The moment they pulled up to Nightless Sky, the atmosphere shifted.
The velvet rope shimmered under the neon haze, the bass from the music inside thudding faintly through the ground like a heartbeat. The club stood tall and loud against the night, its entrance cloaked in smoke machine fog and a subtle aura of secrets — the kind only people like Hana Quinn knew how to command.
Julian stepped out first, circling the car to open her door. Veronica offered a quiet nod in thanks, one hand clutching her purse a little tighter than necessary.
They passed the line of clubgoers with ease. The bouncer gave Julian a nod of recognition — of course he did — and a small salute when he saw Veronica.
Inside, the world turned to dim lighting and electric color. Flashing strobes painted the walls in pink and purple waves. The music thumped like a pulse, shaking the floor, and Veronica's eyes roamed around before spotting familiar figure behind the counter.
Hana.
Brown hair tied in a messy bun with a dark red sword-shaped hair stick, black crop top that shows a little of her tummy despite her high-waisted pants, eyes unreadable under smoky makeup. She moved with precision, pouring drinks and dodging flirtatious comments with the same detached ease that made her so magnetic.
But Veronica saw it. The stiffness in her shoulders. The way she was working her magic of mixing but didn't look anyone in the eye for too long. How her smile never reached her eyes.
She was performing. Again.
"Go talk to her," Julian said beside her, catching the look on her face. "I'll be back in ten minutes. But take your time, yeah?" Veronica nodded and watched as Julian made his way toward the restroom.
Hana noticed her approach before she spoke. Her eyes flicked up, recognition flaring fast but fleeting. She said nothing, just raised a brow as she waited for Veronica to sit right at the end of the counter. Hana hands all the drinks she just mixed for the customers that was watching her earlier and gave them a smile before wiping her hands on her apron as she made her way towards Veronica. Veronica stared at each steps Hana took to reach her, — she could've swore she heard Hana's heels clacking despite the loud music filling the club.
Standing right across the counter, Hana stared at her friend with unimpressed expression, and with her arms around her chest, she said; "Aren't you supposed to be on a date?"
"Well, my date brought me here." Veronica shrugged.
Squinting her eyes, Hana looked around. "Where's he then?"
Veronica pointed toward the restroom and leaned her elbow against the counter, supporting her chin with her palm. "Before that, I need to ask you something." She said, fixing her posture to look at Hana while Hana put down the glass she was wiping and prompted for Veronica to follow her to a private booth — right where Julian had asked her to reserved just a few hours ago. Both Veronica and Hana walked inside the booth, and Hana was about to leave again when Veronica spoke.
"Are you okay?" She started, and Hana frowned.
Hana's eyes stayed locked with Veronica's for a few seconds before chuckling. "Why wouldn't I be? 'Course I'm fine, Vee." She said, hands moving to hold the doorknob.
"Are you sure?" Veronica asks again, skeptical.
"100 percent sure." Hana smiled, but Veronica saw it. Her smile never reached her eyes. She noticed how Hana hasn't been the same since Callister Hotel's anniversary, and how she had been trying to keep herself busy. But Veronica knew Hana. She's not the type to easily opens up her problems to anyone — not even Veronica. She knew that Hana was lying, that she's putting up a wall again. And Veronica didn't want to see that wall again.
"You know you can always talk to me, right?" Veronica said, reaching out her hand for Hana to take — and she did.
"I'll be here, anytime you want. I'll be waiting. Just,..." Veronica paused. "Just don't disappear again. I beg you." She said, voice trembling a little.
Hana's hold on Veronica's hand tightened, silently assuring her. Hana then nodded, and smile. "I've never left, Vee." She said, finally. "I've been here this whole time." — And I wish I could leave too...
"But Hana—"
"I'm fine, Vee. Please, your date hasn't end yet, and you're here worrying about me. Can't you just think of yourself for once?" Hana said before Veronica could say more. There was a short pause as they stare at each other before Veronica let out a soft sigh.
"...Promise you're fine?"
"Promise..." A little too confident for an answer.
There was a short silent before Veronica let out a sigh. Hana's lying, but if she said she's fine, then I'll trust her.
"And where the heck is Julian Callister? Where's his manner, that he's leaving his date during a date." Hana huffed, and the tension around them earlier disappear immediately.
Veronica chuckled at Hana's words. To be honest, she didn't believe half of what Hana had told her, but since she's there, standing right in front of her, smiling - despite it being fake, that was enough for Veronica. A fake smile is still a smile, so it's okay. For now.
Hana stayed there for a few minutes while they wait for Julian to enter the booth.
"Sorry, I'm late. The men's restroom was crowded." The door opened, Julian arrived just at the right time, and took the seat beside Veronica. He watched as Hana huffed and rolled her eyes as she told them to wait while she left the booth to get their drink. Soon, a glass of Sex on The Beach was served for Julian and an Appletini for Veronica, with another bottle of expensive alcohol on the table. Julian saw the alcohol, and he knew immediately what Hana was doing, but didn't say anything. After all, he's got the money. After serving their drink, Hana stood before the couple and huffed. Arms around her chest, brows lifted, as she glared at Julian, practically drilling holes on his face. Veronica just smiled, legs crossed, gracefully sitting while watching Hana scolding Julian while sipping her Appletini.
"Of all places you could've gone, you're ending your date here?" She said, her glares fixed at Julian. "At my workplace?"
Julian gave her a smile. "Well, I needed a credible witness."
Hana scoffed. "For what? Your criminal taste in cocktails?"
Veronica turned slightly. "I wanted to come here, Hana..." she said softly, avoiding Hana's eyes.
And that made Hana paused for a second. She stared at Veronica, then Julian, then back again. Her jaw tightened. Her posture shifted — not aggressive, but bracing. It wasn't about being protective of her workplace anymore. It was about Veronica.
"Okay," Hana said, cautious now. "What exactly am I supposed to witness?"
Julian stood, slowly. He moved in front of their booth, facing Veronica directly. "This."
The music dulled in Veronica's mind as Julian looked at her. Really looked.
"I meant everything I said today," Julian began, his voice steady, low. "This wasn't just a day out. It wasn't some clever plan to charm you. It was me — showing up. For you."
Veronica didn't look away. But she didn't speak, either.
Julian went on. "I know you're careful. I know you guard your space and your peace like they're carved in stone. And I don't blame you for that. But I also know I've never met someone who makes me want to earn that kind of trust."
He glanced at Hana for a brief moment, not sheepish, but honest. Then turned back to Veronica.
"I wanted Hana here because I know how much you love her. I know you don't say yes to anything unless you've looked at it from every angle. So I wanted this moment, the one where I say I want more than this not-quite thing between us, to be seen. Witnessed."
He swallowed hard, voice softening. "I want to be with you, Vee. Will you be my girlfriend?"
A pause. The music didn't stop, but the moment between them felt sealed in glass. Veronica looked up at him, eyes glinting under the pink lights, something unreadable in her gaze.
She glanced at Hana, not knowing why — probably asking for reassurance. Hana, ever being the supportive person that she is, just nodded followed with a smile. Then, slowly, measured, Veronica stood. Julian tensed slightly, not sure if she'd walk out or answer.
Instead, she stepped close. "I spent a long time thinking I had to handle everything alone," she said. "I'm still learning how not to."
"Maybe it's time I stop hiding, maybe it's time I try..." She glanced sideways at Hana, who stood with arms crossed, jaw tight, unreadable, and then back at Julian. "But I believe you. And I'm starting to get tired of not trying."
Julian blinked. "Is that a yes?"
She nodded, showing her ever so charming smile. "It's a yes."
Julian breathed out a laugh, both hands pressing into his chest like he couldn't quite contain it. His smile cracked wide, almost boyish in its relief. He looked like he wanted to cheer — and maybe he would've, if Hana weren't staring him down like a hawk guarding a cliff edge.
"If you hurt her," Hana said flatly, "I'll put glass in your coffee."
"Noted," Julian replied immediately, hands raised. Veronica rolled her eyes, but smiled. And Hana was glad to see her smile a genuine 'happy' smile after her break-up. Veronica took a step towards Hana before pulling the bartender into a warm hug, whispering; "Thank you, my Little Hamster..."
Hana, who's always been awkward with skin ship, just nodded awkwardly while rolling her eyes at the nickname. "Be happy, Vee..." She whispered back, while awkwardly patting Veronica's back.
They talked and joked for a few more minutes before Hana was called back to the bar. Veronica immediately standing up to go sit at the bar, but Hana told them to stay in the booth. Julian, remembering how anxious Veronica before she sees Hana just agreed with whatever Veronica was saying. Knowing that she had lost the argument, Hana just rolled her eyes and muttered a "whipped bastard!" at Julian and walked away.
When Hana walked away, Veronica's eyes followed her as they sit behind the bar where Hana was standing, talking to a few customers. And that's when the mood quietly shifted.
Because as Hana returned behind the bar, Veronica saw them. Three men sitting near the far end, right across where she and Julian were sitting. Dressed sharp, low voices, highball glasses half-empty. Their expression brightened up the moment they see Hana, eyes never quite left her.
Predatory. Familiar.
Veronica knew instantly where they are from. They're from Hana's previous job.
LustréNoir.
Veronica knew it was not a surprised that they are here for Hana, but she hated that some of them likes to cross the line. She hated how they look at Hana like they own her, like she's a prize to claim.
And Veronica saw it. The way they followed her precious friend's every movement. Not with appreciation. But ownership. Julian noticed too. He turned his head just enough to catch the glance between the men, the smirk exchanged, the low laugh.
Veronica didn't say a word about it. And so, neither did Julian.
But she reached for her drink with tighter fingers. And Julian shifted subtly, placing himself just slightly between her and the booth's line of sight.
They both knew Hana hadn't been the same since the hotel anniversary. It wasn't obvious. Not to others. But Veronica knew her. Knew how her best friend held herself when something was quietly eating at her ribs.
And maybe Hana was oblivious to those eyes tonight. Or maybe she was just pretending.
But Veronica didn't say anything. Because she knows if she pry more, Hana is bound to hide in her own shell again. And Veronica didn't want that. So she can only wait until Hana opens up to her.
*** *
It's been three weeks since Veronica started dating Julian, and they have been a happy and sappy couple, which made Hana roll her eyes every time she sees them being sweet to each other. She would sometimes crash their date at Veronica's house by forcing them to watch movies. Veronica would throw shade at her, telling her to find herself a boyfriend, but is always the first to ask Hana for a movie every time the bartender mentioned going on a date.
Hana, knowing Veronica's worry, would sometimes ghost her date partners for Veronica but there are times when she just leave with her motorbike; Nyx for a night drive. Thristan has been busy with his new restaurant opening soon, so he hasn't had time to catch up on Veronica and Hana, only knowing about Veronica and Julian dating. He hasn't even had the time to visit Nightless Sky for over a month.
Life has been going smoothly, as if waiting for the storm to come.
As usual, Hana was working, with Nightless Sky being understaffed, she had to work almost everyday as the manager. It was nearing 2 a.m., and Nightless Sky was still wide awake. Its walls thrumming with music, laughter, and neon-drenched shadows. Hana stood behind the bar, her hands moving with practiced rhythm as she mixed a round of drinks: a whiskey sour, a negroni, and a lychee martini. Black Crop top clung tightly to her skin, showing the end of the dagger tattoo on her side, while the black leather jacket she was wearing falls to the side, showing half of her shoulder and slender neck exposed. Her eyes flicked between the bottles and the sea of customers pressing against the counter.
She had felt them watching her for the past hour.
It wasn't unusual, of course. Being watched came with the job, both the old one and the new, but this was different. The stares weren't fleeting or casual. They lingered. They followed.
Three men, seated at the far end of the bar. Well-dressed, familiar. Too familiar. The stares that had been following her for over a month since they found her again.
These customers knew her from when she was working with Lustré Noir. Hana remembered their faces from the glow of low red lights and VIP booths. Back when she wore stilettos instead of sneakers and her body was the main event.
She kept her expression blank as she served another round to the girls near the dance floor, ignoring the rising murmur of drunken laughter and the unmistakable mention of her name coming from their corner.
Nana... Oh she hasn't heard that nickname for years since quitting Lustré Noir.
Pretending not to hear was second nature by now. But then it happened.
As she leaned forward to pass a drink to a customer, one of them—middle-aged, gold chain, overconfident, called out just loud enough to cut through the music. "Didn't expect to see you here, Nana. We've been searching for you forever and I almost didn't recognise you without your heavy make up. Why did you quit Lustré Noir?"
Hana's hand paused on the counter. Another voice joined in, chuckling. "Still got that trick with the cherry stem? Man, you used to be something else…"
The third man, emboldened by the others, leaned forward, his voice low and taunting. "Bet she misses the tips. You were always good at earning them, sweetheart."
She still didn't look at them. Not yet. Her jaw tensed as she poured vodka over ice, eyes steady on the glass. One by one, the comments kept coming—crude, shameless, reaching into the past she worked so hard to bury beneath layers of dim lights and clinking glasses.
Then one of them reached over the counter. His hand grabbing her arm. That was the last line. Hana puts down the glass she was wiping and reached her free hand to grab a bottle of Vodka, ready to smash it against the man's head. But before Hana could do anything, a voice cut clean through the noise.
"Take your hands off her. Now."
They all turned to see Julian, standing a few steps before them. He stepped between the bar and the men in one swift movement, pulling Hana to stand behind him—no hesitation, no raised voice, just a calm, dangerous quiet that immediately drew their attention. Julian had a business meeting in the area a few hours earlier and had been staying at the hotel next building to get some rest before heading home. But since he was in the area anyway, he decided to try a couple glass of Hana's Sex on the Beach that he tried before. But what greeted him the moment he reached the bar was Hana being harassed by strangers, and her face showing obvious discomfort despite her trying hard to hide it. And the moment one of them touched Hana, and how he saw her freeze like that, how he saw the tension in her spine. He knew right then that something was wrong.
The man who had reached for her laughed, trying to wave it off. "Hey, man, it's just a bit of fun. No harm done."
Julian's jaw tightened. "You're harassing her. Leave. Now."
The tension escalated. One of them stood, eyes narrowing. "You her boyfriend or something?"
"No." Julian's eyes didn't move from the man's. "But I'm someone who can get you jailed and never comes out."
There was a moment of heavy silence—just long enough for Hana's bodyguard, Zion to arrive from the toilet, along with the head bouncer, Jace who was alerted by the bartender on the far end who had seen it all unfold. The three men, now aware they'd drawn too much attention, grumbled as they backed away, pushed along by Jace's firm presence. The last one looked back at Hana as if to say something—but thought better of it.
And then they were gone. Hana stood there, unmoving, one hand still wrapped around the metal shaker, while the other grip tightly onto the bottle of Vodka. Her expression was unreadable.
Julian turned to her and ask quietly. "You okay?"
Hana blinked once, then slowly nodded. "Yeah. Thanks."
"Sorry, Hana. I just left for the toilet. I should've told Jace to watch over you for a while." Zion apologized, standing before Hana and looked her up and down, as if searching for any sign of wound or even a scratch.
"It's fine, Uncle Zee. Nothing happened." Hana assured, nodding at Jace who just nodded back before going back to his post. Meanwhile, Zion noticed Hana's anxiety, but didn't comment. He just nodded and left to his post, promising himself to do a better job next time.
Staring at Hana's stiff movement, Julian asks again; "You sure you're fine? If you're not, I'll take you home right now."
Hana shook her head; "I'm sure. I'll be fine, so just..." taking a deep breath as she tried to control the shaking on her hands; "just take your seat, I'll serve you soon."
There was a short pause before Julian nodded. He knew she wasn't fine, but he didn't press further. So he moved quietly to the side of the bar, sitting on one of the stools, close enough to stay, but far enough to give her space.
Hana returned to her work like nothing happened—because that's what she did. But this time, when she mixed the next drink, her hands trembled just slightly.
And Julian noticed. But he didn't say a word. He just stayed. Silent, steady, a quiet shield in the chaos of Nightless Sky.
*** *
The music at Nightless Sky had faded into low hums and scattered echoes. It was past closing time. Most of the staff had left, with Hana, Zion, and Julian left, and the silence that now settled over the club felt too loud—too heavy for something unsaid.
Julian stood by the edge of the bar, arms crossed, eyes fixed on Hana, who was wiping down the counter like it had personally offended her. Zion, the bodyguard moves silently to help Hana with the rest of the cleaning — and to be honest, there're hardly anything to clean.
"You can go back, Uncle Zee. I'll just finish cleaning these before I go home." Hana said, looking at the older man.
Zion smiled but shook his head. "We have a deal, remember? I leave once you leave."
Hana just sighed at that, before glancing at the CEO and couldn't help but asks; "Aren't you going home?"
Julian, who hadn't taken his eyes off Hana since the men left shrugged, ruffling his hair to fix them. "Who's picking you tonight?"
"I can go home by myself." Hana stated, matter-of-factly.
"Isn't Nyx out for service? Who are you going home with?" Zion asked, glancing at Julian.
"Who's Nyx?" Julian cut in, suddenly protective.
Ignoring Julian, Zion just fixed his eyes on Hana, asking for confirmation. "Or is the boss picking you up?"
"I'll drive her home." Julian said, finally taking his eyes off of Hana.
"I'll just go home by myself. There's a lot of cabs I can take." Hana said, also ignoring Julian.
"No, Hana. Either I drive you home, or you go with him or the boss picks you up." He said, pointing at Julian. "Nate's gonna kill me if something happens to you." He said, referring to his husband who's like a father figure to Hana.
There was a short pause as Hana continue wiping the already clean counter, trying her best to avoid from meeting gazes with the CEO. Julian's eyes again fixed on her, and somehow noticed how uncomfortable that made her. So, he let out a sigh and looked away. Leaning on the bar, Julian said with voice low and calm. "I'm going to tell Vee and Thrist."
"No," Hana replied instantly, without even looking up. Her tone wasn't loud—but it was final.
Julian straightened slightly. "Hana—"
"I said no, Julian." She stopped cleaning and finally met his eyes, her voice calm but firm. "If you tell them, Vee will start following me to work like a shadow. And Thristan… he'll shut this place down just so I'll quit. You know he would."
"But Hana—"
Hana set the rag down and leaned on the counter, exhaustion peeking through her otherwise collected face. "I didn't leave home, didn't walk out of my father's suffocating control, just to have my friends turn into the same thing."
Julian exhaled, watching her closely. "That's not what they'd be doing."
"No," she said, softer now. "But that's how it would feel. I'm not a child, Julian. I don't want to live like someone's about to put me back in a cage every time something goes wrong. And look, you, yourself, is starting to act like them too, you've only known me for a few months for fuck's sake." Julian flinched at that.
"I like my life, Julian." She added, both palms on the counter now. "I worked hard for this. I don't need pity. I don't need rescuing. And I definitely don't need to be watched like a child every time I go to work."
There was a long pause between them. Julian stepped a little closer, quieter.
"I could hire you," he said carefully. "At the hotel. You'd be safer. You could work with me as a personal assistant, scheduling, whatever you want. Clean transition."
Hana gave a small, tired laugh. "Thanks, but no."
"It's not pity—"
"I didn't say it was." She leaned back, crossing her arms. "But we both know why you offered. And I get it. Really. But I'm not leaving a job I love out of fear. I won't let them take that from me too."
"I thought my life was ruined before, but this..." A pause. "This place, Nightless Sky has kept me going. And I am not gonna let anyone take this life away from me. Not even my friends, especially not you."
Julian didn't respond right away. He knew her well enough now to hear what she wasn't saying—how she had barely looked away from the entrance since the men had left, how she flinched when someone knocked over a chair earlier. She was scared. Not that they'd come back to leer or say something disgusting. She's scared that next time, they wouldn't stop at words.
"But you're scared, Hana." The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Hana flinched — barely seen, but still noticeable. Her lips parted, then closed again. For a second, something flickered in her eyes. Vulnerability. Fear. But then she straightened and crossed her arms, masking it all behind a familiar wall of sarcasm and bite.
"I'll be fine." she said, final.
Julian let out a frustrated sigh. Hana was obviously scared. And yet, here she was—refusing to let anyone protect her too closely, because that, to her, meant losing control again. "Hana, why do you —"
"I'm fine, Julian. I will be fine." She said. "And I need you to trust me on that."
She looked at him, serious. "Promise me you won't tell them. Please." She said, cutting Julian's words. Her eyes were raw and steady, and for a moment, Julian hated the way she looked so strong—because it meant she'd carry this alone.
Left with no choice, he nodded. "Alright. I promise." Julian had lost. "But if — if they ever ask anything, just know that I'm telling them every single thing." He said in finality.
Hana was about to say something when the door swung open, breaking the weight of the moment.
Then, Thristan stepped in, yawning as he tossed his keys in the air and caught them. "Peanut, let's go home." Thristan halted in his track the moment he spotted Julian. "Why are you here?"
Julian quickly turned, shrugging casually. "Had some business in the area yesterday and I wanted a drink so I came over. And since I know Vee's gonna be worried about this girl, I thought I'd drive her home." Julian was quiet surprised at how those lies flows smoothly against his mouth. Hana glanced at Julian and nodded, smiling awkwardly. Zion was surprisingly quiet as he watches everything from the side.
Thristan stared at Julian for a few second, before his gaze slid from Julian to Hana, and the easy mood he came in with slowly faded. Hana was quieter than usual. Her smile, if it even counted as one, didn't reach her eyes.
Something was off.
But Thristan didn't push it.
"Alright," he said, taking his jacket off before draping the fabric over Hana's shoulder. Wrapping his arm around Hana's shoulder, Thristan looked down at the short woman.
"You're done, right? Let's go home." He said, patting Hana's head, which made him frowned, since Hana just let him be — usually, she would swat his arm away, or worst, he'd get a punch on the stomach. But none of those happened.
Something is off.
Hana excused herself to go get her bag inside her locker after removing the apron off her waist. And Thristan kept watch as she disappears around the corner. Thristan noticed the way her shoulders were a little too stiff. The way she avoided eye contact. And the way Julian looked like he was choosing every word carefully.
When Hana disappeared to get her bag, Thristan fixed his gaze on his best friend. Zion quickly excused himself to go home, he usually only go home after Hana had drove off to go home. But since Thristan is here, he will take care of Hana. That, and the fact that he wanted to avoid getting interrogated by Thristan about what was going on between Hana and Julian.
"What are you keeping from me?" He said, without even beating around the bush.
"I just told you, nothing." Julian said in a faked confidence.
"Did she asked you to keep it a secret?"
"You know her better than me." And that was enough for Thristan.
Something had happened.
And Thristan didn't know what. At least not yet.
But he was going to find out, sooner or later. Even if she didn't want to talk about it.
And when he did, God help whoever had messed with Hana.