•Behind the Door•
The VIP lounge was quieter than the chaos downstairs.
Soft golden lights glowed against dark walls,guards standing outside and the low music drifting from hidden speakers felt calmer—almost intimate compared to the wild energy of the dance floor below.
Lila leaned back into the velvet couch, letting out a slow breath.
"Wow," she murmured, glancing around the room. "This place is… a lot calmer than I expected."
Marcus poured himself a drink at the bar.
"That's the idea," he said casually. "The real conversations happen up here."
Lila tilted her head.
"Real conversations?"
Marcus smirked slightly but didn't answer.
Adrian remained standing near the couch, his arms loosely crossed as he watched her.
He had barely taken his eyes off her all night.
Lila noticed.
Of course she noticed.
"You stare a lot," she said.
Adrian didn't deny it.
"You notice a lot."
She smiled faintly.
"That's because you're acting like I might disappear if you blink."
For a moment, Adrian didn't respond.
He only smirked
Because the truth was…
He had been watching her for three months.
And the idea of her disappearing had never
crossed his mind NEVER.
Marcus cleared his throat loudly.
"Alright," he said, interrupting the strange tension building between them. "Let's make this less intense before the air catches fire."
Lila laughed softly.
"You're funny."
Marcus gave a small bow.
"Someone has to balance out the dark and mysterious energy over here."
Adrian ignored him completely he always does.
Lila rubbed her temple slightly.
"Okay… I might actually be a little tired but am fine."
"Can please get a drink " lila said
Adrian stepped closer immediately.
"You drank too much already"
She rolled her eyes.
"You've said that twice now."
"You didn't listen the first time."
Marcus chuckled quietly.
Lila leaned back into the couch, closing her eyes for a moment.
The lights upstairs were softer, but the spinning feeling hadn't completely gone away.
"Maybe I should just sit here for a minute," she said.
Adrian watched her carefully.
Every movement.
Every breath.
Marcus noticed the look in Adrian's eyes and sighed quietly to himself.
This was getting worse.
Much worse.
Lila opened her eyes again.
"You two act like you run a motel," she said jokingly.
Marcus nearly choked on his drink.
Adrian didn't react.
Lila frowned slightly.
"Did I say something weird?"
Marcus quickly waved a hand.
"Nope. Not weird at all way worse."
Adrian finally spoke.
"Your friends are still downstairs."
Lila glanced toward the staircase.
"They'll survive without me for a few minutes."
Marcus smirked.
"Bold words."
She laughed again, then looked back at Adrian.
"You still haven't told me how you knew my name I know we've met but I never once mentioned my name."she said raising her eyebrows.
Adrian's expression didn't change.
"Like I said I have my ways."he replied coldly
"That doesn't answer the question?"lila said
"He's a psycho what do you expect."
Marcus muttered under his breath.
Lila leaned forward slightly, studying Adrian's face.
"You're very secretive."
"Careful," Marcus said playfully. "That's part of his charm."
Adrian shot him a brief warning look.
Marcus just smiled.
Then Lila's phone buzzed on the table beside her.
She picked it up.
A message from becky
Becky:
WHERE DID YOU GO?? 👀
Lila typed quickly.
LILA:
Upstairs VIP. With the mysterious guy.
A second later another message appeared.
Becky:
IS HE THE HOT GUY YOU WHERE WUTH EARLIER?
Lila glanced up at Adrian.
He was now standing near the window , his tall frame half-shadowed by the dim lighting as he lit the cigarette.
His sharp features.
His dark eyes.
The quiet power in the way he carried himself.
She typed back.
LILA:
Unfortunately yes.
Marcus noticed her smiling at her phone.
"Let me guess," he said.
"Friends?"
She nodded.
"They think I've disappeared."
Marcus grinned.
"Technically you have."
Adrian turned slightly toward them again as he puffed the cigarette.
His gaze settled on Lila.
"You should go meet them ."he said
Lila blinked.
"Are you kicking me out?"
"No." He replied "I would have thrown you out instead" he smiled at her
"Damn.. you creepy but I still wanna stay why can't I ?" She said with a shrug
Adrian's voice remained calm.
"Because you're tired."
Lila opened her mouth to argue.
Then paused.
Because he was right.
The exhaustion from the school, the music, the drinks—it was starting to catch up to her.
Marcus checked his watch.
"Alright," he said. "Decision made."
"What decision?" Lila asked.
Marcus pointed at Adrian.
"He's taking you home."
Lila laughed.
"Excuse me I can go home myself and I came with friends remember?"
Adrian didn't deny it.
Marcus shrugged.
"Relax. It's already dark, and its kinda dangerous bad people exist you know that like....."
Adrian gave him a slow look.
Marcus added quickly,
"Well… it's not good for a lady to be out by this time."
Lila stood up slowly from the couch.
"Well you're right I better get going"
Adrian stepped forward immediately, "well that's settled"
I'll drop you off ?" Adrian said .
"I can go by myself like I said my friends are waiting for me."
She looked up at him.
"strangely you care way to much for a strangers who you literally just meet at an alley once."
He smirked slightly.
"who said we've met only once."
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Marcus clapped his hands once.
"Alright, peeps—let's go before this turns into a flashback movie scene."
Lila laughed again, shaking her head.
But as Adrian guided her toward the staircase…
She couldn't shake a strange feeling growing in the back of her mind.
He's strange.
Acts weird.
Knows her name "dammmm what has she gotten herself into".. 🖤