The city shimmered under the amber glow of twilight. Skyscrapers blinked like stars fallen to earth, and somewhere in the pulsing heart of downtown, music began to hum beneath the surface. It was Friday night, and the buzz of Velvet Pulse, Jeremy's elite nightclub, thrummed through the veins of the city.
Sophia's Preparation
Back in their apartment, the laughter between Aurora and Sophia had died down, replaced by the hustle of pre-performance rituals.
Aurora leaned on the doorframe of Sophia's room, watching as she zipped up into a sleek, wine-colored satin dress that hugged her curves with bold confidence. Her hair was pulled back into a high, braided ponytail, her lips painted in a shade just deep enough to demand attention.
"You look like heartbreak on a velvet stage," Aurora said, half-impressed, half-joking.
Sophia turned, striking a playful pose. "As I should. Heartbreak is my brand."
They both laughed.
Chloe popped her head into the room, already dressed in a soft blush two-piece with her curls bouncing. "We heading out soon? Emery said they're holding a booth for us."
Aurora nodded. "Let's go. The night's waiting."
The moment the trio stepped into the club, it was like stepping into another world. The scent of expensive cologne and champagne hovered in the air. Deep purples and warm golds painted the room in sensual elegance. A live jazz quartet played near the bar, setting the mood.
Gerald Wayne stepped out of a sleek black Rolls Royce moments later, accompanied by his twin sister Genevieve Wayne, who was effortlessly striking in a midnight-blue off-shoulder jumpsuit, hair slicked back in a chic twist.
Inside, they were escorted straight to the VIP section. Genevieve's sharp eyes scanned the club with curiosity, while Gerald's immediately found Aurora at a distance laughing with Sophia and Chloe under soft, golden lighting.
He blinked once.
Then twice.
"I see why you're suddenly into live music," Genevieve murmured beside him with a smirk.
Sophia Takes the Stage
The club lights dimmed, and the crowd's conversations softened.
Sophia stepped into the glow of a single spotlight, her silhouette sleek and poised.
The mic hummed once, and then...
Her voice poured out like honey wrapped in velvet.
The room stilled.
Aurora watched her with pride, while Gerald leaned forward slightly, captivated. Genevieve tilted her head, impressed.
From across the room, Jeremy emerged, slipping past guests with practiced ease until he stood beside Aurora at the bar.
"Didn't expect to see you here tonight," he said, eyes scanning her forest-green dress.
"I needed good music," she replied, not turning to face him fully.
"Well, you found it," he said, then paused. "You look... incredible."
Aurora gave a polite nod. "Thanks."
He stepped closer. "How about a drink, just us maybe even a slow dance?"
Before she could answer, Gerald appeared behind her. "Miss Thompson."
Aurora turned, her eyes lighting with surprise. "Gerald. Didn't expect to see you."
"I came for the voice," he said, gesturing to the stage. "But stayed for the company."
Jeremy's smile faltered for half a second.
Aurora, sensing tension, stood her ground. "I appreciate the offer, Jeremy, but I already have company."
Jeremy chuckled, stepping back. "Fair enough. Enjoy the evening."
He left with a practiced smirk but something in his eyes burned.
Aurora let out a soft breath, watching Jeremy disappear into the crowd, then turned to Gerald with a grateful smile.
"Thank you for the interruption," she said sincerely.
He smiled, calm and elegant. "It felt like the right moment to step in."
"I'm glad you did."
"Would you care to join us?" he asked, gesturing toward the elevated VIP section. "I'd like you to meet someone."
Aurora hesitated, then nodded. "Sure."
He offered his arm with a gentleman's charm, and she took it. As they reached the velvet-draped table, a tall, poised woman rose to greet them.
"Genevieve, this is Aurora Thompson. Aurora, my twin sister, Genevieve."
Genevieve extended her hand, eyes bright with curiosity. "You're even more beautiful up close. My brother rarely brings anyone to our table, so I was intrigued."
Aurora smiled warmly as they shook hands. "It's lovely to meet you."
As they all sat down, Gerald glanced toward the stage where Sophia had just stepped down, her performance still echoing through the murmuring crowd.
"Your friend Sophia, right?" Gerald said, genuinely impressed. "She's captivating. Voice like silk. And stage presence that belongs at the Met."
Aurora's eyes lit with pride. "She's been performing since we were in college. I'm used to seeing her shine like that."
"I hope she performs again tonight," he added, sipping from a crystal tumbler. "She makes jazz feel... alive."
Genevieve snorted into her drink. "Wow. Look at you. One set and suddenly you're a jazz aficionado."
Gerald gave her a dry look. "I can appreciate good music."
"You used to call it 'nostalgic elevator noise,'" she teased.
Gerald chuckled, unbothered. "I've evolved."
Aurora laughed along with them, the air around their table feeling light and warm.
Outside, on the upper balcony wrapped in fairy lights, Chloe leaned on the railing overlooking the glowing city below. Emery stood beside her, their fingers nearly brushing.
"It's so peaceful out here," Chloe murmured. "Like the whole city paused for a second."
Emery looked over at her. "Or maybe you just quieted mine."
She turned her head, smiling. "You always this smooth?"
"Only with you."
A few heartbeats passed.
"About that kiss…" Chloe began, eyes glinting in the soft light.
"You regret it?" Emery asked quietly.
She shook her head. "No. I just don't want it to be... a moment. You know?"
"I don't want that either," he said, turning fully to her. "That's why I wanted to ask—Chloe, would you be my girlfriend? Officially."
Chloe blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice.
"I mean," she started, unsure, "are you sure? I'm not some debutante. I'm messy. I overshare. I wear mismatched socks. You you're like… polished."
"I'm also wildly smitten," he said softly, stepping closer. "And I think I want messy. I want honest. I want you."
She stared at him a moment longer before slowly nodding.
"Yes," she whispered.
Then he kissed her again this time, slower, sweeter, with the kind of stillness that made even the wind hold its breath.
Back inside, the front doors parted as Jalen and Collins stepped into the club. Jalen's crisp black jacket hung open over a fitted white tee, his usual swagger dimmed by a thoughtful tension.
He scanned the crowd but didn't immediately spot her.
Aurora, meanwhile, sat with Gerald and Genevieve, laughing at a story about how Gerald once accidentally ended up singing karaoke in Paris completely tone-deaf.
Neither of them had seen each other yet.
But the air… was shifting.
Something was coming.
Aurora sat between Gerald and Genevieve, laughter still dancing in the air around them until she felt it.
That tug.
That inexplicable awareness.
Her gaze drifted instinctively toward the entrance and there he was.
Jalen Harris.
He was casually dressed, but nothing about him looked casual. His black jacket clung perfectly to his broad shoulders, the white shirt beneath highlighting the sculpted definition of his chest. His dark hair was tousled just enough to seem effortless, and those icy blue eyes swept the room with a predator's grace.
Aurora inhaled sharply.
Genevieve's voice blurred into background noise as their gazes locked briefly but powerfully.
Across the room, Collins noticed Jalen stiffen beside him.
"Well, well," Collins said with a grin, nudging Jalen lightly. "There goes your cool, Mr. Untouchable."
Jalen scoffed, dragging his gaze away. "Don't be ridiculous."
"Oh, I'm not the one practically eye undressing her from twenty feet away," Collins teased, laughing under his breath.
Jalen narrowed his eyes. "She's just... a game. A puzzle to figure out."
Collins chuckled. "Sure, buddy. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
Just then, Jeremy strolled up, drink in hand, catching the tail-end of their conversation.
"Talking about Aurora, I see?" he said smugly.
Jalen gave him a warning look, but Jeremy grinned wider.
"Well, you're not the only one interested. She's a fine piece of art... and I've always loved collecting the finer things."
Collins raised an eyebrow. "You too? Damn. Is every man in this club under her spell?"
"Guilty as charged," Jeremy said easily, lifting his glass in a mock toast.
Jalen's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. The way Jeremy spoke about Aurora like she was a trophy irritated him more than he cared to admit.
As Jeremy sauntered off toward the backstage area to find Sophia, Collins leaned in closer.
"Tell yourself whatever you want, man," he said low. "But I know that look. You're not hunting a game. You're hunting something you're scared of losing."
Jalen said nothing. He just stared across the crowd where Aurora was excusing herself from Gerald and Genevieve.
Heading toward the ladies' washroom.
And Jalen moved.
By the ladies' washroom Aurora had barely pushed open the heavy door when she heard it...
"Aurora."
His voice.
Deep. Commanding. Impossible to ignore.
She froze mid-step, turning slowly.
And there he was walking toward her with a lethal mix of predatory grace and devastating charm.
From her perspective, he was ridiculously good-looking like something sculpted rather than born. His piercing blue eyes gleamed under the low club lights, his jawline sharp enough to wound. His very presence seemed to bend the air around him.
When he reached her, he leaned in just enough that she could feel the faint heat of him.
"Still angry with me?" he murmured, voice like velvet soaked in whiskey. "Or is that why you can't stop looking my way?"
Aurora straightened, trying not to fall under the spell of his nearness.
"I could ask you the same thing," she said coolly.
He smirked, undeterred, stepping even closer.
"Maybe," he whispered against her ear, "I'm just too good looking to ignore. Even for you."
For a second, she forgot how to breathe. His arrogance was a double-edged blade infuriating yet dangerously seductive.
But then Aurora remembered exactly who she was.
Without hesitation, she placed her palm firmly against his chest and pushed him backward, creating a solid, undeniable space between them.
Jalen's expression flickered momentarily surprised.
Aurora lifted her chin, voice sharp and steady.
"You might be used to women falling at your feet after one smirk and a compliment, Jalen Harris," she said, her eyes burning into his, "but I'm not one of your easy conquests. I don't lose myself over a pretty face... or a hollow charm."
She didn't wait for his response.
She turned gracefully, disappearing into the ladies' room without a second glance.
Leaving Jalen standing there pulse racing, ego bruised, and something far more dangerous stirring in his chest.
Jalen stood frozen in the dim hallway outside the ladies' washroom, with his ego bruised as he runs a hand through his hair in frustration.
No one... no one ever pushed him away like that.
He wasn't used to being denied. He wasn't used to feeling... anything that wasn't cocky confidence or detached amusement. But here he was chest tight, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.
"What the hell was that?" he muttered under his breath.
For a moment, he entertained the idea of shrugging it off writing her off as just another girl who didn't know what she was missing.
But deep down, he knew it wasn't that simple.
There was something about Aurora.
Something electric, something real and it infuriated him.
He shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and leaned back against the wall, trying to collect himself.
His mind replayed her words on loop:
> "I'm not one of your easy conquests."
Jalen exhaled a slow, unsteady breath.
Maybe he wasn't the hunter this time.
Maybe... he was the prey.
Inside the ladies' room, Aurora leaned over the sink, gripping the cool marble countertop.
Her heart was racing far more than she wanted to admit.
She stared at her reflection the slight flush on her cheeks, the wild spark in her eyes and groaned softly.
"Get it together, Aurora," she whispered to herself. "He's just a guy. A very... Annoying, stupid but yet a very attractive guy."
The applause still echoed faintly from the main lounge as Sophia stepped off the stage, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor backstage. She was radiant in her post-performance glow, breath slightly shallow, heart still pulsing in rhythm with the final notes of her song.
As she reached the makeup mirror, dabbing lightly at her temples with a silk cloth, a slow clap echoed behind her.
"Well, well... another night, another standing ovation," came a voice edged in saccharine sweetness.
Sophia turned to see Brittany Hale, one of the club's other singers, leaning casually against the wall. She was dressed in a glittery silver mini dress, her honey-blonde curls falling over one shoulder. Though her words were wrapped in flattery, the undertone wasn't hard to miss.
"Thanks, Brittany," Sophia said politely, already turning back to the mirror. "It was a good crowd tonight."
"Mmhmm. Seems like they always eat out of your palm," Brittany added, arms crossed. "I mean, I can't remember the last time Jeremy personally introduced one of my sets."
Sophia offered a cool smile. "Maybe it was during one of your smoke breaks."
Before Brittany could fire back, Jeremy stepped in through the backstage door, hands tucked in his pockets and a proud glint in his eyes.
"Sophia," he said, cutting through the tension like a warm knife. "Absolutely electric. You owned that stage tonight."
Sophia turned with a genuine smile. "Thanks, Jeremy. It felt right tonight. The vibe, the crowd... it all just clicked."
Jeremy nodded, glancing briefly at Brittany. "Well, the audience is still buzzing. You have a gift, Sophia. I hope you know how rare that is."
Brittany shifted uncomfortably, her forced smile cracking for a split second.
"Anyway," Jeremy continued, eyes now back on Sophia, "you free for a drink later? We should toast to another killer performance."
Sophia raised a brow. "Only if it's top shelf."
Jeremy grinned. "Wouldn't dare offer you anything less."
As he exited with a wink, Brittany's expression twisted ever so slightly.
Sophia didn't miss it. "Careful, Brit. Jealousy isn't a good look on you."
Brittany huffed and turned on her heel, striding out with her heels clicking sharply behind her.
Sophia sighed, then turned back to the mirror, her confidence unshaken. Tonight, she was untouchable.
As Sophia stepped out into the lounge again, her eyes scanned the room. She paused when they landed on Gerald Wayne, seated at a booth with none other than his sister, Genevieve.
She walked over confidently.
"Didn't expect to see you here," she said.
Gerald stood and smiled. "You were phenomenal tonight."
"And you," she nodded at Genevieve, "must be the sister I've heard about."
Genevieve rose with poise and offered a hand, her smile cool but not unfriendly. "So this is the friend of the woman who's got my brother suddenly showing up at jazz clubs and asking about mic setups. A true cultural revolution."
Sophia laughed. "He's subtle."
Gerald gave her a look. "You're not."
They all sat down, conversation beginning to flow easily until Aurora arrived, expression a little off, eyes heavy with distraction.
Aurora approached the booth slowly. She greeted them and took a seat beside Sophia, though her thoughts were clearly somewhere else.
Sophia noticed the shift. "You okay?"
Aurora forced a smile. "Just a long night."
Genevieve gave a knowing glance. "Let me guess it him nodding towards Jalen's direction.
Aurora gave a confirming looking.
"Well, well, well," Sophia said with a teasing grin. "Looks like someone needs a cold drink."
Aurora let out a breathless laugh. "Or a cold shower."
Sophia leaned towards towards her, eyebrow arched.
"What happened?"
Aurora straightened, her cheeks still pink. "He happened."
Sophia's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Ohhh. Do tell."
Aurora rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
"He tried his whole charming, ego-driven thing on me," she said, mimicking his deep voice dramatically. "'Maybe I'm just too good-looking to ignore.'"
Genevieve burst out laughing, clutching her stomach.
"Oh, please tell me you didn't fall for that."
Aurora snorted. "Are you kidding me? I shoved him back like a linebacker."
The girls laughed even harder, the tension melting into the shared moment.
Then Sophia smirked. "You know what they say, right?"
Aurora arched a brow. "What?"
Sophia winked. "The bigger the ego... the harder they fall."
Aurora laughed, shaking her head. "Well, if he thinks he can just flash those stupidly perfect cheekbones and have me drooling, he's got another thing coming."
Sophia chuckled. "I give it three weeks before you're doodling hearts around his name."
Aurora shot her a glare.
"Keep talking and I'll shove a glass cup down your throat."
They all dissolved into laughter again, loud and carefree.
But deep down, as Aurora thought to herself one last time, she wondered:
Was she really as immune to Jalen Harris as she wanted to believe?
Across the club, Jalen and Collins entered.
"You've been staring," Collins said as they neared the bar.
"She's complicated," Jalen muttered.
"Or just not impressed."
Collins raised a brow in agreement.
As the evening wound to a close, Gerald offered to drop them the girls off.
"That's sweet," Sophia said, "but we're good. Thank you, though."
Back home, the trio gathered on the couch. Aurora was quiet, thoughtful.
Then Chloe burst in.
"Okay big news. Emery asked me to be his girlfriend!"
The apartment erupted in cheers and hugs.
Aurora smiled genuinely, even with her heart still conflicted.
Sophia laughed. "One down. Now let's fix this one's love life," she pointed at Aurora.
Aurora groaned. "Hard pass."
Laughter filled the room. The night may have faded, but their stories were only getting started.