he velvet curtains felt heavier than Lina expected.
For a brief moment, she stood outside the VIP lounge, staring at the dim golden light spilling through the opening. The music from the club sounded distant here, muffled by thick walls and expensive carpet.
Her heartbeat was steady.
But slower than before.
This felt different from the other nights.
Different from the other men.
She pushed the curtain aside and stepped inside.
The room was spacious and quiet, lit only by a few elegant lamps. The air smelled faintly of aged whiskey and expensive leather.
The old man sat comfortably in a large chair near the window.
He didn't turn immediately.
He simply continued watching the city lights through the glass.
Lina walked forward slowly.
"You wanted to see me?"
The man finally turned his head.
Up close, his presence felt even stronger.
His silver hair was perfectly neat, his posture straight despite his age. Deep lines framed his face, but his eyes were sharp and alert.
Powerful eyes.
"Yes," he said calmly.
His voice carried quiet authority.
"You're Lina."
It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
He gestured toward the chair across from him.
"Sit."
Lina sat gracefully.
For several seconds, the man simply looked at her.
Not in the hungry way most men in the club did.
But with calm curiosity.
"You're younger than I expected," he said.
"I get that a lot."
A faint smile touched the corner of his mouth.
"You don't seem nervous."
"I was."
"And now?"
Lina paused.
"Now I'm curious."
The man leaned back slightly.
"That's a dangerous quality."
"Curiosity?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because curious people ask questions."
Lina raised an eyebrow.
"And that bothers you?"
"Sometimes."
Silence stretched between them.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
It felt… measured.
Like a game neither of them had explained yet.
The man reached for a crystal glass on the table and poured a drink.
"Whiskey?"
"No, thank you."
"You don't drink?"
"I like knowing what I'm thinking."
The man chuckled softly.
"That's wise."
He took a sip before speaking again.
"I watched you tonight."
"I noticed."
"You handle yourself well."
Lina shrugged slightly.
"I learn quickly."
"Yes," he said quietly.
"I can see that."
He studied her face again.
Then asked something unexpected.
"Why are you here?"
Lina didn't hesitate.
"Money."
"Most girls say survival."
"That's the polite version."
"And the honest one?"
"I don't want to be poor anymore."
The man's expression changed slightly.
Not shocked.
Interested.
"You're very direct."
"Is that a problem?"
"No."
He leaned forward slightly.
"In fact… I prefer it."
Lina watched him carefully now.
"You're different from the others," she said.
"How so?"
"You haven't touched me."
A faint smile appeared again.
"Do you want me to?"
Lina didn't answer.
The man chuckled quietly.
"I didn't ask for you tonight for that reason."
"Then why?"
"Because I was curious."
"About what?"
"You."
He placed his glass down.
"Girls like you don't usually come to places like this."
"Girls like me?"
"Smart."
Lina tilted her head slightly.
"You think I'm smart?"
"I know you are."
"How?"
"Because you're not pretending."
He leaned back again.
"Most girls here act like they love the attention."
"You prefer honesty."
"Yes."
Lina thought about that.
Then she asked the question that had been sitting in her mind all night.
"Why were you watching me?"
The man's eyes met hers directly.
"Because you're ambitious."
The word hung in the air.
"And that interests you?"
"Very much."
He stood slowly.
Despite his age, his movements were calm and controlled.
He walked toward the window again.
"The world is full of people who accept the life they're given," he said.
He glanced back at her.
"You don't seem like one of them."
"I'm not."
"That's what I thought."
He turned fully toward her again.
"What do you want, Lina?"
She answered without hesitation.
"Everything."
The man smiled.
Not amused.
Impressed.
"That's a very expensive dream."
"I know."
He studied her for another long moment.
Then he reached into his jacket and placed a thick envelope on the table between them.
"For tonight."
Lina looked at it but didn't touch it.
"You didn't even ask for anything."
The man shrugged lightly.
"Conversation is valuable too."
She slowly picked up the envelope.
It was heavier than any of the others.
Her heartbeat quickened slightly.
"You're not like the other men here," she said quietly.
"No."
"Why come to a place like this then?"
He considered the question.
Then he answered simply.
"Loneliness."
The word surprised her.
Men with his power and wealth weren't supposed to be lonely.
Yet somehow…
She believed him.
He walked toward the door.
"Our conversation tonight was interesting."
Lina stood as well.
"Will I see you again?"
The man paused.
Then he looked back at her.
"Yes."
His voice was calm.
Confident.
Certain.
"Very soon."
And with that, he left the room.
Lina stood there for several seconds, staring at the envelope in her hands.
Something about that man unsettled her.
But it also intrigued her.
Because for the first time since arriving in the city…
She felt like she had just met someone who could change everything.
And she had no idea how right that feeling would turn out to be.