Chapter 3 The Trap

Aura walked towards the restroom with a slightly swaying body due to alcohol, though not severe. She intended to wash her hands after devouring the oily french fries. Actually as a singer, Aura should avoid all kinds of fried food to maintain the quality of her voice. But because it was time for vacation, Aura thought it wouldn't hurt to break her habits occasionally. After all, she was only going to eat a little! Meanwhile, inside, everyone was still engrossed in chatting, playing truth and dare while sipping alcohol, including Max, who initially only wanted to drink a little but always lost in the game until the man was almost collapsing! Seriously, Aura just found out that her bodyguard’s drinking skills are terrible! Aura could only laugh seeing the usually tough bodyguard struggling to handle alcohol! Who would have thought that a burly man like Max is actually not strong when it comes to drinking alcohol? And almost passing out! Oh my gosh! Aura dried her hands and was about to return to the room when someone bumped into her. The collision that occurred wasn’t indeed severe, but for Aura, who was already tired and slightly intoxicated from alcohol, it still almost caused her to fall. Luckily, the person quickly supported her body as fast as she could! If not, Aura would have kissed the floor! Aura couldn't bear to imagine how embarrassing it would be if that happened, right? "Sorry! I’m so sorry!" the person said, bowing and feeling uneasy. "It's okay. I also apologize for being a little unfocused," Aura said, bowing as well. Right now, she was in Korea, so it was normal thing to do. Moreover, Aura had to hide her face to avoid being recognized! Aura doesn’t want to be gossiped about as a singer who enjoys getting drunk. Such gossip like that would not be good for her reputation. "Once again I’m so sorry," the person said, receiving a nod from Aura. After that, Aura returned to the room where everyone was still having a wild time, singing off-key, and continuously devouring the food served. Aura shook her head gently while smiling, sipping the remaining of her drink. Even though the amount of alcohol she consumed wasn't much, for some reason, Aura felt almost tipsy! Could it be because she was too tired? Maybe! ‘After this, I'll go back to my room to rest,’ Aura decided. After finishing her drink, Aura immediately approached Kang Ji Hwan, her manager, and spoke a little loudly so her voice could be heard amidst the increasingly crazy noise. As if everyone in the room were deaf! "I'm going back to my room first. The bill will be charged to my room, okay?" Aura said, answered by Ji Hwan's smiling nod. Originally, tonight, he wanted to party using the company's money, but who would have thought that Aura would generously pay for it herself? Treating all of them! Great! This artist has been loyal from the beginning! Never stingy when it comes to talking about money! Aura approached Max, who turned out to be unconscious! Totally out! Sleeping soundly! Alcohol indeed made her bodyguard collapse! 'I'll say goodbye and thank you to Max tomorrow afternoon because it's useless now, the man is already passed out!' Aura thought with a small smile. Aura left the room with a slightly wobbly body. She realized she was a bit drunk, so she decided to leave the room, not wanting to faint completely inside. It could be gossip material later! The hot gossip that could harm her career as a singer, even though Aura achieved this success with great effort! By sacrificing her youth! Moreover, Max couldn't guard her now because it was Aura's own request to let the man join the party! Aura shook her head, hoping that her consciousness would recover soon. But instead of recovering, Aura felt even more unsteady! Alcohol had taken over her consciousness, even if only halfway. Aura took the room card from her jacket pocket and struggled to see her room number, the effect of her increasingly blurred vision. At the moment, Aura doesn’t want anything else except to sleep. Seriously, Aura was sleepy, tired, and added to the effect of alcohol, complete! Aura entered the elevator and pressed the floor number. Right in front of the door, Aura attached the access card, and the sound of the door opening made Aura sigh in relief, a sign that she didn't enter the wrong room. But Aura didn't expect was that there was already a man standing upright in front of the window in her room, as if waiting for her! However, Aura didn't know who that man was. Her increasingly blurred and shadowed vision prevented her from seeing clearly! A few moments ago... Lazily, Axel sipped on the alcohol in his hand. Currently, he was in a bar at a five-star hotel, enjoying the alcohol alone. Without friends. Without women. He looked sad and lonely! Despite Axel’s initial intention to have a good time, why did things turn out the opposite? What happened was beyond his expectations! Damn! “Why do I look pathetic like this?” Axel complained and downed the whiskey in his hand in one gulp. ‘I’d rather have fun with a woman than be alone like this!’ Axel decided, and he immediately walked out of the bar. His long strides took him to the hotel receptionist, where he rented a suite room for some enjoyment. After obtaining the room key, Axel contacted someone on the other side, whoever it was, and said briefly, "I want you to send a woman to my room tonight! At hotel X, room number 2522," Axel requested, his tone sounding very commanding. "Okay, I'll send her as soon as possible." The call ended, and the person Axel had just contacted called someone else. "I have a good news for you. Good opportunity. I have a client at the same hotel as the woman you want to get rid of." "Oh, really? Give me his room number, and I'll send that damn woman into the lion's den!" a woman said, her face full of hatred, staring fiercely in Aura's direction as if she were a mortal enemy. "Room 2522, registered under Axel Xavier." "Okay! I'll send the woman to 2522, let her be devoured by the crocodile all night long! I want to see her crushed in the blink of an eye!" she said sadistically. "Don't forget, you have to give me a commission because I provided you with this crucial information, okay?" "Deal! Now I'll get a duplicate key for 2522 from the receptionist." "Can you? Shouldn't there be direct confirmation from the room owner? I don't want you to make my client suspicious!" "Don't worry, I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve!" “It’s up to you, but remember, don’t cause any trouble, okay? I don’t want to lose loyal client because of you!” the madam warned sternly, remembering the most important thing for her. She didn't want to take risks. After all, wouldn't it be a loss if she lost loyal and royal customers like Axel? "Yeah, I promise not to harm you." "Fine, I'll hold you to your promise!" “Good. After all, haven’t I always kept my promises so far? No wonder our ‘business’ relationship has lasted this long! So don’t worry, okay?” “Okay!” The call ended, and the woman hurriedly set her plan in motion before her target returned to the room. She had to find a way to slip the key to room 2522 into Aura's pocket without raising suspicion, no matter what! A moment later, a pair of spiteful eyes stared at Aura heading towards the restroom. A good opportunity! In her hands was a duplicate key for room 2522, a key she had just obtained from the receptionist. With her cunning mind, it wasn't difficult for her to get the duplicate key. She just needed to tell a little lie to receptionist, saying she left her key inside her room, preventing her from entering the room. In the blink of an eye, the duplicate key was in her hands! Clever, isn't it? Moreover, she knew the room owner's name! Axel Xavier, a name like a mantra. No wonder the hotel staff easily gave it to her without many questions! And now she just needed to stalk her target to execute her plan. From the slightly swaying walk of the woman, she was confident that her target was starting to get drunk, although still conscious. "Good! It'll be easier for me to slip this room key into her jacket pocket!" the cunning woman thought and executed her plan! A plan to bring down the woman she despises!