Chapter 3

10pm, January 26th

The City of New York never rested, it lived up to its reputation as the city that never slept. Music of all kinds filled the streets and the smell of beer and wine and bodies colliding contaminated the air. One Club stood out amongst other Clubs, it was a club meant for the Elites, it was called Club Bande. 

Club Bande was a strip Club owned by two Spanish brothers, Lodovico and Rodriguez Bandez, It was a VIP club and a casino were rich people spent their money. It was a very popular club that housed many strippers and prostitutes. The girls usually dressed in nothing, and danced on poles entertaining the drunk and horny men, who rained cash on them out of amusement, some paid for them to have a one night stand with them which was usually allowed. 

Out of all the rich men and women one stood out in the club, He sat calmly in a relaxed position in his VVIP Suite, smoking a cigarette as he stared at the the girls who danced for him blankly, not paying attention, He was all too familiar with their moves, it was nothing new. His VVIP suite contained  him and the four girls who danced for him, the VVIp suite was a small room painted in red color to suit the sultry nature of the club, the chair were black and a glass table was placed in front of him occupied by his drinks and cigarettes. He was dressed in his black and white suit and black shoes to match. 

The girls continued displaying, Changing positions to see if it would amuse the man, But Mr Black maintained a blank face. He took a drag still staring at them, he couldn't care less, his eyes stayed on them but not looking at them. He couldn't stare at them properly not with the one face still lingering in his mind stealing his thoughts. Again. He took another drag frustrated, finally diverting his eyes a bit he looked around the room a bit confused before realizing he was in the club . He turned back to the girls, still unamused. 

The doors of the room opened to reveal two men dressed in suits, clearly related with their twin features, a smirk laid on both their faces as they observed their uninterested boring friend, they looked at the girls dancing with pity, before ordering them to stop. 

"You can stop dancing, go outside". One of the men said, the slightly taller one. The girls seemed relieved, they thanked him before heading out of the room. The two men took strides towards their friend who sat down, with eyes still on the place were the girls were dancing. 

“Brother)". The other man greeted taking a seat close to him while his brother took his left. Upon hearing their voices he looked up briefly, before going back to his original location. He knew they had come to disturb him as usual and he couldn't be bothered by their antics, they were trouble makers, but his friends nonetheless. Amused by his continuous silence the brother on the left put his hands around him greeting him properly. 

"Leonard, silent as usual si?". His accent very evident in his speech, he held a smirk on his face as he spoke staring at Leonard who gave a small reaction, a turn of head with a frown. 

"Ludovico, still a disturbance". Leonard spoke with his British accent to the man who was now laughing, happy at his response.

 "Rodriguez tell your brother to leave me be, I'm not in the mood for play". He took another drag of cigar resting further on the sofa. Ludovico and Rodriguez burst into laughter, not taking his serious words to heart, they high five each other for getting a reaction out of the man. 

"Brother, He speaks!". Rodriguez said in feigned surprise.

"I see it too brother". Ludovico added. He turned to Leonard his hands now off his shoulders. "Seriously Black, Why always so bored man!, you're in a strip club loosen up a bit". Ludovico said. Leonard maintained his calm posture still not bothered by their persistence.

"You've gone back to no reply mode si?," Ludovico said in a disappointed tone, slumping his shoulders to the chair. "Too bad I had one hot chick prepared for your pleasure, although you seem to not be in the mood, huh?". Leonard's eyes perked up a bit at the mention of the girl, he knew he needed someone to release his steam and frustration on. He always did.

"Where is she?". Came his short reply to Ludovico, who seemed more than happy with his reply.

"Just outside, we can send her in for you". Rodriguez said, getting up . 

"Send her to Victor, she should wait in the car". He ordered Rodriguez who smirked bending his head low. "Yes your majesty". Leonard laughed a bit at his antics, Ludovico joined in used to his Younger brothers childish behavior. As Rodriguez left the room Ludovico turned to face Leonard now observing him properly.

"What's up Man?". He asked clearly concerned, he had to be, Leonard always came to the club everyday, and he always had that bored look on his face and was always lost in thought. He knew he still thought of her and as his friend he knew it was unhealthy. He had known Leonard for a long time and he knew how he could be. 

"I'm fine Ludovico". He replied bored. 

"Still thinking about her man?, She's gone,-".

"YOU THINK I DONT KNOW!!!" Leonard replied exasperated, cutting him short, he hit his hand on the glass table with a bang, the room turned quiet, Ludovico became quite too and calm already used to his temper. He knew to let him calm down than talk. "I Know she left me!, and I'm clearly over her , and her betrayal". He took a long drag of his cigar, popping out smoke . 

"You don't look like you do man, I think". Ludovico was cut short as Leonard got up from the chair, his eyes red from all the smoke and sleepless nights. 

"Don't think Ludovico, Don't." He said curtly walking towards the door.

"Melissa would handle the bills, Ciao friend". He said before leaving the room. Ludovico sighed slumping further into the chair already used to his half conversations and denial. He called for a waitress to clear the room. 

Leonard walked through the dark hallways of the VIP section of the building passing through various VVIp rooms, girls stood at every corner, dressed in skimpy skirts and bras, they greeted him as he passed, already familiar with him. 

"Goodbye, Mr Black". One greeted as he passed her, he nodded towards her not bothering to use words. The smell of expensive liquor filled his nostrils as he passed by each room. Voices could be heard from the doors, some belonging to men and some belonging to women. He sighed, his head hurting. He soon reached the end of the hallway, were an exit elevator stood, he tapped the buttons opening it, he then entered and soon he arrives at the garage of the building were his cars are parked. 

Several cars were parked at the garage belonging to different Elites like himself. He spotted his cars, a black limousine, and two Range Rovers, parked further into the garage were three guards stood behind each. As he neared them, the guard at the center opened the passages door of the limousine which he entered to see a beautiful red head lying in a black gown in the chair opposite his. 

"Good Evening, Mr Black". She greeted in a sultry tone .He knew it was going to be a long night. 

8:30, January 27th

His fingers traced the lines of the huge picture, it followed each curve and feature of the picture, of the girl in the picture. He walked close to the picture inhaling it as if scenting her, his head ached just staring at her and not being able to do anything. He looked around the huge room seeing more pictures of her, it broke him looking at her, he could only wish her presence though his prayers were never answered. He kissed the top of the picture were her head was located before exiting the room, bolting it. 

Leonard is greeted by a tired looking Vincent who greets him upon seeing him. 

"Good Morning Sir". 

"Good Morning Vincent has the girl been dropped?". He asked referring to the girl he brought last night, they walked away from the room heading upstairs to the direction of the dining. 

"Yes Sir, also Miss Melissa is waiting for you at the dining". Vincent said as they arrived the dining to see Melissa standing waiting for them. Leonard acknowledges her before stalking to his seat. He looks as they both stand waiting for him to finish his meal. He doesn't bother inviting them as he had no intention to. Ms Dee, his only maid serves his meal greeting him, he acknowledges her before starting his meal. Melissa, a skinny brunette clears her throat not fazed by his lack of sympathy for employees or friends. 

"Mr Black, the Auditions are to start in 2 hours, Justin just informed me that we are expecting over 300 contestants,". Melissa informed as he carried on eating. Leonard was happy with the news but respected dining ethics too much to say anything, also because he knew of the news already as he had expected it. He had planned it already from the beginning and knew open auditions was a good publicity for his Company. 

Leonard took his time eating only getting up when he was done eating. He grabbed his suit putting it on before collecting his phone and heading out of the building. His cars were already prepared, he wasted no time in entering his limousine along with Melissa his assistant and Vincent driving them. 

"This is the plan for the Music video in Spain sent by Miranda for Henax".

Melissa said handing him an iPad which he collected checking the contents. He viewed the plans and after some time he handed the iPad back to her. 

"Tell her to change it the concept feels too old fashioned for a band like Henax". He said dryly, Henax was one of his top boy bands, a band that originated from Tokyo, he had recruited the boys himself and therefore treated them more carefully like his own kids, they were a fast rising band and good money makers too, everything about them had to be unique and well planned out too. 

"Okay Sir. Then here are the contestants and a few reviews about them". She handed him the iPad which he collected again. He looked at each girl and lady picture by picture, some being a bit older than some. He searched their submitted Bio's about themselves as it kept him busy through the long ride to his office. At first no one interested him as they seemed normal and not star worthy, but then as he swipes right to the next picture his mind stops, his chest constricting a bit as all focus were now on the girl whose picture was on his iPad. He read her name letting it stick to his mind as if hoping it would ring a bell. 

Grace Louis Winters.