The evening air feels cool against my skin as I walk along the quiet sidewalk, my white heels tapping softly with each step, the bag swinging gently on my waist. The streetlights cast warm golden pools around me, and the stars are just starting to twinkle in the deepening sky. People pass by, their chatter and laughter a soft hum.

My heart's beating a little faster than usual, partly because I'm walking side by side with Sonny, this guy I barely know, heading to some place he says is nearby. It's thrilling, like a blind date, but also a bit nerve-wracking—I mean, I don't even know where we're going. I sneak a glance at my phone, the screen still blank, no calls or texts from Ezra. He's probably caught up with work, I tell myself, slipping the phone back into my crossbody bag, trying to convince myself it's okay to enjoy this moment.

Sonny looks down at me, his tall frame relaxed in his long shirt, his hands tucked into his pockets, a warm smile lighting up his face.

"Everything okay?" he asks, his voice gentle, his dark eyes catching the glow of the streetlights.

I force a smile, adjusting the bag in my hand, my fingers tightening around the handle. "Yes, yes, it's all fine," I say, my voice a little too bright, trying to push away the worry nagging at me. "I was just checking on Ezra. Seems like he'll have work tonight."

Sonny tilts his head, his brow furrowing slightly, like he's trying to figure something out. "Work at night? Isn't he a freelancer?" he asks, his tone curious, his gaze drifting up to the starry sky for a moment.

I nod, my steps slowing as I think about how to explain it. "Yeah, most of the time the clients are big companies, and they keep asking for changes over and over," I say, my voice tinged with worry as I picture Ezra stressed out at his desk. "So he has to stay late at the office to get it done. Happens a lot." My lips press together, the concern for him creeping in again, heavier this time.

Sonny's expression shifts, like he's confused, his voice catching for a second. "How's that even…" he starts, then pauses, his brow creasing deeper. "I mean, if he works for an agency, every company has a schedule, right? They set deadlines based on the workforce and budget." He gestures with his hand, his tone thoughtful, like he's speaking from experience.

I tilt my head, my fingers brushing a strand of my long hair behind my ear as I try to remember what Ezra told me. "Yeah, but he once said they don't want to hire more people because it'd split the budget too much," I say, my voice firm as I recall his words, though I'm not entirely sure I'm getting it right. "Like, they'd have to pay more salaries, so they just keep the team small and work longer hours."

Sonny nods slowly, his eyes dropping to the sidewalk, his expression still thoughtful, like he's turning something over in his mind. "Hmm, that's true…" he says, but his voice sounds a little uncertain, like he's not fully buying it.

Inside his mind, doubts swirled. That's odd… way too unrealistic for an agency to operate like that, he thought, his brow furrowing slightly. No agency I know runs that way. Is she not telling me something? Nah, she doesn't seem like she's lying. He glanced at Aeri, her proud grin catching his attention, and he pushed the thought aside, not wanting to press her.

I smile, a proud grin spreading across my face as I think of Ezra. "Yep, hehe," I say.

"Anyways, tell me, where are we going?" I say, glancing up at him, trying to pull him out of whatever thoughts he's lost in.

Sonny snaps out of his daze, his eyes crinkling as he laughs softly. "Hehe, you'll love it," he says, his voice warm and teasing. He steps closer, his hands gently grabbing my shoulders, pulling me just a bit nearer. The sudden closeness sends a flutter through my chest, a soft blush creeping up my cheeks.

I smile, my heart skipping a beat. "I see…" I say, my voice softer now, the warmth of his touch lingering as I tuck a strand of my long dark hair behind my ear, trying to play it cool despite the butterflies.

We keep walking, the street growing quieter as we turn down a narrower lane, the hustle of the main path fading behind us. The silence feels heavier, the streetlights dimmer, and soon we stop in front of a sleek black door tucked into a plain brick building. Two guards stand outside, their faces stern, their dark suits blending into the shadows. I slow my steps, my eyes darting around the empty street, a flicker of unease settling in my stomach.

"Where are we?" I ask, my voice tinged with caution as I glance at Sonny, then back at the guards. "This place looks… kinda creepy." The building's plain exterior and the silent street make my skin prickle, like something out of a movie where things go wrong.

Sonny bursts out laughing, his warm chuckle cutting through my nerves. "Haha, what even?" he says, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You've never been to clubs?" He tilts his head, his smile teasing as he steps closer, his hand brushing my arm reassuringly.

I laugh, the sound a little shaky but genuine, my tension easing. "I have, but the ones in the city are… different," I say, my smile widening as I shake my head. "You know, bright signs, crowds outside, not this secret hideout vibe."

"This one's special," Sonny says, his voice low and confident, his eyes glinting with excitement as he gestures toward the door.

He steps forward, and the guards nod, stepping aside to pull the heavy black door open. The moment it swings wide, the silence shatters, replaced by a pulsing blast of loud DJ beats that hit me like a wave. Flashing lights—neon pinks, blues, and purples—dance across the dark interior, illuminating a sea of people swaying and moving to the rhythm, their silhouettes pulsing with energy.

"Oh my god, this place is flashy as hell," I say loudly, my voice barely carrying over the music as I step inside, my eyes wide, taking in the vibrant chaos. The dance floor is packed, bodies moving in sync with the thumping bass, the air electric with excitement. A bar lines one wall, its shelves glowing with colorful bottles, and the crowd's laughter and shouts mix with the music, creating a wild, intoxicating vibe.

Sonny grins, leaning closer so I can hear him over the noise. "I told you!" he says, his voice raised but full of excitement, his smile infectious as he gestures to the scene. "Pretty cool, right?"

I nod, a laugh bubbling up. "Yeah, you weren't kidding!" I shout back, my heart racing with the thrill of the unexpected, the music pulsing through me.

"Ma'am, can I have your bag, please?" a woman at a small counter near the entrance said, her voice polite but firm, her black uniform crisp as she held out her hands.

I exhaled, my shoulders relaxing. Finally little break from weight on my shoulders.

"Alright," I said, my voice a little shaky as I handed bag, with groceries in it to the woman. She took them with a polite bow, her voice bright as she said, "Thank you, ma'am. Enjoy your evening!"

"Thanks," I replied, my fingers fidgeting now that my hands were empty, the club's energy buzzing around me. Sonny's hand brushed mine, and before I could process it, he gently took my hand, his grip warm and steady.

"Let's sit somewhere and let the place sink in first," he said, his voice raised slightly to carry over the music as he started walking, guiding me through the crowd. His hand felt strong, and my heart thumped harder, caught off guard by how quickly he took the lead.

I didn't even have time to reply, letting him guide me through the sea of people, my heels clicking on the polished floor.

My cheeks warmed as I followed, the music vibrating through me, the flashing lights dizzying but thrilling. We weaved past groups of friends laughing over drinks, couples swaying close on the dance floor, and random clusters of people shouting to be heard over the beat. Sonny's hand in mine felt like an anchor, and I couldn't help but smile, even as my nerves fluttered.

He led me to a quieter corner of the club, where plush black couches lined the walls, tucked away from the main dance floor. Groups of friends sprawled across some, clinking glasses and laughing, while couples leaned close, lost in their own worlds.

"Let's sit there..." Sonny spotted an empty couch and steered us toward it, his hand still holding mine until we sank into the soft cushions, sitting side by side.

Our legs brushed as we settled in, the contact sending a small jolt through me, my heart still racing from the whirlwind of the night.

Sonny stretched one arm along the back of the couch, resting it just behind my shoulders, not quite touching but close enough that I could feel the warmth of his presence.

The neon lights cast playful shadows across his face, his dark eyes catching the glow as he turned to me, his smile easy and inviting. "Enjoy your time," he said, his voice softer now, the music slightly muffled in this corner.

"Sure," I replied, mirroring his smile, though my voice carried a hint of nervousness.