Chapter 3 The Club Encounter
Maddie's POV
The pulsating beats of the music engulfed me as I stepped into the vibrant atmosphere of the club. The air was thick with excitement and anticipation, and I could feel the energy surging through the crowd. My eyes darted around, searching for a familiar face among the sea of strangers.
I spotted the interns huddled near the bar, their laughter carrying over the pulsating bass. I made my way through the crowd, weaving through dancers and dodging a stray elbow or two.
As I drew closer, my heart skipped a beat. Mariko stood at the center of the group, effortlessly commanding attention with his magnetic presence. His charisma seemed to illuminate the entire room, and I found it hard to tear my gaze away from him. I couldn't help but admire the way he engaged with the interns, his smile genuine and infectious. The ease with which he connected with people was something I had always admired about him since I started to work at Sternpoint, and tonight was no exception.
Taking a deep breath to steady my racing heart, I approached the group. As I drew near, Mariko's eyes met mine, and a jolt of electricity coursed through my veins. For a moment, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us in our shared gaze. Feeling a blush creep up my cheeks, I looked away, suddenly unsure of myself. With him being the director of a company, a man of status and influence, while I was just a lowly assistant, trying to find my footing in the professional world. But fate had its own plans. Mariko excused himself from the group and made his way toward me, his steps deliberate and purposeful. The butterflies in my stomach fluttered with a newfound intensity as he closed the distance between us.
"Hello, Maddie," his voice, soft and melodic, greeted me.
"Hi," I managed to reply, my voice betraying a hint of nervousness.
He leaned against the bar, his eyes never leaving mine. "You look absolutely stunning tonight." I changed into a short red dress, the length just above my knees, it was a bit glittery. My heels were black. My hair was loose but in curls.
I felt a warmth spread through my chest, and I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you. You look quite dashing yourself."
He smiled as if he was trying to keep his laugh at bay. "I wore this suit at work, I didn't change into a new suit," he found it amusing.
I was embarrassed because I could have done better, but due to nerves, I had to say that. "Sorry," I smiled, looking ahead of me as a bartender stood in front of us.
"I will have a Scotch neat," Mariko said as he continued to lean against the bar.
The bartender looked at me. I was nervous about ordering in front of Mariko, "A Dirty Martini, please," I finally said. The bartender nodded and walked off to the background as he got busy with our drinks.
"You do not need to apologize because of my attire. But you do look stunning," he repeated. I looked at him and he held my gaze. Silence settled between us, the magnetic pull between us was undeniable, but I couldn't ignore the nagging doubts that lingered in the back of my mind. He was older, more established, and held a level of power that intimidated me. My past.
I mustered the courage to voice my reservations, needing to be honest despite the overwhelming attraction I felt. "Mariko, I have to be honest. The idea of dating someone from the office, especially someone in such a senior position, feels complicated."
His expression softened, and he leaned in slightly, his eyes filled with genuine curiosity. "I understand your concerns, Maddie. But sometimes, life gives us unexpected opportunities. It's up to us to decide if we want to take a chance on them. On the other hand, who said anything about dating? Certainly not me," the corners of his lips curled up further as he continued to find this amusing and I just kept on embarrassing myself because I was looking at this completely wrong, but at least I put it out there.
"I just had to put it out there for anyone," I tried to recover from my embarrassment. He continued to smirk at me.
His words struck a chord deep within me, resonating with my desire to embrace the unknown. But there was more to my hesitation than just office dynamics. There was a history, a past that I carried with me, a reason I had always been wary of dating wealthy men after Ash. It was something I wasn't quite ready to share with anyone yet.
"It's not just that," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "There are reasons why I've been cautious about getting involved with someone... affluent."
Mariko's brow furrowed with concern, and he reached out, gently touching my hand. "Maddie, you don't have to tell me anything, but if you want to talk, my office door is always open and I will listen." he removed his hand from mine as the bartender placed our drinks on the bar counter. I could still feel his touch on my hand, it somehow felt familiar to me, but there were a lot of people whom I shook hands with or whatever. I took my glass of Dirty Martini, there were three olives on a cocktail stick in my Martini. I took a sip of it while Mariko actually took two huge sips of his and he placed an empty glass on the counter.
Mariko's understanding and empathy overwhelmed me, washing away some of my fears. It was in that moment that I realized Mariko wasn't just a powerful figure in the company, he was a man who genuinely cared about me.
"Thank you," I said, sincerity lacing my words. "That means a lot to me."
He smirked, "I didn't know that this would end up being your scene," he looked to the crowd behind me, before holding my gaze again. My brows furrowed because it wasn't my scene, I only went to clubs when invited and when I needed to forget about Ash. "A girl once told me that this was not her scene, she was also dressed in a red, glittery dress...beautiful." he smiled as he stared into space, as if daydreaming. "An angel dressed in red. She celebrated her birthday, but not in the way that she wanted," he looked at me again. Doesn't this man ever get tired of smiling? But on a serious note, I'm trying to wreck my brain as to why this sounds more and more familiar.
"I make exceptions when I'm invited to these types of places, but not my scene as you are correct with that one." I said, still trying to wreck my brain. How does Mariko know that this isn't my scene? Has anyone told him? The only issue is...I never told anyone besides Ash and perhaps an old friend, but since moving to Seattle, I have been so isolated to myself, I didn't have friends here, just the occasional greetings with my colleagues, but further than that, I would bury myself in work and then my studies too.
He moved closer to me and I froze, my lips parted, it was getting hot. He looked at my Martini. "A good girl orders a Dirty Martini," he took the cocktail stick from my Martini, studying the olives, "A good girl is one who radiates kindness, compassion, and strength. She embraces her flaws and learns from her mistakes, growing wiser with each step. She stands up for what she believes in and lifts others up with her unwavering support. A good girl is resilient and confident, yet humble and empathetic. She embodies grace and resilience, her actions speaking louder than words. Yet, a good girl is no longer bound by societal expectations," he declared. "She is unafraid to indulge in the flavors of life, embracing her desires with a touch of rebellion. She sips from the cup of experience, tasting both the sweet and the bitter, for it is through these moments that she discovers her true essence." As Mariko finished his words, he glanced up at me as he sunk his teeth into one olive seductively, chewing the olive as he put the other two olives on the cocktail stick in my Martini, leaning closer to me, his scent filled my nostrils. My heart stopped because he was so close to me now. Goosebumps travelled all over my body as I felt his breath against my ear, "Now, that's a good girl too," I tensed as he pulled away, smiling at me before he walked away.
I was frozen in my spot. Realization finally dawned on me. No, it can't be.