Venus glanced at the dance floor, then turned to Raymond with a smile. "Hmm. I told my grandma I was going out to celebrate my new job and that she shouldn't wait for me. And trust me, when I say celebrate, I mean it!"
Raymond laughed. "I can see that. You're already in full celebration mode."
"I have to keep my promise," Venus said, pointing at him. "I told you I'd buy you a drink, and I'm not the kind of girl who makes empty promises."
Raymond raised an eyebrow. "I'm still holding on to that second option too, remember?"
Venus rolled her eyes playfully. "You're not letting that one go, are you?"
"Nope."
"Fine," she said, placing a hand on her chest like a queen making a royal announcement. "Because I'm in such a good mood, I'll do both—buy you a drink and name my first baby after you in mind."
Raymond laughed, shaking his head. "Now that's the spirit."
She flagged down Nina, the bartender. "Please, two cocktails, sweet but dangerous. Like me."
"You got it, girl," Nina replied with a smile.
As the drinks arrived, Venus leant a little closer to Raymond, her expression soft and her voice slightly lower.
"Do you know why I want to drink more?" she asked.
"Why?"
She pointed a finger at him, her face serious. "Because I know you're a responsible man. If I get drunk, you'll take care of me, not take advantage of me."
Raymond smiled. "I'm flattered you trust me like that."
"I do," she said, then sipped her drink. "It's written all over you. You don't look like a man that plays dirty."
They clinked glasses again and took a few sips in comfortable silence, surrounded by club music, lights, and laughter.
Venus was clearly enjoying herself, and her earlier boldness had now turned into soft giggles and sleepy eyes.
"Whew!" she said, fanning herself with her hand. "I think my drink is drinking' me back."
Raymond chuckled. "Already?"
Venus squinted. "I'm fine! Let's go dance. Come on, let's burn some calories."
She tried to stand up, but just as she pushed off the stool, she blinked twice and sat back down.
"On second thought," she said dramatically, "my legs have resigned. They said, hhey are not cooperating tonight."
Raymond burst out laughing. "Wow. That was fast."
"Don't judge me," she slurred slightly, waving a finger. "It's not the drink—it's the week I had".
"I mean… New job, new house, fancy clothes, official car… ah! Life wants to choke me with blessings."
"Then don't fight it," Raymond replied with a grin.
She nodded, then gently rested her head on the bar table.
"I'm just… resting my eyes for a second…"
Raymond watched in amusement as her breathing slowed and she dozed off right there on the bar, her arms tucked under her cheek.
"Really?" he muttered, leaning closer. "After all that bragging?"
Nina walked over, wiping her hands with a towel. "Is she… asleep?"
Raymond nodded. "Yep. Out cold."
Nina giggled. "She was talking tough a few minutes ago."
"Big girl energy," Raymond said, shaking his head with a smile. "But her body said goodnight."
A guy nearby, dressed in flashy gold chains and loud sneakers, pointed and said, "Man, that girl said she was going to outdrink the whole bar. Guess the bar won."
"Mind your business, Koby," Nina said.
Raymond stood up and gently adjusted Venus so she was sitting more comfortably. "Let me call a cab for her. I'll make sure she gets home safely."
"Are you her boyfriend?" Nina asked curiously.
Raymond smirked. "Not yet. But she did promise me a baby name, remember?"
Nina raised an eyebrow. "Well, in that case, I hope you like surprises."
Raymond laughed, then looked at Venus as she softly snored. "She's full of them."
Raymond looked down at her again, sleeping like a baby on the bar table, a soft snore escaping her lips now and then. He sipped the last of his wine and chuckled quietly to himself.
"She really couldn't last long," he murmured.
Then he remembered her words, "Because I know you're a responsible man. If I get drunk, you'll take care of me and not take advantage of me."
He sat up straighter.
"I did give her my word," he said to himself. He pulled out his phone and dialled.
"Pa Alfred," he said when the call connected.
"Yes, Master Raymond," came the warm, familiar voice on the other end.
"Please prepare the guest room downstairs. Make it cosy and warm. I'm coming home with someone."
There was a pause. "A lady?"
"Yes. And no questions. I'll explain everything later."
"As you wish."
Raymond ended the call, got up, and gently tapped Venus on the shoulder.
"Venus?" he whispered. "Let's get you out of here."
She mumbled something under her breath and turned her head the other way. Raymond smiled, picked up her handbag, and then carefully lifted her in his arms.
As he stepped outside into the cool night air and headed to his black Range Rover, Venus stirred a little in his arms.
Still half-asleep, she muttered, "Hey… remember… I'm a good fighter… I can be very dangerous if you try anything funny…"
Raymond chuckled and gently placed her in the back seat, buckling her seatbelt. "I thought you said I'm a responsible man."
She didn't reply—she was already snoring again.
He got into the car and drove quietly through the streets of Buckhead, the upscale neighborhood in Atlanta where his penthouse stood tall against the night sky.
The city lights twinkled, but Raymond's mind was on the strange, hilarious whirlwind that was Venus.
"She's something else," he muttered with a grin.
By the time he pulled into the private garage and parked, Pa Alfred was already at the door, dressed in his robe and night slippers, waiting patiently like the loyal butler he'd always been.
Raymond stepped out, walked around, and opened the door. Pa Alfred approached, eyebrows raised.
Raymond lifted Venus again and said quietly, "Let's talk in the morning. Just open the guest room."
"As you wish," Alfred replied, then added with a slight smirk, "She's light. I could've carried her."
Raymond raised an eyebrow. "She says she's a trained fighter. You want to risk getting kicked in your sleep?"
Pa Alfred chuckled and led the way.
Inside, the guest room was already glowing with warm lights, fresh sheets, and a soft scent of lavender.
Raymond gently laid Venus on the bed. She turned slightly and mumbled, "Hmmm... no funny business... I know Kung Fu."
Raymond smiled again and pulled the blanket over her. "Noted, Miss Venus."
Raymond was just about to leave the guest room when Venus's phone began to ring from inside her handbag.
The ringtone was a soft, cheerful tune that somehow suited her quirky personality. He paused, pulled the bag closer, unzipped it, and found the phone. The caller ID made him smile.
"My Cute Grandma"
He hesitated.
Should I answer?
The phone rang again.
Raymond sighed and picked it up, pressing the green button.
"Hello?"
There was a brief pause on the other end. "Who is this?" came an older woman's gentle, slightly suspicious voice.
"Good evening, ma'am," Raymond said politely. "My name is Raymond. I'm… with your granddaughter. She passed out at the club. She's safe, I promise."
There was a pause again. "At the club?" her grandmother asked. "Hmm… are you her friend?"
Raymond chuckled. "Yes, ma. I believe so."
"Okay. Thank you, my dear. Please be a good boy and take care of my Venus. She has the energy of ten lions but the sense of a squirrel when she's happy."
Raymond laughed. "I've started noticing that."
"Bless you. Just make sure she's okay. And please, don't mind her jokes; she doesn't have a filter when she's tipsy."
"I'll keep that in mind. Goodnight, ma'am."
"Goodnight, son."
As he ended the call and was about to place the phone on the bedside table, Venus stirred again on the bed, her voice lazy and heavy with sleep.
"My grandma cooks very well," she muttered. "You can come over someday to taste her stew… That's the one I enjoy most."
Raymond raised an eyebrow, amused.
Then she continued, "Look… my CEO that I don't know… He's very kind and considerate. I told my grandma, If he's single, I'll bring him home to her someday."
Raymond almost dropped the phone laughing, but he quickly composed himself and whispered, "Are you sure about that?"
Venus gave a soft snore in reply, already drifting back to sleep.
Raymond placed the phone gently on the table, turned off the lights, and stepped out, shutting the door softly behind him.
The Next Morning
Birds chirped faintly outside the wide windows as the sunlight peeped into the luxurious guest room.
Venus stirred under the soft duvet and blinked rapidly. Her head throbbed a little, and her mouth felt dry.
She sat up suddenly. "Where am I?!"