Bouncer 1 glanced at the card—then froze.
His expression changed instantly.
He grabbed Bouncer 2's shoulder, stopping him mid-step.
"What?" Bouncer 2 snapped angrily.
Bouncer 1 didn't answer immediately. He leaned closer and whispered into his ear.
A second passed.
Then—
"Aaah!" Bouncer 2 gasped, his body going stiff as fear filled his eyes.
"Finally figured out who we are?" Fiona said mockingly, tilting her head.
Bouncer 1 stepped forward quickly and bowed.
"We're so sorry, ma'am. We failed to recognize you. I sincerely apologize for my colleague's attitude."
Fiona let out a soft laugh—low and dangerous.
"You should be grateful I don't have time to deal with you," she said coldly. "Otherwise… you'd be wishing you were dead."
"Yes, ma'am… we're very sorry for the lack of hospitality," Bouncer 1 said hurriedly.
Fiona walked past him—then stopped.
Right in front of Bouncer 2.
He didn't move. Couldn't.
She leaned in slowly… placing her hand on his face.
Her nails pressed into the thin cut on his cheek.
Bouncer 2 flinched.
"Don't ever mess with me again," she whispered softly. "Next time… you won't like the ending."
A pause.
"And be prepared to lose your job."
"Ma'am, please!" he blurted, panic rising. "I have children to feed—family to take care of—"
"I don't give a fu—"
She stopped.
Mid-sentence.
Because I was staring at her.
Cold. Silent.
Watching.
Fiona's body stiffened.
Slowly… she turned.
Our eyes met.
And just like that—
Her confidence cracked.
She dropped her hand immediately and stepped away.
Without another word, she walked inside.
I held my gaze for a second longer… then followed.
The rest trailed behind me.
"Fiona's dead, right?" Catherine whispered
.
"Totally," Jadon replied.
"I kinda feel pity for her," Eliza muttered with a smirk.
I glanced at them briefly—just once—
Then kept walking.
They froze.
Swallowed hard.
Then quickly followed.
"Hey! You bouncers, what's going on?"
someone from the crowd shouted.
"Why did you let them in?"
"What about us standing in line? Do you think we're blind?"
"Even if they're pretty, you can't just ignore us!"
The bouncers exchanged tense looks, trying to calm the rising noise.
(Inside)
The moment I stepped in, the noise hit.
Music. Voices. Lights.
Fiona stood a few steps ahead, unusually quiet.
Catherine rushed in behind me.
"Geez, everywhere's so loud!" she complained, covering her ears.
Jadon glanced at her with clear irritation and looked away.
A waiter approached.
"Hello, ladies. Welcome to Ridges Bar. How may I assist you?"
"He looks hot," Jadon whispered under her breath.
"Shut your trap, Jae," Fiona snapped without even looking at her.
The waiter raised a brow slightly—but kept smiling.
Fiona faced him.
"Take us to a VIP room."
Her tone was cold again. Controlled.
"Of course. This way, ladies."
He turned and led the way.
Fiona followed immediately.
I glanced at the others—then followed too.
(After 1 min)
The waiter stopped in front of a door.
"We're here. You may go in. Someone will attend to you shortly."
He left.
(Inside the VIP room)
The door clicked shut behind us.
A brief silence fell.
Fiona turned—
—and in that exact moment, I grabbed her hair and yanked it hard.