𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 // 𝗖.𝗙

𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓵

"YOU LOOK beautiful." Conrad murmurs, his voice a low rumble as he leans back against the wall, his gaze fixed on Sylvia.

The dim light in the home casts a warm glow on her face, highlighting the curve of her cheekbones and the sparkle in her eyes.

They had just finished talking to two of their friends, after Sylvia got bombarded by a group of people eager to discuss her music, her passion radiating outward like a beacon.

Sylvia, never one to miss an opportunity for playful mischief, took a sip of the beer in Conrad's cup, her eyes never leaving his.

She hands it back to him, her fingers trailing down his chest, a silent caress that sent a shiver down his spine and made his breathing quicken.

"You look very handsome." She purrs, her voice a soft melody that only he could hear.

"T-Thank you." Conrad stutters, the unexpected compliment catching him off guard.

He prided himself on his composure, but Sylvia had a way of unraveling him with just a few words and a touch.

Sylvia smirks, leaning closer to his ear, her breath warm against his skin. "Who's making who nervous now, Con?"

"Tease." He whispers back, his voice husky with suppressed desire.

"Me?" Sylvia gasps dramatically, feigning innocence. "Never."

"It's okay." Conrad says, a playful glint in his eyes. "I'll get you back, just you wait."

He took a sip of his drink, trying to regain his composure, but the anticipation of their future encounters already had his heart racing.

Suddenly, Sylvia's expression changes, her eyes widening with a mixture of shock and fear.

She looks around, her gaze darting across the crowded bar, and then her eyes locked onto something—or someone—in the distance.

Her heart seems to stop beating as her eyes met a familiar, dark pair.

Jordan.

"Con." Sylvia says, her voice barely a whisper as she gestures with her head, her eyes still fixed on Jordan. "Please tell me I'm not seeing things."

"No, you're not." Conrad replies, his voice hardening with a protective edge. He grabs her arm, his grip firm but gentle. "Let's go outside, now."

"How—how is he here?" Sylvia asks, her body freezing up in disbelief.

Conrad lifts her up with ease, his strength surprising her, and practically drags her outside, away from the prying eyes of the onlookers around them.

"He's supposed to be in a cell, locked away."

"He comes from money, Syl." Conrad says, his voice laced with bitterness. "They definitely paid everyone in that jail to get him out, no doubt about it."

"That's not fair." Sylvia whispers, tears welling up in her eyes.

The injustice of it all, the way money could buy freedom and escape consequences, was almost too much to bear.

"I know." Conrad remarks, his voice filled with a simmering rage. "I'm gonna fucking kill him, Syl."

"No." Sylvia says, her voice sharp with urgency as he places her down. She grabs his face, holding him still, her eyes pleading. "I definitely don't need you in jail, Con. Let's just tell Jere and Beau and stay out here, okay? Please?"

"Fine." Conrad sighs, his shoulders slumping with resignation. "Fine. But he's not getting away with this, Syl. I promise you that."