First Love Bound

As the sun dips below the horizon, the city lights ignite, and the vibrant metropolis never sleeps. Inside a lavish karaoke room, the walls and ceiling are adorned with intricate carvings, creating a classic European royal atmosphere. On the coffee table, several expensive bottles of wine are freshly opened, accompanied by gourmet snacks and meticulously arranged fruit platters. Under the soft, multi-colored lights, every corner of the room exudes an aura of opulence and indulgence that many seek.

A group of five to seven men lounge across the sofa; some pour wine, others are busy picking songs, and others chat animatedly, filling the air with a lively buzz.

They all focus on the young man sitting in the middle, every word and action is a clear attempt to win his favor.

This is Ryan William, a man in his thirties, tall and impeccably stylish. The low sofa emphasizes his long legs, folded casually, making him stand out in the crowd. His blonde hair, sharp eyebrows, deep-set eyes, and high, straight nose give his face a touch of coolness. His piercing blue eyes, devoid of emotion, make it hard to read his mood. He sits quietly, unmoving, radiating an air of authority and aloofness that no one can ignore.

The guy sitting next to Ryan looks a little nervous, a bit intimidated by the powerful presence of the famous young CEO. He leans in and whispers something to the middle-aged man beside him,

“Dad, I heard William isn't really into places like this. Are we okay being here?”

Geoffrey pats his large belly, chuckles softly, and says,

“Don't worry, son. I've got other arrangements. There'll be some good stuff coming soon, I'm sure it will please him. As long as he's happy and signs the contract, our company will be set for a few years.”

Waldo looks uneasy and reminds his father,

“I did some research, and this CEO isn't into that kind of stuff. You might be pushing it a bit too far, Dad.”

Geoffrey scoffs,

“You're still green, son. What man doesn't like a little fun? Rich guys are scared of death. They avoid the unknown risks. This time, I've gone to a lot of trouble to find these girls from the countryside who've just come to the city. I guarantee they're fresh and clean.”

Waldo still has his doubts, but he doesn't want to argue with his dad. After all, most men like to have a little fun, he thinks, hoping that Chairman Ryan won't be any different.

In the dressing room, a fortyish woman, a bit plump, her face frozen from too many facelifts, held her head high and loudly lectured her “adopted daughters.”

She said, “This client is loaded. A few coins from his pocket could keep us living high on the hog for years, so you girls better make sure he's happy.”

"Yes, ma'am!" The five young, beautiful girls replied.

Katy narrows her eyes, glares at Vivian, and hisses,

"Vivian, zip it! Remember, you're playing the innocent country girl. You look like a pig in mud, all happy and giggly – nobody's buying it! You gotta be shy, demure. We didn't spend a fortune making you look like hicks for nothing. A client like this doesn't come along every day, so don't blow it, got it?"

Vivian pouts and mumbles, “I know.”

Katy shoots Eudora a look, a flash of impatience in her eyes before she quickly masks it and says in a softer tone, “Eudora, you gotta smile. We're here to entertain, not to mourn. You look like you're about to cry – nobody wants a sad face around. Happy customers mean bigger tips, you know.”

Unlike the other four girls, Eudora is a true country girl, new to the game. She's the most striking of the five, especially with her beautiful blue eyes that always seem to hold a deep sadness. From the moment they met, Katy knew Eudora was the kind of woman who could easily tug at a man's heartstrings. That's why she went all out to bring her into the business, hoping Eudora will become her golden goose.

Eudora nods awkwardly and forces a smile.

“Yes, ma’am!”

The bell rings, and after taking a call, Katy beams.

“Alright, let's go! The client's here. Remember to act shy and demure, you hear? Eudora, you can relax a bit, the customer's always right.”

Then she stands up and leads the girls out of the lounge.