Chapter 3 A Big Opportunity

• Katie’s excited smile dies the second she sees the blank confusion on my face. Her eyes narrow like she’s reevaluating our entire friendship.
• "Wait… don’t tell me you don’t know the company I’m talking about."
• I grin from ear to ear and shrug. "Surprise?"
• Katie gasps dramatically. Skylar facepalms.
• "Oh my God. She’s hopeless," Sky groans, plopping onto the couch and yanking off her earrings like she’s physically exhausted by my ignorance.
• "Seriously, what is wrong with you two? Why are you acting like I just admitted to never hearing of Beyoncé? It’s just some company, big deal."
• Katie inhales deeply like she’s about to conduct an intervention. She takes my hands like she’s preparing me for a life-or-death mission.
• "Aria. This is a huge opportunity. The pay is amazing, and it’s a secretary position—literally just scheduling meetings and looking hot in an office. You cannot miss this chance."
• I shift uncomfortably. "I don’t know… it sounds really serious. Are you sure I won’t get fired within twenty-four hours?"
• "Of course not! Plus, hardly anyone knows about the opening, so there won’t be many candidates. That means you actually have a shot. The interview is Monday, and the boss himself is conducting it."
• I relax instantly. "Oh. So it’s a male boss? Well, that solves everything." I smirk. "I’ll just seduce him, and boom—job secured."
• Katie and Skylar exchange a look. A concerned look.
• "Uh… Ari? This isn’t just any boss. We’re talking about Ace Alessandro."
• The name does a little ding in my head, but I don’t care enough to connect the dots.
• Katie throws her hands up. "Someone please tell her who Ace Alessandro is before I lose my damn mind!"
• Sky sighs. "He’s one of the richest and most powerful businessmen in the world. His wife is a famous actress. And in all my years as a reporter, I have never—and I mean never—heard a single scandal about him."
• Katie nods. "Yeah. He takes his business very seriously. You do not want to mess with him."
• I wave them off. "Yeah, yeah, but he’s still a man, isn’t he?"
• Katie’s eye twitches. "He’s a married man!"
• I chuckle. "So? That’s not a challenge, babe. Do you know how many married men I’ve been with? Sweetie, a man is a man. Unless he’s gay, which Ace clearly isn’t."
• Sky throws her hands in the air. "I give up."
• Katie groans. "Ari, please. Just this once, don’t screw it up."
• I roll my eyes. "Fine, fine. You guys seriously need to trust me more."
• Katie narrows her eyes before smirking. "Tell you what—if you ace this interview, I’ll treat you to the best meal at my restaurant."
• I gasp. She knows I can’t resist her food.
• My lips curl into a mischievous smirk. "Oh, don’t worry. I will ACE this interview. See what I did there?"
• We all groan and chuckle.
• Sky claps her hands. "Okay, but first—tonight is Friday. And Friday nights are for—"
• "CLUBBING!" we all cheer in unison.
• After dinner, we freshened up and picked our outfits—or rather, I picked them, as usual. Then came makeup, which, of course, I handled like the pro I am.
• Listen, aside from my exceptional bedroom skills, I do have another talent—fashion.
• When it comes to styling the perfect outfit or mastering a flawless makeup look, Skylar and Katie always rely on me. And naturally, I never disappoint.
• Hours later, we strut into our favorite club, greeted by blaring music and flashing neon lights. The bass booms so hard it feels like it’s vibrating in my bones.
• We weave through grinding couples, drunken girls twerking on tables, and far too many sweaty bodies.
• "I’ll get drinks!" Sky announces, winking before swaying her hips toward the bar.
• I turn to Katie. "Let’s dance?"
• She scoffs. "Uh, no. I need alcohol pumping through my veins before I even think about stepping onto that dance floor."
• I sigh. "Fine. We’ll wait for Sky."
• Katie groans, tugging at the hem of her scandalously short dress. "Let’s sit down before these six-inch heels end me. How do you always manage in these?"
• I smirk, flipping my blonde hair over my shoulder. "Talent, babe. Talent."
• We collapse onto a sleek leather couch. My royal-blue dress hikes up just enough to show off my legs—exactly how I planned. Now, I just need to pick the right man to fall at my feet.
• Sky returns with our drinks, and after a few sips of martinis, we finally hit the dance floor.
• For a while, we dance together, laughing and twirling under the flashing lights. But soon, we drift apart—each of us finding our own dance partners.
• I grind my hips against a very attractive man, not minding the roaming hands and hungry stares. Let them look. I live for the attention.
• "You’re gorgeous," my dance partner murmurs, eyes flickering down to my cleavage.
• I smirk. "Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself."
• He grins, dimples popping. "My friends are going to ask why I’m blushing like an idiot."
• I giggle, shaking my head. Adorable.
• Then—
• "Uh, do you wanna go somewhere quieter?" he asks, leaning closer, eyes filled with anticipation.
• Normally, I’d say yes. He’s hot, and I am looking for some fun tonight.
• But then—
• My eyes land on Katie.
• And I immediately forget about Mr. Dimples.
• She looks extremely uncomfortable as some guy very aggressively tries to grab her ass.
• Oh, hell no.
• "I’m sorry, I have to get back to my friends," I tell my dance partner, spinning on my heel.
• "Wait! I didn’t even get your name!" he calls after me.
• I don’t even glance back.
• Storming over, I practically yank Katie away from the sleazeball.
• "HEY! Back off, you asshole!" I shout over the music.