Chapter Four : A Night Too Wild

Chapter Four

After about an hour’s drive, Nevian finally pulled up to a sleek, almost hidden entrance tucked between two high-rise buildings. By this time, it was just past nine.

Through the tinted windows, I could see the subtle flashes of colored lights and silhouettes moving rhythmically inside. The muffled thump of bass vibrated faintly through the car, a pulsing prelude to the chaos and excitement waiting for us.

“Welcome to Eclipse,” Nevian said with a small grin, his hand sweeping toward the black door. “Keep this one on the down-low. Only people in the know get in.”

I craned my neck, trying to peek through the frosted glass. The energy inside was intoxicating, glamorous, electric, almost dangerous.

Stephanie spotted me the moment I stepped onto the sidewalk, her jaw dropping, hands flying to cover her mouth. “Wow,” she breathed, eyes wide. “Lenon… you look… I—wow!”

I felt my cheeks heat, tugging nervously at the ruffles of my skirt. “Thanks… I… it’s a lot, isn’t it?”

Nevian’s hazel eyes glimmered with pride. “Not a lot. Just perfect,” he murmured, his hand brushing against mine in a fleeting, grounding touch.

The heavy doors swung open, spilling a wave of music and color into the street. The deep, hypnotic bass of Antidote by Travis Scott thumped through the night air, wrapping around me like a pulse. People moved with confidence, drinks in hand, bodies swaying to the rhythm, the strobe lights cutting jagged patterns across the dark, polished floors.

The interior of Eclipse was like stepping into another world. Dimly lit, sleek black panels accented with gold, a suspended chandelier made of cascading neon tubes, and private VIP booths lining the edges. The scent of perfume and cologne mingled with the faint aroma of cocktails, intoxicating and thrilling.

Stephanie grabbed my hand, practically jumping in excitement. “This is insane! I can’t believe we’re actually here!”

I took a shaky breath, my heels clicking against the glossy floor as Nevian guided me through the crowd. The outfit, the makeup, the heels, it all felt surreal now, moved by the heartbeat of the club.

“Just… follow my lead,” Nevian murmured, his voice low against the music. “Stick close. Trust me.”

I nodded, my pulse racing, the adrenaline and nervousness mixing with a thrill I hadn’t felt in years.

Nevian led the way confidently toward the entrance, and two large men stepped in front of us, their arms crossed. Their presence was intimidating.

“ID check,” one of them said gruffly.

Nevian just smiled, calm and relaxed, and handed over his ID. The bodyguards exchanged a quick glance, then nodded silently. “Go ahead,” the other one said, stepping aside.

I blinked, surprised at how easily they let us pass. Stephanie whispered beside me, “Wow… you’d think they’d stop anyone.”

I shrugged, trying not to look too nervous. “Yeah… I guess Nevian just… doesn’t get told no.”

He shot me a sideways grin as we walked past. “Just stay close,” he murmured, and I could hear the faint amusement in his voice.

Inside, the music hit harder, the crowd moved around, the glowing lights and sleek booths. Stephanie practically bounced beside me, and I tried to keep my heels steady as I followed Nevian deeper into the club.

We finally made our way to the bar, the crowd parting just enough for Nevian to glide through like he owned the place. The bartenders gave him quick, almost reverent nods as he approached, and one of them, a tall man with slicked-back hair and sharp eyes, greeted him immediately.

“Ah, Mr. Lefevre, the usual?” the bartender asked with a sly grin, already reaching for a bottle.

Nevian’s hazel eyes sparkled as he held up a hand, shaking his head firmly. “No! No! Not tonight,” he said, his tone playful but decisive. He glanced at me, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. “Today is my friend’s birthday. She’s turning twenty-one, so I’d like… twenty-one shots, please.”

I froze, my eyes widening in shock. Twenty-one shots? My brain raced. I’m supposed to drink all of that? I felt a mix of panic and disbelief rise in my chest.

Nevian’s grin only widened at my reaction. “Relax,” he said softly, leaning just a little closer so I could hear over the music. “We’re not doing this to make you crazy. We’ll pace it. You’ll like it. Just trust me.”

I blinked at him, unsure whether to laugh, groan, or hide behind him. “You… you really mean twenty-one?” I whispered, my voice trembling slightly.

“Every single one,” he replied with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “One for every year. You like what?”

I couldn’t help but let out a nervous laugh, shaking my head. “No! Definitely no!”

He chuckled, clearly enjoying my reaction, and waved at the bartender, who immediately started lining up the shots with precise efficiency.

Stephanie squealed beside me, practically bouncing on her heels. “This is insane! I can’t believe he’s doing this for you!”

I swallowed hard, gripping my drink nervously. “I… I don’t know if I can handle this,” I admitted, my voice barely audible over the bass.

Nevian’s gaze softened, and he brushed a hand over mine lightly. “You can. I’ll be right here. Birthday queen, remember?”

I glanced at him, a swirl of nerves and excitement churning in my stomach, and realized just how much tonight was going to push me, into something thrilling, dangerous, and entirely unforgettable.

Nevian smirked, picking up two of the shots for himself and Stephanie. “These two are ours,” he said, handing one to her. “The twenty-one? All yours.”

I gulped, my throat dry, and stared at the shots lined up before me. Twenty-one little glasses of fire-ready liquid. I couldn’t help but laugh nervously.

Stephanie raised her shot, winking at me. “Come on! Chug it! Chug it! Chug it—”

Nevian lifted his own, tilting it toward me in a mock toast. “You got this, birthday queen. One for every year!”

I froze, staring at the first shot like it was a dare from another dimension. “No way,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

Stephanie leaned closer, her grin practically splitting her face. “Yes way! Birthday queen, you have to! Don’t bea pussy!”

Nevian’s hazel eyes softened but held that teasing spark. “It’s your nightt. Your rules. But you can do this. And I’ll be right here. Every single one,” he said, tilting his shot toward me again.

I swallowed hard, heart pounding, and for a moment, I thought about saying no. About backing down. But then I caught his gaze, the way he believed I could do it, the faint pride in his expression, and something inside me snapped.

“Okay,” I muttered, raising my first shot. “For twenty-one years…”

Stephanie squealed. “Yes! That’s my girl!”

I tipped it back, the burn hitting instantly, making me cough and laugh. Nevian clapped me on the shoulder, his grin wide. “See? Piece of cake.”

Encouraged, I moved on to the next one. Stephanie cheered each time I downed a shot, jumping and waving her hands like it was the most exciting thing in the world. Nevian kept his steady presence beside me, raising his own shots in playful toasts between mine.

By the time I’d made it through all twenty-one, my head was buzzing, my cheeks flushed, and my stomach pleasantly warm. Stephanie was practically bouncing on the spot, and Nevian’s proud smile made my chest twist in a way I couldn’t quite name.

“We did it!” Stephanie shouted, throwing her arms around me. “Birthday queen conquered the shots!”

Nevian laughed, shaking his head. “Birthday queen indeed. You owned every single one.” He raised his glass again, this time just for us, and I clinked it against his, feeling that rush of triumph and giddy, dizzy excitement.

The bass surged, throbbing through my chest like a second heartbeat. The lights flickered and swirled, the crowd moving as if the music had taken control of every limb. Stephanie had vanished somewhere into the night, pulled away by some guy who was clearly flirting with her, leaving me alone with Nevian, or at least, I thought I was.

Nevian’s eyes caught mine across the dance floor, sparkling, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips as he moved effortlessly with the rhythm. My head spun, warmth rushing through me from the drinks and the dizzying pulse of the club. I laughed, throwing my arms up, letting my body sway freely, the alcohol loosening every restraint.

I felt bold, reckless even. My heart hammered, not just from the alcohol, but from the way I couldn’t stop thinking about Nevian. And in that haze, I leaned forward, shouting over the bass:

“Nevian… I… I like you! I really like you!”

The words spilled out before I could stop them, urgent, desperate, and slightly slurred. My chest ached with the release, the confession tumbling out with reckless abandon.

But the man in front of me froze, a sly, lustful grin spreading across his face. My stomach dropped. That’s not Nevian.

His eyes were dark, hungry, scanning me like prey. “Oh… really?” he said, his voice low, smooth, dangerous. “I like that honesty.”

I blinked, confused and dizzy, realizing my mistake too late. The alcohol had fogged my mind, and my heart raced as panic started to creep in. He reached for my hand, and I felt my body weaken, swaying uncontrollably.

“Come… come with me,” he whispered, his hand curling around my wrist. “I’ll take you somewhere quiet, somewhere… special.”

I tried to speak, tried to protest, but the words slurred in my mouth. My body was heavy, my limbs unresponsive, the alcohol blurring everything into a dizzy, warm haze. Somehow, I nodded.

We moved through the crowd, his grip firm, leading me toward the dimly lit VIP area. My thoughts were a chaotic jumble. Why can’t I stand straight? Why is my heart racing? Where’s Nevian?

And then, just as he was about to guide me through the last velvet rope, a sharp, solid punch connected with the man’s jaw. He stumbled back, a grunt escaping him as he swayed unsteadily.

A powerful, commanding voice rang out, cutting through the music:

“LENON!”

The sound was sharp, familiar, and suddenly everything went black.