Welcome to the Innocent World - Chapter 174

Chapter 174: Joker’s Warning & Bold Dance

The bar’s soft golden lights created an inviting atmosphere as I swirled the wine in my glass. The faint hum of conversations filled the air, blending with the light jazz playing in the background. I leaned back on the barstool, watching the crowd from my corner, savoring the taste of the red wine. It wasn’t often that I indulged in such luxuries.

“Mind if I sit here?” a voice asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I turned to see a guy in his mid-twenties, casually dressed in a white shirt with the top buttons undone and a silver chain hanging loosely around his neck. His dark hair was slightly messy, but his confident smile made it clear he didn’t care much about appearances.

“Go ahead,” I replied, gesturing to the empty stool beside me.

“I’m John,” he said, extending a hand.

“Austin,” I said, shaking it firmly.

“So, what brings you here?” he asked, signaling the bartender for a drink.

I shrugged. “Needed a change of pace. Just a college student trying to enjoy life before it gets too serious.”

John chuckled. “College, huh? Lucky you. I got dragged here by my mom. She’s one of the executives on board, handling some big deals or something.”

I raised an eyebrow, taking another sip of my wine. “Must be nice, having connections like that.”

He laughed, leaning on the bar. “It has its perks, but honestly, it’s boring as hell. Everyone’s either too formal or too fake. You know what I mean?”

In my mind, I couldn’t help but think, *Just another spoiled rich kid.* But I kept that thought to myself, nodding politely. “Yeah, I get it.”

John continued, rambling about his life, his expensive hobbies, and his mom’s influence. I listened, throwing in a few casual remarks to keep the conversation going, though my interest was fading.

Suddenly, the bar lights dimmed, and a spotlight appeared at the center of the room. A man dressed in a sharp purple suit with a black top hat and a cane stepped into the light. The crowd quieted, their attention drawn to the new arrival.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the man announced, his voice booming with theatrical flair, “welcome to tonight’s entertainment! I am your humble host, The Joker!”

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as the man tipped his hat with a dramatic bow.

John smirked, nudging me. “This should be interesting.”

The Joker began with a series of card tricks, flipping and shuffling the deck with impressive speed. He made cards disappear, reappear, and even float in midair. The audience was captivated, laughing and clapping at his every move.

At one point, he stumbled dramatically, almost falling over, and the crowd erupted in laughter.

“Oops! Guess even magicians have their off days!” he joked, winking at a woman in the front row.

Then, as if on cue, his eyes scanned the room, landing on me.

“You there!” he said, pointing directly at me. “The handsome gentleman at the bar! Come join me in the spotlight!”

The crowd turned to look, some clapping and cheering for me to go.

I sighed, setting my glass down. “Guess I don’t have a choice, huh?” I muttered, standing up.

John chuckled. “Good luck, man.”

As I stepped into the spotlight, The Joker grinned mischievously. “And what’s your name, sir?”

“Austin,” I replied, keeping my tone casual.

“Well, Austin, let’s see if you’re as sharp as you look,” he said, pulling out a deck of cards.

He performed a series of tricks, each more intricate than the last. At one point, he made a card disappear from his hand and reappear in my pocket, earning gasps from the crowd.

“How did you—?” I began, but he cut me off with a sly smile.

“A magician never reveals his secrets,” he said, his tone light.

But then, his expression changed. His smile faded, and his eyes locked onto mine, dark and piercing. The playful atmosphere shifted, replaced by something more serious.

“A piece of advice that embarks on a soul,” he said, his voice low and deliberate. “This journey you’re on… it’s not as simple as it seems. There are things waiting for you that you can’t even imagine. Be careful who you trust. Not everyone is who they appear to be.”

The crowd was silent, his words hanging heavily in the air.

I met his gaze, keeping my expression neutral. “Thanks for the warning,” I said calmly.

He stared at me for a moment longer before his playful grin returned. “And that, ladies and gentlemen, concludes our show!” he announced, spinning around and throwing his hat into the air.

The crowd erupted in applause as he bowed dramatically, the spotlight fading.

I shook my head, walking back to the bar. “Weird Joker,” I muttered under my breath, picking up my glass and finishing the wine in one sip.

As I left the bar, I felt a hand trace over my shoulder from behind.

“Hello, handsome… we meet again,” a familiar voice purred.

I turned to see Lyra, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders and her bold red dress hugging her figure perfectly. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and her lips curved into a seductive smile.

I smirked. “Lyra. Fancy seeing you here.”

She stepped closer, her hand lingering on my arm. “It seems fate has a way of bringing us together, doesn’t it?”

I chuckled. “Or maybe it’s just your charm.”

She laughed softly, her gaze never leaving mine. “Maybe it’s both.”

“Hehe yeah” I chuckled.

The night was far from over, and with Lyra by my side, I had a feeling things were about to get even more interesting.

The music shifted to a slow, romantic tune, and the dim lights cast a golden hue over the room. People began to pair off, swaying gently to the rhythm, lost in their own worlds.

Lyra stood nearby, her thin, transparent red one-piece clinging to her figure in the most enticing way. The delicate fabric revealed just enough to spark desire while leaving much to the imagination. Her long, smooth thighs were framed by the straps of her stockings, and her golden blonde hair cascaded behind her like a silken wave.

I stepped closer to her, my gaze lingering on her as I stretched out my hand. “Would you like to dance with me, beautiful?” I asked, my voice calm yet inviting.

She smiled, her lips curving into a playful smirk. “Who can resist such a handsome man?” she teased, placing her hand in mine with an elegance that made my chest tighten.

We moved to the dance floor, slowly circling each other to the rhythm of the music. Her movements were graceful, her confidence radiating with every step.

“Your husband didn’t come with you?” I asked, leaning in just enough for my voice to reach her over the music.

“Na, he’s in a meeting on the upper floor,” she said casually, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “He told me to enjoy myself.”

I smiled, pulling her closer, my hand slipping to her waist.

“I am glad to hear that.”

Her body tensed for a moment before she let out a soft gasp, her lips curling into a teasing smile.

“Ahm,” she exhaled softly, her hands finding their way to my shoulders.

“Are you ready, sweetheart?” I asked with a grin, my voice carrying just the right amount of challenge.

Her eyes locked onto mine, her confidence never wavering. “Always have been,” she replied, her tone low and seductive, her smile full of promise.

The music pulsed through the dimly lit room, the romantic rhythm guiding our every movement as Lyra and I danced, hands entwined. Her steps were flawless, her grace undeniable as she spun effortlessly, her body moving with the kind of precision that could only come from experience.

Her waist swayed hypnotically, and I couldn’t help but be captivated. My hand slid to her stomach, holding her firmly as she grind her ass against my groin, her body pressing into mine. She leaned closer, her hands finding my cheeks, her touch electric.

“Yeah, baby,” I murmured, my voice low and filled with the heat of the moment.

She spun again, her movements fluid and intoxicating, and I caught her mid-spin, tilting her slightly, her body arching against mine. Her laughter was soft, teasing.

“Are you enjoying this with me?” I asked, my voice steady, though my pulse raced.

“A lot,” she replied, her hands cradling my cheeks, her gaze locking onto mine with a spark of mischief.

Without breaking the rhythm, I lifted her into my arms effortlessly. She straddled me, her thighs gripping my sides as her lips curled into a playful smirk. The room seemed to blur around us, the music fading into the background as her body pressed against mine.

I set her back down, and we continued to dance, her body molding perfectly against me. Her thigh slid up along my side, her smooth skin brushing against mine as I pulled her closer.

My hands found their way to her firm buttocks, gripping tightly as the intensity between us grew.

My fingers moved with boldness, slipping between her legs, brushing against her sensitive spot.

“Ahh—” she gasped softly, her head falling forward, our faces so close now that our breaths mingled. Her lips parted, her eyes heavy with desire.

“I guess I need to enjoy somewhere more private now,” she said, her voice a sultry whisper, her teeth catching her bottom lip as she smiled.

“As you wish, babe,” I replied, my voice just as low, my lips curving into a grin as the promise.