When Love Is a Lie (Whitney and Damian) novel Chapter 57

The sudden approach made Whitney uncomfortable, so she shifted away slightly. Yvette raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Oh, they're eager, aren't they?"

One of the men, dressed in a black shirt with an earring in one ear, was the first to say, "Drinking alone is no fun. Why don't we join you, girls?"

The man beside Whitney leaned in closer, grinning. "What games do you like to play? I'm up for anything. If I lose, you can decide my punishment."

Hearing the guys call them "girls" gave Whitney the chills. Looking closer, she realized they were likely older than her.

"I don't play games," Whitney replied quickly, turning to Yvette. "Since Helena isn't coming, maybe we should head out too. We've got work tomorrow."

Yvette already had a few drinks while they were waiting for Helena.

She said enthusiastically, "We're already here! And come on, it's just a few games. Don't worry—I'll drink for you if you lose."

Since Yvette was reluctant to leave, Whitney couldn't just leave her alone. The guy with the earring snapped his fingers, and moments later, the bartender brought over two more drinks.

"Well, if you're both up for it, why don't we take it up a notch?" He exchanged a glance with the man next to Whitney, and suddenly, each was holding a small packet.

Whitney's expression darkened. "What are you two trying to pull?"

"This is just something that'll make you feel good, sweetheart," the man beside her murmured, leaning in close.

Whitney immediately stood, grabbing Yvette's arm.

Both men got up just as fast, blocking their way. "You said you wanted to play. What's the hurry?" one of them taunted.

"We don't want to play. Move," Whitney replied, eyeing them warily.

Yvette realized something was off. She had met men like this before. It was one thing if they were merely flirting, but she dared not mess with people who did drugs.

"Look, fellas, it's not that we don't want to hang out. We just remembered we have something to take care of. Drinks are on us tonight."

The guy with the earring's expression grew cold as he sneered. He did not budge an inch. "Oh, you can go. Just drink these first." He pushed two spiked drinks toward them.

Both exits were now blocked, with each man guarding a side of the table.

Noel only glanced at them briefly as they entered. Behind his silver-framed glasses, his dark eyes looked so sharp that it was hard to look directly at him.

No wonder Dariel and the others had shown up when they did; the room offered a clear view of everything happening downstairs.

"Thank you, Noel. I mean it," Whitney said first, breaking the silence.

Yvette chimed in, "Yes, Mr. Howard. If it hadn't been for you, I don't know how we would've gotten out of that mess tonight."

Noel stood with one hand in his pocket and walked over to them.

"Drug addicts, dangerous creeps, and powerful men. Do you think you can get away easily from people like them?" His voice was calm but carried an unmistakable edge.

Yvette swallowed hard and quickly explained, "We didn't approach them. They came to us, and we only discovered what they were like later."

Noel gave her a look that silenced her immediately. She didn't dare joke with him as she normally would.

"Thomas is on his way to take you home," he added, looking at Yvette before turning away.