The One

Fun night out

 As the clock ticked to a quarter past ten, Karol leaned against the doorframe, exasperated. "Are you done yet? It's 10:15 pm. We were meant to meet them at 10, not be late!"

Sharon rolled her eyes dramatically as she scrambled to grab her purse and phone. "Okay, okay! I'm ready, let's go!"

Karol quickly snatched the keys from their holder, glancing at her sister. "Let me drive. You can perfect your lipstick and whatever else while I'm at it."

"Sure thing, boss," Sharon quipped, a smile lighting up her face.

After a twenty-minute drive, they arrived at the five-star hotel near their gated community. Karol scanned the area, disappointment crossing her features as she spotted only valet staff and bellboys. "Where are they? Sissy, can you call Ben and tell him to get his men down here quickly? We can't be stuck waiting."

With a sigh, she rolled down her window, smiling at the valet boy standing nearby. "Hi! We're just waiting for some friends who are staying here. Can you let them know we're outside?"

"Of course, miss," he replied politely. "But could you please park a little further up? Thank you for your patience!"

"Sure, no problem," Karol said with a smile, rolling her window up again and driving ahead. Meanwhile, Sharon was on the phone with Benjamin.

"Hello, Benjamin! Tell your men to hurry up! We shouldn't have to wait around; the night is slipping away!" she chastised before hanging up. She turned to Karol, a grin on her face. "They're on their way now."

"About time," Karol muttered, dabbing on the last touches of her make-up.

Moments later, they heard a knock on the car window. Karol, without glancing, quickly unlocked the doors. As both left and right side doors swung open, their bodyguard slid into the car, dressed casually, yet ready for a night out.

Both sisters turned around as Sharon introduced herself. "Hi, guys. I'm Shar—" Her words were cut short as both sisters gasped in shock, and Sharon exclaimed, "The hell! BENJAMIN!"

Benjamin greeted them with a charming smile, his grin wide as he replied, "Hi, ladies." His gaze, however, was fixed on Karol, who beamed back at him, then glanced at Sharon, saying, "Ben, what a surprise! I'm Karol, and this is my sister, Sharon." She pointed to herself and then to Sharon, eager to introduce them to the new arrival, who remained silent but nodded graciously.

Sharon smirked, her voice playful, "Well, isn't this a surprise, Benjamin?" She raised an eyebrow, and he returned her smile with a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Yeah, what brings you here, Ben?" Karol chimed in, her curiosity piqued as she studied his expression. "When did you arrive?"

"Got your phone call about wanting a bodyguard just for the night," he explained with a wink. "So, I thought I'd volunteer myself to escort you two."

"And I arrived this evening," he continued, his grin infectious. "Took a taxi from the airport straight to this hotel, freshened up, and here we are! My unimportant explanations aside." He chuckled as Karol rolled her eyes playfully at him.

"Oh, Benjamin," Karol shook her head with a smile, "let's just go and have some fun, shall we?" She fastened her seatbelt and punched the address into the navigator with determination.

As she nearly finished inputting the details, the quiet man sitting in front suddenly spoke up, "Erm, excuse me, Miss. I know a better place—it's a high-end club, but it's a bit further than your original club."

Karol glanced at him through the rearview mirror, intrigued. "Where is it, and what's your name?"

Leonard straightened in his seat, taking on a formal tone. "Name's Leonard, Miss."

Karol smiled warmly, her tone lightening. "Leonard, there's no need to be so stiff. Okay, Leo? Just guide us there, and drop the formality; we're friends going out for a drink, remember?" She pulled away from the hotel, her excitement palpable as she sped towards their destination.

After a thrilling 45-minute drive with Karol at the wheel, they arrived at a club that looked like the holy grail for clubbers—high-end and alluring with a restaurant attached.

Sharon gasped, visibly impressed. "This is what I'm talking about! I like you, Leo; you know your stuff!" she said, as they parked next to the fashionable entrance.

"Okay, let's go and have fun!" Sharon declared with enthusiasm as she swung open the car door, leading the way with the others following suit. Both sisters walked side by side, unintentionally leaving Benjamin and Leonard behind, looking like bodyguards themselves.

Heads turned as they strode towards the club, Sharon's outfit daringly bold and Karol's elegantly striking, both exuding an intoxicating confidence. The atmosphere shimmered with attention, and both men hastened their steps to stay closer, sensing the predatory gazes around them.

With an air of dominance, the sisters approached the front of the long line, completely undeterred by the throngs of onlookers, as if they owned the place.

As they reached the entrance, the man in a suit with an iPad smiled warmly. "Ladies, welcome!" The bouncer stepped aside, clearing the path for them to enter the club.

Karol met the concierge's gaze, her voice sultry yet commanding. "Hon, could you take us to the VVIP Room, please?" The man nodded quickly, leading the way to the exclusive second floor.

Upon reaching their private room, he beamed at them, "Enjoy your time here, ladies. Your hostess will be here shortly to assist you. Have fun!" He turned on his heel, leaving the four of them in their luxurious hideaway.

Sharon flopped onto the plush sofa, her tone shifting to businesslike. "Alright, boys, you know what your tasks are, right? We discussed this in the car."