Love for One Night

Ch 1: The Night I Can't Forget (4)

"So, did you leave her your phone number?" Ryo asked, rubbing his jaw. Arden hit it too hard.

Arden slightly raised his chin in response.

"Oh gosh, our prince charming has finally taken a liking to a one-night stand," Ryo teased, leaning in closer. "Tell me, is she great in bed?"

Moya squeezed between the two men, separated them from further conflict. She tapped Ryo's forehead, pushing him away, "Watch your language, lecher. There's a lady present."

"Who are you calling a lecher, huh?" Ryo retorted, dissatisfied.

"Sorry, calling you that would be an insult to lechers. You're worse than one," Moya replied, showing no mercy.

Arden remained silent, letting the two bicker while he quietly savored his own thoughts. It seemed contradictory to say a novice was great in bed, but he had to admit, she was the kind of girl who was hard for him to forget.

Ryo claimed he spotted her first, but that wasn't the case. In the dim, flickering lights of The Roxy, Arden noticed her immediately after she walked into the bar. Her long, black hair resembled satin, complemented by neat bangs framing her oval face. Her slightly sad, round eyes and the faint dimple that appeared on her left cheek when she smiled added to her gentle charm. Even without makeup, her face exuded a captivating and mysterious oriental beauty.

After indulging in too much strong liquor, a sip of pure water can be refreshing. A master once suggested that a clear and pure spirit is beneficial for both the mind and body. Arden didn't make a move but watched silently from the side. Ryo's pickup techniques were too eager and enthusiastic. Especially for Asian girls like this one, most were introverted and easily intimidated. In contrast, Arden's approach was always sincere and straightforward. Women need tenderness. All he needed to do was offer genuine, wholehearted care.

Arden could tell this girl had something on her mind. No matter what Ryo said, she didn't react much. Yet, she didn't reject Ryo's repeated advances. This meant her emotions were teetering on a delicate edge. She was wrestling with her inner turmoil. It's strange how young women love to battle with their own feelings. Don't they know that internal conflicts make it easy for outsiders to take advantage? In times like these, a man shouldn't be her enemy; he needs to stand alongside her.

When Ryo left, Arden approached her and asked, "Do you find it stuffy in here? Want to get some fresh air?" It was a simple request—just some fresh air—and usually, girls wouldn't refuse. Especially girls with worries in their hearts; a noisy, crowded environment wouldn't make them feel better. Moreover, the man opposite her had a calm and natural demeanor, with a friendly smile that inexplicably made him seem trustworthy.

A bench by the roadside, quiet yet with a wide view, allowed them to see passing cars and people. It wouldn't make a girl feel unsafe. Arden sat at a half-arm's distance from her, not too far to seem distant, nor too close to make her nervous. The position was just right, allowing him to catch a whiff of her natural fragrance. He believed she could also smell the faint scent of his cologne.

Arden asked if she wanted something to drink.

She said, "Sure. Whatever."

"I'll get a six-pack of beer from the Liquor Store across the street," smiling as he added, "It's much cheaper than what they sell at The Roxy."

She agreed.

Arden crossed the street directly, a slightly risky move. He knew most girls would watch his back with a bit of concern, even if she hadn't initially planned to wait for his return.

Typically, beer has an alcohol content of about 3-4%, so girls aren't usually concerned about a can or two. However, he bought a type of strong German beer not commonly available on the market. With its bubbly fizz and light malt aroma, it subtly numbed the senses. As expected, just half a can painted the girl's cheeks with a charming blush. After two cans, her eyes were so dazed they almost couldn't focus.

"Tired?" Arden asked with a low, soft voice. The girl nodded, her long hair falling in strands to cover her flushed cheeks.

He offered to take her home and, like a gentleman, helped her into his SVJ. She didn't refuse, simply pouted, watching curiously like a child as the wing-like car door slowly closed. There wasn't the look of amazement on her face that he had expected. It seemed she probably didn't even know which company made the SVJ.

Arden hid a mischievous smile under the flashing neon lights of the night. The girl was too drunk to accurately tell him where she lived, so taking her to a hotel seemed like the most logical choice. He couldn't just bring her to his place or leave her to sleep on the street. He was always a gentleman.