Dark Revenge Of A Jilted Bride: Till Life Do Us Part!-Chapter 57: HangOut

The club was hidden in plain sight.

From the outside, it looked like nothing more than an unassuming façade tucked between two architecturally loud buildings, its entrance discreet, unmarked save for a brushed metal door and a single security camera that never blinked.

No neon. No thumping bass bleeding into the street. Nothing that announced what waited inside. Nothing that drew attention to the caliber of people that frequented it—popular people who craved for normality.

And that was the point.

Beyond the doors though, the air changed.

The music was low and deliberate, a velvety hum that settled beneath conversation rather than drowning it out. The lighting was dim but intentional, warm amber and deep indigo washing over plush furnishings and textured walls.

No flashing strobes. No desperate attempts at spectacle. This was luxury without apology, indulgence without noise.

Private booths curved along the walls, each one partitioned just enough to promise discretion without isolation. Servers glided between them in tailored black and gold, trays balanced with practiced ease, champagne flutes catching the light as they moved.

The scent of expensive liquor mingled with faint notes of citrus and wood, something curated, something meant to soothe, to make one feel welcome.

If there were pole dancers, they were elsewhere, behind velvet curtains and invitation-only corridors. This room was reserved for people who wanted conversational enjoyment, not distraction.

Gianna sank deeper into the leather booth, one arm draped casually along the backrest, a champagne flute cradled loosely in her hand. The glass was cold against her palm, condensation slick beneath her fingers.

She lifted it to her lips, the bubbles sharp and lively on her tongue, and smiled. She has missed this; missed knowing that she needed this until now.

Across from her, Athena was mid-story.

"...and then he had the audacity," Athena said, eyes bright, cheeks flushed, "to look offended when I laughed."

Chelsea burst into giggles, clapping a hand over her mouth. "No, he did not."

"He did," Athena insisted, pointing her flute for emphasis. "Like I was supposed to apologize for enjoying myself."

Areso leaned in, elbow on the table, chin propped on her hand. "Please tell me you didn’t."

"Oh, I absolutely did not," Athena said, grin wicked. "I told him if he was going to be that dramatic, he should at least commit to doing it."

Gianna watched them with quiet amusement, lips curling into a teasing smile. Ewan really had his hands full with her friend. But then, the fellow wasn’t complaining...

Athena’s blush deepened as the story went on, the tips of her ears pink, her gestures animated as she described Ewan’s reactions and actions with unapologetic delight.

It had been a while since Gianna had done this with her friend. So, she let herself sink into the moment, deliberately shoving thoughts of the convention, the collection, and looming deadlines into a locked mental drawer.

She could work herself into the ground next week.

Tonight was for the girls.

Eventually, a blushing Athena lifted both hands in surrender. "Okay. Enough about me and my conquests," she said, though the twinkle in her eyes suggested she enjoyed every second of the attention. "Chelsea. How’s work? And how is Damien..."

Areso whistled, making Chelsea roll her eyes in mock exasperation.

"I’ve told you guys we are just friends..." But she was blushing now, taking Athena’s position.

And when her friends smiled at each other, oohing and ahhhing, making her blush harder, she snorted and straightened, smoothing the skirt of her dress.

"It’s good by the way... my work I mean." she said easily. "Busy too. And Damien’s handling your old position really well, actually."

Athena hummed thoughtfully. "I knew he would."

"And I’m enjoying my end of things too," Chelsea continued, smile softening. "Working with the kids—it’s always been my favorite part."

Gianna nodded, warmth spreading through her chest. Chelsea had always been good with children, patient in a way that couldn’t be taught.

Areso lifted her glass when all eyes shifted to her. "I’d have gone back by now," she said lightly, "if Gianna hadn’t buried me alive with collection work."

Gianna laughed. "You volunteered."

"I was coerced," Areso countered dryly. "Emotionally."

Chelsea snorted. "I saw the hunger in your eyes, listened to it in your voice, when we talked about it... don’t go putting it all on Giana."

Areso shrugged. "It is what it is." A slight pause. "But I picked one of the cottages on the property. I’ll be there for a while. At least until the collection launches."

Athena tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly with curiosity. "And Dario?"

The mood shifted.

It was subtle, but Gianna felt it immediately, the way Areso’s shoulders stiffened, the way her smile dimmed just a fraction.

Athena couldn’t wait until later? Sometimes, her friend could be thick in the head... Gianna concluded, watching Areso roll one shoulder, gaze dropping briefly to the table.

For a second, she thought that Areso wouldn’t answer the question. But...

"He decided I wasn’t what he wanted in the long run," Areso said with a small shrug. Casual words, carefully delivered.

Athena’s eyes flashed. "What is that supposed to mean?!"

Gianna reached out instinctively, palm pressing lightly against Athena’s wrist. A quiet plea.

Let her be.

Athena exhaled sharply through her nose, jaw tight, anger simmering just beneath the surface. She leaned back but didn’t look away from Areso. "Men," she muttered. "Absolute disasters."

Areso huffed a laugh. "I’ll survive."

"Of course, you will... men are not worth the stress and baggage..." Athena said darkly, then paused. "And before you say anything—no. Not including Ewan."

That earned a ripple of laughter, the tension breaking just enough to let the moment breathe again.

Gianna smiled, relief softening her features. She lifted her glass again, the rim cool against her lips, but her thoughts drifted as the conversation ebbed and flowed.

Eventually, attention turned to her.

"So," Athena said, eyes sharp and curious, "you’ve been suspiciously quiet."

Gianna sighed softly, setting her glass down. "Clement called me today." It was either this, or subjected to questions about her current stance with Zane. she would go for the former anytime, any day.

Three heads snapped toward her meanwhile.

"He did what?" Chelsea asked, leaning forward.

Areso blinked. "Your uncle? Well, why would he call?"

Gianna smiled, coyly. "Looking for help."

Athena laughed outright, nearly spilling her drink. "Of course he was. The pressure is getting to him."

"He wanted me to link him to your grandfather. Thought I’d negotiate on his behalf... maybe wants some business trade with the construction arm of your company."

Athena chuckled, clearly enjoying the turn in the conversation, already knowing the answer her childhood friend had given the fool.

"And?" Areso prompted.

"I said no," Gianna said simply. "He didn’t take it well."

They laughed together, the sound light and synchronized.

"Surely, he won’t. The man’s pride is like that of a hippo!" Chelsea pointed out, still laughing. "What’s he going to do next? Visit your office and kneel?"

"I would love to watch that." Athena enthused, rubbing her hands together, gleeful. "I think it’s high time he got what’s coming for him."

Gianna’s smile faded as she continued. "Yes. But I think the company’s failing."

That sobered them.

Her gaze dropped to the tabletop, tracing the rim of her glass. "My father worked so hard to pull it out of mediocrity," she said quietly. "Years of discipline, restraint. And Clement..."

Her mouth tightened. "He ran it into the ground chasing status and excess. He and his stupid family. Now, all my father’s hard work is about to be thrown into the drain!"

Athena leaned back, thoughtful. "You could buy it."

Gianna laughed, startled. "What would I do with a construction company?"

"Make it better," Athena said with a shrug. "Put yourself in charge. Hire word-class executives. You don’t even have to do much..."

A pause. "I can give you contacts... Ethan can even help. You remember him?"

Gianna nodded. How could she forget Ethan, who was just as mysterious as Spider; who had handled Athena’s hidden business while she went about her revenge plans.

Yet...

Gianna shook her head. "I already have too much on my plate."

"You don’t think you’re built for it?" Athena pressed.

"I know I’m not," Gianna replied. "Not right now at least."

Athena studied her, then smiled mischievously. "What if Clement doesn’t pay the sixty million?"

Gianna sighed, her friend could be so... active. "Don’t intervene," she said gently. "Your grandfather is already monitoring everything."

Athena pouted, sinking back into her seat, making the others laugh.

Her phone buzzed then. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

She glanced down, smile blooming. "Ewan wants to know if we want company."

Gianna frowned, scanning the room. "Where is he?"

Athena typed quickly. "Around. With the full squad. Susan and Aiden too." Her smile faltered for half a second.

Gianna noticed. "What?"

Athena hesitated. "You don’t have to say yes."

Gianna shook her head, understanding that Zane would be coming along, understanding that her friend was giving her a chance at escape.

"Invite them." she said, surprising her friends.

Athena’s brows lifted, but she nodded, typing.

As Athena sent the message, Gianna swallowed, shifting the mask into place.

Just one night.

What could go wrong?