Lisa called Jerry the moment she stepped out of the taxi.
Her fingers trembled around the phone, nails digging into her palm as if she needed pain to stay grounded. The call barely rang twice before he answered.
"Girl," Jerry's easygoing voice flowed through the speaker, warm and familiar. "Tell me you survived."
Jerry had always been like that—lighthearted, impossible to upset, the calm to Lisa's constant overthinking. They had been inseparable since high school, until his parents moved to the city years ago. Distance never changed anything between them.
Lisa swallowed hard. "Can I come over?"
"You don't even need to ask. I'm already opening the gate."
Jerry's apartment was exactly like him—big, stylish, careless in a way that somehow still worked. Lisa dropped her bag by the door, exhaustion clinging to her bones.
Jerry turned toward her immediately, eyes sharp with curiosity.
"Well?" he said, grinning. "You told me tonight was the night. I want everything—from when he picked you up to when he got down to business."
Lisa's face burned.
"I don't want to talk about it," she muttered, collapsing onto the couch. "All men are the same."
Jerry gasped dramatically. "Excuse you. Not me. Even if I'm into men, I'm different."
Despite herself, Lisa let out a weak laugh.
She had told Jerry earlier she planned to lose her virginity tonight—but she never revealed the man's identity. Now the memory sat heavy in her chest like regret wrapped in silk.
"Men don't even want virgins anymore," she said quietly. "They think we're inexperienced… boring."
She glanced down at herself unconsciously.
Seventy-five kilograms. Five-foot-two. Curves she had spent years hiding—24-inch waist, 44-inch hips, a full chest she never knew what to do with. Her body had always felt like an apology she carried everywhere.
Jerry rolled his eyes. "Lisa, real men worship curves. I've told you this a thousand times."
She didn't argue. She was too tired
"Alright," Jerry clapped suddenly. "We're going out."
"No."
"Yes."
"I'm not in the mood."
"That's exactly why we're going," he said, grabbing his keys. "We'll get drinks, you'll get drunk, and you'll spill every detail. Either now or later—your choice. Personally, I prefer drunk honesty."
Lisa groaned. Jerry always got his way.
"Promise you won't judge me?"
He placed a hand dramatically over his heart. "When have I ever?"
And so she told him everything.
Every moment. Every feeling. Every humiliation.
Jerry listened quietly for once.
When she finished, he shook his head. "That man hit you right where it hurts. But listen to me—this city is full of men who would make you forget his existence
"And tonight," he added, "we begin your healing."
The dress was red.
Too short.
"Jerry, absolutely not."
"That is exactly why you're wearing it."
The fabric hugged her curves shamelessly, stopping inches above scandal. Her cleavage was impossible to ignore, her ginger curls falling freely over her shoulders. Light makeup softened her features, making her look bold in a way she barely recognized.
She stared at herself in the mirror.
Was this really her?
"Perfect," Jerry declared, handing her stilettos heels."Now let's go shake some sadness away.
The club was nothing like the countryside lounges she knew.
It screamed wealth.
Crystal lights. Velvet seating. Music vibrating through her ribs. Phones were collected at the entrance, leaving only anonymity and temptation behind.
"Jerry," she whispered nervously, "we can't afford drinks here."
He waved her off. "You worry too much."
Inside, eyes followed her instantly. Hungry. Curious. Assessing.
Her hand instinctively moved to pull down her dress.
"Stop," Jerry whispered firmly. "They're looking because they like what they see."
They sat at the bar. Moments later, someone whispered into Jerry's ear. His face lit up.
"Three tequila shots for my friend," he told the bartender before walking away.
"Jerry—don't leave me!"
"I'm right there. You're grown. Handle yourself."
The shots burned going down. By the third, the room blurred pleasantly.
That's when a man approached.
"My boss wants to see you."
She laughed drunkenly. "Then your boss should come himself."
Thirty minutes later, he did.
Tall. Handsome. Confident.
"Jared," he introduced smoothly, eyes lingering openly. "Dance with me?"
She hesitated… then remembered Jerry's words.
Make new memories.
She nodded.
The dance floor swallowed them. Jared was charming, warm, easy. When he leaned closer, she didn't stop him.
Maybe forgetting wouldn't be so hard.
Then the atmosphere shifted.
The music didn't stop—but the energy changed. People straightened. Staff moved faster.
Jared pulled away briefly. "Sorry. Had to greet Oliver—the owner. My best friend."
Oliver.
The name hit her like ice water.
Before she could react, Jared returned, arms around her again.
And then—
A familiar presence stood beside them.
Her stomach dropped.
Oliver.
His gaze was cold, calculating, burning through her like accusation made flesh.
"Having fun?" Jared asked him casually.
Oliver didn't answer immediately. His eyes stayed on Lisa.
"Mind if I borrow your… stripper?" he said coolly.
The insult stung.
Jared stepped away.
Oliver's voice dropped. "This is how you behave? Six hours after leaving my hotel room?''
Her anger exploded. His words cut deeper than shame.
"I bet you lied about being a virgin," he added.
The slap echoed before she realized she'd moved.
The next second she was in an office, her wrists pinned gently but firmly against the wall, his body close enough to steal her breath.
"Try that again," he murmured darkly, "and I won't be responsible for what happens."
Her heart pounded wildly—and to her horror, excitement curled beneath the anger.
Why did he affect her like this?
His face lowered, close enough that she felt his breath.
She thought he would kiss her.
Wanted him to.
A low laugh escaped him instead.
"You want me to kiss you that badly?"
You wished.
No you don't want to dare me into doing that, because you remember everything.Even the way your beautiful nipples where in mouth.
If you do not let me go i would scream. Just like how you did some hours ago.
Please I just want to go. Lisa knows if she didn't beg to leave there that minute she might regret it more later. My friend is waiting for me I have to go.
Lisa pushed through the crowd until she found Jerry on the dance floor, laughing carelessly with strangers, completely lost in the music. Colored lights flashed across his face as he spun around, surprised when her hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.
"Whoa—" he laughed. "Calm down, girl. Why the rush?"
"We need to go. Now." Her voice came out tight, breathless.
Jerry frowned, still swaying to the beat. "Go? Lisa, you were just dancing with the two most rich and eligible men in this city. You should be enjoying this!"
"Jeremiah Raymond," she said sharply, using his full name.
That got his attention.
His smile faded slightly. "Okay… now I know something serious happened."
"Let's go. This minute."
Jerry sighed dramatically but allowed himself to be dragged toward the exit. "You are ruining perfectly good nightlife, you know that?"
"I mean it," she muttered. "I just want to leave."
They were almost at the door when a familiar voice cut through the noise behind her.
"Leaving already?"
Lisa froze.
She didn't have to turn to know who it was.
Jerry's eyes widened slightly. "Well… hello again."
Oliver ignored him completely.
His gaze stayed fixed on Lisa.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them tightened, heavy with everything left unsaid.
Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek black card.
He stepped closer, close enough that she caught the faint scent of his cologne—dark and intoxicating.
He took her hand gently, turning her palm upward before placing the card into it.
"Call me," he said quietly, voice low enough that only she could hear, "whenever you need a passionate night like today."
Her breath caught
Heat rushed to her face—anger, embarrassment, something dangerously close to longing.
Jerry looked between them, clearly sensing tension but wisely staying silent.
Lisa clenched the card in her fist. "You really think highly of yourself."
A faint smirk touched Oliver's lips. "I think accurately."
She hated how unaffected he looked. As if tonight hadn't shaken him at all. As if she were just another moment he could summon whenever he pleased.
"You don't get to talk to me like that," she said, though her voice lacked the strength she wanted.
"And yet," he murmured, "you're still listening."
Jerry cleared his throat loudly. "Okay… mysterious billionaire energy aside, we wants to leave."
"Take care of her," he said simply.
He stepped back first, already turning away as if the conversation were over, as if he knew she would think about him long after tonight ended.
Lisa released a shaky breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
"Okay," Jerry said slowly as they walked toward the exit. "You are telling me everything in the car. Because whatever that was… was not normal."