Things were getting pretty lively at the bar as the night went on. The music got louder, the bass shaking the walls and floor, syncing with the crowd's energy. Neon lights flashed in blue, red, and gold, throwing shadows over the crowded dance floor. The air was heavy with the smells of sweat, perfume, and alcohol, blending together in a heavy haze.
Laughter and shouts were all over the place, with glasses clinking and cheers for shots. Servers darted through the chaos, their trays loaded with colorful cocktails and bottles of champagne. This was The Heaven at its peak—wild, chaotic, and untamed.
On a plush velvet couch in the corner, Evander seemed totally unfazed by the commotion around him. His sharp features and well-tailored suit made him stand out from the relaxed crowd around him. Where others were laughing and smiling, Evander just looked frustrated. He gritted his teeth every so often, and he occasionally closed his eyes, as if trying to block out the noise.
He hated places like this now. The noise, the crowds, the people acting like idiots—it really got on his nerves. A younger version of himself might've relished the chaos, but not anymore. Now, he found some grim amusement in watching his friends drink themselves silly.
Evander's eyes scanned the room lazily, landing on Cedric, one of his closest friends. Cedric was in his element, leaning close to a petite woman with short brown hair. He whispered something in her ear, and she immediately turned crimson, bowing her head in shy laughter.
Evander smirked to himself, lifting his glass for a small sip of whiskey. He's probably saying something dirty again, Evander thought, shaking his head.
The ice clinked softly as he swirled the amber liquid in his glass, but before he could take another sip, he felt the cushion beside him shift under someone's weight. He didn't bother to glance over. He didn't care who it was.
"Bored, are we?" a sultry voice teased, cutting through the noise.
Evander flicked his eyes to the side briefly, just enough to catch a glimpse of the woman who'd taken it upon herself to invade his solitude. She had long black hair that fell past her shoulders, a glittering mini-dress that left little to the imagination, and a glass of some brightly colored cocktail in her hand. He didn't respond, turning his gaze elsewhere.
"Really?" she said, laughing lightly. "You're going to sit here all alone while your friends are having the time of their lives?"
Evander took a slow sip of his drink, ignoring her.
The woman leaned closer, her fingers brushing against his arm. "I like men like you," she said, her tone dropping to a teasing whisper. "The cold ones. You hide your wild side so well."
Evander finally turned to look at her, his sharp blue eyes meeting her red-lipsticked smile. He sighed, setting his glass down. "I don't like aggressive women. They talk too much." He reached over, gently but firmly removing her hand from his arm. "Like you."
The woman's smile faltered for a moment, but she recovered quickly, letting out a soft laugh as if trying to play off his rejection. Evander didn't give her another chance to respond. He stood, straightened his suit, and stepped away from the couch and didn't look back.
He didn't bother informing Cedric or anyone else that he was leaving. Knowing them, they were too drunk to care—or even notice. They'd meet again eventually, as they always did.
The balcony was a world away from the chaos inside. The was quieter now, and the cool night air smelled faintly of rain. Evander stepped into the cool darkness, letting the quiet wrap around him like a balm.
He walked to the far corner, leaning against the metal railing. The city lights stretched out before him, a glittering sea of gold and silver. He pulled out a cigarette, lit it with practiced ease, and took a long drag, blowing the smoke out into the night.
The nicotine burned his lungs, and he exhaled slowly, feeling his shoulders loosen. He frowned at the cigarette in his hand, muttering under his breath, "I need to stop doing this."
Still, he inhaled again, his thoughts starting to wander. Next time, he decided, he'd refuse his friends' invitations to come to places like this. He didn't belong here anymore, and he doubted he'd lose anything by staying home.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the balcony door opening. Evander didn't turn to look. He didn't care who it was, as long as they didn't disturb his moment of peace.
Then he heard a voice. "So this is what freedom feels like."
The words came out soft, a mix of relief and longing in her voice. Evander turned his head just a little, curiosity creeping in even though he didn't want it to.
The woman standing there wasn't what he expected. She wore a sleek black dress that hugged her figure perfectly, the hem stopping just above her knees to reveal smooth, fair legs. Her dark hair was styled in a braid, a few loose strands framing her delicate face. There was an air of innocence about her, despite the way her dress sparkled under the balcony lights.
She looked out at the city, oblivious to his presence, and continued speaking to herself. "One day," she said, her voice rising slightly, "I'll find a rich billionaire husband who'll buy me a huge diamond and all the branded things I want!"
Evander, caught off guard by the absurdity of her declaration, choked on his cigarette smoke. He coughed harshly, the sound startling her.
She spun around, her eyes going straight to him. For a moment, she looked like a deer caught in headlights. Then, she pointed an accusing finger at him. "You!" she said, a bit flustered but also pissed off. "Since when have you been there? How dare you eavesdrop on me!"