ALEC & SUSAN

A Night that Changed Everything

While lounging in the park, Katie confessed she'd only accepted a date with Steven—the local food vendor—to spare his feelings. She admitted it was actually a nice afternoon, yet a strange, lingering story he made left her deeply unsettled.

"After my first date with Steven, he nonchalantly mentioned that he and his two brothers hunted down his sister's boyfriend. He claimed this violent act forced them all to flee their country. Finding the entire situation deeply disturbing and alarming, I will not be going on a second date with him," Katie told us.

"Ladies, we need a night out, work too hard," Katie announced, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Susan wants to go dancing."

"I know the perfect spot," Ava chimed in. "The Tropicana in the Bronx."

Plans were quickly finalized for Friday night, with the bonus of staying at Katie's for the weekend. When the plan was shared with Jacob, his face lit up.

"It's about time you had some fun," he smiled. "Don't worry about me; I've got everything covered here, so go and enjoy yourself."

Katie and I rode the rattling subway up to the Bronx, a part of the city that was brand new to me. Her apartment was welcoming and simply decorated, offering a quiet escape from the bustling streets below. While we were settling in, the phone rang, and it was John[the doorman]. The way her face lit up while they chatted made it obvious she really liked him, and I smiled as she made plans for their first date tomorrow night.

However, the mood shifted instantly when she hung up. While helping me choose an outfit for the evening, her playful demeanor vanished. She confessed, her voice trembling, how absolutely terrified she was of Steven, revealing he had threatened her. The fear was palpable when she whispered that she was too scared to go back to the park on Monday.

"Let's put this behind us for the night and just have a good time," I suggested.

She nodded, agreeing that there was no sense in ruining the evening. They were meeting the girls outside the Tropicana at 10:30 p.m. Ava and Mia were already waiting, and soon Liv and Rose arrived, everyone looking stunning. They walked inside, secured a table, and ordered drinks. They were surprised when Katie ordered only water and a soda. Although I am not a big drinker, I ordered a piña colada and a mexican candy shot, having heard so much about them on television. I was very excited to finally try them.

We downed our shots, rushing onto the crowded dance floor while Katie stayed behind to watch our drinks. The club was buzzed, with guys circling us, buying drinks, and asking us to dance. A cute guy named Bob paid particular attention to me. After a hazy night of too many drinks, I found myself at three in the morning—inexplicably leaving with a stranger. I had no idea where I was, but a timely text from Katie containing her address provided a small comfort; if anything happened, I could find my way back to her.

After a short, silent taxi ride, we arrived at Bob's building. The elevator ride to the fifth floor felt agonizingly slow. The moment the apartment door clicked shut, he pressed me back against the wood, pinning me in place. I was stunned, my breath catching.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"Trying to kiss you," he murmured, his gaze intense.

"I don't know how," I confessed.

He paused, puzzled. "What do you mean, you don't know how?"

The tension instantly evaporated. He backed up, releasing me, looking almost guilty.

"Why did you come home with me?" he asked.

"Because you asked me to."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, looking at me with a mix of frustration and protective care.

"Never do that again," he said firmly. "Anyone could take advantage of you." He softened his tone, "You take the bed; I'll take the sofa."

"Are you sure?" I questioned.

"Yes, I am. Now go to bed."

I woke up late the next day, with the sunlight already streaming in at nearly eleven in the morning. After rushing to get ready, I texted Katie that I was heading over to her place. When I arrived, I took a refreshing shower while she had breakfast ready for me. Over coffee, I told her the exciting news:

"Bob wants to see me again!"

"Really?" That's great, I exclaimed.

After we ate, we decided to take a quick nap before our big dates later that evening. Refreshed from my nap, I hurried to get ready, the excitement of the upcoming date giving me a burst of energy. I slipped into my tight black jeans, paired with rugged leather boots and a crisp white crop top. By 5:00 p.m., Bob was outside, and I grabbed my bag, said goodbye to Katie, and headed out for the night. Bob looked effortlessly sharp, clad in slim-fit black jeans and a white button-down with sleeves pushed to his elbows, he had that alluring, rough-around-the edges look, complete with a dark five o'clock shadow.

Bob drove me into the heart od Manhattan to a place called Swingers for miniature golf, and the venue was absolutely incredible. Despite being a complete novice, I still had a blast. However, walking in, I was a nervous wreck—this was my very first date, after all. The car ride over had been stiflingly quiet, leaving me to wring my hands and fight a racing heart. I was completely sober, forcing me to comfort my nerves head-on as I finally tried to get to know Bob.

This place is located underground. The entryway is relatively intimate and dimly lit, providing a contrast to the bright, bustling, and expansive space you encounter. The walls in the entrance area are lined with photo-shopped, humorous paintings of A-list celebrities in classic 1920s golf attire. A 50-foot projection of Swingers' countryside runs along walls depicting rolling green hills, moving clouds, and passing trains.

As you walk from the entrance into the main area, the space opens up into a massive 23,000-square-foot, high-ceilinged, underground party scene. The decor is over-the-top, featuring lush artificial greenery (wisteria), chandeliers, and white picket fences. The place is filled with upbeat music, a live DJ, and a high-energy, crowded, and vibrant atmosphere. A central feature is a large bar where bartenders make craft cocktails, and the area is filled with bustling people.

The venue boasts three 9-hole courses, which appear intricate, with large, whimsical obstacles like loop-the-loops, ferris wheels, and windmills. There is a dedicated area with high-quality street food vendors. This place is both polished and surreal.

Mini golf turned out to be an absolute blast! Initially, I was unsure, but after Bob showed me the ropes, I quickly found my rhythm on the neon-green carpet. Suddenly, those tricky windmills and tunnels didn't seem so hard, and I was eager to give him a real challenge.

Leaving behind the noise, we stepped into the tranquil oasis of Madison Square Park, where the aroma of burgers from Shake Shack mingled with the scent of blooming flowers under the shadow of the Flatiron Building.

Madison Square Park is a 6.2-acre public green space, opened in 1847 and named after President James Madison. It serves as a bustling urban oasis with a central lawn, mature trees, a children's playground, dog runs, public arts, and the original, iconic Shake Shack. The park features a central lawn for relaxation and strolling, surrounded by mature oak and elm trees. It was heavily renovated in 2021, balancing historical character with modern needs,

It is famous for the original Shake Shack located within the park, which has a long line. The park hosts free events, including concerts and kid-friendly shows.

Moving through the park, Bob reached out and threaded his fingers through mine, his grip firm and grounding. At twenty-five, he carries the steady confidence of someone who has already found his footing, spending his days navigating the corporate world at New York Life Insurance.

As the eldest of two, there's a natural, protective edge to him—a quality likely forged in the Bronx, where he was born and raised. The borough is written into his stride and the way he carries himself, blending a tough, city-bred resilience with a quiet, unexpected warmth.

Bob's apartment was quiet, the kind of silence that makes your heart race. He showed me how to kiss—slow, intense, and thrilling—leaving me breathless and dizzy with excitement. But when he tried to push past the boundary I wasn't ready for, the air in the room changed instantly. The thrill evaporated, replaced by a tight, cold knot in my stomach. I saw the frustration harden his features, a shadow crossing the warmth I'd felt before. When I declined to share the bed, the silence became heavy. That morning, I felt a desperate need to leave, and when he was eager to drive me home, it didn't feel caring—it felt like he was just as ready to close the chapter as I was.