Alright đ€ Here is a reworked and expanded version, close to 1,000 words, with:
A childhood memory/dream of her parents before waking
The alarm interrupting the dream
A more acti
Selene stood still long after he disappeared, the echo of his footsteps lingering in her mind. The night felt heavier than before, thick with unanswered questions. She folded her arms around herself, as though that could keep the cold and uncertainty from seeping in.
"I don't know who exactly you are," she had said, the words replaying in her thoughts, "but I'm happy you helped me remember. Nevertheless, I don't trust you enough. Bye."
His smileâcalm, knowing, almost dangerousârefused to leave her memory.
"It's not that easy to get rid of me," he had replied. "We'll meet tomorrow."
She had watched him walk away, his figure slowly dissolving into the shadows, until there was nothing left but silence. All she could do then was sighâa tired, burdened sigh that carried years of suppressed pain.
At home, Selene barely remembered locking the door. She sank onto her couch, the walls of the apartment pressing in on her. Memories surfaced uninvitedâimages she had buried so deeply she thought they were gone forever.
Her parents.
Her mother's laughter, soft and warm. Her father's strong hands lifting her into the air. The way their voices blended when they called her name.
Tears slid down her cheeks.
"I guess I now know what happened to them," she whispered into the empty room. Her fists clenched with determination. "And sure enough, I'll get justice for them. No matter what. Mom⊠Dad⊠I love you."
Exhaustion overtook her grief, and without realizing it, she drifted into sleep.
She was young again.
The sun was bright, golden, and kind. The grass beneath her feet was cool and soft as she ran across the yard, her laughter ringing freely. Her mother chased after her, pretending to struggle, while her father stood nearby, arms open wide.
"Selene!" her mother called. "Slow down!"
"I'm going to catch you!" her father added, grinning.
She ran straight into his arms, and he lifted her high, spinning her around. She squealed with delight, gripping his shoulders as the world blurred into happiness.
Later, she lay between them on a blanket, her head resting on her mother's lap while her father pointed at the sky.
"That one looks like a bird," he said.
"And that one like a heart," her mother replied softly, brushing Selene's hair back.
Selene felt safe. Whole. Loved.
"Promise you'll always be with me," she murmured sleepily.
"Always," her parents said together.
'Crrrrggg⊠crrrrgggâŠ'
The sound ripped through the dream like a blade.
Selene gasped awake.
"Ahhh! What's theâ?!" She shot up, heart racing, hands flailing until she slapped the alarm silent. "Ahhhhh! I'm lateâand the shoot has started!"
She reached for her phone, panic tightening her chest, then froze.
"But⊠I don't have a shoot this whole week," she muttered, staring at the screen. "Who set my alarm?"
A voice answered behind her.
"Good morning, sleepyhead."
Her breath caught.
"You slept too much, so I set the alarm."
Fear surged through her veins. She rolled off the couch and spun around, fists raised.
He stood thereâcalm, unbothered, leaning against the wall like he belonged there.
"You!" she exclaimed.
Without thinking, she lunged forward, swinging her leg in a sharp kick aimed at his torso. He reacted instantly, catching her ankle mid-air.
"Tch," he clicked his tongue. "Violent way to say good morning."
She tried to yank her leg free, but he twisted slightly, throwing her off balance. Selene swung her arms, aiming a punch at his shoulder. He blocked it, stepped forward, and suddenly they were grapplingâhands pushing, bodies colliding.
"Let go of me!" she shouted.
"Not until you calm down!"
They stumbled backward together, crashing into a small table that toppled over. The momentum sent them both tumbling to the floor. Selene landed hard, knocking the air from her lungs, with him bracing himself above her.
Silence hit like thunder.
Their breathing was loud, uneven. She could feel the weight of him, the heat of his body so close to hers. Her pulse thundered in her ears.
Realizing the position they were in, Selene's eyes widened.
"Get off me!" she snapped, pushing at his chest.
Instead of moving immediately, he paused. His gaze softenedânot mocking this time, but curious. Slowly, deliberately, he leaned closer.
Her breath hitched.
Her mind screamed at her to move, but her body betrayed her. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself.
Insteadâ
He released her.
She hit the floor with a dull thud.
"Ouch!" she groaned, sitting up and rubbing her side. "You don't know how to treat a lady!"
He stood and dusted himself off, clearly entertained. "And you don't know how to treat a gentleman either."
She glared at him, scrambling to her feet. "Breaking into someone's house is gentlemanly now?"
He ignored the question, heading toward the door as if the chaos meant nothing.
"Meet me at the restaurant down the street at eight," he said calmly. "Wear something nice."
"Hey!" she called after him. "You can't justâ"
He reached the door and paused.
Something compelled her to speak again.
"May I know your name?"
He glanced back, a half-smile playing on his lips.
"Robert."
And then he was gone.