Chapter 22: The Private Room

After he told me to follow him, I stood up slowly. My legs felt heavy but I started walking behind him. I hoped I wouldn’t implicate myself or get into anything worse. The bar lights felt too bright as I moved. I followed him stealthily, keeping some distance, eyes on his back. We passed tables of people laughing and drinking. No one noticed us. My heart beat loud in my ears. What was I doing? I prayed within myself that there should be no one who knows me around here again.

He entered one room close to the stairs, the same stairs that led upstairs from the time I was here with Mark. The door was half open. He stepped inside and turned back. “Come in.”

I stood at the door, not moving further. My hand stayed on the frame. “What do you really want? What did you mean by ‘you wanted a taste?”

The man came closer to the door. His shadow fell over me. He smiled a little, eyes dark. “Come in first before we discuss anything. It’s better inside. Safer for both of us, before someone who knows you, sees you again.”

I hesitated, looking past him into the room. It was small but nice, with a couch and dim lights. My mind raced. If I stepped in, there was no easy way out. But the video threat still hung over me. I took one small step forward, then another. “Tell me now. No more games.”

He took a long drag and scratched the cigar on the table. “You’ll understand soon enough, Evie. Sit. We have things to talk about.”

My stomach twisted. I stayed standing, back near the door. “I’m not sitting until you explain. What is this about? The video? Just say it.”

He sat on a chair close to the bed, watching me with those sharp eyes. “Patience. A taste means exactly what you think it means. But first, you need to listen. Your agency, your reputation, your big contracts. All of it can disappear with one click from me. Or you can be smart tonight and cooperate.”

I was scared. Really scared. My hands felt cold and sweaty at the same time. I checked the time on my phone again. It was already close to 9pm. The numbers glowed back at me like a warning. How did the evening get this bad so fast? The courage I had before to call the police completely left my body. My reputation, my company Aurora Event Agency, everything I worked for was at risk. One wrong move and it could all crumble. I had to do whatever he wanted. No choice. I stepped into the room stylishly, trying to keep my head high even though my legs felt weak. The carpet was soft under my shoes. The air smelled like expensive cologne and wine.

He smiled a bit, looking satisfied. “Close the door fully and feel free. I’m not a monster. My name is Ethan. The first time I saw you at the bar, I wanted to come meet you. You were very beautiful to be looking so down that night. But when I saw that man from earlier approach you, I had to stop. I waited, watched and listened instead.”

I just stood there listening to him with shame burning in my chest. My face felt hot. I remembered that night too well. The drinks, the one night stand with Mark, the bad decisions, how I paid him and left. Now this stranger knew details I wished I could forget. I didn’t say anything. I just listened, arms crossed tight over my chest.

Ethan continued, voice low and steady. “I listened closely to what you two were discussing but didn’t make myself noticeable. I just stayed close. Then I saw you both going up the stairs all of a sudden. I followed immediately, quiet as I could, stood by the door and watched. And that was how I got the video of you and Mark. Clear as day.”

Now I understood Ethan better. Everything made sense in a sick way. He had been there the whole time, watching, recording. My stomach turned. Tears pricked my eyes but I blinked them back. I looked at him, voice shaking a little. “Please delete the video. I’ll do anything. Just don’t ruin my life over this. I have worked too hard.”

He didn’t answer right away. He stood up slow from the chair. He walked past me, close enough that I could smell his cologne. Then he went straight to the door. He locked it with a soft click and turned around. His eyes locked on mine again.

“Can I have a taste of what you gave him that day?”

The words hung in the air, heavy and full of meaning. My breath caught in my throat. The locked door suddenly felt like a trap. The dim lights in the room made everything feel more intimate. I stood frozen, heart racing fast, knowing this night had just taken a turn I can't say no to. What should I do now? Say yes to save everything? Or try to find another way out? Ethan waited, that small smile still on his face, like he already knew my answer.