After finishing my shift at the club, the clock read 3 a.m., and everyone had headed home, leaving only the staff and Stella, who opted to stay for the night.
She seemed to hope that our relationship might deepen.
"Stella," I said with a sense of certainty, causing her to start slightly before offering me a curious smile.
"Will you come this Friday? I'd like to treat you to some special tequila." I grinned and winked at her.
Her reaction was one of surprise, and she nodded eagerly, happiness evident in her expression.
"Absolutely! I'd love to spend time with you, Ran," she replied softly, folding her hands.
"You're the only one who truly sees me... Most men only recognize the actress, Stella, in public," she added, a hint of sadness in her smile as she glanced at me.
I comprehended her feelings, though I couldn't personally relate. However, it was clear she was fishing for sympathy.
"That's just how it is in our industry," I shrugged, and she nodded in agreement.
"Well then..." I glanced at the clock on the wall near the counter, realizing how late it was.
"I need to head back to my apartment." I smiled at her, noticing her expression of pity morph into one of shock.
"Wh-what?"
"Goodbye, Stella." I interjected, cutting off her words as I turned away and walked toward my apartment, conveniently located near the club. I was fortunate to have secured the last available room in the building designed for employees.
Once inside, I made my way to the bedroom, sat down at my desk, and powered on my laptop, entering the password. After logging in, I accessed the CCTV cameras to check on how my little flower was faring.
I couldn't leave her by herself, even though my duties kept us apart. From the moment I became infatuated with her, I had installed hidden cameras throughout her home. This time, things would be different. When the camera feeds opened, I felt a wave of excitement wash over me.
There she was, in her bedroom.
"My little flower..." I murmured softly, my face illuminated by the screen's glow.
She lay on her back, staring at the ceiling. What thoughts inhabited her mind, I wondered. Did she miss me? Did she realize how dull it was without me?
I raised an eyebrow as she sat up.
"Hm?" I tilted my head in curiosity.
Then she stood and walked to the bathroom, prompting my gaze to switch to another camera positioned there. I watched her examining herself in the mirror.
"She's beautiful... I could tell her that countless times, even if she's reluctant to hear it," I smiled.
But my breath caught when she began to remove her clothes.
Damn.
Her garments and lingerie were discarded on the shower wall, leaving her luscious form exposed on the screen.
I felt a rush of desire, my body reacting to the sight.
"What are you doing?" I growled under my breath, my heart racing as I adjusted myself in my pants.
Through the camera feed, she continued to gaze at her reflection, completely undressed. One hand moved to caress her breast while her other hand ventured down to her core.
She appeared close to touching herself, yet I noticed her lips moving. It seemed she was whispering someone's name, but the surveillance equipment only captured visuals, not sound.
Damn.
What had she said? Who was it? I strained to decipher her words, but her expression was a mix of ecstasy and regret as she rubbed her sensitive area while pinching her nipple.
My arousal intensified, longing to be close, to be with her once more. However, just as I was about to give in to temptation, she paused, and confusion set in.
Her expression shifted to one of disbelief and remorse. It was clear that whatever she had whispered had caused her to second-guess herself. But who could it possibly be?
As I pondered the unsettling thought that someone might have stolen her heart and taken advantage of her while I'm away, my expression darkened with frustration. The urge to rush back to her home was overwhelming, but the demands of my mission kept me in place.
All I can do is bide my time. If there is indeed someone trying to take her away, that man will soon come to regret it. I will make it clear to him that danger lies ahead.
I couldn't help but smirk as I watched my lovely flower, who decided to take a shower and then dried herself off with a towel. She moved to her bedroom and chose a red nightgown from her closet before slipping it on. She looked irresistible. Even in her simplest actions, she never fails to astound me.
She embodies desire and pleasure.
And I am the one yearning for her. It's maddening how she has such control over my desires and life.
It was hard to focus as I checked the time again—it was 4:00 AM. I needed to get some sleep; work awaited me in the morning.
With a final glance at my little flower, I whispered softly, "Good night, my little flower," before kissing the screen, shutting down my computer, and heading to bed. As I lay there, I closed my eyes and envisioned all the things I would do with her once my mission was complete.
The following day, I returned to my post behind the bar, and, unsurprisingly, Stella was there once more. We exchanged quite a few conversations and shared some laughs, but my interest was primarily because she was beneficial to me.
She made a few attempts to flirt, but I skillfully avoided her advances, clearly indicating through my actions that I wasn't interested. I could sense that she picked up on the signal and felt a bit hurt, but frankly, I was indifferent to her feelings.
What does she mean to me? Nothing significant. Just a handy ally for my objectives.
"Ran, the Mississippi twins texted me! They're coming back this Friday! I can't wait to introduce you to them! They expressed they wanted to meet you, too!" she said excitedly. I smirked in amusement at her enthusiasm.
Meet me? That seems a bit fast, considering I'm just a stranger to them. It almost felt like they were eager for this.
"Ah, such kind words! I'm truly flattered. Please let them know I'm looking forward to it as well," I replied with a playful tone.
Stella nodded and returned to her phone, chatting with them. It appeared they had a group chat going. She's such a sweet and friendly person; it's unfortunate that her resourcefulness could be exploited by those who might be dangerous.
"So, what are the twins' names, Stella?" I asked curiously while serving drinks to customers in the bar.
"The older one is Ed, and the younger one is Edi. They're just six minutes apart," she replied softly, curling a strand of hair while smiling sweetly.
"And they're quite attractive," she added, giving me a playful wink.
I'm not interested in men.
"Got it, that sounds cool," I shrugged, and she gasped, thinking she had offended me.
"But of course! You are the most handsome man, Ran! The first time I saw you, I was captivated by your looks!" she said candidly, then gasped again, blushing and covering her mouth.
"I mean… that wasn't meant to imply you're my type, okay?!" she stammered, glancing away before looking back at me.
I raised an eyebrow in amusement and nodded in acknowledgment.
"I know, I know," I replied smoothly, chuckling as I tousled her hair gently.
"You look adorable when you're flustered, Stella," I remarked, and I heard a small squeak escape her before she nodded in agreement.
I gradually withdrew my hand, gave one last nod, and resumed my duties as a bartender, serving customers with a smile and a friendly demeanor.