[Lucy's POV]

I couldn’t help but gape in awe while watching the view outside the car. We stopped in front of a black establishment, and just by looking at it from the outside, it was obvious that only wealthy people were allowed in, given its minimalist and sleek exterior.

It looked extremely high-end.

There was only a bright neon sign in front of the building, with muscular bouncers guarding the entrance. Even though we were still outside, I could already hear the loud music coming from within.

What were we doing at a nightclub? Weren’t we supposed to be heading to a meeting with a client?

I nervously stepped out of the car and almost stumbled, but luckily, I managed to grab Raizel’s sleeve.

He glanced at me silently, but I could still catch a glimpse of his playful smile.

“Why are you staring? Is this your first time entering a nightclub?” he teasingly asked.

I took a deep breath before nodding, feeling embarrassed.

What breadwinner has time for places like this? I’ve been buried in work, doing my best to lift my family out of poverty. I couldn’t imagine having the luxury of going to places like this.

The only event I ever attended was the company Christmas party, and that was three years ago. I never joined my former colleagues when they’d go out to bars or dine at expensive restaurants. For me, it was more important to go home early to be with my aging mother, who’s often weak and alone, along with my two school-aged siblings.

“Isn’t it dangerous inside?” I asked Raizel.

Even outside, the place seemed crowded. What more could it be like inside?

He smirked at me before suddenly grabbing my hand. “Is there anything more dangerous than me?”

I froze at his words. He was right. With how gentlemanly he looked now, I almost forgot he was far more dangerous than any nightclub we were about to enter. After all, he was a notorious and ruthless Mafia Lord.

As soon as we entered the club, I could feel the pressure as everyone noticed Raizel’s presence. The loud music quickly switched to jazz, and even those dancing on the floor and kissing in the corners stopped.

I wasn’t sure if I was hallucinating, but I could hear the women asking each other who the model was with Raizel and why he had a woman with him.

I didn’t want to assume, but he looked proud and satisfied with the crowd's reaction.

“Lord Raizel, what brings you here? You didn’t inform me, or I would have prepared,” a tall man approached us, dressed in a white tuxedo with a red handkerchief in his pocket and a name tag pinned to his chest on the left side. If I wasn’t mistaken, he seemed to be the manager of the club.

I thought Raizel would answer him, but he just stared at the man. I was shocked when Raizel suddenly struck him.

I saw the man grit his teeth before bowing his head. His cheek turned bright red from where Raizel had hit him.

“What’s his problem? The guy didn’t even do anything wrong to deserve a punch, did he?” I whispered to myself.

At this point, all I could do was whisper. I felt sorry for the man, but I still wanted to protect myself from Raizel’s wrath. I wouldn’t be surprised if people thought I’d gone crazy for staying by his side.

Ugh! This guy is driving me insane! He’s so hot and cold!

Raizel ignored the man and continued walking, followed by his bodyguards, until we reached the end of the ground floor.

We took the elevator to the VIP Room where his meeting with a client was supposed to happen. Everyone remained silent, with no one daring to break the stillness.

Just thinking about who we might meet sent chills down my spine. Was it a Yakuza member, a gang leader, or maybe a traitorous secret agent?

The elevator stopped on the fourth floor. We all stepped out. There were only two rooms on the floor. It really was for VIPs, as they had private rooms inside a nightclub, where they could party as if they were in a hotel.

Rich people and their money problems, right?

We stood in front of the first room, guarded by two more bodyguards, before the door opened. Raizel’s other attendants stayed outside, leaving just the two of us to enter.

My eyes widened as I took in the room, all in white, with bright golden furniture and expensive chandeliers. The room’s setup screamed wealth.

“Who is she? Your new secretary?” A woman immediately greeted Raizel.

She quickly wrapped her arms around his and pulled him to sit on a couch in the middle of the room.

The woman wore a pink plunging dress with a white fur wrap. At first glance, she looked like an actress, with her beauty and slender figure. I also noticed she wasn’t much taller than me.

But she had the upper hand in terms of complexion, with fair skin and thick makeup.

“I told you I wanted you to come alone whenever you visit, didn’t I?”

I was shocked when she sat on Raizel’s lap.

Raizel, for his part, remained emotionless, not reacting at all to the woman’s behavior.

“Why? Are you threatened by her presence? Do you want me to send her out?”

She suddenly looked in my direction, flashing me a smile. What nonsense was she talking about now? Did her teeth hurt or something?

The woman frowned and pouted her lips at me.

“No way! I know I’m prettier than her. Just let her watch us do OUR THING,” she said seductively.

It seemed Raizel went along with her, as I remained standing in front of them. He didn’t even offer me a seat, and he seemed more focused on her caressing his arms and chest.

I simply rolled my eyes at the sight.

Too excited, huh? Is that itching or something?

“Okay.”

Raizel faced her, completely ignoring my presence. Ugh! I couldn’t understand why he even brought me here. Didn’t he realize how tiring it was to stand in high heels like this?

I cleared my throat to get their attention, but they ignored me even more. It was as if they were in their own world!

“By the way, how’s the proposal? Did you like the plan Seth made?” she asked Raizel seriously.

I sighed in relief—finally, they were discussing business.

But I quickly regretted it when I saw the woman press herself even closer to Raizel. Her dress was riding up slightly due to her position, and it seemed like she was deliberately leaning her chest towards him.

I simply rolled my eyes again.

Too eager, girl? Got an itch?

“Let’s not talk about business. Don’t you want to pamper me first?” The woman avoided the business talk, seductively caressing Raizel’s face as if waiting for him to kiss her.

My goodness! This woman is shameless!

“Have you forgotten who you’re talking to, Zara?”

My blood stirred when I heard Raizel’s deep voice. His expression had turned irritated as he stared at Zara. Such a pity—she had a rich-sounding name, but she was acting so trashy.

Zara fell silent for a moment before speaking again. “Sorry, I was just joking. The truth is, I’ve read the proposal about the Hierarchy Hotel, and I’m about to prepare the MOA tomorrow. I just need to secure the funds.”

She adjusted her seating and grabbed a champagne glass from the table in front of them.

“Besides, I know all your projects are approved by the BOD, so it won’t be hard to make them happen,” she added.

“Thanks,” Raizel replied curtly.

He seemed completely unfazed by her flirting, grabbing his glass of whiskey from the table and downing its contents.

After a few more moments, I started fidgeting with my feet as I felt pins and needles in them. Thank goodness he motioned for me to sit, and I quickly sat on the couch to the right.

I couldn’t refuse, could I? My feet were killing me, and I was tempted to throw my heels at this flirtatious woman’s face.

“Now, can you warm me up?”

I heard Zara say to him.

Wait, did my ears just burn from what I heard?

Raizel’s expression suddenly darkened at her words. I secretly smiled when he pushed her off, causing her to fall onto the couch.

“Do I look like a bed warmer to you?”

Raizel stood up from his seat. Was he going to walk out? Were we leaving?

I was about to stand up too, but to my surprise, Raizel sat next to me and looked at me seriously.

“What do you think, Lucy?” he asked, quickly putting his arm around my shoulders.

“What?” I asked, startled and blushing.

I lowered my head because I wasn’t comfortable with what I had just heard. I felt embarrassed for the woman.

“I was just listening to you two. I didn’t want to butt in because I don’t even find this meeting formal.”

I didn’t want to come off as rude, but I couldn’t help telling the truth.

If they were offended, I didn’t mean it. I wasn’t expecting to speak English either.

I bit my lip as the woman approached me.

“Who is she to you, Rai? She sounds intelligent, and she looks gorgeous, too. I know she’s something.”

Raizel smirked at me and answered, “She’s my honey. What would you expect for an S-class?”

I choked on my own saliva at Raizel’s sudden answer. He's pulled this crazy stunt twice already.

The first time was in front of his family, and now again, in front of the woman who's obviously interested in him.

Is being his escape route going to be my role in his life?

Zara fell silent for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"You're crazy as usual. Honey? Since when did Raizel Blaire Sebastian learn to be sweet? All you know how to do is hurt women."

Her amusement seemed endless, but it quickly faded when she saw Raizel's intense stare.

"Believe it if you don't want me to cut your throat where you stand."