Hell no!

That was not the face I expected to see, as I looked up to see the owner of the voice.

And for a split second, I almost forgot how to breathe.

The man standing before me didn’t look like someone who belonged in my world. He looked different. Like he’d just walked out of one of those glossy magazine covers I usually despised. His hair was slightly messy in that intentional way men think looks effortless. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing the veins along his forearms, and his shirt fit him so well it almost looked sinful.

And those eyes, those eyes were so warm and kind.The sort of eyes that could melt an ice cold heart if he stared long enough.

I blinked, forcing myself to remember where I was. I refused to take the hand he’d stretched towards me.

Instead, I stood abruptly, straightened my clothes, and picked up my bag, quickly arranging the items that fell off. “Who are you,” I asked sharply, “and what the hell are you doing here?”

He looked startled at my tone but quickly recovered, offering a polite smile. “My apologies, Miss Vale. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” His voice was calm, deep, and annoyingly pleasant. “I’ve been trying to reach you for months. I’m Ethan Cole, investigative journalist with The City Chronicle.”

He handed me a business card, and I glanced at it briefly just enough to read his name before lifting my eyes to study him properly.

“Investigative journalist,” I repeated slowly, my voice filled with dry amusement. “You’re braver than you look if you actually thought ambushing me in my elevator was a smart move.”

“I wasn’t—” he began, but I raised a hand to stop him.

“This,” I gestured around, “isn’t the entrance to my company, and if you haven’t been able to get through to me yet, it’s because you’re not worth my time.”

He scratched the back of his neck, his cheeks slightly turned pink. “I know this isn’t proper,” he said quickly, “but I had to try. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to speak with you. It’s about something very important—”

I yawned loudly and turned away from the elevator doors. “Spare me the details, Mr. Cole. You’re boring me already incase you haven’t noticed. If you haven’t gotten an interview by now, that’s your problem, not mine. Maybe instead of staking out my building, you could use that time to properly improve your pitch.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but I was already walking away. My driver hurried forward, opening the car door.

“Have a good day, Miss Vale,” Ethan called after me.

I slid into the seat without replying, but just as the car began to move, I glanced out the tinted window. He was still standing there, smiling faintly as if he knew something I didn’t.

Damn it. He was cute.

I looked away quickly, reminding myself that I don’t do me who looked like walking temptations.

“Take me to the club,” I told my driver.

He nodded and bowed slightly.

So a little secret between us I own ‘The Crimson house’. Yes, it’s the most exclusive club in the city. But that’s strictly off the record. No one knows that, except a few people. So I prefer to stay behind the scenes.

We arrived twenty minutes later, and the neon sign of the Crimson house glowed like blood against the dark sky. The bass of the music thudded faintly through the walls even from outside. My heels clicked on the marble floor as I entered, and instantly, all eyes turned towards me.

As usual.

The manager, Cassian, spotted me almost immediately. He was standing near the bar, wiping his hands with a white towel. When he saw me, he grinned infuriatingly and walked over.

“Good evening, boss,” he said cheerfully. “It’s been a while.”

I rolled my eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? It sounds masculine and it makes me feel like I’m running a cartel.”

He chuckled, leaning one arm casually against the table. “Well, you do run things with an iron hand, and let’s be honest ‘boss’ suits you more. Remember, you’ve got that ‘Ice Queen’ reputation to maintain.”

I smirked. “Touché.”

He laughed. “So, what brings you down here tonight? Are you checking on your empire again?”

“Something like that,” I said, sitting at my usual corner. Same old business. I’m just making sure you haven’t run this place into the ground while charming your way through half the entire female staff.”

Cassian pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. “Ouch boss. You know I never mix business with pleasure.”

I arched my brow. “Oh Please Cassian, You mix everything with pleasure.”

He grinned wider and took a seat beside me, uninvited.

“I can’t remember asking you to sit dowm,” I said dryly.

He ignored me completely and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His touch lingered just long enough to make me roll my eyes.

“Have I ever told you,” he said softly, “that you’ve got the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen?”

I tilted my head toward him, resting my elbow on the table. “Yes, Cassian. You have. About a million times already. Every day, every hour, every minute.”

He chuckled. “Can you blame me though? I just can’t help myself”

“You’re so sweet-tongued,” I said, smirking. “That’s why the women can’t get enough of you.”

He stood up, still smiling. “That’s my superpower. That, and the reason you trust me enough to run this place.”

I waved a dismissive hand. “Okay superhero. Go make yourself useful, I’m starving.”

Cassian gave a playful bow. “Yes, ma’am.” Then he disappeared into the kitchen.

I took out my laptop, set it on the table and opened it. A dozen unread emails stared at me. I sighed and began replying, and for a while, the low hum of music and clinking glasses felt almost soothing.

Then the peace shattered.

Two men stumbled toward my table drunk, loud, and irritatingly confident.

“Hey there,” one of them slurred, pulling out the chair across from me before I could object. His friend stood behind him like some kind of bodyguard. “Do you mind if I join you?”

“Yes I do,” I said, without looking up.

He laughed. “Oh, come on, don’t be like that. Why’s a beautiful woman like you sitting here all alone?”

“Maybe that’s because I prefer my own company,” I said flatly, typing another sentence.

He leaned forward, his voice dropping. “Maybe I could change your mind.”

“Or,” I said sweetly, “you could fuck off and look for someone else to annoy.”

The smile on his face vanished, as he slammed my laptop shut, trapping my fingers in the process.

His friend laughed. “She’s a feisty one, huh?”

The first one sneered. “You should’ve been nice, bitch. I was just trying to talk to you.”

I inhaled slowly. Then I smiled. “You’re right,” I said softly. “My bad. Come closer please.”

He hesitated but did as I said, leaning in with a smug grin.

I whispered something so quietly only he could hear.

Then his reaction was instant.

He screamed loudly. It was a raw, blood-curdling sound that cut through the music. He clawed at his arms, shouting about spiders crawling all over him. His friend froze, his face pale, as the man ripped off his shirt and bolted toward the door, still screaming.

The crowd parted in panic, whispers filling the air. The other man ran after him, stumbling.

Cassian burst out of the kitchen just in time to see the chaos. “What the hell just happened?” he asked, staring at me. “And what did you do this time?”

I smiled innocently and took a sip from the glass of wine the waiter had just brought. “Nothing,” I said smoothly. “I just decided to teach someone a valuable lesson about manners.”

Cassian sighed, rubbing his temples. “You can’t keep hexing people in my club, boss.”

“It’s my club,” I corrected, setting my glass down. “And technically, I can do whatever I want.”

He shook his head, a half-smile tugging at his lips. “You know you’re impossible.”

I smirked. “Yeah, that’s what everyone says.”

He sighed, muttered something and headed back into the kitchen, but I called out. “Cassian, when are the bodies coming in?”.

I know what you must be thinking. What bodies is she talking about? And what is she going to do with them?

Well, the Crimson House is not an ordinary place. It’s the most exclusive, most expensive club in all of New York City. Only the elite, the truly powerful, the dangerous, and the obscenely wealthy gets in.

From the outside, it may look like an ordinary luxury club. A glass façade dripping with gold accents, laughters echoing through the velvet-curtained balconies, the scent of champagne and smoke clinging to the air. But inside, it’s another world entirely. It’s a place where the boundaries between humans and the supernatural blur under dim crimson lights.

Ofcourse most humans don’t know about this, because it’s very easy to fool them. But for me, I can finally breathe whenever I’m here. This is my safe space, away from the exhausting performance of pretending to be human all day.

Just as I was taking in the familiar rhythm of music vibrating through the room, Cassian’s deep voice interrupted.

“My lady,” he said as he stepped outside, his voice smooth. “Your food is ready. Shall I serve it here, or…”

I cut him off before he could finish, not even looking up. “Cassian, have I ever had my meal in the presence of people before?”

He smirked. “Of course not,” he said simply.

“Then you have your answer.”

He lowered his head, the faintest trace of amusement tugging at his lips. “Very well then. I’ll have it served in your private VIP room.”

“Good,” I murmured, grabbing my bag and following him through the corridor.

The truth is, it’s no longer a secret that supernaturals lives among humans in New York. They could be sitting beside you at a café, buying flowers at a corner stall, or whispering things into your ear on the dance floor. You’d never know. Why? Because they have learnt how to hide it and blend in as humans, just as I have.

Cassian knows what I am. Atleast the witch part, not the other darker part of me. And so most of my staff are humans. They’re useful, loyal, and they know enough to keep their mouths shut. It’s best to have humans around when you run a place like this. They draw less attention, and besides, their fear makes them obedient.

When I stepped into my private VIP room, the atmosphere shifted. The lights dimmed automatically, revealing soft colored walls, a long velvet sofa, and a glass table. I dropped my bag on the table, kicked off my heels, and sank into the sofa just as Cassian entered with a tray.

He’s the only one allowed to serve me, more like the only human I trust and honestly, I don’t trust humans. He dropped the plates on the table, and began announcing what I was going to have . “For entrée,” he began, his voice sounding a bit dramatic, “we have steak with risotto on the side. If you’re feeling indulgent, we also have lobster surf and turf. And for dessert, a salted caramel chocolate cake. And to drink, water, which is very important, then your personal favorite the 1947 Chevalier Blanc.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as i clapped mockingly. “Do you have to be this dramatic every time you bring me food, Cassian? You know at this rate, it’ll be cold and stale before you finish your little presentation.”

His grin widened, wicked and boyish at once. “Well, I like to think of you as the queen. Plus you’re my priority, after all, and I have to make sure you’re happy and comfortable.”

“Then perhaps you should start by letting me eat before I actually starve,” I said dryly.

He chuckled. “As you wish.” He bowed slightly and left the room.

I shook my head, smiling to myself. Silly Cassian. He’s the only one who isn’t afraid of me. Or maybe he is, and he’s just better at hiding it. He treats me differently from most men I’ve met, and although I’d never admit it aloud, I don’t entirely hate it. But still, I don’t hesitate to put him in his place when necessary.

I began eating slowly, savoring every bite. I don’t rush my meals. Real food, is a luxury I rarely allow myself to have. And tonight, it might take a while for me to finish up as I occasionally glanced between my plate and the files scattered across the table.

Then I heard it, a commotion outside. People were arguing, raised voices, constant bickering.

Before I could make sense of it, the door bursted open.

Lucien.

I exhaled sharply, not even surprised. “Of course,” I muttered under my breath.

One of my staff followed him in, flustered and pale. “I’m so sorry, ma’am,” she stammered. “I tried to stop him, but he insisted he wanted this room—”

I raised my hand, cutting her off. “Shut up. I’m not interested in hearing your lazy ass excuses. Get out.”

Her eyes widened. She bowed quickly and left.

Lucien stood there grinning, like a man who knew exactly how much he annoyed me.

Before I could speak, Cassian stormed in, grabbing Lucien by the collar and shoving him back. “You can’t just barge in here,” he growled. “My apologies, ma’am, I’ll get him out of here immediately—”

“Cassian,” I interrupted calmly. “Let him go.”

He hesitated, confusion flickering across his face. “But—”

“He’s not worth the headache. And also, he’s a VIP, so he should be treated as one. Meanwhile he’s a business partner so I can handle him.” My tone gave room for no argument.

Cassian’s jaw tensed. He looked at Lucien like he wanted to tear him apart, but eventually released him and backed away.

“If he causes any trouble—”

“I’ll deal with it. You can go” I said firmly.

He lingered for a moment, then turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Lucien smoothed his collar, unbothered. “Well, that was dramatic,” he said lightly, taking the seat across from me.

I didn’t respond. I just went back to my meal, pretending he didn’t exist.

“Lovely place you’ve got here,” he added after a moment, then reached forward and, to my disgust, took a slice of my dessert.

I froze mid-bite. “Do you have a death wish?” I asked, my tone deceptively calm.

He smirked. “Relax princess. I’m not here to start a war with you. I was just curious.”

“Curious enough to trespass?” I arched my brow. “Or are you stalking me? I’m certain a man like you, has better things to do.”

He chuckled. It was a low sound that crawled under my skin. “If stalking you gets me your attention, I wouldn’t mind doing it more.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re insufferable.”

“Perhaps I am,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “But I’m here for the same reason everyone else is, and that’s to have fun. I wanted this particular room, that’s all. So when I was told it was being occupied, I had to see who was occupying it.”

I set my fork down and stared at him. “You’re unbelievable. You can’t just disturb the peace of others, because you want attention, Lucien. You’re not the only one spending money here, we all are and being a jerk about it, doesn’t make it better .”

He tilted his head, studying me. “I guess you must be kind of a big deal here,” he said finally. “Seeing as the staff nearly fell on their knees while trying to please you.”

“They are just doing their job,” I said coolly. “They have to make sure that the customers are happy and satisfied. That’s how every business works. You, of all people should know that much. So it’s not a big deal.”

He smirked but said nothing. Then without warning, he leaned forward, placed his elbows on the table, as his eyes locked mine.

For a moment, the air shifted. The music outside dimmed into nothing, and the candlelight flickered as if it sensed something dark between us.

Then he whispered, “I finally know what you are.”