Chapter 16

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A MYRIAD OF PARKED limousines greeted Aura at the entrance of The Siren Beach Club. She walked through the parking lot, trying not to look suspicious or out of place. Many people entered the club, talking amongst each other as if they all knew one another. She flipped her curled hair back in an attempt to look like she belonged.

Her high heels clicked on the entrance of the club, immediately garnering the attention of a few party-goers. Older men stared as she made her way to the opened doors. Women sized her up as she looked around, hoping to find Zachary in the mass.

Instead, she found herself staring at the exquisite luxury in her face. The club stood tall with marble columns. Its ceilings were decorated with gold detailing that glittered with the light of the immense crystal chandeliers. She walked further inside, towards an enormous red staircase. People came down, showing off their wealth by the attire they wore. Servants came to and fro holding trays filled with different alcohols and weird looking hors d'oeuvres. Chatter was heard all around the room, but the music helped tune it out.

When none of the people she saw were Zachary, she resorted to pulling out her phone. She was about to send him a message, remembering their late night text conversations all over again, when she received a call from the devil himself.

"I see you, Miss Chandler, and can I just say you make everyone here look like cheap imitations?" his silky voice said.

Aura couldn't help but flush.

"Well, I do like a man who knows how to smooth talk," she said. "Now, where exactly can I find you to see if you look just as dashing as I remember?"

At that, she felt a poke on her bare shoulder. She turned to find Zachary right there, staring at her with that same enticing glimmer in those gorgeous blue eyes.

"Hey," he breathed out.

She couldn't help but gawk. Zachary looked even better than she imagined in a fitted black suit and his blond hair slicked back. She wondered if she had noticed how broad his shoulders were when they first met, but she realized she should probably stop staring like some creep.

"You look... wow." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. She smiled, satisfied that her formal transformation had worked like she wanted.

After dodging questions from her parents and Corey through text, she put on the dress she bought: a beige satin piece that hugged her torso just right and flared a few inches under her knees. Most of the dress accentuated her curves, but wasn't as revealing or over the top like she was used to.

She didn't want to go full on Aura Chandler on the poor boy yet. It needed to be done in stages. Moreover, she didn't want her father to see her in such attire, so for the time being, she would have to conceal her true style until she was comfortable.

"Red is definitely your color," he commented, stroking a finger down her cheek. His eyes remained trained on her lips before letting his hand fall back down. She smiled as her blush came back full force.

Bold boy.

"I'll keep that in mind." She winked.

He chuckled and offered her his hand. She took it, and he led her deeper into the club.

A few people stared at her, probably wondering who she was. Many nodded and waved at Zachary in greeting, so he must have been a regular at the club. The thought brought excited chills down her spine. She really was invited to a party by a rich guy like she had dreamed.

Life had finally taken pity on her.

Corey was going to flip when she told him about everything that went down.

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