Stone Rich: Her 1st Experience

Chapter Fifteen: Setting the Stage

Malaya's POV

Malaya stared blankly at her computer screen, her mind too distracted to focus on any of the tasks she had planned for the day. The meeting updates, emails, and contracts seemed to blur together. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the cryptic message: 7pm Tonight. Wear Red. She couldn't shake the nerves swirling in her stomach. The uncertainty of what awaited her at Club Escape was consuming her.

Dani burst into her office with her usual bubbly energy, a wide smile on her face. "Can you believe it? We should be popping bottles right now!" Dani said, referring to the major win with the brokers they had secured. She bounced over to Malaya's desk, eyes sparkling with victory.

But when Dani noticed Malaya's distant expression, her excitement dulled. "Lay... what's wrong? Something else happen? You should be celebrating with me!"

Malaya leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. "Sebastien Stone barged into my office, Dani. He knows about the PI I put on him." She watched Dani's eyes widen with concern. "Not only that, but I got a text... about Club Escape."

Dani's expression shifted from curious to concerned. "Club Escape? That place has been swirling around in rumors for years. You're telling me you're going there tonight?"

"Yeah." Malaya's voice was steady but tinged with determination. "I need answers. Sebastien knows I'm onto him, and I can't afford to be caught off guard again."

Dani immediately jumped in, "I'll go with you. No way you're handling this alone."

Malaya appreciated the offer but knew she had to face this head-on. She needed to see for herself what was happening, to confront Sebastien and understand why Club Escape mattered. "I have to do this alone," she said firmly, though she reached out to squeeze Dani's hand. "But thanks, I mean it."

Dani's shoulders sagged a little, but she nodded. "Okay. Just... be careful." Then, as she turned to leave, Malaya called after her, "Actually, there is one favor I need."

"Anything," Dani said, stopping at the door.

"I need an outfit for tonight." A small smile played on Malaya's lips, and Dani's eyes immediately lit up with excitement.

"Oh my god, yes! Shopping spree and spa day! This is how we celebrate!" Dani's grin stretched wide. "We deserve it after these past few weeks."

Malaya quickly agreed, feeling some of her tension melt away. She informed her assistant that she'd be out for the rest of the day, then grabbed her purse and joined Dani for an impromptu day of self-care.

They climbed into Dani's car, a fresh wave of excitement easing some of Malaya's anxieties about the evening. She couldn't think too far ahead, not about Club Escape or what awaited her there. For now, she would let Dani take the reins, pulling her out of her head and into a much-needed distraction.

Their first stop was their favorite spa in the city. Malaya allowed herself to sink into the luxury of it all—manicures, pedicures, facials—the works. The soothing treatments and Dani's infectious laughter lifted her spirits. She chose red for her nails, fingers and toes, as a nod to the cryptic text. She was embracing the theme, feeling a growing sense of empowerment.

By the time they left the spa, Malaya felt renewed. Relaxed. Ready. And when they headed to the exclusive chic boutique, a space reserved for the city's high clientele, she was focused. She knew what she needed for tonight.

Dani sipped on her wine, watching as Malaya browsed through the racks. "You're really going with red, huh? What's the story behind that?"

Malaya was about to answer when her eyes landed on a dress hanging at the far end of the boutique—a sultry, deep red number that screamed confidence and power. The perfect outfit to face Sebastien Stone.

Malaya smiled, slipping the dress off the hanger and heading to the dressing room. When she tried it on, the way the fabric clung to her curves, hugging her body in all the right places, gave her a surge of confidence. She examined herself in the mirror, running her fingers along the smooth material. If Sebastien's there tonight, this will have him eating out of the palms of my hands.

She stepped out to show Dani, who immediately squealed, "Oh my god, Lay! That's the one."

Malaya felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever happened tonight, she would be ready.

Sebastien's POV

Sebastien drove home, his thoughts a storm of anticipation. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, the tension of the day building into something almost unbearable. He had been planning this for weeks, strategically maneuvering HER Enterprises, but things had changed the moment he laid eyes on Malaya Richardson.

Everything about her had gotten under his skin. Her defiance, her fire. He hadn't anticipated her having such a pull over him. Not like this.

The words echoed in his mind as he sped through the streets. I will break her tonight.

His desire to dominate—to control—had intensified tenfold since that moment in her office when she had stood up to him. That fierce look in her eyes, the way she pushed back against his presence, had only fueled the predatory instinct within him. It was no longer just about the business or his empire. This was personal now.

Sebastien knew he had to keep his focus, but Malaya had become a dangerous distraction. The plan was to crush her company, take everything from her. But now... now he wanted her, too. And tonight, at Club Escape, he intended to get both.

As he pulled into his driveway, Sebastien exhaled sharply, trying to shake the building frustration and excitement coursing through him. Jack's words from the bar last night echoed in his ears: "What do you want—her or the empire?"

Grief-stricken and conflicted, Sebastien knew what was at stake, but tonight, he was going to push all limits. And deep down, he sensed that whatever happened, it would change everything.