Chapter Text
Marcus was officially done with his job this week.
He witnessed a robbery attempt at the club he works at, stopped at least three freaks from breaking in, and now, he had to tolerate these teenagers aggressively pleading for access to the lounge. Jesus, was he not paid enough.
It was late at night, chances of danger were high, where were the parents of these girls for God’s sake?
He thought of his own daughter, out at night, camping outside a club, trying to bribe the security, and failing miserably at it. And the worst of all, not giving up, in the hopes of meeting someone special on the inside. He would never allow such a thing. Gladly, he knew she was safe at home, probably sleeping.
Don’t they have homework to do or something? He thought, denying yet another fake id from a 15 year old.
“Not today, girls”, he sighed. There were about fifteen screaming teens, and all he saw was worrying parents behind their youthful faces “Go home, they are not going out and we’re not allowing you in”
A chorus of frustrated screams echoed Marcus’ ears and he cringed at the scene. Tired of having to deal with obsessive and crazy fans. He really wasn't expecting the guests on the club this night being so adored and having such a strong and dedicated fanbase.
He was used to seeing all kinds of famous faces around the club. Earlier that year, he saw – and met – names such as Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Anne Hatheway. The Noir Rose is a private club, expansive, luxurious. The place hosted multiple afterparties for some of the most famous awards, shows and – today not being an exception – birthday parties.
It was some rapper's birthday, he expected to see other rappers, socialites and a couple of celebrities on the list. He did not expect some Korean boy band to be there. And definitely did not expect how much stress they would bring along.
“Please! At least give this to Felix! He’s my EVERYTHING!!” a youngster waved a piece of paper in his face. He did not take it.
He just crossed his arms and repeated what he had said for the last thirty minutes:
“Can’t do, kid”
It’s not like he’s a bad guy. He was actually the sweetest man according to his wife, daughter and mum. He would feel guilty being rude to people sometimes at his job, but it was a necessary evil he got accustomed to. And he understands the need to act like so.
Because, besides the stressful situation, he genuinely felt bad for those girls. They took their time to – first of all – find the location that those boys are, then actually going there, and waiting and hoping something, or rather, someone, would let them in or… call the boys so they could meet some fans? The whole idea sounded stupid and crazy in Marcus’ mind. And yet, he felt sorry for those poor little girls.
As minutes turned to hours, the fans slowly went away.
It was almost the end of his shift. The party was still hot inside, and far from ending. But, his job was done and he finally could go home to his beautiful wife and…
“Excuse me, sir” a voice chaimed in, “Is there any chance you could let me in for literally five minutes? I promise I will just stay in the bathroom, or in the lobby, I don’t want to get into the party, I really don’t care about it, I just really, really, really need to get in”
She vomited those words so fast, Marcus could barely keep up with what she was saying. And the girl continued:
“Please.” There was something terrifying in her gaze, a genuine fear and despair, “I-I… I’ve been followed by some… Guy. He’s been with me for nearly an hour now. I swear I’m not making it up, I tried to straddle him by going to a drugstore, he waited outside and I don’t know what to do. Please, for the love of God, can I go inside just until he… I don’t know? Give up or something?”
Marcus was about to give his automatic response. Until he saw a middle aged man across the street, weirdly still and coldly staring at him. And then he shifted his focus back to the girl, and he noticed how shaky her hands were and how she was almost on her knees begging for him to let her in.
Unlike the crazy fans he had to deal with earlier, there was something about her body language that made him buy her story. She looked truly spooked, her voice was carefully low, probably afraid to draw attention, and she tried to stay calm, but everything about her looks told otherwise. She was undeniably friententd.
Her eyes swept nervously her surrounding until she met the creepy dude across the street, confirming Marcus’ theory that this stalker situation was real:
“Oh God, he’s here”, her body shivered and it was like her shoulders dropped to the floor. “Please, please, I won’t be in any trouble, I will stick to you or to any other security just ‘till he’s gone!”
He mumbled a few words. A ghost from his go-to answer to people who are not on the guest list. However, he couldn't manage to say them properly. Instead, he surprised himself by saying something he would a hundred percent regret later.
“If anyone asks, you’re my daughter. Marcus’ daughter.”
And just like that, the strange girl entered the Noir Rose.
The first thing she did was breath. The second, was loose all her breath by crying.
Marcus followed her inside once the other security took his place and he guided her through the club. Awkwardly trying to calm her down.
He sympathized with her. And was genuinely worried. That dude across the street in fact seemed suspicious and he would not have peace knowing something bad would have happened if he didn’t let the girl in.
Besides, his shift was already ending, so this fake daughter façade would be believable enough if anyone asked.
“Hey… Look, I gotta go soon, I can ask for an Uber for you if you…”
“No, it’s fine”, she shyly wiped away a few tears. “I live a few blocks ahead, I just needed to get rid of that man.”
“Okay…”, he whispered, lowkey worried his boss would show up. “You sure?”
“Mhm''. The girl sniffed and was so shook, she couldn't hold eye contact.
“Just don’t tell anyone I let you in”
“If anyone asks, I’m your daughter”
“Exactly”
Awkward silence. And she was trying her best not to break down in front of the man who just did a huge favor for her. Poor thing she was a terrible actress.
“The bathroom is on your right, after the dancefloor and the bar”, he oriented, feeling her need to be alone. “Just don’t talk to anyone and try not to draw attention”
She bowed her head as a thank you and quietly passed the lobby hall and entered the club. Not knowing who she might meet, or what was going on behind the door. She knew it was a club and loud music was playing, yet she had no idea what awaited her.
And she rushed her way in search of a bathroom.
Eyes glazed with tears, she ran through the low lighted dance floor, avoiding bodies and curious stares at her. A couple of confused questions were heard, but she ignored and continued her journey to the tiny corridor with the toilet sign.
The girl pushed the first door in front of her, stormed off to the first available stall she found and nonetheless, closed tightly her eyes letting all the tears out.
“Hmm, excuse me? You okay, m’am?”
Someone said and it made her face go instantly red. It was a male voice.
Her body couldn't move. She was hopeless. First, she was being stalked by some creep, then, she crashed a strange party where everybody clearly noticed she didn't belong there, and when she thought she was alone, she wasn't. And yet, another unknown man was with her.
Her whole mind was in panic again. She just couldn't take it anymore. Her blood was replaced with anxiety. Her heart was threatening to jump off her chest. Her hands were in a shaking contest with her legs, barely keeping herself standing still. And her eyes were doing a terrible job trying to hold the tears any longer, making her sob loudly, which only made her feel worse.
“I’m…” he was closer now. She could see his shiny shoes as he approached “Is everything okay? Do you want me to call anyone?”
She closed her eyes tightly, building enough courage to answer once she decided he meant no harm.
“No. I’m fine”
“You sure?” he replied and she mentally cursed his persistence “You don’t seem fine to me”
“I am”, she hated how her voice showed the opposite. “Just… I- I think I have food poisoning”
Her face twisted in disgust on how silly the lie slipped out of her tongue.
“Oh”, was the response “You need a glass of water?”
The girl was slightly amused and intrigued by the man’s accent. He was foreign, but she couldn't quite point a finger on where that English was from. She almost felt distracted for a moment. Almost.
“Sure” If that makes you go away and leave me alone.
“Gotcha”
Before she could process her impulsive answer, she heard steps on the other side of the door and he was gone. Great. If he left to bring her water, he most definitely would come back and she would have to deal with him again.
A deep breath she was holding all along escaped her shaking mouth and a timid laugh went along. Slowly the current situation started to get in her mind. She literally sneaked into a private party, crying in a club full of rich people, in which one of them was trying to get a glass of water for her. A hint of amusement crossed her lips and brought to her a tiny relief – and as tiny as it was, she was grateful for it.
Breath by breath, as she waited for her water – that she genuinely wanted after dehydrating her eyes out – the mysterious girl was carefully calming down.
The next step would be actually getting out of her stall.
And the anxiety cycle broke down once again. If the strange man came back with her promised glass of water, she would expose herself. He immediately would notice she didn’t belong there and her cover probably would be at risk.
However, her face needed to be washed. Her dried tears ruined her light makeup and her eyes were puffed from all the crying. And one time or another, she would have to leave that bathroom. Plus, the girl started to worry Marcus would go after her and think she lied just to slip into the club.
One way or another, she was doomed anyway.
So she stepped outside.
First she washed her hands, then her face, and she was rubbing water on her eyes, when the door opened again.
The man holding her the glass of water was… something .
She knew famous people were partying there. She lived nearby, she was used to this particular club throwing big parties full of vip guests. Yet, she didn’t recognize him, tho she was fully aware of his attractiveness and celebrity halo he had.
“Hi.” he said with a kind smile popping on his face. “Got you some water. Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, thank you” she accepted the glass. Fingers lightly brushing caused her to not know where to look, fighting the urge to stare at his hypnotic and magnetic face.
She drank and he awkwardly observed.
“So…” He hid his hands in his perfectly fitted suit pockets. “Food poisoning? Should I be worried? ‘Cause I’ve been eating since I got here”
Ah, that . She thought, remembering her poorly planned lie, and now she had to keep up with it, and since she had zero idea how to elaborate it, she actually felt dizzy and might throw up.
“I- Um…” she tried to sketch a legit phrase but her throat had other plans, leaving her stuttering.
And he laughed softly, in a comforting way.
“I’m joking”, the man stepped closer, close enough showing interest, but at the same time, keeping a respectful distance. “But seriously, you okay?”
She sighed letting a humorous breath paint a smile on her face:
“Yes, thanks”.
“No problem.” He smiled again, widely this time. Her eyes were glued on his features and she noticed dimples on his cheeks. Her stomach shifted again, in a good way this time.
However, before she could say something to break the ice, it was too late and the heavy silence reigned the club’s bathroom once again.
She was too nervous to even manage to ask him his name, and he was still there, sucking all the energy to his presence, simply staring at her with such affection and eeriness that made her more nervous and embarrassed.
Why was he still there? He couldn't be actually interested in helping her, or what was going on with her. She was literally an outsider at the party. Nothing about her blended with the luxurious party.
He was wearing a boujee black suit, with embroidered roses and tiny gems making the suit sparks, perfectly tightened around his body, valuing his lange shoulders and biceps. She wore her university’s hood, old jeans and a pair of converse.
The contrast was humongous, yet, he didn't seem to bother her presence there.
She knew he knew she didn't belong there. She was just glad he didn't mention it or asked about it.
Which made her think again: why was he still there with her?
“So,” he cleaned his throat, starting a new conversation “What’s your name?”
“Huh?”
“Oh- I’m sorry” he seemed shocked by her confusion “I’m Chris, sorry I haven't introduced before”
He politely stretched out his hand and she hesitantly took it.
“Hi.” Apparently she was monosyllabic now.
He frowned slightly, waiting for her to introduce herself.
“Um… I’m Y/N”, she said almost as a whisper.
“Nice meeting you, Y/N”, Chris smiled and his dimpled smile made her feel better somehow. It was stupid. Minutes ago she was crying because some strange man was following her, and now, some strange man was helping her get better. A somehow dangerous paradox.
She quickly pushed away her hand from his. As if the contact their hands were sharing fed her enjoyment of his presence. She couldn't be enjoying this. He was doing the bare minimum, it wasn't worth her praise. And the worst of all, she missed his warmth around her cold fingers already. Pathetic.
“So, Y/N… What brings you here in the men's restroom at Taylor Swift’s party?” He raised an eyebrow in a childish way.
“Wait is this Taylor’s party, I–”
“HA! Gotcha you!”
She immediately froze. Her body was once again motionless and her checks were burning up in embarrassment. She had only one job, and she managed to screw up.
It was obvious Chris knew she was not on the guest list, still, she would have felt better if he didn't mention the evident truth. She was considering to do the stupid thing and keep telling him the true. Her destiny was to be out of there anyways, so there was no punishment in her actions. Then, she thought of Marcus, the poor guy who let her in, if somebody told on her, the blame would be on him. So she held her tongue and maintained the awkward silence.
“It’s okay” the man assured her stepping closer and laughing sweetly “I’m just messing with ya”
Noticing her lack of response he continued, determined to make her feel better again:
“Hey, I’m only curious to know why you here, I’m here to help”
“Sorry, I’m…” she tried to keep as vague as possible, “I’m not an intruder I swear”
“Then why are you hiding in the restroom?”
There was no accusing tone in his voice.
And oh boy, his voice. So soothing and sincere, she was hypnotized and tempted to spill the whole story. His gaze glued in hers made her shy and intrigued, like he was defying her to keep eye contact. Truth is, she was feeling safe with him, and that was alarming every single alert in her mind.
Suddenly, someone entered the room tearing down the invisible curious tension. Then she remembered. Oh . It was still a public restroom at a crowded party.
The third person was obviously confused. And drunk.
“Hyuuuuuuung!” He dragged the foreing word at Chris. “There you are!”
Noticing Y/N’s existence, his eyes opened wide and he pointed at her and them at Chris.
“Oh! Wait. Am I interrupting something?” The new person in the room drunkenly leaned on his apparently friend and tapped on his shoulder “Chan, you naughy boy! Nice one, man!
“Nah, it’s not what it looks like” Chris immediately sidetracked, “I’m just helping her out, she wasn't feeling well”
She left out a relieved sigh when he lied.
“Needed a little hand, am I right?” the other man dramatically winked at her and she had no reaction to that situation whatsoever.
“Ummm”, was all that slipped her lips.
“Han, how many drinks did you have?”
“Pfft, like five… Or eight, I don’t know, man”
They started arguing in some language Y/N’s didn't quite understand. She was just a prop on their conversation, not knowing what to do with her body or what to say, not knowing if she should stay or leave without saying a word. She was too stunned trying to form a theory on 1) what language they were speaking, 2) who they were and 3) how attractive he was.
And by he, she meant the one who helped her. And by help she meant bringing her a glass of water. Oh God, she was indeed hitting rock bottom. She wasn't the type of girl who got easily swooned by any guy who showed her the bare minimum of attention and was good looking. And she was hating knowing the effect the pretty boy had on her. This being stalked situation really was messing with her head.
“Chan wants to buy you a drink!” the second man switched to english again and lazily pointed at her holding a mischievous laugh.
“What? No! No, no! That's not true” the other one immediately scolded his friend and gave Y/N an apologetic smile “I’m sorry, my friend here is super drunk and clearly don't know what he’s saying”
The drunk one mumbled something in what she thought was… korean? Gave Chan some encouraging slaps on his back before leaving.
“Umm. Sorry about that” he pointed above his shoulder to the door.
“It’s fine” she managed to smile and he mimicked her gesture. Somehow the situation kept making her feeling better so she decided to act up and stop whining and glooming around “Actually, sorry, I should go”
They stood there in silence. Seconds that felt like a hole in time.
“Ok then” he softly said at last and gestured to the door.
“Thank you once again for the water” she was still holding the now empty glass.
“I’ll get that for you” Chris took the glass from her hands. Fingers brushing ever so slightly, she whispered a thank you but he couldn’t hear her response.
He held the door for her and she was back at the party, now realizing her surroundings. A low lighted dance floor crowded with bouncing bodies, on her right, a mahogany bar area nearby with fancy colorful neon lights around expensive drinks. On her left, was a long stairwell leading to a lounge.
Everything and everybody was fancy and good looking, so much in fact she felt as if she was naked.
Her eyes found the drunk guy from before, he was already drinking again with a couple of other guys. They all looked like friends and somehow were coordinated in similar colors and styles.
She heard of them calling for Chris. It was none of her business, so she kept walking towards the entrance, aiming to get the hell out of there and hardcore praying the creep stalker was already gone by now. Her insides were weirdly mushy from the fact that she left him behind But again, it was none of her business. So she acted like she didnt care.
She found Marcus in the main lobby waiting for her, she quickly apologized again and her puffy eyes sold what she was busy doing all that time.
“You good, kid?” the security asked.
“Yeah… Sorta” she lied. She didn't know that being so close to the exit would trigger her anxiety again. ‘Cause the mare thought of that creep following her to her house made her shiver. Who would've thought she would feel safer inside a fancy club blasting loud edm and smelling whimsy cocktails?
“Good, listen, I’ll check if that man is still out there and you’re good to go, ‘cause I can’t just let you be here and…”
“Wait” a voice cut through “Sir, she’s with me, don't bother”
Everyone froze. Including Y/N who discreetly tried to warn Chris not to do or say anything else. Failing, Marcus raised an eyebrow confused and warned.
“Excuse me?” He said carefully choosing his tone with the guest.
“Yeah, I know her”, he was now stepping in between gently putting a hand on her shoulder. She shivered at his soft warm touch. Almost forgetting how messy this situation has become.
“No, no, no!” she turned to Chris “It’s fine, I’m fine” and then to Marcus “I don’t know him, he must be drunk”
“Drunk?” Chris made a confused face.
“Alright, let her go sir, she was about to leave” Marcus put on his best security voice.
“I’m leaving too”, that was unexpected.
“Please, sir, I’m gonna ask for you to step back and leave her alone”
And the famous man did not protest, and saw as she left the lobby to the main entrance, with a weird feeling when she did not look back.
“Sorry about that” she said to Marcus as soon as they stepped outside.
“That’s fine” he replied emotionless yet clearly annoyed by the situation, which made y/n feel bad for him. He must have noticed her guilt, so he continued: “So, your stalker left, you should be good to go”.
“Yes”, she looked around making sure he was telling the truth, and satisfied with her surroundings, she apologized and thanked him for everything.
And she started walking down the street towards her apartment and smiled when she looked over her shoulder and saw Marcus observing her, like a sign that he genuinely cared and was worried.
Feeling safer, she kept her journey forward.
Until…
“You know, I haven't drank a single drop of alcohol tonight, yet you called me drunk.”
Of course.
She stopped, and swallowed a smile once she recognized whose voice was that. She wasn't supposed to be happy about it. He followed her. How many strange men were going to follow her that night?
“I- I was just trying to stay out of trouble”. She said turning to face him.
“That was exactly what I was doing”, Chris said. “Besides, you haven't told me why were you sneaking in, so I had to improvise”
“I wasn't sneaking in'', her response was quick as she stepped, she was almost at her building's door. “I was… I was hiding”.
“Hiding, huh?” he chuckled not realizing he was following her rushed pace through the street. “So no food poisoning?”
She already accepted the fact that she was caught on her own lie, so she didn't even bother lying anymore. She just wanted to go home, maybe light a candle and lay on her bed just to scroll through social media until she falls asleep.
“Yeah, no food poisoning”, the girl didn't quite know which tone to use on him. At the same time she wanted him to go away because again, he is a complete stranger, there was some magnetic force on him that she just wanted to understand what was about him that dragged her so intrigued by him.
“I genuinely got worried, you know?” His voice was low and that added a husky note to it, which made her insides get all mushy and nervous.
“Sorry” was all she managed to say with all of this sudden mood change.
“So,” and then his tone got back to playful and provocative, “You gonna tell me what really happened or am I going to annoyingly try to figure it out?”
“Why are you so curious about me?” she blurred out half laughing because, God, his smile was so contagious she was not capable of playing the tough guy here. “Don't you have a party to attend to?”
“I do” Chris shrugged like it wasn't a big deal “But something else showed up”
“Let me guess” she brought a finger to her chin as if she was thinking, “Food poisoning?”
“Indeed” his smile grew, and dimples appeared on his cheeks and she ignored how cute he looked at that moment. “Someone at that party allegedly had food poisoning and, since I’m a great detective, I’m determined to find the truth on why that person got sick.”
“And that is more important than that fancy a-lister party you were in?”
They were far from the club by now, and they both didn't realize they kept walking all throughout their small talk.
“Surprisingly yes” was his response.
And then, she stopped walking. He stopped as well.
They were in front of her apartment building.
Of course he didn't know that. So they just stood there on the sidewalk, facing each other.
“So” Chris exhaled a long breath “If not food poisoning, what happened?”
She sighed and looked down, embarrassment finally hitting her. Embarrassed because she literally sneaked into some celebrity’s party, and she cried in their restroom, and she met him, and he was still with her.
She was ready to tell him what truly happened. Maybe that would ease the pain. Maybe she would get rid of him and head upstairs to her place. But did she want him to leave? Maybe telling the truth would yield more conversations between them, after all, she was enjoying this little chit chat.
Yet, when she glared up back at him, she saw above his shoulder the motive of all of this. She saw him .
“Shit”
“Wha-”
“Shit, shit, shit, shit”
And her stalker kept getting closer and closer. It was him. She recognized it even in the dark night.
“What is going on?”
“I need you to come with me”
Moving quickly, she intrusively grabbed his arm with one hand, while the other frantically looked for her keys in her tote bag.
Heart beating fast, she found it and pulled Chris inside the building and without thinking clearly, she made him follow until she opened her apartment door. Closing it behind her, panting, panicking, shaking.
And then it hit her.
She had just locked herself with a famous person.