CHAPTER FOUR: A NIGHT IN NEW YORK

THE ENCOUNTER

The vibrant nightlife of New York City pulsed around Clara as she stepped into an expensive lounge, her eyes scanning the crowd for a distraction from her turbulent thoughts. Leon’s rising success hit at her, and she desperately needed a night away from her regrets and frustrations.

The bar was sleek and modern, filled with an eclectic mix of business executives, artists, and socialites. Clara made her way to the counter, her presence immediately drawing the attention of the bartender.

“What can I get you, miss?” he asked with a professional smile written all over him.

“Something strong,” Clara replied, forcing a smile of her own.

As the bartender mixed her drink, Clara’s gaze wandered, landing on a tall, striking man across the room. He was impeccably dressed, exuding an air of confidence that was hard to ignore. Their eyes met, and he flashed a charming smile, making his way over to her.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked, his voice smooth and inviting.

Clara shrugged, pretending to be indifferent. “Sure, why not?”

He settled into the seat next to her, signaling the bartender for a drink. “I’m David,” he introduced himself, extending a hand.

“Clara,” she replied, shaking his hand.

They exchanged pleasantries, their conversation flowing easily as they sipped their drinks. Clara found herself laughing more than she had in months, the weight of her worries temporarily lifted. David was witty, engaging, and attentive, a perfect antidote to her troubled mind filled with regrets and pain.

Hours passed in a blur of laughter and shared stories. Clara felt a rare sense of liberation as they moved to the dance floor, their bodies swaying to the rhythm of the music. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and as the night wore on, they found themselves leaving the lounge together, wrapped in a haze of alcohol and attraction.

“Where do you stay?” Clara asked, filling tipsy.

“I own this city, I can stay anywhere I want”David replied with pride written all over him.

“Sure, take me to your place,”Clara said as she hugged him.

David firmly held her, ordering his bodyguards to open the car door of his Range Rover sports, they both got in and the driver Kickstarted the engine and drove off.

The next morning, Clara woke up in a luxurious hotel suite, sunlight streaming through the curtains. She blinked, trying to piece together the events of the previous night. The bed next to her was empty, the sheets rumpled, and a faint scent of cologne lingered in the air.

She was naked on the bed, and she quickly turned to search for her clothes.

Groaning, she stood up, rubbing her hair. Her head throbbed with a hangover, and she vaguely remembered David mentioning something about an early meeting. She stumbled out of bed, searching for her clothes, which were scattered around the room.

As she dressed, there was a knock on the door. Clara frowned, opening it to find a waitress holding a tray with coffee and breakfast.

“Good morning, ma’am,” the waitress said cheerfully, setting the tray down on the table. “Mr. David Bennett ordered this for you before he left. He also arranged for a private jet to take you back to Los Angeles.”

Clara’s heart skipped a beat. “David Bennett?” she repeated, a sinking feeling in her stomach.

The waitress nodded, oblivious to Clara’s distress. “Yes, ma’am. He said he hoped you enjoyed your night and had a safe trip back.”

“David Bennett?”, the name reminded her of Leon Bennett, hopefully it wasn't his brother.

“Yes ma’am David Bennett, he owns this place”The waitress said,

“Where is he from?”Clara asked.

“Ma’am I don't know much but rumor has it that he is from Kansas,”The waitress said.

Leon is from Kansas city, Leon never spoke about having a brother, hopefully this is not what she thinks it was.

As her mind went back, they looked alike in sort of a way, the similarities the way they spoke was the same, Infact what drew her close to David last night was because he looked a little bit like Leon.

She sat down heavily on the bed, the room spinning around her. The waitress left, and Clara sipped the coffee absently, her thoughts a jumbled mess. This could complicate everything. David had seemed so charming and genuine, but now she wondered if he had known who she was all along.

Determined to get some answers, Clara quickly packed her things and made her way to the private jet waiting at the airport. The flight back to Los Angeles was a blur, her mind consumed with worry and uncertainty but also filled with fun.

When she landed, she was greeted by a car waiting to take her home. As she stepped out of the jet, she spotted a familiar face leaning against the car. It was David, looking as composed and confident as ever.

“David,” she said, her voice laced with tension. “ What are you here? We need to talk.”

David’s expression remained unreadable. “Of course, Clara. Let’s go somewhere private.”

They drove in silence to a secluded café on the outskirts of the city. Once inside, they took a corner table, away from prying eyes and ears. Clara could hardly contain her anxiety as she faced David, with her racing thoughts.

“Why didn’t you tell me who you really were?” she demanded, her voice trembling.

David leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady. “I didn’t think it mattered. We were just having fun, weren’t we?”

Clara’s anger flared. “It matters to me, David. Leon is your brother, for God’s sake. Do you have any idea what this could do to him if he found out?”

David’s eyes hardened. “Leon and I haven’t spoken in years. He won’t find out, not unless you tell him.”

Clara’s stomach burned with anger. “This isn’t just about us, David. Leon is building something incredible, and I... I can’t let my past with him ruin his future.”

David’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Is that why you’re here, Clara? To protect Leon? Or is it because you regret leaving him and want back into his life now that he’s successful?”

Clara’s face flushed with shame. “It’s not like that. I made mistakes, but I don’t want to hurt him any more than I already have.”

David’s expression softened slightly. “Look, Clara, I didn’t plan for this to happen. But now that it has, we need to think strategically about the future. Leon’s success can be beneficial for both of us if we play our cards right.”

Clara’s mind spun with the implications of David’s words. She had hoped to find a way back to Leon, to make amends for her past mistakes. But now, with David’s presence complicating things, she wasn’t sure what the right move was.

“I need time to think,” she said finally, her voice barely audible.

David nodded, his expression was indifferent. “Take all the time you need, Clara. Just remember, we’re in this together now and it would be beneficial as I said.”

Clara left the café, her mind was filled with confusion and regret. She had come to New York to escape her problems and past, but it seemed she had only created new ones. As she got into a taxi and went home, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her actions were about to set off a chain of events that could change everything for her, for David, and most importantly, for Leon.