It started with a glance. A flick of my eyes that lingered just a little too long. At first, I wasn't sure if it was working. But then, he looked back. His gaze met mine, and for a moment, the world around us faded away. It was a dangerous game I was playing, but I couldn't stop myself.
His name was Daniel, and he was everything I had imagined and more. Wealthy, confident, and completely out of my league. But that didn't matter. I wasn't looking for love. I was looking for opportunity.
The first time we spoke, I was nervous. My hands shook, and my heart raced as I approached him. But I forced myself to stay calm. "Excuse me," I said, my voice soft but steady. "Do you have a light?"
He looked at me, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me. Then, he smiled. "Of course," he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a lighter.
I leaned in, letting him light my cigarette. The flame flickered between us, casting shadows on his face. "Thank you," I said, taking a drag and exhaling slowly. "I don't usually do this."
"Smoke?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I shook my head. "Talk to strangers."
He laughed, a low, rumbling sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Well, I'm glad you made an exception for me."
We talked for hours that night, our conversation flowing effortlessly. He told me about his work, his travels, and his dreams. I listened, hanging on his every word, but I didn't share much about myself. I didn't need to. My presence was enough.
By the end of the night, he was hooked. I could see it in the way he looked at me, the way he leaned in just a little too close. And I knew that this was just the beginning.
In the days that followed, I found myself drawn deeper into his world. Expensive dinners, lavish gifts, and whispered promises of a better life. It was intoxicating, but I knew better than to lose myself completely.
Because this wasn't about him. It was about me. My dreams. My desires. My escape.
And as I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, I felt a sense of satisfaction I had never known before. For the first time in my life, I was in control.
The whispers in my mind were no longer just fantasies. They were my reality.
And I was ready for whatever came next.