A few days earlier...
The lounge was steeped in curated shadows, amber light trickling through gold-trimmed chandeliers and bouncing off polished black marble. The hum of low conversations, the clink of glassware, the swirl of perfume and power added up to show that it was a place built for secrets dressed in glamour.
Alexa Donovan walked in with calculated grace, her heels whispering against the floor and silk dress clinging just enough to hint at curves without offering answers. Allison was already there, seated in a velvet booth that curved like a throne, the kind of place people glanced at and then looked away from out of sheer instinct.
"Alexa, welcome." Allison greeted and stood to exchange a brief air kiss.
Her tone was unreadable, as always. It was warm enough to make you lean in and aloof enough to keep you guessing.
"Right on time as usual," Alexa joked as she settled into the booth gracefully.
