Zelina

I wave at Alexa as I walk into the bar. It's one of her most famous ones here. Along with this, she runs a huge chain of bars and clubs across the other parts of town as well. The perk of having a friend that owns a club is that you don't have to go through the security check. Not like I ever had to go through any here. It's just a usual bar.

There isn't any single word that can perfectly define my best friend. My Lexi is a total babe. From the very first day when I met her here, I knew we were going to be the best of friends. However, what I didn't know at that time was that she was the fucking owner of the place. It came as a surprise later.

Alexa is a beautiful woman with a curvaceous body. She is about a few inches shorter than me, but she makes it all up with her heels. Her long, burgundy hair is completing her sexy look as I watch her making her way towards me. She is wearing a strapless black crop top paired with denim shorts.

"You are going to burn me down with that outfit, Lexi." I smile.

"Wow. Thanks, girl!" She grins, but then she looks at my short strapless red dress and a frown appears on her face. "I am not going to say anything because I know I ran out of my compliments already."

"That's a nice compliment itself." I laugh and pull her into a hug. It's Thursday night, so the place isn't as packed as it would be on weekends. The place has a classy interior, and I love the atmosphere around. Though I don't come here to have a drink or spend some time with friends like normal people do. What I do is come here and simply take a seat at the bar counter and stalk my prey. If you know what I mean. Lexi knows this. I've been doing this since the time I discovered this place and she is completely fine with it.

I notice a crowd at the corner with a DJ set up and turn to look at Alexa.

"What's that?" I raise an eyebrow at her.

"Oh, that?" She looks in their direction and turns towards me. "The guys won their first football championship, and they are up for a little celebration. You know how these highly energetic college students are."

"And you are letting them do it?" I ask her, a bit surprised. From the times I've been here, I never really saw any such events occurring.

"Yeah, what could possibly go wrong with a bunch of kids wanting to have fun." She shrugs. "Come on, let's go. I am sure you don't have time to waste." Alexa grins and I chuckle as we walk towards the bar station.

When we get to the bar, I plop onto my reserved stool. "Hey, Zelina! So good to see you. What can I get for you?" Andy asks with a pleasant smile as soon as he sees me. Andy is a bartender here. He is charming and sweet and also an amazing friend.

I roll my eyes. "Andy, you know that I never come here to drink."

"Of course, but that doesn't stop us from being a good host. Right, Alexa?" He looks at Alexa and winks, passing her a glass of her favorite gin martini.

"Of course." She takes it and smiles, sitting next to me.

I narrow my eyes at both of them. "Oh, I see. You guys are trying to get me drunk so I don't get away with some hot stuff tonight." I then point towards Andy and say. "And this one here can manage to slip away easily with my hunt."

"I never do that." Andy protests with an instant frown appearing on his face. "In fact, you are the one who tends to steal my road gigs." He waves his finger at me in a dramatic way and suggests.

"Remind me one time I did that? You fucking liar!" I huff.

"How dare you call me a liar?" Andy responds with a dirty glare, placing his hands over his hips.

Before we can go further with our usual bickering, Alexa interrupts. "Calm down, guys! Or else you'd end up killing each other before even getting a chance to release your sexual frustrations."

Andy shifts his gaze towards Alexa. "I'm gonna give Mama A-plus for stating that," He smirks, wiping a glass, and Alexa rolls her eyes.

"So like always, Lexi is gonna be our wing-woman and serve the purpose." I tease.

"Yeah bitches, like I don't have a worry about running this whole damn place." She snorts in response.

"Touché," Andy says amusedly, making me stifle a laugh.

"Aww, I think someone else is needy to get laid too," I say playfully as we both look at Alexa.

"I wish it was as easy as you guys make it sound. Unlike you, I can't leave this place whenever I want to attend a booty call." Alexa sighs as she takes a sip of her martini.

"Maybe one of these days you can leave the bar to me, boss. You know I can take good care of it." Andy shrugs, trying to sound cool.

But his face falls as soon as he gets a straight rejection from Alexa. "No, thanks, dude. I can handle it." She speaks without looking at him and I laugh, watching the disappointed look take over Andy's face.

"Anyway, what about that hottie, Zelina?" Alexa asks, but before I can look at who she is talking about, Andy jumps in and diverts my attention to another side.

"No, you should probably look there." He speaks nervously, pointing to the opposite side. I turn to look and see a few guys checking me out from the other corner. I know I already got a few glances on my way here. But I don't give a damn about them. It's not how my thing works. I choose my target for the day, not the other way around.

My eyes meet up with a guy having awful blonde hair sitting in the lounge. He has a drink in his hand as he looks at me. Carrying a smug expression, he winks at me, sending a disgusting flying kiss in my direction. But there isn't long before that pompous look on his face is slapped off when I greet him with my middle finger.

The guy quickly averts his gaze, trying to save himself from having another encounter with embarrassment. Alexa and Andy burst into laughter, looking at him and also seeing another guy who was watching us from a distance lower his gaze nervously.

I shake my head and turn back towards my friends. I notice that Alexa's gaze lingers on something behind me, and when she tries to speak, Andy interrupts her again.

I eye him suspiciously, taking in his awkward behavior. Something looks weird in the way he is trying to distract me. I glance at him once more before quickly revolving on my stool to see what's behind me. When I turn around, I am impressed by what I get to see. I notice a handsome man sitting at the other end of the bar. From here I could get a view of his side profile and I could say the roman nose that he has looks fucking sexy. He is wearing a crisp black suit that fits his massive body perfectly. His dark black hair complementing his suit looks slightly disheveled, with a few bangs falling over his beautiful face.

I watch him as he brings the glass in his hand to his lips and my throat almost goes dry when those full lips touch the rim of the glass to drink it. I don't know why, but I suddenly feel the urge to press my legs together by merely looking at him. No man had ever made me feel like this, even when he had been down there between my thighs. And this man is just killing my lady parts with his mere looks, while I know he hasn't even acknowledged my presence here. I keep my eyes fixed on him. I cannot make out the color of his eyes in the dim light, but I am sure they are just as beautiful as the rest of his features. I could see the muscles flexing underneath the fabric by the crinkles of his suit as he motions to get another drink. He looks sad and really in a bad shape but that isn't retraining him from looking damn sexy.

I turn back to Andy after a moment and grin mischievously. "So you have been trying to hide that?"

"What's wrong with it? I was saving him for me." He frowns, glancing at the man.

"No way. He is mine." I say.

"What?" Andy asks in disbelief.

"He would be leaving with me by the end of the night." I shrug, not being bothered by his shocked expression. "Go and find some other snack because that's my dessert for the night."

"Zelina?" He looks at me irritably.

"This is not up for discussion, Andy." I protest, shaking my head stubbornly.

"Alexa, you have to do something now." He looks at me frustratedly and then sighs in defeat, turning towards Alexa. I am sure she had been trying to tell me about that guy.

"I shouldn't be venturing into my employee's sexual encounters, but Andy, we can help you." She narrows her eyes at both of us and I give her an expression suggesting I am not the one at fault here. But then she sighs and looks back at Andy. "You know how Zelina is. She never lets go of her prey once she sets her eyes on him."

"So?"

"So, let me just find you another one."

"Why do I always have to compromise?" Andy scoffs. He glares at me, but I bat my lashes innocently, trying to convince him. Seeming to have no other option, he finally gives in and agrees. "Fine."

I jump out of my seat and clap my hands excitedly. "What about that one?" I point at one of the guys from that college group dancing in the corner where DJ is playing. I am just too desperate to get Andy out of my way.

"No, he is too lean and flanky." He shakes his head.

"Him?" I point to another guy.

"Nah." Andy shakes his head in denial again, and I groan, feeling already being on edge. "His face suggests he would be a pain in the ass."

"Wait!" Alexa screams this time. "Look there?" She suggests to a man who seems to have just stepped foot in the bar. He's got shiny brown hair and a pretty face. We watch him as he makes his way to the bar.

"Oh shit! He is hot." Andy speaks, staring at me.

"What are you waiting for? Go rush to him before someone else grabs him." I say and Andy nods, smiling. Alexa and I laugh as we see Andy quickly flying to the next side to get to be his server.

Turning back to Alexa, I grin and pinch her cheek. "You love me so much."

She slaps my hand away and rolls her eyes. "I think it's time for me to get back to my work. Hope you enjoy your time on your hunt." She says, making me chuckle. "And yeah, don't forget to fill me with your whining deets later."

I look at the man and then turn towards Alexa. "Of course, but it seems like I won't be complaining this time."

"Yeah, those strong muscles definitely look promising." Alexa winks.

"See you tomorrow, babe," I say as she walks away.

As soon as Alexa leaves, I waste no time and walk towards the sexy man who is going to be my target for the night.

"Seems like someone is having a hard time," I say in a low voice as I take a seat next to him.

"Another one." He pushes his glass forward to the bartender to get his refill, not even tilting his head to give me a glance.

So he is trying to give me a hard time. Well, I like challenges. I smirk, knowing that this is going to be fun. "Okay, let me guess," I speak when he says nothing. The bartender comes over and fills his glass.

"You were having a bad day at work and also craving a spicy mac chicken since morning. Not finding the time in between you had to go after you finished your work, but when you finally went to the nearest joint, after everything you just found, it was fucking closed."

He chooses to remain silent, and I lean closer to him, trying to get the scent of his delicious cologne. "That's not the reason why you are sad? So what can be worse?"

"Shit! Was your pet ran down by a truck? That would have been awful." I widen my eyes and ask him, feeling extremely concerned. I mean, that's genuinely the worst thing that can happen to someone. I absolutely love my fishes so I can't even imagine something happening to them.

"No?" I frown when he again doesn't pay me any of his attention.

I move a bit away and scan his face. "Don't tell me you are sulking because you got cheated by your woman?" The moment I finish saying that, he snaps his eyes at me. And I get to see the most gorgeous blue in them. I take in his angry expression and smirk, knowing that I had hit the right nerve.

"So that is it?" I shake my head in disbelief. "You are crying over a woman? That's ridiculous."

"Leave me alone." He growls for the first time in a low, threatening voice. Fuck! His voice is just as manly as he is.

I find victory in earning a response from him, so I go on further, ignoring the evident irritation in his tone. "So you are going to waste your precious time mourning over your betrayal while that bitch fucks the hell out of that loser that she cheated you on with?"

I say and wait for his reaction. He doesn't respond, but I watch him grip the glass tightly with his jaw clenching. Fuck! He looks sexier when he is pissed.

I lean towards him again, this time deliberately brushing my arm against his. "If you ask me...I think you should be celebrating this moment. Because you finally got to know what a real bitch your girl was."

"Don't call her that." He seethes, giving me a side glance.

"What? a bitch?" I laugh. "God! You really love her, don't you?" I ask him. "That's why you are so hurt."

I look at his face and state. "Let me just enlighten you...she doesn't give a fuck about how you feel anymore. So stop torturing yourself over someone who isn't even worth it."

I watch him as he closes his eyes and lets out a tired sigh. Then he turns towards me and says. "I am not torturing myself. I am trying to deal with the situation." His voice sounds husky and I get to know he is really drunk.

"But you sure don't look like you are succeeding in it." I shrug. When I realize he is opening up with me, I slowly place my hand over his shoulder. His body tenses up with my touch, but he doesn't say anything. "Trust me, I can help you."

"You know what they say," I smirk and lean in to whisper in his ear. "There is no harm in taking guidance from a helper angel."

"I know it can be difficult. But I can assure you that you wouldn't regret including me in your coping mechanism." I trace my fingers seductively and run my hand down his arm, slowly looking into his eyes.

He narrows his eyes at my hand on his arm and then looks up to meet my gaze. "Thanks for your concern miss, but this isn't working."

"What?" I stop my movement and look at him.

He clenches his jaw, noticing that I haven't retreated my hand yet. "Get your hand off me. I know what you are trying to do and I am not up for it."

I smirk. "Boy, how can you know? I haven't even got started with what I aim to do with you."

He stares at me, looking a bit taken aback by what I said. He then searches my face as if he is trying to figure out something, but at last, settles for a disappointed expression. "Why to call someone else bitch when you don't seem any better yourself?" He lets out a dry chuckle. "You are no different from her. I know what malice lingers behind that pretty face...all you women..." He stops abruptly and shakes his head, feeling frustrated.

"I am sorry I am not ready for this. Can you just leave me alone?" He sighs.

"What if I don't want to?" I challenge him.

His blue eyes pierce through me as he warns. "I am saying this for the last time. Don't fucking get on my nerves, Miss."

I look into his eyes and confess boldly. "I don't want to get on your nerves. I want to get into your pants."

He gawks at me with his wide eyes. But the shock doesn't last on his face for long as he stands up from his seat and yells. "Don't you fucking understand?" His chest heaves as he screams again, dropping his glass to the floor and making me jump out of my seat. "Leave me the fuck alone..."

I frown and cross my arms, standing glued to my place. The DJ shuts off with the roar of his voice echoing through the entire bar. I know people are probably watching at us by now. They are going to get a pretty good show.

"Wait! Where the fuck is the manager? I am gonna fucking sue this bar for..." He says, looking around the place with wild fury on his face. Alexa and Joe, the manager of the place, rush to us as soon as they hear the chaos building up near the bar counter.

Joe speaks, looking at the man. "Sorry, sir. I am the manager. What's wrong?"

The blue-eyed beauty shoots a glare in my direction before looking back at Joe. "Is this how your service is? Your clientele gets harassed here and you don't even give a fuck?"

"Please calm down, sir," Joe says softly.

Alexa, who is standing next to him, seems to have realized what had happened. She looks just as surprised as I am because never before men have reacted the way this guy is reacting when they had been approached by me in this bar. This has to be my first exception because never in my life I've got a rejection let alone bestowed with such an insult.

"Oh, that's my little sister. She loves to play pranks on our customers when she is a bit dizzy. I am sorry for her behavior." Alexa chuckles nervously and states, trying to lighten the tension. I almost choke on a laugh, knowing how lame her cover-up sounds.

The man darts his vision between Alexa and me, but doesn't speak. "We sincerely apologize to you for the inconvenience, sir. This wouldn't happen again." She purses her lips and looks at his angry face in hesitation. I know she is trying her best to handle the situation when it's not even her fault. "In compensation for that, if you want we could offer you free drinks for the rest of the night."

He glares at her and reaches for something in his pant pockets. "I am not gonna fucking stay here anymore, nor do I need your drinks for free." He glances at me one more time before slamming a few bills on the counter and storming out of the bar.

Once the man gets out of the bar, Alexa walks to me and asks in concern. "Zelina, are you okay?" I nod and she questions me again. "What the fuck was that?"

I hear her, but I choose to ignore her question because my eyes are on the door through which my prey just managed to escape. He might have not known me, but I am aware of who he is. I knew it the moment he turned to look at me. I haven't seen him in person before, but I have definitely come across his pictures. In them, he didn't look half as handsome as he is in reality.

I could sense people around us watching me. Probably even the guys whom I've rejected moments ago. I know they would be enjoying this - laughing at the insult that I have encountered just now, but I don't care.

My mind is solely focused on Merrick. I never gave a damn about my reputation, nor do I give now. When I went to him, I knew what I was doing. And when I looked at his face, I knew we were going to get a very nice acquaintance. Funny, what I didn't know was the rejection coming on my way. I should be angry with what happened today, but I don't know why I am not.

And above everything, what's amusing is that I am thrilled that things didn't turn out my way. I know our meeting tomorrow is going to be so fun.

Merrick Addington, I am not gonna let you go with that.

                                                              --------------------------

Merrick

Last night was a total disaster. I woke up this morning with a horrible hangover. Yesterday after getting out of the bar, I called Dean to drop me home because I couldn't drive back with the amount of alcohol I had. He got to me quickly after my call. He is a party animal, so luckily he was in a nearby club somewhere.

I knew after the entire ordeal that I had with Monica I shouldn't have gone to a public place. My mind was a fucking mess, and I didn't really have any idea of what I was doing. I just wanted to have a drink because that seemed the only way I could let out the steam that I had bottled up inside me after the betrayal Monica gave me. I wanted to drown in my sorrows and forget everything. I just wanted the night alone for myself, but how on earth I was supposed to know that some crazy woman would try to hit on me and wreck my entire mood?

She was fucking crazy. I am sure she knew that I wasn't in a good mood. Then what the hell was going through her mind when she decided to hit on me? She shouldn't have approached me in the first place, considering how terrible my demeanor was. I know she was wrong about using her tricks on me when I was clearly not interested. It fucking annoyed me, but I can't deny that a part of me now feels genuinely bad for reacting that way with a woman. I insulted her and ended up putting a dramatic show in front of everyone there, which is so unlikely of me. I have always been careful about my reputation, so I am disappointed with myself for losing my cool and behaving that way, especially with a woman.

It feels strange that I haven't stopped thinking about her since morning. She was beautiful. Any man would have been ready to be at her service. Unfortunately, I wasn't the one. She did a wrong choice. Of course, there is nothing wrong with looking for one-night stands at a bar. That's why people get hit so much in clubs and bars, but I wasn't there for that reason.

I don't know where the thought comes from, but I think of apologizing to her if I'd ever get to see her again. Her face isn't something that could be easily forgotten. But I know that's not going to happen and my last night's behavior would be something that I'd have to keep regretting for the rest of my life. What the hell is wrong with you, Merrick? I shouldn't be thinking about some random girl from the bar who tried to hit on me and then dealt with my wrath. Instead, I should be thinking about the important meeting that I have with Miss Miller today. The meeting that I have been waiting for so long. It's 2 pm and I know she would be here any moment.

The intercom beeps in and Nancy speaks. "Mr. Addington, Miss Miller is here."

"Let her in," I say.

Seconds later, Zelina Miller walks into my office and for the first time, I get to look at her. I take in the woman's face in front of me and my eyes widen.

"You?" I exclaim in disbelief.