Just then, Sarah noticed Marcus watching her from across the room. She leaned closer to Alex, holding his hands with a serious expression. "Don't tell Marcus I'm a guy. I'm just playing with him—he thinks I'm a girl," she whispered.
Alex followed her gaze toward Marcus and quickly grasped the situation. He could see the sincerity in her eyes and nodded in understanding. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me," he said softly. "I won't say a word." His reassuring smile confirmed his willingness to cooperate.
Sarah relaxed and smiled back. "You know, when you're with real friends, you can just let go, be your unfiltered self, and feel confident. And I consider you a real friend," she said warmly.
Alex's expression softened at her words. "I feel the same way," he replied earnestly. "It's rare to find someone you can truly be yourself around. I trust you, Sarah."
Their moment of connection was brief, however, as Marcus began walking toward them. His gaze shifted between Sarah and Alex, curiosity evident on his face as he approached.
"You're the best. Don't worry, next time I'll give you plenty of backshots," Sarah teased with a mischievous grin, her tone dripping with playful boldness.
Alex's cheeks flushed a deep red as her words sunk in. His eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by her audacity. He let out a nervous chuckle, trying to compose himself. "You really have no filter, do you?" he teased back, shaking his head with a mix of amusement and embarrassment. "But, uh… I'll hold you to that. Just… maybe let's keep it between us for now, okay?"
Sarah laughed softly, the teasing glint in her eyes giving way to something more genuine. "You know," she said, her voice warm, "when you're with real friends, you can just let go, be your unfiltered self, and feel confident. And I consider you a real friend."
Alex's blush softened into a warm smile as her words reached him. "I feel the same way," he replied sincerely. "It's rare to find someone you can be yourself around without worrying about being judged. I trust you, Sarah."
Their quiet moment was interrupted as Marcus began walking toward them, his sharp gaze moving between Sarah and Alex with a hint of curiosity.
"Hey~ Marcus," Sarah greeted with a playful wave, her tone light.
Before Marcus could respond, Alex chimed in, smirking. "Aren't you being a bit too clingy with Sarah, Marcus? Especially compared to the trio trailing after you," he teased, gesturing subtly toward Catherine, Anna, and Sophia, who hovered behind Marcus like loyal shadows.
Marcus chuckled, raising an eyebrow at Alex's comment. He glanced back at the three women, then turned his attention back to the pair in front of him. "What can I say? Good company is hard to find," he replied smoothly, a sly smile curving his lips. "And, well, you know how high society works—everyone needs their entourage."
"I can see that," Sarah chimed in, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Without missing a beat, she turned to Alex, her tone turning sweet and playful. "Alex, drop me off home, please~. I'm bored of this party."
Alex's eyes lit up at the request, clearly not minding at all. "Of course, I can drop you off. Honestly, I was thinking of leaving too," he said, casting a quick glance around the room. "This party isn't exactly the most exciting tonight."
He then looked back at Marcus and gave him a polite nod. "It was nice seeing you, Marcus. Enjoy the rest of the evening."
Marcus nodded in return, his gaze flicking between Sarah and Alex. "Likewise. Drive safe, you two," he said casually, though a flicker of curiosity lingered in his eyes as they turned to leave.
Marcus chuckled softly to himself as Sarah and Alex disappeared into the elevator. He turned his attention back to the three women now hovering around him, their intent to monopolize his attention blatantly obvious.
Sophia broke the silence first, her tone laced with intrigue. "Looks like they couldn't handle the excitement of the evening. Leaving already? How dull."
Anna smirked, leaning closer to Marcus. "To be fair, this party isn't exactly thrilling. Though I can't imagine walking out if it meant leaving *your* company," she added with a sly smile.
Catherine, less eager to jump into the theatrics, shrugged casually. "Maybe they had other plans. Not everyone is cut out for these social events," she remarked, her tone nonchalant but her eyes subtly observing Marcus's reaction.
Sophia rolled her eyes at Catherine's dismissiveness, clearly focused on her own agenda. "Well, whatever their reason, it just means more time for *us* to enjoy your company, Marcus," she said, her hand lightly brushing his arm.
Anna chimed in, "Exactly. And we're here to make sure you're entertained. After all, who else could keep up with someone as charming as you?" Her voice was honeyed, her expression playful.
Catherine raised an eyebrow but didn't argue, instead stepping slightly closer to Marcus. "So, Marcus, tell me," she said with a subtle smirk, "what's been keeping you so occupied lately? Surely it's not just these mundane parties?"
Marcus, amused by the clear shift in their dynamic, decided to play along. "You know me," he replied, his tone teasing. "Always surrounded by beautiful company and trying to keep up with the fast-paced life of high society."
The girls exchanged sly smiles, sensing an opportunity to outshine one another. Sophia leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a flirtatious lilt. "Well, let us take the burden of boredom off your hands for the night. We'll make sure you have a memorable evening."
"Agreed," Anna said confidently, her hand lightly brushing his shoulder. "After all, Marcus, you deserve only the best attention."
Catherine, while still maintaining her composed demeanor, couldn't resist chiming in. "Just don't let them overwhelm you, Marcus," she said with a soft chuckle. "You know how competitive some people can get."
Marcus chuckled, glancing between the three women. "With company like this, I doubt I'll be bored anytime soon," he replied, his smile effortlessly charming as he allowed them to steer the evening.
The girls were busy vying for Marcus's attention, while outside, Sarah and Alex strolled towards Alex's car.
"Rolls Royce Phantom? I like this car a lot," Sarah remarked, admiring the sleek vehicle.
Alex chuckled, a hint of pride in his voice. "Thanks. I'm quite fond of it too. Spacious, comfortable, and it looks damn good—what more could you ask for?"
"Some backshots," Sarah teased, slipping into the passenger seat with a cheeky grin.
Alex's eyes widened at her bold comment, and a mix of surprise and amusement crossed his face. He quickly shook his head, chuckling as he closed the passenger door.
"You really don't have a filter, do you?" he said, his tone a mix of disbelief and amusement as he walked around to the driver's side.
"Wha~t?! I can't even joke with my new close friend?" Sarah replied with a playful pout, glancing at him as he settled into the driver's seat.
Alex started the car, glancing over at her with a grin. "Oh, I didn't say it was a bad thing," he replied. "It's refreshing, actually. But you certainly know how to keep me on my toes, I'll give you that."
Sarah smirked, satisfied with his response. "Good. A friend like me should never be boring, right?"
Alex laughed, shaking his head as they pulled away from the party. "Right. Remind me never to underestimate your sense of humor again."
"It's because you're too preppy," Sarah teased. "You always follow the rules, keep everything neat and clean, and you're so innocent."
She smirked, leaning in a little closer. "With me around, you need to be unfiltered too. Got it?"
Alex chuckled at Sarah's observation, amused by how well she seemed to know him.
"You're right, I do tend to be organized and meticulous," he admitted, a hint of sheepishness in his voice. "I guess I've always played by the rules. It's just who I am."
He paused for a moment, considering her suggestion. "Alright, maybe it's time for a bit of unfiltered fun in my life. And if anyone can provide that, it's definitely you."
"That's right," Sarah replied, her hand sliding down to his leg, squeezing and caressing it with just the right force to distract him.
Alex's breath hitched slightly at her touch, and he gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, trying to focus on the road ahead.
"You really know how to distract me, don't you?" he said, his voice taking on a slightly huskier tone as he glanced at her.
"Sensitive, are we?" Sarah teased, pulling her hand away with a playful grin.
Alex rolled his eyes, though a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Sensitive? More like easily amused by your antics," he teased back.
He nodded in agreement at her request to go to his house instead of hers. "Alright, my place it is. It's closer anyway."
As they drove, Alex stole a glance at Sarah, curiosity getting the better of him. "So, what exactly do you want to see at my house?"
"Everything," Sarah replied, her tone mischievous. "I want to see where I can give you backshots and watch that micropenis climax."
Alex nearly choked on his own spit at Sarah's bold comment, his face flushing a bright red in embarrassment.
"S-Sarah!" he sputtered, his voice a mix of surprise and fluster. "You can't just say things like that so casually!"
"What? You should be unfiltered, carefree, and act as zesty as you want with me. I'm your best friend," Sarah said, lightly punching his arm.
Alex took a deep breath, trying to compose himself after Sarah's unexpected comment. Despite his embarrassment, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "You're really testing my limits, you know?" he said, a hint of mock indignation in his tone. "But I suppose you have a point. With you, I don't have to hold back... Alright, I'll try to be more unfiltered, carefree, and 'zesty,' as you put it."
Sarah giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she noticed the effect her words had on Alex. "Good, I like that. No more Mr. Perfect and Preppy," she teased, poking his chest gently. "Just be yourself—no masks with me."
Alex chuckled, shaking his head at her playful banter. "Is that how you see me? Mr. Perfect and Preppy?"
He shot her a sidelong glance, his expression a mix of amusement and resignation. "Alright, I'll try to loosen up and be more raw, just for you. But no promises on the backshots—at least not tonight."
"Nice one, you're improving. Now be a little more unfiltered," Sarah said, caressing his arm.
Alex sighed, a blend of resignation and amusement crossing his face. "More unfiltered, huh?"
He glanced at her hand on his arm, the gentle touch making his heart race slightly faster. Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, he finally said, his tone more candid, "Well, if you really want unfiltered, your teasing is getting to me more than I'd like to admit. It's... stirring thoughts in my head I'm trying my best to control."
"Tch. Tch. Too professional," Sarah said, taking his hand and placing it on her thigh.
"Now feel it up a bit. This is what close friends do—tease like this," Sarah said, her expression neutral.
Alex's eyes widened as Sarah placed his hand on her thigh, his heart rate quickening at the touch. He gulped, trying to keep his composure.
Taking a deep breath, Alex gently stroked her thigh, his touch tentative at first but gradually becoming more confident as he followed her instruction.
"Like this?" he asked, his voice a little uneven.
"What a zesty guy you are, always touching me," Sarah teased him.
"Hey, I'm just doing what you asked!" Alex protested, though he couldn't help but smile at Sarah's teasing. He continued to caress her thigh, his touch becoming more assured as they continued to chat and banter.
"You're the one who wanted me to be more unfiltered and carefree, remember?"
"Then you should respond like one," Sarah said, giving him an example. "Say, 'Whaaaat?! Me? I could never do that!' and still stop caressing my thigh."
Alex took a deep breath, summoning his courage to respond in a more unrestrained manner.
"Me?? Never do something like touching your thigh?" He paused for a moment, then continued, a hint of playfulness in his tone. "And why would I want to stop, exactly? It feels pretty nice, you know."
"Ooo~ someone's learning?" Sarah said, impressed.
Alex chuckled, both amused and feeling a bit cheeky after Sarah's compliment.
"Are you surprised? Maybe I just needed the right teacher to bring out my unfiltered side," he said jokingly.
He left his hand on her thigh, his touch becoming more casual and natural as he continued driving.