Andre Blake was born into wealth, but not peace.

The Blake name carried quiet power in Australia's corporate and political circles. His father, Marcus, built Blake Group Holdings from nothing - an empire of infrastructure, logistics, and private investments. His mother, Eleanor, rose with him, a very sharp and strategic woman.

To the world, they were a success story.

But to Andre, they were overwhelming.

He grew up in a house where conversations stopped when he entered the room. Mistakes weren't discussed - they were never an option. Love came with conditions: image, discipline, and never showing weakness.

On campus, the Blake name opened doors before questions were even asked. Professors trusted him. Students respected him. Andre had learned early how not to fail.

Until Jess came along and made him feel safe, like he never had to wear his mask (family name) around her

.........

The day had gone by quickly. Jess and I had run into each other near the cafeteria later in the day, she had come back from picking up her delivery and she insisted I walk her back to her hostel.

Her roommate wasn't around, so she invited me in for a quick meal. "Let me cook for you," she said casually, like she hadn't done it a hundred times.

"Sure, so long as you don't burn down the hostel," I said. We both laughed

 I didn't hesitate to use her bathroom while she chopped vegetables and hummed to herself in the kitchen.

By the time I stepped out, the scent of spicy pasta filled the room. She was plating our food, the way her hair spilled over her shoulders, the soft arch of her back...

I turned away. I needed to pull myself together.

We ate in front of her laptop, some romantic comedy playing in the background, though neither of us was watching. We laughed between bites, trading stories about childhood and teachers we hated. It felt... normal. Easy.

But the longer we sat, the more aware I became of how close we were. Our knees are brushing. Her lips were stained with sauce. The way she licked them clean. The little details that drove me crazy when I was alone in bed at night.

She had no idea the effect she had on me. Or maybe she did, but trusted me enough not to cross that line.

She shouldn't have.

Later, she walked me out to her hostel gate. The sky was bruised with sunset. We paused under the mango tree near her block, and she turned to hug me.

"Thanks for coming," she whispered.

Thank you for the meal and your company", I hugged her, and left.

Back at my apartment, I couldn't shake off the feeling.. the image of her laughing, her body, the accidental brushes of our hands. I lay on my bed, restless. I stood up to get a shower, maybe that'll cool me off I thought.

I was on my towel when my phone rang. It was Rose, my coursemate.

She was at my lodge, needing help with her math assignment. I wasn't thrilled but maybe it might be urgent, who knows, so I took off my towel and put on a light singlet and sweat shorts and headed for the door, I opened it and truly she was there.

"Andre please I need your help with my math assignment, I don't understand the first two chapters," she said

I ushered her in without saying a word at first, then I asked "Why didn't you tell me this earlier? I was about to rest"

"I'm sorry, I thought maybe you needed some time alone with the way you left class today, so I decided to come later" she replied

"Ok then, can I see the assignment you're talking about " I mumbled and she handed over her book to me.

I told her to have a seat then we proceeded with the assignment and I noticed she honestly had a difficult time trying to understand the equations, after a few minutes of explanations I saw that she looked overwhelmed and no longer interested, she just sat there looking at me, like an exhausted chick that was chased by a falcon.

"What's wrong?" I asked breaking the awkward silence

"Nothing it's just that I need to cool off my head"

"Ok, what can I get you?" I asked

"Maybe a few kisses"

"Pardon?" I asked looking rather confused

Rose was putting on a short straight skirt that showed off most of her thighs and a sleeveless corset crop top that revealed her cleavage.

"Hmm" I cleared my throat

"Nvm, I'm not thirsty right now," she said

She moved forward and grabbed her book and we continued the equation till she asked to relax a bit because she was tired, so I agreed then she rested on my lap, and I was surprised but I didn't say anything. We started talking about random things, school, and how the lecturer almost fell in our last class. But I noticed Rose didn't keep her hands in place while we talked and I tried to make sure she didn't touch my dick by accident, I moved her hands away whenever they came closer but she didn't seem to get the message, she eventually stopped though but after a while, she started caressing the hairs on my lap.

"I like your hair, it's soft" she whispered, then she moved her hands lower underneath my boxers

I was trying to resist then she slowly held my hands and rubbed them over her boobs.

But I resisted. I wasn't interested in her, I  asked her angrily if she came here for an assignment or if she came to have fun.

"Look I'm not really in the mood for this nonsense, if you aren't here to study, I guess you shouldn't be here at all.

She stood up and looked at me like I was the problem and left sheepishly with her bag and books. No good-bye, no thank you.

After she left, I let out a breath of relief.

But my thoughts returned to Jess... again.

Till I slept off.

"Ring, Ring!"

The alarm jolted me awake. Morning had come too soon.

I dressed, grabbed my bag, and headed for campus. The lectures dragged on. I barely paid attention. My mind was... elsewhere.

After class, I got a call from Jess.

"Hey Dad, I didn't go to lectures today. I'm bored. Can you come over?"

Without thinking, I agreed.

When I arrived, she had popcorn and a movie ready. We watched, played board games, and laughed like old times. It felt normal again. Warm.

I helped her tidy up her room since we run out of what to do. Jeez cleaning wasn't easy I exclaimed.. " I guess I've finally found your weakness "she replied" and we both laughed and continued our cleaning by the time we were done it was already past 6pm.

But as I got up to leave, something inside me snapped.

"Thanks for today," I said, standing close to her.

"You're welcome," she smiled.

I brushed a strand of hair from her face. My fingers lingered.

Then... I pecked her lightly on the lips.

She froze..eyes wide, lips still. Stunned.

I saw the fear. The confusion.

Guilt flashed across my chest. I slowly removed my hand from her cheek.

But then, something reckless took over.

I leaned in and kissed her again, more deeply this time. Brief, but intense. Then I pulled back, not saying a word. Picked up my bag and left her standing there, staring into nothing.

I didn't know what came over me.

Later that night, I went to a bar.

I sat there, drinking. Trying to forget the look on her face.

My phone buzzed.

"What's wrong with you? Are you becoming a pervert now? If you've started sexualizing me, I'll avoid you. I'm scared of you, Andre. I hate you."

I didn't respond. I just kept drinking.

"Bro. You still there? I'm coming back with something wild 😏"

Then again a minute later

I got a text from Geoffrey .

"Just landed. I've got gist. And a surprise. Where are you??"

I stared at the texts, debating if I should respond. Geoffrey had traveled to Brisbane earlier in the week for a family thing. Said he'd only be gone for three days.

I'd forgotten he was coming back today.

My fingers hovered over the screen.

Me:

"Still around. At that bar across from The Galleria."

His reply came fast.

"Say less. On my way. Be there at 15."

Great.

I wasn't in the mood for company, but Geoffrey didn't care about things like "moods." He was a carefree soul. Loud, shameless, always full of gist. And somehow, still one of the few people I tolerated.

I leaned back, finishing the rest of my drink slowly. My head was getting heavy, and I could already feel the dull ache of an oncoming hangover crawling behind my eyes.

Fifteen minutes later, I saw him enter the bar, spotting me almost instantly.

"There you are!" Geoffrey grinned, dragging a chair beside me like we were meeting for brunch. "I thought you ghosted me, you idiot."

I offered a weak smile. "Didn't realize you were back today."

"Yeah, yeah. The flight got delayed, and then my sister wouldn't stop talking about her wedding plans like I'm not the broke sibling. Anyway," He sat down, dropping his phone and wallet on the table. "You look like hell. What happened to you?"

"Long week."

He squinted at me. "Long week like assignment long or long week like heartbreak long?"

I shrugged. "Something like that."

He eyed me suspiciously, then leaned in. "Is this about that girl?"

I tensed slightly. "What girl?"

"Jessica or whatever her name is. The one you've been lowkey obsessed with since the semester started. I've seen the way you look at her. Don't play me."

I looked away, jaw tightening.

He raised a brow. "Damn. That bad, huh?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Geoffrey held up his hands. "Alright. No therapy session tonight. Just vibes. And speaking of vibes..." He leaned in with a sly grin. "You're coming out with me tonight."

"Not in the mood."

"That's exactly why you're coming. You need a distraction. A drink. A girl who won't make you question your sanity."

I gave him a look. "I already drank."

"Then keep going."

He pulled out his phone and showed me a screenshot of an event flyer.

"A new club just opened in Southport. Velvet Room. Members-only, but I know a guy who knows the bouncer. Clean aesthetics, fine girls, crazy music. You're coming alright. End of story."

I wanted to say no. I wanted to go home, take a hot shower, and maybe sleep until I stopped feeling like a human trash fire.

But instead, I nodded.

Maybe Geoffrey was right.

Maybe I needed to feel something else. Anything else.

"Fine," I muttered. "Let's go."

Geoffrey clapped his hands once and stood. "My man. Let's get you out of this emotional coma."

I stood too, tossing a few bills onto the table without really counting and calling the waiter's attention to them. My head was spinning, not from the alcohol, but from everything else.

The guilt. Jess's message. The way her words were still echoing in my head.

As we walked toward the exit, something in me hesitated. My steps slowed.

By the time we reached the door, I had stopped completely.

Geoffrey noticed. "What?"

I ran a hand through my hair and shook my head. "I can't tonight."

He blinked. "What do you mean? We just"

"I'm exhausted, man. Mentally. Physically. All of it," I muttered. "Let's do it tomorrow. Saturday night. I'll be more alive by then."

Geoffrey raised a brow, studying my face like he didn't recognize me. "You sure?"

"Yeah. I just need rest."

He exhaled dramatically but nodded. "Alright. I'll let you off the hook for tonight."

I managed a faint smile. "Text me the time and location."

"Done. And bro, whatever this is you're going through? Sleep it off. You're not even acting like yourself." I'll come pick you up tomorrow.

I didn't respond. Because I wasn't sure who I was acting like anymore.

We split up at the lot. Geoffrey headed off to catch a ride. I walked home alone, hands in my pockets, the chill evening breeze doing nothing to cool the fire in my chest.

As I pushed open the door to my room and collapsed on the bed, my phone vibrated one more time.

Jess.

"You scared me, Andre."

I locked the screen without opening it.

Tomorrow, I told myself. Tomorrow I'll feel better.

It was the weekend. My guy, Geoffrey showed up at my lodge.

"Bro, how do you feel now?. You good?"

"Yeah, I feel better" I replied

"Good, get dressed, let's hit the club."

I didn't argue. After all, I needed the escape.

At the club, music pounded, and lights flickered. I was drowning in the noise, the movement, the drinks.

Geoffrey and I went to the bartender's counter, he paid for some shots then stood up and told me he would be right back and left me there

My phone buzzed again.

"I'm sorry about what I said ... I'm just worried. You scared me. Say something, please. Tell me what's going on with you. I'm afraid for your mental health."

It was Jess

I stared at it for a long time. After hours, I replied simply:

"OK."

Then I had more drinks. Geoffrey returned with two girls.

"Pick one," he said. One of them-tall, caramel skin, curvy body, sat on my lap. I didn't ask her name.

Then Geoffrey disappeared again with the other girl.

She started grinding on me. I touched her thighs. She turned around, facing me. Her eyes, her lips, she was stunning.

"What's your name beautiful?"I asked curiously

"You just said it" she giggled

"When?" I asked

"When you called me beautiful " she smirked

I grinned a little.

I was tipsy, I pulled her closer and kissed her passionately, and she didn't resist, it became intense. My hands moved towards her boobs caressing them softly then she paused, stood up, and said "Follow me". I followed without thinking

We ended up in the male's bathroom. I placed her on the sink unit and kissed her passionately while slowly moving my hands to her b**bs, I unzipped her dress and placed my mouth on her n**ples I sucked her while she moaned slightly, I moved my other hand down her laps underneath her dress, she was dripping already I pushed my hand deeper in her and thrusted while sucking her, she was moaning uncontrollably, I stopped then pulled out my d*ck and rubbed it at the tips of her vagina then pushed it in slightly.

I thrust her gently then harder while she filled the air with her horny voices... "aahaan mmm" she let out as I kept thrusting her, I stopped for a few seconds I could see the hunger in her eyes. I moved my focus to her boobs twisting her left nipple tightly with one hand while fingering her cl*t with the other and placed my tongue on her right boobs sucking her like a hungry infant that was starved for days tilted my head sideways according to the momentum. I twisted my tongue in a circular motion around her nip*les and used my teeth interchangeably slightly biting them..

" Ahh-ah babe uhmm" At this moment my other hand was filled with p*ssy juice, I didn't mind I kept thrusting while adding an extra finger making it three.

"Put it in already " she said impatiently.. "Beg me" I responded

"Please baby, hmmm" she moaned. I took my mouth off her boobs and moved forward to kiss her while rubbing my dick and caressing her boobs with the other hand. I teased her by rubbing my cap on the surface before actually putting it in and continued.. She moaned loudly.. I didn't stop till we were both exhausted...

The moment it was over, Andre leaned against the cool wall of the bathroom, chest rising and falling as if he'd just run a marathon. The girl still half-dressed, reapplied her lip gloss in the mirror like it was just another night. Her body language was confident, casual, and practiced.

"That was fun," she said, zipping up her dress. "You look like you needed it."

Andre didn't reply. But in truth... he did like it.

He had enjoyed it. Maybe more than he was willing to admit. Her body had been soft, willing. Her kiss was fierce. Her hands had explored him like she knew exactly where he needed to be touched. There was something comforting in how unapologetic she was, how little she expected from him emotionally.

But his heart was still racing, but not from pleasure. His mind was a blur of thoughts jumping back to Jess, to her message.

The girl turned to him, smoothing down her top. "You okay?"

"Yeah," he said, too quickly. "I'm fine."

"You're quiet."

He nodded once. "I just... needed to get out of my head."

"Well, mission accomplished." She gave him a playful wink and grabbed her clutch. "I'll be at the bar if you feel like round two."

Andre didn't move. He waited until she left before finally straightening up and walking out, the pulsing club lights stinging his eyes like sunlight.

The music was louder now. The crowd had thickened. He weaved through bodies and strobe lights, numb to the beat.

At their booth, Geoffrey was already back with his shirt half-unbuttoned, a drink in one hand, and a girl on his lap.

"There he is!" Geoffrey beamed. "My guy! How was it?"

Andre gave a half-shrug, dropping into his seat. "Fine."

Geoffrey laughed. "Fine? You disappear with a goddess for thirty minutes and come back looking like someone just shot your childhood dog. What happened? She bites?"

"She talked a lot."

"That's a good thing, right?"

Andre didn't answer. His eyes drifted around the club. He watched people laugh, dance, make out, spill drinks, all tangled in moments that didn't feel real to him anymore.

Geoffrey leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Okay, serious talk, what's going on with you?"

"I told you. Long week."

"Don't give me that textbook answer. You're off, man. Like... scary off."

Andre looked at his drink. "I just needed a release."

"And?"

"It didn't help."

Geoffrey frowned. "So it's that girl?"

Andre didn't respond.

Geoffrey exhaled, finishing his drink and setting it down with a thud. "Man, you're in too deep. You need to let her go."

"Maybe I can't."

"Then drink until you do," he said, handing him another shot. "Forget her. Forget everything. Just for tonight."

Andre took the shot. It burned, but it didn't bring clarity. Just silence.

He leaned back in his seat, letting the music swallow him whole.

Somewhere across the room, the girl from the bathroom had already moved on dancing with someone else, smiling as if nothing had happened.

And Andre?

He liked the sex.

He enjoyed it.

The softness of her skin. The way she held eye contact. How she took control and didn't ask for permission or apologies. It wasn't romantic, but it was real. Physical. Free.

For the first time in weeks, he'd felt something other than guilt.

And he wanted to keep that going.

He went back on the club floor, where everything pulsed. The music had gotten louder, faster. The room was thick with sweat, perfume, and electricity.

Geoffrey handed him another drink the moment he reappeared.

"You good now?" he shouted.

Andre nodded, and for once, it wasn't a lie.

They joined a circle of dancers near the DJ booth. Someone had opened a bottle of champagne and was spraying it wildly. A girl in silver heels slipped and laughed like she didn't care. Her friends helped her up, screaming over the beat.

It was chaos.

Beautiful, drunken chaos.

Andre found himself dancing again, this time with a different girl. She wore glitter eyeliner and smelled like vanilla. Her hands wrapped around his waist like she already knew him.

He leaned into it.

He wasn't thinking about Jess right now. He was just enjoying the moment

Just bodies, bass, and blinding lights.

Across the room, Geoffrey was making a scene, hyping the DJ, taking selfies with strangers, even trying to dance and battle a guy twice his size.

Andre laughed harder than he had in weeks.

At one point, someone started a chant. A group gathered around the VIP booth shouting lyrics to a song they all knew by heart. The floor shook. A security guard tried to calm things down, but no one listened.

It was a mess.

A beautiful, blurry mess.

By the time the club lights dimmed in that unmistakable "we're closing soon" kind of way, it was past 4 a.m. Andre had lost count of his drinks. His throat was dry. His shirt was wrinkled from dancing. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd checked his phone.

He didn't want to.

"Bro," Geoffrey slurred, draping an arm around Andre's shoulders. "Tell me this wasn't the reset you needed."

Andre nodded, a tired grin tugging at his lips. "It was."

"See? I told you. Trust the process."

They stumbled outside together, laughter trailing behind them like perfume.

The air was cooler now. Quiet. The city is winding down.

They waited for their ride in silence, watching a couple argue on the sidewalk, then kiss as if nothing happened. Life was strange like that.

In the back of the cab, Geoffrey passed out with his mouth open. Andre stared out the window, watching the streetlights smear across the glass.

His head buzzed, but not just from alcohol.

He felt... good.

Not whole. Not clean. But lighter. Like the weight of everything had loosened its grip, if only it would stay longer than one night.

Back at the lodge, they stumbled into their room like dying zombies. Geoffrey mumbled something about a sandwich before face-planting into his mattress.

Andre took off his clothes one layer at a time. Kicked off his sneakers. Didn't bother with the lights.

He collapsed onto his bed, the world still spinning.

Somewhere in the dark, his phone buzzed again.

He ignored it.

For the first time in days... he let himself forget.