It was midnight, and with it came a rare, tranquil silence. The earlier buzz of conversation, the occasional clinking of glass cups on the glass table, and the soft music that played in the background had all faded into quietness.
Now, the seven members retired to the individual lodges in the lounge's secluded guest wing.
Those who wished not to stay could leave for home. But it was advisable to stay back since the night was not a friendly zone in the area.
Yet, everything only surprised Rino.
From the outside of this Red Tann building, it would seem like a structure built in the past. Its bricks had lines of symmetry on them, while the iron-framed windows were painted with brown gusts of dust.
But stepping inside was like crossing into another world entirely.
The interior whispered wealth. Hardwood floors stretched down to spacious halls, the scent of mahogany blending with a lavender-tinged perfume from hidden diffusers.
Rino took in to this setting until he reached the door of his room, and whirled the knob to open the door.
It was on the second floor, overlooking the lounge's garden. The room was not as large or extravagant as his suite back at the Carter's Mansion, but it was tasteful.
Manageable at least.
Rino took a slow walk around the room, scanning the pieces of furniture, the fixtures, and finally himself in the full-length mirror resting by the corner of the wall.
"Handsome as always."
He then turned towards the bedside and began to unbutton his shirt, letting it slide off his shoulders as he dropped them on the plastic chairs by the side.
Then, he walked into the bathroom to freshen up for the day.
Ten minutes later, he was done in the bathroom and reemerged into the bedroom, clad in a white singlet that clung slightly to his chest.
Reaching over the bed, he let himself sink into the softness of the bed. Putting one hand under his head, he stared up at the ceiling fan spinning gently above him.
He began to think about everything that had happened—about Amaka, the group as a whole, and even the game they had played that earned him a profit.
Then he thought about his loss.
It still pains him for real.
The money he paid to become a certified member.
Well, he secretly wished the payment would turn out to be a positive yielding risk he had taken.
Then, he closed his eyes.
***
By the window of another room which could be found along the corridor passageway, stood Amaka with arms folded over her lacy robe as she stared into the empty courtyard below the building.
The night, like every other night, had gone well enough than expected, but the thought of meeting someone strange still gnawed at her reality.
She was curious to find out more about this particular person.
Good enough, she had handed him her business card, but she doubted he would make use of it.
"Rino Carter," she muttered.
He had been confident without arrogance. There was something about him that felt too clean.
Every other member might have mistaken him to be just the son of a billionaire, but she doubted he lived to such a name.
She returned to her bed and sat on its edge. Then pulled out the spare of the business card she had given Rino earlier, turning it over in her fingers thoughtfully.
"If Zaria had brought him in, then I should trust things would go well."
Letting her thoughts off, she pulled off her earrings, undid her bun, and slid under the blanket cover of the bed.
***
Like Amaka, Dalia was restless in the room she was occupying.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror for what felt like an hour, before muttering praise to herself.
"I'm still the beautiful Dalia."
She turned to find her silky black gown which she had dropped carelessly across the couch and changed into the short lace nightdress that revealed far more than it concealed.
She walked over to her bed with heavy thoughts in her mind. Thoughts about nothing else other than somebody she had just met that night.
Rino.
He had carried himself like someone who has control, and respect, but not someone who can easily be fooled.
He was just not any ordinary son of a billionaire.
He was—
Her mind suddenly drifted to when he had looked at her.
His look seemed as if there were some intentions behind his eyes.
And that intrigued her.
But, maybe it wasn't what she was thinking.
She remembered how close he and Zaria had been earlier. The way she lingered on his arm longer than necessary, the private looks between them.
Was she his girlfriend?
Whatever. After all, rich guys had more than one girlfriend.
"But, well, I need to know," she whispered to herself.
Then she stood and left her room, taking the passageway towards Rino's room.
She wasn't on her way to meet him because she desired to do so, she wanted to test her effect on a man who seemed immune to charm, or, does he, really?
Now in front of his door, she glanced at her sides to be sure no one was in sight.
Everyone else had long since disappeared into their various rooms. Then, with a slight tremble, she turned the doorknob and the door creaked open.
***
The wooden door to Rino's room opened with a soft groan, not loud enough to awaken someone who had surrendered to Morpheus.
But, Rino was not a victim in this case.
He was naturally sensitive to his surroundings even when he had gone deep into sleep.
So, he turned slightly as soon as he felt the shift in the air the moment the door opened.
At the same time, his body went still, but his senses were sharper than ever.
Someone had entered.
Was he safe?
Was this how the Red Tann actually operates?
They collect your registration fee and—
No, he didn't want to think much about it in that aspect, since it was Zaria who had introduced him.
He will just listen to whatever that will happen.
Soft footsteps approached the bed, the air the presence carried was delicate hovering above him.
And then... he began to feel a soft hand. Warm. Smooth. Exploring his body slowly.
First was his thigh, then it moved upward until the fingers lingered against his pants, running gently against the sensitive region beneath his pants.
He remained still, but his mind, the alarms were blaring at him to open his eyes.
Finally, he opened an eye and the dim glow of the light from outside the windows reached the figure hovering over him.
He saw the long hair, draped over one shoulder and glimmering eyes in the dark.
Then, he opened his eyes fully and straightened up. There she was, just as he expected.
"Dalia. Vex," he said calmly.
Dalia froze but made no move to retreat. Instead, she smiled faintly, her hand still resting boldly where it had found him.
Then, with a low but firm voice, Rino asked again.
"What are you doing?"