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Luca

Running a bar wasn’t rocket science. With my experience in cafes and restaurants, I landed a job at Xtra within a few days of losing my last job.

Just five days after being let go, I was already back behind the bar.

And it wasn’t even the only job I had landed.

From now on, I also worked every Saturday at Exil. I definitely considered that a success.

Although the loud music and the crowds posed the risk of overstimulation, as long as I focused on my work, the repetitive motions, and handling the cash, everything else could somehow be managed.

It was already midnight, and for a Wednesday, there was a lot going on here.

And the people were all so … I don’t know …

friendly? Despite that, they roamed around like a horde of undead.

They danced like that too, moving to the hard industrial beats like vampires on drugs.

When the evening started, 80s music was playing, and then the DJ switched to Dark Wave.

While the audience was, on average, older than me, that was precisely why I probably felt so comfortable here.

The metallic sounds with the gloomy vocals and equally dark synthesizers were something entirely new to me, but I must admit, it had something to it.

And when fog was sprayed onto the dance floor, I felt like I was in a cemetery scene from a Stephen King movie.

“That’ll be thirty-two!” I called over the counter and placed two whiskey colas in front of the guy with the dog collar.

“How much?”

“Thirty-two,” I called louder.

I was already reaching for the card terminal when he handed me a fifty.

“Okay, make it thirty-five.”

“Thanks!” I said, searching for the change.

The guy took the drinks and disappeared into the crowd.

With no patrons awaiting service at the bar, I allowed my gaze to drift across the club.

My attention snagged on a man dancing with graceful, rhythmic motions, with his back turned to me amidst the pulsating music.

The guy who had just ordered two whiskey colas made his way over and extended a drink to him.

Nodding with gratitude, the black-haired dancer reached for the glass while the guy whispered something in his ear.

Shortly after, the black-haired guy put his free hand on the other guy’s nape and kissed him on his lips.

Taken aback but laughing, the guy with the dog collar pushed him away.

Then the dancer turned in my direction, and a warm smile spread across his pale face.

Wait, that’s … Juri.

Suddenly, everything inside me got mixed up. I had already resigned myself to never seeing him again. This was my second chance because I was interested in the guy. And now, seeing him again, all in black, with his makeup and that captivating smile on his face, even more so.

He can definitely be my next Matteo.

Wait a minute … He just kissed a guy. Maybe his boyfriend?

Doesn’t matter. He’s just supposed to inspire me .

Like Matteo did with the semester project.

That was fun.

Damn, it’s been too long since I’ve had sex.

I liked Matteo. He was uncomplicated. Had enjoyed being my muse and having some fun with me at the same time. And all without commitment—until he came up with that absurd declaration of love that made no sense at all. It was completely absurd that someone could fall in love with me.

My gaze returned to Juri; he attracted me like a magnet and hadn’t lost any of his effect. His mysterious dark aura completely captivated me. But now, among all the undead—in this dimly lit room—he seemed even more mysterious.

He alone made something inside me tremble. My heart skipped a beat just seeing him. I had no idea what was going on with me. He looked good. Kind of dark. The James Dean hairstyle suited him.

“Hey, man! What are you standing around here for?” Daniel, my fellow bartender, snapped at me from the side. “People want to order!”

“Oh, yeah, sorry.”

I immediately got back to work. As much as I wanted to focus on the orders and the drinks, Juri had an irresistible pull on me.

My eyes kept wandering to the dance floor to look for him and make sure he was still there.

He wouldn’t slip away from me as easily this time.

But unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened.

When I searched for him again, he was gone.

No trace of him or his dog collar friend.

Maybe they went out for a smoke.

I tried to concentrate on work again, but it bothered me that I had missed this opportunity.

During a quiet moment, I took a sip of water and observed the people in the club when I saw Juri heading toward the bar.

Unfortunately, he was headed for Daniel’s station, but I didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

So, I put the glass down and hurried to the other side.

At the last moment, I squeezed in between Daniel.

“I’ll take care of this one,” I said, turning to Juri. “Hi!”

I locked eyes with a pair of stunning, dark-rimmed eyes, which held a moment of brief confusion before blossoming into a welcoming smile, revealing gleaming white teeth. It was evident that he was genuinely pleased to see me.

“Hot chocolate! What are you doing here?”

“What does it look like?” I replied, laughing.

“I’ve never seen you here before!”

“Maybe you just didn’t notice me.” My pulse quickened, and heat rushed to my head.

“Of course, I would have noticed you,” he called over the counter. “With your platinum blond quiff, you stand out to everyone here.”

“Is that a good thing?” I asked, feeling slightly unsure.

Juri curled his lips. “It depends on whether you intended to make a lasting impression.”

“I can assure you! Today is my first day. What can I get you?”

“Two whiskey colas,” he said, running his hand through his hair.

As I prepared the drinks, my gaze fell on his neck. His beautiful neck with a prominent Adam’s apple … and a huge scar on the side.

What the hell?

I redirected my gaze to his face—his straight nose, beautifully arched brows, and dark eyes while my hands automatically prepared two glasses.

I took extra time with the preparation and kept glancing at him.

He watched me attentively, seeming quite interested, which slightly puzzled me.

Especially since he had been the one to flee from the place in a hurry.

“So?” I asked, pretending to be casual. “What do you say? My offer still stands.”

“What offer?” Juri asked. “You seem to have forgotten that I made you an offer.”

“Maybe, but as I see it, we’re still negotiating.”

“Aha.” He laughed in amusement. “And what exactly was your offer again? To inspire you sounds more like a job to me.”

“Yes, I’ve neglected to accommodate you in any way,” I admitted slyly. “Is there nothing I could pay you with? I mean, 180 an hour is quite a lot!”

“It’s a matter of perspective.”

“You don’t need to do anything. You don’t have to play the clown. You can just be yourself and keep me company. We can chat and have a drink. I’ll pay for your beer.”

The intensity in his stare made me feel like he wanted to say yes. There was an attraction between us that he simply couldn’t deny. Something I had never experienced myself.

“Alright, 110,” he said.

I was utterly shocked, gaping at him.

How audacious is he? Or is he just a tough nut to crack?

“He’s in!” said the guy with the dog collar next to him, putting his arm around Juri’s shoulder. “No matter what he said before. He doesn’t mean it. He’s in.”

“Stay out of this, Clé,” Juri hissed, pushing him away.

“Hi! I’m Clémens!” He extended his hand in greeting. “And if he gives you any trouble, come to me.”

I set the two whiskey colas on the counter and glanced over at Clémens, bewildered.

Juri shook his head with a hint of annoyance, grabbed his glass, and disappeared into the crowd.

Clé pulled out his wallet and gave me a knowing look.

I scanned the bar for Juri, only to find him already back on the dance floor.

“Is he okay?” I asked as I handed Clé the change.

“You’re unsettling him,” he answered and pocketed the money.

I took that as a compliment and smiled faintly. Did that mean Juri was considering my offer? Maybe my chances weren’t as bad as I thought. “I’m serious about this,” I said. Maybe Clé could convince Juri.

“You don’t even know him. That’s a bit superficial. Are you even aware of that?”

His words felt like a blow, and I struggled not to falter. “M-maybe, but that’s why I want to talk to him. Why did you say that? That he’s in?”

“Oh, he doesn’t even know what he wants.

Ever since that thing last week, he’s completely lost at sea.

I don’t even quite understand what you want from him, but you seem somewhat honest, so …

” Shrugging, he took his glass and joined Juri on the dance floor.

Juri was already moving there like in a trance, in slow, gliding movements.

I had no idea what to make of this Clé, but one thing was clear: He was my ticket to Juri. As I turned around, Daniel emerged in front of me.

“What are you doing here?” he snapped at me. “There are dozens of people waiting at your station!”

“That … was important!” I managed to get out.

I hurried back to the other side. I had a lot to do, but I kept searching for Juri. Unfortunately, he was nowhere to be seen, so I resigned myself to the fact that he had probably already gone home.

At half past two, the rush subsided, and the dance floor emptied.

“You can close your station,” Daniel said. “I’ll finish up here.”