Elena interrupted me, her displeasure evident, though her smile quickly returned."Let's eat here, Ryan, shall we?" she asked, her tone light and inviting.
"It's too expensive," I hesitated, glancing at the menu.
"I'm paying, not you, so why are you afraid of it being too expensive?" Elena rolled her eyes at me.
Since we were already here and she insisted, I relented."Fine, but you're paying. I'm broke."
"I know," she replied with a resigned smile, though a mischievous glint flickered in her eyes.
During the meal, Elena clung to my side, persistently placing food on my plate."Ryan, try this. It's the restaurant's signature dish," she said, slicing a piece of steak and setting it before me.
"Ryan, the shrimp is amazing. You have to taste it," she added, her eyes alight with anticipation as she placed a plump prawn on my plate.
"Eat more, Ryan. You're too thin," she teased, her laughter ringing like a soft melody as she continued to pile my plate with delicacies.
Finally, the meal ended. Just as I prepared to settle the bill, Elena spoke up, her tone suddenly brimming with excitement."Ryan, let's go to a nightclub!"
"No way. That place is way out of my league," I replied, already feeling a headache brewing at the thought.
"I'll pay." Her eyes widened, her voice resolute as if her decision was non-negotiable.
"Do you feel a sense of accomplishment in keeping me?" I asked half-jokingly, though a tangle of emotions stirred within me.
"Yes, Ryan. Let me spoil you," she replied with unnerving sincerity, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I only sell my art and not my body." I said in a serious tone, but I couldn't help laughing in my heart.
"You don't even want to sell yourself but still want me to support you. Are you going or not?" Elena glared at me with a hint of threat in her tone.
"No." I shook my head, though an internal battle raged within me.
"Fine. Then tomorrow, I'll have a word with that woman at your company…" Her voice trailed off, tinged with triumph.
"Stop it, Elena. How long are you planning to milk this joke?" I cut her off hurriedly, desperate to end the conversation.
"Do as I say, and I'll drop it," she replied smugly, her demeanor exuding newfound authority.
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"In your dreams. Just tonight, and never again. If you bring it up again, we're done for good," I warned, my tone a mix of firmness and subtle dominance.
"Deal!" Elena's face lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling."Let's go to Midnight Reverie!"
"Just so we're clear, I'm only having two drinks, and I won't be dragged into anything else," I cautioned, determined to avoid trouble. Midnight Reverie, after all, had a reputation—a labyrinth of neon lights and shady characters.
"I know, Ryan, you really are quite the sensitive one," Elena teased with a smile, her eyes glimmering with a hint of admiration. She always had this way of mocking my cautiousness while secretly appreciating my seriousness.
At that moment, she busied herself with her phone, her fingers flying across the screen as if in a world of her own."Alright, let's go," she said, tucking her phone away and wearing a mysterious smile.
Knowing we would be drinking, I parked the car in a free lot and hailed a taxi. I didn't want to risk doing anything that could add to the already heavy burden on my family.
Upon arriving at the nightclub, the neon lights flashed wildly, the music deafening, and the air was thick with the mingling scents of alcohol and perfume. Elena, as soon as she stepped inside, seemed to flutter like a carefree bird, her eyes sparkling as they scanned the surroundings. Without a moment's hesitation, she chose an opulent VIP booth and waved over the waiter."Bring us a large booth, and four bottles of the finest liquor!"
I looked at her, unable to suppress a frown."Elena, are you already drunk without having had a single sip? A booth this big and four bottles of alcohol—do you think we can handle that?"
Elena turned to me, laughing like a child, her eyes crescent-shaped with joy."Oh, come on, if we don't finish it, we don't finish it," she said with a carefree air, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
I felt a little nervous and asked awkwardly,"You're not going to drug me, are you?"
Elena winked mischievously, her voice dripping with playful mockery."Oh, I completely forgot to buy anything, Ryan. I'll keep an eye out, and if I find something, I'll make sure to accommodate you."
A strange nervousness crept over me as I pressed on,"You won't get me drunk and… well, you know, right?"
Elena's smile widened, her gaze teasing."Ryan, look at you overthinking everything. Are you starting to fancy me? Look, we have beautiful drinks and lovely company—shouldn't we make the most of tonight and not go back?"
Feigning composure, I replied,"Nice try. I've told you before, I sell my talents, not my body." Yet, within the pulsating atmosphere, my heart wavered, like a fragile boat caught in a stormy sea.
Elena hummed softly, as if she'd heard something amusing."Tch, one day, I'll have you completely under my spell," she said, licking her lips playfully like a cunning fox. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, sending a shiver down my spine as though she might truly devour me.
By then, the waiter had begun setting up the drinks, placing four neatly arranged bottles on the table, almost mocking my sense of self-awareness. I stared at the bottles, feeling more and more out of place, longing for the simple comfort of my rental room, where I could play on my phone in peace.
Elena, however, was unfazed. She picked up a bottle, expertly popped the cap, and handed it to me."Here, Ryan, have a drink. Relax."
I took the bottle from her, meeting her expectant gaze, and reluctantly took a sip. The liquid slid down my throat with a sharp bite, its spiciness making me wince.
Elena laughed even harder, clearly enjoying my discomfort."Look at you, all tense even while drinking. You're such a little bunny." She opened another bottle for herself and took a long swig, as casually as if drinking water.
We continued to drink and chat, Elena's laughter blending with the music, creating an atmosphere where it felt as though the world had narrowed to just the two of us. She would occasionally nudge me with her elbow or intentionally lean closer, making sure I could feel her warmth and the faint scent of her presence.