Chapter 1
565 Words
The Lotus Club. My kingdom. Everyone called me Zoey Vance, the undisputed queen of New York’s most exclusive nightlife. People knew my name, they knew my face. Even if they didn't know my past, they knew I was connected. They knew Alex Thorne.
"He’s just like Tom Cruise, isn't he, Zoey? The swagger, the intensity!" Brenda, my headliner, would swoon, always pointing out Alex whenever he’d grace my club.
I’d always scoff, rolling my eyes. "Since when did a Thorne look like a Hollywood star?"
"It's not about looking alike, darling, it's about the aura! The vibe! You wouldn't understand. "What do you know about real men, real charisma?" Brenda would retort, flipping her perfectly styled hair. She was The Lotus Club’s jewel, enchanting every mogul and socialite who crossed our threshold. They said she brought good fortune; fortunes blossomed for any man who spent a night with her.
But when it came to understanding men, I usually dismissed Brenda with a smirk. "What do you know about men or charisma? You might be the headliner, but I’m the owner here, darling."
And I was. Not just any owner. Most of the city’s top-tier clubs, nine out of ten, belonged to me. The biggest, the Lotus Club, was an exclusive, members-only establishment. Its vetting process was stricter than any country club. Rumors swirled about it being a den of indulgence, a gilded cage for the elite. In truth, it was tucked away on a sprawling private estate on the outskirts of the city, a collection of luxurious pavilions nestled among green hills and crystal-clear streams. From the outside, it looked like a high-end resort. Its selling points? The acoustics in the private suites were phenomenal, and the liquor? Exorbitantly priced.
I’d hesitated at first when Mike, my head of procurement, presented the order for thousands of bottles of vintage French wines, whole vintages from renowned chateaus. Was I opening a nightclub or building a wine cellar? Alex, always impatient, noticed my distracted gaze and snatched the order. He scoffed, a cold smile twisting his lips. "What’s the fuss, Zoey? It's just a few bottles of wine. Can’t you afford it?"
Alex only spoke with that sharp, cutting tone when he was annoyed. "I knew to tread carefully. "Of course, Alex. It's not the cost. I was just wondering how long it would take to sell all this. You know how these people are; they have money but no real taste for fine wine."
His mood visibly lightened. "Then order more Lafite for them, the nouveau riche! They’ll drink anything with a fancy label."
Mike grumbled as he revised the order, but a glance from me, a quick whisper of, "Mr. Thorne said more Lafite," quickly silenced him. Alex was the lion, and I was merely his shadow, wielding his power.
The Lotus Club became an overnight sensation. The higher the barrier to entry, the more extravagant the rumors. Then came Alex's birthday. Though his family celebrated Lunar birthdays, his inner circle of friends insisted on throwing him a lavish party at The Lotus Club. Suddenly, invitations to Alex Thorne's birthday bash became the ultimate status symbol in the city. My name, Zoey Vance, shone brighter than ever, everyone remarking on how unusual it was for the notoriously private Alex to give me such public recognition. It seemed I held a special place in his estimation.
- Writer
