Adrian studied Stephanie carefully from across the table.
Most girls he met were eager to impress him. They laughed at everything he said. They tried too hard to please him.
But Stephanie was different.
She sat calmly, her eyes steady, her voice firm when she spoke.
She had refused him.
And strangely, that made him even more interested.
Adrian leaned back in his chair and smiled slightly.
"Relax," he said.
Stephanie frowned a little.
"What?"
"I said relax," he repeated. "I'm not going to force you into anything."
Stephanie looked surprised.
"That's not how this usually works," Adrian added with a small shrug.
"But you're not like the others."
Stephanie remained quiet.
Adrian reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope, placing it gently on the table in front of her.
"What is this?" she asked.
"Money."
Stephanie immediately shook her head.
"No, I didn't—"
"Take it," Adrian interrupted calmly.
"This is actually more than I would have given if things had gone the other way."
Stephanie stared at the envelope.
"Why?"
Adrian smirked.
"Because I like interesting people."
He pushed the envelope closer to her.
"Think of it as payment for a good conversation."
Stephanie hesitated.
After a moment, she slowly took the envelope and slipped it into her bag.
Adrian pulled out his phone.
"Give me your number."
Stephanie hesitated again.
But something about him felt… different from what she expected.
They exchanged contacts.
"Maybe we'll talk again," Adrian said.
Stephanie nodded politely.
At that moment, she suddenly remembered Maya.
"I need to check on my friend," she said quickly.
Adrian nodded.
"Go ahead."
Stephanie stood and walked quickly toward the hallway where the private rooms were located.
As she approached one of the doors, she heard Maya's voice.
"Stop! I said stop!"
Stephanie's heart dropped.
She pushed the door open immediately.
Inside, Maya was struggling to push away a man who was grabbing her arm.
The man looked irritated.
"What's the problem?" he snapped.
"I already paid!"
Stephanie rushed forward.
"Let her go!"
The man turned toward her angrily.
"This is none of your business."
"Yes it is," Stephanie replied firmly.
Maya quickly moved behind her.
"She said no," Stephanie continued.
The man rolled his eyes.
"I paid Vanessa already."
The words hit both girls at the same time.
Paid.
Stephanie grabbed Maya's hand.
"We're leaving."
The man scoffed but didn't try to stop them.
Moments later, the two girls rushed out of the hotel.
Neither of them spoke until they reached the car outside.
Finally, Maya looked at Stephanie with shaken eyes.
"Did you hear what he said?"
Stephanie nodded slowly.
"They paid Vanessa."
Maya's voice trembled.
"That means… we're not working with her."
Stephanie's expression hardened.
"We're working for her."
The reality settled heavily between them.
All the money.
All the gifts.
All the luxury.
It wasn't kindness.
It was control.
Maya took a deep breath.
"We have to leave."
Stephanie didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
"Even if we have nothing?" Maya asked.
Stephanie looked at her firmly.
"With or without her, we'll survive."
Maya nodded slowly.
When they finally returned to Vanessa's house later that night, Vanessa was sitting in the living room waiting for them.
She looked up calmly.
"How did it go?"
Stephanie and Maya exchanged a glance.
Then Stephanie spoke.
"We're leaving."
Vanessa raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"We're not interested anymore," Stephanie continued.
The room fell silent.
Vanessa studied them carefully.
Stephanie kept her face calm.
But deep inside her bag…
The envelope Adrian had given her remained hidden.