♥ Chapter 2♥

Asher Bennett

6:15 PM – Diner – Castellano City

Friday

The sound of the last service bell rang, signaling the end of our shift. I let out a relieved sigh and tossed the cleaning cloth onto the counter, watching as my coworkers gathered. Before heading to the break room, we all knew what had to be done.

"Alright, everyone, time to get everything in order!" Sophia called out, always the most organized of the group.

Each of us started tidying up the diner efficiently. I grabbed a clean cloth and began wiping down the tables, removing any traces of dirt or water rings left by drinks. Liam walked past me carrying a stack of chairs, flipping them upside down onto the tables I had already finished.

"You’re so slow today, Asher!" he teased, and I rolled my eyes, pretending to be offended.

"You only say that because I actually do my job right," I shot back with a grin, continuing my task.

Jack was in the kitchen, washing utensils and organizing the shelves, while Sophia checked the register and closed out the day's sales. Each of us carried out our tasks efficiently; the atmosphere almost synchronized, like a well-rehearsed routine.

"We’re almost done!" Jack shouted from the kitchen, his voice echoing through the diner. "Anyone want to help with the trash?"

"You’re the trash master, Jack. That job is all yours," Sophia replied, making everyone laugh.

A few minutes later, the diner was spotless. Clean tables, neatly arranged chairs, swept floors—everything ready for another day of business. It was almost automatic by now, but this little closing ritual always marked the end of the day satisfyingly.

As I finished up the last few details, the sound of firm footsteps echoed through the diner. The manager walked in with his usual I hate my job expression. He stopped in the middle of the room, his eyes scanning every corner, inspecting everything.

"Let’s see…" he muttered, walking past the counter, checking the tables and the floors. His critical gaze seemed to be searching for something to complain about.

We remained silent, watching as he carried out his meticulous inspection. After what felt like hours, he finally turned to us, crossing his arms.

"Everything’s in order. You can go," he said, not even looking directly at us.

Despite his words, his expression didn’t change. It was as if he was allowing us to leave, as if doing us a favor. He walked out without another word, and we all exchanged glances before breaking into quiet laughter.

"He actually enjoys this," Jack murmured as he grabbed his things.

"If he ever smiles, we should run," I added, making the others laugh again.

With work finished and the manager’s reluctant approval, we headed toward the break room, ready to end the day and prepare for the night ahead.

"Finally!" Liam exclaimed, taking off his apron and walking alongside me. "I’m so ready for tonight."

"You and me both, Liam," Jack responded, already loosening his uniform tie. "It’s been ages since we all went out together."

We entered the break room, and everyone started changing clothes. Sophia walked in shortly after, as energetic as ever.

"Alright, listen up, everyone!" she clapped her hands to get our attention. "We’re meeting in front of the club at nine. No excuses, no being late, okay?"

"Yes, boss!" Liam joked, earning a round of laughter.

"As if you are ever on time, Liam," Jack teased, making everyone laugh again.

"Hey, I’m always on time… when fun is involved," Liam shot back with a grin.

I just chuckled, shaking my head. Everyone was just as excited as I was, and it felt good to be around that energy. After changing, I adjusted my shirt in the mirror and grabbed my things, listening to yet another joke from Jack about Liam’s inability to arrive anywhere on time.

"See you all later!" Sophia waved as we walked out of the break room.

"See you soon!" we responded in unison, each of us heading our separate ways.

I walked toward my apartment at a quick pace, eager for the night ahead. It had been months since I’d gone out just to have fun, and tonight felt like the perfect time to do so. The streets were busy, the sky dark, and the city alive as always.

After a few minutes, I arrived at my building. I greet the doorman with a smile.

"Good evening, Mr. Bennett," he said politely.

"Good evening!" I replied, pressing the elevator button.

The doors opened with a soft metallic sound, and I stepped inside, pressing the button for the eighth floor. As I ascended, I started thinking about what to wear tonight—something comfortable but eye-catching. The elevator stopped, and the doors slid open.

I walked down the hallway to my apartment, unlocking the door. As soon as I stepped inside, I found Nick on the couch, watching the news, his feet propped up on the coffee table.

"You’re home early. That’s a miracle," I said with a smirk, tossing my bag into the corner.

He glanced at me over his shoulder and shrugged.

"Work was slow today."

I dropped onto the couch beside him, feeling my body relax for a moment.

"I’m going to the club with my coworkers tonight," I announced, excited.

He looked at me with a mischievous smile.

"Sophia’s going too?"

I burst out laughing. He wasn’t subtle at all about his crush on her.

"Yeah, she’s going."

He practically jumped off the couch, looking like a teenager.

"I need to smell good. I’m taking another shower," he said, disappearing down the hallway.

I shook my head, laughing. He could be intense, but it was nice seeing him so excited. Before stepping into his room, he paused at the doorway and pointed toward the kitchen.

"There’s food on the counter if you want to eat before heading out."

"Awesome, thanks!" I replied, making my way to the kitchen.

On the counter, there was a plate of spaghetti Bolognese covered in grated cheese, with a piece of garlic bread on the side. I grabbed the plate and sat at the table, enjoying my dinner while my thoughts drifted to the night ahead.

Once I finished eating, I washed the dishes and put the leftovers in the fridge. Now, all that was left was choosing the right outfit and getting ready for the night.

With the kitchen cleaned up, I headed to my room. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and glanced at the screen. It was 7:40 PM. I still had plenty of time, but I wanted to get ready at my own pace. I placed my phone on the nightstand and walked over to the wardrobe, scanning through my options.

After a few seconds, I picked out the perfect outfit for the night: a black button-up shirt, made of a thin, fitted fabric, with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows. I paired it with well-fitted dark jeans and a discreet belt. For shoes, I went with black leather boots—comfortable yet stylish. I laid everything out on the bed.

With my clothes ready, I headed to the bathroom. I switched on the light and stared at my reflection in the mirror, assessing my appearance. First, I brushed my teeth, feeling the cool freshness of the mint. Then, I started undressing, removing each piece of clothing before stepping into the shower.

The hot water cascaded over my body, relaxing every tense muscle after a long day of work. I grabbed the shampoo and lathered it into my hair, creating a thick foam before rinsing it out. Next, I used soap, running it over every inch of my skin, making sure I was completely clean. The sensation of the hot water was invigorating—almost like a ritual before the night ahead.

After a few minutes, I turned off the shower and reached for the towel hanging nearby. Wrapping it around my waist, I stepped out, the warm steam filling the bathroom. I walked over to the mirror, where a thin layer of condensation had begun to form. Grabbing the hairdryer, I ran my fingers through my hair as I dried it, making sure it was soft and manageable.

I decided to style it differently—something that suited the night. I used a bit of styling pomade, combing it to the side with a slight lift at the top, giving it a refined touch. The result was exactly what I wanted, and a small smile formed as I admired my work.

With my hair done, I returned to my room to get dressed. I picked up the black shirt and slipped it on, buttoning it slowly. The soft fabric felt perfect against my freshly showered skin. I chose black underwear, then put on the dark jeans and adjusted my belt. Finally, I pulled on the boots and took one last look in the mirror.

The outfit was simple yet sharp and attractive. I was ready for a night that promised to be fun. Adjusting the final details of my shirt, I took a deep breath and sprayed my cologne, the strong fragrance filling the air. I grabbed my watch from the nightstand and fastened it around my wrist. Walking over to my bed, I picked up my phone and checked the time.

8:30 PM.

"Shit! We’re late," I muttered, shoving my phone into my pocket and rushing out of the room. "Nick, let’s go! It’s already eight-thirty!"

Nick’s bedroom door swung open, and he stepped out, fully dressed for the night. As always, he looked impeccable. He wore a navy-blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, paired with well-fitted black jeans and dark brown leather shoes. His slicked-back hair accentuated his light green eyes, which seemed to glow even under the soft apartment lighting. His neatly trimmed beard gave him a mature and elegant look—a contrast to his boyish excitement.

Nick was tall, about 5’11", and his presence always stood out. He looked like he was born to be noticed.

"I’m ready. Shall we?" He adjusted the cuffs of his shirt.

"Yeah." I grabbed my wallet from my backpack in the corner of the room.

We hurried out of the apartment, heading to the elevator. As I pressed the button, Nick pulled out his phone.

"I’m calling a cab now," he said, glancing at me with a nervous expression. "Tell me the truth—do I look good? Do you think Sophia will like it?"

I laughed at his anxiety and shook my head.

"You look great. I’m sure she’ll think you’re hot."

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. Nick ran a hand through his hair one more time as he spoke.

"Tell me—none of your friends like her too, right? Liam or Jack… do they have any interest in her?"

I rolled my eyes and shrugged.

"They’ve never said anything. And I’ve never noticed any suspicious looks."

He let out a sigh of relief, as if my response had taken a weight off his shoulders.

When we reached the first floor, we made our way outside. He checked his phone.

"The cab’s here. Lucky us," he said, pointing to the car parked out front.

We climbed in quickly, and Nick gave the driver the address of the club. As the car began to move, I gazed out the window, feeling the anticipation build.

The night was just beginning—and little did I know, it was about to change my life forever.