Chapter 13: Stacy’s Friends

Underground Parking Lot, Eclipse West Nightclub.

The tires of Liam's car rolled to a soft stop beside Stacy's silver coupe in the dimly lit underground garage.

Ambient lighting glowed faintly along the ceiling beams, casting a cool hue over the polished concrete and accentuating the sleekness of the vehicles parked in the exclusive VIP zone.

Liam stepped out, tugging lightly at the front of his midnight navy Langford suit. The motion adjusted the jacket just right over his chest, letting the soft fabric settle against his frame.

He exhaled slowly, still not entirely used to the idea of entering a nightclub. When Stacy told him that her friends were having a gathering, she didn't tell him that it was at a nightclub.

It felt kind of strange coming to a place like this and he's really looking forward to the experience.

"Liam," Stacy's voice called out warmly.

She stood a few feet away, her figure silhouetted against the soft parking light. She looked effortlessly chic in the dark sapphire dress she's wearing, paired with a simple clutch and heels.

He walked over to her, matching her pace as they approached a guarded door in the corner.

"This underground parking lot is for the establishment's VIP members only," Stacy explained, glancing sideways at him as they walked. "You skip the main entrance and the lines this way. It's... quieter."

Liam nodded. He appreciated the explanation, but more so, he appreciated the way she gave it without arrogance.

When they had driven past the main entrance earlier, he'd caught a glimpse of the crowd—a long line of people waiting their turn, phones in hand, bouncers managing chaos. Compared to this private route, it looked like a different world.

He was slowly gaining some understanding of how things work among the rich. He did feel that it was nice though—the preferential treatment.

Money really does open doors.

The doorman—an older, stocky man in a sharp black suit—recognized Stacy immediately and without a word, he opened the door for both of them.

They stepped into a silent hallway. The space was narrow, with matte black walls and recessed lighting that lit the path without being obtrusive. At the end stood a sleek black security door, flush with the wall and completely unmarked except for a small card reader.

Stacy pulled out a slim black card with the club's logo in glossy emboss. She tapped it against the reader and soft beep sounded.

She opened the door and held it slightly for Liam, who stepped in behind her.

On the other side was a wide corridor, surprisingly well-lit, with several heavy soundproof doors lining either side. To Liam,it looked more like the luxury suite corridor at a five-star hotel than anything he'd imagined a nightclub to be.

"Our booth's this way," Stacy said.

They walked down a few steps and reached one of the doors, which Stacy opened with a gentle push.

Inside, the booth was a lounge suite of its own—large enough to accommodate ten people comfortably. There was a long L-shaped velvet banquette in charcoal grey wrapping around a matte black cocktail table, soft ambient lights hanging above, and a backlit bar shelf along the wall showcasing premium liquors under gold-tinted glass.

Seated on the lounge were six other people—young men and women in their late teens to early twenties, all dressed like they'd walked out of a fashion magazine. They were mid-conversation and mid-laugh when the door opened. The room fell silent almost instantly.

All heads turned toward the door.

They saw Stacy first. Then, an unfamiliar male in elegant attire standing beside her.

They immediately got curious to know Liam's identity and how he's related to Stacy.

"Stacy..." Kristie, her best friend, raised an eyebrow, her tone halfway between surprise and admiration.

"Guys," Stacy said brightly, turning slightly. "This is Liam. Liam, meet my friends."

A pause and all of their attention were focused squarely on Liam.

Stacy saw their expressions—the wide eyes, the flickering recognition, the hushed curiosity. She smiled faintly to herself. Just as she'd expected. After Alex told them about the owner of White Clover Residential Complex, the name Liam was beginning to mean something in their social circle. And whether this Liam was the one who owned the property or not, the way he carried himself would make people assume he was.

"Liam," she gestured to the lounge. "Go ahead, make yourself comfortable."

Liam nodded once and took a seat at the far corner beside a young man who looked a little older than him, probably twenty-two or twenty-three.

He gave the guy a polite nod. The other man, trying to remain casual, nodded back, though his curiosity was practically radiating off him.

Stacy slid into the open spot beside Kristie.

Kristie, for her part, was watching Liam like he was a living riddle she couldn't wait to solve.

Sensing the tension tightening like a string, Stacy gave a quick cough.

"Guys, you're all staring. You're going to make him uncomfortable."

The spell broke and a round of sheepish chuckles filled the booth. The guy beside Liam coughed into his fist and finally turned.

"Sorry, man," he said with a smile. "Your name just... sounded really familiar. Didn't mean to stare."

"It's fine," Liam said easily, his voice calm but warm. "I've been attracting a lot of curious gazes lately."

Stacy coughed again—this time awkwardly—and looked away. She definitely felt targeted.

The guy chuckled. "Fair enough."

He extended a hand. "Name's Kristopher."

"Liam," he replied, shaking it.

The rest of the group took that as their cue. One after the other, they introduced themselves—Lana, Alex, Elise, Matt, Harper, and finally Kristie.

Liam acknowledged them all with a nod or a polite smile.

"You guys haven't ordered yet?" Stacy asked after settling in.

"We have," Kristopher replied. "They should be bringing it out in a few."

Stacy leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. "Alright then."

"So, Liam," Kristie asked, tilting her head, "how did you and Stacy meet?"

Stacy winced. Of course that was the first question. It was a logical and expected one, but it didn't do anything to lessen the second-hand embarrassment that hit her when she remembered the cringiness of her first interaction with Liam.

Liam didn't miss the subtle shift in Stacy's expression. He gave the faintest smile and answered, "We live in the same complex."

Everyone nodded subtly in understanding when they heard Liam's response. It wasn't unexpected but they couldn't help but feel that there was indeed some kind of history between the two of them.

"Then you must be new to the place?" Kristie pressed, this time with a genuine smile.

"Yeah," Liam said simply.

Hearing this, everyone nodded again. But it made them even more curious and confused as to how Liam and Stacy knew each so fast.

This was especially so for Stacy. She was very confused.

As Stacy's friends, they are aware of her character and the fact that she barely interact with anyone in the complex. But since she invited Liam here, then there was something more to it.

Still, they didn't pry further. They shifted the topic back to why they were here in the first place—a casual celebratory gathering.

Just then, the door to the booth opened and two hostesses walked in, balancing trays lined with tall glasses of gold-flecked cocktails and artfully arranged appetizers