Chapter 22

Juan Capote emerged from his office after being informed that his special guests had arrived. His office door led directly into the VIP section through a short passage.

The DJ, focused on his work with one side of his headset fully covering his ear, raised his head and spotted Capote heading straight into the VIP area accompanied by two large individuals and his assistant.

The DJ quickly rewound his disc and set up an alarm for Capote.

He called out to him in an enthusiastic chant, "Make some noise!!!" Scratching his disc, he played a buzzing song that ignited the crowd at De Rossi, particularly those who were already seated.

The club erupted with excitement, and Juan Capote smiled. Giving DJ Cheeseburger a thumbs up, Capote acknowledged the gesture as DJ Cheeseburger respectfully took off his cap and bit into his burger—rumored to be his constant companion, which some believed contributed to his skilled disc jockeying. Lol, funny.

The extremely wealthy guests and those aspiring to wealth stood up, throwing and spraying a substantial amount of money into the air. Cash danced and fluttered through the air before eventually landing on the floor.

The display of wealth continued periodically throughout the night.

Capote happened to catch a glimpse of Hanna just a few steps away. He paused momentarily, scanning her presence, but the urgency of business called to him, so he moved on, leaving Hanna behind.

As Juan Capote made his way through the VIP section, he came across a familiar face – Cortez.

Mr. Lucas Vasquez, Cortez's father, and Capote had a long history, so Capote stopped and acknowledged Cortez as he should.

"You've grown so big," Capote said, giving Cortez a firm handshake and patting him on the back. Cortez smiled warmly, and they shared a laugh.

"I hope Mr. Lucas is doing well." Cortez nodded in response, and Capote added, "Tell him I send my greetings." With that, Capote moved on swiftly.

After that encounter, Cortez began acting bossy, while Curtis seemed somewhat disregarded. Cortez's behavior was frustrating to witness.

In a separate room, the atmosphere became somber and filled with tension. Pleasantries were exchanged, but the focus quickly shifted to business.

The scene grew moody and silent as the exchanges commenced. Two bags were handed over by the guests to Capote, and after a few seconds, Capote's men nodded in agreement. A briefcase filled with cash was then handed over to the guests.

At the same time. Matthew, Hanna, Johnny, and Diane sat together, a bottle of vodka before them. Matthew positioned himself close to Hanna, who took small sips from her vodka mixed with soda.

Conversation flowed around them, with Hanna mostly smiling and laughing at Johnny's jokes.

The night was shaping up to be fantastic, as they seemed to lose themselves in the moment.

Suddenly, Diane directed a question at Hanna. "What about you, Hanna? Is this your first time clubbing?"

The attention of the group shifted towards Hanna, and Johnny chimed in, guessing, "Ah, I think it's her first time."

Hanna felt a bit uncomfortable and simply nodded in response. She didn't know how to feel about the question. Was it necessary to point out that she was a newcomer to clubbing?

Diane scoffed, adding, "And you don't like clubbing..." In her mind, she thought, you think you're better.

Hanna focused her gaze on Diane, trying to decipher her intentions. Was it wrong not to enjoy clubbing?

Diane continued, pointing at Matthew, "But you're here with him."

Matthew's attention was fully engaged now, as he began to speculate about Diane's motives.

However, Diane didn't reveal her thoughts; instead, she redirected her negative energy towards Hanna. "Well, I hope you enjoy being a first-timer," she said, raising her glass.

They all took a sip, finding solace in the loudness of their voices and the music.

After that, Diane cleared her throat and stood up, her slippery leather gown zipped from the front, revealing her cleavage. "I'm going to the ladies' room," she said mischievously, and not long enough Johnny excused himself as well.

Hanna found herself alone with Matthew once again, swaying their bodies slowly to the music and occasionally shouting to be heard over the noise. Matthew, with his finger placed on his jaw, interjected, "Who knows what Johnny is up to..."

Hearing his remark, Hanna's eyebrows raised, and she stared playfully at Matthew before breaking into laughter. They shared a moment of amusement together.

Later, Hanna's attention shifted to the individuals who were extravagantly throwing money around the club, making it rain. Meanwhile, Matthew continued to admire Hanna, secretly yearning for a chance to kiss her lips.

He became a bit lost in his daydreams until Hanna pointed and inquired curiously about the lavish display of money.

She loudly questioned, "Is there joy in throwing money like that? It feels like a waste... to me!"

Matthew snapped back from his musings and chuckled as Hanna looked at him expectantly, waiting for a response.

He observed the scene for a moment before replying, "It's a lifestyle! Maybe you don't understand because you're not one of them."

Hanna shrugged at his answer, considering it as 'whatever.' She didn't feel inclined to participate in such extravagant displays when there were so many people in need, including herself, who could benefit from that money in more meaningful ways.

Unfortunately, the world doesn't always align with our choices. Sometimes it's best to let things be.

After some thoughtful reflection, Hanna realized that Matthew was still tugging at her heartstrings. She was in the mood, so she let him know that she noticed his gaze, which made him feel awkward, although he understood her meaning.

In that moment, it felt as if they were the only two people in the world, and everything else faded away.

When Hanna stepped into the club, initially I couldn't help but feel like a drop of mercury submerged in a glass. However, as time passed, I began to feel a sense of attraction, and the more I was with Matthew, the more positive I became.

Surprisingly, despite my disdain for noisy places, I couldn't bring myself to label the club as noisy, simply because I was part of it. The atmosphere transformed into a vibrant and infectious vibe as my mind settled, and the DJ's music played a significant role in setting the mood.

In the midst of the pulsating beats, I couldn't help but wonder if there were others like me in the crowd—people seeking solace and trying to escape their own emotional burdens. I locked eyes with Matthew, and in that moment, I could sense his genuine sincerity. I felt incredibly fortunate to have someone so special in my life, and it was as if I had unshackled myself from the weight of my troubles. I pondered whether alcohol played a role in this newfound freedom, but deep down, I knew it wasn't the sole reason. I just hoped that my liberation wasn't solely dependent on the club environment.

As the night progressed, the club faded into the background of my thoughts. It became a mere backdrop to the connection I shared with Matthew, a testament to the power of genuine companionship and the ability to let go of inhibitions.

We drew closer to each other, fully immersed in a mixture of love and emotions, our lips tantalizingly close as Matthew gently held my hands.

I closed my eyes, preparing for the impending kiss, my whole body filled with anticipation.

---

Mathew's heart raced, and his breathing quickened. He was completely captivated by the moment, gazing at Hanna in disbelief, her heavenly look reflected on his face.

With a surge of courage, he too closed his eyes, ready to finally lock lips with her. But in those fleeting milliseconds, Hanna's phone rang, interrupting the moment.

She tried to ignore it, but the persistent vibrations demanded her attention.

Hanna reluctantly opened her phone and discovered a missed call from her father. Worry immediately washed over her.

Why would her dad be calling her at this hour? They had spoken earlier in the day.

Matt was once again left feeling adrift, fully aware that this opportunity might not present itself again that night.

Of what could've been their first kiss and Hanna's first ever kiss…who knows when next, were they ever meant to be?

Hanna attempted to call back, but it seemed that the network was fluctuating, which only heightened her anxiety, especially since her phone battery was gradually draining.

Concerned, Matthew inquired if there was a problem and reassured Hanna not to worry too much. Sensing her unease, Hanna suggested stepping outside the club to see if she could get a better signal.

Outside De Rossi, an unexpected and alarming situation unfolded in the blink of an eye. Initially, it appeared to be a confrontation between bouncers and some unruly, intoxicated individuals.

The club continued to buzz with activity, as the commotion didn't draw much attention to those inside.

However, everything changed when those men revealed their badges, causing the bouncers to step aside. With arrogance and ignorance, a gunshot pierced the air, distinct from the pulsating music emanating from DJ Cheeseburger's speakers.

The sound disrupted the atmosphere, sending shockwaves of panic and chaos throughout the club.

Men and women screamed and scrambled in fear.

The officers, taking advantage of the chaos, moved freely and cautiously, creating a path to the VIP area. Those in the VIP section sought cover, with some diving to the floor while others remained frozen in fear.

Matt desperately called out Hanna's name, tightly holding onto her to ensure she wouldn't be left behind. Filled with fear, he followed the movements of the crowd.

The officers began herding people, resorting to force if anyone resisted. Matt and Hanna breathed heavily as they fought through the panicked crowd, desperately trying to escape.

Matt scanned the surroundings, searching for Johnny amidst the chaos, but his focus remained on ensuring Hanna's safety.

Meanwhile, Johnny found himself in the ladies' room, engaging with Diane. Diane's breath hitched momentarily as Johnny touched her, and they were both unaware of the unfolding situation in De Rossi. The convenience room of De Rossi was located downstairs, separate from the main club area.