Aftermath

In an apartment building in the middle of the city, dim streetlights seeped through half-closed blinds, casting long, broken shadows across a small, cluttered room. A young man lay sprawled on a bed, the faint hum of distant traffic barely audible over his steady, rhythmic breathing.

Suddenly, he bolted upright, his eyes snapping open in panic. His chest heaved as his breaths came in short, frantic bursts. His gaze darted around the unfamiliar room, scanning the peeling wallpaper, the cluttered desk in the corner, and a flickering lightbulb above that cast an eerie glow. Sweat trickled down his temple, soaking into the thin sheets tangled around his legs.

"Where the hell am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse and cracking as his wide eyes fixed on the door across the room, half expecting it to burst open at any moment.

...

[Montréal Restaurant]

At the highest floor, a lavish dining space overlooked the city skyline, its floor-to-ceiling windows providing a stunning view of the glittering lights below. The room had been privately booked by three of the youngest and most influential entrepreneurs in the city. Yet tonight, the focus wasn't on business deals or partnerships but on old ties and familiar faces. The attendees? None other than Kael's past friends.

Amara Blackwell sat at the head of the table, her raven-black hair cascading in soft waves over her shoulders. Her piercing blue eyes, framed by long lashes, seemed to shimmer under the ambient lighting. Her poise and elegance, coupled with her flawless hourglass figure, made her the kind of beauty that turned heads wherever she went.

To her right was Lyra Everhart, the golden-haired enchantress with a mischievous glint in her bright blue eyes. Her natural charisma commanded attention as easily as her curvy figure in the sleek, form-fitting gown she wore. She crossed her legs with practiced ease, her aura radiating effortless confidence.

On Amara's left sat Selene Duskwind, an enigmatic figure whose rare pink hair fell like a silk curtain around her sharp, delicate features. Her icy blue eyes carried a detached aloofness, and her posture remained rigid, betraying a reluctance to engage. Even seated, her maxi dress clung to her like an unwelcome shadow, causing her to tug at it idly with a small frown.

These three women—once part of the infamous group Alpha and Omega—had climbed their way to prominence, their friendship enduring through college and the chaos of early adulthood. Now, they thrived, basking in the success that only added to their larger-than-life allure.

"I expected better from one of the best restaurants in the city," Lyra remarked, her voice carrying just the right amount of dissatisfaction as her gaze roamed over the elaborate, albeit understated, décor.

"Can you ever appreciate something?" Amara shot back with a teasing smile, swirling the wine in her glass. "You always have something negative to say."

"Well, yes. I thought you'd know that by now." Lyra smirked, turning to Selene. "Selene, you agree with me, right?"

Selene blinked slowly, her expression unreadable. She shrugged with casual disinterest. "I genuinely don't care. I just hate my dress. It's too tight," she muttered, glancing down at the fabric clinging to her frame.

"Come on, girl. It's only for a few hours," Amara said, rolling her eyes but with a soft chuckle.

Despite their bickering, the bond between them was undeniable. From their college days to now, they had built a connection few could break. Even amid the luxury and chaos of their current lives, they found joy simply in each other's company, no matter how much they teased or argued.

While eating, the conversation drifted to one of their favorite recurring topics, the kind that never failed to ignite laughter and playful jabs.

"Do you think Travis dropped the soap in prison?" Lyra asked, a wicked grin spreading across her face. The question was met with bursts of laughter around the table.

"Come on," Amara said, wiping a tear from her eye. "We've talked about this so many times. Yes, he probably did. I mean, as annoying as he was, the guy was ridiculously good-looking."

"If I had a dollar for every time you said that," Lyra quipped, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you'd feel different since you dated last year's 'Most Handsome Man.'"

"Oh, that dick," Amara groaned, rolling her eyes as she picked at her food. "Sure, he was cool and ridiculously handsome, but let me tell you, he was terrible in bed. Honestly, now that I think about it, I haven't gotten laid since we broke up."

"What?! You're lying, right?" Lyra asked, nearly choking on her drink in shock.

"You guys are way too casual with your sex lives," Selene cut in, her tone matter-of-fact as she took a sip of her wine. A sly, prideful smile tugged at her lips. "Luckily, I married the man of my dreams."

"Oh, your hubby, James Kim. You've always been obsessed with Asians for some reason," Lyra teased, leaning back in her chair. "Never understood that, honestly."

Selene shrugged, her expression softening. "I think they're cute. But now that I'm married, only one person is cute in my eyes." The genuine warmth in her voice was enough to make the other two crack small smiles.

"I wonder when I'm getting married," Amara mused aloud, swirling her wine glass before taking a sip.

"Girl, don't even mention that," Lyra said with a dramatic wave of her hand. "I'm just going to keep fucking every guy I find hot. Less drama, more fun."

The three of them dissolved into laughter, their voices carrying through the private room.

After the laughter subsided, Lyra's tone shifted slightly. "Have you heard anything from the guys?" she asked, her expression more curious now.

"Nope," Amara replied, leaning back in her chair. "It's been months since I've heard from any of them. Especially Lucian. Not surprising, though—he's a politician now or whatever."

"Ha! Who would've thought he'd end up a politician?" Lyra said, shaking her head. "Then again, he always had that leader vibe. Funny how we used to make Kael think he was our leader back in the day."

"I used to feel bad about that," Selene admitted, her voice cool and detached. "But now? I don't really care."

Their laughter this time was quieter, tinged with something colder. It was a glimpse into who they really were—women who had risen above their pasts by being unapologetic, ruthless, and completely unburdened by regret or shame.

...

Back at the dimly lit apartment, Travis sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar room. The peeling wallpaper and faint hum of the city outside only added to his confusion.

He stood up, walked to the window, and yanked the curtain open. The sprawling city lights and towering skyscrapers greeted him. His chest tightened, and he quickly shut the curtain, blocking it out.

"What the fuck?" he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "How I get out of jail?"

TO BE CONTINUED