Chapter 2

THE BAR was waved with loud music and flashing lights. The place was packed with people enjoying the upbeat sound making everything feel lively and exciting. But as Jazzlyn stepped in, an uneasy feeling crept her. She wasn't used to being in the crowd, especially being the center of attention. Tonight she could feel it. All heads turned toward her and their eyes followed her move. Everyone was captivated by her beauty.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to ignore it. But her hands were clammy, her heart was racing, and she wasn't sure if it was from the sudden attention or Kevin's presence beside her. She could barely believe that she was here, standing with the man she had admired for so long, and he was looking at her as if she were the only person in the room.

Jazzlyn felt both elated and terrified, her heart caught between the thrill of being with Kevin and the guilt was gnawing at her for deceiving him. She could feel the weight of her disguise. She wasn't Camille. She was Jazzlyn Rivera, an ordinary woman with a lot of insecurities and flaws. The compliments she received from Kevin earlier felt wonderful but wrong, thinking she had stolen it from someone else.

Jazzlyn glanced up at him while Kevin’s hand protectively rested on her back while guiding her through the crowd until they reached the bar counter. For the first time of her life, she felt seen and valued, and it made her heart ache. This was everything she had wanted but never dared to hope for—a moment where someone looked at her, saw beauty in her, and wanted to be close to her.

“New girl?” the bartender asked, giving Kevin a teasing look.

Kevin chuckled. “Not yet, Andrew, maybe soon,” he replied as he looked at Jazzlyn.

Jazzlyn felt her heart skip a beat. She was trying to hide the butterflies in her stomach.

Kevin leaned closer. “So, do you drink, right?”

Jazzlyn wanted to impress him, so she nodded even though she wasn't much of a drinker. Her last drink had been over a year ago, and she was lightweight. “Yes, a little,” she said, trying to sound confident.

Kevin smiled and ordered them both a drink. As they waited, he turned to her again. “So, tell me more about yourself, Camille.”

Jazzlyn paused for a moment, then she quickly thought back to everything she knew about Camille’s life. They had been best friends, so she could fill in most of the details, though it was strange pretending to be her.

“Well… I love painting,” she started, thinking of the art Camille loved so much. “It’s a big part of my life actually. And I’m always trying to find new galleries to visit whenever I have time.”

Kevin nodded, looking intrigued. “That’s amazing. I didn’t know you were into art like that. What art painting have you done?”

Jazzlyn was about to answer when Kevin’s phone vibrated. He glanced down, frowning. “I’m sorry, I have to take this call,” he said. After a while he stood up. “Emergency. I have to go, I’ll be right back. I promise.”

Jazzlyn nodded. “Sure, no problem.”

An hour passed, Kevin still didn't come back, so she kept drinking vodka. She looked around the bar, starting to feel a bit unsteady. When she got up to leave, she stumbled and bumped into a man passing by.

“Oh—Sorry!” she slurred, blinking to focus on the stranger’s face. Her vision was too blurry. The man moved on without a word.

Jazzlyn made her way back to the bar counter and she waved at Andrew. “One more vodka, please,” she said.

Andrew looked at her with concern. “Are you sure? I think you’re drunk.”

Jazzlyn shook her head. “I’m not drunk. I need more. Kevin will be back soon.”

Andrew sighed and called Kevin immediately. “Hey, Kevin, you’d better get back here. She’s pretty out of it.”

Kevin's voice was tense. “I can’t right now. I’m at the hospital with dad. She can stay in my private hotel room instead, I’ll visit her later on. Thanks, Andrew,” he said and ended the call.

Andrew looked at Jazzlyn. “Alright, you got a place for you to rest. I’ll bring you to his hotel owned by Kevin’s family. I can only assist you till the reception. Don’t worry, Kevin will come to you later.”

Jazzlyn nodded, a slight giggle escaping her lips. “No worries,” she replied. Her words were a bit slurred.

It was only a short walk from the bar to the hotel, so they quickly reached the reception. The concierge handed over the keycard to Kevin’s private room. Andrew also said goodbye to Jazzlyn, as he needed to head back to the bar.

“Thank you, Andrew. And oh!” She asked for a small paper from the staff and wrote her phone number. Her handwriting was messy, the numbers wobbled a bit. “Please give this number to Kevin, just in case,”

Andrew chuckled. “Sure. Now, please take a rest, Camille.”

The hallway swayed slightly in Jazzlyn’s vision as she walked in the hotel. The alcohol made everything a little hazy that made her steps uneven. She glanced at her keycard again—Room 369. The numbers of the door were blurring together, she even blinked to steady her vision.

She reached door 366, and it was staring back at her. In her daze, it looked like 369. The nine seemed to twist into a six in her mind, and she didn't think twice.

This is it.

Luckily, the door was open, so she didn't use the key to step in. The room was dim, and the light was only coming from the nightstand. She let out a tired sigh, slipping off her shoes and leaving them by the door. Her mind was spinning and the bed looked so inviting. She collapsed on a soft white bed after a long exhausting night. She let her eyes closed for a while until the door creaked open again.

Jazzlyn smiled while closing her eyes expecting it was Kevin.

A deep voice broke the silence. “Didn't expect you to come back here tonight, but I don't care, every woman wanted this.”

She didn't hear him clearly, instead she called him, “Kevin…”

Jazzlyn’s words faded off as the man’s lips brushed her neck slowly. The warmth of his breath sent a tingling sensation down to her spine. She closed her eyes again, and was breathtaking as she felt the heat of his body moving closer to her. She barely opened her eyes, her vision was still blurry, but she could make out with him in the dim light. The way his hands roamed her skin, it made her desire even more.

His lips landed hers, and the kiss that followed was slow and deliberate. It wasn't rushed, it was a quiet exploration. Jazzlyn's hands gripped his shoulders to pull him closer. She doesn't care if she loses her virginity as long as it's with Kevin.

The time seemed to slip away and before Jazzlyn knew it, everything else had faded.