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 him 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.