I turned back halfway toward the hallway, one hand already reaching for my locker key.

"Is Jonathan inside?" I asked, voice casual. "Near the cellar?"

The girl with the short black hair—Rina—looked up from the table she was wiping. She pointed one long red fingernail toward the ceiling. "Nope. He’s on the second floor."

"Ohh. Okay. Thanks," I said, giving a small nod. I turned toward the side wall where the private elevator waited, half-hidden behind a velvet curtain.

"Hey, Ezra!"

I stopped. The blonde one—Mia—had straightened up from the bar. She was curling a strand of her long hair around her finger, head tilted just a little.

"Yes?" I asked, turning fully now, curious.

She smiled, slow and playful. "Spend some time with us as well sometimes."

I blinked once.

*What does she want from me?* The thought came quick and quiet in my head.

"Why you asking suddenly?" I said out loud, keeping my tone light.

Mia shrugged one shoulder, the bunny ears on her head bobbing a little with the movement.

"Just because..." she said, like it was the most obvious thing. "I mean, you’re always on your own. Running in, running out. We’re colleagues too, right? In the end."

She gave a small laugh, but her eyes stayed on me, waiting.

I rubbed the back of my neck once. "Sure. I’ll think about it."

Her face lit up instantly. "Promise?"

I let out a small, tired laugh—the best I could manage right then. "Haha... yeah."

I didn’t say *I promise*. I said *I’ll think about it*. There’s a difference, and we both knew it.

Mia beamed anyway, like she’d won something.

"Alright then," I said, stepping back. "I should go now."

"Yeah, you should," Rina cut in from behind the bar, smirking. "Before she faints on the ground waiting for you."

Mia swatted at her with the towel. "Shut up!"

I just gave them both a small smile—nothing big, nothing fake—and turned away.

The elevator doors were already waiting, polished gold with thin red lines running down the edges. I pressed the glowing button. A soft *ding* sounded almost immediately. The doors slid open with a quiet whoosh, revealing the small, fancy box inside: deep red carpet underfoot, warm golden light from hidden strips along the ceiling, mirrored walls that made the space feel both bigger and smaller at the same time.

I stepped in. The doors closed behind me, smooth and silent, cutting off the chatter of the waitress and clinking glasses from the main hall.

"Are you an idiot?" Rina snapped, rolling her eyes at Mia.

"Ehh, why?" Mia shot back, still twirling that same strand of blonde hair around her finger. "I just wanted him to hang out with us sometimes. What’s wrong with that?"

Rina snorted and leaned both elbows on the bar counter. "Yeah, yeah, sure. Just admit you’ve got the hots for him already." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Mia’s cheeks went a little pink, but she tried to play it off with a laugh.

The third girl—Soojin, who had been quietly stacking clean glasses—finally spoke up. She smirked and gave Mia a quick, playful slap right on the ass.

"We all saw it," Soojin said. "You were playing with your hair, smiling like crazy, shaking your hips a little while you talked to him. Come on."

"Oii! That’s so mean!" Mia jumped and giggled, swatting Soojin’s hand away. Her bunny ears flopped around with the movement. "You guys are the worst."

The three of them burst into quiet laughter together, the sound bouncing softly around the empty hall.

*Ting.*

The elevator doors slid shut behind me.

I leaned back against the mirrored wall and let out a long, tired sigh.

*I wonder what she wants with me,* I thought, staring at my own reflection. *Well... it’s true. I never pay attention to anyone here. Never really talk to the girls, never stay after shifts, never join them for drinks or late-night snacks in the break room. I just come in, do the job, take the money, and leave. Every single rupee goes to Aeri. That’s it. That’s the only reason I’m still here.*

*I don’t want to get close to anyone. No drama, no feelings, no mess. Unless it’s business, I keep my distance.*

*But... she’s my colleague in the end. Maybe that’s all it is. Just wanting to feel like part of the team or something.*

*TING.*

The elevator stopped smoothly. The doors opened with a quiet whoosh.

I stepped out onto the second-floor hallway.

The carpet was thick and dark red, muffling my footsteps. Soft golden wall lights ran along both sides, making long shadows. Ten doors lined the corridor—five on the left, five on the right—each one numbered in neat gold letters. Most were closed, a few had small red "Occupied" signs lit up above the handles.

I stood there for a second, looking left and right.

"Jonathan... where are you?" I called out, voice low but clear enough to carry.

"Inside 205," came the deep, rough reply from behind the third door on the right. "Come here, Ezra."

His voice was heavy as always—like gravel mixed with smoke. Even through the door it sounded impatient.

I raised one eyebrow and walked down the hall. The numbers ticked past: 201, 203, 205.

I stopped in front of the door. No sign lit up. Just plain wood and a small gold plate with the number.

I knocked once—light, quick—then pushed the handle down and stepped inside.

The room smelled faintly of expensive cologne, fresh sheets, and the tiniest hint of whiskey.

Jonathan was already there, sitting on the edge of the big bed. Black shirt unbuttoned at the top two buttons, sleeves rolled to his elbows. A half-empty glass of amber liquid rested on the small table beside him.

He looked up, gave me that familiar crooked grin.

"Took you long enough," he said. "Thought you were gonna make me wait all night."

I closed the door behind me with a soft click.