Elena stared out the window of the taxi as the rain softly drizzled against the glass, blurring the cityscape of her new home. Her heart raced, though she couldn't decide if it was excitement or anxiety. After everything that had happened back home, she was ready to start fresh. A new city, a new university, and a new life were just what she needed.

But the moment she stepped out of the car and into the grandeur of the old ballroom, Elena felt like she had stepped back in time. The masquerade theme of the university's welcome gala was extravagant, with chandeliers casting soft, golden light across elegantly dressed students. Masks, feathers, and glitter sparkled as guests moved gracefully across the polished floor. It was almost surreal.

Elena tugged at her own mask, a simple black lace that seemed out of place among the elaborate creations everyone else wore. She wasn't sure why she had come. Sara, her new friend from orientation, had insisted that it would be fun. But so far, Elena felt like an outsider watching a play.

She moved toward the refreshment table, her eyes scanning the room nervously. A group of students laughed nearby, but Elena felt no urge to join them. Instead, she poured herself a glass of champagne, hoping the bubbles might settle her nerves. As she took a sip, she caught sight of someone across the room.

He stood apart from the crowd, his tall, lean frame dressed in a dark suit that seemed almost too formal for the occasion. His mask was black and sleek, accentuating his sharp, angular features. But it was his eyes that held her attention — even from a distance, they seemed to pierce through the crowd, locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

Elena quickly looked away, her heart racing even faster now. She felt exposed, like he could see through her mask, straight into her thoughts. Who was he? She hadn't seen him at the orientation sessions. There was something about him, something that made her pulse quicken, but also sent a chill down her spine.

Suddenly, she felt a presence beside her. Sara had appeared out of nowhere, her mask adorned with gold leaves, giving her the appearance of a woodland goddess. "Having fun yet?" she asked, oblivious to Elena's nervousness.

"Not exactly," Elena admitted, casting a quick glance toward the stranger, only to find that he had disappeared. A strange sense of disappointment washed over her.

Sara followed her gaze. "Oh, you're interested in someone already?" She teased, leaning in with a playful grin.

Elena shook her head, forcing a smile. "No, it's nothing. Just... trying to get a feel for the place."

Sara's smile faltered, and she gave Elena a sympathetic look. "Hey, I know this move has been tough, but you're going to be fine. You'll meet people, make new friends. And who knows, maybe you'll meet someone special tonight."

Elena nodded half-heartedly. The idea of meeting someone "special" seemed impossible after everything that had happened in her past. She wasn't here to fall in love. She was here to rebuild, to heal.

But as the evening wore on, she couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching her. Each time she glanced around, her eyes searched for the dark figure she had seen earlier, but he never reappeared.

Finally, the gala began to wind down. The crowd thinned as people left in pairs or small groups, their laughter echoing down the grand staircases. Elena, feeling worn out from the evening, decided to head back to her apartment. She said goodbye to Sara and stepped out into the cool night air.

The street was quiet, except for the soft rustling of leaves in the trees lining the road. Elena pulled her coat tighter around her as she walked, her heels clicking softly on the wet pavement. The city was alive around her, but she felt utterly alone.

And then, as if summoned by her thoughts, he appeared.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a figure standing in the shadows just ahead. Her heart leapt into her throat as she recognized the dark silhouette from the gala. It was him—the stranger.

He stepped forward, slowly, deliberately. His eyes, those same piercing eyes from earlier, locked onto hers again, and this time, there was no escaping his gaze. Elena froze, her breath hitching in her chest.

For a moment, neither of them moved. The air between them seemed to hum with tension. Then, without a word, the stranger turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Elena standing there, shaken, confused, and undeniably intrigued.