Chapter 3

"Hey, gorgeous!" A rough-looking man called out as she maneuvered her way through the crowd, but she only flashed him a polite smile as she continued in her quest for the bar. She quickened her steps when she felt a hand on her lower back like someone was trying to grope her, but she did not bother to look behind her to see who it was. She almost let out a sigh of relief the moment she got to the bar but frowned when she noticed there was no empty seat available around her.

"Hey pretty! It's your first time here, isn't it?" The stout middle-aged barman with a ginger-colored beard called to her with a welcoming smile, and she flashed him an embarrassed smile.

"Yeah. Sort of. I'm kind of new in the area." She explained with a nervous giggle and then chided herself for giving out too much information. She tended to talk too much whenever she was feeling nervous.

"Aw! Your first drink is on me then. Come on here and I'll get you a seat." He offered as he circled the bar and came out carrying what she suspected to be his bar stool.

"I'm Sam. What is your name?" He asked after he found a spot for the stool at the end of the bar which was directly facing the dancefloor, where a young man was seated.

"Thanks. I'm Lucinda. Lucinda Perry. But my friends call me Lucy, so I guess you can call me that too." She told him as she sat down.

Sam looked at her with a smile on his face like he could tell that she was feeling very nervous and then he extended his hand for a handshake, "Well, it's nice to meet you, Lucy. I need to get back to my position. What can I get you?" A double martini would do. Thanks." Lucy said as she settled down on her seat and looked towards the dance floor.

"Your drink," Sam said as he returned with the glass and placed it in front of her, while Lucy flashed him a smile of gratitude.

"So what brings you to the city of Ludus?" Sam asked, propping his elbow on the bar counter as he looked at her, his curiosity burning in his eyes.

She took a sip from her glass and grimaced before answering him, "Work."

"Work?" Sam asked curiously.

"Yeah. I just got transferred to the head office here." She said with a nod, making the young man seated beside her turn to spare her a glance. He said nothing as he returned his attention once again to what he had been busy with.

"Interesting. I take it you've never been to a club before today?"

She laughed self-consciously at that, "Why would you assume so?""Well, I've been on this job for over twenty years, and I can tell a newbie when I spot one; and you, my dear, are one. I've watched you from the moment you walked right in through the door." He said with a wink making her shrug.

"Well, it's my birthday, and I'm in a new place. No friends yet. So..." She shrugged again and let her words trail off.

"Hey everyone! She's new here and it's her birthday! Let's show her some love y'all!" Sam announced loudly causing the others around them to turn in their direction, they raised their glasses in a silent toast while her cheeks burned a bright red in embarrassment as she bowed politely and murmured her thanks.

"You're welcome. Feel free to come around whenever you need company." Sam said with a wink before returning to his spot to attend to some others who had just walked in.

Lucinda sighed to herself before taking out her little pocket-sized journal and a pen from her purse, ready to check some items on her to-do list.

Dressed outrageously sexy, check.

Finally tried out contact lenses, check.

Went to a club, check.

Took a double martini, check.

She paused when her eyes fell on the fifth item on her list and she swallowed nervously.

Have a one-night stand, not checked yet.

continue

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