The beginning of this story was nothing out of the ordinary. A typical night, a typical invitation. Natalie nodded and followed a group of people to this place.
Compared to fake flirtations with some pretty boy, Natalie found it far more entertaining to watch her ragtag friends perform their displays of human nature and animalistic desires with cheaply adorned women. Amid the rowdy cheers, Natalie chose a sweet-talking hostess to sit beside her. Her friends teased her for slacking off, and she shot back with a laugh, "Mind your own business,thanks."
The chandelier's harsh white light spilled over a row of pale chests and thighs, glaring like winter sunlight on ice. It wasn't until the woman sat down that Natalie got a proper look at her face-quite lovely. Though her neckline plunged to the limit and her skirt was short enough to risk exposure, her features were refined, her demeanor dignified, a kind of elegant beauty. Even her coy smile didn't come off as shallow, more like a newlywed young wife. Natalie chuckled at the thought. But she couldn't deny it-having this woman beside her, gentle, poised, charming, and sensual, everything in perfect balance-was rather pleasing. Probably quite popular, Natalie mused.
The woman understood Natalie wasn't the type to indulge in such scenes, so she didn't pester her. As Natalie lazily glanced around, the woman quietly refilled her Coke and shelled nuts for her.
When Natalie looked at her, she smiled; when Natalie asked, she answered. She didn't push Natalie to drink, even occasionally shielding her from toasts-remarkably considerate.
The hostess beside her friend was practically draped over him by now, and Natalie, too embarrassed to keep staring, grew bored again. The woman brought over dice for Natalie to play with.
-just little tricks, but amusing enough. In good spirits, Natalie picked up the menu and ordered two mid-range bottles of liquor.
The woman gently tugged her sleeve.
"Thank you, but it's really not necessary."
They were sitting close, her voice soft, warm against Natalie's ear. Natalie stiffened, too embarrassed to mention the woman's chest pressing against her.But the woman was perceptive, already shifting back with an apologetic smile.
The woman's scent drifted into Natalie's nose and vanished just as quickly, mingling with the alcohol and the decadent musk of the room-not exactly high-class, but not unpleasant either.Natalie ordered the drinks anyway.
Her drunken friend stumbled over to toast the woman beside her, and suddenly, the woman's demeanor shifted entirely from the restraint she'd shown Natalie. She laughed brightly, clinking glasses with practiced charm, radiant and alluring. Her friend, delighted, ordered two more bottles. Natalie smirked inwardly-Guess I overdid it.
Natalie sang "Enchanted ," and her friends cheered and clapped with exaggerated enthusiasm. Glancing back, she saw the woman applauding too. Maybe it was the lighting, but Natalie thought her eyes sparkled-bright and sincere as stars.
Natalie tilted her head, offering the mic.
The woman shook hers.
"Is listening to you sing that expensive?" Natalie teased, eyes crinkling.
The woman replied, a touch innocent,
"Others charge for singing. I'd be charging you for your life."
Natalie wasn't sure if it was their proximity or the woman's hushed tone, but it felt like little flames of sunset clouds were brushing her ears, warm and dizzying. She wanted to pull away but didn't see the point, so she just shot the woman with a playful glance. "What if I insist?"
Still close, still soft, laced with fragrance.
"Anything but that, and I'm yours." Her eyes flickered, slanting a look at Natalie.
Natalie's ears burned, the heat spreading to her chest. Whether from the alcohol or something else, she couldn't tell. The woman's eyes glistened-not quite pitiful, but undeniably captivating. Unlike the forced allure of others.
That "I'm yours"*still lingered in Natalie's ears. There was an earnestness to the woman's seduction, a seamless, natural charm woven into every word.
Natalie didn't press further. When others came to toast, the woman shielded her, and Natalie, content, let her.
Her friend ribbed her, "Such a thoughtful beauty-why don't you just take her home, Natalie?"
Before Natalie could reply, the woman cut in, "I'd love to, but I doubt Miss Natalie would want me." She nibbled her lower lip, gazing at Natalie with devastating allure.
Natalie choked on her Coke. The woman's hand was already on her back, soothing with tender concern. The warmth of her palm through the thin fabric sent a jolt down Natalie's spine, her hair standing on end-she nearly leaped out of her seat.
The woman tactfully withdrew. The room erupted in laughter as Natalie coughed violently, rendered speechless. The woman laughed too, the moment passing without awkwardness.
By dawn, it was time to leave. The hostesses filed out with generous tips, each planting a loud kiss on a client's cheek, giggling "Thanks, boss!" Though Natalie wasn't a regular, she knew the drill. She pulled out a wad of cash, reconsidered, and handed a few bills to the woman.
The woman's smile bloomed-brighter than all her smiles that night combined.
Natalie, feigning nonchalance, went to place the money on her thigh, only for her wrist to be caught. The hands gripping her were soft and slender. In that stunned moment, they guided Natalie's hand to the woman's chest.
Natalie's eyes widened. Just as she was about to stuff cash into the woman's cleavage, she yanked her hand back.
Bills scattered over the woman's lap, the couch, the floor.
The woman bent down first. As she retrieved the money, Natalie caught a fuller glimpse of the curves strained by her dress. Her throat went dry. The woman stacked the bills neatly and handed them back. "You don't have to."
The woman's gaze... Natalie didn't quite know how to describe it. It was gentle, vast and delicate, as if capable of catching her if she fell, yet it made Natalie feel as though she had done something wrong. So she didn't press further and slipped the money back into her own pocket.
Before leaving, the woman offered a polished "Thank you, boss."
Natalie chuckled and replied, "You're welcome."
The woman seemed about to rise but hesitated in mid-motion. Puzzled, Natalie met her smiling eyes—then quickly understood, waving her hands in refusal. "No need, really."
The woman's smile nearly faltered. For a few seconds, her striking yet poised face lingered in Natalie's sight before she turned away, her elegant figure disappearing down the kaleidoscopic hallway. Natalie exhaled in quiet relief.
———————————————
Two months had passed, and Natalie had nearly forgotten that brief encounter.
Her secretary suggested catering to the client's preferences by discussing business at an entertainment venue. After some thought, Natalie agreed. Following dinner with the client, they headed to a club she had visited before.
It was her second time there. As per the usual routine, a line of young men and women stood for selection. Sitting to the side, Natalie smiled and picked two girls for the client. Watching him happily flanked by his companions, she and her secretary settled in to sing a few songs.
Midway through, Natalie excused herself to use the restroom. Passing another hallway, she spotted that woman outside a private room, dressed in a slit dress that reached high up her thigh, her hair elegantly pinned up, looking radiant as she chatted amiably with a man. Had the man not been so ordinary and the slit in her dress not so daring, Natalie might have mistaken them for a married couple exchanging casual pleasantries. Not that it was any slight against the woman—there was something about her, an air of demure charm, that gave Natalie the impression of a respectable lady. Well, maybe that's exactly what makes her popular in a place like this, Natalie mused.
Without realizing it, she glanced at the woman again—only to find the woman had noticed her too, offering a smile and a greeting: "Miss Natalie."
The moment she spoke, Natalie felt that same pull. Her voice was distinctive, like pearls scattering on a plate—crisp yet velvety, polished and free of any regional accent. Natalie nodded in acknowledgment, then turned away without another look.
Before she reached the door, the sharp click of high heels echoed behind her—"tap, tap, tap". Natalie paused, turned, and saw the woman tilting her head slightly, watching her with amusement in her eyes.
Unconsciously, Natalie smiled back, though she still asked, "Why are you following me?"
The woman took a few steps closer. Her heels were higher, forcing Natalie to look up slightly. Standing before her, the woman exuded an unexpected, fleeting pressure—just for a moment. Then, with a lingering gaze, she abruptly said, "My name is Chloe." Natalie's grip on the door handle tightened. Chloe took a step back, the slit in her dress teasing glimpses of her long legs.
Natalie's eyes traveled upward—from Chloe's legs, over her waist, past her chest, before settling back on her face, meeting a gaze that seemed laden with unspoken meaning. Her hand hovered over the handle as she asked, "Do you use that name here?"
Chloe blinked, her eyes glinting. "Of course not."
Natalie laughed softly. They held each other's gaze for a few seconds before Natalie looked away first. Chloe leaned slightly against the wall, her own gaze lowering.
Studying her profile, Natalie finally said, "Want to come in?" Chloe crossed her arms, nodded, then shook her head—her eyes never losing their playful light.
Natalie pressed, "Then what do you want?"
"Now's not the right time," Chloe replied.
Natalie arched a brow. "Got another client?"
Chloe shook her head again, her gaze so enveloping that Natalie felt as if submerged in water. Her eyes were like the moon.
"I'll bring someone in with me later," Chloe said.
It wasn't a question.
Natalie nodded. "Alright."
When Chloe returned, she changed into a more modest dress, accompanied by a handsome young man—the kind of pretty-faced boy currently in vogue. Without a word, Chloe took a seat beside Natalie, demure and subdued, a far cry from the woman who had pinned her with that soul-stealing gaze at the door. The young man, smooth as cream, settled next to the secretary.
The client let out an amused chuckle at the scene. "Natalie, oh Natalie."
Natalie laughed brightly, a hint of playfulness in her tone. "More people, more fun." Yet, almost unconsciously, she shifted slightly away from Chloe.
The boy was a natural at charming women, coaxing giggles from the secretary with ease. Chloe, much like their first encounter, spoke sparingly—just enough to steer the mood and, well... handle men with practiced finesse. Natalie relaxed into the unfamiliar woman's social deftness, though when she noticed the client's gaze lingering a little too long on Chloe, she deftly redirected the conversation back to business, her voice soft but deliberate.
The first half was an appetizer; the real meal came later. As the gilded room dimmed, colorful lights pausing, the screen flickering to black, Chloe and the others rose to leave. The pretty boy flashed the secretary a sweet grin. "Goodbye, sis." Chloe lingered last. At the door, she turned, catching Natalie's eye with a wink and a smile. "Goodnight, Miss Natalie."
The door clicked shut, sealing away the earlier clamor into sudden silence.
The client grinned. "Well, Natalie, didn't take you for this kind of gal."
She didn't argue, answering gently, "I've been here a few times with friends."
"That one's got sharp instincts," the client remarked.
Natalie nodded. "Yes, she does."
Midnight settled in, the early autumn chill already chased away by the warmth of indoor heating. After seeing off the client, Natalie circled back to settle the bill, her suit jacket draped over one arm while the other fished for her wallet. Chloe stood beside her, quietly taking the jacket from her.
"Thanks," Natalie said, then added, "I'm not really familiar with the etiquette here. Should I note anything for you tonight?"
Chloe shook her head. "No need."
Natalie kept her eyes on the bill, not looking up. Chloe shifted closer in her heels, her words abrupt. "You look so much more mature today than last time."
Natalie shot her a sidelong glance. "Do I look older today?"
Chloe faltered, her reply quicker now. "No, it's just that last time, you seemed... younger."
A faint smile touched Natalie's lips as she closed the bill and took her card back from the cashier. She tilted her head slightly, her voice soft, almost sweetly nasal. "So I'm either too old or too young?"
"Hey, that's not what I meant."
Natalie started toward the exit, Chloe falling into step beside her. "I mean you're beautiful."
Being called beautiful by a beautiful woman—Natalie chuckled. "Thank you. You're quite lovely yourself."
The elevator area buzzed with comings and goings. Chloe pressed the button to hold the doors. "I'll walk you down."
Natalie almost refused, but Chloe stood so close, their arms nearly brushing. She swallowed the word no.
Outside, the night air carried a slight chill. Natalie paused by her car, eyeing Chloe's thin dress. "Thanks," she said. "You should head back."
Chloe nodded but didn't move, her gaze steady, teasing. "What's your name?"
Amusement and something like nervousness flickered in Natalie's chest. She beckoned her closer.
When Chloe stepped in, Natalie asked, "If I come back, how do I find you?"
A fleeting, unreadable expression crossed Chloe's face before she answered, "I'll know if you're here. I'll come to you."
This time, Natalie's laughter was genuine, her eyes lifting to meet Chloe's. Chloe held the gaze effortlessly.
Her expression was calm now, softer than the charged glances exchanged in the dimly lit room earlier. Yet there was a quiet warmth to it, something measured but unmistakably fond.
"Natalie?" Chloe prompted.
"Yeah."
Natalie's gaze dropped to the strip of bare calf visible beneath Chloe's skirt. So pale. "What time do you get off?"
She could feel the weight of Chloe's stare above her, heavy enough to make her hesitate before looking up. But she kept her tone light, casual.
Chloe's lips curved. "Taking me with you?"
Natalie's pulse jumped. Regret prickled the moment the words left her mouth, but there was no taking them back now. She smiled breezily. "Do you want to come with me?"
For a few seconds, Chloe just stared at her—then burst into laughter, covering her mouth with the back of her hand like a delighted child. Natalie blinked, bewildered, though the sight of Chloe laughing, unrestrained and radiant, was undeniably captivating.
Belatedly, Natalie realized how her own words must've sounded and nearly laughed too. When Chloe finally caught her breath, she handed back the jacket. "Drive safe."
Relief and something oddly hollow tangled in Natalie's chest. She pulled open the car door, polite to the last. "Goodnight, Chloe."