Chapter 3 - Navigating Temptation and Connection

The next few days at the lodge were quieter than usual. The buzz from the Sirus Hotel party lingered, but work demanded our focus. I threw myself into my job at the tech firm, debugging code and leading a new project that kept my mind occupied. Still, Alyssa's message stayed in the back of my head, a subtle challenge I wasn't sure I wanted to answer.Friday evening rolled around, and the lodge was alive again. I was in my room, scrolling through emails, when Davies burst in without knocking, as usual."Peter, get your ass up. We're going out tonight," he announced, tossing a shirt at me.I caught it, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't we just do this?"He grinned. "This is different. No club. Shaw's got us invited to some exclusive rooftop thing. Rich folks, open bar, and—get this—live music. You can't say no to that."I leaned back in my chair, skeptical. "Whose rooftop?""Some friend of Shaw's cousin. I don't know, man, but it's fancy. You in or what?"I sighed. I wasn't in the mood, but the idea of live music tugged at me. Back in Nigeria, I'd loved small jazz bars, the kind where you could feel the bass in your chest and lose yourself in the rhythm. "Fine. But I'm not staying late."Davies clapped his hands. "That's my boy!"An hour later, I was dressed in a fitted black shirt and dark jeans, joining the crew as we piled into two cars. Shaw was in rare form, hyping up the night like it was his personal mission to make it legendary. I noticed a new face among us—a woman named Zara, introduced as Greenwood's cousin who'd just moved to Canada. She was tall, with a cascade of braids and a quiet confidence that didn't need to announce itself. Her eyes met mine briefly as we loaded up, and she offered a small nod. I returned it, then looked away.The rooftop venue was on the edge of the city, perched atop a sleek glass building that screamed money. As we stepped out of the elevator, the view hit me first—skyscrapers glittering against the night sky, their lights reflecting off the river below. A live band played a sultry mix of jazz and R&B, the saxophone weaving through the chatter of well-dressed guests. Waiters glided through the crowd with trays of champagne and intricate appetizers. It was a far cry from the sweaty chaos of Sirus Hotel.Shaw, predictably, was already working the room, charming a group of women in glittering dresses. Davies had found the bar, and Greenwood was deep in conversation with Zara, who seemed more interested in the music than the party. I grabbed a whiskey and leaned against the railing, letting the city's pulse wash over me."Nice view, isn't it?" a familiar voice said.I turned to find Alyssa standing there, a glass of red wine in her hand. She wore a deep green dress that hugged her curves like it was painted on, her hair swept to one side, exposing the smooth line of her neck. My pulse kicked up a notch, but I kept my expression neutral."Didn't expect to see you here," I said, taking a sip of my drink.She smiled, stepping closer. "Shaw's cousin is a friend of a friend. Small world." Her eyes flicked over me, lingering just long enough to make her point. "You clean up nice, Peter."I chuckled. "You're not bad yourself."We stood there for a moment, the music filling the silence. She didn't push, didn't flirt outright, but the air between us crackled with unspoken tension. I was about to say something when Zara appeared, her presence calm but commanding."Peter, right?" she said, her voice warm. "Greenwood mentioned you're into music. You play?"I blinked, caught off guard. "Used to. Guitar, back home. Haven't touched one in years."Her eyes lit up. "You should hear this band up close. The guitarist is insane." She gestured toward the stage, then glanced at Alyssa. "Mind if I steal him for a bit?"Alyssa raised an eyebrow, her smile playful but sharp. "Go ahead. I'll find him later."Zara led me toward the stage, her stride easy and confident. Up close, the band was even better—the drummer laying down a tight rhythm, the guitarist shredding a solo that made my fingers itch for strings. Zara leaned in to say something about the chord progression, and I found myself relaxing, talking music theory like I hadn't in forever. She knew her stuff, her passion for it matching mine."You're not what I expected," she said after a while, her eyes studying me.I smirked. "What'd you expect?"She shrugged. "Greenwood said you're the quiet type. But you've got layers, don't you?"Before I could answer, the band shifted into a slower, more sensual number. Couples started pairing off, their bodies swaying under the string lights. Zara tilted her head. "Dance with me?"I hesitated. Dancing wasn't my thing, not since that night in Nigeria. But something about her made it feel safe, like she wasn't trying to pull me into a game I didn't want to play. I set my drink down and took her hand.We moved together, her body close but not demanding, her hands resting lightly on my shoulders. She smelled faintly of vanilla and something earthy, grounding. As we swayed, I caught Alyssa watching from across the rooftop, her expression unreadable. Shaw was nearby, whispering something to his woman from Sirus, their chemistry practically setting the air on fire."You're thinking too much," Zara said, pulling my attention back.I laughed softly. "Guilty."She smiled, her eyes warm. "Let go for a minute. Just be here."For the first time in a long while, I did. The music, the night, her presence—it all felt right. No pressure, no ghosts from the past haunting me. When the song ended, she stepped back, her hand lingering in mine."Thanks for that," she said. "I needed it.""Me too," I admitted.The rest of the night unfolded in a blur. Shaw, true to form, disappeared with his woman, their laughter echoing as they slipped into a private corner. Davies was flirting with a server, his charm in overdrive. Alyssa made her way back to me eventually, her teasing lighter this time, like she'd sensed a shift in me."You're full of surprises, Peter," she said, her voice low. "Dancing with Zara, turning me down again… I'm starting to think you're untouchable."I smirked, meeting her gaze. "Maybe I'm just picky."She laughed, a real laugh, not the calculated one she'd used before. "Fair enough. But I don't give up easy."As she walked away, I felt Zara's eyes on me from across the rooftop. She was talking to Greenwood now, but her glance lingered, curious and inviting. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to find a new message.Alyssa: You're making this too fun, Peter. Round three?I shook my head, slipping the phone back into my pocket without replying. The night air was cool against my skin, the music still humming in my veins. For once, I didn't feel like I was running from something—or toward it. I was just… here.But as we piled back into the cars hours later, Shaw's voice cut through the haze. "Yo, Peter, you're slipping, man. Two women circling you, and you're still playing monk?"The group laughed, but Zara's voice came soft from the seat beside me. "Leave him alone, Shaw. Some things are worth waiting for."I glanced at her, her face half-lit by the streetlights. She didn't say more, but her words stayed with me, sinking deep.Back at the lodge, I lay in bed, the city's hum faint through my window. Alyssa's fire and Zara's calm both pulled at me, two paths I hadn't expected to cross. I didn't know what I wanted—not yet. But for the first time, I was curious to find out.