Marcus Madness Pt. 1

You step away from Liam, feeling his gaze linger on you for just a second before disappearing into the chaos of the party. Your mind is a haze of conflicting thoughts—one part yourself, **** to hold onto control, and the other, Luna, utterly at home in the scene around her. She’s calm, collected, as if born for this moment.

Without thinking, you pluck a drink from a passing waiter’s tray, the glass cool in your hand, and down it in one go. The warmth spreads through you instantly, loosening the last edges of your restraint. The lights seem to pulse brighter, the music throbbing through every fiber of your being, and suddenly, the plan feels a little easier. A lot easier.

You spot Marcus in his booth, laughing alongside Victoria, who’s perched close with her legs crossed and arm draped casually on the back of the seat. Marcus is engrossed in whatever she’s saying, smirking in that annoyingly confident way you recognize. You run a few ideas through your mind, each one slipping between focus and distraction as the party’s surreal atmosphere messes with your thoughts.

Plan A: Just go up and chat him up? Maybe Victoria gets bored and wanders off… but then again, why would she? This is her turf, she’d see through that in seconds.

Plan B: Fake an urgent phone call? Lie and say you know something about his next class, his future plans, anything… but you’d need his number first, or some excuse that’s more interesting than whatever Victoria’s giving him.

You grip your purse tighter, feeling Luna’s steady determination settle into place. A third idea rises through the fog in your mind, simple but, honestly, probably effective—just ask for a selfie. Not exactly subtle, but if there’s one thing Marcus loves, it’s attention, and there’s no way he’d turn down a chance to show off with a girl he doesn’t even know. You imagine getting his focus for just a moment, drawing him away even slightly. It’s something, and that’s all you need right now.

With a final glance at Marcus and Victoria, you start moving toward the booth, pulling a friendly, slightly dazed smile that Luna wears effortlessly. Every step feels like it takes you deeper into the pulse of the party, the lights and sounds heightening everything until you’re finally there, one arm reaching out, phone in hand, and Marcus’s curious eyes lifting to meet yours.

You channel every ounce of Luna's charm as you step closer to the booth, each stride careful and purposeful, your body falling into a natural sway that even you can’t entirely believe. Marcus is in sight now, laughing casually at something Victoria just said, his handsome, approachable smile completely oblivious to your approach. Just a few more steps, you think. You’re right there.

But then, out of nowhere, two solid, well-built men slide smoothly into place in front of you. They’re dressed like they belong here, blending into the opulence and chaos of the party. But one glance at their tense shoulders and sharp, assessing eyes tells you they’re clearly security. Marcus’s security. And they are very serious.

“Sorry, miss,” one says, his tone calm but firm. He steps forward to bar your way, eyeing you up and down, clearly unimpressed.

The other one doesn’t even look at you, just angles himself between you and Marcus like you’re some faceless fan.

Your heart drops. You’ve come this far; you can’t afford to back down. Not when Marcus is right there.

"Oh my God, please!” you blurt, turning Luna's pitch up to an almost breathless squeak. The guys barely blink, but you push forward, letting desperation soak into every word. “It’s… it’s Marcus Chase! I just have to meet him. You don’t understand, I’m, like, his biggest fan!”

The guards exchange a quick look, still unmoved.

“I swear, just one picture,” you beg, clasping your hands together with wide, pleading eyes. You lean into your most helpless, girly charm, batting your lashes and flashing the kind of innocent smile that Luna wears like second nature. It’s a little humiliating, but at this point, you’re committed. “I’ll be sooo quick! I can’t believe he’s really here. I’m, like, shaking. Please, just let me say hi.”

You give an exaggerated pout, complete with trembling lower lip, practically embodying the part of a swooning fan who’s come undone just by the sight of him. But the guards remain unmoved, their hands gently but firmly guiding you back a few steps.

“Miss, we’re gonna have to ask you to stay—”

“Please!” you cry, letting a little more desperation spill over. You reach out, and one of them quickly steps back, his hold on your arm just tight enough to keep you from moving closer. “Please, I’m begging you, just one picture. I love him so much. He’s, like, my whole world!”

You’re practically flailing now, letting Luna's act go full throttle as you sink into the drama, pitching your voice high and letting your body go limp in their grip. The noise of the party swirls around you, amplifying everything, blurring reality as the **** and psychedelic vibes dig deeper into your senses. You can barely think straight, and all you feel is this fierce, hazy determination to break through the wall of security in front of you.

But then, over the beat of the music and the buzz of the crowd, you hear a familiar voice, warm and concerned. “Hey! Hey, guys, let her go!”

You stop struggling, and the guards immediately release their grip, turning to Marcus, who’s now standing up from the booth. His gaze flickers over you with a mix of curiosity and concern, his expression softening as he steps closer.

“Sorry about that,” he says, and his voice is surprisingly gentle. He flashes a sheepish grin, brushing a hand through his hair as he glances at the guards with a slightly embarrassed shrug. “I think they took their job a little too seriously.”

The guards mutter apologies, but Marcus doesn’t seem to mind. He steps toward you, a reassuring smile on his face. “Are you okay?” he asks, giving you a once-over as if to check for any lingering discomfort. His eyes meet yours, and despite the surreal blur of the party around you, something about his gaze feels incredibly real.

You can barely believe how lucky you are as you pull out your phone, the dazzling screen lighting up your excited face as you shift into selfie mode. The noise of the party swells around you, a chaotic symphony of laughter, music, and clinking glasses. Marcus stands beside you, a little confused but smiling, his expression radiating that classic Hollywood charm that makes it easy to see why he’s so beloved.

“Okay, ready?” you say, angling your phone and shifting your body closer to his. You can feel the warmth radiating off him, and it sends a rush of thrill through you, even as the undertow of your mission looms in the back of your mind. You snap a couple of quick pictures, adjusting angles and grinning widely as you try to capture the moment. The lighting is decent, but the truth is, you’re not just trying to take a good picture; you’re stalling for time.

You glance over at Victoria, who’s scanning the crowd from the booth, her eyes narrowing as they land on Marcus. Panic flares in your chest, but you **** yourself to stay relaxed, leaning a little closer to him and pulling your lips into an exaggerated pout for the next shot. “Wait, this lighting is awful!” you exclaim, fiddling with the camera as if it’s all about the aesthetics.

Marcus glances at the phone and frowns, clearly not seeing the issue. “It looks fine to me. You look great!” He gives you an encouraging smile, tilting his head slightly. You can tell he’s genuinely being nice, but that’s not going to help you right now.

“No, no, trust me! It’s really not good. Look at the shadows!” You wave a hand dramatically in front of your face, almost making it seem like you’re completely losing the plot. “We need to find better lighting! Come on!”

You manage to shift the focus back onto the two of you, and as you spin on your heels, your mind races. Think! You need to get him away from Victoria, who’s now loudly calling ahead of her for his attention. Her voice cuts through the noise like a knife, and you can see her frustration as she waves him over. Time is running out, and you can’t let her catch him.

“Hey, why don’t we, um, go over there?” You gesture toward a dimly lit corner of the club, away from the raucous crowd and closer to the edge of the bar. “The lighting is, uh, way better over there!” You try to sound enthusiastic, but the moment feels too flimsy to hold up under scrutiny.

Marcus hesitates, looking between you and Victoria. “I really think it’s fine right here,” he insists, ever the accommodating sweetheart.

But Luna kicks in, the traits of that beloved ex he once had surfacing in a wash of charm. You step closer, letting a playful lilt enter your voice as you lightly touch his arm, urging him toward the empty corner. “Come on! Just one more picture for your biggest fan?” you purr, letting a hint of flirtation seep into your tone. The change is subtle but effective, and you can see the way his resolve softens.

With one last glance at Victoria—who’s growing more impatient by the second—you give Marcus your best bright-eyed smile. “Just a couple more selfies! It’ll be worth it, I promise!”

Finally, he relents, a small grin breaking across his face as he lets you lead him away. As you walk, you sneak a glance back at Liam. Your heart races as you catch his eye across the party; he’s chatting with someone near the bar, and you silently pray that he understands the signal. You need him to keep Victoria busy, to draw her away so you can have this chance with Marcus.

The closer you get to the corner, the more the world around you starts to blur. The colors of the party are vibrant and alive, swirling in ways that make it hard to focus on anything other than the pulsing rhythm of the music and the intoxicating atmosphere. The **** you downed earlier buzzes through your veins, enhancing every sensation, every brush of your arm against Marcus’s.

Once you reach the corner, the noise dims slightly, and you finally have a moment to breathe. You pull your phone out again, angling it perfectly and pushing your chest out a bit more—thank you, push-up bra—for a more flattering shot. “Okay, ready? Say cheese!” you exclaim, your excitement bubbling over as you snap a quick picture.

As you glance at the screen, Marcus’s face lights up with amusement, and for a split second, it feels like you’ve broken through all the chaos. He’s genuinely enjoying himself, completely taken in by your enthusiasm. “I can’t believe you’re actually this excited,” he chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief. “It’s just a selfie!”

You laugh, a little breathless. “Just a selfie? You’re Marcus Chase! This is, like, a once-in-a-lifetime moment for me!”

The playful banter feels electric, and just for now, everything else fades away. You’re not just a guy under a curse; you’re Luna, and you’re living in this surreal moment with one of Hollywood’s sweethearts.

As you catch Marcus's glance toward the main party, you know he’s ready to leave and return to Victoria. His body language says as much—subtly stepping back, turning his head as if already half-focused on something else.

But then, something shifts within you. Luna’s instincts take over, and suddenly you’re slipping closer to him, cutting off his path with a gentle, flirtatious smile. “Wait, don’t leave me all alone now,” you say, your voice dipping into a tone so feminine and persuasive it surprises even you.

The **** has softened the edges of everything, making your reactions feel delayed, like you’re underwater. The beat of the music vibrates through your body, every pulsing rhythm intertwining with your nerves, your sense of self and awareness blurred at the edges. And yet, you know exactly what you’re doing, even if you wish you didn’t.

“Stay just a bit longer,” you coax, tilting your head and brushing your fingers over his arm lightly. The gesture is unmistakably feminine, something that Luna does effortlessly. You can feel his attention refocus on you, just as his ex Sofia once managed so many times before. You’re channeling that particular allure, that mix of sweetness and seduction that you know he can’t help but respond to.

He hesitates, clearly torn, and you can practically see him weighing his options. “I mean… you’re here to enjoy the party, right?” he says, offering a kind smile as if hoping you’ll let him go easily. But your own smile only grows more inviting, softening at the corners in a way that has him standing still, gaze lingering a moment too long.

You take a careful step closer, glancing up through your lashes, feeling Luna’s traits take over—smoothly easing you into a posture that invites attention, a softness to your gaze, the gentle curve of your lips. “But you’re the only one here worth celebrating with, Marcus.” The words slip out before you even fully register them, and they’re imbued with that distinctively feminine charm you’re so unused to wielding. The effect is immediate, as Marcus shifts slightly toward you, his expression one of genuine surprise and intrigue.

“Are you… really?” he starts, but your finger lightly grazes his forearm, the faintest brush that silences him. He blinks down at you, taken in by the flirtation you’re playing with so naturally.

“Don’t act so surprised,” you murmur, leaning just a little closer, feeling Luna’s sultry confidence seeping into every word. “A guy like you… let’s just say you’re hard to ignore.”

He chuckles softly, rubbing the back of his neck as he glances away, clearly flattered. But you can see that he’s fighting the impulse to pull away completely, likely recalling Victoria’s impatience. His eyes flicker toward her and then back to you, conflict evident in his face. You need to keep him here—away from her, at least for a bit longer.

Before he can make up his mind, you move again, your hand resting lightly on his shoulder as you pretend to stumble slightly, using the excuse to pull him closer. He catches you instantly, steadying you with his hand on your waist. It’s a natural, reflexive gesture, but the way you lean into it isn’t. Luna takes full advantage of the proximity, shifting her body against his just so, close enough that he catches the faint, alluring scent of the perfume Liam picked out for you.

“Sorry,” you whisper, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes, a touch of a smile lingering on your lips. “Guess this place is just getting to me.”

“Yeah,” he agrees, voice softened by the closeness between you. He doesn’t move to let go, and for a brief moment, it’s just the two of you in this crowded room, caught in the electric current of the party’s surreal energy.

“So, tell me about Hollywood, Marcus,” you say, running your fingers along his arm in an **** mimic of Sofia’s mannerisms. You’re aware of every little detail, every feminine gesture that Luna brings out in you. There’s the way your head tilts slightly as you listen, the way you play with a lock of your hair absentmindedly, your laugh light and airy, echoing Sofia’s own.

“I—well,” he starts, clearly thrown off guard, then chuckles awkwardly. “Usually I’m the one being asked for pictures, not small talk at parties.”

You laugh softly, the sound surprising you, a lilting giggle that you barely recognize as your own. “You know, I don’t care if you’re famous. Tonight, it’s just you and me here,” you say, feeling the flush on your cheeks as Luna pushes you to lean into the flirtation, subtly but effectively. You’re just close enough that he can’t help but focus on you, drawn in by the little glances, the small touches, the warmth between you two.

Your mind flickers to Liam across the room. You silently pray he’s managed to distract Victoria long enough, keeping her focused elsewhere. But with Marcus right here, under the sway of Luna’s charms, you’re too absorbed in the persona to even think of stopping.

You lean into Marcus, feeling the warmth of his shoulder against yours as the party’s hypnotic beat thrums through every fiber of your being. The lights above cast shifting shadows across his face, bringing out his sharp jawline, his messy hair—every detail softened by that Hollywood smile. But he’s still looking over his shoulder, the polite part of him ready to pull back, to excuse himself from your captivating, magnetic presence.

“Leaving already?” you pout, pushing the charm to the limit, letting Luna’s honey-smooth voice melt into a teasing, flirtatious lilt. A hand falls on his arm, your fingers grazing over his skin, and you feel him falter, his half-turned body freezing in place. “I thought we were just getting started.” You catch his eye and then laugh, light and playful, rolling your shoulders back in a way that draws his gaze down, just for a split second, before he quickly clears his throat and looks away.

“Oh, I, uh—I just don’t want to keep my girlfriend waiting too long.” His smile is kind, sheepish, but you’re relentless.

“Girlfriend?” You raise an eyebrow, shifting closer, your knee brushing against his as if by accident. “You don’t mean… her, do you?” You give a coy, knowing glance in the direction Victoria had last been, your voice turning ever-so-slightly mocking, like you’re sharing a private joke. It’s a low blow, and you can tell it lands as he chuckles, awkwardly nodding.

“Well, yeah,” he admits, clearly caught off guard, eyes darting between your face and his shoes.

You tilt your head and shrug, subtly mimicking the gestures of his ex, Sofia—the way she had of making every interaction feel intimate, like Marcus was the only person in the room. “Are you really going to leave me all alone for her?” you say, voice soft and just shy of a whisper, wrapping him in Luna’s magnetic presence. “This is a party, Marcus. Aren’t we here to have fun?”

The rhythm of the music blends with the **** clouding your senses, filling you with an intoxicating blend of confidence and recklessness that makes Luna all the more irresistible. With a sly smile, you shift even closer, leaning in as if to tell him a secret. Your fingers run down his arm, tracing light, teasing lines along the muscles. “You can have fun with me, can’t you?”

Marcus’s face flushes, his initial reserve eroding as he fumbles for words. “I mean… we only just met, and I don’t want to intrude,” he stammers, but he doesn’t move, doesn’t pull away from the closeness.

You laugh, a sweet, lilting sound that hangs in the air, drawing a few glances from people nearby. “Intrude?” you echo, eyes bright with a playful glint. “Please. I don’t bite—unless you want me to.” You add a wink for effect, feeling a surge of satisfaction as his expression shifts from reserved to intrigued.

“Just one more drink with me?” you purr, turning to snag a glass from a passing waiter without waiting for his answer, holding it out in an unspoken challenge. “Promise, I’ll let you go after that.”

The hesitant smile on his face says he doesn’t believe you, but he takes the drink anyway, tapping it gently against your glass before you both take a sip. The **** burns pleasantly, heightening the dizzying energy in the air, making everything feel sharper, brighter, and Luna leans into that haze, into the pulsing rhythm of the night.

Marcus is trying to say something else, another polite excuse, but you drown him out with a laugh, placing your hand against his chest as if to steady yourself, using the moment to draw even closer. “Relax, Marcus,” you coo, voice lilting. “You work so hard, always so serious.” Your fingers press gently against his chest as you lean into him, smiling in a way that’s undeniably inviting. “Tonight’s about letting go.”

He sighs, a faint smile on his lips as he gazes at you, the caution in his eyes dissolving. You know you’re walking a tightrope, pushing him just enough to keep him here, but he’s falling for it, lost in Luna’s charm, in her undeniable allure.

After a few more lingering moments, he glances around the party, and his gaze falls on Victoria’s empty spot in the booth.

“Wonder where she wnt,” he says with a rueful smile.

Perfect. You suppress a smirk, feeling a surge of triumph as Luna instinctively hooks her arm through his, pulling him toward the empty booth. “Well then, looks like it’s just us,” you say, the sweetness in your voice coaxing him to follow as you lead him toward the cozy corner.

He settles down next to you, close enough that your shoulders brush, and for a moment, you’re both silent, caught in the strange, dreamlike atmosphere of the party. The walls seem to shift, pulsing with color, the music vibrating through the air with a tangible intensity. Marcus’s eyes flit over to you, and he looks almost… enchanted. Like he can’t look away.

“So,” he says, voice low, hesitant. “What brings someone like you to a party like this?”

You laugh softly, leaning into his gaze, your head tilted in a way that feels both casual and intimate. “Isn’t it obvious?” you murmur, feigning a bit of shyness as you meet his eyes. “Someone like you.”

The words surprise even you, the **** and the haze of the party heightening the thrill as Marcus’s cheeks flush a faint red.

Somehow, this plan was scraping by.