I knew getting into a stranger's car was reckless, but the alternative was worse. Going back inside meant facing Steven, and the thought of his smug face made my stomach turn. So when the mysterious man held open the door of his black Audi, I slid in without hesitation.
The engine purred to life, and we pulled away from the pulsing lights of the club. My heart hammered against my ribs as reality caught up with me. What was I doing?
"So..." I shifted in the leather seat, trying to find my voice. "Where are we headed?"
He chuckled softly. "You're the one who approached me. I assumed you had something in mind."
My face burned. "I... I don't usually do this sort of thing."
"If you're nervous, this Mr. Knight is happy to take the lead." His voice was teasing, but gentle.
The warmth crept up to my ears. I must have looked like a tomato. "I've never done anything like this before," I admitted.
His hand found mine, surprisingly warm and steady. "I'm just teasing, Aurora," he said, his playful smile softening. "You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with."
The tension in my shoulders eased slightly. "Thank you. I'm not... I'm not really myself tonight."
"How about we just drive?" He glanced at me, streetlights dancing across his features. "Sometimes getting lost is the best way to find yourself."
I surprised myself by laughing. "That sounds nice."
The city blurred past our windows as we drove, talking about everything and nothing. His questions were light, his stories engaging, and somehow the knot in my chest began to loosen. It felt surreal how easily the conversation flowed, how natural it felt to share pieces of myself with this stranger.
He eventually pulled into a secluded overlook. Below us, the city sparkled like fallen stars, its lights painting patterns in the darkness. The engine fell silent, leaving us in a bubble of quiet.
"Better?" he asked softly.
I nodded, realizing I actually meant it. "Much better. Thank you." Meeting his gaze, I added, "I'd like to get to know you better."
He leaned back, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Careful now. They say curiosity killed the cat."
"Good thing I've got nine lives to spare." The words came out more flirtatious than I'd intended.
His eyes glinted with amusement. "Nine lives? Perfect. I've got enough secrets to keep you intrigued for all of them."
Sleep crept up on me slowly, my eyelids growing heavier as we talked. His voice became a warm murmur, and the last thing I heard before drifting off was a gentle "Goodnight, Aurora."
The blare of my phone's alarm jolted me awake. His coat was draped over me, and the car was silent. Through the windshield, I could see him standing a few feet away, his silhouette sharp against the pale morning sky. The city stretched out before us, half-hidden beneath a blanket of fog.
I stepped out, my breath clouding in the chilly air. "Good morning."
He turned, his eyes softening when they met mine. "Sleep well?"
"Not really," I admitted, hugging myself. The morning chill wasn't what made me shiver.
We stood in silence, watching the fog swallow the city. It looked eerie, almost like a scene from a movie just before something bad happens.
"How many people do you think wake up with broken hearts?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.
It sounded like a dumb question, something you'd expect to get brushed off with a shrug or a joke. But he didn't. He answered like he'd been waiting for someone to ask.
"Probably more than we can count. People who've lost jobs, loved ones, pets... even just their sense of purpose." He paused. "The real question is, how do they survive that kind of pain?"
I let out a bitter laugh. "Probably not by propositioning strangers in clubs."
His face remained serious. "Do you want to forget the pain, Aurora?"
The question hit harder than it should have. Of course I wanted to forget. Who wouldn't want to erase this crushing weight in their chest?
"Time heals all wounds, right?" My voice sounded hollow even to my own ears.
"That's what they say. But what if there was a shortcut?"
Before I could respond, his hand cupped my face. His touch was cold but somehow comforting.
"I can help you," he murmured. "Look into my eyes, Aurora."
"What's your solution? A magic kiss?" I tried to joke, but my voice trembled.
His lips twitched, but his eyes remained intense. "Let's save that for when you're ready. When the pain has faded and you've truly let go." He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "When we meet again, you'll be whole. And I'll make sure nothing ever breaks you again."
Something shifted in the air around us, making it hard to breathe. His bright blue eyes began to darken, bleeding into a deep crimson. Fear crept up my spine as my mind struggled to process what I was seeing.
"I'll see you soon, Aurora," he whispered, his words echoing strangely in my head.
The world began to spin, darkness creeping in at the edges of my vision. My knees buckled, and everything faded to black.
"Miss, wake up. We're here."
I blinked groggily at the unfamiliar voice. An older taxi driver was watching me in the rearview mirror, his expression a mixture of concern and exhaustion. Through the window, I could see my house, but I had no memory of getting into this cab.
The last clear memory I had was leaving the club with... someone. He'd turned me down gently, saying he'd only agreed to come with me to spare me embarrassment. Everything after that was a blur.
I paid the driver and stumbled out. My grandfather was waiting at the gate, worry etched deep in his face. He pulled me into a tight hug the moment I was close enough.
"Where were you? Who were you with?" His voice was thick with concern.
"Just... clubbing with friends," I managed, trying to keep my balance as the world seemed to tilt beneath my feet.
He held me tighter, and instead of the lecture I expected, he just sighed. "I understand you're hurting," he said quietly. "But please, let me know where you are. I can't bear not knowing if you're safe."
My throat tightened. He knew about the breakup, but not about the cheating. Not about how completely Steven had shattered my trust.
"You deserved better than him anyway," he added, and somehow those simple words were exactly what I needed to hear.
Grandpa guided me inside and the maids quickly prepared my breakfast.
As I finished eating, the sound of the doorbell broke the silence. Yue burst into the house with a mix of relief and excitement on her face.
"Auri! What happened? Where did you go after the club?"
I pressed my fingers against my temples, trying to grab onto memories that kept slipping away. "I don't remember, Yue. Everything's just... fuzzy."
Her excitement faded to concern. "What do you mean you don't remember? You left with that mysterious guy. What happened after?"
"I wish I knew." Frustration crept into my voice. "The whole night is like a dream I can't quite remember."
"But you seemed fine when you left," she pressed. "You really don't remember anything about him? Not even his name?"
I shook my head, wincing at the movement. "Must have had too much to drink. I've never had anything that strong before."
"It happens. Alcohol can mess with your memory, especially if you're not used to it." She squeezed my hand. "Try not to worry about it too much. What matters is you're home safe."
I nodded, too exhausted to say more. But something nagged at the back of my mind – a pair of eyes changing from blue to blood-red, and a promise that felt more like a warning.