The intense and handsome stranger.

Author's point of view

Crystal entered the lounge and immediately set down her tray on the central table. She observed a cluster of men relaxing casually on the couches, mostly adorned in formal attire, with a few of them sporting leather garments.

Strippers were present to keep them entertained, but most of them seemed distracted by her presence; they kept glancing at her with fascination written all over their faces, and she wondered why.

The men were each in the company of strippers except for one, who was seated in a corner, smoking a cigarette.

Crystal quietly brought out the drinks and deposited them gently on the table.

In a fleeting moment, she surreptitiously observed the enigmatic gentleman, whose tresses were a deep shade of brown and whose piercing blue eyes were akin to the glimmering sea. His perfectly defined jawline and pale complexion were accompanied by lips the color of crimson. He exuded an aura of confidence and focus.

"Truly, this man was a work of art, and he was so devastatingly handsome," she gasped internally.

In a fleeting moment, their gazes locked, his piercing blue eyes delving into the depths of her innermost being. It appeared as if they were seeking something within her.

As her knees weakened, she swiftly averted her gaze, unable to sustain eye contact with him.

"Why am I acting this way?" she internally asked herself.

She could feel and hear her heart racing violently.

"Snap out of it, Crystal James!" she whispered to herself as she quickly made her way out of the lounge.

As she left, she could sense his gaze lingering on her. As soon as she exited the lounge, she let out a sigh of relief.

"Are you okay?" Tom questioned her, glancing confusedly at her.

She shot him a puzzled look as he gestured towards her face. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"Your face! You look flustered," he replied.

"Oh, that? It's nothing," she answered, whipping her hands on her face.

Tom looked at her with confusion before smirking with a sense of understanding.

"Did he notice anything?" she mentally slapped herself as she watched him leave.

She tugged hard at her hair in embarrassment as she glanced around, hoping that no one noticed anything.

Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of Derek and let out a piercing scream.

Crystal hurriedly pursued him, dashing up the staircase with speed.

She called his name over and over again, but he didn't hear; of course, he wouldn't be able to with the loud music playing at the club.

As she observed him enter through a doorway, she attempted to do the same, but a bouncer obstructed her path.

"This is a restricted area, miss," the bouncer firmly declared to her.

Crystal was unaware of her location, as she had trailed after Derek to a place referred to as the "Off Boundary Room." Entry was restricted to the manager and a chosen group of individuals, with only a handful of VIP guests being granted access.

She had long been curious about the purpose of that particular room and the reason for its existence. If privacy was a concern, then the VIP lounges were offered as a solution. Tom suggested that she should observe more and inquire less.

Crystal descended the stairs slowly towards the bar area.

"Where have you been?" Tom questioned hastily.

"I wanted you to deliver these drinks. Don't worry, though; Kate's taken care of it," he said.

"Oh, sorry about that, Tom. I was upstairs," she responded with a gloomy expression.

"At the VIP lounge?" He asked, casting a suspicious glance at her.

"In the off-boundary room," she replied absentmindedly.

"What?" he shouted, shocked to the core.

She glanced at him, realizing what she had just uttered. "Oh no. I didn't get in; the bouncer made sure of that," she hurriedly replied, clearing the air.

She became even more inquisitive when he released a breath of relief.

"Really? Are you implying that there's something concealed or confidential that I'm not supposed to be aware of? She asked, casting a confused glance at him.

He let out an exasperated sigh at her question, which made her roll her eyes. She urged him to say something, sending a sharp glare in his direction.

"I don't know, Crystal," began Tom, "all I know is that it's dangerous and off-limits," he replied, sending her a pointed look.

"What are you so curious about, though? You never seemed to care about it before," he added.

Crystal cast a look towards the stairs and exhaled audibly. "I saw a familiar face enter that place," she whispered.

"What!" His eyes widened as he exclaimed in surprise.

She looked at him with suspicion, scanning his facial expressions.

"Are you positive about what you saw?" he inquired, attempting to conceal his anxious and troubled demeanor.

"I am sure. It was certainly Derek. He is—I mean, he was my best friend until he disappeared a few years ago," she bemoaned with a sullen look.

"I don't know what to say, but you should be careful when you next see or meet him," he said with a look of concern in his eyes.

"Why? He's my friend, and I've known him since we were kids," she stated matter-of-factly.

He let down his hands dramatically in surrender. "I know, but just know this: most of the people who go into that room are dangerous, and you should avoid them."

Crystal gazed at him with disbelief and was so perplexed that she could not articulate a single word. "Fine! I'll just wait here until he comes downstairs," she expressed her resolution, eliciting a mirthful laugh from him.

"Have you forgotten?" He asked, folding his arms over his chest. She gave him a quizzical look before suddenly realizing what he meant.

When she started working there, she realized that not everyone who went inside that room came back downstairs.

She had asked Tom, and he told her there was a secret pathway inside the room. She shook her head in frustration and collapsed onto the chair beside her.

"I'm so sorry, Crystal," Tom announced, sending her a sympathetic look before taking his leave.

"Argh!" she groaned in frustration. "I'll just have to find a way to get in there then."