CHAPTER 239: LEAVING CLUB

*Clack* The room’s heavy door clicked shut behind us as Sonny turned the key in the lock. I adjusted my tight off-shoulder sweater and white mini skirt, my long dark hair falling loosely, and my bag, heavy with groceries and my phone, hung over my shoulder. Sonny walked beside me, his muscular frame relaxed.

We reached the reception desk, where the female staff member stood, her ponytail neat despite the early hour. Sonny handed her the room key.

"Here you go," he said, his voice smooth, tossing the key onto the counter with a casual flick.

"Thank you," the woman said, her tone polite but with a knowing glint in her eyes as she tucked the key away.

She glanced at me, a soft smile spreading across her face. "Hope you’re all relaxed now after all that cardio," she teased, her voice light but pointed, clearly having heard the thuds and moans from our room.

My face burned, a sweat breaking out as I forced a smile, my heart racing with embarrassment. "Ehh... umm... ahh... yeah..." I stammered, my voice shaky, my cheeks flushing red as I tried to laugh it off, clutching my bag tighter to hide my fluster.

The woman’s smile widened, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Goodbye. Go now, your boyfriend’s probably waiting," she said, nodding toward the exit, her tone playful but assuming.

I shook my head quickly, my blush deepening. "No... he’s not my boyfriend," I said, my voice a little too fast, glancing at Sonny, who raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing. "But... yeah, I should go now. Bye..." I added, turning away, my steps quickening as I hurried down the hall, desperate to escape the awkward moment.

We crossed into the main hall, the heart of the club where the night before had been a blur of pounding music and sweaty bodies. Now, it was eerily silent, the dance floor empty under the harsh morning light streaming through high windows. A few people stumbled out of other private rooms, their eyes bleary, while staff members swept the floors, the soft scrape of brooms mixing with the faint hum of a vacuum in the distance. The air smelled faintly of spilled drinks and cleaning spray.

I glanced at the dance floor, my mind flashing to the night before—Sonny’s hands on my hips, our bodies pressed close, the alcohol stripping away my inhibitions as we moved together, too intimate, too open, lost in the heat of the moment.

Sonny nudged my arm, his smirk returning as he followed my gaze. "Hope you haven’t forgotten the dance floor where we started losing ourselves," he said, his voice low and teasing, his eyes glinting with the memory of our reckless night.

I groaned, holding my head, my cheeks flushing again as I laughed. "Ugh, don’t remind me," I said, shaking my head. "The alcohol totally took away my sanity out there." My mind replayed the way we’d danced, his hands roaming, my body giving in, the crowd fading into a blur around us.

Sonny stopped, turning to face me, his hands gently grabbing my arms, his touch warm and grounding. "But hey," he said, his voice softer, his eyes searching mine, "we enjoyed it, right?" His grin was playful.

I looked up at him, a smile tugging at my lips. "Hmm..." I nodded, my voice quiet but warm, my cheeks still flushed. "Yeah, we did."

He chuckled, his hands giving my arms a light squeeze before letting go. "Hehe, so let’s just focus on that," he said, his smirk returning as he gestured toward the exit.

The cool morning air hit my face like a sharp slap as we stepped out of the club.

"Sheesh... it’s gotten cold out here," I said, shivering slightly, my arms crossing over my chest as the wind whipped around us, tugging at my skirt.

Sonny glanced at me, his smirk softening into concern. "Yeah... you want my jacket?" he asked, already starting to shrug off his black leather jacket, the motion casual but thoughtful, his eyes flicking over my bare shoulders.

I waved him off, shaking my head with a small laugh, my breath visible in the chilly air. "No, no, it’s okay," I said, brushing off the offer. "I’m just heading home now, so no point taking it for a ten-minute walk to the station." My voice was light.

"Yeah, right," Sonny said, his grin returning as he nodded, leading the way down the sidewalk. "Come on, this way." His stride was easy, confident, and I fell into step beside him.

We walked for about five minutes then Sonny slowed his pace, gesturing down a side street. "My house is nearby," he said, his voice casual but with a hint of pride. "Let’s grab my car."

"Oh, okay..." I said, my eyes widening slightly, a mix of surprise and relief washing over me. *He’s got a car? And he lives this close?* I thought, a small smile tugging at my lips. *That’s gonna save me a twenty-five-minute walk. Thank god.* The idea of avoiding the cold trek to the station felt like a small victory, easing the weight of the morning.

We turned down a quiet, tree-lined street, the houses growing larger and more polished as we went. Sonny stopped in front of a massive row house, its sleek gray exterior and tall windows catching the morning light, looking more like a mansion than anything I’d expected. My jaw dropped slightly as I craned my neck to take it in, the modern design and sprawling front yard a stark contrast to the gritty club we’d just left.

"Damn... this is where you live?" I asked, my voice tinged with awe, my bag shifting on my shoulder as I stared up at the house.

Sonny chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck, his grin a mix of pride and nonchalance. "Yeah, bought it recently," he said, his voice casual but pleased. "Been saving up for a while. It’s not much, but it’s home." He gestured toward the front door, his eyes glinting with that familiar teasing spark. "Wanna come inside? I could give you the tour."

I laughed, shaking my head, my cheeks flushing as I caught the playful invitation in his tone. "No, no, some other time," I said, smiling but firm. "I really gotta go for now."

Sonny nodded, his smirk softening into understanding.

"Alright, as you say," he said, his voice warm but reluctant. He pointed to the driveway, where a sleek black car was tucked under a garage awning. "Wait here. I’ll bring the car out from the garage."

I leaned against the low stone wall by the sidewalk, my bag resting at my feet, the cold air biting at my bare legs as I watched him jog toward the garage. The street was quiet, the morning light casting long shadows, and I took a deep breath, the reality of the day settling in