As the mocking laughter died down, the air suddenly shifted.
Nate and Sasha's faces paled. Their eyes flicked toward the entrance.
More people walked in, the rest of the so-called "old gang." Loud voices, clashing perfume, and hollow laughter filled the room
But they weren't alone.
At the back, he walked in.
A bloated, sweaty figure with a liquor bottle in one hand. In the other, his fingers were buried somewhere indecent on one of the two girls clinging to him like accessories.Two girls clung to him like trophies, giggling and letting him grope them openly.
His name was Trevor Black.
The moment his small, watery eyes spotted Sasha, something lit up.
"Oh damn~ Sasha's here?" he grinned, licking his lips.
He made a beeline toward her, dragging his two girls along. "Mind if I sit here, sweetheart?"
Before Sasha could respond, Nate stepped between them and pulled out a chair next to her.
"I'm already sitting here."
Trevor's grin faltered. His eyes narrowed — but he didn't say anything.
The others all took their seats. Then finally… someone pointed at Ethan.
"Uh, who's that guy?"
Trevor's lazy eyes scanned him. "Yeah… new guy?"
Chloe, the one who mocked Ethan earlier, laughed again. "Don't you remember? That's your old guinea pig. Ethan."
Trevor squinted. Then grinned.
"No way. That's Ethan? Shiiiit… you changed, man. Almost didn't recognize you. Got some height, new hair… Still got those puppy eyes though."
Laughter again.
Nate and Sasha's faces darkened.
They hadn't known Trevor would show up. No one told them. If they had… they wouldn't have come. They looked at Ethan — nervous, tense.
Because if Trevor was here…
Something bad was bound to happen
Trevor leaned back, one arm draped around each girl beside him, his other hand still holding the liquor bottle like it was a trophy.
"So, Ethan…" he began, voice dripping with fake warmth. "How you doin', man? Still living in that shoebox house near the old train line?"
A few of the others laughed again.
Chloe snorted. "He does look better now, not gonna lie."
Riley, who glued to trevor letting him do what he wants said with a fake pout, "Yeah, his jawline grew up. But like… what can looks do when your wallet's empty?"
"Exactly," Trevor said, grinning as he chugged from the bottle. "Pretty boys like him still get tossed around by life. You need cash to play this game."
More laughter.
But Ethan… simply chuckled.
It was soft. Calm. Amused.
Trevor blinked. "What're you smiling for?"
Ethan leaned back slightly, resting his chin on one hand. "Ah, nothing. Just thinking…"
His eyes glinted.
"…God really was generous with you."
Trevor raised a brow.
"Gave you more brains than usual… all packed in your belly. Impressive. That's where you do most of your thinking, right?"
Silence.
Then—
"PFFFT—!"
Someone choked on their drink. A fork clattered.
Even Chloe's lips twitched. The two girls beside Trevor froze, confused if they should laugh or not.
Trevor's already ugly face warped into something worse.
His neck flushed red. His lips twitched.
He opened his mouth to bark something—
"Alright!" Sasha cut in, voice a little too high. "Why don't we order something? I'm starving."
Trevor blinked, then smiled again. Slick and sleazy.
"Anything for you, sweetheart," he said, winking. "Say the word. In fact…"
He smacked the table.
"Everything's on me tonight. Let's treat our poor friend Ethan to some five-star flavor. Might be the closest he ever gets to luxury in this life."
A few guys joined in.
"Yeah! Get him some bottled water,he might faint from seasoning."
"Don't forget to show him what actual meat looks like!"
"Get him some tissues. Poor boy's gonna cry from tasting wagyu!"
Another round of mocking laughter.
Nate leaned in toward Ethan, expression sour. He whispered low, "Bro… sorry. We didn't know this jerk would be here. We can leave if you want. I'll cover your plate."
Sasha added softly, "Seriously, Ethan… this is our fault."
But Ethan raised a hand, casually.
"No need to apologize."
He smiled again—that same unsettling calm smile.
"I'm actually curious now. I want to see what dishes he brings out."
Trevor narrowed his eyes. Something felt… wrong. This wasn't the Ethan he remembered. The old Ethan would've kept his head down. Mumbled. Maybe even left.
But this one… was smiling like a man watching a clown dance.
Sasha and Nate exchanged a look. They were confused.
He glanced at Trevor.
"I'm hungry."