Elijah waited in The Clara’s main drive, his Toyota idling beneath the soft glow of its recessed lights. The hotel was breathtaking, Ethan couldn’t deny it. A glass monolith trimmed in pale stone and gold accents, its entrance framed by potted palms and valet attendants in black gloves. It was an entrance to a world Elijah lived outside of. A world of influencers, billionaires, and the elite.
Sunlight cut across the pavement, shimmering against the sports cars ahead of him. Elijah’s car, well past ten years old, looked like a delivery vehicle someone had forgotten to move. He did his best to act like he belonged, leaning against the passenger’s side door, arms folded, and ignoring the confused looks of those who passed him.
Heat radiated from the pavement. The downtown skyline towered around him, a mixture of high-rise apartments and rooftop gardens barely visible overhead. The street beyond bustled with self-driving cars and clipped heels of tech talent.
Elijah glanced down at his phone, then glanced at The Clara’s doors, relieved as he saw Evelyn passing through the doors.
She slipped past an old couple with effortless stride, their eyes following her as she moved with a gentle sway. Elijah couldn’t blame them; he was just as enamored as they were.
Shor wore tall, glossy black boots, a pair of high-waisted shorts that hugged her hips, and a fishnet shirt that covered a black tube top. Silver rings accented her black nail polish, and a pair of slim silver chains hung around her neck.
Elijah stood straight as she approached him, smiling gently.
“You’re early,” she said.
“You’re late,” Elijah countered.
Evelyn’s smile turned playful. “Am I?”
She was close enough for Elijah to smell the peppermint on her breath. His eyes trailed down her neck, following the trail of glitter that shimmered on her skin.
Words catching in his throat, Elijah turned and opened the passenger door.
“Here,” he said.
Evelyn laughed under her breath. “Such a gentleman.”
She kissed him on the cheek before sliding in. Elijah stood for a moment after he closed the door, dumbstruck. Then quietly walked to the driver’s seat.
The Toyota rattled as it started. Evelyn shifted slightly in her seat, crossing one leg over the other as they drove in silence. Her phone lit up. She checked it briefly, then closed it. It lit up once more. The moving background on Evelyn’s screen caught Elijah’s eye.
“Wait,” he said. “Is that… Crusaders?”
Evelyn glanced at him. “What?”
“Your wallpaper.”
She looked at her phone and laughed. “Oh. Yeah. I play all the time.”
“No way. Really??”
“Yeah! I know, it’s so nerdy. I’m an addict,” she spoke with her usual air of nonchalance, but Elijah could hear the vulnerability underneath it.
He looked over at her, stunned. “Wait, so have you gotten to the third tower?”
“I beat the third tower,” Evelyn said triumphantly.
“How?! I’ve been stuck on it for like, a week.”
“Boss is bugged,” she said. “You have to loop with a few archers, then drink an attack potion. It will melt after.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not.”
He shook his head in disbelief. Evelyn looked at him, a subtle glint of nervousness in her eyes.
“Oh god, are you getting the ick?”
“What, no? Not at all, I’m…” Elijah laughed. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t just fall in love with you.”
Evelyn blushed and fixed her hair. Her phone lit up again.
“Is that work?” he asked with calm curiosity.
“Yes, unfortunately,” she said. “Do… you want to hear about it?”
“Of course.”
“Well… ok. I still have a few subscribers on an old subscription tier. It’s supposed to come with 24/7 responses. When I was first starting, it seemed like a good idea… but I quickly realized it wasn’t. I check it every few hours.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“It is very exhausting. I’m hoping they unsubscribe soon.”
The car coasted along the freeway. Tall palm trees arched overhead as a hill filled with big homes came into view.
Elijah glanced over at Evelyn. She rested her head on her hand, watching the trees blur past them.
Her phone buzzed in her lap. She flipped it face down. Then her hand trailed to Elijah’s thigh. He took it with his free hand, their fingers interlocking as they weaved lazily between traffic in the setting sun.
“Turn here,” Evelyn said. Elijah took the exit and drove into a neighborhood of mansions.
Evelyn directed him up a winding hill to an estate. Carefully hidden behind a wall of green shrubbery and an open iron gate. Elijah drove through it, following the stone driveway to a roundabout.
They slowed to a stop, the headlights shining on a large front patio.
“This is it?” Eljiah asked.
Evelyn leaned forward.
“Looks that way. He’s more loaded than I thought.”
“He?”
“My client,” she said. She let the words settle for a moment. “He… asked for both of us.”
Elijah stared blankly, more curious than alarmed.
“Why?”
Evelyn turned toward him and shrugged.
“I guess we’ll have to see,” She said playfully.
Elijah looked past Evelyn at the house. Then back to her.
“Listen…” She leaned forward and tapped the tip of his nose with one finger. “If it helps at all, I’m happy he did.”
“You are?” Elijah asked.
“Oh yes, it means we get to have some fun together.”
Elijah didn’t answer. He couldn’t.
“You alright?” Evelyn asked.
“Y-yeah…”
“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to,” Evelyn said with a testing tone.
Elijah wondered if this was what all this was. A test. To see if he could actually handle what she did, to see if he would stay if he saw it.
“I want to,” Elijah said.
Evelyn smiled weakly.
“Let’s just have a fun night,” she said.
“Fair enough,” Elijah said, killing the engine. Evelyn moved for her door latch.
“Wait!” Elijah said. Evelyn looked at him, freezing playfully as Elijah stepped out, jogged around the front of the car, and opened the door for her. She took his hand with a smile.
Her sharp nails pressed the inside of his palm as she stepped out of the passenger seat, standing close to Elijah as they caught each other’s gaze once more.
“You look so beautiful,” he whispered softly.
“We’ll see if you’ll be saying that in a minute,” she teased, squeezing his hand.
They laughed together as Elijah led Evelyn towards the house entrance. The path up to the house was long and curved, lined with partygoers dressed in the latest fast fashion trends. Every woman looked like an influencer, and every man looked like he owned a yacht.
She didn’t let his hand go until the doors opened.
The entry hall was decorated with spotlighted plants. Glass panes stretched across the ceiling, opening into an upper balcony. Somewhere above, a woman laughed loudly over the beat of house music as people milled about on the stone-tiled patio beyond the sliding doors.
It was far more crowded than Elijah had anticipated, and far richer.
Yet above them all, Evelyn still stood out.
People looked when she entered, their eyes tracking her every step. Couples froze when she smiled. And like always, it made no difference to Evelyn. She ignored them, but Elijah couldn’t. He had never had so many eyes on him before. Examining his every motion, glancing between him and Evelyn in confusion.
Elijah gripped Evelyn’s hand.
She looked at him and squeezed back.
“Hey,” she said softly, leaning into his ear. “Are you alright?”
Her warm breath tickled his neck as he nodded.
“Yeah.”
Her thumb rubbed the back of his hand.
The music grew louder the deeper into the crowded home. The crowd peeled back as Evelyn moved through it.
Then they began to appear.
First came a man in a silk shirt and gold necklaces.
“Hey Angel,” he said.
“Hey, you,” Evelyn said, leaning forward and saying something Elijah couldn’t make out over the noise.
Then came another. A lean, sun-kissed man who slid his hands confidently around her waist, whispering into Evelyn’s ear. She laughed, expertly moving out of his embrace while gently sliding her hand down his shoulder.
More followed, and Evelyn handled each with ease.
More came. The crowd shifted and swelled. Soon, the two were gradually pulled apart. Not wanting to hover, Elijah made his way to the bar, grabbed a drink, and watched as Evelyn moved through a sea of men.
As soon as he was out of her orbit, no one noticed him. He was invisible once again. Elijah let out a sigh of relief as he leaned against a wall. He felt sorry for Evelyn. He couldn’t imagine constantly being watched wherever he went.
A few drinks followed, and Elijah’s nerves eased. Just in time for Ivan to appear. He wore an unbuttoned white linen shirt, sunglasses, and white flowing pants.
The room shifted at his presence. Elijah tensed as he made a beeline straight to Evelyn, his entourage following closely behind him.
“There she is!” he shouted.
Evelyn barely had time to turn before he grabbed her by the hips and pulled her close.
Then he kissed her. It was deep and possessive. Elijah watched as Ivan’s tongue shot down Evelyn’s throat. He watched as Evelyn glanced over at him, closing her eyes when Ivan squeezed her ass and grabbed her neck.
Elijah’s chest stopped moving. He moved towards them before he had time to think.
Ivan glanced at Elijah as he broke his kiss, pulling Evelyn to his side with one arm wrapped tightly around her waist.
To Elijah’s surprise, Evelyn smiled as he approached, slipping out of Ivan’s embrace and walking straight to him.
“Thanks, babe, you shouldn’t have,” she said, grabbing the half-finished drink and drinking from it.
Ivan’s face went blank as he watched Evelyn press her lips softly against Elijah’s.
Adrenaline mixed with affection. Evelyn’s hands trailed up to Elijah’s neck before she stepped away.
“So,” Ivan said, stepping toward Elijah, “you’re the new friend, huh?”
He offered a hand as he pulled Evelyn back to his side. She went gracefully, her eyes never leaving Elijah.
He took Ivan’s hand with a controlled squeeze.
“I am,” Elijah said.
Ivan smirked. “She’s got her talents, huh? Better enjoy it while you can.”
Elijah’s eyes shot to Evelyn.
“She’s a wonderful woman,” he said. “But I have a feeling we have plenty of time yet.”
The room fell silent. Evelyn and Elijah shared a longing gaze.
Ivan stared coldly as a slow, bitter smile stretched across his face. He slapped Elijah’s shoulder hard enough to make his teeth chatter.
“Well, any friend of hers is a friend of mine. Come. The real party’s upstairs,” He said, pulling Evelyn with him as his entourage and Elijah followed.
The rooftop was otherworldly. A perfect glass-paneled enclosure that opened onto a heated terrace, an edgeless pool spread out like a mirror, seamlessly reflecting the city skyline. Next to it, a hot tub was set into a marble cradle surrounded by recessed lights.
Ivan walked onto the terrace, dressed down to his swim briefs, and waded into the hot tub to the delight of several partygoers.
He looked back over his shoulder at Evelyn. “Come on, sweetheart.”
Evelyn hesitated. Then, slowly, she began unlacing her boots.
He watched her undress. She removed her shorts, revealing a black bikini underneath. Then, she pulled her tube down, exposing her full breasts beneath her fishnet shirt. Her nipples were covered with black, X-pattern pasties.
Then she turned to Elijah, smiling bashfully for a moment as she let him take her in.
“I’ll see you later, babe,” she said tenderly.
Elijah stepped towards her and picked up her clothes.
“Have fun,” He said gently. Evelyn laughed and looked to the ground.
“You going to be alright by yourself for a while?” She asked.
“I’ll find something to do,” Elijah said.
“Well, I hope you enjoy the show,” Evelyn said.
“Babe! Ass in the tub, now!” Ivan shouted, his accent flowing between his inflections and aggression.
Evelyn turned from Elijah, walking with a playfully exaggerated sway of her hips as she raised an arm daintily in the air. Ivan pulled her into the water by the hand. She laughed and fell into his lap.
And Elijah, watching, made his way over to the bar on the opposite side of the terrace. He poured himself a bourbon and got comfortable. No one joined him. They didn’t even notice. And that was fine.
Elijah watched the night bloom in layers.
Evelyn leaned back into Ivan, head resting on his chest, her legs draped across his thighs. He whispered into her ear, hands tracing slow lines along the curve of her hips. Then, he stole another kiss.
As his hands explored her.
As partiers watched with envy.
More guests made their way over to the hot tub. Evelyn grabbed two bottles and poured them into Ivan’s mouth, his entourage erupting in rehearsed applause at the sight.
She looked across the water, and her eyes found Elijah again.
Then she laughed. A real laugh. And Elijah knew it was for him. She didn’t look away immediately. She held his gaze long enough to let it land. Then her attention turned back to Ivan, and the light dimmed in her eyes.
Time passed between swigs of alcohol and changes in music. Eventually, Ivan and Evelyn made their way to the pool.
Ivan waded in first, olive skin catching the lights as Evelyn followed, the two a picture-perfect couple.
He dove under the water, surfaced behind her, and wrapped Evelyn in his arms. Ivan lifted her into the air and slammed them both into the water. She surfaced and laughed, wriggling free and swimming off. Water splashed, landing on a group of women near the pool’s edge. They shrieked and splashed back. Enviously watching as Evelyn swam past them.
When she reached the far end of the pool, she turned and locked eyes with Elijah.
Elijah didn’t look away. Because he knew she didn’t want him to.
She bit her lip and winked.
Ivan caught up with Evelyn again, pulling her back toward the shallow end without even looking in Elijah’s direction.
As the two neared the other side of the pool, a girl climbed onto the shoulders of a well-built man. Evelyn followed in suit, jumping onto Ivan’s shoulders. His fingers dug into her thighs as they shouted, pushed, and tumbled. Laughter rolled through the warm night air, mixing with the music.
And still, between every game, every touch, every moment with Ivan, Evelyn’s eyes drifted back to Elijah.
She locked eyes with him while Ivan’s hands trailed down her hips.
She smiled just as Ivan kissed and latched onto her neck.
She blew him a kiss while Ivan licked whipped cream off her chest.
Every look told the same story. That this was their moment, their evening, and no one else’s.
The night trailed on.
On and on.
Leading to early dawn.
The party thinned with dimming laughter. Guests slipped into robes, into rooms, into each other. The DJ packed up in silence as the pool steamed. Ivan climbed out of the water, grabbing a towel with one hand and Evelyn with the other.
They moved toward the glass doors at the edge of the terrace as the party folded behind them. But just before they crossed through, Evelyn turned.
Her eyes found Elijah across the deck.
She lifted her hand and, with a single curled finger, beckoned.
Elijah stood, her things in his arms, and followed them into the home.
The hallway was quiet, chilled by the steady, silent flow of AC. Silver sconces flickered along black marble walls, and Elijah’s footsteps were dampened by the thick weave designer rugs trailing the hall.
Ivan walked ahead silently. Seemingly unaware of Elijah’s presence. Evelyn was at his side, her arm looped around his waist. Water dripped from her wet skin, leaving a trail of dots in the rug behind her.
Ivan stopped at a wide, half-open door.
He turned to Evelyn, saying nothing.
Then, catching Elijah’s silhouette from the corner of his eye, he jumped.
“What the fuck? What are you still doing here?” Ivan asked.
“I wanted him to come,” Evelyn said calmly.
Ivan’s jaw flexed.
“Well, I didn’t fucking pay to have him stare,” he muttered.
“I’m not sending him home,” Evelyn replied, voice overly sweet.
Ivan scoffed. “Fine. But you’re fucking waiting out here.” He pointed to the floor just outside the threshold. “Listen if you want. I don’t care. But don’t fucking come in.”
He pushed the door open forcefully.
“Come on,” he said, already disappearing inside.
Evelyn stopped at the threshold.
Her eyes found Elijah’s.
“Will you stay?” she asked, softly.
Elijah nodded. “I’ll be right here.”
She stared for a moment, measuring the words.
“You’ll… wait?” She asked.
Elijah nodded. “Always.”
Evelyn’s lip trembled.
“I’ll get you when we’re done,” she said.
“Alright.”
She lingered a moment. Then, with a nod, she stepped through the doorway. Disappearing into the dim light.
Elijah eased back, lowered himself to the floor, and felt the cold stone kiss his palms as he sat.