It was a bright, sunny day, with the kind of warmth that seemed to make everything feel too perfect. The sky stretched out in a cloudless blue, and a gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of freshly brewed coffee from The Holloway Café.
Zane sat outside the café, leaning back in his chair, casually dressed but sharp. He wore a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled just below his elbows, paired with dark gray slacks and polished black leather shoes. His sunglasses rested on the bridge of his nose, shielding his eyes from the sun as he sipped on a hot cup of coffee. An open book lay in his lap, but his mind was elsewhere.
The café was his father's pride, a local treasure. The Holloway Café was known for its cozy, rustic charm—wooden tables, large windows, the scent of pastries and coffee that wafted through the air, drawing people in. It had an inviting warmth, much like his father, a man who had always known how to bring people together. Now, Zane had taken up that mantle, though a part of him wondered if he could ever live up to his father's legacy.
The door to the café swung open, breaking his thoughts. A familiar figure approached.
Soumya.
She walked toward him with a confident stride, pulling out the chair across from him and sitting down without an invitation, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "Hey, Zane! I'm Soumya. Do you remember me?"
Zane looked up from his coffee, his expression cool but polite. "Yeah, I remember. So, what brings you here today?"
Soumya leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs as if she owned the place. "Oh, I was on my way to pick up some chocolates from the street mart, but I saw you sitting here, and I thought I'd say hi."
Zane smiled, a little amused by her boldness. "You could've just taken some chocolates from here. We've got plenty."
Her eyes flicked around the café, impressed. "Wait, this is your place?"
Zane nodded, his tone softening. "Yeah, it was my father's café. Now it's ours."
Soumya looked around, her smile growing. "Wow, it's beautiful. I've been here before, but I never knew it was yours. The vibe here is amazing. Your dad must've been something special."
Zane's gaze lowered slightly, a brief flicker of sadness passing through his eyes. "Yeah, he was. My mom designed most of the interior, though. She's the creative one."
Soumya leaned forward, her voice lowering, curiosity lighting up her expression. "So, what's up with you and Logan?"
Zane's relaxed posture stiffened instantly. His smile faded, replaced by a cold edge. "Nothing's up. Logan's just... he's always trying to fuck with me. I don't know why."
Soumya's smirk widened, sensing tension. "Yeah, he's a manipulative piece of shit. But didn't you hear? He's dating my friend, Riya Kapoor."
Zane's grip tightened around his coffee cup. He set it down slowly. "They're dating?"
Soumya nodded, eyes gleaming with something close to satisfaction. "Yep, they're at an art exhibition together right now. Happened fast, didn't it? They've been going out since yesterday."
Zane's jaw clenched. He didn't know why this piece of information bothered him so much, but it did. "Since yesterday?" he repeated, his voice cold and flat.
"Yep," Soumya leaned in, her tone dripping with fake sympathy. "Riya's my friend, but between you and me, she's had plenty of boyfriends before. She doesn't do it for love—more for the lifestyle. She likes being taken care of. Logan's got the money, you know?"
Zane said nothing, his eyes cast downward, focusing on the coffee cup in front of him. His thoughts swirled, dark and confusing. Soumya stood up, her job done.
"Well, I should get going. See you around, Zane."
She walked away, leaving Zane sitting there, his mind a storm of anger, confusion, and something else he couldn't quite name. He couldn't shake the thought of Riya with Logan, no matter how hard he tried.
---
Outside of Riya Kapoor's house, Logan Cruz sat in the driver's seat of his sleek black Mercedes-Benz AMG GT. He honked lightly, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips as he adjusted his rearview mirror. He looked sharp in a dark blue tailored suit, open at the collar, with no tie. His shoes, polished to a perfect shine, caught the sunlight as he tapped his fingers against the steering wheel.
The front door opened, and Riya stepped out. She looked stunning in a soft blue floral dress that hugged her waist and flared out at the bottom. Her long, dark hair fell in gentle waves down her back, and her makeup was subtle but striking, just enough to accentuate her natural beauty.
Logan got out of the car, his eyes sweeping over her with open admiration. "Wow, you look... incredible."
Riya gave a small smile, though she kept her guard up. "Thanks."
Logan walked around and opened the car door for her, his smile charming and smooth. "Shall we, Miss Kapoor?"
Riya raised an eyebrow at his formality, her tone playful. "Don't try to flirt."
Logan chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "No flirting, I swear. I just want to show you some real art today. You'll love it."
Riya eyed him for a moment before nodding and slipping into the car. As Logan closed the door and returned to the driver's seat, she couldn't help but wonder what this day would really be about.
---
Back at Soumya's house, the music was loud, and the bass thumped through the walls. She danced around her room, letting the music take over, her movements carefree. But her fun was interrupted when the door swung open, and Lana stormed in, looking pissed.
Soumya turned the music down, rolling her eyes. "Seriously? Can't you knock?"
Lana ignored her, her voice sharp. "What the fuck is going on with Riya and Logan?"
Soumya crossed her arms, acting indifferent. "What's it to you?"
Lana wasn't playing around. "Logan's bad news, Soumya. He's gonna use her and then toss her aside like he does with every other girl. Why is she even with him? Is she out of her mind?"
Soumya shrugged, unfazed by Lana's concern. "Relax, Lana. Logan's not as bad as you think. I met him. He's not all evil. Yeah, he's got his flaws, but there's a good side to him too."
Lana scoffed, pacing the room. "A good side? Come on, Soumya. He's dangerous."
Soumya rolled her eyes, flopping down on the bed. "Let Riya live her life. She's moving on. You can't always control people."
Lana sighed in frustration. "Fine. But if anything happens to her, it's on you."
Soumya didn't seem bothered. "Sure, whatever."
Lana threw her hands up in exasperation, then left the room without another word.
---
At the art exhibition, Logan and Riya were greeted by elegant decorations and a calm atmosphere. The venue was quieter than expected, with people moving in orderly lines, admiring the artwork in hushed voices.
Logan gently took Riya's hand, leading her through the crowd. "Let me show you something special."
Riya followed him as they made their way to a private section of the gallery. Logan flashed a VIP pass, and they were escorted through to an exclusive area.
He stopped in front of a large painting, his voice soft as he explained, "This one... it's by Damien Hirst. One of the best artists of our time. Look at the detail, the way he plays with color and shadow. It's all in the depth of the strokes."
Riya stared at the painting, mesmerized. "It's beautiful. I never thought... I never knew art could make you feel so much."
Logan watched her closely, impressed. "You really get it, don't you?"
She turned to him, her expression soft but thoughtful. "Art is more than just what you see. It's what you feel."
Their moment was interrupted when a waiter passed by, accidentally spilling a drink on Riya's dress.
"Shit!" Riya gasped, looking down at the ruined fabric. "I just got this dress…"
Logan's eyes darkened with anger as he grabbed the waiter by the collar. "You fucking idiot!"
The waiter stammered, his face pale. "I-I'm so sorry, ma'am—sir—"
Riya quickly stepped in, placing a hand on Logan's arm. "Logan, it's okay. Let him go."
Logan released his grip, though his jaw remained clenched. "Watch where you're going next time."
Riya sighed, looking at the stain. "Great. This is exactly what I needed."
Logan softened, taking her hand again. "Come with me. I'll fix this."
Riya frowned. "Where are we going?"
"My place," Logan said simply. "We have extra dresses from the stores. You can pick whatever you like."
Riya hes
itated. "Logan, I don't know..."
He gave her a pleading look, his voice gentle. "Please, Riya. Just let me help you."
After a beat of silence, Riya nodded, letting Logan lead the way.
---
As they drove to Logan's house, Riya's thoughts raced. She was starting to see sides of Logan she hadn't expected. Was he really who he seemed to be? There was something about him, a mix of charm and darkness that pulled her in.
But even as she sat next to him, Zane's face flashed in her mind.
What am I doing? she thought, confusion swirling in her chest.
---
The ride to Logan's house was mostly quiet, the hum of the engine filling the space between them. Riya glanced at Logan from the corner of her eye, her mind swirling with a strange mixture of curiosity, doubt, and something she couldn't quite name. The way Logan had defended her, the anger he'd shown when the waiter had spilled the drink—it was intense. A part of her appreciated it, but another part wondered if there was something more behind his actions, something darker.
As they pulled up to Logan's house, her breath caught. It wasn't just a house—it was a sprawling, modern villa surrounded by perfectly manicured lawns and high gates. The sleek lines of the building gleamed in the setting sun, and the luxury of it all was overwhelming.
Logan parked and quickly stepped out of the car, walking around to open her door. "Welcome to my home," he said, flashing her that charming smile again. But there was a tension in the air, something Riya couldn't shake.
She stepped out of the car, her eyes widening as she took in the grand entrance, the polished marble steps leading up to the massive doors. Everything screamed wealth and power, and it made her feel slightly out of place.
The gatekeepers opened the door for them with a respectful nod, and Logan led her inside. The interior of the house was just as extravagant as the outside—gleaming floors, high ceilings, and walls adorned with expensive artwork. Every corner spoke of luxury.
"Come on," Logan said softly, leading her down a long hallway. "We've got some dresses in stock for the stores. You can pick whatever you like."
Riya followed him, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the sheer opulence of the place. They entered a large room that looked more like a boutique than part of someone's home. Racks of designer clothes lined the walls, each piece more beautiful and expensive than the last.
"Pick whichever one you like," Logan said, his voice soft as he stood back, giving her space.
Riya's eyes scanned the room, and for a moment, she felt like she had stepped into another world. She carefully selected a dress—a simple yet elegant cream-colored silk gown that caught her eye.
"You've got good taste," Logan said, smiling as he watched her admire the dress.
Before she could respond, a woman entered the room. She was tall and graceful, with an air of authority. Logan introduced her as Angelina, the house's manager.
"Angelina will help you get settled," Logan said, giving Riya a nod. "I'll wait for you in the lounge."
Riya followed Angelina to a changing room, where she quickly slipped into the new dress. It fit her perfectly, the silk fabric feeling soft against her skin. But as she turned to leave the room, something caught her eye.
On the wall opposite the mirror hung a large sketch—a drawing of her.
Riya froze, staring at the image. It was unmistakably her—captured in delicate, detailed strokes. Her hair, her features... everything was perfect. Her heart raced as she stepped closer, lightly running her fingers over the lines.
Why would Logan have this?
A strange, uneasy feeling settled in her stomach. She wasn't sure whether to be flattered or creeped out. Gathering her thoughts, she quickly left the room and made her way back to the lounge.
Logan was sitting on a plush couch, sipping a drink when she entered. His eyes lit up as he saw her in the new dress. "You look... perfect."
Riya smiled politely, but her mind was still on the sketch. "Logan... why do you have a sketch of me in your house? When did you draw that?"
Logan looked at her, slightly surprised, but there was no hesitation in his response. "You saw that, huh?" He chuckled softly, setting his drink down. "I told Angelina not to show that room yet."
Riya crossed her arms, her brow furrowing. "But why? Why do you have a painting of me? You've been drawing me?"
Logan stood up, walking over to her, his expression softening. "From the moment I saw you, Riya, you've been on my mind. You're not like anyone else. I couldn't get you out of my head, so I started sketching you."
His voice was low, almost vulnerable, and Riya could feel the weight of his words. But it made her uneasy—she hadn't expected this.
Logan moved closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "I know it might seem intense, but I've never felt this way about anyone before. You... you're different. And I couldn't stop thinking about you."
Riya blinked, feeling a wave of confusion. She wasn't sure what to make of Logan's sudden confession. Part of her felt flattered by the attention, by the raw emotion in his voice. But another part of her—the part that had been warned by Soumya and Lana—couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about all of this.
"Logan..." she began, her voice trailing off as she searched for the right words.
But before she could say more, Logan gently placed his hands on her shoulders, his touch light but firm. "Riya, I'm serious about you. I know it might seem fast, but I've never been more certain about anything in my life. I'm falling for you."
His words hung in the air between them, thick with emotion. Riya felt her heart race, her mind spinning with confusion and doubt.
She didn't know how to respond. Logan's intensity was overwhelming, and though a part of her was drawn to it, another part screamed at her to take a step back, to think.
But before she could decide, Logan leaned in, closing the distance between them. His lips brushed against hers, soft at first, then more insistent. Riya froze for a moment, caught off guard by the suddenness of it all. But then, without fully understanding why, she found herself kissing him back.
The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more heated. Logan's hands slid from her shoulders down to her waist, pulling her closer as he kissed her with a hunger that made Riya's heart pound. For a moment, she let herself get lost in it—in the intensity, the passion, the fire that seemed to burn between them.
But as quickly as it had started, Riya pulled away, her breath ragged, her heart racing. She stepped back, putting space between them as she tried to catch her breath.
Logan looked at her, his eyes dark with desire, but there was something more in them—something almost possessive.
"You don't know how long I've wanted to do that," Logan said, his voice low and rough.
Riya swallowed hard, her mind spinning. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to feel. All she knew was that things had just gotten a lot more complicated.
---
Later that night, as Riya lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, she couldn't stop thinking about what had happened at Logan's house. The kiss. His confession. The sketch.
It was all too much, too fast.
She turned over, pulling the covers up to her chin as she tried to push the thoughts from her mind. But even as she closed her eyes, she couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
And in the back of her mind, another face lingered.
Zane.
—