Twin's Revenge

The moment Meilin stepped off the balcony and back into Club Noir, the air shifted around her. Her lips still tingled with the echo of his kiss. Her breath was calm on the surface, but every heartbeat thudded with the memory.

The club was alive—dim lights painted the room in waves of sapphire and gold. The scent of expensive colognes and aged whiskey lingered beneath the sound of deep bass and clinking glasses. It was a place made for masks, deals, and whispered promises. And right now, she was walking into its heart, with Ryu Xian just a step behind her.

He didn't say anything. Neither did she.

But the heat between them hadn't cooled.

They slipped back toward the bar. Lili was waiting there, sipping on a neon-pink cocktail, her eyes immediately lighting up when she saw them together.

"Oh. My. God." she mouthed, exaggerating every syllable. "You disappeared... and came back looking like that?"

Meilin ignored her, sliding behind the bar to grab a glass of water. She needed something cold. Desperately.

But before she could take a sip, Ryu's voice brushed against her ear from behind.

"Dance with me."

She turned, startled by his sudden closeness. "Excuse me?"

Ryu gave her a small, knowing smile. "I didn't stutter."

Her instinct was to refuse. She didn't like being told what to do—especially not by a man who kissed like he wanted to break past every one of her walls.

But something about him made her reckless.

And Meilin had never been afraid of fire.

Without a word, she reached for his hand.

He led her to the center of the dance floor.

---

The music had changed—slower now, with a deep, velvety rhythm. Spotlights glided over the dancers, making them flicker like ghosts under the ceiling lights.

As soon as Ryu's hand settled on the small of her back, Meilin knew this was a bad idea.

But her body didn't pull away.

His touch was firm, not forceful. Their bodies fit together like two pieces of a lock. Her hand rested lightly on his chest, just over the line of his open collar.

"You keep doing this," she murmured.

"Doing what?"

"Blurring lines."

Ryu's lips curled faintly. "I don't believe in lines."

They moved as if the music bent around them. He guided her smoothly, never breaking eye contact, never giving her the space to breathe the way she wanted.

And the worst part? She didn't want to breathe.

Not yet.

"You're dangerous," she whispered.

"And yet," he replied, "you still took my hand."

Meilin narrowed her eyes. "I don't trust you."

He leaned closer. "Then let's be honest... you don't trust anyone."

She didn't deny it.

But before she could reply, she felt it—eyes. Watching.

"Someone's looking at us," she said under her breath.

"Where?"

"Back left booth. Tan coat. He's pretending to drink, but he hasn't touched his glass in ten minutes."

Ryu didn't turn his head. "You think he's following you?"

"I think... he's not from here. Doesn't fit in."

Ryu's voice dropped an octave. "Do you want me to deal with it?"

"No," Meilin said softly, almost with a smile. "I've got my own ways."

He grinned. "Let's give him a reason to look away."

Before she could ask, Ryu spun her. A single graceful turn—her coat flaring around her thighs—before he pulled her sharply back into his arms.

She gasped, her chest brushing against his.

"Show off," she muttered, but her cheeks were flushed.

His hand moved up, fingertips ghosting her jaw. "You blush when you're mad. That's dangerous."

"For who?"

"For me," he whispered.

She didn't realize she was holding her breath until he finally let go.

---

They left the dance floor. The man in the tan coat was gone.

But something else had changed.

They were different now.

Not strangers. Not enemies.

Not quite allies, either.

Something in between. Something volatile.

Ryu escorted her back to the bar. "Need a ride?" he asked, pulling his coat sleeve down.

"I don't ride with men I kiss in balconies."

He chuckled. "But you kissed me again on the balcony."

She paused. "True."

"Does that mean yes?"

"It means I'll think about it."

She turned to grab her coat from Lili, ignoring her best friend's wide-eyed expression.

And just as she stepped toward the exit, Ryu called softly, "You know you're not what I expected."

She didn't turn.

"You too," she said over her shoulder.

And then she disappeared into the city night—again leaving him staring, wondering, wanting more