Fateful encounter 1

The Riverside Club is notorious for attracting both the elite and the unsavory elements of society. It serves as a venue for scandalous deeds, murders, and various atrocities that remain concealed within its walls. Eliana found herself gazing at Lilian, her best friend, who had physically compelled her to be present in this questionable establishment.

Eliana could not believe how she ended up in this situation, was driven through the door, hauled up the stairs, and forced to sit at a table.

"Why am I here?" Eliana questioned. Places like this were not her favorite or where she would like to be. She would prefer to be left alone and only interact with people when she is out working.

The loud music and smell of alcohol from every corner irritated her. To couple it all, she received nasty and needy looks from lustful men and women she wished she could punch in the face and make them disappear.

"Elia, calm down a bit, okay? Remember this, I owe you a favor after this," Lilian said but her eyes were glued to the screen of her phone, going through the images of different men. "He has to be one of them," she muttered but Elia heard her.

"Why are we here again?" Elaina asked. She suddenly felt a pair of eyes on her and her senses seemed to have jump-started. Her eyes looked around to find the one who could prick her senses like this but it was hard to do so when almost every pair of eyes around you was staring at you.

"They all can't stop staring, Elia. I have a beautiful friend," Lilian said with a bright smile on her face, hoping she would be able to make her stop nagging about their reason here. She had told her many times but she seemed to derive joy in asking the same question over and again.

"Have I been recognized?" Eliana asked. She dropped her head and searched for her sunshade to wear. She had taken them off because it was dark already although she didn't have any problem seeing in the dark with them on. It was a special gift that she possessed.

Nothing stayed hidden from her but she didn't want to look like a weirdo wearing sunshades at night.

"Maybe, your charm does not change just because you wear a disguise," Lilian replied and looked at every man and a few women around then who had their eyes on Eliana. They looked like hyenas who would come to devour her the moment she was left alone.

"If I am recognized, then it's your fault and you owe me two," she said, sticking out two of her fingers to make sure Lilian understood.

"Alright, I owe you two," Lilian agreed because the possibility of Eliana being recognized was a striking ninety out of a hundred percent. Her red hair and pair of sapphire blue eyes stood out. A lot.

"Tell me why we are here," she returned to her earlier questions. She tried to ignore the piercing gaze that was close to boring a hole through her back.

"Helios Sloan comes here every Monday night, or so my sources said. I am here to find him and finally have a picture of him. If possible, he will also answer a few questions," Lilian replied.

"So it is an interview," Eliana stated and Lilian nodded her head. "I fail to see why I should be here."

"You are here as my best friend. A girl shouldn't be in a place like this alone," Lilian replied and Eliana rolled her eyes.

"There are women everywhere, Li, you would have been fine without me," She looked around getting more uncomfortable, the intensity of the gaze she had earlier felt never diminished. "We shouldn't be here at all."

"Finally!" Lilian exclaimed and shot to her feet, seeming oblivious to Eliana's worries.

"We can leave?" Eliana asked but she was interrupted by another voice.

"Put away your phone, Ma'am. Phones are not allowed." The doorman who had spotted Lilian with a phone said.

This was done to make sure that no one comes here and secretly takes photographs of anyone in there. Everyone's privacy was guaranteed the moment they stepped foot in there.

"I am sorry about that," Lilian apologized. She was quick to put the phone away but the moment the doorman left their table, it was back in her hands.

"You will be kicked out sooner than you would like, but I have no problem with that outcome," Eliana said.

Leaving this place was all that she wanted. She would love to do that without being kicked out by anyone, but then she would have to worry herself about convincing Lilian to leave with her.

"Sit right here, Elia, I will be back," Lilian said. She looked excited and full of energy. A bright smile that proved an accomplishment played on her lips. There was a luster in her eyes that portrayed her happiness, all of which Eliana failed to understand.

"Where are you going…?" Lilian was gone before she could voice out the rest of her words. "What am I going to do with you?" Eliana asked herself and shook her head at her friend who would stop at nothing to get the interview she wanted. "What am I to do now?" She looked down at her hands and tried to focus on anything but the discomfort that she felt.

"Hello, Darling," A man's voice was heard along with the disgusting stench of alcohol reeking off him.

Eliana had a moment to calm herself so she did not say anything that might destroy the club. It was one of the many unexplainable things that happened around her. What she says, especially if it is destructive, always manifests.

Eliana could not believe her share of luck. She had her gaze down for a moment and they were already at it. Making a move on her. All that she wanted to do was to have him run away from her and never come back.

"Care for a drink?" The man asked.