*Isabella's POV*
"What the fu**?" I gasped, my eyes wide with shock as Elly recounted her harrowing tale. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as I struggled to process the audacity of Jacob's words. "He really said that?" I asked, my voice laced with incredulity.
Elly nodded, her expression grim. "I almost crashed the car, he scared the sh** out of me," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But then he dropped his guard, and his natural charm took over. He coaxed me into telling him my story, and I found myself opening up to him in ways I never thought possible."
Flashback
The dim glow of the dashboard lights cast a warm ambiance over the interior of the car as Elly navigated the crowded streets of New York City. Jacob's voice cut through the silence, his tone conversational. "So, do you like driving?" he asked, his eyes fixed on Elly's profile.
Elly's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead. "I do like driving," she replied, her voice smooth. "Even with NYC traffic." Jacob chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "I use swearing as a coping mechanism," Elly retorted, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
The sound of Jacob's laughter filled the car once more. "Smart girl," he said, his voice laced with admiration. "Would you ever consider being my personal driver?" Elly's eyes widened in shock, her grip on the steering wheel tightening. "Sir, no offense, but I don't even know you," she replied, her tone cautious.
Jacob's expression transformed, his eyes sparkling with surprise. "How can you not know me?" he asked, his voice tinged with amusement.
Elly shot him a sideways glance, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes. "Are you an Instagram model or something?" she asked, her tone laced with sarcasm. Jacob's response was immediate, his voice laced with mock horror. "What? No!" he replied, before adding with a grin, "But maybe I should be..."
"I'm a businessman," Jacob declared, his voice confident and smooth. "Jacob Lancaster is the name. Take my card." He handed Elly a sleek black business card, his eyes glinting with expectation. "Sleep on it. Google me, or whatever, and then get back to me." Elly's brow furrowed, her expression skeptical. "But why would you want me as your driver? I'm not even a professional."
"I'm not even a qualified chauffeur," she continued, her voice laced with self-deprecation. "I'm just an Uber driver. Anyone can do that."
Jacob's smile returned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I like driving too," he replied, his tone casual. "Normally, I'm driving, but my name is Jacob, so I like Jack." Elly's laughter filled the car, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Jacob's grin widened, his expression pleased. "So, I need a driver," he said, his voice taking on a persuasive tone. "And you're fun. Quit your daytime job."
"What?" Elly gasped, her eyes wide with shock, as if the very notion had left her breathless. "Come on, think about it," Jacob coaxed, his voice low and persuasive, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I'll even pay you-"
End of Flashback
I shook my head, trying to process the whirlwind story Elly had just shared. "I'm sorry, I didn't get that last part," I admitted, feeling a bit bewildered. Elly's eyes darted around the limo, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's 'cause I didn't say it. It's too much to say out loud." I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. Elly took a deep breath before continuing.
"Let's just say he gives me a ridiculous amount of money, and he only ever needs me 7-8 times a month." My eyes widened as I tried to wrap my head around the figures. "Oh, that's..." I trailed off, unsure how to finish the sentence. Elly's expression turned serious once more. "And he met my husband. He wanted to help him sue the construction firm. It was a work accident, and they didn't pay him, but my stubborn a** Liam doesn't want to, so he says what's done is done."
Her tone shifted back to a lighter one, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "So that's the story. My boss is an angel." I felt hesitant, unsure how to reply to her tale. "Wow... That's... I never thought he'd be so...," I stuttered, struggling to find the right words.
As I hesitated, Elly's voice trailed in, completing my fragmented thought. "Sweet?" she inquired, her tone tinged with a hint of curiosity. I nodded in agreement, a sheepish grin spreading across my face. "Yeah, once you crack his jerk facade, he's actually really sweet." The words hung in the air, a palpable awkwardness settling between us as I realized my initial misjudgment.
The silence was short-lived, as Elly's enthusiasm burst forth, shattering the stillness. "We're here, I just can't wait!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she maneuvered the limousine to a smooth stop in front of the club. The vibrant lights of the nightclub cast a kaleidoscope of colors across our faces, and I could feel the pulsating rhythm of the music beckoned as we exited the limo.
As we approached the club, I gazed out at the throngs of people waiting in line, my skepticism growing. "Look at this line, are you sure you don't want to go somewhere else?" I asked, my voice laced with doubt.
Elly's response was immediate and emphatic. "Are you kidding me?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement. "The Vault is the best club in town, of course, everyone wants to get in! Celebrities like Rihanna and Drake come here all the time."
I raised an eyebrow, my incredulity plain. "Celebrities? And what makes you think we'll make it in? Do I look like Beyoncé?" I asked, my tone dripping with sarcasm. Elly just laughed, her confidence unwavering.
As Elly sauntered to the front of the line, I trailed behind her, protesting, "Hey, that makes no sense!" But she didn't seem to care, her confidence and charm radiating like a beacon.
She sidled up to one of the security guards, a towering figure with a stern expression, and batted her eyelashes at him. "Hey Ricky, how are you tonight, handsome?" she cooed, her voice soft and flirtatious. I couldn't help but laugh at her audacity – I loved this girl!
Ricky, the security guard, looked taken aback, his face flushing with a deep blush. "Elly," he replied, his voice stumbling over the syllables. Just then, a low, husky voice cut through the din of the club, sending a shiver down my spine. "I didn't know you'd be here." The voice was unmistakable, and I felt a flutter in my chest as I turned to face the speaker.