SWNOVELXO Chapter 5: Chapter 5
The car hurtled down the bustling road of New York until finally, it came to a smooth halt at the front of a luxurious hotel entrance.
Amelia settled the driver's fare before stepping into the warm, golden glow of the hotel's interior.
The polished brunette at the hotel desk offered a courteous " Good evening, ma'am" as she approached her
" Welcome to the Ritz-Carlton, how may I assist you?" the brunette bowed
" I would like a luxury suite for a month," Amelia said, holding out her credit card
" Our monthly rate is $5000, including breakfast, WiFi–"
Amelia impatiently interjected, " I get it. Can we speed this up?" She said, her voice betraying frustration
The receptionist, sensing the urgency in Amelia's demeanor, swiftly handed her the room key and completed the check-in process.
" Your room number is 297, luxury suite. Elevators are to your right. Would you like assistance with your luggage, ma'am?"
Amelia nodded curtly, grabbing her key. " No, I have got it. Thank you."
The receptionist smiled professionally. " Enjoy your stay. If you need anything, dial extension 100."
Amelia muttered a " Thank you" as she hastened towards the elevator, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
Upon entering her hotel room, she kicked off her heels and hastily opened her luggage, pulling out a sleek black briefcase, its locks clicking open with familiarity.
With her slender hands, she flipped through its neatly organized pages, her eyes scanning for specific documents until they landed on a glossy photograph: an upscale bar with dim lighting, polished wood, and elegant décor.
Handwritten notes scribbled in the margin revealed the bar as Anthony Fernandez's daily spot, where he consistently arrived at 9 pm.
Her gaze continued its journey, exploring the briefcase contents until they landed on a sleek silver handgun nestled among the documents.
A small satisfactory smile crept unto Amelia's lips, tempered by flickers of doubts. For a moment, her eyes lingered on the handgun, its metallic gleam mirroring her calculating resolve.
She had planned a deliberate, drawn-out revenge against Miguel now masquerading as Anthony Fernandez. Yet, in an instant, visions of her parent's lifeless bodies invaded her thoughts– their heads marred by gruesome bullet holes, eyes eternally sealed in death.
The haunting images sparked a fierce anger and in an instant, she ditched her slow-burn plan.
Tonight, Anthony Fernandez would meet his end.
**********
All eyes shifted to the Slender Mexican-American woman who had just walked into the bar. The click of her stiletto heels on the tiles floor was punctuated by the tight grip she maintained on her bag.
Amelia Winston walked with grace and elegance, her perfectly curved hips moving in perfect rhythm as she approached the bar counter
" A glass of champagne, please," she said, her low sultry voice unfazed by the hungry stares surrounding her.
As the bartender poured her champagne, Amelia's gaze swept across the room, her eyes locking onto each table in search of one face - Anthony Fernandez
" Looking for Anthony Fernandez?" The bartender quirked a brow in question as if he had read her mind, handing her the glass of wine
Amelia's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze locked onto his. She collected the glass, her slender fingers wrapping around the stem with elegance
" You're overdressed for this crowd, if you don't mind me saying," he said, raising an empty wine glass in a silent toast before turning to serve the next customer
After pouring wine for the neighboring patron, he returned his attention to Amelia. " I haven't seen you around before," he said, his curiosity evident. " First time here, I take it?"
Amelia nodded, her expression measured.
" The thing is," the bartender leaned in, a hint of amusement dancing on his lips, " You're not the first to come looking for Anthony. He's a bit of a magnet, that one."
He polished a glass with a white cloth, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. " You'd be surprised how many people walk through those doors, asking for him. Regulars, newcomers – doesn't matter. Anthony's got a way of drawing folks in."
" You're either here for business or pleasure. Which one is Anthony Fernandez?" He asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Amelia held his gaze. " A little bit of both, perhaps," she replied, shifting her attention back to the crowd and sweeping through it with her eyes once more.
" When will he get here?" She asked, her brow etched in question as she took a little sip from her glass
The bartender glanced at his watch, and a knowing smile spread across his face " Now" he said, his eyes drifting towards the door
Amelia's eyes followed his gaze, and as if on cue, the sleek silver-hinged door parted with a soft whoosh.
The room fell silent, conversation frozen mid-air. All attention shifted to the tall brown-haired male figure who strode in with confidence, flanked by two sleekly dressed escorts.
The man moved effortlessly through the crowd, his escorts clearing a path, as he made his way to a secluded velvet-scraped VIP lounge in the bar's rear.
As quickly as it had fallen silent, the room erupted back into its lively atmosphere –The hum of conversation, the clicking of glasses, and the smooth strains of jazz.
Amelia returned to her wine, sipping it slowly. The bartender selected two premium bottles from the wine stand, their labels boasting rare vintages, and placed them on a silver tray with two crystal glasses. " My call," he said, striding towards the exclusive lounge.
As he vanished into the VIP area, Amelia swiftly finished her drink and rose from her seat. She glided through the crowd, her dress rustling as she smoothed it, her eyes fixed on the entrance.
As she approached the VIP lounge, its heavy velvet curtains drawing her in like a secret keeper, her hands slipped into her handbag, fingers closing around the familiar grip of the handgun.
Suddenly, a figure brushed past her, sending her stumbling into the lounge. The curtains swooshed shut behind her, enveloping her in a dimly lit world bathed in a deep, crimson glow.
As she straightened, her eyes scanned the dimly lit room. The red light cast an eerie veil, obscuring the faces of the four men before her.
Three men stood, their silhouettes stark against the shadows, while one man sat, his figure shrouded in darkness.
The seated man spoke, his voice a low honey-smooth baritone, that sent a shiver down her spine " Welcome, I have been expecting you"