Chapter 3 Julian's First Step

"Madam, how's it going? Is Angel ready yet? I can't hold back anymore," Rian says, his lustful gaze unmasked. His voice carried a demanding edge, though it came with the roguish grin that defined him. He stood in the middle of the lavish room, hands on his hips, as if too impatient to wait for an answer.

Madam Stella let out a soft laugh and shook her head gently, her demeanor calm yet fully in control. "Patience, darling... she'll be ready soon. She's just freshening up, give her a moment," she replies, resting a hand lightly on Rian's shoulder, like a mother soothing a fussy child. Her red gown shimmered under the crystal chandelier's light, accentuating an elegance that stood in stark contrast to the place's atmosphere.

Before Rian could respond, a commotion erupted from the second floor. "Rian!" A coy voice echoed through the expansive room, shattering the brief silence. Moments later, a long-haired woman descended the spiral staircase with quick steps, nearly leaping in her excitement. Julian, standing stiffly beside Doni, lifted his head, his eyes drawn to the figure now commanding everyone's attention.

That was Angel-a stunning woman with a slender frame, draped in a tight purple satin gown that hugged every curve of her body. As soon as she reached Rian, she threw her arms around him without hesitation, like a lover reunited after a long separation. "Rian, I've missed you so much," she says, stroking his cheek affectionately, her voice dripping with a contrived tenderness that still managed to captivate.

Rian grinned with satisfaction, returning her embrace with an unabashedly passionate stare. "I know, sweetheart. Sorry, work kept me busy yesterday, so I could only drop by now," he replies, his voice low and laced with unspoken promises. His arm slid around Angel's waist, pulling her closer.

Angel gazed at him with genuine excitement. "It's fine, Rian. Come on, let's go upstairs and have some fun," she urges, tugging his hand without waiting for approval. Her steps were light and eager, as if nothing mattered more than whisking Rian away from the crowd below. Rian glanced back at Doni and Julian, still lingering near the entrance, with a triumphant smirk.

"Sorry, guys. I'm heading up first. Can't wait any longer, got some needs to take care of," he says with a chuckle, his tone carrying a playful taunt. Without waiting for a reply, he followed Angel, who was already pulling him toward the stairs, leaving Julian and Doni behind in an atmosphere that now felt even more alien.

Doni snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. "That jerk... he's just ditching us," he says half-jokingly, though a hint of annoyance crept into his voice. He glanced at Julian, who remained silent with a tense expression, then shrugged as if he didn't care too much.

Madam Stella, observing the exchange from the sidelines, swiftly took charge. She waved gracefully toward a woman seated on a black leather sofa in the corner. A young woman with shoulder-length hair and a teasing smile stood up, approaching Doni with confident strides. "Come here, darling. Keep our new guest company," Madam Stella says, her voice brimming with an authority that brooked no refusal.

The woman drew closer, offering a shy yet inviting smile. Doni didn't need long to accept the offer. He quickly wrapped an arm around her waist, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Alright, I'm going first, Julian. You just wait for the girl Madam Stella promised. You won't regret it," he says with a laugh, his tone buzzing with excitement that clashed with Julian's unease.

Julian stared at Doni with wide, panicked eyes. "Are you crazy, Don? You're leaving me alone here? I don't want this, you have to stay with me!" he exclaims, his voice trembling between anxiety and protest. He stepped forward, reaching to stop Doni, but his hand grasped only air.

Doni laughed harder, his voice bouncing off the room's silk-lined walls. "You're acting like a kid, begging for company. Madam Stella's here-you won't be alone," he retorts with a mocking edge, his arm still around the woman beside him. He didn't even glance back, his attention fixed on the woman now smiling at him with allure.

Madam Stella chimed in, her voice soft but firm. "No need to worry, Julian. Anastasia will be down soon-just relax," she says, stepping closer and patting his shoulder reassuringly, though it wasn't enough to quell the waves of nervousness churning in his chest.

Julian still looked awkward, his eyes scanning the room with lingering unease. He felt as though every gaze was trained on him, though it might've just been his imagination. The cool air from the AC sent shivers across his skin, while Madam Stella turned to greet a new guest, leaving him in a silence that pressed down harder.

Doni, utterly unbothered by Julian's distress, tapped the chin of the woman beside him with his fingers. "I'm going to have some fun first, Julian. Relax-I'll tell you all about it later, haha!" he says, teasing her and making her blush. The two then headed toward one of the room's side doors, disappearing behind it without a trace.

Julian swallowed hard, his chest tightening. The place now felt emptier-at least to him. Rian had gone off with Angel, and Doni had vanished with his chosen companion. He was alone, surrounded by opulence that only made him feel more cornered. With hesitant steps, he walked to the nearest sofa and sat down, trying to steady himself. In front of him sat a glass of liquor Doni had left behind, its dark brown liquid reflecting the chandelier's light.

Overwhelmed by mounting nerves, Julian grabbed the glass without thinking. He downed it in one gulp, hoping the liquid would ease his tension. The moment it hit his tongue, a burning sensation spread through his mouth and throat. He nearly choked, his eyes widening as the heat surged from his throat to his chest. His face contorted, his hand clutching his neck as if he could extinguish the feeling. If no one had been around, he might've spat it onto the gleaming marble floor.

Julian let out a long breath, trying to steady his ragged breathing. He set the empty glass back on the table with a trembling hand. He glanced around again, hoping to find something anything to distract him from the chaos within. The red silk walls, crystal chandelier, and black leather sofas remained, silent yet seemingly mocking him.

As he struggled to calm down, footsteps echoed from the spiral staircase at the room's far end. Julian lifted his head, his eyes drawn to the source. His heartbeat, which had briefly slowed, raced again. He knew whoever descended those stairs would be part of the night he both dreaded and couldn't escape.

But before the figure fully appeared, Madam Stella approached him again, beaming. "Be patient, darling. Anastasia's finished getting ready, she'll be here any moment," she says with unwavering confidence. Julian gave a stiff nod, unable to reply. Deep down, he still wondered: 'Can I get through this?'