Oliver arrives at where he will be meeting with the lady. It was a restaurant named le château, it is one of the city's most exclusive restaurants.
He walked in and his presence drew quick glances, even from the waitresses but he didn't care.
Mark saw him and led him to the private room he already reserved.
Inside the private room, a woman stands to greet him.
She was dazzling.....a little too dazzling.
Her dress shimmered like liquid gold, hugging her every curve. Her blonde hair was pinned up elegantly and her perfume filled the room the moment Oliver walked in.
" Good evening, Mr Rothwell" she said with a bright and confident smile. " I'm Mia, it's nice to meet you again".
Oliver's brows pulled together slightly.
He acknowledged her greeting and sat down, his eyes never leaving her face as she also sat down.
'Something wasn't right ' he thought to himself.
The woman he remembered wasn't this polished. She had been softer, scared and innocent looking even under the pink wig and heavy makeup.
And her scent, so light and sweet but this woman's scent was sharp and strong that he is already getting a headache.
Still he stayed quiet and didn't voice out his doubt and wanted to test her.
" You were in room 204 that night at the club, right?" He asked calmly.
Her smile flickered just a bit " yes " she said quickly .... " That was me"
Oliver studied her closely. Her voice didn't match with what he remembered of the lady's voice.
Oliver leaned back in his seat with a calm expression ' I see"
Inside though, he knew she wasn't the one and felt disgusted with mia lying to his face like he was a fool.
But he didn't call her out
" I wanted to thank you " he said flatly.
" And to make things right, tell me how much you want?"
Her lashes fluttered ... " Money? Oh no... I... I wasn't thinking about that. I just.... Helped you that night because you looked like you needed it "
He gave a slow nod " alright then " and stood up to leave.
Mia's eyes widened. Her heart dropped. That wasn't the reaction she had hoped for.
" Wait.... Mr Rothwell " she called out, panic rushing into her voice.
He paused and didn't turn.
" I don't want your money " she said quickly, softening her tone. " But.... I do need a way out. A job at your company. I'm tired of working at the club. I only worked at the club because of some... unfortunate circumstances"
Her voice trembled at the right places. She looked at his back, hoping he'd pity her and find her different.
But all he said was " I'll think about it" then he walked out.
Mark was waiting by the door " all done sir??"
Oliver straightened his sleeve, his expression unreadable.
" That wasn't her "
Mark blinked " what? But I checked. The manager confirmed she was the one who booked that room and was in the club that night.."
" She isn't the one " Oliver said flatly.
" Keep looking, especially through her. I think she's connected to the one I'm looking for"
Mark nodded, but his confusion was still uncleared . " Understood sir"
...
Mia sat in the private room long after Oliver left.
Her hands were still stiff on her lap, her smile long gone.
He wasn't supposed to walk away like that.
Not so easily.
Not without looking at her twice.
She bit the inside of her cheek.
Did he notice something?
Did he see through me?
He'd said he would "think about it."
She didn't know whether to be relieved or terrified.
A man like him saying he'd think about it meant nothing....Or everything.
Because Mia knew the truth.
She wasn't the woman they were looking for.
But she knew exactly who it was.
....Flashback....
That day, the same evening Donna didn't return to the club after leaving earlier, Mia had come in and gone straight to Room 204 the room she always booked. Donna used it too, but it was mainly hers. Donna usually arrived on time, but the room was empty and also earlier when signing in, she didn't see Donna's name.
She dialed Donna's number.
" Girl where the hell are you?" She asked immediately the line was connected.
" You're not on the list tonight. You sick or something?" She added.
Donna replied and then chatted for a very short time before hanging up.
Mia had just set her phone down when a sudden knock hit the door.
She frowned, annoyed, and opened it.
Her manager was standing there, head slightly bowed, his voice suddenly too polite.
He only behaved like this with powerful people.
Beside him stood a man in a dark suit, tall, clean cut and calm. His expression was stiff, almost awkward.
"Miss Tasha" the manager said, "this gentleman wants to speak with you."
Then he disappeared down the hallway, abandoning her instantly.
The man cleared his throat. "My name is Mark."
Mia crossed her arms. "What is it?"
Mark shifted uncomfortably. He looked like he hated being here.
"I just need to know… were you in this room last night?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Why?"
"Please," he said, avoiding her eyes, "just say yes or no."
Mia shook her head stubbornly. "Not until you tell me why you're asking."
Mark sighed heavily. It was clear he didn't want to explain.
"My boss was drugged last night," he said quietly. "He ended up here… with someone, as intimately... And some people were after him."
He paused, then slipped...
"My boss, Mr. Oliver Rothwell....."
Mia froze.
That name…
It is very popular and everyone knows who bears such name.
The Rothwell heir. Wealthy and Quiet. He wasn't known before until recently.
Men like him didn't get drugged and dragged into club rooms.
And they definitely didn't forget the woman involved.
A spark went off in her mind.
Donna had been in this room last night.
she'd left her here after dressing up first and rushing off with a rich client. And maybe that's why she didn't come to the club today.
And now a powerful man was searching for the woman he had been with.
One chance.
One lie.
And her life could change. After all, she was the one who brought Donna into side of the world. She helped Donna when she was desperate so if someone was going to get lucky out of this mess, why shouldn't it be her.
So Mia softened her voice and gave a small, careful nod.
"Yes," she whispered. "It was me."
Mark let out a breath of relief.
"I didn't want to admit it earlier," she added quickly, playing innocent, "because you said your boss was being chased. I didn't want trouble."
"I understand, you won't face any trouble" Mark said. "Thank you, I'll be in touch."
When he left, Mia stood alone in the room, heart pounding.
She had just taken Donna's place.
And for the first time, she felt like she might finally be the one who gets to climb up the social ladder.
But her lie wasn't enough nor her charms. She has to do something but first take Donna out of the picture.
.....
The neon lights of the club flickered against Donna's face as she stepped through the back entrance that evening.
Ariana was safely at home, believing her sister worked a normal night shift in a normal job. Donna swallowed hard at the lie she lived every day.
Her body tensed the closer she got to Room 204....the intense event that still burned in her memory.
She wasn't even at the door yet when a hand grabbed her wrist.
"Tasha?" she gasped when she turned and saw her friend. "What....?"
Mia quickly yanked her into a quiet corner, her expression strange,too urgent and too forced.
"Donna, listen," Mia started, lowering her voice.
"I… think you should start...."
Donna's phone rang loudly, cutting her off.
Her heart jolted when she saw the caller ID.
Ariana.
She answered immediately. "Ria? What's wrong?"
She listened for only three seconds before her face drained of all color.
"What? No....stay in your room. Don't open your room door. I'm coming."