Lucien grinned. "A duel? You sure it's not an invitation to the back room?"
Rafael scoffed. "You two are hopeless. We're here to relax, not turn the club upside down."
Sean didn't laugh. His eyes were focused on the dance floor. A sea of scantily clad women moved with the beat of the EDM, their bodies writhing freely, oblivious to the world.
But one woman-just one-caught Sean's full attention.
She had shoulder-length light brown hair that cascaded in soft waves. Her lips were painted red, her face almost expressionless. But her eyes... those eyes. Sharp, emotional. Not filled with lust or thrill, but pain. A pain she masked with her movements and an empty smile.
Moments later, a waitress arrived with fresh drinks. Sean sipped his whiskey, his gaze still locked on her, as if hypnotized. He barely registered the conversation flowing between his friends.
Then, unexpectedly, the woman and her friends stopped dancing. Perhaps they were tired. Thirsty. And to his surprise, they walked toward the VIP section-toward them.
The other girls laughed, grabbed drinks, and mingled with the guys. But the sharp-eyed woman sat quietly at the edge of the sofa, holding her glass, lost in thought.
Sean leaned closer to her side and shifted seats.
"Hi," he greeted casually.
"Hi," she replied, eyes still on her drink.
"Can I know your name?" he asked.
She nodded slightly. "It's Ariel. And you?"
"You can call me Sean."
Ariel nodded again, then took a slow sip of her drink.
"Do you come here often?" he asked.
"Not really," she answered. "You?"
"Same."
"You're still in a suit," she said, tilting her head. "Must be a busy man."
"Sometimes," Sean replied. "But I need a break now and then."
"Of course."
Suddenly, loud laughter erupted from their friends. Ariel and Sean both flinched, clearly distracted.
"Wanna sit at the bar instead?" Sean offered.
Ariel nodded wordlessly. They moved and settled at the bar.
"I noticed you looked... distant earlier. You seem calmer than your friends."
"I'm not much of a talker," Ariel said quietly.
"Something on your mind?"
She was silent for a moment. Then spoke, voice low. "Honestly... I feel like ruining myself tonight. As badly as I can."
Sean blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Sex, for example," she said, eyes still fixed ahead. "But I don't know who with."
Sean turned to her slowly, serious. "You've never done it before?"
She shook her head. "No. You?"
"I've been with a few women," he answered honestly.
"Impressive," Ariel murmured.
Sean gave a small smile. "If that's what you call it."
Ariel looked at him, gaze unwavering. "Then maybe... you could help me."
"Help you with what?"
"Help me ruin myself. Completely."
Sean frowned slightly. "Are you serious?" he asked. "Come on... you've never done it before, right? Don't you care about your first time?"
"It doesn't matter anymore," Ariel said softly, pain flickering in her voice. "I hate my life. And I'm tired of pretending to follow its stupid rules."
Sean downed the rest of his drink in one go. He turned to her again.
"Alright. I'll help you."
"But under one condition," Ariel added.
"What's that?"
"After tonight... we never see each other again."
Sean nodded slowly. "Alright."
---
Now, Andrea sat at the edge of a sofa in a luxurious hotel room. Her eyes were fixed on the glittering glow of the full moon outside the wide window. Her heart pounded fiercely, as if a strange force inside her was trying to break free. She quickly clutched the pendant hanging from her neck, and the uneasy feeling slowly faded. For some reason, every time she looked at the full moon, an unexplainable restlessness stirred within her.
Sean stood behind her, silent, watching her quietly.
He removed his suit jacket and tossed it onto the sofa, startling her slightly.
She turned around. He was already loosening his tie and letting it fall beside the jacket.
"Are you sure you don't want to change your mind?" Sean asked, his fingers unfastening the buttons of his shirt one by one. "There's still time."
Andrea shook her head slowly. "I've made up my mind. I'm ready for you... to take me."
Without waiting any longer, Sean pounced on Andrea like a wild beast seizing its prey. His body pinned her down, and his lips crashed onto hers with uncontrollable hunger. Andrea was taken aback by Sean's urgency, her fragile frame almost unable to move beneath the weight of his body.
Andrea shivered as an unfamiliar warmth surged through her veins. The strange scent of pinewood mixed with something primal clung to Sean's skin-and it stirred something confusing within her.
"W-wait!" Andrea gasped the moment Sean broke the kiss to catch his breath.
"Why? Did you change your mind?" Sean asked, his voice low and rough, his breathing growing heavier as his desire became harder to contain.
"N-no, it's not that!" Andrea replied quickly. "Can we... take it slow?" she whispered. "It's... my first time."
Sean paused, silent for a moment. Then finally, he said, "Alright."
He loosened his hold on her, drawing back just enough to soften the moment. His face hovered close to hers again. Andrea closed her eyes as his lips gently brushed against hers.
Sean's kiss slowed, becoming tender-his lips savoring hers with deliberate care. At first, Andrea remained still, unsure, but soon her lips responded, kissing him back, matching his rhythm. She melted into the moment, lost in the gentle heat blooming between them.