The Morning After

"Oh shut the fuck up Larry!" A woman, probably in her 20's or so was holding a tray in her hands, putting down the steaming food from the tray onto the wooden table.

“Thank you hottie.” The large man sitting at the table flashed her a grin. Tattoos plastered on his muscular arms and disappeared beneath the collar of his black T-shirt, with more ink decorating the side of his neck. He gave her a wink.

The woman didn't even spare him a proper glance. she turned on her heel and walked away, already scanning the restaurant for her next table.

She walked to the back of the kitchen, exhaustion on her face and what she saw next mad with worse. “Larry!”

Larry, her colleague and a good friend. She saw him making out with an unknown guy. Again. Larry pulled away, his lips swollen. "Must you always be the party pooper Audrey?" Larry rolled his eyes at her, getting off on him dusting his body. The other guy coughed too. “I'll see you later.” He looked over to Larry who blew him a kiss and walked out of the staff room looking rough handled.

"You were moaning and it was upsetting the customers.” She glared at him. “Do it outside!" She pointed to the exit door.

"Okay, okay but you should have seen that man, he was so good at kissing. You should have seen him grinding me against his big dick.”

She stopped him. "I don't want to hear your p**n story." She walked past him, Larry followed her to the locker room.

"Oh c'mon, I wasn't that loud." She glared. Larry chuckled nervously. "Maybe I was loud but it was worth it though!" Larry pointed out.

"I just pray you don't get STI'S." Audrey told him, removing the apron from her body. Her shift was finally over and that was the best thing that could happen.

"Larry!" A voice from outside called. "Nice chit-chatting with you." He blew a kiss to Audrey then walked out from the locker room.

Audrey watched him as he walked out. She shook her head and proceeded to open her locker. She couldn't wait to leave this grimy place. She hated her job. Not because of money but the customers—loud, aggressive, annoying and domicile to outlaws motorcycle gangs but she had no choice.

"Finally," she murmured to herself with a smile as she started down the sidewalk. She inhaled the cool evening air. It wasn't much fresher than the stale atmosphere inside, but at least she was finally off the clock.

She slipped one earbud into her ear and tapped her phone. A moment later, Beyoncé's "All Night" filled her ear, Beyonce's voice hummed softly through the earbud as she continued walking.

From a distance, she could see the bus stop was already crowded with people waiting for the next bus. She increased her speed to reach the bus stop. Soon, she joined the crowd and waited like the rest.

A notification interrupted her song, checking, it was a message from Nori, her friend.

Nori: Are you busy?

7:15 pm

Audrey: Nah, going home atm

7:15pm

Nori: oof- wondering maybe you wanna have some fun, it's been a long time since we've caught up

7:15 pm

Audrey: Do we really have to? I'm tiredddd

7:16 pm

Nori: c'monnnn pleaseee

It's gonna be funnn

7:16 pm

Audrey: Ughh, you're a pain in the ass, where is it?

7:16 pm

Nori: tyyy! It's at the new club called Neon Genesis

7:16 pm

Audrey: alrrrr

What time?

7:16 pm

Nori: By 10! Get readyy and don't sleep off this timee

7:18pm

Audrey: I won't this time lol

7:18pm

Nori: yh yh

see you soon xx.

7:20pm

Staring at the text, she realises that she hasn't been going out with her friends because of work and maybe it wasn't a bad idea after all. A small reward wouldn't hurt anybody.

The bass from “Never be like you” throbbed through the floor. The place was alive and packed—men vibing, women swaying their hips to the rhythm. Audrey looked around the room, fidgeting with the hem of her sheer black unbuttoned shirt. Flashing lights across sweaty faces, drinks sloshed and the floor thumped to the rhythm 

Audrey looked around the room, tugging at the hem of her sheer black unbuttoned shirt. The flashing lights swept across sweaty faces, making it nearly impossible to recognize anyone.

‘Maybe I should become a stripper,’ Audrey thought to herself as she wandered through the club, looking around like a lost puppy.

Suddenly, she felt a hand land on her shoulder. She spun around so fast her heart nearly leaped out of her chest.

It was Nori.

"Fuck! You scared the shit out of me!" Audrey shouted over the music, loud enough for Nori to hear.

Nori burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. "Well, you looked completely lost," she teased. "I've been waving at you for like two minutes.”

“Well, I didn't see you.” 

Nori gasped dramatically, taking a step back to admire her friend. "Audrey, you look gorgeous! Seriously, what's your secret?"

Audrey let out a laugh, smoothing her black top. "I don't have one," she replied with a shrug. "Some days I just wake up looking like this.”

Nori snorted. "Shut up. You always look good." 

"I wish." Nori cackled, grabbing her hand as they went over to the bar side. Nori raised a hand to catch the bartender's attention.

"Two vodka cranberries, please."

Within moments, the bartender slid the drinks across the polished counter.

"Thanks." Audrey wrapped her fingers around the cold glass, taking a small sip. The fruity sweetness mixed with the sharp burn of alcohol settled pleasantly on her tongue.

The two friends slipped into easy conversation as they sat down.

They talked about everything they'd missed—Nori's latest workplace gossip, the disastrous date she'd gone on last week, Audrey's nightmare customers at the restaurant, and Larry's newest locker-room escapade.

"...and then he had the audacity to tell me I should smile more."

Nori groaned. "Men."

"Exactly!"

Both women burst into laughter.

"Hi... sorry to interrupt."

A male voice cut through their conversation.

They both looked up.

Standing beside them was a tall man dressed in a fitted navy shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms.

He smiled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was wondering..." He looked directly at Nori. "Would you like to dance?"

Nori's eyes widened.

She looked at Audrey.

Audrey gave her a knowing look. “Don't you dare.” She mouthed.

Nori gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry."

"You traitor," Audrey mouthed, rolling her eyes.

Nori giggled. "I'll be back!"

"We both know that's a lie.” With that, Nori disappeared into the sea of dancing bodies, leaving Audrey alone at the bar.

She sighed. "Some friend."

Shaking her head, she leaned against the counter and let her eyes wander around the club.

Neon lights painted the room in shades of electric blue and magenta. Strangers danced and loud music.

Maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad after all.

She reached for her drink. "If I were you..."

A deep, husky voice spoke from just behind her shoulder. "...I wouldn't drink that."

Audrey froze. Her hand stopped inches from the glass. Slowly, she turned around and nearly forgot how to breathe.

The man standing behind her looked like he'd walked straight off the cover of a romance novel.

He was tall—easily over six feet—with broad shoulders that filled out his black button-down shirt effortlessly. Dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, and sharp features were softened only by the faintest hint of a smirk. His jaw was cleanly defined which was complimented by his beard and his piercing eyes remained fixed on hers with unsettling calm.

For a second, Audrey simply stared.

Jesus Christ.

She quickly recovered, clearing her throat.

"...And why shouldn't I?"

His gaze drifted toward the untouched drink. "Because while your friend was dancing, someone walked past and slipped something into it."

The amusement vanished from her face.

"What?"

"I saw him." His expression remained composed. "He was wearing a gray hoodie. By the time I realized what he'd done, he'd already disappeared into the crowd."

Audrey slowly looked back at the glass. A chill crawled up her spine.

"Damn..."

She let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "This club is something else."

"It can be."

Without another word, she pushed the drink away from her.

"Well..." She looked back at him, offering a grateful smile. "Thanks. Seriously."

"You're welcome."

An awkward silence settled between them.

Then his lips curled into a smile. "Since I've technically saved your night..." he said, one eyebrow raising, "would you let me steal one dance?"

Audrey laughed. "That's a bold way to ask."

"I've been told confidence works."

"It doesn't always."

"But did it this time?"

She studied him for a moment.

He didn't seem creepy.

If anything, he looked surprisingly genuine.

Besides...

He had just stopped her from drinking whatever had been slipped into her glass.

A smile slowly spread across her face.

"...One dance."

His smile widened.."I'll take it."

He held out his hand.

After a brief hesitation, Audrey slipped hers into his. Together, they disappeared into the crowd as the music swelled around them.

By the time the music shifted into another song, they had drifted back toward the bar. The bartender placed two fresh drinks in front of them without needing to be asked.

She wrapped her fingers around the chilled glass and took a sip. The alcohol burned for only a second before warmth spread through her chest.

One drink became another.

Then another.

The hours slipped by unnoticed beneath the flashing neon lights and relentless music. Between sips, she found herself laughing more than she had in weeks. The exhaustion from her shift slowly melted away, replaced by fun.

She rested an elbow against the counter, absentmindedly tracing the rim of her glass as another drink was set before her. She hadn't realized how much she'd had until she stood.

A smile found its way onto her face as she brushed invisible wrinkles from her shirt. Her cheeks were warm.

Outside, the city lights beckoned through the club's glass entrance. The cool night air greeted them as they stepped out of the club, the muffled bass fading behind the heavy doors.

He walked with one hand tucked into the pocket of his tailored black trousers, the other lazily spinning his car keys around a finger. Audrey stole another glance at him.

God... why is he so attractive?

"You keep staring."

Her eyes widened. "I wasn't."

"You were."

"I wa-......yes, I was staring.”

He let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "I don't even know your name."

"You never asked."

"Fair point."

He stopped beside a sleek black car and opened the passenger door for her.

She looked at the expensive vehicle, then back at him. "...You're rich." She was amused again.

“Thank you.” 

Audrey raised a brow. “It wasn't a compliment.”

His smile didn't falter. "Get in."

She hesitated for only a second before sliding into the leather seat. The drive was quiet, the city lights streaking across the windows as soft music played in the background.

"You still haven't told me your name," she said.

"I know."

"...Are you going to?"

"No."

 She frowned.

"What?"

"I don't need to."

"That's incredibly suspicious."

"It's also entertaining."

“Are you kidnapping me?"

“Let's find out.” Ten minutes later, the car pulled beneath the entrance of one of the city's most luxurious hotels.

Audrey looked up at the towering building.

"...You live here?"

"I'm staying here." A valet approached immediately, greeting him with obvious familiarity before taking the keys.

Without another word, he headed toward the entrance.

Audrey followed.

Marble floors gleamed beneath crystal chandeliers, and the scent of expensive cologne and fresh lilies lingered in the air. The lobby looked more like an art gallery than a hotel.

The receptionist smiled the moment she saw him.

"Good evening, sir." He acknowledged her with a brief nod before leading Audrey toward the private elevators.

She folded her arms. "Do you come here often?"

"Yes.”

The elevator doors slid open.

Neither of them spoke as they stepped inside. The elevator climbed floor after floor, the soft hum of machinery the only sound between them.

Audrey glanced sideways. He caught her looking again.

The elevator chimed.

The doors opened onto a quiet private hallway. He walked to the last suite, slid his keycard through the lock, and pushed the door open.

Warm light spilled into the hallway.

He looked back at her.

"Coming?" Audrey hesitated for the briefest moment.

Then, with a slow breath, she stepped inside.

The door clicked shut behind them.