Days had passed since that horrifying night outside Lord Aec's house. A week after leaving the hospital, I had spent most of my days in quiet solitude, been watching series, sleeping endlessly, and trying to convince myself that life could somehow return to normal. But the memory of that night, of Murphy's words and the sheer intensity of Aec's presence, lingered in every quiet moment. My body was healing, yes, but my mind… my mind refused to let go.
Maxie, as usual, was relentless. She had a way of sniffing out my attempts to cocoon myself in safety and crushing them with an unstoppable force of extroversion.
"Sharon, girl! You're not going to rot in your room all week. Come on! You need to live!" she had insisted repeatedly, waving her hands in my face like a general rallying troops. I had protested mildly at first, mumbling something about still recovering, but Maxie was already plotting.
"Look, there's a birthday party at Club Noir tonight. Casual VIP, the boss said attendance is mandatory but don't worry, we'll make it fun," she chirped, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"Fun? Maxie, I'm still… tired," I protested weakly. My body was still sensitive from hospital rest, my energy low, and the last thing I wanted was a crowd or flashing lights.
"Nonsense! You're coming, and I swear, you're going to look like a million bucks," she said, grabbing my phone and scrolling through fashion apps. "You? Casual? That's deadly. We're talking sexy, elegant, curves on point. You need to own that floor."
I groaned. "Sexy? Maxie, I just want comfort. Maybe a cute blouse, jeans…"
Maxie's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Nope. You're going all-out. Trust me once I'm done with you, even your ex won't remember you."
She was teasing me again... Like I had one
Reluctantly, I let her drag me into my wardrobe. I stared blankly as she sifted through my dresses like a stylist possessed. "This one!" she finally declared, holding up a tight, deep burgundy cocktail dress that clung to all the right places highlighting my curves, accentuating my waist, and giving a modest but alluring glimpse of cleavage.
Maxie didn't stop there. She pulled my hair into soft waves, applied a subtle smokey eye, and a deep berry lipstick that made my lips look plump and inviting. She stepped back, eyes gleaming with pride. "There. Now you are a goddess. Look at you, Sharon! Curves, confidence, killer lips, the floor is yours, babe."
I looked at my reflection and almost didn't recognize myself. The girl staring back looked… powerful, dangerous even. My body responded to her hype in ways I wasn't ready to admit. "Fine," I muttered, tugging nervously at the hem of the dress. "But if I embarrass myself, it's your fault."
Maxie laughed, slinging her arm around me. She was wearing a similarly daring outfit a short black dress with cutouts at the sides, highlighting her toned legs and hips. Her hair was sleek, her makeup flawless.
"Sharon, stop whining. You're about to turn heads. Let's go."
---
The taxi ride to Club Noir was short, but my nerves mounted with every passing streetlight. The music from inside was already thumping faintly, bass vibrating even through the walls. As we entered, I was immediately hit by a wave of luxury: dimly lit chandeliers, velvet seating, and the smell of expensive perfume mixed with faint hints of alcohol. The crowd was a mix of colleagues, friends, and a sprinkling of high-profile guests.
Our boss, Mr. Kade, was there, standing tall with a glass of champagne. His eyes swept the room and landed on us. "Glad you two could make it," he said, voice firm but amused. "Attendance is mandatory. Miss this, and I might have to reconsider your leave."
I forced a smile. "Of course, sir," I said, trying to sound confident while my heart hammered in my chest.
Maxie elbowed me playfully. "See? Nothing to worry about. Now, own the night, Sharon."
The party was lively, with music pulsating through the floor. I tried to settle in, sipping my mocktail cautiously, when I felt it: a presence. My stomach tightened. Slowly, my eyes scanned the VIP section, and there he was, Lord Aec.
My breath caught in my throat. He was taller than I remembered, his posture flawless, suit perfectly tailored. His dark eyes swept across the room, landing briefly on me. That single glance made my heart stutter. He hadn't smiled, hadn't approached, but the weight of his gaze was enough to make my skin tingle.
I instinctively pulled Maxie closer. "Do you… do you see him?"
Maxie smirked. "See him? Who?
She followed my eyes and it landed on him
"Girl, he's looking at you. That's your cue now act natural."
I attempted to breathe normally, but the minute I noticed him, all rational thought fled. Every warning from before, every fear, every piece of advice melted away, leaving only my body and instincts reacting.
I froze when I saw him glide across the club floor, every movement smooth, my chest tightened, and I gripped my glass so hard I thought it might shatter.
Aec stopped right at our table.
Mr. Kade, greeted him warmly. "Lord Aec, glad you could make it."
Aec's eyes flicked toward me for the briefest second, and I felt a jolt through my body like electricity shooting straight to my spine. Then, as if remembering some unspoken rule, he looked past me, addressing my boss instead.
"I hear the team is attending tonight," Aec said, voice low but commanding. "Is everything in order?"
"Yes, everything is fine," my boss replied, his tone slightly nervous, like he knew Aec could unsettle him with just a glance. "Attendance is mandatory for the team, just like you asked."
Aec's gaze swept the room once more, lingering just long enough on me to make my stomach flip, before he turned back to my boss. "Good. Keep it professional. I don't want distractions tonight."
"Yes, Lord Aec," my boss said quickly.
He nodded curtly and then moved away, every step confident, leaving me staring after him, heart hammering, breath uneven. Maxie nudged my arm.
"You okay, Sharon?" she whispered, smirking slightly. "He looked right at you."
I swallowed hard, cheeks burning. "Yeah… totally okay," I muttered, though my mind screamed otherwise.
Even from across the room, I could feel his presence lingering like a shadow, sharp and commanding. My pulse raced, my body buzzing in ways I didn't fully understand, and a strange mixture of fear and desire twisted in my chest. Tonight, I realized, wasn't going to be simple.
....
I didn't notice the small drink someone handed me at the bar. I thought it was just another cocktail, but within minutes, a warmth spread through my body subtle, tingling, and oddly disarming. My heartbeat accelerated, and every nerve ending seemed alive, almost buzzing. Something wasn't right… but the effect made my mind foggy, my libido rising in ways I couldn't fully control.
Maxie didn't notice either; she was across the room, laughing with a colleague. And I… I was mesmerized, drawn to Aec like a moth to flame.
Moments later, our boss approached, an unmistakable grin on his face. "Ah, Sharon, why don't you spend some time with Lord Aec tonight? You two would make quite the pair."
I froze. "Excuse me?" My words came out sharper than intended.
He chuckled, oblivious to my inner panic. "You know, just mingle. Enjoy the night."
I stepped back instinctively. "No, thank you. I… I think I'll pass."
Aec's eyes, dark and calculating, flicked toward me. I could feel his tension, the almost imperceptible narrowing of his gaze. He knew the game, whatever it was, and he didn't approve but he also didn't move closer. Not yet.
The music shifted to something slower, more sensual. My body responded instinctively. I felt the warmth of the drug in my system, pulling at every rational thought, urging me forward. I moved closer to him, hips swaying, lips slightly parted, voice softer than usual.
"Lord Aec…" I murmured, unsure if I was aware of what I was saying. "Why… why are you ignoring me?"
He looked at me, cold and unwavering. "Because I know you've been manipulated," he said quietly. His voice was low, controlled, and utterly frustrating. "And I won't be part of it."
I blinked, confused and frustrated. The heat coursing through me made my limbs restless. I wanted to reach for him, to pull him closer, to make him notice me in the only way I knew how. But he didn't move. He stayed composed, his restraint only fueling my desperate need.
I stumbled slightly, barely catching myself. Aec's gaze softened just slightly as he took a half-step back. I could tell he was trying not to engage, trying to protect both of us from whatever trap had been set. My mind fogged further, mixing fear, lust, and frustration into one overwhelming storm.
Maxie returned just then, spotting the tension. "Sharon! Girl, step back! You look… wow… but calm down!" She grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the bar.
I shook my head, unable to tear my eyes from him. "He… he's… ignoring me," I whispered, my voice a mixture of outrage and longing.
Maxie sighed, exasperated but protective. "He's smart, babe. Don't fall for whatever trap's being set."
I felt a pang of disappointment I wanted him to react, to fight for me, to at least acknowledge my presence, but he didn't. He walked away slowly, each step deliberate, leaving me trembling in the middle of the club and one thing was certain: the night had only just begun, and everything was about to get far more dangerous…