forever in repeat

David glanced over at her, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He could sense her hesitation, the nervous energy that buzzed around her. But it was clear, too, that she was fighting something else—some kind of magnetic pull that she couldn't quite explain.

"Come on," he said softly, his voice just above a whisper, as if pulling her into his world was as easy as that. "Let's go inside."

She followed him, stepping out of the car with a shaky breath, her heels clicking against the pavement in rhythm with the music that bled out from the bar's doors. She wasn't sure what she was doing here, why she was letting him take the lead, but the pull was too strong. The door to the Velvet Room swung open with a quiet creak, and she was instantly enveloped in a world that felt like it didn't belong to her.

The Velvet Room wasn't just a bar—it was a whole damn experience. The dim, seductive lighting wrapped around her like a velvet cloak. The walls were lined with deep red velvet, creating an almost intoxicating atmosphere. The air felt thick, heavy with the promise of something dangerous, something unknown. The low hum of conversation mixed with the faint echo of jazz, giving the room an air of intimacy and exclusivity.

The bar, sleek and polished, ran along one wall, stocked with an assortment of top-shelf liquor that glinted in the ambient light. Across the room, a handful of people sat in plush leather chairs, their faces obscured by shadows, engaged in hushed conversations. The whole place seemed to pulse with a secret—a world that was kept just out of reach, one that David was fully immersed in.

David led Emily through the room, the sound of his boots tapping against the polished floor almost drowned out by the low murmur of voices around them. He didn't bother with pleasantries; he moved with purpose, taking her toward a booth in the back, away from prying eyes.

"Sit," he instructed, his voice barely audible over the music, but commanding all the same.

Emily sat, her heart still thudding in her chest. She tried to keep her composure, but everything about this place, about him, made her feel like a stranger in a world she didn't belong to. She couldn't help but wonder how far she'd let herself fall tonight.

Before she could second-guess herself, David had already waved over the waiter—a tall, slender man with perfectly gelled hair and a crisp black suit. His name tag read "Julian," and he approached them with smooth precision.

"Two bottles," David said, not waiting for any pleasantries. His voice was cold, calculating, as if he was used to this kind of treatment. "Bring the best you have."

Julian gave a slight bow, disappearing into the shadows to fetch their order.

Emily's eyes followed him for a moment before she met David's gaze. His eyes were locked onto hers, his expression unreadable. She felt her pulse spike, unsure of what to do with herself in this moment.

"What is this?" she asked, her voice soft but trembling slightly. "Why am I here?"

David didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached over, picking up his glass of whiskey. He swirled it in his hand, the amber liquid catching the light just enough to make it seem almost hypnotic.

"You needed a distraction," he said, finally breaking the silence. "I'm just offering one."

Emily swallowed hard, unsure whether she should take his words as comfort or something else entirely. She wasn't sure what she expected, but this—this felt like more than she could handle.

The waiter returned moments later, two bottles in tow, setting them down on the table with practiced ease. He uncorked them both without a word, pouring generous amounts into their glasses. Emily barely registered the process; her thoughts were elsewhere, still spinning from everything that had led her here.

David slid a glass toward her, his eyes never leaving her face. "Drink," he said, his tone softer this time, almost coaxing. "You've been crying all day."

She didn't even hesitate. Maybe it was the alcohol, the way it promised to clear the fog in her mind. Or maybe it was just that she didn't care anymore. She picked up the glass and took a deep drink, feeling the burn as it slid down her throat. She exhaled sharply, the warmth spreading through her chest, soothing the anxiety that had clung to her since she stepped into this strange world.

David watched her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, there was only the sound of the music and the quiet clink of their glasses. Emily took another sip, her hand trembling slightly as she set the glass down. She felt lighter, almost weightless. The noise of the room, the hum of her thoughts—it all seemed to blur together.

She didn't even realize she was drinking more than she should have until David's voice broke through her fog.

"Emily," he said, his tone sharp now, commanding. "That's enough."

But she didn't stop. She didn't want to stop. She grabbed the bottle, her fingers slipping over the glass as she poured more into her glass, her movements uncoordinated.

"I'm fine," she muttered, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm just… I just want to forget."

David's gaze darkened. "You don't want to do this."

But Emily wasn't listening. She kept drinking, each sip taking her deeper into the numbness she craved. The more she drank, the less she felt. And for a brief, fleeting moment, it was enough.

David's hand shot out, grabbing the bottle before she could pour more. "Enough," he said firmly, his grip tight as he pulled it away from her.

But Emily wasn't done. She reached for the bottle again, her hands shaking as she tried to grab it from his grasp.

"Please, give me back my drink," she whimpered, tears welling in her eyes. "I want my drink. Give me back my drink."

David's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with something dangerous. He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor with a loud, jarring sound that cut through the haze in the room. Without another word, he walked around the table, his movements fluid, almost predatory.

Emily watched him, her head spinning, her vision blurring. She didn't know what to expect from him now, but the tension in the air was so thick it felt suffocating. As David neared her, the room seemed to freeze, every second stretching into eternity.

He stopped just beside her, standing there, towering over her. His gaze locked onto hers with a depth that made her heart skip a beat.

And then… nothing.

David didn't move. He just stood there, his presence consuming the space between them, leaving Emily teetering on the edge of something she wasn't sure she could handle.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she waited for what came next.