Off-Boundary.

I could feel beads of sweat tickling down my face. "So it was indeed a dream?" I whispered, glancing around my room, wondering if what had happened was only a figment of my imagination.

I reclined on my pillow while I reminisced about the peculiar and potent dream I experienced. Surely I've lost my mind, because why was I dreaming about Derek and a stranger I caught a glimpse of at the club?

Sure, he did leave a huge impression on me, but going as far as dreaming about him? Come on! I tried to wave the dream off, but I couldn't. It felt so real. Maybe Derek was in trouble! No! I shouted, tugging hard at my hair.

"Snap out of it, Crystal! It was just a dream. Come on! shadowy figure and sword? Puff!" I scoffed at my silly self. I concluded that I had been watching too many fantasy movies on TV.

I glanced at the clock lazily. "Five minutes past 6 a.m!" I screamed as I jumped out of bed.

I'm screwed. Mr. Williams will surely have my head.

I quickly made my way into the bathroom to brush my teeth and freshen up.

**************

I felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety that night at the nightclub. I continuously checked the VIP lounge with fleeting glances in anticipation of God knows what!

"Crystal, is everything okay?" I couldn't help but notice you've been fixated on the lounge," Kate inquired with a suspicious expression.

"It's nothing." I waved a hand dismissively. "I'm just looking around," I replied, forcing out a smile that made me internally cringe at myself.

Despite my response, she remained unconvinced and only nodded her head.

I let out an exasperated sigh.

I just couldn't anymore, so I let my curiosity take over. "Who were those men last night at the VIP lounge?" I asked impatiently.

She gazed at me with a mysterious look on her face, but soon broke into a huge grin. "So, this is what this is all about!" She exclaimed while grabbing my hands and bouncing up and down with excitement.

I gazed at her with surprise, unable to comprehend. "What do you mean?" I asked, stuttering a little bit.

"You saw him, didn't you?" She grinned at me. "That man, Dante Russo, is the epitome of attractiveness," she confidently declared, striking a pose with her hand on her waist.

"Which one of them?" I asked, "There were a few of them in there." I was obviously feigning ignorance.

"Oh please! Cut the crap out, Crystal. You know who I'm speaking of. He's the most handsome. He's also quite intense," she answered, scoffing at me.

"So who's he?" I asked, glancing away shyly.

"Dante freaking Russo! He's the most handsome man ever.

"He's also freaking wealthy. And he's the owner of this club, by the way." She expressed it with a great sense of admiration and satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.

"Is he really our boss?" I exclaimed, utterly surprised.

"You look worried; did you misbehave towards him?" She eyed me suspiciously.

I let out a tense chuckle and shook my head in response. "That's not what I meant," I scoffed. "If I had been aware, I would have provided him with even better and more attentive service."

She giggled like a little girl, smiling mischievously at me. "You're whipped, isn't it? Welcome to the club. He's every woman's dream.

"I've been praying to get his attention, just for once at least." Her response was conveyed through a gaze filled with hope and a sense of wonder, as if she were in a dreamlike state.

"He barely speaks; he's a man of few words, and it's so hard to catch his attention," she bragged. "Abort the mission, Crystal; he's way out of your league." She taunted me with a smirk.

I glared sharply at her as she left.

What did she mean by "out of your league"? Puff! I scoffed, as if I were interested in the boss.

Argh! Who am I kidding? I was totally checking out my boss. He looked so handsome and dangerous all at once. I can't even believe I made eye contact with him.

How could I dream about someone I just met last night?

"Maybe because he's like the most handsome man in the world." I heard my mind reply,

"Shut up, you silly! You sound like Kate," I reprimanded myself.

Why's this happening, though? I've never cared about guys, or so I thought.

I stared longingly at the VIP lounge entrance. It was almost time to leave for home, but neither Derek nor the boss showed up.

I felt glad and disappointed at the same time, but I really wanted to see Derek and the boss.

There was just something about him. He felt like danger, someone I shouldn't associate myself with. But he had shown up in my dream, and now my curiosity was at 100 percent.

One thing is for sure, though: that dream was no ordinary one. It meant something. But I fear it might turn out to be something bigger than me.

**********

It's been a little over a month since I had that dream. I haven't seen Derek or the boss since then. It was as though they'd never existed—a fragment of my imagination.

But anytime I tried to wave them off, I remembered that dream. It was better this way, though. I had so many things to worry about other than silly dreams.

As usual, the club was busy as I glanced around absentmindedly.

While I was in the midst of cleaning the tumbler before me, my attention was immediately captured as I noticed a young man entering the off-boundary room.

"Not again!" I exclaimed in a weary tone.

His appearance resembled that of Derek. To ensure that it was truly Derek, I wiped my eyes with my hands, confirming that it was indeed Derek.

Quickly, I hastened to catch up with him, ascending the steps.

I followed his lead and proceeded to enter the off-boundary room.

I took a swift look around and noticed the bouncer answering a phone call towards the left side.

Thank goodness! I sighed in relief and swiftly went inside before he could object or hinder my entry.