Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Hunter Stone

The dim thrum of bass greeted Ivy as she stepped into Club 02, the music faintly vibrating through her heels.

The venue was dark but atmospheric, with shifting lights painting streaks of neon across the sleek, modern furniture. She adjusted the strap of her purse and scanned the room, searching for any familiar face.

But there were no familiar faces. Her brow furrowed, and she checked her phone for the third time since stepping out of her car. But there was nothing—no message, no missed call.

So why was no one here yet? She was right on time. Selena had said seven, so why was no one, including the celebrant, here yet? Why was she running late?

A sigh escaped her lips as she placed her phone back in her purse. She’d considered not coming and simply telling Selena she’d forgotten or something urgent had come up.

But Selena’s teasing words, “You don’t have a social life. How would you get a man?” had been more challenging to shake off than she’d anticipated.

Standing awkwardly by the entrance, she regretted every second of this decision and why she had let those words get to her.

Her gaze wandered over the groups of strangers clustered near the bar and the low-lit booths. She didn’t belong here or maybe she would if she had on her own made that decision.

Deciding to sit around and wait for Selena and her friends since it seemed they were running late, Ivy looked around until she spotted an empty seat near the front of the club and made her way to it, sitting down with a measured sigh.

Maybe she’d leave in ten minutes if no one showed up. Maybe thirty. She decided.

She barely had time to collect her thoughts before a man approached her table.

“Hey there,” he said, leaning slightly toward her, his grin confident. “What’s a beautiful woman like you doing sitting all alone?”

Ivy’s expression didn’t waver. She didn’t even glance fully at him before replying, “Waiting for someone, and I’d rather do it alone.”

Though she knew she was single and that this man could be a potential boyfriend option, she was pissed and the fact that this guy, whoever he was, didn’t let her sit in peace for a while before approaching like the horny dog he was.

The man blinked, caught off guard, then gave a forced chuckle. “Well, I could keep you company—”

“No, thank you,” Ivy said, sharper this time. Her tone left no room for argument.

The man straightened, his grin faltering. “Alright, suit yourself,” He said before leaving her be.

His friend burst into laughter the moment he joined him.

“Told you, man,” the second guy said, clapping his friend on the shoulder. “You’re no ladies’ man. They see you coming and start,” he said with a shake of his head.

The first guy—Derek—scowled, grabbing his drink from the table. “Yeah, right. Like you’d do better, Hunter.”

Hunter smirked, his expression oozing cocky assurance. “I would. In fact, I bet I could get her to talk to me in five minutes. Ten tops, and by the end of tonight, I’ll be leaving here with her.”

Derek laughed, shaking his head. “Oh, please. She shut me down so fast I didn’t even get to finish my sentence. From her tone, I’m sure you’ll receive the same treatment,” Derek said, and Hunter laughed.

“Hunter Stone never gets the cold shoulder from any woman,” Hunter bragged.

“Really? Go on, then. Let’s see this magic of yours,” Derek said, jerking his head toward Ivy.

Hunter shrugged, finishing the rest of his drink in one smooth gulp before standing. “Watch and learn, Rek. Watch and learn.”

Derek leaned back in his chair, clearly entertained. “You’re setting yourself up for failure, but go ahead. She’s all yours.”

Hunter strode across the room toward Ivy, his steps deliberate, his posture loose and confident. He approached her table, flashing a winning smile as he slid a hand into his pocket.

“Excuse me,” he said, his voice smooth. “I couldn’t help but notice you over here looking way too elegant for a place like this.”

Ivy, who was still trying to get over Derek’s approach, tilted her head slightly, her expression blank. “And?”

Hunter blinked, momentarily thrown by her arrogance, but he didn’t let it show; he recovered almost immediately.

This was his game. Some women were like that. He thought and shrugged.

“And I figured I’d come over and let you know you’re the most stunning woman in this room,” he said, and Ivy’s eyes narrowed, wondering why all the men there would think she needed their company.

She glanced at him, looking at him from head to toe. Although she could see that he was a fine-looking man, she could see the pride and confidence oozing from him, and she didn’t like it one bit.

Turning back to her drink, she simply said, “Well, you figured wrong.”

Hunter laughed lightly as if he thought she was joking. “Come on, pretty—no need to play hard to get. I’m just trying to brighten your evening,” he said, and Ivy couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her lips.

This one was delusional. She glanced at him, her eyes holding his, “You’d brighten it more by leaving,” she said, her tone icy.

Hunter’s smile faltered for a split second before returning. “You’re sharp. I like that,” he pressed, not wanting to return without getting her.

“Good for you,” she said, and when he opened his mouth to say something else, she snapped.

“Just leave me alone. I don’t need your stupid company! Gosh, how hard is that for you to understand?”

He stared at her, visibly trying to decide whether to push further, even though his ego was bruised. The cold steel in her gaze made the decision for him.

Hunter stepped back, lifting his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, you win. For now.”

He walked back to Derek, whose laughter had already started even before he got there.

“Didn’t even make it two minutes!” Derek said, shaking his head. “What happened to that charm you were bragging about a while ago?”