You wouldn't believe how many mirrors I see in a day. Each one thanks me for reflecting back at it.
That's not arrogance, just undeniable fact. I'm Riko, the nation's most desired man, a rising star, and God's most perfect afterthought.
And tonight, I was glowing from within. The marble bathtub hissed against my bare chest as I sank deeper into the warm bubbling foam. My skin shimmered under the golden hotel lights and faint music lulled me into a peaceful trance.
Suddenly, My phone rested beside the tub on its ridiculous suncatcher keychain, buzzing with calls.
I brushed a few drops of water from my collarbone and lazily reached for it.
Manager: Yuuto. My best friend. Also, a walking caution sign.
"Don't go anywhere tonight," he said without a hello. "Just stay inside the hotel."
"Mhm." I hummed, sinking deeper into the heat.
"Riko. Seriously. I'm saying this as your manager. No more 'disappearing' into clubs overnight, especially today," he went on, clearly tense.
"Why?" I questioned him furrowing my eyebrows.
"I just got called back to the company. The boss wants to go through everything for tomorrow's program. It's serious. You're the centerpiece of this launch, remember? Just… don't do anything dumb tonight. I won't be there for you. Got that".
"Yes" I said, with a sly grin tugging at my lips as I reached for my towel . "I'll be a good boy, Tonight."
I stared into the mirror as I smoothed my hair back with gel. That one damp strands fell perfectly around my jawline—no filter needed. The suncatcher keychain twisted in the light, scattering tiny rainbows onto the hotel walls shining brightly eyes onto my eyes.
Annoying little thing.
I snatched it off the phone and tossed it right onto the floor.
"I am warning you, Riko," Yuuto added, clearly ignoring my fake sincerity. "One more late-night headline, and the company—"
I cut in, my voice sugary sweet, "Gotta Sleep."
"Work hard, love you. "
Click.
"Ugh" Yuuto groans with exhausion.
I grabbed my keys, spritzed a scent worth more than most people's could afford, slipped into sleek slacks, and left a few buttons undone on my designer black shirt.
I had plans.
Night City, 11:57 PM
The night outside buzzed with neon and energy. The VIP entrance opened naturally
Who else would it be for?
—escorted straight into a velvet-rope section where the real party waited with familiar faces and chilled bottles. Ready to buck off.
They all stood up at once like they knew who owned the room.
And then I noticed her.
A woman I hadn't seen before. She stood beside Jord girlfriend, —clearly just along for the ride—but she didn't look like the others.
Sharp eyes. Sly smile. A face too pretty to ignore. My kind of trouble.
"Riko," Jord laughed. "Good to see you at last."
**"Is it?"," I replied, keeping my gaze on her.
All eyes followed where mine went, —subtle, but undeniable.
"Marla," Jord's girlfriend introduced. "She's new in town. And to your surprise, she works in your _"
I held out my hand, half curious, half daring.
"Dance with me?"
She grinned, mysterious and unreadable, and accepted.
The floor pulsed. The music swallowed the world.
We collided like a secret too loud to keep—dangerously close, impossibly fast. But I I didn't mind the eyes on us, the whispers, the jealousy. I drank it all in. Let them watch.
Suddenly, one of my "friends" pulled out a small packet—hardly noticeable—and poured something discreetly into the tray of drinks on the low table, laughing as if it were nothing.
"All yours, Riko. I know your taste."
I downed the glass like a champ. One shot, then two. But something felt off. Too warm. Too loud. Too—
My body buzzed, as if I were falling and running at the same time, while my head spun. The club's beat made my heart race.
Marla was there again. Grinning. Eyes low. Hands on my chest area.
The lights blurred.
She pressed close.
We danced.
Too intimately.
And somewhere in the crowd, someone raised a phone.
Recording everything.
End of Chapter 1
Tomorrow, the country will wake up to a different Riko. And he won't like what they see.