CHAPTER 48: UNKNOWN NUMBER

Braelyn’s POV

The mood was hyped, the guest artist knew what he was doing and had the entire club chanting his lyrics.

"He is so cool!!" Genny screamed, enjoying the live performance. It was one of her male idols. I have a feeling this club was specifically chosen because of the idol’s performance.

I glanced towards the stage, the particular artist wasn’t exactly my type. He gave up this bad boy vibe, which I found cliché, but girls always dug it. From the way he performed, although his persona was perfectly crafted, it still felt forced.

Actually, Miscreants don’t even have to wear clothes that are too large and have ridiculous amounts of chains. Even in a perfect suit, they always had this vibe that screamed chaos and danger.

The image of Lucien popped into my mind. My lips subconsciously tugged up. That was a freaking red flag.

My gaze flickered back to Genny, who was having the time of her life with her models while watching the live performance.

A hand wrapped around my waist. My body visibly stiffened, and I scrabbled away. The model was stunned by my resistance. "Is anything wrong?" He asked.

It was one of the models. He looked like a college student with a flawless smile which he has perfected over years of working in this line of business. I forced out a smile and my fingers tightened around the glass.

Genny was laughing and clinking drinks with her model like she’d just won a lottery, while I sat there wondering if I could vanish into thin air.

The model beside me leaned closer, his cologne sharp against my nose. "You look tense," he said smoothly. "Bad day?"

"I’m fine." I lied, shifting slightly away. My phone was still on the table, screen lighting up every few seconds with notifications like comments, reposts, my nightmare playing out in real time. But nothing from Raphael. Not even a single call.

"You keep checking your phone," the model continued, studying me. His tone was light, teasing, but his gaze was sharp. "Expecting a message from someone? Or maybe waiting for him to notice you’re out having fun?"

I blinked, thrown off. "What makes you think that?"

He smirked. "You have that look. Someone trying too hard not to care."

I scoffed softly. "I’m here to have fun," I said, maybe too quickly. Even I didn’t sound convinced. He raised a brow, clearly not buying it..

"Oh really," he teased with a grin playing on his lips. My eyes flickered towards Genny who was having shots with her model.

I wasn’t sure how Genny managed to fit so easily into every kind of crowd. She was laughing across the room, her glass half-full, her cheeks flushed with excitement. I, on the other hand, felt out of place.

"Why aren’t you having fun like your friend?" a voice slid in beside me, smooth and teasing.

I turned to see one of the models tall with striking looks. He leaned against the table like he owned the room.

"Maybe I am having fun," I said, half-smiling. "Just quietly."

He chuckled, eyes narrowing in mock disbelief. "You don’t look like someone having fun. You look like someone pretending to be invisible."

"Maybe I’m good at it," I replied, twirling the glass in my hand, which I haven’t taken a single sip from.

"Not that good," he murmured, his gaze lingering. "I’m Adrian. And the guy who’s about to annoy you next is Lucas."

Lucas joined us then, handing me a drink with a boyish smile. He had a softer demeanour but was charming in that spontaneous, playful way. "You look tense," he said. "Maybe you need a shoulder massage. Loosen up a little?"

I blinked, startled as he reached out like it was the most natural thing in the world. My instinct screamed to step back, but I nervously laughed instead pretending it didn’t bother me. "I’m fine, really." Adrian arched his brow at me

"C’mon, just a little..." Lucas’s hands hovered near my shoulders, but before they could land, Adrian brushed his hand against my arm, seeming a bit possessive.

"She said she’s fine," he said lightly, though his tone carried something sharp beneath the charm. His fingers lingered on my sleeve, and his proximity sent an uncomfortable heat crawling up my neck.

They were both too close, their cologne, the warmth of their bodies, the sound of their laughter filling the small space around me. I tried to edge away, to laugh it off like it was harmless fun, but it wasn’t.

My phone finally buzzed, it was a text notification from a strange number. "Excuse me," I mumbled before opening the dm.

Unknown: Hi, little Viper, or should I say Miss Popular.

My brows furrowed. I quickly sent a reply. Only one name came to my mind

Lynn: Lucien?

He didn’t confirm my assumptions.

Unknown: Are you hoping that I’m Lucien? You must be missing him but I find that hard to believe.

Lynn: Why do you think so?

A reply came immediately.

Unknown: Well, you wouldn’t be too close to those lowlifes who don’t hold a candle to Lucien.

My eyes went wide, and I scanned the VIP area, hoping to find a glimpse of him. Was he here?

Lynn: Are you stalking?

He didn’t reply immediately. My attention was drawn back to the model. "A friend."

He reached out for my chin. "You shouldn’t be texting another guy when you have someone like me by your side." He chirped with a dangerous edge in his voice.

My phone lit up again.

Unknown: It’s been a while since I broke someone’s fingers. I can barely tolerate the husband and now this? Dear little Viper is getting bold.

My heart skipped a beat. Lucien was definitely around here. Before I could reply another text came from him.

Unknown: You asked to use me but it seems I am not enough for you. I don’t like to share what’s mine.

My heart started to hammer