Filling the Void

**Thomas**

It had been two weeks since Isadora left, and each day felt longer than the last. The pain of her absence was a weight I carried in silence. Since that final night at her apartment, there had been no messages, no calls. Nothing.

I tried to convince myself that respecting her decision was the right thing to do, but every fiber of my being wanted to cross that line—to find her and ask her to reconsider. But wouldn’t that be selfish? That’s what I told myself every night before I slept, and every morning when I looked at myself in the mirror.

Vincent seemed to be dealing with Isadora’s departure in his own way. We hadn’t spoken about her since that day. He buried himself even deeper in work, and I tried to do the same. But my productivity was a mess. My thoughts always drifted back to her.

Then came the invitation. During a meeting, a businessman mentioned a gathering at the Marino Club, a place I knew all too well. Petros had taken me there once, and I knew exactly what to expect: a business meeting thinly veiled by expensive pleasures and discreet company.

When the invitation came, I hesitated for a moment but accepted. Maybe this was what I needed, I thought. Something to take my mind off Isadora—her eyes, her smile, her choice to leave us.

At the appointed time, I made my way to the club. The ambiance was just as opulent as I remembered: soft lighting, faint music in the background, minimally dressed waitresses circulating with trays of expensive drinks. The air carried that unmistakable scent of exclusivity.

As soon as I entered, I was led to a private lounge. The businessman who had invited me was already there, accompanied by other men I recognized from previous gatherings. They all seemed at ease, laughing at something I hadn’t caught. But my attention was immediately drawn to Petros, seated in a corner of the leather sofa, a cigar between his fingers.

Of course, he would be here. His smile was barely perceptible but carried that signature malice only Petros could convey.

The atmosphere of the Marino Club was steeped in its usual mix of exclusivity, power, and a touch of carefully masked decadence. I stood there with a glass of whiskey in hand, more out of political necessity than personal desire. Petros had drawn me into this world once before, and though I hated to admit it, I already knew enough about his methods to understand he never played fair. Still, in the business world, alliances thrived on mutual interests, not morality.

"Thomas, punctual as always," he said, raising his glass in a casual toast.

"Petros," I replied with a brief nod, as a waiter placed a glass in my hand before I could decline.

The businessman who had invited me began discussing a new project, but my attention kept drifting to the women entering and leaving the lounge. They were all flawless, handpicked, and available. It was the usual dynamic of these gatherings, and I knew exactly where it was heading.

Petros approached as the other businessman animatedly discussed investments.

“So, Thomas, are you here for business or pleasure?” he asked in a low tone, laden with insinuation.

I stared at him for a moment, debating how to answer. I was here to escape, to numb something that felt impossible to heal.

“I suppose tonight I can consider both,” I replied, without much conviction but just enough to satisfy his curiosity. Petros chuckled, pleased.

The night was just beginning, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was trying to fill the void Isadora had left with something that would never be enough. I didn’t know if it was possible, but for one night, I was willing to try.

As I pretended to listen to the conversations of the businessmen around me, movement near Petros caught my attention. Liandra. She entered accompanied by other women I immediately recognized. They were the same ones from the last time I’d been here—during a night I still felt uncomfortable recalling. Jennifer had been involved that time, and now I couldn’t help but wonder, with growing disbelief, if Petros was about to subject Liandra to that kind of “business.”

Liandra was stunning, though not in a conventional way. Her dress was a blend of elegance and provocation, leaving little to the imagination. A deep neckline that was almost defiant and a high slit that revealed more than seemed appropriate—especially considering her position as Petros’ fiancée. The stares she attracted were impossible to miss, and I wondered, for a moment, if she understood the role she was being forced to play.

When our eyes met, I saw something in her gaze. She narrowed her eyes as if trying to challenge me—or perhaps disarm me. I greeted her with a slight nod, which she returned after a moment’s hesitation. I didn’t know why she was there, but I was certain her presence wasn’t mere whimsy.

Then Matias, one of the most influential investors and notoriously involved in shady activities, raised his voice to break the silence forming around her.

“Thomas, have you had the pleasure of meeting Petros’ fiancée?” he asked, with that cynical smile I knew all too well. Before I could answer, he continued, looking Liandra up and down as if she were merchandise on display. “She’s stunning, isn’t she? Petros has always had a talent for choosing his women well.”

The other businessmen laughed, while Matias’ gaze lingered on Liandra’s figure longer than necessary. The conversation, which had been superficial until now, veered in a direction I knew wouldn’t end well. Petros remained calm, with that enigmatic smile he used to conceal his intentions. He was playing, as always, and Liandra was the piece on the board.

I couldn’t resist remarking.

“Petros, it seems you enjoy testing the limits of everyone around you,” I said casually, though my tone was sharp enough to strike a nerve. His eyes met mine, and his smile widened slightly.

“Limits are just mental barriers, Thomas,” he replied in his low, measured voice.

I couldn’t respond to Petros’ provocation because Alberto joined us, wearing that trademark smile of someone who knows he’ll always be the center of attention. He had an innate ability to command any room he entered, and as usual, he made a point of flaunting his charm and his... assistants.

“Thomas, you seem more reserved tonight. Is something wrong?” he asked, with that implicit malice that seemed to be his signature.

“No issues, Alberto. Just observing the room,” I replied, taking a sip of my whiskey as he gestured for the women beside him to come closer. They were the same ones who had entered the room with Liandra.

“Ah, then I must introduce you to my assistant, Jéssica.”

The blonde with blue eyes leaned in to greet me, her lips brushing my cheek a little longer than necessary. I caught the sweet perfume she wore, something chosen to leave an impression.

“Pleasure to meet you, Thomas,” she said, her voice low and controlled, her gaze locking onto mine with a disarming intensity.

Before I could respond, Alberto was already gesturing to the next woman.

“And this is Leila, Diogo’s assistant. I believe you’ve already met.”

Leila, the redhead with a feline gaze, greeted me more casually but still with a calculated energy. I remembered her from the last time I was here.

Then came the third.

“Lilly. She’s new to the group. I mean, new here, but she’s already left everyone impressed.”

Lilly was a brunette with golden skin and dark eyes that contrasted sharply with the vivid red lipstick on her lips. She vaguely reminded me of Isadora, catching me off guard. The wavy hair, the way she looked at me sideways as if measuring my reactions. When she smiled, something stirred within me—a faint, uncomfortable reminder of what I was trying to move past.

“Thomas,” she said softly, her voice like an invitation.

“Pleasure, Lilly,” I replied, maintaining my composure but feeling the weight of her presence.

The moment passed, but I was left with a lingering unease as I observed the movements around me. Settling into my seat, waiting for the night’s “show” to begin, I decided I needed to distance myself from thoughts of what was beyond my reach. Isadora was gone, and I needed something to pull me out of the stagnation my life seemed to have fallen into.