Chapter 2 I Want Him

Inside the biggest bar in Shadow City, Anne sat alone in a dimly lit booth, nursing her drink. She'd asked her best friend, Diana Morris, to join her, hoping for some company. Instead, her phone buzzed with a call.

"Hey, sweetie! I'm so sorry, I'm still stuck at this event. I can't make it tonight," Diana's voice chirped. "But how about this? I'll cover all your expenses!"

"Alright, you handle your stuff. I can manage on my own," Anne replied, trying to hide her disappointment.

Diana paused, sensing something was off. "Anne, is everything okay? You sound... different."

Leaning back, Anne forced a smile even though her heart was a mess. "Just found out Nolan cheated on me."

"What? Who?" Diana's voice was drowned out by the loud music, and she couldn't hear clearly.

Anne smiled wryly, surprised she could still manage a smile. "Never mind, you go ahead. I'll send you the bill after I'm done."

Anne hung up and kept drinking herself into oblivion. Eventually, she slumped over in the booth and passed out.

The waiter noticed and asked, "Miss, are you okay?" Seeing how drunk she was, he decided to call her husband. Nolan and Anne came to the bar often enough for the staff to recognize them. But when Nolan's phone rang, it was Cleo who answered.

"Is this Mr. Jones?" the waiter asked.

"Yes, he's in the shower. Can I take a message?" Cleo replied.

The waiter sensed something was off but stayed professional. "Nolan's wife is drunk at the bar. Should we notify him to come and get her?"

"Got it." Cleo hung up quickly. From the bathroom, Nolan called out, "Was that my phone?"

"Yeah, just a telemarketer," Cleo lied. She dressed quickly and left, pretending she had to step out.

Back at the bar, Anne was still out cold. Cleo arrived and was led to her by the waiter.

"Do you need help getting your friend to a car?" he offered.

"No, I think she's not done having fun. I'll take care of her," Cleo replied with a practiced smile. Once the waiter left, her expression turned icy.

"Anne, do you think Nolan would stay with you if you were raped?" Cleo sneered, a sinister smile playing on her lips.

Nearby, Dorian was restless at his birthday party in a VIP room. Bored, he stepped out for some fresh air and was surprised to see the woman who had kissed him earlier, slumped in a booth. Shadow City sure was small. He hadn't expected to run into her twice in one day.

Dorian stubbed out his cigarette and walked toward her. But before he got close, he saw two men approach Anne.

A dazed Anne felt herself being lifted. When she opened her eyes, she saw two tall, broad-shouldered men standing before her.

"Ms. Percy, your friend hired us to keep you company. Do you want to keep drinking here or go somewhere else?" one of the guys asked, lifting her up.

Anne, dazed and confused, stared at their broad chests, thinking Diana had hired some handsome gigolos. She wobbled to her feet, pointing at them. "Should I pick you? Or you? No, no, maybe you? Never mind, I don't like either of you." Normally, she wouldn't dare, but today, since Nolan could cheat, she could chat with gigolos!

She plopped back down, trying to sleep, but felt herself being lifted again. They still wore professional smiles. "Ms. Percy, your friend already paid. We have to provide the service."

Their words were polite, but their actions were rough. Anne realized something was wrong and tried to struggle, but a strange smell made her body go limp and weak.

Anne was led toward the door, looking like she was willingly going with the gigolos to outsiders. But a tall figure suddenly blocked their way. "This lady said she's not satisfied with you. Forcing her to go with you isn't very professional, is it?" Dorian's voice cut through the tension, his eyes narrowing at the men.

"You'd better mind your own business," one of the men threatened.

"If she genuinely wants to go with you, I won't interfere. But if she doesn't…" Dorian smiled coldly, glancing at Anne's restrained form. "Miss, do you want to go with these men?"

Anne looked at him, shaking her head with difficulty.

"Then who do you want to go with?" he pressed.

Summoning her remaining strength, she pointed at Dorian.

One of the men blanched. "You picked the wrong person. He's a customer here."

"So what? I want him!" Anne's voice was a defiant slur, her determination clear. She understood that if she were to be taken away by these two men who drugged her and pretended to be gigolos, she would truly be doomed.

"If you pick me, the cost will be high, miss," Dorian said slyly, taking her from them.

Leading Anne out of the bar, Dorian watched as she stumbled to the side and vomited, her focus solely on her nausea, oblivious to his presence.

"Sweetie, we meet again," he said.

Anne glanced at him blankly. "Who are you? Do we know each other?" She seemed to have forgotten everything.

Dorian looked at her with intense eyes. "You kissed me and ran. Do you think you can get away with that, sweetie?"

Anne, still in a daze, tapped her foggy head. "Did I?"

She stared at Dorian's face for a long moment before giggling like a schoolgirl. "You're really handsome, like a model from a magazine! I remember now, you're the junior who wanted to date me!"