The club was a swirling mass of lights and bodies, the music pounding so loud that Angyal could feel it in her chest. She followed closely behind Noémi, who moved through the crowd with the ease of someone who belonged there. Angyal, on the other hand, felt like a fish out of water. She had never liked these kinds of places, with their loud music, flashing lights, and people who seemed to lose all sense of control the moment they stepped inside.
But she was here, and she was determined to make the best of it, if only for Noémi's sake.
They found a spot near the edge of the dance floor, where the music wasn't quite as deafening. Noémi was already in high spirits, her drink sloshing in her hand as she laughed and swayed to the beat. Angyal took a tentative sip of her own drink, the alcohol bitter on her tongue. She wasn't much of a drinker, but tonight she felt like she needed something to help her relax.
As the minutes passed, Angyal tried to let go of her anxieties. She smiled at Noémi, who was trying to get her to dance, and even moved to the music a little, though it felt awkward and forced. The club was packed, the air thick with the scent of sweat and perfume, the heat of so many bodies pressed together making it hard to breathe.
Noémi, ever the social butterfly, had already struck up a conversation with a group of guys nearby. They were laughing and talking loudly, clearly impressed by her confidence and beauty. Angyal hung back, not really interested in joining the conversation. She had heard it all before—guys trying to impress her, compliments that felt more like obligations than genuine admiration.
But then she noticed one of the guys looking at her, his gaze lingering a little too long. He was tall and muscular, with dark hair and a roguish smile that made her uneasy. He leaned in closer to Noémi, whispering something in her ear that made her laugh.
Angyal turned away, not wanting to draw any attention to herself. She scanned the crowd, trying to distract herself, but the flashing lights made her head spin. She took another sip of her drink, the alcohol warming her from the inside out. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, she thought. Maybe she could just let go for one night, have a little fun, and forget about all the stress and worries that had been weighing on her for so long.
But as the night wore on, and the drinks kept coming, Angyal found it harder and harder to keep her guard up. Noémi was in her element, laughing and flirting with the guys around them, completely at ease. Angyal, on the other hand, felt like she was drowning in the noise and the chaos. She could feel the alcohol taking effect, making her head swim and her thoughts blur.
At some point, Noémi handed her another drink, and Angyal took it without thinking. She was losing track of time, the night slipping away from her like sand through her fingers. The music was louder now, the bass vibrating through her bones, and the lights seemed brighter, more blinding. The club was a blur of colors and faces, everything blending together in a dizzying haze.
And then she saw him.
Dominik Szoboszlai.
He was standing near the bar, his tall frame easily visible above the crowd. His chiseled features and confident stance made him impossible to miss, even in a place as crowded as this. Angyal recognized him instantly—how could she not? He was one of Hungary's most famous footballers, his face plastered on billboards and magazine covers all over the country.
But what was he doing here?
For a moment, Angyal felt a flicker of excitement. She had never seen a celebrity in real life before, and here he was, just a few meters away. But that excitement was quickly replaced by a sense of unease. He was looking right at her, his dark eyes locked onto hers. There was something in his gaze that made her shiver, a predatory intensity that she couldn't quite place.
Before she knew it, he was making his way towards her, pushing through the crowd with a single-minded determination. Angyal's heart skipped a beat. What was he going to do? What was she supposed to say?
"Hey," he said, his voice smooth and deep, when he finally reached her. Up close, he was even more intimidating, his presence almost overwhelming. "I couldn't help but notice you from across the room."
Angyal blinked, trying to clear her head. The alcohol was making it hard to think, her thoughts sluggish and jumbled. "Oh...hi," she managed to say, her voice sounding distant to her own ears.
He smiled, a lazy, confident smile that made her stomach flutter. "What's your name?"
"Angyal," she replied, the word slipping out before she could stop herself.
"Angel, huh?" Dominik's smile widened. "That's fitting."
She blushed, looking down at her drink to avoid his gaze. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the alcohol amplifying her emotions, making everything feel more intense. She didn't know what to say, didn't know how to handle the situation. She wasn't used to this kind of attention, especially not from someone like him.
"Do you want to get out of here?" he asked, his voice low, almost a whisper.
Angyal's head snapped up, her eyes widening in surprise. "What?"
He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. "It's too loud in here. Let's go somewhere quieter."
She hesitated, her mind racing. This was crazy. She didn't know him, didn't even know what she was doing here. But the alcohol had loosened her inhibitions, made her more reckless than usual. And there was something about him, something magnetic that she couldn't resist.
"Okay," she heard herself say, her voice small and unsure.
Dominik took her hand, his grip firm and reassuring, and led her through the crowd. Angyal followed him, her heart pounding in her chest, the noise of the club fading into the background as they stepped outside into the cool night air. The street was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos inside, and for a moment, Angyal felt a wave of relief wash over her.
But that relief was short-lived. She barely had time to process what was happening before Dominik was pulling her towards a waiting car. The next thing she knew, they were speeding through the city, the lights of Budapest flashing by in a blur.
Angyal's head was spinning, the alcohol making everything feel surreal, like she was in a dream. She didn't know where they were going, didn't know what was going to happen next, and that scared her. But there was a part of her, a small, reckless part, that was curious, that wanted to see where this would lead.
Before she knew it, they were at a hotel, a fancy one that she could never afford. Dominik was still holding her hand, guiding her inside, up to a room on one of the top floors. The door clicked shut behind them, the sound echoing in the silence.
Angyal's heart was racing now, the reality of the situation starting to sink in. What was she doing? This wasn't like her at all. She should leave, she should—
But then Dominik was kissing her, his lips soft and warm against hers, and all rational thought flew out of her head. The alcohol, the exhaustion, the loneliness—it all combined to make her reckless, to make her want to forget, just for a little while.
And so she kissed him back, letting herself be swept away by the moment, by the thrill of doing something so out of character, so dangerous.
It was a night she would come to regret, a night that would change everything.
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