- "I can't believe we're going to the red carpet again" Drake muttered in a squeak, barely hiding the joy he felt that day.

After receiving a breakfast basket from Jean, they had both made a comfortable trip to Los Angeles. The crux had been the jet chartered by Mr. Collins so that her daughter would have as much comfort as possible. The intention was to wrap Blair around until her thoughts could revolve around the man her father was, not the man he was.

- "You match this life" Blair replied as she ran her fingers through the satin dress she would wear for the night.

It was an imposing piece, in a shade of red very close to the copper strands in her hair. Unlike the previous one, the dress was not daring. With long sleeves, a modest length and a closed front, the Dolce&Gabbana model looked perfect for the occasion. Its only relevant detail, other than the embroidered seam, was the long opening in the back.

- "I agree"

Drake enjoyed the view through the picture windows of Blair's room. Los Angeles was different from Vegas, as if it were the bright side of the coin. A bustling city, but sheltered from all lust and chaos. Full of rich and powerful people, but also of ordinary people living boring days.

The redhead went into the suite's bathroom to get dressed while her friend admired the city of angels. Sinful in many ways, yet still filled with a warm tranquility. It was also the city of Hollywood stars, which made Los Angeles a target of prying eyes all over the world.

Drake was ready, wearing a white suit to make an analogy to the place. The friendly smile complemented the golden brown hair, and made it impossible not to like the man. While his friend was a recluse, avoiding affection to protect himself from disappointment, he sought love from people to feel less broken. If they really liked him, maybe it would be possible to recover some of the sensations that the traumas robbed him of.

As he lined up his suit jacket, looking very handsome in it, Blair came out of the bathroom. It took him a minute to digest the more than enchanting sight of her, but he knew his friend was always fatal.

The dress would fit nicely on any woman, but not on Blair. The fullness of her breasts, slim waist and shapely legs filled out the dress as if it had been tailored exclusively for her. Her hair was loose, wavy imperfectly, and ironically, it made her look perfect. Small diamond earrings and anklet were the second focus.

- “My God” was all Drake could say.

- “Am I okay ?”

She turned so he could see the entire dress. But when it came to Blair Collins, any outfit would do just fine. It was an understandable reason for envy that the redhead looked beautiful on any occasion.

- "You look very beautiful, not that it's a novelty"

She applied a final coat of vivid red lipstick before heading out. It was indisputable that that was her color, as she adorned her hair in order to channel any and all attention.

*

The city lights of Los Angeles were what lit up the world in dark times. The future was in the skyscrapers and in their grandeur. Every building on the outskirts of the city that never slept had a purpose; show your power.

The Roosevelt Hotel was an interesting setting. With its white facade and large rounded supporting pillars, the building had a modern look. Its interior was no different, boasting an abundance of elegance. The chandeliers in the various rooms, the pure marble floors and the superior suites with indoor pools were signs of a fortune.

In the master suite bathroom, in one of the city's most sought-after hotels, Ethan Banks was finishing his bow tie neatly on his tuxedo. He surveyed his reflection, looking for flaws that anyone else wouldn't notice. But that man was obsessed with perfection in the details. His attire, as usual, was entirely dark. The only glow on her figure came from the silver rings on her fingers.

When there was a knock on the door, he left the suite's bathroom and left, passing through a small private room and reaching the door. The room was large, made even bigger by the glass walls around the room, which gave the illusion that there was no boundary between the suite and the city.

Ethan unlocked the door so his lawyer could enter. Carter, Joseph Carter. In addition to being a lawyer, Carter was also a personal friend of Ethan. Banks liked working with people he was social with, because, contrary to what most people thought, Ethan saw an advantage in it. It would be easier to attack someone he knew's weak point if he was betrayed. The man saw business in all his relationships.

- “How was the flight ? he asked as he moved to make room for his lawyer.

- “Tiring but comfortable”

Joseph entered the suite, looking around the room with some curiosity. He was a man of tall stature, strong physique, and elegantly dressed in a tailored suit. He was blond, Caucasian, with light skin and eyes.

- “What do you have to say about the contract? ”

Ethan closed the door and walked into the suite's small living room, with two sofas and a center table. Joseph wanted to laugh, but he gave only a weak smile.

- “That ridiculous contract to buy the apartment in Vegas? As your attorney, I suggest you don't do this. As your friend, I forbid you to accept this proposal.”

- “What's wrong with the proposal? I want to buy the property, someone wants to sell it and we are going to close the deal”

Ethan remained standing while Joseph sat down and poured two shots of a brandy that was on the table, waiting for him. Carter had been on his boss's jet for a few hours, so he felt in need of a drink.

- “The real estate company wants to sell the property for a very high price, and you know it. Waiting for the damn apartment for a few more months won't be a problem, but buying it now sure as hell will.”

Ethan was restless inside. He walked over to the glass that separated him from the lit city and sighed, turning the ring on his ring finger as he thought. That was what set him apart from thousands of other people. No matter what he felt, he always hid it.

- “How many months are we talking about? ” his voice copied her posture; unshakable, inaccessible and powerful.

The truth was, Ethan had red-haired reasons to want to be in Vegas again. It was hard to think of the woman he'd met in the elevator without desire or obsession, so he was determined to get close. That kind of woman could destroy a man if she wanted to, and Ethan was willing to prove it.

- “About two months, but I'll get in touch with Lana to work out the purchase details. And, just to clarify, a fair price purchase”

- “You have three weeks”

- “I can work with it. Now, tell me, what happened in Vegas? ”

Carter knew Banks, or at least he thought he did. He knew his friend didn't do bad business. For Ethan, when it came to money, things had to be meticulous. That impulsive attitude of wanting to buy a millionaire apartment didn't seem like it came from Ethan.

- “I want to expand”

- “I don't understand business, but I understand smart people and attitudes. Buying a property above the price is never smart”

Joseph leaned across the Portuguese wooden table and faced his friend. Ethan stood by the glass of the window, taking in a view of a privileged part of the city.

- “Are you moving to Vegas and abandoning old practices? Does this have anything to do with a woman?” Joseph pressed the point, and to think that the root of the problem was a woman was correct.

- “Stop assuming. No woman is my problem”

- “I would love to have problems like this”

- “Then enjoy tonight, because the hall is full of problems like this. Finished? ”

- "Yea. Can we go now. And as for women, you should know how to keep one by your side, Banks.”

- “Why does your world revolve around women? ”

Ethan started to walk toward the door. He was technically late as he had an ethical duty as a host to arrive early. But he decided he would wait for his friend before heading down to the ballroom.

- “For the same reason your world revolves around men in suits. Who's better, friend? Carter got up and walked to the door as well, following in Banks' footsteps.

- “You look very cute today, Carter. By the way, the guy paying your salary is better off.”