Chapter 243:

Julie’s POV

Alright, it seemed insane that I had fallen for Robert, but it happened. I looked at Steve, who was staring at me as if I were an alien. "No one chooses who they love, Steve," I said.

"This isn’t a choice; it’s suicide!" he spat back bitterly, waving his hand dismissively.

I lifted my chin in defiance. "I love that man. Suicide or not... I love him."

He narrowed his eyes. "Are you going to stay in that club?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"You’re insane," he said, rubbing his face in disbelief.

"Yes, I am," I replied with a sad smile. "Steve, you won’t tell a single soul on this earth about this. Do you understand?"

He exhaled sharply. "Fine, I won’t."

I stepped closer, gripping his shirt, my tone commanding. "And my father... you won’t go near him. I swear, if you do, I will never speak to you again. You’ll lose me forever."

"I get it, Julie," he grumbled, looking away.

"And Carlos... stay away from him too," I added.

Steve groaned. "Ugh, Julie! Are you the one giving me orders now?"

"Yes, I am. Because you’re impulsive," I said seriously.

He mocked me. "Oh, and you’re the logical one? You fell for the guy who bought you!"

I winced as if I’d been slapped. "That’s cruel."

"You needed to hear it," he said coldly.

I sighed deeply, adjusting my cap. "Fine. I have to go now. Steve, don’t forget what I told you."

"I haven’t."

I lunged toward him and pulled him into a tight hug, burying my face in his chest. "I love you, Steve. Please, listen to me."

He patted my back, his voice softening. "Don’t worry."

I pulled back and looked into his eyes. "I don’t want to lose you. I trusted you with everything."

"Alright, Julie."

"Goodbye for now," I said, heading for the door.

Max and I left, and as we were heading down the stairs, he whispered, "Are you sure he won’t kill your father?"

"He promised me he wouldn’t," I said, my heart heavy with worry. I truly hoped he’d keep his word.

We hailed a taxi. "Let’s head back to the club," I told Max.

But Max surprised me. "I’m going to grab a drink at a nearby club first."

"What?" I stared at him.

"Go back by yourself if you want," he said nonchalantly.

I thought for a moment. "No, I’ll come with you. I won’t lie I need a breather from that place."

Max smiled. "Let’s have some fun then."

Of course, I was terrified Robert would find out I wasn’t at the club, but how? He was shot and surely sleeping by now. We arrived at a nightclub and got out. "I’ve never been to a nightclub before," I said, staring at the neon lights.

"You’re going tonight," he said, pushing the door open.

The loud music hit me instantly. The place was so crowded we had to shove our way through until we reached the bar. "Ugh, what is this?" I yelled over the noise, covering my ears.

"The club is on fire tonight!" Max shouted back.

"Clearly," I replied. I was shocked by everything; the flashing lights, the deafening music, and the girls in incredibly revealing clothes.

Max asked the bartender, "What are you drinking?"

"Juice," I said quickly.

"No, alcohol," Max countered.

"No alcohol!" I insisted.

Just then, two girls approached the bar. Max winked at them. "Pst... hey beauties."

They smiled at him, and one began stroking Max’s chest. "Hello, handsome," she purred.

"Are you two alone?" Max asked shamelessly.

"Yes," she said, then looked at me. "Is this your friend?"

"Yeah, my buddy."

The other girl leaned toward me with a smile. "Hello."

"Hello," I said, trying to keep my voice deep.

She suddenly reached out, snatched my sunglasses off, and gasped. "Damn! Your eyes are gorgeous."

"Thanks," I said curtly, cursing the moment I chose this disguise.

She scanned my face. "You don’t have a beard. You look like those Korean guys exactly my type."

"Miss, I..."

Before I could finish, she boldly placed her hand on my lap, right at the base of my stomach. I jumped and shoved her hand away. "What is wrong with you, you lunatic?!"

She laughed. "Are you shy? Scared I’ll find out you’re hard?"

Do I even have a dick to get hard? I thought, my face burning. "How vulgar!"

"I like men who don’t crumble for just any woman," she said, swaying.

You bitch, I’m not even a man! "I don’t like women!" I yelled at her.

Her smile vanished. "Are you gay?!" she shouted loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

Max struggled to hold back his laughter. The girl stormed off in a rage, her friend following.

Max turned to me. "Has ’gayness’ invaded your brain? Are you going to label yourself that too?"

"Didn’t you see how she was clinging to me?" I snapped, adjusting my clothes. "I love men. Did I lie?"

Max shook his head. "This is madness... I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be back."

Once Max left, a massive shadow loomed over me. A muscular man with long black hair and piercing black eyes stood beside me. He wore a white shirt unbuttoned to show off his chest and black trousers. He smirked. "Hello, handsome."

"Are you talking to me?" I asked, pointing to myself.

"Yes, you," he said in a low voice. He reached out and grabbed the drawstring of my hoodie, tugging it gently. "I accidentally overheard you."

I snatched the string back, panicked. Did he hear me say I love men? "What did you hear?"

"That you love men," he said, leaning in.

I felt a surge of dread. Is this guy gay? "What do you want?" I asked with disgust.

"I want you," he said, scanning me.

"Are you crazy? Get lost!" I said, backing my stool away.

He leaned in until his breath hit my skin. "You look so soft. I can only imagine what I’d do to you in my bed, handsome."

I couldn’t take the filth anymore. I pushed him away with all my might, and in one swift motion, I ripped the baseball cap off my head. My long hair cascaded down my shoulders. I looked at him defiantly. "I’m a girl! Do you see now?"

The man recoiled in shock, his eyes widening as he re-inspected me. "Why were you looking like a guy a second ago?"

"I didn’t know men got harassed too!" I screamed in rage. "Damn this world!"

The man walked away, muttering curses. Max returned and stopped dead. "What happened? Why did you take the cap off?"

"Let’s get out of here before I lose my mind!" I hissed, walking toward the exit.

In my blind rage, I slammed into a solid body near the bar. It was another man. He turned to me angrily. "Watch where you’re going, you idiot!"

But when he saw my face and my hair, his expression shifted. "I’m sorry. I thought you were a guy."

"It’s fine," I said, trying to move past him.

As I tried to walk away, he grabbed my arm with a possessive grip. "I’ll buy you any drink you want on my tab, beautiful."

That was the breaking point. I had been harassed by women, a gay man, and a straight man in less than 15 minutes! I didn’t think twice. I reached for the nearest bottle on the bar, gripped it tight, and smashed it over his head with all my fury.

The bottle shattered, and the man collapsed, groaning in pain. Max rushed over, panicked. "What have you done?!"

Within seconds, guards came running from all corners of the club. They pounced on Max and me, pinning our arms. The man struggled to his feet, holding his bleeding head. He looked at me with eyes full of malice. "Are you mentally ill?"

"Fuck you!" I spat at him.

He stepped so close our faces were inches apart. His voice was terrifyingly calm. "You don’t know who I am, do you? But you will, my beauty." He turned to the guards. "Take them upstairs. To my office!"

"Yes, sir," one of the guards replied.