Rain didn’t fall tonight to disrupt the business of the day. Even if it wasn’t always a major factor, it did affect sales when it rained.

Angelique sat in her office, far from the chaotic dance floor and pulsing house music.

A cigarette rested between her fingers, the first drag simmering on her tongue before she exhaled smoke into the room.

She dialed a number and pressed the phone to her ear, wedging it between her shoulder and cheek as she busied her hands with other tasks.

"Santino, what new information do you have for me?" She asked directly, counting the lump sum of money in her hand.

“The mayor came by the precinct yesterday; he decided to see the new detective, who was surprisingly sent. I should add that Captain Miguel wasn’t pleased to see them speak to each other,” Santino poured out.

“Of course he wasn’t. He has seen someone who might threaten his position; who wouldn’t be afraid?” Angelique chuckled. “Anyways, did the detective file anything last night?”

“I checked as Marco requested. Nothing, he just logged it as a DOA. There was no mention of you.”

“Interesting.”

She hangs up the call, a slow smile forming at the corner of her lips.

Her phone again rang; this time, the call had come from someone who had eyes on the mayor.

“You’re sure?”

A faint chuckle came from the caller, “I wouldn’t lie to you, Madam. The mayor has been lavishing the public funds on elaborate parties. I heard he has been asking around about the new detective, even in his most recent meeting, speaking of how the detective was the clean justice enforcer he was trying to emulate to make things right for Caldera."

“And his daughter?” She asks, “I know she moves to every new person that catches her father’s attention,” she mumbled to herself.

“I’m not quite sure what to say to her about her, but the mayor seems to have plans for both of them.”

“Plans,” Angelique allowed the word to settle in. She tilted her head and murmured, “Cute,” and ended the call without saying goodbye.

Angelique's thoughts pondered trying to put the pieces together.

“Send Marco in."

Before Kaya could respond, Marco entered. “Yeah, Madam?”

“The mayor is up to something; we need to play our cards right. Send the detective an invitation. Make sure no name is mentioned. The time and place are fine.”

Marco frowned. “I don’t think it is right to bring him here.”

Angelique, who had been rummaging through her desk, paused to look at Marco. “When did I ever ask for your opinion on anything?”

Marco eyed her as she rose from her seat. “And if he doesn’t show?”

She walked past him, dropping the burnt-out cigar in the dustbin. “I don’t think it’s in your place to worry about that. Besides, I think he will be a fool to.”

--

The club had become alive with several VIP guests entering and stepping out; Angelique considers this a full house. She sat in her corner booth, elbow resting on the armchair, legs crossed.

She didn’t look at the door yet.

Marco returned to her side; he shook his head, signaling her of Nolan’s absence.

Angelique sipped her wine slowly. “Have you confirmed he got the message?”

“Santino said he read it among his colleagues but didn’t say a word despite the persuasion.”

She gave a slow nod and let her gaze wander, not entirely aimless, but detached.

Marco noticed her fingers tapping when she’s annoyed.

“I heard he rejected the mayor's request to attend his dinner tonight; maybe he is just not the type to attend—”

She didn’t let him finish.

“You’re sure he’s not still at the precinct?”

Marco tilted his head. “Want me to check?”

She didn’t answer, which meant yes.

Marco quickly stepped away, while she sat there bidding her time for Marco’s return.

He did finally. “Santino says he left the station half an hour ago.”

“Was he with anybody?”

“He was alone.”

Her lips curved into a menacing smile.

So he was coming.

Or he wasn’t.

--

The music did not stop, time did tick, and still he was nowhere.

She remained unmoved. It didn’t matter if he rejected her invitation or not. It will be his loss, not hers.

Each passing minute, Marco's breathing reminds her of Nolan’s absence. She didn’t ask questions anymore.

She was shocked that anyone would want to reject an invitation, especially one that comes from the most exclusive club in the whole of Calderra. There are thousands of people on the waiting list hoping to set foot in here.

And he, offered in a platter of gold, was about to reject it.

He really does have a clean image if he could even refuse a club visit, she thought to herself.

Angelique eyed the door, and when the security guard at the door looked at her, she instantly knew.

He’d arrived, and she won.

When he entered and his eyes roamed the club, Angelique studied him.

He looked different from yesterday. Maybe because he wasn’t in uniform, no tie, no badge.

Black shirt buttoned down to the chest, sleeves rolled exposing his sleeper build. His eyes swept the room and landed on her.

They held each other's gaze for a long time; neither of them looked away.

Until he did.

Pretended as though he didn’t recognize her and walked straight to the bartender and ordered a glass of bourbon to start his day.

“Should I bring him to you?” Marco asked from beside her.

She raised her hand to stop him.

“You’re about to make it seem like I’m desperate, which I’m not. He already knows who gave him the invitation; let him come to me.”

Angelique sat in her corner; she didn’t bother herself about the detective until it was time for her rounds, checking each section to see if jobs were done correctly.

When it came to the bartender area, she had done well in keeping her face stern; she could feel Nolan's eyes looming over her.

"Send drinks to the VIP section to the barrister," Angelique ordered, trailing her fingers on the counter. “If you keep staring, I’m worried my beauty will wear off,” she said, facing Nolan.

“Apologies,” Nolan said, not denying that he had been caught staring at her. His eyes narrowed to her neckline; sure she was the same woman he had met at the crime scene, he smiled.

“And who are you? You don’t seem like my customers or any random… I mean, you don’t dress like one,” Angelique feigned; her voice was smooth, silencing every noise in the background. She was calm, taking each word with ease.

“I was invited,” Nolan answered simply; he showed her the card.

She examined it as though she wasn’t the one who gave it out.

"Have an amazing night then." She passed it on, walking away. Silently she counted, “1…2…3…”

“Want a drink?” Nolan asked.

She turned, pointing at herself, acting oblivious to his request.

He nodded. “It won’t be bad if you keep me company.”

She arched her brow, finding his request offensive, yet didn’t act on it.

“If you’re looking for that, I’m pretty sure that is a VIP card in your hand; it does come with a lot of perks.” She said.

“I’m sorry if I worded it the wrong way. Let’s keep each other company, unless you’re busy."

“I don’t even know you.”

“Neither do I, but I think a drink or two could change that.”

She smiled, accepting that the detective was a lot more without the badge; it would be easy to handle him.

“Fine,” she agreed. “But not here; I hate crowded places."

--

It didn’t even take much convincing for Nolan to follow her to the VIP room, where she had prepared everything for him. It was quiet and dimly lit and had just the exotic dancer to entertain them.

Their eyes did most of the talking as they drank, and so did their bodies as they gravitated towards each other with ease. Angelique didn’t have to do much for Nolan to be mesmerized. His eyes remained stuck on her; she had received more compliments in a single meeting than she had her entire life, which says much about her.

“You recognize me,” she whispered into his ear as she straddled him.

Nolan didn’t hold back, his hand smoothing over her skin; she could feel his manhood rising under her as he pressed her closer to him.

“Mhm… You're hard to forget.” He curled her hair so he could see her face.

“Which is why you found me?”

“Not really, I was invited by the owner, yet to meet him or her,” Nolan said, with no thought in those lustful eyes.

“You’re still clueless?”

“I would want to be; something tells me I already met her.”

Angelique took her wine, which she’d poured a white substance into; she drank it, then gave some to Nolan. She asked, “So you like her then?"

“Yes,” Nolan said, drinking the wine and emptying the glass.

“Okay,” she said, getting off him, and he quickly grabbed her wrist. “I hate men who have wandering eyes.”

He released her wrist but didn’t let go, fearing that she might attempt it again.

“If that’s your first impression of me, let me change that."

“How? You don’t strike me as someone willing to change that perception.”

He smirked, “You’ve misconstrued my character, though; I only ever explain to women who fascinate me.”

“And how many women have you explained yourself to?"

“3? 5… I don’t keep count."

She raised a brow. “So there are a lot then.”

"Don’t tell me you’re jealous." He chuckled. “We just met.”

“Jealousy is a bit far-fetched, don’t you think? Your love life is no business of mine.” She whispered, getting much closer. “This will only happen once."

She didn’t kiss him as Nolan thought, as their faces were inches close from each other. His head had turned hazy as he knocked over the sofa.

Angelique quickly got up from him as Marco and her men entered the room. Marco quickly offered her water to induce the substance she had taken in.

“I don’t want any slip-ups; make sure this is done correctly.” She ordered as Nolan was immediately taken away.