Part 1

**Kendra sat alone at her favorite lounge, Velvet, her fingers tracing the rim of an untouched drink. The warm, dim lighting bathed the room in a soft glow, and the smooth notes of jazz flowed around her like a soothing balm. She smiled at the couples sitting across from her. The clinking of glasses and the hum of quiet conversations were enough to melt the stress away. She closed her eyes and thought about the last time she and Leon were there. They sat at a cozy corner booth, talking and laughing for hours. Her phone buzzed on the table, snapping her back to the present moment.

Working late again. Sorry, babe.

Again! Kendra fumed, feeling a storm of annoyance as she stared at the message. It was the third time this week he had bailed on their plans. She slammed her phone down and took a deep breath, trying to push the frustration away. Slumping down, she leaned against the plush velvet chair, closing her eyes to let the music drown out the growing disappointment gnawing at her. Her phone buzzed again. Kendra rolled her eyes and glanced at the screen.

You need to see this!

A text from her friend, Tasha, flashed across the top. Curious, she swiped the message open and her heart sank instantly. She held her breath as a video played of Leon, at a bar with his hands resting comfortably on a woman’s butt. The woman smiled and leaned into him. Without hesitation, he bent down and kissed her passionately. Kendra felt the sting of tears at the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill out. Her grip tightened on her phone as she looked around. The comforting music now sounded like distant noise, echoing in a hollow void. Exhaling slowly, she set the phone on the table, willing herself to relax.

“Fancy meeting you here,” a familiar voice said.

Startled, she turned and saw Darius, Leon’s brother, looking down at her with a smirk.

"Mind if I join?" he asked, already pulling out a chair and sitting down without waiting for her response.

“Uh, sure,” she replied, quickly locking her phone and slipping it into her purse.

“What’s wrong?” He leaned back, eyes narrowing as he studied her. “You seem off.”

She rolled her eyes at his question; he was the last person she wanted to confide in. Feeling a sudden urge to numb herself, she signaled to the bartender for three more shots. Darius watched, amused as she tossed back her freshly poured whiskey.

“Whoa! Going hard tonight, huh?” he chuckled.

“What do you want, Darius?” she snapped, slamming her shot glass on the table.

Darius shrugged. “To forget, maybe… Just like you.”

“Assumptions can be dangerous.”

"Fair enough," he said, leaning forward slightly. "But I know, it’s not like you to hang out here alone. Where’s Leon?"

At the mention of Leon, Kendra’s heart tightened. She had always been leery of Darius, never liking him much. He had a reputation for being a player, always cheating on his girlfriends without a second thought. She could never understand how he and Leon were brothers—they were so different. Or at least, she had thought so until tonight.

“Not here,” she answered dryly.

Darius nodded, seemingly content to drop the subject. He drummed his fingers on the table, glancing awkwardly around the club, and waved to the bartender for another round. As the night wore on, the tension between them grew thicker, fueled by each sip they took. The atmosphere in the club had transformed; the once hypnotic dance of the colored lights now seemed ominous, casting shadows that flickered and swayed, making the room feel like it was alive and watching. Kendra bounced freely to the beat of the music. She could feel the alcohol dulling her senses, making everything inside her feel calm and carefree. She kept her eyes trained on her drink, refusing to meet Darius's gaze, even though she could feel his eyes on her, studying her, trying to figure out what she was thinking. After tossing back another shot, Darius spoke.

"I know about Leon."

Kendra froze, her eyes locking onto his. She had always prided herself on being strong, on keeping her emotions in check, but now, under his unflinching stare, she felt like a child caught in a lie.

"W…what do you mean?" Her eyes narrowed, grip tightening around her glass.

"Don't play dumb, Kendra.” Darius leaned in closer, his words tinged with a bitterness that surprised her. “You think you're the only one he's stepped out on? You think you're special?"

The sting of his words hit her like a slap in the face. She had suspected Leon might have been unfaithful before, but hearing it confirmed by Darius—of all people—felt like he had just ripped away the curtain she’d been hiding naked behind. Throwing back another shot to dull the sharp edges of her pain, she searched for the right words. She wanted to curse him out and send him on his way but she knew that would only escalate negatively.

"Why… are… you…. telling me this?" she managed to say through clenched teeth.

"Let's just say, karma has a way of coming around. I say we give it a little push," he suggested, sliding his hand onto her inner thigh, his fingers warm against her skin.

“Some brother you are!” she spat, shoving his hand away.

Darius leaned back slightly, holding his hands up in a show of surrender. “Look, KeKe, I kn–”

“Don’t call me KeKe.”

“My bad, K..e..n..d..r..a… I’m just saying, you deserve a little get back.”

Kendra stared at him, puzzled but intrigued. The alcohol was starting to take a stronger hold on her, and everything seemed to slow down, her thoughts muddled by the intoxicating haze.

“Go on."