Playing:🎶Anyone by Justin Bieber🎶
                     -The Club's Re-opening-

Note: The lyrics to the song used in this chapter is owned by Benjackson Troy.
No duplication of it is allowed, and if done is an act of piracy.

Xander's POV

"You look beautiful," I compliment, linking our elbows together after she exits the limo and stands erect on the red carpet.

"You shouldn't have," she blurts, following in my steps, a sleek black gown sinfully hugging her curves and leaving nothing to the imagination in its sleeveless nature and deep v-line that showcases enough cleavage.

"Do you mean the compliment or.." I leave the statement hanging, not sure what she's driving at as we smile at the dozens of camera flashes while we make it to the entrance.

"Nope," she declines. "I'm referring to the deed of opening the car door for me. You should have let the other guy have his fun."

"And deprive me of the bonus points? No way," I whisper in her ear. The navy blue material of my suit jacket rubbing on her bare arms at the action.

"You are 'Xander Miles' you don't need bonus points," she comebacks as we finally reach the giant doors that are thrown ajar to let dignitaries through. "Heck without you, this won't even be happening."

"I guess I am pretty awesome." I wink, the soles of my white vans and her nude pointy heels making no sounds on the plush carpet amidst the buzzing conversations and questions thrown around by reporters.

Today is the grand reopening of the club. After weeks of renovations and decorations, it's finally ready to be seen by the world and now, I can't help but feel proud thus my first investment has come together.

The event should begin in a few minutes thus I made sure Helena and I are to be the last to walk down the red carpet. Apart from the one we came through, there's another entrance for normal guests and locals hence this is the first time such a thing has taken place in this small town.

We exchange greetings with Mr. Cain, who is clad in a black suit jacket and slacks, a red button-up below, coupled with a black and red striped tie.

Helena and I stride inwards, holding light conversations with a few others dressed in suits and dinner gowns. I sense her grip on my arm tighten, and her body goes still the moment she catches sight of a couple.

"You didn't tell me, Justin and Hailey Bieber we're coming," she growls accusingly at me. My only response to her is a grin as I urge her forward.

"Hey man," JB greets, slapping his palms with mine in a shake as Helena lets go of me.

"I'm glad you could make it." I beam appreciatingly at both of them. Justin is in a suit like every other male here, his of a maroon color and a blue undershirt that's the same shade as Hailey's dress.

"Hi." She waves from beside him. "We are happy to be here."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you," Helena speaks, barely holding back her enthusiasm. "You look stunning."

"What about me?" Justin lifts a blonde brow, a cheeky expression on his face.

"Ah...." she goes lost for words before clearing her throat. "I'm certain it'll be highly inappropriate to say what I think. Don't get me wrong, I mean this in a good way."

"She's a blunt one." He nods in observation as we both share a guy look.

"That she is," I affirm, irking Helena's confusion as I say this.

Luckily, there's a tap on the stage microphone to alert everyone's attention. We all stare at the culprit and see Charles who is the odd one out, covered in a black Addidas tracksuit with white lines on the side and corresponding white vans behind the microphone stand.

"It's time to get this show on the road!" He hollers, earning a loud response from the crowd, including Helena whose red-painted lips are stretched in a grin.

"For our opening act, we'll have our new owner, who is my bestfriend, and one of the best artists the world has ever known, Xander Miles, perform live, on this stage!" He announces his voice carrying a contagious excitement that has me shaking my head and chuckling.

"But that is not all," he continues. "We are going to have appearances from the likes of Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Adele, Camila Cabello, Trisha Gomez, Wizkid, Ayrarr Starr, and Tems!"

"You know what that means, the remix of Essence will be sung here, live!" He yells.

"Any idea if Selena and Justin are on civil terms?" Helena inquires at my side, the dim lights of red and blue coming in our faces now and then.

"That is a question I have no answer to," I confess, the meaning behind her question dawning on me.

"You didn't think that through did you?" She lifts a brow.

"I definitely did not," I accept, prompting her to scoff and mutter something on the lines of "men can be so clueless."

"As Xander makes his way to the stage, I'll use this opportunity to unveil the new name of this establishment," Charles murmurs into the microphone, and I take it as my cue to get a move on.

"I'll be back." I bend to whisper, abandoning a quick kiss on her forehead before I depart from her side.

She mumbles a timid "okay" in reply and I pave a way in between the crowd who part for me to walk through. I gaze ahead to see Christina and Nadia, Helena's colleagues holding a neon sign that's wrapped in foil to prevent the audience from glimpsing the name yet.

"Why don't we countdown from 5?" Charles asks, holding up a large scissors. At a loud response from the lot, he nods.

"So count with me," he instructs and begins. "5, 4, 3,"

With each number, I head closer to the stage. "2, 1!" At that, there's a ripping sound and the barrier falls off. The words "Pleasure Club" are revealed in neon lights.

"Wooo!!!!!!" Charles howls with the audience. Christina and Nadia are given the signal to desert the stage in their classy dresses and heels as Charles shifts to the side to announce my entry. "And for the first act, Xander Miles!"

"They say what goes around comes around, everything that goes up will still fall,
They say what goes around comes around, everything that goes up will still fall" I sing into the microphone, the audience going wild.

"I'm still falling, I'm still calling, like woah,
I'm still falling, I'm still calling, like woah" I smile at them, the noise dying down as they get into the tune.

"I'm going hard, I'm going hard, I'm going hard, I'm going hard...
I'm going hard, I'm going hard, I'm going hard, into the Darkside." My eyes glance through the crowd to stop at Helena, her body moving sensually to the music.
Her redhead friend beside her.

She flips her long pink braids around, causing them to fall slowly on her skin. I can't help but feel envious of the plaits in between her breasts and bareback.

"I'm going hard, woah, woah, woah,
Woah, woah, woah, x3" There are a series of whoops and yeah's, as I calmly bellow this line.

"Yeah, Sometimes I feel like I should just keep running away from my demons but I ain't got no time for that,
Cuz every time I keep running away from something that scares me, I just keep running back to it," I let out, the lyrics having a semblance of truth in them.

"So, I just gat to face it you know.........

********

Screams and applauds surround me as I climb down from the stage. I'm slapped on the back and kissed on the cheek by Justin, Selena, Wizkid, and a few of my fellow music artists as I reach them.

It's Justin Bieber's turn to go up, and so I weave through the multitude, this time no one clears space for me as everyone is buzzing with the excitement of the night. Especially as they all wait patiently for JB's performance.

I can see the top of Helena's head, and so I speed up only for my feet to come to a stop when I'm blocked by a female.

Not just any of the species, but the most deceitful and conniving of them all, Layla.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I quiz.

Cliffhanger🌚
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