Three Months Ago. Where It All Began.
NEW YORK. INTERIOR. ADRIAN'S OFFICE.
The air in the office smelled of expensive tobacco and power. Adrian's assistant, flawlessly dressed in a grey suit, laid a dossier on the dark, polished table. Theodore Visconti.
Assistant: He's the perfect husband in the eyes of society. Clean-cut. Principled. Random women are not an option.
Adrian: I know.
Adrian sat in his chair. His face was tense.
Adrian: I need a hook. From the past, — he said.
The Assistant hesitated slightly. His hand slid to a separate folder and pulled out a photograph: a girl with dark, thick hair.
Assistant: There's one… Nora, — the Assistant replied. — The only one your brother had a liaison with.
Adrian: Seriously? I didn't know.
Assistant: You were studying abroad at the time.
Adrian: And where is this secret lover from?
Assistant: Originally from a provincial town near London. She enrolled at the university where your brother was studying. That's where their relationship started.
Adrian: Wow. Where did a provincial girl get that kind of money?
Assistant: She passed her exams, won a grant, and received an Academic Scholarship.
Adrian: Smart, then.
Assistant: Yes, but she didn't finish her studies. She was expelled from the university.
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
Adrian: Expelled? For what? Poor grades?
Assistant: No. For unbecoming conduct.
The Assistant cleared his throat, flipping through pages.
Assistant: Officially, the wording was "Violation of the Ethical Code." Unofficially… rumours circulated that she allegedly tried to seduce one of the professors to get a high exam score. The scandal was, of course, quickly hushed up, but she was expelled without the right to readmission. After that, she disappeared from view.
Adrian: So, she was willing to do anything for a grade. Good. Where is she now?
The Assistant quickly turned the pages.
Assistant: She returned home. A small, dreary town near London. She works part-time at a local bar called "The Goldfish"… well, let's just say… she coaxes men into buying expensive alcohol. She's not officially employed anywhere.
Adrian: What about her family?
Assistant: Her father died when she was still young. Her mother remarried. Her stepfather is a card player, and the family is constantly in debt to local gangsters.
Adrian took the photo. He stared at the girl for a long time.
Adrian: Prepare the trip, — he finally ordered. — We're going back to London.
INTERIOR. "THE GOLDFISH" BAR. NIGHT.
"The Goldfish." It was the most expensive bar in the area. By provincial standards, it was quite good: subdued lighting, a sturdy wooden counter, an atmosphere of secluded luxury. Reputable men—local businessmen, visiting officials, those who valued the appearance of respectability—liked to come here. They gathered here for a glass of expensive whiskey, accompanied by the bar's beautiful, but seemingly unattainable, girls. Nora was one of those girls.
The men at the counter conversed, punctuated by rare laughter. Classical jazz played. Then, the door burst open. Adrian entered with his assistant. He was an alien object, even for this, the best establishment in town. His high status was betrayed by his expensive suit, his demeanor, and his cold, assessing gaze. The entire "Goldfish" froze. The manager, a fat man with a sweaty brow, almost ran to him, bowing in a servile manner.
Manager: Good evening! We have excellent drinks and the best girls, Mr…
Adrian: Nora. Only her, — Adrian cut him off coldly.
The Manager nodded and went to invite Nora to Adrian. Adrian approached the bar. The Assistant remained standing near the entrance. A few minutes later, Nora appeared — beautiful, yes. Striking, yes. But beneath the layer of makeup and the forced, professional smile, there was tiredness.
Nora: What will you be drinking? — her voice was low and even, a practiced mask of politeness.
Adrian didn't answer. He just stared at her. Too long and too intently. Studying her, trying to figure out what Theo had liked about her so much. He knew his brother and knew that winning his heart was not easy. What did he find in this dark-haired woman? She possessed a natural, subtle sophistication, utterly out of place in this environment. And charm. Alluring and very pleasant. Nora smiled a little wider, trying to look seductive: "Rich. Strange. Okay, let's work."
She moved closer, displaying coquetry, but meticulously avoiding even accidental tactile contact. She began to coax him into ordering the most expensive items on the menu, stating the prices with a light, cynical nonchalance.
He listened, silent. And studied her. She was indeed seductive. But how far was she willing to go for money? He leaned towards her ear.
Adrian:The VIP room. Now.
Nora flinched. Her mask cracked. She didn't want to go in there.
Nora: Perhaps you should choose another girl for company.
Adrian put down the whiskey.
Adrian: I always get what I want.
Adrian walked over to the manager. He spoke quietly, but with absolute clarity, promising to cover the bar's six-month income. For this, Nora had to drink with him alone in the VIP room, and all the staff had to disappear, so that no one dared to disturb them. The Manager approached Nora.
Manager: Nora, don't be difficult. It's just a job.
Nora: He wants me to go with him to the VIP room.
Manager: So what? You'll just have a drink with him, that's all. Get him drunk quickly and you'll be free. If you agree, I'll pay you a month's salary. If you refuse, find another place of work that will tolerate your whims.
Nora pressed her lips together until they were white. Money. It was always what she needed so badly and her curse.
INTERIOR. "THE GOLDFISH" BAR. VIP ROOM.
Intimate semi-darkness, the music reduced to a barely audible pulse. Adrian closed the door. The click of the lock sounded like a shot in the silence. He approached. Too close. A hand, strong and firm, rested on her chin, slightly lifting her face.
Adrian: What else can you offer besides drinks? — his breath was hot.
She sharply pulled her head away.
Nora: What would you like?
Adrian:You.
Nora took a step back.
Nora: I'm not… I only flirt, understood? I don't sleep with people!
Adrian smirked. He immediately closed the distance. His hand slid to her waist, pressing her against him with unexpected force.
Adrian: Your words sound like a cheap lie, darling, — he whispered into her ear.
His lips skimmed her neck, leaving burning kisses on her delicate skin, then, lowering, touched the exposed curve of her cleavage. He savored the scent of her body. Adrian didn't understand why he wanted her so intensely. He liked touching her skin, feeling it beneath his palm. The thought that his brother Theo had once caressed her body only fueled him further. He wanted to be better, to dominate where Theo had failed. Unknowingly, by humiliating the woman his brother loved, he sought to punish Theo. Adrian lifted Nora, seating her on his hips. Her short dress rode up. Nora tried to slide off, but he held her in a death grip. His hand tightly squeezed her breast through the fabric of her dress, roughly, demanding a reaction. Not feeling arousal, he leaned down, and through the thin fabric of her dress, his teeth lightly touched her nipple, nipping it. The reaction was instantaneous. A sound escaped Nora's mouth — not a moan of pleasure, but a moan of despair, a pure sound of humiliation and pain. Adrian began to move, pressing against her, his trousers rubbing against the fabric of her dress and her panties, causing a humiliating, dirty excitement.
Adrian: Do you feel it? Feel how hard it is? — his voice was low. — I'll pay generously if you caress it with your beautiful lips.
He leaned in suddenly, as if making a decision in that same second, and his mouth covered her lips — roughly, demanding, deep. The kiss wasn't about passion — it was about power. About who decides here. The taste: cigarettes, expensive alcohol, cold arrogance. Nora tried to pull away. She was disgusted.
His palm slid over her body roughly, confidently, checking how far he could go, how much she would allow. He seemed to be studying her reactions: how she froze, how tension ran across her skin, how her breath hitched from the treacherous response of her body to his closeness. She tried to pull away — he only squeezed her tighter, drawing her closer, like a hunter playing with his prey.
A thrill of gambling flashed in his eyes — dangerous, predatory, incomprehensible even to himself.
Nora: Stop… — the breath tore from her, but he didn't seem to hear.
Adrian: Interesting… — he whispered, clearly feeling her tremble. — How quickly you begin to react.
He pulled her towards his groin, pressing her hard against him. She tried to pull away — he only pressed her closer. Nora screamed, calling for help, but no one appeared. Adrian smiled at her cries and, in response, sharply gripped her breast with his hand and began to intensely knead it. In shock, Nora let out a moan. Adrian became even more aroused and started moving more intensely. He rubbed against her hips with a demanding, frenzied force, making her feel his aroused flesh. He himself didn't understand why he was so worked up, but he wildly wanted to see her reaction to his caresses. Nora felt her body betray her, reacting to his dominance. Her arousal from his friction was so strong that she was on the verge of breaking. She felt ashamed, hot, disgusted — both by him and by herself. Adrian liked watching her reaction. He gave her pleasure with such a simple movement. He wanted her to experience wild pleasure beneath him, and, gripping her hips with both hands, he pressed her even closer. Realizing she was at her limit, Nora tried to break free and moaned at the same time. He looked at her. He liked seeing her sweetly suffering in his hands. A current of humiliation and revulsion shot through her body. Tears of fury and helplessness welled up in her eyes. Seeing her cry, Adrian stopped. He wanted to test her limits, not rape her. She sharply broke free and, putting all the despair, fear, and humiliation of the last few minutes into the blow, slapped his cheek. The sound of the slap cut the silence. Adrian froze. Surprise flickered across his face — not even from the slap, but from allowing himself to go so far. Too far.
He exhaled slowly, returning to control with effort.
Adrian: Enough, — he said thickly. — I was testing your boundaries. Nothing more.
His voice sounded different now — restrained, almost cold. Nora lunged for the door, but it was locked.
Adrian: You won't be able to leave until I want to let you go. Sit down. We need to talk.
Still trembling, Nora remained standing by the door.
Adrian: I was testing you. How far I could go. Unfortunately, you turned out not to be a slut, — his voice became utterly cold. — That's what I needed to find out.
Nora was stunned and didn't even know how to react to what she was hearing.
Adrian: I want to offer you a job. You need to seduce a man. Lure him into an infidelity. Prove it. For a large sum of money. The man is a scumbag and deserves this. You don't have to sleep with him. The main thing is to bring him to a state where he himself is ready to go to bed with you.
Nora looked at Adrian as if he were insane.
Nora: Are you crazy?
Adrian: No, I'm quite serious.
Nora: There are many women who would gladly agree.
Adrian: I need you specifically. You look like a girl this scumbag once loved.
Nora: I don't care who I look like or how much you're willing to pay me. I will never agree to this.
He took a business card from his inside pocket and held it out to her.
Adrian: Here's my business card. Call me when you change your mind.
Nora didn't move. Adrian walked up to her and placed the business card in her hand.
Adrian: If you don't take it, I'll finish what I started right now, but without my trousers.
Frightened, she took the business card. She understood that he had power, as no one had come when she screamed; he was not a simple client and clearly could do whatever he wanted with her.
Adrian: Open the door, — Adrian commanded.
His assistant immediately opened the door. Nora quickly rushed out. Just as she reached the door, he shot an arrow at her back:
Adrian: Don't even think about throwing that card away. You'll come to me very soon yourself.
When Nora disappeared around the corner of the corridor, the assistant looked at Adrian judgmentally. He immediately noticed the disapproving gaze.
Adrian: What?
Assistant: Her moans and screams were probably heard by the entire bar.
Adrian: I needed to check how far she could go.
Assistant: I think you went too far.
Adrian: Do you dare to judge my actions?
Assistant: No, just surprised. You are always reserved with women. This is the first time I've seen you lose control.
Adrian: I didn't lose control. Otherwise, she wouldn't have left this room so quickly. I want you to do something. Find those to whom her stepfather owes money, — Adrian commanded. — Make sure they remember the debt and pay a visit to our proud Nora. We need her to become more compliant.
Assistant: Are you sure? That's too harsh.
Adrian turned, his gaze impassive.
Adrian: She must agree.