Estelle frowned, “Why on earth should I tag along with you?”
“To keep me safe, of course.” the man said as if it was the most obvious thing
in the world. “I’m giving you a lift in my car, you look out for me, and we’ll call
it even.”
“I can pay you,” Estelle offered.
The man burst into laughter. “Miss, do I look like I’m ferrying folks around for
cash?”
Her gaze was icy as she retorted, “I said I would pay the fare from the getgo.”
“Fare can be anything, even a favor like keeping me company,” the man
teased, his eyes dancing with mischief. “You wouldn’t be trying to skip out on
a deal, now would you?”
“What do you want me to do?” Estelle asked, her voice cool and collected.
“Relax, just watch my back,” he replied with a playful lift of his eyebrow. “I’m
sure that’s well within your wheelhouse.”
Estelle remained silent.
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1894/1896
The city of Citadel was an old soul, boasting two centuries of history. It was a
rare blend of ancient castles and modern skyscrapers, like a trendy young
lady married to a classic aristocratic prince. It appeared mismatched at first
glance, but somehow, they lived together in harmonious bliss.
The streets were lined with shops owned by immigrants, where both the local
currency and language were as common as the homegrown variety.
Their car weaved through the exotic streets, finally pulling up outside a bar
that seemed out of place in the daylight. Women in scanty outfits were
already soliciting business outside.
The man strode in, signaling for Estelle to follow.
Stepping into the bar was like entering another world. People crowded around
the gambling tables placing bets amid a sea of chips and scantily clad
women. Masked dancers clung to patrons, their revealing outfits leaving little
to the imagination. The thud of heavy metal music was deafening, and the
scene dripped with the excesses of a hedonistic midnight party.
Entering the private room, they were greeted by a dazzling spectacle. A
dozen women sprang to their feet, hurling themselves at the man with cries of
endearment.
“Honey!”
“Darling!”
“Dear, my Kase!”
Estelle initially moved to shield the man, but seeing him embrace and kiss
one woman after another, she raised an eyebrow and stepped back.
“Not at all,” Estelle replied with composed nonchalance.
“Make yourself comfortable,” the man laughed.
The women fawned over him, feeding him and pouring drinks, vying for his
attention. The man, for his part, didn’t reject any advances, deftly managing to
make each feel special.
Among the women, there were locals and foreigners, all voluptuous and
seductive, each trying to outdo the others in pleasing the man at the center.
Estelle, seated in a corner, watched him juggle his many admirers with
detached boredom.