Inside the car, neither Matthew nor Ava paid the driver any attention.
Ava was busy counting the money again, flipping through the notes with ease.
"You go home first," she said casually. "I'll stop at the gate. My driver will pick me up."
Matthew raised an eyebrow.
"Where are you going?"
Ava didn't even look up.
"Where else?" she said, then tilted her head toward him with a playful look. "It's Friday night. Only someone like you would spend it locked in your room reading."
She smirked.
"Not my style."
Matthew rested his head lightly against the window, eyes on her, amused.
"I thought you wanted me to teach you."
Ava froze for a second.
Then slowly looked at him.
Her lips pouted.
"Wow…" she said, placing a hand on her waist. "So you're that kind of person?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly, dramatic.
"The type who ruins someone's night just for fun."
Ava suddenly shifted.
Instead of sitting properly, she turned on the seat—one leg folded under her, the other bent up as she leaned forward, resting her elbow on her knee her skirt drawing up Matthew eye snap back to her hazel blue eyes.
Her face moved closer.
Closer.
Until she was just inches away from Matthew.
Close enough to feel her breath.
Close enough to see every tiny reaction.
Her eyes locked onto his.
Naughty.
Playful.
"When I said I wanted to kiss you…" she murmured, tilting her head slightly, "…you don't remember."
A pause..
Her gaze narrowed just a little.
"But when I say you should teach me now, suddenly you remember?"
She leaned even closer—barely two inches apart now.
"Do you enjoy my suffering?"
Matthew didn't move.
Didn't lean back.
Didn't react.
He just looked at her then with a harmless smile he nodded.
Ava froze.
Thud.
She hit his chest lightly.
"You're annoying," she muttered.
She pulled back and dropped into her seat properly, crossing her arms with a small pout.
Matthew's lips curved faintly.
"I'm just saying," he replied calmly, "you were the one begging me to teach you."
Ava opened her mouth to argue—
Then stopped.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she thought.
Slowly, she lifted her hand and poked her cheek with her index finger, eyes drifting slightly as if calculating something.
"…hmm."
Ava leaned slightly toward him again, eyes glinting with mischief.
"Are you jealous?" she hummed. "The clingy person who wants to stick to you is about to go spend time with someone else instead of you."
She tilted her head, smiling.
"Can your ego and pride handle that?"
Matthew didn't even pause.
"For someone to be jealous," he said calmly, "there has to be a reason."
His gaze stayed on her.
"And how much do you think you weigh in my heart… for me to feel jealous over you, Ava?"
The driver nearly swerved he was ears dropping he couldn't help it.
"Sorry! Sorry!" he said quickly, gripping the wheel tighter as he regained control.
Inside his head though—
Damn… he is lucky he has a face like that cause with a mouth like this this guy would never date…
Ava's lips twitched.
Then she placed a hand over her chest dramatically.
"Wow… emotional damage," she said. "Straight to the heart."
She folded her arms, fake hurt written all over her face.
"You really did something there."
A small pause.
Then she sighed deeply.
"I'm definitely going to drink myself to sleep tonight."
The taxi slowed to a stop in front of the grand gate of the neighborhood.
Ava stepped out.
But didn't close the door.
Instead, she leaned slightly and looked back at him.
Her expression shifted—still playful, but with a hint of fun as if not taking life seriously .
"I can't wait for the day you fall for me," she said lightly.
Her smile returned.
"Remember this attitude of yours when that day comes."
She tapped the door once.
"For now, I'll just feed my delusions."
Then she winked.
"Think of me when you sleep, baby."
She paid for the ride—both of them—before walking toward the gate.
The guard straightened immediately as she showed her golden card.
The gates opened for the taxi to drive in.
Ava turn around walked past the taxi to were her driver was pack at the entrance leading to the Silver Arc District, a sleek black sports car was already waiting.
She got in.
The door shut.
And within seconds—
It drove off.
Inside the taxi, mattew close the door as the driver drive inside the the Silver Arc District his eyes filled with unsaid excitement cause who knows when he would enter here again and would be so lucky to have customers that stayed not in the the outer side not in the inner side but the third section even though he didn't see the third section as no taxi allowed he still saw the inner and outer and it was like a city in a city in a city as each layer was as big as one .
Ava's driver smoothly turned the wheel as the black sports car entered the nightlife district of Velmora City.
The deeper they drove into the glowing streets, the louder the city became.
Neon lights reflected against polished roads while luxury stores and towering buildings lit the night like another world entirely.
Then the club appeared massive.
Dominating the street like a palace built for the rich and reckless.
NOX AURELIA.
One of the biggest upscale clubs in the entire city.
Luxury cars lined the entrance area—sleek black sedans, customized sports cars, limited editions worth more than most people's houses.
Some were parked outside by uniformed valets while others rolled smoothly toward a private underground entrance.
That lower route was reserved for the true VVIP guests.
Cars there didn't stop.
The gates scanned their registration automatically before opening, allowing the vehicles to drive directly into the private garage connected to the upper floors of the club.
At the main entrance, elegantly dressed men and women stepped out of expensive cars, showing crystal VIP cards to the bouncers before being allowed inside.
Meanwhile, another line stretched toward the side entrance.
Smaller.
Messier.
Excited chatter filled that area.
Tonight, the third route had opened—ticket winners.
People lucky enough to get passes online or through events could enter the club too, but only for the lower levels.
Even then, their faces were full of excitement.
After all—
Just entering NOX AURELIA once was enough to brag about for years.
Music pulsed faintly even from outside, the bass vibrating through the air.
Ava stepped out of her car.
Instantly eyes turned.
Not just because of her face.
But because she was still wearing her school uniform.
Who wore a Crownside Elite High uniform to a club?
The contrast made her stand out even more.
Beautiful.
Dangerous.
Out of place in a way that somehow made her fit perfectly.
Ava ignored every stare like they didn't exist.
The bouncers at the entrance immediately straightened.
Then bowed slightly.
"Miss Ava."
Everyone nearby noticed the respect instantly and they were curious.
The staff didn't care just wanted to please her after all she was close to the owner's son.
That alone made people careful.
Before anyone else could approach, a staff member hurried out through a smaller side entrance—the fourth door.
Reserved access.
"Miss Ava," the woman said respectfully. "This way please."
Ava followed her without slowing down.
"Should we park your car upstairs?" the staff member asked politely. "We can send it through the elevator."
Cars belonging to upper-floor guests were transported through a specialized vehicle lift directly into the private parking area connected to the fourth floor.
Ava waved lazily.
"No need. I'll be leaving again soon."
The staff nodded immediately.
As the doors opened, Ava stepped inside the private lobby.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The noise outside became softer.
Warmer golden lights reflected against black marble floors while crystal decorations shimmered overhead.
Staff members moved quietly and efficiently, each bowing slightly as Ava walked past.
No one stopped her.
No one questioned her.
At the center stood a massive glass elevator.
Transparent from every side but she can only see outside they can't see her.
Ava entered casually.
The staff outside bowed again as the doors slid shut.
Then the elevator began to rise.
And the entire club unfolded beneath her.
The first floor was chaos in its most beautiful form.
Lights flashed across the massive dance floor while one of the city's top DJs controlled the crowd effortlessly.
Music thundered through the building, the bass heavy enough to shake the air itself.
People danced wildly beneath shifting lights, laughter and screams blending into the music.
Along the sides, an enormous illuminated drink wall stretched across the floor.
Customers selected and paid digitally before bottles and custom drinks slid smoothly out through glowing compartments like luxury vending machines.
The bartenders barely rested.
The elevator continued upward.
The second floor came into clearer view.
Compared to the wild chaos downstairs, this level felt richer, slower, more seductive.
Golden lights washed over the massive space while deep bass vibrated softly through the walls.
Some people sat around the curved luxury bar drinking colorful cocktails and expensive liquor while others danced lazily to the music.
At the center, chrome poles stretched from floor to ceiling.
Female strippers moved around them gracefully, their bodies twisting fluidly beneath the flashing lights as cheers and whistles rose around them.
Tonight's guest performer—a famous celebrity singer known for her bold image—was performing on the stage nearby, her voice mixing with the heavy music while backup dancers surrounded her.
Large curved couches filled the floor, each arranged around low crystal tables designed for groups.
Every section was occupied.
Some by rich heirs laughing loudly with alcohol in hand.
Others by businessmen pretending not to stare at the dancers.
Bouncers stood around certain tables, blocking outsiders from approaching.
On one table, strippers danced confidently while the men around them threw money carelessly into the air.
At another, a woman sat lazily with a male stripper draped across her lap feeding her fruit while her friends screamed and laughed.
Not far away, an entire group of wealthy women were surrounded by handsome male escorts pouring drinks into their glasses while one sat comfortably between two of them looking like a queen.
The entire second floor overlooked the first through a massive glass wall.
People upstairs could clearly see the crowd below dancing wildly beneath the lights—
And the people downstairs could look up and admire the luxury above them—
But neither side could hear the other.
The separation somehow made the place feel even more elite.
Then—
The third floor.
This level was enormous.
Far quieter.
Far more luxurious.
A massive indoor pool stretched across one side, glowing beneath soft blue lights while guests relaxed around it with drinks in hand.
Private hotel suites lined the upper sections for guests staying the night.
An open restaurant overlooked the city skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows while chefs cooked behind transparent kitchen walls.
Soft music drifted through the elegant atmosphere.
And also a party hall.
Compared to the floors below—
This felt like another world entirely.
Finally—
The elevator reached the fourth floor.
The doors opened.
Silence compared to downstairs.
Luxury carpet muffled footsteps while dim warm lights illuminated the hallway lined with private room doors.
Ava walked past several of them before stopping at one Jake had reserved.
She pushed the door open.
Inside—
Her friends were already there.
Music played softly through the massive room filled with velvet couches, drinks, and glowing city lights pouring through the glass walls.
Jane was sitting comfortably on top of her boyfriend Jordan's lap, one arm around his neck while he fed her sliced strawberries lazily.
Jane wore a tight black satin dress with thin straps, her dark hair falling over her shoulders while expensive jewelry glittered against her skin.
Jordan wore a half-unbuttoned dark shirt with silver chains around his neck, looking more like a rich troublemaker than a proper heir.
Across the room, Luna was singing karaoke dramatically with a handsome male escort beside her acting like her backup dancer.
Her shimmering silver dress sparkled every time she moved beneath the lights.
Jake was near the center of the room dancing shamelessly to the music.
He wore ripped designer jeans and a loose white shirt hanging open enough to show his abs, his messy hair adding to his naturally flirtatious look.
The moment they saw Ava—
Jordan grinned.
"Well, look who finally decided to bless us with her presence."
Jane raised a brow immediately.
"Still in your school uniform?" she asked. "Killjoy much?"
Ava dropped onto the couch dramatically.
"Didn't have time to change," she said lazily. "I went on a date with my handsome."
The room went silent for one second.
Then—
"You went on a date with Matthew?" Jane asked immediately. "Did you kidnap him?"
"Did you drug him?" Jordan added seriously.
Jake stopped dancing entirely and hurried over, eyes full of curiosity.
"Did your food you gave him yesterday traumatize him so much he gave up refusing you?" he asked as he dropped beside her.
"No way Matthew willingly agreed."
Luna lowered the mic.
"I thought your goal was friendship first," she said suspiciously.
Ava rolled her eyes.
"Will all of you shut up?" she complained. "I said it was a date, so it was a date."
She pressed a button beside the couch.
Almost immediately, servers entered carrying trays of expensive drinks.
"Sure, if you say so," Jordan drawled lazily
Jake clapped his hands dramatically.
"Now that everyone's here, let's actually have fun. Nobody is going home until tomorrow."
He spread his arms proudly.
"Today is Friday night! Raise the spirit up! We are wasting money in this club"
Jane snorted.
"Says the person whose family owns the club."
Jake looked offended immediately.
"I still booked everything!"
Jordan fed Jane a slice of watermelon before leaning closer and biting the other half from her mouth.
"So is it still called spending money when the money goes back into your father's pocket?" he asked casually.
Jake rolled his eyes.
"So what if it's my father's club? Money is money. Does it matter where it goes?"
"Rich people logic," Ava muttered while taking a drink from the tray.
Then her eyes suddenly narrowed slightly.
"Right," she said, turning toward Luna. "I noticed your brother friend car really easy it has Ashford logo downstairs."
"They booked one of the third-floor party halls I saw the list ," Jake replied .
Jake snapped his fingers like he remembered something juicy.
"Oh right—Marvin Ashford the guy whose first love is getting married to his best friend?"
Jane immediately straightened.
"What?"
Jake pointed dramatically.
"Exactly it is what is trending someone paid a lot to get the rumor spending ". Jake turned to Luna for her input.
I don't know the full story," she said. "He's been avoiding me for years after I confessed to him anyway."
She shrugged carelessly.
"Serves him right."
Ava nearly choked on her drink.
"Wait—the girl cheated on him with his best friend and got engaged to the best friend?"
Her eyes widened.
"Damn. That's cinema."
Jane suddenly frowned.
"Wait a minute…"
She pointed slowly.
"Isn't Marvin's best friend your second brother? Elliot Kaid?"
The room went silent for one second.
Then Luna looked horrified.
"Hell no."
Everyone burst out laughing.
"My brother?" Luna scoffed. "That monk?"
She crossed her arms dramatically.
"If Elliot actually stole someone's girl, my father would celebrate for three business days straight."
Jake laughed so hard he nearly dropped his drink.
"My dad and my mom and my elder brother and even me has already given up on him emotionally," Luna continued. "At this point, if Elliot suddenly announces he's gay, my father might cry from happiness because at least it means he likes something."
The room exploded again.
Jane wiped fake tears from her eyes.
"No, wait—I'm invested now in this gossip" she said excitedly.
Jordan immediately bit her neck lightly.
"I don't like you getting interested in another man's story," he complained.
Jane rolled her eyes.
"Get used to it."