Lia was so beautiful that even customers who had come only for coffee couldn't help but praise her. Some smiled openly, others pretended to check their phones while sneaking glances at her reflection in the glass counter. She didn't notice most of it—she was too focused on doing her job well—but the café buzzed with quiet admiration wherever she passed.
By the time she was done with work, the clock read 3:00 p.m.
She changed into her normal outfit and stood at the corner of the café, waiting for her shift card to be signed, when her phone rang.
"Ava?" Lia answered.
"So?" Ava's excited voice came through. "How was your day?"
Lia laughed softly and told her everything—the stressful restaurant, the cozy café, the kind manager, the job she got so quickly. To her surprise, Ava sounded genuinely happy for her.
"That calls for celebration," Ava said immediately. "Where are you? I'll pick you up."
Lia hesitated. "I… have something small to do first. I don't want to delay you."
Ava sighed dramatically. "Fine. Let's meet at 6 p.m. then. Same place?"
"The bar?" Lia asked.
"Yes. Don't be late."
They hung up, and Lia slipped her phone into her tote bag before stepping out onto Silvergate Street.
Silvergate was alive—streetlights glowing softly, music spilling out of shops, food vendors lining the sidewalks. Lia walked slowly, letting herself enjoy the evening. She stopped at a small stall and tried cheese-filled takoyaki, surprised by how warm and soft it tasted. A few steps later, she bought honey-glazed churros, licking sugar from her fingers as she smiled to herself.
She loved food—both she and Ava did. The only difference was that Lia somehow stayed thin and stunning no matter what she ate, while Ava was softly fleshy, not fat, not slim—just beautifully full in the right places.
What Lia didn't know was that she wasn't alone.
Ryan was following her at a distance, careful not to be seen. He told himself it was curiosity—but every time Lia smiled or paused to taste something new, his chest tightened.
Behind him, another shadow moved.
Ethan watched Ryan watch Lia—and that alone made him curious. What kind of guy followed a girl like that? And why Lia? So Ethan followed them both, his expression unreadable.
As darkness slowly settled over Silvergate, Ryan's phone rang.
His father.
Ryan stopped walking.
"If you apologize," his father said coldly, "I might allow you to return to the life you threw away."
Ryan's jaw tightened. His mother's softer voice joined in, persuading, pleading.
He looked back once—at Lia, laughing softly as she tasted strawberry mochi—and something like regret crossed his face. Then, without another word, he put on a mask, turned, and disappeared into the crowd.
Ethan frowned.
That didn't make sense.
Still, his attention returned to Lia.
Soon, she reached the bar where Ava was waiting.
Ethan stopped short when he saw the sign glowing above the entrance:
NOCTURNE
The club.
His club.
A gift from his older brother.
His eyes darkened, and without hesitation, he walked in.
Inside, Lia spotted Madison laughing loudly with her friends. Her smile faltered.
Ava noticed immediately. "Ignore her," she said quietly. "I don't even like Madison. I'm only friendly because of my dad."
Lia blinked. "Really?"
Ava rolled her eyes. "Please."
Relief flooded Lia. She had always thought Madison was special to Ava.
They sat and ordered—Ava choosing cocktails, Lia sticking to fruit juice, since she wasn't used to drinking.
Across the room, Ethan spotted Derek Bennett and Cole Bennett, who were heading toward Blake Sullivan's table. He followed, eyes still tracking Lia whenever he could.
Meanwhile, Madison had noticed them too.
"Who's that girl with Ava?" she asked sharply.
Curiosity—and jealousy—burned in her chest. She stood up with Sabrina and walked over. The moment Madison saw Lia up close, she pursed her lips.
Lia was a rare kind of beauty. Even men at the bar were staring.
Madison smiled sweetly. Fake.
"Oh hi," she said, leaning closer to Lia. "You must be new."
Ava cut in instantly. "Don't bother."
Madison's smile twitched.
"Relax," she said lightly—and pretended to stumble.
In that brief moment, her hand tilted—just enough.
The drug slipped into Lia's drink.
Madison straightened, eyes gleaming. The drug was meant for Ethan… but plans changed.
She walked away smirking.
Lia, unaware, sipped her juice.
Minutes later, Ava was badly drunk, laughing too loudly and flirting with a stranger. Worried, Lia called Ava's driver. When he arrived, they helped Ava into the car and sent her home safely.
"I'll just grab my bag," Lia said.
Inside the club, the lights felt too bright. The music too loud.
As she turned a corner, dizziness hit her hard.
She leaned against the wall, breathing unevenly. Her ankle twisted—and she lost balance.
Strong arms caught her.
A tall boy held her waist.
She struggled weakly. "L-let go…"
Her head spun. She had no strength left.
The boy chuckled, pinning her gently but firmly to the wall. "My friends were right—you look drunk," he said. He leaned closer, sniffed. "But I don't smell alcohol."
His smile turned dark. "Oh. You were drugged."
Lia's eyes widened in fear.
"You smell nice," he murmured. "Such a pretty girl. Don't worry—I'll be gentle. I won't break you."
He leaned in to kiss her—
CRACK.
A punch landed hard against his face.
The boy staggered back, shocked.
Strong arms pulled Lia close, holding her protectively against a solid chest.
Ethan.
His grip on her was firm, careful—one arm wrapped securely around her shoulders as she went limp, her head falling against him.
Fury burned in his eyes.
"Touch her again," Ethan said coldly, "and you won't walk out of here."
With Lia held tightly in one arm, Ethan moved like a storm. He dodged a wild swing, slammed the guy into the wall, and struck him again—precise, controlled, brutal. The man collapsed to the floor, groaning.
Ethan didn't look back.
Lia had already fallen asleep in his arms.
He looked down at her pale face, jaw tightening.
Someone had drugged her.
And whoever did… had just declared war.
To be continued…