When the Good Girl Sin

Chapter 2 - The Playboy, The Notorious, The Ruthless

POPPY

Stepping out of my comfort zone tonight—with my outfit, that is.

Usually, my stylist wouldn't approve of what I'm wearing right now and would probably call it absurd. But I don't care. I don't want people to notice me here. I just want to have a good time.

I'm wearing a leather top that pushes my breasts out, but it doesn't look too vulgar. I paired it with a high-waisted and fitted leather skirt and black stilettos. As for my hair, I curled it, and my makeup is dark.

I know where Contraband is; it's a five-star local bar that A-listers and rich people my age really frequent. According to everyone, that's part of Contraband's charm—it's a mystery of who the owner is.

I drove my white BMW and stopped in front of the bar's main gate. I handed my keys to the valet and went inside.

The place was packed, and the first thing you'd smell in the air is mint. Not alcohol, because usually in bars, you'd smell cigarette smoke and alcohol. But this one is mint. The LED lights were red and black. Everyone was also wearing a half-faced mask. I was handed one before entering. It's black, and I figured that the mask they give depends on the color of your outfit. Very considerate. I love this place already. Having fun discreetly and with nobody knowing who you are is fun.

I went straight to the bar and ordered a whiskey with ice. I sat down and tried to scan the place for Demi and her boyfriend Zach.

When I couldn't find her, I texted her: "Where are you? I am here."

I didn't have to wait long for her reply: "Go up to the second floor, far end corner. Tell the security that you're here for Zach."

I looked at the second floor of the bar. There were indeed four security guards standing at the bottom and top of the stairs. VIP. Good.

People were slow dancing, already intoxicated by the song "River" by Bishop Briggs. I carried my glass of whiskey upstairs.

"I am here for Zach; his girlfriend is my friend," I told the security guard. He nodded and then said something on what I assumed was a walkie-talkie.

I sighed and was about to wait when someone suddenly grabbed my hand, pulling me up to the second floor. And the security didn't even stop him.

All I could see was his back. He seemed to be about six foot six inches tall. His back was broad, his arms were covered in different tattoos, he was wearing a white shirt and black pants, and his long hair was tied up in a bun. He smelled of mint.

I stopped him from walking further when I noticed that it was getting darker and darker in the direction he was leading me.

"Hey, who are you?" I asked him, my voice a little shaky.

I am still wearing my mask, but when he turns to look at me he's not wearing any. I could see his Badboy looks raw, his eyes are brown and stern, his lips is full, I noticed that he also has tattoos all over his neck, and a lip ring. For a moment, I didn't know what to do, but I looked at him long enough until I saw him smirk.

"Like what you see?" His voice dripped with confidence and arrogance.

I cleared my throat. "No, who are you?"

"You don't know me?" he asked, as if I should.

I looked at him, confused. "No. Should I? Oh my god, maybe you grabbed the wrong person, and you mistook me for someone else."

"Nah—" he shook his head, pouted his lips, and crossed his arms. "I wouldn't mistake you for anyone. Even if you're wearing a mask."

The way he said it felt like he knew me. Did he? I mean, really know me?

"Really?" I huffed, a nervous laugh escaping my lips.

He placed both his arms on the wall, caging me in. He was so tall, his mint scent was intoxicating, his eyes were wandering within my own, and his gaze was invading. Uniquely invading.

He was standing too close, and still moving closer and closer, as if he were going to kiss me. Would I let him?

My subconscious was screaming NO, but my body felt different, like I had known him before and was craving his touch. It was a feeling I had never experienced with Alex.

Maybe it was his aura, his tattoos? Or the enticing idea that he couldn't recognize me because I was still hidden behind my mask.

"Are you going to kiss me?" I asked him, my voice trembling slightly. Alex and I kissed, but I never let it go beyond that. Just kissing. I didn't know why; I just wasn't comfortable sharing that part of myself with him.

Oh God, and would I let a stranger take that? And not just any stranger, a tattooed stranger?

He smirked, a playful glint in his eyes. "Do you want me to?"

The song was still audible even from here, every thump marching in time with my heart. Every beat a perfect echo of the strange anticipation thrumming within me.

"Ye—"

I was just about to answer him when I heard Demi's voice cut through the dimly lit space, "Stop messing around with my girl, Kai."

But this Kai, this stranger, didn't even flinch. He remained standing there, his arms still caging me in, his eyes locked on mine, and his lips curving into a teasing smirk.

I swallowed hard and awkwardly slipped out from under his arms, then greeted my best friend. "Hi!" I squeaked, my voice betraying my nervousness.

"Did he do something to you?" Demi asked me, her eyes still narrowed with annoyance at the stranger.

"Is that how bad you think of me, Demigod?" he asked, his voice a low, husky rumble.

"Yes, Kai. Penelope's my guest," Demi stated firmly.

He casually tucked his hands into his front pockets. "Penelope—" he said my name, the sound sending a strange shiver down my spine, making my legs feel like jelly. "—Poppy."

"What?" I asked, utterly confused. Did he just call me a puppy? A dog? A baby dog?

He chuckled, a low, captivating sound. He took a step closer, leaned down, and whispered in my ear, his breath warm against my skin, "Say yes to me next time." Then, just as suddenly as he appeared, he turned and walked away.

Only when he was gone did I hear my friend exhale a long, shaky breath. It seemed like she was actually afraid of him.

"Who was that?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Demi looked at me, her eyes still lingering on the direction Kai had walked. "Did he do anything to you?" She gently checked my arms and looked me over.

"Nothing really, so why?" I pressed, sensing her unease.

"This is a secret, and I have the privilege of knowing this information because I'm Zach's girlfriend—they're literally best friends," Demi said, glancing around before leaning closer to whisper, "—he's the owner of Contraband."

"What?" I exclaimed, my surprise evident. The tattooed stranger who had just made my heart race was the owner of this exclusive, mysterious bar?

"Yes, and don't tell anyone," Demi emphasized as we walked deeper into the VIP section.

"He seems too young to own something this big," I commented, subtly trying to gather more information without sounding too obvious.

"He is; he's only twenty. But he has a career in the NBA. And his father is a tycoon, so I guess that's how he managed to establish this kind of business all over the world," she explained. "Don't tell me you didn't recognize him? Are you really that busy making movies, TV series, commercials, and doing fashion shows that you're completely out of touch with sports?"

"What do you mean? Of course, I don't know him. This is the first time I've seen him," I insisted.

She sighed. "He's Kairos Vesper Thorn, the star player for the New York Knicks."

The moment Demi said his full name, it felt like a punch to the stomach, followed by a splash of ice-cold water on my face. I suddenly realized who I was about to kiss just moments ago.

The playboy, the notorious, and the ruthless Kairos Thorn.

Of course, I knew him.

From TV news, newspapers, and magazines. I knew him.