The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 57

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**

Alessa maneuvered her car to a stop in front of a building that sent a wave of confusion through Tracy. The structure loomed before them, looking eerily deserted, as if it had been abandoned for years. The surrounding parking lot, however, was dotted with a few vehicles, yet the atmosphere felt strangely still, almost as if the world outside was holding its breath.

“Are you absolutely certain this is the right place?” Tracy inquired, her brow furrowing as she stepped out of the car, glancing around with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

“Certainly,” Alessa replied confidently, her voice steady as she moved towards the entrance. Tracy hesitated for a moment, taking in the quietness that enveloped them, before reluctantly following Alessa’s lead.

As they entered the building, they found themselves walking down a dimly lit hallway that seemed to stretch on endlessly. Tracy’s mind buzzed with questions, each one more pressing than the last, but she instinctively knew that Alessa was not in the mood to provide any answers.

When they reached an elevator door, Tracy’s eyes caught sight of a keypad requiring a passcode before the doors would open. She watched as Alessa confidently entered the code, the sound of beeping echoing in the silence. With a soft whoosh, the doors slid open, revealing the interior of the elevator. Alessa stepped inside and turned, glancing back at Tracy, who remained rooted in place, her expression a mixture of surprise and hesitation.

“There are some really cute men in there,” Alessa teased, her grin infectious. Tracy couldn’t help but smile in response, finally stepping into the elevator beside her. Alessa was well aware of Tracy’s adventurous spirit; she was simply playing it cool, knowing that they hadn’t yet fully embraced the wildness of the night.

Alessa produced a card from her pocket and placed it on a scanner embedded in the elevator’s wall.

“Welcome, Ms. Kendall,” an automated voice chimed, and Tracy erupted in a soft laugh, the tension easing slightly.

“I can’t wait to discover what makes this party so clandestine,” she remarked, amusement dancing in her eyes.

As the elevator descended, the seconds felt like an eternity. Finally, the doors opened, revealing a lavish room that was alive with activity. Men and women clad in black filled the space, their attire exuding an air of sophistication and mystery.

The crowd was predominantly made up of middle-aged individuals, exuding confidence and power. In every corner, stern-faced guards stood watch, their presence a stark reminder of the gravity of the gathering. Amidst the elegance, some guests twirled gracefully on the dance floor, while others engaged in hushed business discussions, glasses of fine drink in hand, laughter mingling with the music.

Before Tracy could voice her curiosity, Alessa’s voice cut through the noise.

“Hey, Tracy,” she called, effectively redirecting Tracy’s attention from the spectacle around her.

“Yeah?” Tracy responded, turning to face Alessa, her eyes wide with wonder.

“Just try to keep up,” Alessa advised, her tone casual as she moved deeper into the room, leaving Tracy momentarily puzzled.

Tracy’s brows knitted together in confusion, pondering Alessa’s cryptic words. She followed closely behind as Alessa confidently navigated through the crowd.

Suddenly, Alessa halted, her expression shifting dramatically. “Oh my God, Bianca!” she exclaimed, her voice rising above the ambient chatter. Tracy watched as Bianca turned, her eyes widening in disbelief before she rushed over, enveloping Alessa in a warm embrace.

“Alessa, wow!” Bianca laughed, her joy palpable. Her husband observed from a distance, intrigue mingling with suspicion as he wondered how his wife had come to befriend someone like Alessa, given that she typically kept her circle small.

“Oh, I see what’s happening now,” Tracy murmured to herself, piecing together the connections.

“Tracy!” Bianca exclaimed, finally noticing her presence. Tracy returned the smile and wrapped her arms around Bianca in a friendly hug.

Meanwhile, Bianca’s husband felt a surge of jealousy simmering beneath the surface as he watched the two women interact, but he masked his emotions with a polite smile.

“You must be Mr. Monroe,” Alessa addressed him directly, her tone friendly yet assertive. He forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Yes,” he replied curtly.

“Oh, sweetheart. This is the one I was telling you about last night—the billionaire,” Alessa continued, her enthusiasm palpable. Mr. Monroe’s demeanor shifted, and his smile transformed into one of genuine interest.

“Ms. Kendall, right? My wife mentioned you last night. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” he said, extending his hand. Tracy shook it firmly, sensing the weight of his gaze.

“Or is there something you need to tell your sister?” Alessa added, her gaze steady on Bryan. Tracy looked between them, her curiosity piqued.

“Fine. It’s a mafia party, okay? A gathering for criminals. I’m involved, Tyler is, and Alessa here is an assassin, so you definitely shouldn’t be here,” Bryan revealed, his voice dropping to a whisper as he glanced around.

Tracy let out a slow chuckle, her disbelief mingling with intrigue. For some reason, she found herself believing him. The signs were there, and her earlier doubts began to crystallize into a startling reality. Yet, instead of reacting with fear, she felt a strange thrill at the unexpected turn of events.

Bryan had anticipated her to side with him, to express shock and concern, but she surprised him instead.

“I’m with Alessa, so I’m staying by her side,” she declared, a playful smile gracing her lips as she linked her arm with Alessa’s. Alessa beamed back at her, clearly pleased.

“This isn’t a joke, Tracy. This is serious!” Bryan insisted, his voice rising slightly.

“Oh, I know. I got the memo,” she replied, her tone teasing as she looked at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Are my kids here? Where are they?” Bryan asked Alessa, his tone shifting to one of genuine concern.

“My kids are fine; it’s really none of your business,” Alessa replied curtly, then turned her attention back to Tracy.

“Come on, Tracy. We have a mission to complete,” Alessa said, leading the way back to the table with a sense of purpose.

Bryan groaned in frustration, trailing behind them, his mind racing with worry.

“Sorry about that,” Alessa said to Mr. Monroe as they returned to the table. She took a seat, and Tracy settled next to Tyler, who couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her.

The air was thick with anticipation, and the night was only just beginning.