Chapter 31: “What if I could help?”

Chapter 31: “What if I could help?”
Renee’s POV
“Please pass me a grape!” 
I asked laying sprawled across Andrew’s lap, my head tucked comfortably against his thigh, the soft glow of the cinema-sized screen washing the living room in muted blues and golds. The blinds were drawn tight. The house was quiet… 
He had an out of town business trip that could last for more than a week, so I needed time with my man. I had sent all the staffs home for the day so no voices and no interruptions.
Just us.
Andrew grabbed the bowl of grape and popped a grape into his mouth first, chewed noisily to catch my attention, before holding another above my lips. I eyed him and opened my mouth obediently, eyes still on the screen..
..and he tossed it into his own mouth at the last second.
“Andrew!” I gasped, jolting upright.
He laughed, deep and boyish, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Oh God, You should’ve seen your face babe..”
I smacked his arm, not hard, just enough to make my point. “You’re impossible.”
“Exactly why you love me,” he said easily.
I did. God help me, I really did.
It took me almost losing my life to realize how much I loved him.
I picked the throw pillow by my side and slapped it on his face playfully.
We wrestled lightly on the couch, laughter filling the room, until my phone vibrated against the cushion. The sound cut through the moment like a blade.
I stilled, I looked up at Andy
He smiled and nodded "Don't ignore it, pick up,” he said gently.
I obeyed and grabbed my phone off the side stool, glanced at the screen.
Lydia.
My chest tightened. I knew exactly what this was about.
I answered. “Lydia?”
Her voice came fast, clipped. “The men trailing Clark just called in. He just arrived at a club”
My eyes widened slightly. “A club? In Broadday light?”
“Exactly my thoughts too ma’am. But according to my informant, Mr Clark went home from the rink earlier, but he didn’t even stay for a good five minutes, then left again and next destination was this Club. I do think something’s wrong in his house.”
Ofcourse something had to be, I let Sarah taste a little bit of freedom, she’s definitely going to rebel.
I lifted my gaze to Andrew and smiled. He was already watching me, calm, perceptive. Understanding flickered in his eyes before I even spoke.
“What Club is he at?” I asked Lydia.
“It's Night Angels,” she said. “Ma’am, I think you should go see him, This could be the opening we need to infiltrate his home from his side.”
I nodded. “I know, but I have to stay with my fiancée….”
“Go..” Andy’s voice cut through mine. I turned to face him.
“No baby, I won’t be seeing you for two long weeks, I can’t pass this moment by..” I pleaded
“Then you have to be back before 6pm” he said grabbing my hands “I’ll have you for the entire night..” he kissed my hand causing shivers to stir inside me
“Naughty boy..” i tapped his nose then stood off the couch and sat on his lap “I’ll be back before 6, I promise..” I kissed him 
“Hello.. ma’am I’m still here?” Lydia’s voice boomed causing me to grab the phone immediately my cheeks flushing from embarrassment.
“Oh.. I’m sorry.. call my driver to come pick me..I’ll be ready in 10”
I hung up, 
“Got to go get ready..” I kissed him deeply, pouring every unspoken emotion into that moment. Then I pulled away and went up the stairs.

An hour later
“Wait right here for me” i instructed the driver.
I stepped into the bar, the air thick with smoke, scents of alcohol, and a bustling crowd.
“At this time of day, there are humans in a club? How interesting” I thought as my eyes scanned the entire place.
Then my eyes landed on him.
He sat hunched over the counter, I just watched as he poured glass after glass like water into sand. His shoulders sagged under a weight he didn’t know how to carry.
Perfect. 
I smoothed my dress, adjusted my posture, and walked toward him.
“Hey! Fancy always running into you like this?”
He froze.
Slowly… almost painfully slowly… he turned.
His eyes locked onto mine, and for a brief, delicious moment, the world seemed to tilt beneath him. His gaze swept over me, head to toe lingering, hungry, stunned.
Exactly the effect I wanted.
To break the spell, I tilted my head and added lightly, “Did I interrupt something?”
He blinked. “No. I mean…yes. I mean… I didn’t expect to see you.”
The tension in his voice thrilled me.
“Funny,” I said, sliding onto the stool beside him. “I was thinking the same thing.”
I could feel his eyes on me even when I wasn’t looking. The silence stretched, thick and electric.
“Rough day?” I asked casually.
He exhaled, lifting his glass. “You could say that.”
I signaled the bartender. “Another for him. And one for me.”
He watched me with open curiosity now, intrigue replacing confusion.
When the drinks arrived, I raised my glass. “To coincidences.”
He chuckled, then We drank.
I set my glass down and placed my hand over his, my touch deliberate. “So What’s really going on?”
“What do you mean?” He looked at me his brow arched
“Oh come on, I have eyes you know.. A man drinking at this time of day, surely everything isn’t okay.” I concluded
He gulped down his drink then said 
“You’re right! Nothing’s been okay for me since two years now” his tone slurred
“Then tell me, maybe.. just maybe I could help” i assured him
“I was supposed to play with CrownLakers two seasons ago but I got dropped for no just reason..” he drank again making a burn face as the alcohol sank in. Then he continued “Now I’m being suspended, and I heard it could be permanent, but my family ain’t making things easier, my mother and wife are fighting every second now.. nothing is working for me…” he slammed his hand onto the counter.
I listened patiently and attentively. But the moment he was done, I leaned in.
“What if I could solve your problems in a matter of days?” I murmured.