Saturday evening rolled in with a soft breeze and Atlanta's skyline glowing under the night sky. Venus Phillips stood outside her apartment, adjusting the strap of her heels and checking her makeup through her phone camera.
"Grandma, I'm going to the club like a big girl tonight! You need anything before I go?" She shouted from the porch.
Katherine, her loving and always-praying grandmother, popped her head out of the door, holding a glass of juice. "Just don't go and bring back any trouble, young lady. And remember, don't take drinks from strangers!"
Venus chuckled. "Relax, Grandma. I'll only take drinks from the bartender. And if I end up dancing on tables, it's because you raised a star."
"Just come back whole!" Katherine said, waving the glass.
Grandma, I'm just going to celebrate like a big girl!" she called out.
"Don't stay out too late! And no funny business!"
"Grandma, please. I'm just going for music, not marriage; don't wait for me. Remember we're moving into the new house tomorrow."
Venus didn't take her official car. She was still unsure about the company policy regarding using it outside work hours.
"Let me ask on Monday before I start stunt-driving in the CEO's car," she muttered.
She pulled out her phone and booked a cab. The driver arrived shortly, a chubby middle-aged man named Larry.
"Evening, miss! You heading to Midtown?" Larry asked as she hopped in.
"Yes, Club Aura. Let's go vibe!"
"Ooooh, Club Aura? That place is fire. Don't break too many hearts tonight."
"No promises, Larry!"
Meanwhile, across town in Buckhead, Raymond Copeland stood in front of his mirror. His penthouse overlooked the city, glimmering from the top floor of a luxurious high-rise.
He wore a crisp, navy-blue shirt with the sleeves rolled just enough to show off his wristwatch and forearm tattoo.
Raymond grabbed his keys. "I'm off to unwind. Club Aura. Maybe I'll run into someone interesting tonight."
Club Aura was already buzzing by the time Venus arrived. Neon lights painted the sidewalk, music thumped like a second heartbeat, and a line of flashy cars surrounded the entrance.
Larry dropped her off and gave a thumbs-up. "Remember what I said! Don't trust dudes in suits."
"Copy that, Captain Larry."
Inside, the club pulsed with energy. Bartenders spun bottles behind the bar, glasses clinked, and laughter bounced between tables.
People danced on the floor, flashing lights highlighting their movements in vibrant colour.
Venus found a spot at the bar on the far side and ordered her drink.
"One cranberry vodka. Light on the cranberry."
"Coming right up, queen," said Tasha, the bartender—a tall, fierce woman with braids dyed teal and a lip ring.
"Love the hair," Venus said.
"Love your vibe," Tasha replied.
Venus sipped her drink and looked around. There was a group of young women celebrating a birthday on her left, shouting over the music and waving glow sticks.
To her right, a man in a leopard print shirt attempted a dance battle with someone in an LED jacket.
"Atlanta never disappoints," Venus whispered with a grin.
On the opposite side of the bar, Raymond had already been seated. He had a bourbon in hand and was speaking quietly to an old friend, Tony, the club owner.
"This place is doing well tonight," Raymond said.
"Thanks to your early investments. You brought in the VIPs, man. Are you sure you don't want a private booth?"
"Nah, just here to breathe a little."
"Alright. I'll send your usual bottle over."
Raymond nodded, casually scanning the crowd. Lights flickered on dancers, a DJ shouted into the mic, and laughter rose in every corner.
Venus, meanwhile, spun in her seat, scanning the crowd. That's when she caught sight of a familiar back.
The curve of the shoulders. The haircut. That calm presence, like someone who owned the whole room.
The music boomed louder, dancers cheered, and Venus picked up her glass, still staring in disbelief at the man who had helped her with the gas pump just days ago—the man she didn't know was her boss.
Her eyes widened. "No way," she whispered.
She tilted her head. He turned slightly—and bingo. That was the guy from the gas station!
Without thinking, she grabbed her drink, strutted across the bar, and stood right in front of Raymond, who was now sipping his drink and staring into space.
"Hi, handsome," Venus said with a grin, one hand on her hip. "Looks like fate's job is to keep bringing us together."
Raymond turned and blinked, stunned… but in a good way. "Wow… well, look who we have here."
Venus leaned on the bar. "Thanks to you at the gas station, I got the job. I promised you a drink, and here we are."
Raymond chuckled. "And you also promised to name your first child after me. Don't think I forgot."
Venus clutched her chest dramatically. "Ah, ah! I gave you options, sir! If I were you, I'd go with the drink. Quicker delivery."
Raymond smirked. "But I go with the second option."
Venus gasped. "Ha! That one will take time oh! Besides, I might not even remember your name after tonight."
Raymond pretended to be hurt, placing a hand over his heart. "You wound me."
Venus laughed hard. "Please, I'm used to that prank. My grandma pulls it every time I refuse to eat."
Raymond leant in slightly, amused. "So... if I wait years and pray there's no mother-in-law to object… It's a deal?"
Venus raised her glass and clinked it against his. "You're a brave man. Deal."
They laughed together, the easy banter making them stand out even among the colorful crowd.
"By the way," Venus said, sipping her drink. "What's your name again? You didn't say at the gas station."
Raymond paused, watching her closely. "Let's just say… I'm your biggest supporter."
Venus narrowed her eyes and laughed. "That's suspicious, but okay. Supporters are welcome. Especially the ones who don't ghost after one drink."
Just then, a couple walked past—Jimmy and MacDonald, a fashionable influencer couple known on Atlanta TikTok.
Jimmy glanced at Venus and whispered, "I love her dress." Venus heard and twirled.
"Thank you, darling! It's 'Thank-God-I-Got-A-Job' collection, limited edition."
Everyone around chuckled, including Raymond.
At the far end of the bar, a DJ named Big Tunez announced the next set. "To all the celebrators in the house! Let's get some champagne flowing!"
Venus waved her hand. "Yes, DJ! You're talking to me!"
Raymond shook his head, laughing. "You're… something else."
"And you still want a child named after you?" she teased.
"Now I want three," Raymond replied.
They laughed again.
Venus glanced at her on the dance floor. "Hmm. I told my grandma I am going to celebrate my new job and she shouldn't wait for me.