As night fell, a sleek black Mercedes drove into Malibu, bypassing the city and continuing north along the coastal road. It finally arrived at a gated villa by the shore and stopped in front of a luxurious mansion.
Matthew stepped out of the car, showed his invitation, and was promptly escorted inside. A guide led him around the mansion, through an iron gate, and to the private beach behind the property.
The beach was alive with bright lights and boisterous laughter. Everywhere, tall women in bikinis mingled in an extravagant, lively party.
"Hey, Matthew!"
Before he could take in the scene fully, Taylor Swift approached, greeting him with a hug. "For heaven's sake, why are you dressed like that?"
Matthew stepped back after the hug, looking at her and then at the beach. Taylor wore nothing but a swimsuit, and almost every woman on the beach was similarly dressed.
"I had no idea!" Matthew said, spreading his hands. "I thought this was a formal party, not a swimwear one."
Taylor lightly slapped her forehead. "That's on me—I forgot to tell you." She started guiding him toward the back door of the mansion. "Come on, let's get you changed. Luckily, Austin brought some extra men's swimwear. He's about your height, so it should fit."
Matthew couldn't very well greet bikini-clad women in a formal suit—that would be too out of place.
Following Taylor, he entered the changing room near the mansion's back door and switched into a pair of blue swim trunks. The borrowed trunks fit reasonably well, though the front felt a bit snug, stretching the elastic material conspicuously.
When Matthew stepped out of the changing room, Taylor's eyes lit up. His tall, muscular frame and chiseled physique immediately caught her attention, and her gaze drifted downward.
Noticing her stare, Matthew raised his hands and asked, "What's wrong? Is the swimwear too tight?"
"No! It's perfect," Taylor said with a laugh. "I should hide you instead of taking you outside."
"Why?" Matthew asked, confused.
Taylor pointed toward the beach. "There are only two men at this party—you and Austin. With the way you look right now, you'll be swarmed by those wild women. You're too dangerous for them to handle."
Matthew shrugged. "I'll manage."
Taylor leaned in and warned playfully, "They'll eat you alive."
Matthew tilted her chin up with a finger and teased, "More dangerous than you?"
He knew Taylor Swift well. She was bold, fun-loving, and uninhibited. Her circle of friends, mostly models, likely shared her zest for life.
The model industry might have conservative individuals, but those who made it big, especially ones as prominent as Taylor's friends, weren't likely among them.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Taylor added.
Matthew waved it off. "Let's go. I'm here to celebrate you, so let's drink all your booze!"
After all, the best parties started flowing with the drinks.
As for Taylor's warning, Matthew paid it no mind. He had faced more chaotic scenarios before. As a modern-day Leonidas, he had stood firm against overwhelming odds at the Hot Gates—what was a group of models compared to that?
Stepping out onto the beach in just his swim trunks, Matthew quickly noticed the women's gazes shifting toward him. Many of them were swimwear models, and their attention was anything but subtle.
Walking with Taylor, Matthew approached the heart of the party, where he spotted familiar faces. Among them were Selena Gomez, Karlie Kloss, Cara Delevingne, Poppy Delevingne, Lily Donaldson, and Martha Hunt—most of whom he had met at The Hunger Games premiere.
He also noticed Lily Aldridge, someone he had shared drinks with in Rio de Janeiro.
Taylor certainly had a knack for surrounding herself with high-profile models. Matthew could guess why—these women benefited from associating with Taylor, gaining exposure and opportunities in return.
The private party was exactly what one would expect: stunning women in swimsuits, all with perfect figures. It was hard for any man, let alone Matthew, to take his eyes off them.
The beach property was vast, with a secluded feel. From the mansion's back door to the shoreline was a good 40-50 meters.
As Matthew walked toward the center of the beach, a tall woman with black hair suddenly stepped out from beneath a nearby umbrella, seemingly not noticing him.
She collided with him.
Matthew reacted quickly, halting in his tracks as the tall woman stumbled past him, nearly falling onto the sand.
"Ah…"
The woman let out a startled cry, clearly caught off guard.
Matthew reached out and grabbed her shoulder, preventing her from falling.
"Sorry, I didn't see you," the woman said, recovering quickly. She turned to face him. "I hope I didn't bump into you too hard?"
This sort of encounter was a common occurrence at Hollywood parties, and Matthew brushed it off. "No harm done."
Taking a closer look, he realized he recognized her—Britney Spears' former backup dancer.
The woman stood about 5'7", her tanned skin glowing with a healthy sheen. Her long black hair was clearly dyed.
"Hi, Matthew," she said boldly, flashing a wide smile. "We've met before."
Matthew nodded. "And you are?"
The last time they met, Britney had introduced her as Katheryn Hudson. But now, she was better known as Katy Perry.
"Call me Katy," she said.
From the group ahead came playful jeers and teasing remarks. Even Taylor rolled her eyes at the antics.
"Katy, that's the oldest trick in the book!"
"Seriously, girl, could you be more obvious?"
"Come back here—we're starting without you!"
Someone even shouted, "Leave Matthew alone! Tonight, he belongs to all of us!"
Matthew glanced at the instigator, Lily Aldridge, making a mental note. If nothing else, she would need some extra attention later.
Before Katy could say more, Taylor grabbed Matthew's arm and led him away. "Come on, Katy, the fun's just starting."
As Katy trailed after them, she thought about her complicated feelings toward Britney Spears. Britney had been instrumental in her early career but had become an uncomfortable subject for Katy since her rise to fame.
Accepting Taylor's invitation to the party had been a no-brainer once she learned Matthew would be there. Katy couldn't help but wonder how Britney would react to seeing her with Matthew.
For now, she was content with making an impression.
Once back in the crowd, Matthew quickly became swept up in the lively atmosphere. Drink after drink was poured, and both Cara and Poppy Delevingne took turns toasting with him.
These parties thrived on letting loose, and everyone clearly understood that. Selena Gomez even pulled Austin Swift away, leaving no doubt about her intentions.
With her brother gone, Taylor let loose, winking at Cara. Cara retrieved a small bag from her belongings, pulling out something that immediately electrified the group.
"Cara, you're the best!" Karlie Kloss shouted, tossing her drink aside and lunging toward her.
Clearly, this wasn't the first time the group had indulged.
"Wait," Taylor interjected, halting Karlie. "Not here. Let's go back to the mansion!"
The group cheered, filing back inside. Taylor dragged Matthew along, and inside the mansion, the real debauchery began.
In the living room, the atmosphere was thick with heavy metal music, vibrant lights, and smoky haze. Women lounged around, lost in a daze of indulgence.
"Finally," Cara said, spotting Matthew. She tossed him a small bag. "This is for you."
Matthew caught it, expertly feigning familiarity. Glancing around, he discreetly emptied the bag's contents under a nearby sofa, then pretended to participate, putting on a show of excitement.
Soon, the room was a frenzy of uninhibited celebration.
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