How can he resist?

Nocturnal lived up to its name, filled with people indulging in the nightlife. From energetic dances to **** attempts at getting laid that hit a little too close to home. It’s the sort of debaucherous haze that one could lose themselves in, but I felt nothing but clarity as I walked forward.

Watching over it all was Nocturnal’s queen, Jessica. She locked eyes with me as she nursed a glass of wine. Although she looked irresistible in that scandalously short red dress, I didn’t stare for long. After all, if things go to plan, I’m hoping to see her in all her glory.

I headed for the stairs, where a giant of a bouncer stepped forward to stop me. When I told him why I was there, he said, “Lucky bastard.”

I smirked in agreement before climbing the stairs. There, I approached Jessica, whose face lit up with that practiced smile of hers.

“Glad you could make it, Tony.”

“How could I resist?”

“Well, maybe if you had good sense.”

“If that was the case, I wouldn’t be an artist.”

She let out a chuckle as I took a seat next to her.

“You sure we can be out in public like this?”

Jessica shrugged. “Why not? We’re just friends having a chat, right?”

“Right.” I hoped with all my might it was a lie, and the way her smile grew told me it was exactly that.

“Y’know, I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier today.”

“Yeah? How so?”

Jessica looked away from me; the joy on her face evaporated in an instant. “I’m no longer sure if this is the life I really want. Don’t get me wrong, I live comfortably, but how long will it last? It’s not like Vincent and share many interests or anything. We’re two people who are convenient for each other. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Well, what would you do?”

“That’s what scares me. I’m not sure.”

“I’m sure there’s something. You said you have a passion for animals, right?”

“I did.”

“So why don’t you pursue that?”

“I just… I’m afraid.”

“Afraid that you’ll fail?”

“Pretty much.”

“Well, failure’s always an option no matter what you do. The greatest failure in life is to not recognize your potential.”

Jessica nodded ever so slightly. “I don’t wanna go back.”

“To when you were poor?”

“Poor’s one word for it. Do you know what it’s like to live out of a car?”

“Can’t say I do.”

“Now imagine you’re a child again. All the kids at school are teasing you about how you’re practically homeless and you can’t afford new clothes and you use public bathrooms…”

Emotion overwhelmed Jessica, who sniffled.

“You don’t have to live like that.” I said.

“It’s not just that.”

“What is it?”

“It’s my dad. He took care of me during all that time, and I wanna be able to return the favor. Y’know every time I did a nude shoot or whatever, I’d just tell myself, ‘You’re doing this for Dad.’”

“Well, I’ve never met your dad, but if he’s anything like mine, he’d want you to follow your dreams.”

“Did your parents ever doubt you?”

“Not to my face. I’m sure they’d rather I was an accountant or a doctor or something, but that’s just not who I am. They know that, and they’ve supported me every step of the way.”

“Were you well off?”

I shrugged. “Can’t complain. Certainly didn’t go through what you did.”

“What makes you believe I can figure it out?”

“Because you have determination in spades. How many people in your circumstances stay where they are? If you want something, I’m sure you can put your mind to it like nobody else.”

“Y’know, it’s nice talking to a man who can look beyond my appearance.”

“Well to be fair, it’s not easy.”

Jessica smiled. “You can’t fight what’s natural, can you now?”

She leaned in closer, so I braved doing the same. My lips melted with hers before she consumed me with her arms. Everyone below had a front-row seat to Jessica kissing me. Our little makeout session will probably do the rounds on social media within the hour, but that didn’t stop Jessica for a second. She didn’t want her marriage anymore. She wanted freedom. She wanted excitement. She wanted me.