Chapter 23 The Snake And The Weasel Roman “When we agreed to go on… this with you, I never thought we'd be coming to a place like this.” Chloe took a sip of her drink, “Well, Dean brought the idea. I just went along… but isn't it wonderful? We get to have such scandalous fun before the wedding.” She giggled like a junkie while gesturing to the lush environment. It wasn’t sleazy like some of the ones in Philly. This is upscale and luxurious. You could tell that shit goes down in here and not a whisper of it is heard outside these walls. No blinking neon signs or sticky bar stools. The lighting was low and warm, casting honeyed shadows over velvet booths and polished floors. Everything smelled like money, expensive perfume, cigars and mystery. Dancers moved like silk across the stage, twisting, curling, bending in ways that made physics weep. Wearing nothing but skyscraper heels and diamonds. And yes, I've frequented lots of these places. I'm actually a VIP client at one back home. All work and no play, makes Roman a very dull man. We were in a private lounge with floor-to-ceiling curtains. A bottle of Moët chilled in a silver bucket, already sweating. Dean popped the cork and poured with unnecessary flair like he was intoxicated. Only one stubborn part of his shirt clung to his waistband, like it hadn’t gotten the memo he was falling apart. Chloe curled up beside him like a cat marking territory, her eyes on me. Savannah muttered, "Could’ve just gone for tacos." Dean shrugged. "We figured we could try something new. You only live once, Sav.” “Well, it's loud and kinda unsettling.” She rubbed her arms like she was cold. Dean's eyes dropped to Savannah's breasts and he decided it was the perfect moment to say something stupid. He leaned in to whisper to us, reeking of alcohol already. “Well, she used to moan louder than the music in here.” Savannah gasped loudly. Chloe was out of earshot. I grabbed him by the collar and whispered back. “If you want to end up at the bottom of a river by tomorrow, I dare you to say that again.” He didn't. He just grinned, winked at her and crawled back to his fiancée. Disgusting pig. Chloe turned around in the front seat. "It’s fun. There’s music, there’s dancing, there’s privacy. It’s not that serious.” She pointed a finger to her lip. “Besides, spontaneity is the spice of life.” “Variety.” I corrected abruptly. Savannah did not bother to hold in her laughter. “Same thing.” She insisted. “Whatever floats your boat, blondie.” I raised a drink to her. She bit back whatever venomous response she wanted to dish out and instead turned to Savannah. “So, sis, you never told us the full story of how you guys met.” She rested her chin on her clasped fingers. “Tell us, we've got all night to listen. At least until the main show begins.” I wondered what show these fools keep referring to? I just know it's nothing good. “Well, it's a really funny story.” Savannah began. “You know how much I love a good laugh, Sav.” Dean winked. “Me too.” Chloe asserted. “I chewed on his very expensive Montblanc.” Savannah blurted out. “What?” Chloe blurted out. “That's it?” Dean leaned back and looked at us like we had suddenly sprouted two horns. “You're kidding, right?” I laughed. “I'm not.” Savannah insisted. Chloe turned to me, “She's not?” I shook my head. “That's the truth.” I'm afraid the only truth we've ever told any of you guys about this mystery romance. She folded her arms and leaned back. “That's strange, Sav. I could swear I've never seen anyone have such a strange first encounter.” “We all can't be stealing our sister's man, can we?” Chloe's grip on her glass tightened. “Please, tell us more.” Dean slightly slurred, raising his drink a little high before downing it. I watched the condensed liquid from the glass drip down his thighs. He looked drunk as hell. Savannah cleared her throat before unenthusiastically beginning the story. “I was two weeks into my new job, already exhausted, already rethinking every life decision that led me to corporate finance. I walked into a staff meeting late and grabbed the only empty chair left. It was right next to Roman Blackwood. We hadn’t met yet. But he was that guy—the sharp-dressed, always calm one who everyone said had a scary IQ and ‘the emotional availability of a dead battery.’ And nervous me? I accidentally grabbed his pen and nervously chewed on the cap during a presentation. When Roman finally leaned in and whispered, ‘That pen costs more than your rent,’ I told him it now tastes like fear and shame. After the meeting, I sent him an apology cupcake with a sticky note that said, ‘I promise not to gnaw on any of your other assets. Probably.’ He showed up at my desk two hours later and offered me another pen that was chew proof. And just like that—we became chaos and calm personified. From best friends to falling in love with each other. I made him laugh and he made me feel grounded. He taught me how to balance a portfolio and I taught him how to curse someone out professionally via email.” She concluded her story with a smile. They both looked blown away. “It's a captivating story, I must agree.” The weasel was drunk out of his mind at this point. Chloe cocked her head to the side. “How lucky you are, Sav. You're constantly attracting men way out of your league. I must say, I'm impressed.” If she wasn't a girl, she'd have had my fist in her face a long time ago. It's almost surprising how much she hates her sister and how far she'd go, just to humiliate her. Savannah didn't seem rattled by the insult, instead she smiled. “Thank you. That's my job, isn't it? I find. You steal. Isn't it, sis?” She smirked. The snake glared daggers at her. “It was never yours if it can be stolen.” Sav cocked her head to the side, “Just like your ballet instructor job? And the yoga instructor one too, didn't you steal them from other people? So in that case, they're not yours.” I snorted with laughter. “It's not my fault that I attract what doesn't belong to me. It's called charisma, sis. You don’t have it.” Savannah's hand landed on my thigh. “You can't steal this one. He's mine.” Chloe's smile tightened and she eyed Savannah before turning to me. “So, Roman… isn't it crazy that you're actually Emily's uncle, but you've never even met her or her mom until Savannah brought you here?” “Apparently.” I replied, having no patience for this overstretched conversation. “What a small world we live in. So close, yet so far.” The way she said it made my eyes snap to hers immediately. I got the message. Loud and clear. Before the strange conversation could stretch any further, a hostess appeared. She leaned in and whispered something to Chloe. Her eyes immediately fell on us, her lips curled in a wicked smirk. Dean looked excited, eyes set on Savannah. Savannah stiffened beside me, obviously sensing that something was wrong. “Don’t be nervous, sis. This is your moment.” The snake and the weasel were up to no good. If they touch her, I’ll break something expensive. “The show's about to start.”