Chapter 29: Disguise

Wasn't he aiming to shatter my dignity, to coerce me into compliance willingly?

Balancing precariously on my heels, I followed him into a club room adorned with a large round table teeming with patrons, accompanied by a karaoke setup nearby.

A guy noticed our entrance and shot me a flirtatious glance before turning to Devon with admiration. "Devon, this is exquisite! First time seeing you here... You're just fantastic... Every venture of yours surpasses the last!"

Witnessing this scene for the first time, I trembled, grasping Devon's arm as he feigned ignorance and chuckled lightly. "Allow me to introduce Aria, who's been by my side for a while now. Still a college student."

I stared at him incredulously. If this was his method to dismantle me, to render me submissive and utterly terrified, then he succeeded. I was petrified to object, but pleaded silently for an escape.

Ignoring the desperation in my eyes, he smacked my rear and commanded, "Come, serve drinks to everyone."

With quivering lips, I whispered, "I don't know how to mix drinks."

He grabbed a glass of beer and downed it in one gulp. "What's there to know? It's like water."

Then he handed me another beer, his lips curled in amusement but his eyes betraying a menacing gleam. I reluctantly took a sip, mirroring his actions.

The room erupted into cheers and shouts from all corners.

It felt like I was in a coliseum, the cacophony of cheers surrounding me, making me feel like the spectacle on stage, at the mercy of everyone's gaze.

As we settled at the table, mundane conversations ensued. Only when the atmosphere grew lively did Devon allow me to join in drinking along with everyone else. I lost track of how much I consumed when Devon suddenly instructed, "Go on, sing a song."

I asked what to sing, and he replied nonchalantly, "Anything."

Dizzy, I stumbled over to select a song and crooned "Born to Be Wild."

Despite my intoxicated state, I could discern Devon's increasingly somber expression, finding a perverse pleasure in his displeasure.

Before I could finish the song, however, drunkenness overwhelmed me, and I staggered, dropping the microphone, rushing into the restroom with a private booth. Devon followed, locking the door behind us.

I rinsed my mouth, feeling repulsed by my own reflection in the mirror—eyes glazed, hair disheveled, lips stained crimson.

Devon stood behind me, trailing his fingers down my neck, murmuring, "Lovely singing. Didn't know you had that talent."

I scoffed, attempting to leave, but he halted me, pressing me against the sink, burying his face in my hair, reeking of alcohol. "Aria, I adore your hair."

Head spinning, I was hardly coherent. The next thing I knew, his hand ventured under my skirt.

Devon, you've succeeded. Your brazen and vile actions terrify me.

Resistance felt futile. It's fortunate I'm intoxicated. Sober, I fear I couldn't endure this charade with you.