Chapter 4

CLARK

"Hey, Clarkie! You've been zoning out for a while now. What's going on with you?" Alma asked as she lightly smacked the back of my head.

"Ah—uh—nothing! I was just... thinking about something," I replied, though the truth was that I couldn't stop replaying the kiss Cadmus and I shared earlier last night.

I can still feel Cadmus's lips press against mine. His lips were firm, commanding, yet there was a softness in the way he held me, as though he wanted to savor every second. The kiss ignited something in me, sending warmth flooding through my body. With those memories flooding like a tidal wave, I couldn't focus on anything else.

"Hmmm... What are you thinking about? Is it a guy?" she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

We were currently in the restroom of an exclusive bar located on the top floor of one of the most luxurious hotels in the country. The agency Alma worked for had arranged all the necessary permits for us to sell products here tonight.

"What guy? You know I don't have time for things like that," I said, brushing off her question as I continued to apply makeup to my face. Alma was my closest friend, but I couldn't bring myself to tell her about the kiss I had shared with my boss.

I put on heavy makeup for tonight's gig. The bar is dimly lit, so I’d surely look pale if I used only a thin layer of makeup. Over time, I’ve gotten used to fixing myself up, thanks to the various gigs I take on just to earn money. It wasn't that much. What I earn is just enough for us to eat three meals a day and have a decent place to stay.

I slightly pulled up my outfit to cover my exposed chest. Alma insisted that we should be wearing something seductive tonight to boost our sales.

"Why are you pulling it up? You should lower it even more. It’s such a waste of your big boobs if we don’t take advantage of them," Alma said as she tugged down the thin tank top I was wearing. 

For tonight, I was dressed in a black mini dress that reached halfway down my thighs and a black leather jacket on top. Its neckline was low, leaving my cleavage fully exposed. The dress also had the logo of the condom brand we were selling printed across the chest area.

"You know I’m not comfortable wearing revealing clothes," I said, as I discreetly tried to pull my dress lower to at least cover my thighs.

"What’s wrong with you? It’d be such a waste not to show off your smooth skin. If I'm the one having your body, I probably snatched a rich and handsome guy by this time," Alma replied as she pulled the hem of my dress up again.

I could only sigh in exasperation, realizing there was no point in arguing with her. After all, she knew this job better than I did, so it made sense to follow her lead. Taking a deep breath to compose myself and gather some confidence, I stepped out of the restroom. Before leaving, I took one last look at my reflection, running my fingers through my long, wavy hair as if styling it. I pressed my lips together firmly, rubbing them slightly to bring out their color, then let them part with a soft pout. Feeling satisfied with how I looked, I finally walked out to join Alma.

"So, you know what to do, right? I’ll stay on the left, and you go cover the right side," Alma instructed before walking away from me.

I took another deep breath, biting my lower lip nervously.

"Whoa!" I flinched when I suddenly heard someone shout behind me. I quickly turned around and realized I was already standing in front of the liquor bar. The person who shouted was the bartender on the other side of the bar counter.

"That was a pretty deep sigh, Miss. For a second, I thought I was about to fall for you," he teased with a grin.

Is he trying to hit on me? I raised an eyebrow at him and gave him a sharp glare. His teasing wasn’t helping with the nerves I was already feeling.

"First time?" he asked with a wide smile.

I couldn’t help but notice his striking blue eyes and slightly long, ash-gray hair.

I shook my head, but he eyed me suspiciously as if he didn't believe a word I said. 

"Here," he said, handing me a shot glass filled with liquor. "It’s on the house. It will help you get some courage," he added when I didn’t immediately take the drink he was offering. He chuckled softly before speaking again, "Don’t worry; it’s not spiked," he said reassuringly. 

I studied him carefully. He seemed decent enough, and it looks like he worked here, so I brushed off my doubts and accepted the drink he offered. I took it from the bar counter and quickly drank the shot. I grimaced as the bitterness and warmth of the liquor burned down my throat.

"Feeling better?" he asked with a warm smile.

"Y-Yeah. Thanks," I said, returning the shot glass to him.

"I'm Lucius, by the way," he introduced himself, extending a hand.

I shook it lightly. "Clark," I responded.

"Since you’re new here, let me give you a little advice," he said, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "At the far end on the left, there’s a large circular couch. Start there—you’re bound to make good sales," he suggested.

Though I was a bit unsure about his recommendation, I figured there was no harm in giving it a shot. The place seemed secure enough, with most of the patrons appearing affluent and well-dressed.

"Th-Thanks," I replied softly, then turned and walked away.

I scanned the bar, letting my gaze sweep over the dark, noisy room. The only light came from the strobe lights flashing intermittently across the space. My breath caught when I noticed a couple locked in a heated encounter. The woman was straddling the man, moving fervently on his lap.

"Oh my—" I gasped in shock. I immediately took a step back. I was about to leave when something hit my back, something large and unyielding.

"I'm sorry." I quickly apologized.

"What are you doing here?" said that familiar deep and baritone voice.

My eyes widened as recognition dawned on me. The stranger's face was shrouded in shadows, but his piercing gaze held mine. His eyes slowly swept over me, from head to toe, as if evaluating me with deliberate intensity. A wave of unease crept over me under the weight of his scrutiny.

The memory of the kiss we had shared the night before flooded my mind, and my cheeks burned hotter at the thought. 

"E-Excuse me, sir," I stammered, trying to step away, but he suddenly caught my arm in a firm grip. 

I stumbled forward, my hands landing against his broad, muscular chest from the force of his pull. The space between us shrank to mere inches. I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin, the scent of mint teasing my senses, making me want to close my eyes.

"Who said you could leave?" he murmured, his voice low and intense, the words slipping out in the narrow gap between our lips. Despite the deafening music inside the bar, I still managed to read his lips and understand what he was trying to say. 

I blew a loud sigh and rolled my eyes. "W-What do you want?" I asked nervously, trying to free myself from his grip.

"What the f*ck are you doing in a place like this?" he growled, his teeth clenched in frustration.

"Working," I replied with a hint of sarcasm, still clueless about the source of his anger.

"In a place like this?" he pressed, his brows knitting together in a deep frown.

"And what’s wrong with this place? You're here, aren't you?" I shot back. Without waiting for an answer, I forcefully pulled my arm free from his grip. "If you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to work now," I added sharply. As soon as I was free, I turned on my heel and walked away quickly, putting as much distance as I could between us.

My heart pounded like a drum, each beat echoing in my chest as if it might explode. No matter what he did, he always managed to make my heart race uncontrollably. Even his gaze was enough to send waves of electricity coursing through me.

Shaking my head, I tried to push his image out of my thoughts. I needed to focus—my job demanded my full attention.

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