The morning sunlight filtered through the cracked blinds in Antonella's tiny apartment, casting pale streaks across the bare walls. She sat at the edge of her bed, her body still heavy with exhaustion from the night before. The club felt like a distant memory, but the weight of Jason's gaze hadn't left her. It clung to her like a shadow, hovering just out of reach.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. A part of her wanted to ignore it, to sink back into the mattress and let the day disappear, but she reached for it anyway. A text from Belcalis flashed across the screen.
Belcalis: Wake up, boo. Got some news for you.
Antonella sighed, rubbing her eyes. Belcalis always had news. Usually, it was about some drama at the club or someone she was mad at, but Antonella couldn't deny that her messages helped anchor her in the present. She typed back a quick reply.
Antonella: What now?
Belcalis: VIP section is booked out for a private party tonight. BIG money, girl. You in?
Antonella: Maybe.
Belcalis: Don't be "maybe," be yes. You need the cash.
Antonella stared at the message for a long moment. Belcalis wasn't wrong. The club had its perks, and the biggest perk was the money. She needed it to stay afloat, to keep the fragile threads of her life together. The rent was due, and her bank account was running on fumes. And while every fiber of her being screamed to avoid going back tonight-especially after the way Jason had unsettled her-she knew she didn't have a choice.
Antonella: Fine. I'll be there.
Belcalis immediately sent back a string of celebratory emojis, but Antonella didn't smile. Her chest felt tight, anxiety simmering beneath the surface. She needed to stop thinking about him, about that night, about the way his eyes had locked onto hers and made her feel something she couldn't describe. She wasn't some innocent girl looking for a savior. She was a survivor, and she didn't need anyone to save her.
By the time Antonella arrived at the club that evening, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting the city in hues of orange and pink. The club's neon sign flickered against the twilight sky, casting an eerie glow over the entrance. Inside, the familiar sounds of clinking glasses and muted conversation filled the air, but tonight, there was a palpable tension.
Belcalis was waiting for her by the bar, already dressed in her usual flashy outfit, her smile wide and infectious. "There she is! Lookin' hot, girl. Ready for a big night?"
Antonella shrugged, not feeling nearly as enthusiastic as her friend. "You know me. I'll do what I have to."
Belcalis narrowed her eyes, clearly picking up on Antonella's mood, but she didn't press the issue. Instead, she linked her arm with Antonella's and led her toward the back of the club, where the VIP section was being prepared for the night's party.
"I heard it's some sports thing," Belcalis said as they walked. "Big names, lots of money. You sure you're okay to work it?"
Antonella stiffened at the mention of sports. She knew exactly what that meant. It meant Jason. It meant the possibility of seeing him again. And she wasn't sure if she was ready for that. "I'll be fine," she said, her voice more certain than she felt.
The VIP section was already filling up by the time Antonella made her way over. The low lighting cast shadows across the expensive furniture, and the music pulsed softly in the background. She kept her eyes down, avoiding any unnecessary eye contact, but she couldn't stop the nervous energy buzzing beneath her skin.
And then, as if the universe was playing a cruel joke on her, she felt it again-that same pull, that same presence.
Jason was there.
