Love For Sale

Chapter 4: First Strike

"She's... unexpected. I didn’t think you’d go for someone so... raw."

Victoria’s voice slides through the air, smooth but sharp. Naomi feels it, the sting of her words, but she won’t let it show. Not now. She stands tall, gripping her champagne glass a little too tightly, but careful not to spill it.

Victoria’s smile is perfect, the kind that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. She looks Naomi over, her gaze cold, like she’s inspecting something beneath her. Naomi can feel it—like there’s some invisible line between them, a line Victoria clearly thinks Naomi doesn’t cross. Part of her wants to shrink back, but she stands her ground. She won’t let this woman get the satisfaction.

The air feels heavy, and Naomi’s skin prickles under the intensity. Ethan’s hand rests gently on her waist, possessive but subtle. It’s a small gesture, but it feels like a shield. His touch is warm, grounding her like an anchor in a sea of tension.

Naomi wants to say something, something to put Victoria in her place, but she bites her tongue. The sting of Victoria’s words still echoes in her head.

Victoria doesn’t seem to notice Naomi’s silence. Instead, she turns to Ethan with a sly smile. Her eyes glint like she knows something Naomi doesn’t. "Ethan," she purrs, her voice low, almost teasing. "I didn’t expect you to settle for someone so... raw." She shoots Naomi a look, just enough to make her feel small. "I must say, it’s... refreshing."

Naomi clenches her jaw. "Raw is better than fake," she snaps, her voice sharp.

Victoria raises an eyebrow, the corners of her lips curling into a tight smile. "Fake?" she repeats, her gaze flicking between them. "I suppose we all wear masks in this world, don’t we? Some better than others."

Naomi’s heart races. The words hit, but she won’t let them get to her. This isn’t high school. She’s not some girl to be picked apart by the queen bee. Still, Victoria’s presence, so polished, so perfect, makes Naomi feel like she’s standing in front of a mirror, exposed, with nowhere to hide.

Ethan, sensing the change in Naomi’s posture, presses his hand more firmly on her waist. To anyone else, it might seem casual, but Naomi knows it’s his silent way of saying, I’ve got your back. She looks up at him, her chest tightening. There’s something about the way he stands—strong, solid, like nothing can shake him—that makes her feel... safe. But she won’t lean into it. Not yet. Not when this whole situation feels like a game she didn’t sign up for.

Victoria continues, her voice cutting through the silence. “Tell me, Naomi,” she says, her tone sweet but condescending, "how did you catch Ethan’s eye? I must admit, I’m curious."

Naomi tightens her jaw. She’s not going to let this woman rattle her. "I didn’t catch his eye," Naomi says, her words coming out effortlessly. "I’m not a trophy, Victoria. I’m here because I want to be. I’m not playing your games."

Ethan’s eyes flicker to Naomi, a softening in them, just a c***k in his usually composed exterior. Naomi didn’t expect that, but it makes something inside her loosen. He gives her a half-smile, more reassuring than anything he’s said all night.

Victoria, however, isn’t done. "Oh, I didn’t think you were," she says, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "But it’s curious, don’t you think? A man like Ethan, with his... interests, suddenly opting for someone so... raw." She drags the word out, like it’s something dirty. "I just don’t get it."

Naomi feels the irritation bubbling inside her. She’s not some naive girl who doesn’t get the game. She knows exactly what’s at stake. But before she can respond, Ethan steps in, his voice sharp and cold. "Victoria, enough," he says, his tone firm. Naomi feels a strange sense of relief wash over her at his words.

But Victoria’s not done. She leans in closer, her voice dropping a notch, dangerous now. "Don’t get too comfortable," she murmurs, her smile mocking. "I’ve seen this act before. It never lasts."

Naomi doesn’t flinch, though it’s close. She knows exactly what Victoria means—she’s just a fling, a temporary distraction. And, damn it, it stings more than she cares to admit.

Instead of responding, Naomi forces a smile. "We’ll see, won’t we?" she says, sweet but sharp.

Victoria watches her for a long moment, the amusement fading from her eyes. She gives Naomi one last look before turning back to Ethan, as if she’s done with her. "If you’ll excuse me," she says, her voice polite but bored, "I have other matters to attend to. Enjoy your night."

Victoria walks away, and Naomi lets out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding. The tension that’s been building inside her starts to ease, but it’s still there, gnawing at her. She stands tall, proud of herself for holding her ground. But she can’t shake the feeling that this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

Ethan’s still watching her, his expression unreadable. She looks at him, trying to shake off the feeling of unease settling in her chest.

"Well, that was... something," Naomi says, trying to break the silence. Her voice is light, but there’s an edge to it, one she doesn’t always recognize in herself.

Ethan looks at her for a moment before nodding. "You handled her well," he says, surprising her.

Naomi raises an eyebrow. "Is that so?" She forces a smile, but something flickers inside her—a warmth, maybe pride, maybe something else.

Before she can say more, Ethan’s phone buzzes in his pocket, and his expression shifts. He pulls it out, glancing at the screen, his jaw tightening.

"I need to take this," he says, his voice almost apologetic. "Stay here. I’ll be back in a minute."

Naomi nods, but the unease in her bones won’t go away. She watches as he walks off, his back straight, betraying nothing of the thoughts inside his head.

Alone now, Naomi tries to gather her thoughts, her hands slightly shaking as she holds her champagne glass. The pressure of the night settles in—eyes on her, whispers rippling through the crowd like a silent wave. It’s overwhelming, and for a moment, she almost wishes she hadn’t agreed to any of this.

But there’s no turning back now.

Victoria’s words echo in her mind. It never lasts.

Naomi takes a deep breath, steadying herself. For better or worse, she’s in this now. And she’s not going down without a fight.