57. Chapter 52
Neon Lights & Hidden Truths
Evin
T hrough the windshield, the house glowed like something out of a movie—golden lights spilling onto the driveway, blurred figures moving behind the glass, the flicker of neon from a backyard beer pong table.
The music pulsed low and steady, a heartbeat against the night.
Inside the car, everything felt still. Not tense, not awkward—just unfamiliar.
Like stepping back into something that once felt easy but now carried a different weight.
"We're here," Bas repeated and leaning back into his seat. His hands still rested loosely on the steering wheel, as if he wasn’t quite ready to let go.
Next to him, Bellamy scrolled absentmindedly through his phone, as detached as ever, while in the backseat, Milka and Evin jostled each other for space in the mirror of their phones.
"Alright, here’s the plan," Milka suddenly announced, her voice filled with playful determination. "We go in, grab drinks, and ditch the guys. Deal?"
"Deal ," Evin laughed. Her voice was light, carefree even, but inside, she felt the exact opposite. The thought of stepping into that house full of people made her stomach twist.
Bas turned slightly, his signature smirk making Evin’s heart race against her will. "You know you can’t actually do that, right?"
"Why not?" Milka shot him a glare, crossing her arms defiantly.
"Because Bellamy and I are the only ones who know where the vodka is hidden." His tone was relaxed, but the look he gave Evin was anything but casual.
Bellamy scoffed without looking up from his phone. "Bas, let them. We don’t want them bailing before we even get inside."
Evin let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. Whether it was his voice or the underlying tension between them, she suddenly felt a lot less sure of herself.
The music was the first thing to hit her, even before the door fully opened. The bass pulsed through the walls, vibrating the floor and pounding against Evin’s chest. As they stepped inside, it felt like the house had its own heartbeat—loud, chaotic, alive.
People were everywhere. Some stood in clusters, others danced to a song that was barely distinguishable beneath the heavy bass.
On the left side, a makeshift table was stacked with red cups and bottles, while on the right, a group of shirtless guys were attempting to play beer pong—spilling more than they actually landed.
"Wasn’t too hard to find the drinks," Evin quipped.
"Wow," Milka murmured as she took it all in, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "This is… bigger than I expected."
Evin nodded wordlessly, absorbing her surroundings. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, perfume, and a faint trace of saltwater drifting in from the open windows. It was almost overwhelming, the sheer volume of everything happening at once.
"Come on, let’s get drinks," Bellamy called, effortlessly weaving through the crowd like he was built for nights like this. Bas followed him, but not before throwing a quick glance back at Evin. "Try not to get into trouble," he teased before disappearing into the crowd.
"Alright. We said we’d ditch them, so let’s do it," Milka reminded her.
Evin followed, letting her fingertips brush against the doorframe as she walked in. The lights were dim, flickering in bursts of neon from the LED strips along the walls. It felt like a movie—one where she wasn’t sure if she was part of the story or just an observer.
She moved through the crowd, but it felt more like wading through fog than weaving between people.
Voices and laughter blurred into a distant hum.
Everything passed by in a rush while her eyes searched—searched for him.
Bas was somewhere in this house, and she could feel his presence like an invisible weight, pulling her in.
"Here!" Milka dragged her toward the makeshift bar. With expert ease, she grabbed a bottle of vodka and an energy drink. "This is the cure for everything."
"For everything?" Evin asked absently, running her fingers over the condensation on a plastic cup.
Milka laughed, but her gaze was sharp as she studied Evin. "You’re not really here, are you?
Evin flinched, letting go of the cup and forcing a smile. "Of course I am."
"Hm." Milka set the bottle down, crossing her arms. "More like wherever he is."
Evin smirked, but her gaze instinctively flickered around the room, despite herself. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
"Right. Of course not." Milka’s smile was knowing as she lifted her drink before slipping back into the crowd. "I’m gonna go find Bell."
"Milka! Wait!" Evin hesitated. The voices around her grew louder, sharper, but she couldn’t move. Her fingers trembled slightly as she raised the cup to her lips, taking a small sip. The bitter taste made her scrunch her nose, but it did nothing to still the restlessness inside her.
"Evin? Didn’t think I’d see you here."
The familiar voice made her jump. She looked up, meeting Rafael’s warm brown eyes as he studied her with quiet curiosity. He wore a simple black shirt, sleev es rolled up, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
"Rafael. Hi." She was genuinely glad to see him.
"Surprise."
"Yeah. Definitely unexpected."
"Glad to see you actually showed up," Rafael said, grabbing a bottle and pouring himself a drink—half vodka, half orange juice. "Thought you might change your mind last minute."
Evin shrugged, gripping her cup a little tighter. "Milka and the guys convinced me. And well… didn’t you say something about a little distraction never hurts?"
"That’s true." Rafael chuckled, leaning casually against the table. His gaze flickered over the room before returning to hers. "You just got here? Didn’t see you before."
"Just walked in." She took another sip, feeling her pulse quicken. Talking to Rafael wasn’t uncomfortable, but the unease inside her refused to settle. He unintentionally reminded her of how terrible training had gone this week. And there were only two weeks left.
"Good to know. If you need someone to save you from these people, you know where to find me." He winked, lifting his drink in a casual toast. "To the good decisions we’ll make tonight."
Evin couldn’t help but smile slightly. “To good decisions.”
A touch on her elbow made her startle. She spun around, locking eyes with Bas’ intense gaze.
He stepped closer—so close that she could catch his scent, a mix of fresh musk and a woody note she knew all too well. “You look like you’re busy,” he murmured, his tone light, but something in his eyes burned.
Evin laughed teasingly, gripping her cup tighter, as if it could shield her from herself. “Me? Whatever gave you that idea?”
But Bas wasn’t so easily distracted. Instead, he leaned in, his lips hovering near her neck. “Because I know you.”
Before she could respond, she felt his teeth graze her skin. A startled breath left her lips as his kiss landed on her neck—hot, possessive, undeniable.
“What are you doing?” Her voice was barely above a whisper, caught between shock and the slow, intoxicating heat spreading through her body.
“There are eyes here that don’t yet know you’re mine.” His tone was quiet but firm, and he let his lips linger against her skin for another second before pulling back slightly.
Evin inhaled sharply, her cup trembling slightly in her grasp. “Bas…”
But he cut her off, taking the cup from her hands, bringing it to his lips for a small sip, then placing it back in her grip. The motion was casual, but the tension between them turned every gesture into something charged, something laced with meaning.
Bas’ gaze flickered toward Rafael, who still stood at the table, his expression neutral but attentive. A small, almost imperceptible smirk played at the corner of Bas’ lips before he turned back to Evin.
“You’re insane,” she muttered, her voice weak as she tried to ignore the heat rising in her cheeks. “He doesn’t even like girls.”
“If you’re so sure about that, you might be mistaken.” Bas’ voice was calm, but there was something in the way he said it that made Evin pause. His stare held hers, and the space between them felt charged, electric, like a storm waiting to break.
“You’re mine,” he whispered, his face so close that she could feel his breath against her skin. “And it’s about time everyone knows it.”
She wanted to say something—anything—to push back against the fire inside her, but then his hand suddenly closed around hers. His warmth wrapped around her fingers, and her breath caught in her throat.
“Come with me.”
“Where?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“Away from here.” His lips curled into a smirk, and without waiting for an answer, he pulled her through the crowd.
On their way outside, Evin noticed the shift in atmosphere.
The muffled bass of the music still vibrated through the walls, but something else cut through the night—raised voices, sharp and unmistakable.
It was coming from the terrace, where a group of people had gathered, their silhouettes blending into the darkness.
Bas slowed his pace, but his grip on Evin’s hand remained firm. “Wait,” he murmured, his eyes locked on the scene in front of them.
Cat stood with her arms crossed, Bellamy in front of her, his posture tense.
The smug tilt of Cat’s chin said enough. Evin didn’t need to see what had happened. Cat looked like someone who’d done exactly what she came for. But Milka didn’t even flinch. She didn’t need to. Cat’s act was obvious—and useless. Whatever she thought she was doing, it didn’t land. Not with Milka.
But she was wedged between them, clearly trying to de-escalate, while Nele’s ice-cold stare and cutting voice sliced through the thick air. Milka looked more annoyed than threatened. Not angry. Just done. That said enough.
Evin pulled her hand from Bas’ grasp. “Milka! What’s going on?” Her voice carried concern as Milka turned to her, visibly relieved. But before she could respond, Nele took over.