Chapter 8 Failed scheme

Meanwhile, after Alex stepped into the club, he made his way to Jason's usual section. His thoughts kept hovering around the guy who bumped into him earlier and why he looked familiar. He had the feeling that they had met before but couldn't place it. He tried to get it off his chest as he focused on the people enjoying themselves on the dance floor.

He was beginning to enjoy the lively energy around them when Larrisa suddenly appeared at their table. Without so much as a glance at him or Jason, she greeted the two other guys politely, then turned, hips swaying dramatically as she walked away like they didn’t exist.

Jason raised a brow and leaned toward his cousin. “Bro… what just happened?”

Alex chuckled, clearly amused. “What just happened is a good thing—someone finally learned how to behave.”

They both burst into laughter.

Still grinning, Alex casually scanned the crowd, until his eyes caught someone familiar. His smile vanished. Sitting alone at a table near the edge of the room, away from the dance floor, was a guy who seemed familiar. He was absorbed in his phone, unaware of the attention he’d drawn.

Alex straightened, suddenly alert, a spark of recognition tightening in his chest. “That’s him… the guy who bumped into me at the mayor’s birthday bash. I need to know who he is, and why he seems familiar.” He muttered inaudibly.

Just as Alex stood up to move, a girl approached Lucas with a bright smile and handed him a cocktail. Lucas politely refused at first, but after her gentle insistence, he accepted, though the hesitation in his eyes didn’t go unnoticed.

Alex narrowed his eyes, watching closely as the girl handed Lucas the drink. A flicker of unease stirred in him. Is she his girlfriend? The thought twisted in his chest with a strange sting of jealousy. He pinched his palm under the table and muttered inwardly, “Alex, get a grip. You don’t even know this guy.”

But despite the self-check, his gaze remained locked on Lucas, who eventually raised the glass and downed the rest in one gulp.

Feeling oddly parched, Alex waved over a waiter and ordered a juice. As he took his first sip, he noticed the girl leaving Lucas’ table. As time went by, she didn’t return.

A knot of suspicion began to form in his gut Lucas's countenance changed. He shook his head and attempted to stand but wobbled unsteadily. He slumped back into his seat, visibly dazed. He shook his head again like he was trying to clear it, but it only made things worse. When he stood again, he nearly lost his balance.

That was when a man appeared from nowhere, his face partially hidden by a cap pulled low. He grabbed Lucas, steadying him. Alex sat up straighter, eyes narrowing. “Who the heck is that?” He whispered to himself. The stranger didn’t speak. He simply helped Lucas off the table and led him away.

“What the hell is going on?” Alex muttered sharply, eyes glued to the scene unfolding before him. “Did they just spike that guy’s drink?” He asked aloud, but the pounding music swallowed his voice. No one noticed.

A sharp wave of concern hit him. Without thinking, he shot to his feet. “I’ll be right back,” he said to no one in particular and began weaving his way through the crowd.

The dance floor was packed, slowing his pace, so he rerouted around the edge of the room and took the staircase to the lodge section. His pulse was already racing, and not just from the climb.

At the far end of the hallway, he spotted them.

The man in the face cap was walking slowly, practically dragging the semi-conscious Lucas with him, checking room numbers one by one. Alex’s jaw clenched as the man stopped at a door, opened it, and led Lucas inside.

His gut screamed that something was off.

Just then, a room service staff member stepped out of a nearby room. Acting fast, Alex slipped into the room before the door shut completely, whispering urgently, “Please, hold the door. I’m watching someone suspicious. Just give me a sec.”

The surprised staff froze in place, and Alex carefully peeked out, eyes focused on the door where Lucas had been taken. His fists curled at his sides. “If that bastard lays a hand on him…”

Then, in a few moments, the man came out. Without locking the door, he tapped his face cap down, masking his face well, and left.

Immediately, Alex thanked the room service and headed to the room.

Lucas was trying to stand up but kept staggering and murmuring, “I hate parties, this is why I hate parties. I need to…” he paused as he saw someone heading towards him.

“Hey, are you alright?” Alex asked, trying to help him stand, his eyes scanning his face. His thought wandered. He definitely resembled someone he knew, but couldn't remember who. You are staggering, “Are you alright?” he asked again.

“Of course, I'm perfectly okay, it's just that my legs are confused whether to stand or not.” He chortled, “I didn't expect him to do this again.”

“Who are you talking about?” Alex asked.

“Who else but him. Hmm, anyway, you are different from others. You have broad shoulders and I like your scent,” Lucas said, sniffing him. Then giggled, “It makes me wanna feel your kiss,” He said pouting childishly.

Alex chuckled, at his gesture and whispered inaudibly. "I like your scent too”.

Realizing he was getting carried away. He cautioned himself and cursed, “Damn it”.

Focusing back on Lucas, “Hey, they spiked your drink. I need to get you out of here.” he supported him to move. But Lucas snickered, “Out to where? We are here to stay. Come on, I want to feel your kiss”.

Those words tugged on Alex’s heart as he stared at him, wondering how a kiss with him would taste.

The thought of that made his body feel a little heated. He felt his shirt sticking to his skin. “Why am I sweating like I took the spiked drink as well?” He mumbled to himself.

Then stared up at the air conditioner, it was on. He shook his head wondering why he felt a bit drowsy. “Did he happen to be catching feelings for this guy?” He wondered but shook his head yet again as if to shake off the thoughts.

Lucas chuckled, ”Come on already, do what he paid you for or do you want me to pay you more?”

Alex's words swirled, “Is he gay?. His eyes scrutinized his drowsy eyes. “Come on, let's get you out of here.” He started to steady him to lead him out of the room, but that instant, the door opened, and a girl entered the room.

She stared at them in surprise before asking, “Who are you and what are you doing here?” She tried to pull Lucas away from him. “Get out of this room, he is my guy.”

“Your guy?” He removed her hand from him, led Lucas to the couch, walked to the door, locked it, and faced the girl. “Tell me, which sensible girl drugs his guy like this, eeh. So your plan was to rape him, right? Get ready to explain yourself to the police”. Alex said with a serious face as he pulled out his phone, and started tapping on it.

The girl's expression changed to fear. “Sir, please don't do that. You don't have to call the police. I will just leave”. She said and started heading towards the door.

“No girl, you are not going anywhere. What did you give him?” Alex asks, his eyes piercing hers.

“Nothing, my job was to seduce him and…and..”

“Seduce him and fucking what? Alex blasted with annoyance.