"I told you I have someone with me. Why can't you understand that?" Cierra feigned anger, her delicate eyebrows raised high, trying to scare off the two unperceptive men in front of her.
Today, she had dressed casually for her class at the Performing Arts Academy. Her white T-shirt and fitted jeans made her look youthful, like a college student, making her stand out in the nightclub like an anomaly.
"I've been watching you for a while. It's boring for a pretty girl like you to be here alone. Want me to keep you company? We can drink, chat, dance, or try something else." The tall man gave a lewd smile that matched his perverse demeanor perfectly.
"Yeah, you look like it's your first time here. There are some fun things that only regulars know about. We can show you around." The short man looked somewhat refined, but his words betrayed him, as if he feared people wouldn't know he was a lecher, his tone obviously sleazy.
"Thanks, but my—man is here—"
Cierra's face lit up with a smile as soon as she saw Basil, making the two men in front of her go weak at the knees. They couldn't care less if she had a male companion; they intensified their efforts to win her favor.
"A man? What man? Are you saying you want me to be your man? Come here, I'll take you to a more fun place." The tall man moved closer to Cierra, aiming to kiss her.
He was more robust compared to the other man, but his tone was filled with a rogue's flavor, as shameless and frivolous as the short man.
The two men exchanged glances from time to time, probably thinking they were about to secure their prey, so they started chuckling.
Before long, the tall man suddenly bent over; it turned out that his arm had been grabbed and pinned to his waist by someone, who was none other than Basil.
"Who? Dare to mess with me, and you're dead meat." He glared angrily at the short man beside him.
"Hey, what are you doing!" The short man turned around and saw Basil
"Handsome, you're finally here." Cierra's eyebrows danced as she jumped off the high chair, spreading her arms towards the newcomer and calling sweetly.
Basil furrowed his brows again, his expression a bit strange. He wasn't sure if it was because she had just called him "Handsome" so enthusiastically in public.
"What do you plan to do to my woman?" He walked over to her, and gave a strong sense of warning.
Cierra allowed him to hold her, secretly sighing with relief. She had only gone to the bar near the dance floor to get a non-alcoholic or low-alcohol drink, but not only did the bartender tease her, she also ran into these two rogues on her way back to Basil. Thankfully, Basil arrived soon to rescue her.
"Who brings girlfriend to a nightclub? So out of touch, I spit on that!" The tall man tried to break free but couldn't.
The duck in hand flew away just like that. Who brings a companion to a nightclub these days? No way this man was really her companion. He must be some loser pretending to be a hero to pick up girls.
"You should be more concerned about your hand first."Upon saying this, he gripped the man's arm even more tightly.
"Ow, ow, ow! Let go!" the tall man cried out in pain.
Basil shoved him aside, "Get out of here now!"
"You—let's see about that. Andy, let's go!"
The short man hadn't planned on leaving but was yanked by the tall man, causing him to stagger. "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? There are two of us.—"
But the tall man was already scared and kept walking away quickly. The short man, seemingly just his follower, had no choice but to hurry after him.
"Mr. Logan, thank you."
Seeing the crisis finally resolved, Cierra looked at Basil and playfully stuck out her tongue, only to receive a firm flick on the forehead, making her wince in pain and almost bringing tears to her eyes.
"I told you not to leave my sight," Basil's displeasure was evident on his face.
"I didn't! I just wanted to get a closer look. How was I supposed to know this would happen? Mr. Logan, will you stay with me?" Cierra hooked his arm and sat down beside him, not letting go, perhaps afraid of being approached again.
With the two sitting so close, Basil could smell the faint fragrance from her hair and body, much more pleasant than the pungent scent of perfume, momentarily distracting him.
"There doesn't seem to be any non-alcoholic drinks here," Cierra pouted. "I'm so thirsty!"
Basil sighed, feeling like he was babysitting in a kindergarten. He spoke quietly to the bartender, who then went through a hidden door and returned with a bubbly drink.
"What is this?" It looks impressive and delicious.
She was overjoyed. Just a moment ago, this bartender had mocked her for looking under eighteen, questioning why she was ordering a non-alcoholic drink in a nightclub and pretending to be innocent. It was infuriating!
"Coke," Basil replied expressionlessly.
"What! Coke?" Cierra's face fell. She thought it was some fancy cocktail. Coming to a nightclub to drink Coke—if Dallas found out, her reputation would be ruined...
But soon her attention was diverted. "Mr. Logan, You were pretty impressive back there. Have you studied any martial arts? That guy looked really scared—"
"I heard there will be a singer performing later. Do you know who it is?"
Cierra kept chirping excitedly like a sparrow that couldn't stop. Her intense curiosity made her interested in everything she hadn't encountered before.
Basil found her chatter noisy. Even though the nightclub was loud, it seemed like his eardrums were filled only with her voice. Yet, he, who always kept a proper distance from women, didn't reject her closeness or touch this time—not once. Instead, he patiently responded to her every thought.
He hadn't even noticed this change in himself—
