Chapter 3

Amelia’s POV

The plan is that I’ll just grab something to eat and leave here. 

I stand in front of the buffet and take a bite of the salmon. It tastes awesome. The host of the party must be so damn rich! I guess I’ll never have a chance to taste these top-quality food. I take out my second-hand phone and take a picture of it.

I adjust the lens to find the best angle. At this moment, a man walks over and enters the screen. No, he ruins the background of the picture. But wait, he’s hot! I can tell from the tan and muscular wrist in the screen that he must be hot. I raise my head immediately to see his face.

He’s so damn handsome, and hot, and handsome!

He doesn’t seem like my age. Rather, he exudes the aura of authority, of mature and successful elites. And different from those successful but greasy middle-aged men with potbellies, he has a perfect and muscular figure.

For the very instant, I forget where I am and what I’m going to do, until my phone slips from my grasp and is falling to the ground.

Crap! As much as I don’t want to make an impression, I still hate to look clumsy in front of a handsome.

It happens all of a sudden and there’s nothing I can do. My heart also sinks as I see my phone falling. 

But I don’t hear the expected sound of clatter. Nyx reaches out his hand swiftly and catches my phone.

My eyes widen as I see my phone fall in his hand. Seriously, how did he do it?

He hands the phone to me with a smile. While I’m utterly shocked, he seems calm as if he has just done something routine.

“Thank you.” I recover from the shock, take my phone, and smile at him.

“Not a big deal.” He smiles back.

I thought it should be the end of the conversation.

But it’s not.

He stays here and picks a glass of wine in his hands. Then he looks at me.

“I’m Nyx.” He introduces himself to me.

“Amelia!” I smile at him. He’s so close to me that I can smell the scent of his body. As a part-time model, I’m learning about fashion, clothes, and perfumes. But I can’t tell which perfume he uses. It’s crisp and refreshing, with a woody touch. I like it so much that I take a deep breath, allowing the fragrance to envelop my nose. My eyes light up.

Nyx chuckles at my reaction, which makes me slightly embarrassed. God, what am I doing?

“Nice perfume.” Hope my compliment can make it less embarrassing.

“I’m glad you like it.” Nyx raises his glass to me. We have a drink together.

I’m full. I have to say, it’s the most agreeable and dreamy lunch I’ve ever had, with the company of a handsome gentleman.

It’s time to leave. I still don’t know how to get back.

I think Nyx also has a feeling for me, but he doesn’t give any sign, not even exchanging contacts. Fine, that’s not a big deal. I’m fine by myself.

I glance around and spot Nyx. He’s surrounded by girls, who all look at him with admiration.

And he looks like the type of man who can get any woman he wants. For me, that’s a deal-breaker. I need someone to love me wholeheartedly, without a secret or any condition. It sounds quite old-school. But I have enough disasters and trauma to deal with, an unloyal relationship will only add insult to injury.

And I’m poor, flat broke. I can’t afford to roll the dice.

I guess I’ll just leave here without letting anyone know, the way Cinderella does. Oh, maybe I should take off my high heels and drop one here by accident.

Just a joke, this is the best pairs I have.

I leave with Bucks, who finally calms down. Bucks’ parents need to pay me more for this adventure. Yes, I’m gonna charge them extra as soon as I come back. That’s for sure.

As I walk ahead, the noise of the party fades. It’s like I’m withdrawing from the wonderland and returning to reality. Somehow I’m hit by a sense of loss. But it’s not a big deal.

All of a sudden, a man shows up in front of me out of nowhere. Startled, I almost let out a scream. Wait, it’s Nyx! He is getting closer.

I can’t wrap my head around what is happening. Why I don’t hear any footsteps and he suddenly shows up. He’s getting too close and I’m getting unconscious. My experience of struggling to survive in the nineteen years alerts me of the impeding danger, but my eyelids are getting more and more heavy uncontrollably. My vision is blurry.

I look at him in confusion and disbelief, wondering what will happen to me and why. Is it a kidnap? Is it because of my uncleared debts?

What did you do to me? I want to ask him. But even moving my lips becomes a mission impossible.

I’m falling backward.

Nyx carries me in his arms and moves. The last thing I remember is the license plate of a car.