a flimsy excuse. There was something else bothering him, something he wasn't willing to share.

"Alright, I'm heading back home," she told Liam. "See you tonight at the club."

"Sure, love," he replied with a smile.

Waving goodbye, Adley turned to the bodyguards, a forced smile on her face. "Did you guys get a chance to have lunch?" She'd invited them earlier, but they'd declined.

"Yes, madam. We grabbed something already."

"Oh, good." Sliding into the backseat, she buckled herself in. "Will my father be back home early this evening?"

The bodyguards, in constant communication with Mr. Evans' security detail, knew his schedule. "No, madam. Mr. Evans will be occupied at the warehouse district until midnight."

Adley knew they meant the transport warehouse. The warehouse district, a place that once held fond memories of accompanying her mother, now felt shrouded in mystery. Her uncle had mentioned her father's expansion into water and air transport. Adley felt a surge of pride for him, but a nagging worry remained. His business success had come at a cost - his absence. She'd stayed home for the past three evenings, hoping for a family dinner, only to be met with his late-night calls.

Adley let out a sigh. Tonight would likely be no different. She might as well head to the club and enjoy her evening. Maybe it would be a welcome distraction. A flicker of a memory crossed her mind - a chance encounter with a stranger with captivating dark hazel eyes. Maybe tonight, at the club thrumming with possibility, she'd see them again.

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"Wow!" Liam exclaimed, his voice swallowed by the pulsating rhythm of the club. The three-story venue was a kaleidoscope of activity - the ground floor a heaving mass of bodies on the dance floor, illuminated by the strobing purple and blue lights from a giant disco ball. The bar area was a chaotic symphony of clinking glasses, shouts over the music, and bartenders weaving through the throng.

The unassuming exterior of the club did a fantastic job of masking its vibrant interior. It was as if the owner thrived on surprising patrons with an explosion of energy behind a nondescript facade.

"This looks amazing," Liam shouted, barely audible above the din. Adley, however, could only manage a half-smile. Her thoughts were elsewhere, consumed by the search for a familiar face. She scanned the crowd, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features as her search yielded no results.

Soon, their drinks arrived, and Adley took a tentative sip of her cocktail. The potent mix, combined with the club's electric atmosphere, sent a pleasant buzz through her. The music transitioned to her favorite song, her body swaying to the rhythm even before reaching the dance floor. But a prickling sensation at the back of her neck cut through the anticipation.

Drawing her eyes away from the dance floor, she turned slightly to scan the room. And then she saw him. Those dark hazel eyes, unmistakable even amidst the flashing lights, were staring down from the third floor. His tall, broad figure leaned casually against the railing, a sliver of orange light flickering as he drew on a cigarette, the wisp of smoke curling around his face. Their eyes met, and a jolt went straight through her, setting her heart into a slow, insistent thud.

He was watching her. Not the dance floor, but her. Unlike their last encounter, he was dressed in a sharp blue suit that exuded an air of wealth and power. The magnetic pull was undeniable, yet he remained stoic, offering no smile or acknowledgment, his gaze unwavering.

"Who is that?" Liam's voice, laced with curiosity, jarred Adley out of her strange trance. She quickly broke eye contact with the stranger.

"I don't know," Adley shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "But he kinda looks familiar."

A flicker of possessiveness crossed Liam's face as he turned back to the railing, but the stranger was gone. The space was empty, the railing a lonely barrier overlooking the pulsating dance floor.

"Stop looking at a stranger when you're with your boyfriend," Liam said, a playful edge to his voice despite the underlying seriousness. Adley felt a pang of guilt. She knew he was right.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "But wait, are you jealous?"

"No! Why would I be?" Liam protested, a slight blush creeping up his neck. Adley couldn't help but giggle at his flustered reaction.

"Come on, let's dance," she said, taking his hand and pulling him towards the throbbing heart of the dance floor.

The crowd welcomed them with open arms. Adley swayed to the music, Liam's hand warm on her waist. He pulled her closer, the heat of his body igniting a spark within her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, their bodies moving in sync to the music. He spun her around, whispering in her ear, "You are beautiful, Ady."

He kissed and bit her earlobe, forcing her to let out a low moan. Her stomach fluttered, and she realized her nipples had stiffened and felt sensitive against the material of her top.

Soon the music changed. She started grinding against him and smiled as he groaned. "Stop it, Ady, otherwise I will take you right now right here," Liam growled slowly.

She turned around giggling and mouthed, "not this soon baby."

They both laughed and Liam said, "I love you Ady."

And he leaned in for a kiss but got interrupted when a deep low voice said, "Excuse me, You both need to leave the club right now."

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