Bound by Greed

chapter 4: Glittering Night

The apartment door clicked shut behind Elliot, and the quiet settled around him like silk. The photoshoot had drained him in the way only good things could leaving his limbs heavy but his chest full.

Maya was already sprawled sideways on his couch, one heeled foot dangling off the edge as if she owned the place.

"If I ever have to sit on a cold studio floor again while you change outfits," she groaned, "I'm filing a complaint."

Elliot dropped face-first onto the remaining cushion. "You literally said you were comfortable."

"That was before half my body went numb."

Elliot snorted. "Drama queen."

"Fashionably," she corrected.

He was still laughing when the thought hit him.

"Oh ,I should call mom."

At once, Maya sat up straighter, nodding. "Yes. She'll be waiting like it's the season finale of a show she stars in."

Elliot didn't argue.

He called, and his mom's face filled the screen instantly honey-warm eyes, loose bun, the soft authority of a woman who had raised her children with devotion and fire.

"Mon cœur," she breathed, taking him in with both pride and worry. "You look tired. And beautiful."

Behind her, Amélie's messy braids bobbed into the frame.

"Elliot! Tell me everything. Did they give you sparkly outfits? Did they mess up your hair? Did you get snacks?"

Maya leaned close to the camera. "He was a superstar. I took pictures."

His mom Camille lit up. "Ah, Maya, bonsoir! Thank you for taking care of him."

The conversation unfolded easily Camille fussing about rest, Amélie demanding details, Elliot promising he had eaten. His grandparents passed in the background like wandering spirits, each shouting their own blessings.

By the time the call ended, his chest felt warm and anchored.

Maya stretched, grabbed her bag, and kissed his cheek.

"Alright, babes. I'm heading home to get ready. You better be glowing when I'm back."

"What?" Elliot lifted his head. "We're going out?"

"Oh, absolutely." She pointed two fingers at her eyes then at his. "Celebrate now, collapse later."

Before he could protest, she was out the door.

The apartment grew quiet again. Elliot showered, letting the hot water unwind the tension in his shoulders. He massaged shimmer lotion into his legs, an indulgence he reserved for days he felt particularly alive.

By the time he finished drying his hair, Maya texted:

I'm downstairs. Look cute. Actually look gorgeous. I'm giving main character tonight.

Elliot rolled his eyes but smiled.

He dressed slowly, choosing pieces that made him feel like the truest version of himself: soft, elegant, with just enough bite.

a cream silk button-up, loose and airy, top buttons teasingly undone, black high-waisted tailored shorts, hugging his waist and baring long, delicate leg and a glossy black ankle boots that clicked confidently on the floor paired with a thin gold chain on his collarbone,soft waves framing his face

He looked pretty without trying. Dangerous without meaning to.

When he stepped outside, Maya was leaning against her car, scrolling her phone. She looked up and froze.

"Holy!!! Elliot." Her eyes widened. "You're not just gorgeous. You're criminal."

Elliot tilted his head, pleased. "You told me to look good."

"Yes, not to destroy people's moral foundations."

Maya herself was breathtaking chocolate-brown mini dress hugging her curves, caramel curls bouncing, subtle gloss on her full lips. They looked like trouble arriving in pairs.

She threw her arm around him.

"Let's go ruin some nights."

The club line parted as they approached, people instinctively giving them space. The bouncer took one look and waved them through, no questions asked.

Inside, music thrummed through the air, vibrating against Elliot's ribs. Neon light slid over his skin like warm hands.

And then it happened.

Heads turned.

Bodies stilled.

Someone gasped actually gasped.

Elliot's soft glow, Maya's fierce beauty, their matching confidence... they didn't walk into the club; they arrived.

"God, I love this," Maya whispered smugly.

"Being stared at?"

"Being hot," she corrected.

They slipped into the dancing crowd, losing themselves to the rhythm. Elliot's body moved with natural grace hips swaying, boots tapping, the hem of his shirt brushing against warm skin. His legs caught the light like polished marble. Maya matched him beat for beat, her laughter bright and contagious.

They weren't trying to be the center of attention.

They just were.

Without him noticing he had caught the interest of a certain strange who could keep his eyes off him.

At some point, a waiter approached with a bottle cradled reverently.

"For you," he said to Elliot. "From an admirer."

"I don't take drinks from strangers," Elliot replied, dismissing it effortlessly.

The waiter left but the stranger certainly have not given up because twenty minutes later, a spectacle unfurled.

Dancers emerged carrying five premium champagne bottles, sparkling bright. At their center, an LED tablet glowed with two words THE PRETTIEST

The entire club looked at Elliot.

Maya grabbed his arm. "Okay, babes... what did you do?"

Elliot smiled. "Breathed."

He scanned the VIP section. He sensed a presence tall, watching, interested but the shadows hid his face.

Staring at the stranger he made a swift gesture regretting the drinks and continued dancing. Every eyes seem shocked. Some started talking and wondering.

Later, as the night softened around them, a man in a suit approached.

"My Boss requests a moment of your time," he said. "You may name your price."

Elliot blinked once, slowly.

"My price?"

"Yes. For a conversation."

Maya stiffened beside him.

Elliot's smile was sweet and lethal.

"Tell your Boss ," he said, "that I don't go to anyone who thinks they can buy me."

"And I'm not for sale."

The man bowed and retreated.

Maya exhaled. "Okay, that was unnecessarily sexy."

"I try."

Outside, the night air brushed coolly against Elliot's legs. Maya tucked herself into his side, still buzzing.

"Same time next week?" she asked.

Elliot grinned softly. "Always, mami."

They walked toward the car, heads still turning as they passed, eyes lingering on the pair who seemed made of glow and stardust.

They both noticed the silhouette in the shadowed balcony above still watching, still intrigued.

But Elliot didn't care he came tonight to have fun, to dance and to celebrate his successful shoot which was exactly what he intended to do.