~5.

[NOAH]

The club pulsed with soft and slow jazz.

Seated in a secluded booth with a large round table and individual leather couches, overlooking the stage.

Noah observed everything with restrained composure, everything inside him was screaming to leave this place but he sat still for the sake of his friends.

Behind his matte-black mask, his expression remained unreadable.

“This place is…a lot,” he said coolly, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve.

Brandon chuckled. “You say a lot. I say unforgettable.”

Hart leaned back, swirling the amber liquid in his glass they were given as ‘starters’.

“Give it time, Noah. Even you might find something worth appreciating.”

“I doubt it,” Noah replied flatly. He really did, nothing about this place was a good idea.

Before Brandon could retort, a soft voice interrupted them.

“Good evening, gentlemen. May I take your order?”

Noah’s gaze lifted.

And stilled.

Standing before their table was a figure dressed in blue silk and beige accents of a rabbit-themed costume like the rabbit from ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

Only instead of pants he had beige stockings, attached to a garter that squeezed his thighs in a sultry manner.

A beige masquerade mask concealed the upper half of his face. White strands of hair brushed his cheek, and a choker of fine satin rested against his throat tied in a bow.

He carried a tray with two menus in it.

“Welcome to Velvet Eclipse,” the masked server said smoothly. “My name is Nyx. I’ll be attending to you tonight.”

The name lingered in the air.

Nyx.

Noah felt something stir, an unfamiliar flicker of intrigue he could neither explain nor dismiss.

Brandon’s grin widened. “Well, aren’t we fortunate? We’ll have a bottle of your finest champagne.”

“Of course,” Nyx replied, voice silken as he gave Brandon the first menu

Hart added with a playful smirk, “And perhaps you’ll recommend something memorable to accompany it.”

Nyx inclined his head slightly. “I assure you, sir, everything we offer is designed to leave a lasting impression.” And slipped the second menu on the tray to Hart

Brandon laughed. “I like him already.”

Noah said nothing.

His gaze remained fixed on the masked server.

Composure as steel as armor.

Nyx turned toward Noah. “And for you, sir?”

“Whiskey,” Noah said at last. “Neat.”

“An excellent choice. Please do check the complimentary menu if you want something…more”

Nyx hid his lower face behind the tray in a coy manner and leaned forward towards Brandon and Hart, hinting at the second menu he had given Hart.

“Have you made your choice, my loves?”

Nyx’s fingers moved sleekly as he reached for the complimentary menu. As he leaned forward , the faint scent of sandalwood and citrus brushed the air—intoxicating, enticing.

“We’ll have the no 2…bring some friends too!”

Nyx giggled and collected both menus,

“And you sir?”

Noah stiffened almost imperceptibly.

A pair of two different colored eyes stared at him. One blue and the other pink.

He noticed both eyes seemed to be shaking…

Nystagmus.

An albino?

“I’ll have what they’re having” he said absentmindedly,

“Your drinks will be ready shortly,” Nyx said with a courteous nod.

“Don’t keep us waiting,” Brandon teased.

Nyx’s lips curved into a polite, enigmatic smile and a sultry wink. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Noah’s gaze followed him across the room until he disappeared behind a curtain.

Hart raised an eyebrow. “Well?”

Noah blinked, redirecting his attention to his glass.

“Well, what?” he snapped back.

Brandon smirked. “You were staring.”

“I was observing,” Noah corrected.

“Of course you did,” Hart said dryly.

Brandon leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Admit it. For someone who claims to dislike this place, you seem rather captivated.”

Noah’s fingers tightened subtly under the table.

“I am not captivated,” he replied. “Merely intrigued by the professionalism of the staff.” Brandon snorted. “That’s all”

Hart chuckled. “Naturally.”

Noah leaned back in his seat, expression composed behind his mask.

Yet his mind lingered on a the pair of shaking eyes he had just seen.

Nyx.