Chapter 2

Aria POV

I picked up my phone, my head throbbing from the hangover.

I’d only just woken up to the video drama.

I hooked my fingers around the cigarette pack on the floor, pulled one out, put it in my mouth, and lit it, exhaling a slow puff of smoke.

The rush of nicotine made me sigh contentedly as I leaned back on the bed.

The screen next to my pillow suddenly lit up. A new message hung in the notification bar, just one concise sentence:

"Woke up? Get to Skylight Room A2."

I raised an eyebrow.

Hunter… actually reaching out to me again?

I’d already prepared myself for us to never speak again.

I genuinely liked Hunter, I’ve never denied that.

When people called me his simp, it wasn’t an unfair accusation.

After all, three years ago, on that rainy night, I was cornered in an alley, taking a few stabs.

If Hunter hadn't happened to pass by and pull me out, I probably wouldn’t be alive right now.

Even though back then, he didn't even spare me a second glance. He just dealt with those thugs and left.

But that was the day I fell for him, hard.

I chased him relentlessly for three years, even saving his life during an avalanche. Only then did Hunter's attitude finally start to soften.

Just when I thought we were getting somewhere, he suddenly went public with Chloe.

Chloe, a distant relative from a troubled background, was practically dumped on my doorstep.

I wasn’t bad to her, but I never expected her to scheme against me.

I decided to just call Hunter directly.

My phone rang a few times, then the call was disconnected.

Staring at the 'call ended' screen, I paused for a moment, then redialed.

This time, the call connected, but there was only silence on the other end, just the faint sound of breathing.

"Hunter," I started.

"Got a moment? Can we talk outside…"

My words were cut short by a blurry burst of laughter through the receiver.

Then, Chloe's voice chimed in, dripping with undisguised triumph:

"Aria, Hunter's busy with me right now. He can't come out."

I didn’t get angry. I just smiled.

"Really?"

"Well, tell him to call me back once he's done."

Without waiting for another response, I decisively ended the call.

My phone landed with a dull thud on the couch as I tossed it aside.

I stood still for a moment, then bent down and took a car key from the coffee table drawer.

Maybe, just maybe, there was some misunderstanding?

Hunter was always so stubborn; I’d just have to be more proactive.

I pushed the motorcycle to its limits, the wind roaring past my ears, trying to stop myself from overthinking.

Soon I arrived at The Skylight Club. The first floor was a booming party scene, the music deafening.

I tossed the keys to a valet and headed upstairs.

Just as I was about to enter the room, someone stopped me.