The night at Obsidian Lounge continued as if nothing had shifted.
Music drifted through the room in slow waves. Glasses clinked. Conversations rose and fell like distant tides across the crowded lounge.
Yet Dominic Vale's attention remained fixed on one corner of the bar.
Alessia Kane sat beside her friend, the golden lights above the counter reflecting softly against the polished marble surface. The bartender had replaced their glasses twice already.
Her friend, Maya, appeared perfectly comfortable with the pace of the evening.
Alessia, however, seemed quieter now.
She lifted her glass slowly, taking only small sips. The faintest crease appeared between her brows whenever she fell silent, as if her thoughts were somewhere far beyond the walls of the lounge.
Julian noticed Dominic watching again.
He didn't comment immediately this time.
Instead, he leaned back in his chair, studying the room with the patience of someone waiting for a moment to unfold.
Across the bar, Maya suddenly turned toward Alessia again.
"You're thinking too much," she said loudly enough to carry across the counter.
Alessia exhaled softly.
"I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
Maya tapped the side of her glass against Alessia's.
"You've been doing that quiet brooding thing for the last ten minutes."
Alessia gave her a dry look.
"I am not brooding."
"You absolutely are."
Julian glanced toward Dominic.
"You hear that?"
Dominic didn't respond.
Maya leaned closer toward her friend.
"Tonight is not about him."
A brief pause followed.
Alessia's fingers tightened slightly around the stem of her glass.
"I know that."
"Good."
Maya straightened again, satisfied.
"Because Ethan Blake does not deserve this level of emotional investment."
Dominic's gaze shifted slightly.
Julian noticed immediately.
"Well," Julian murmured quietly, "that answers one question."
Dominic didn't look away from the bar.
"What question?"
Julian lifted his glass.
"She's recently single."
Dominic said nothing.
At the bar, Alessia finished the rest of her drink.
"I'm fine," she said calmly.
Maya studied her face carefully.
"You're lying."
"I'm managing."
"That's not the same thing."
Alessia didn't answer.
For a moment she simply watched the slow movement of the crowd across the lounge.
Then she placed the empty glass down.
"I think I should go home."
Maya blinked.
"That's early."
"It's late."
"It's barely midnight."
"It's late for me."
Maya sighed dramatically but didn't argue.
"Fine."
She slid off her barstool and grabbed her purse.
"But next time we're staying longer."
Alessia stood beside her.
Her black dress shifted softly as she adjusted the small clutch in her hand.
The movement caught the light again, outlining the smooth lines of the fabric.
For a moment she glanced across the room.
Not searching for anyone in particular.
Just observing.
Her gaze moved across the crowd, over the VIP section—
Then paused.
Across the lounge, Dominic was still seated at his table.
Their eyes met again.
Just briefly.
This time Alessia was the first to look away.
She turned toward the exit.
"Come on," she told Maya.
"Before you order another drink."
Maya laughed and followed her toward the door.
Dominic watched them walk through the crowd.
The golden lighting followed Alessia's silhouette as she moved between tables, her afro catching the light again each time she passed beneath the hanging lamps.
The lounge doors opened.
Then closed behind them.
Julian waited exactly three seconds before speaking.
"Well."
Dominic finally looked away from the entrance.
Julian leaned forward with clear interest.
"Are you going to pretend that didn't just happen?"
Dominic picked up his glass.
"What exactly happened?"
Julian laughed.
"You spent the entire evening watching a woman you collided with in a hallway."
"That's an exaggeration."
"Is it?"
Dominic didn't answer.
Julian leaned back again.
"So," he said lightly, "what's the plan?"
Dominic placed the glass back on the table.
Across the lounge, the band had begun another slow jazz piece.
The music drifted through the room like smoke.
Julian waited.
Dominic finally spoke.
"Did you hear her friend earlier?"
Julian nodded.
"Maya."
Dominic's gaze returned briefly toward the exit.
"And the other one."
Julian thought for a moment.
Then his eyes lit slightly.
"Alessia."
Dominic repeated the name once, quietly.
"Alessia."
Julian watched him carefully.
"You like the name."
Dominic didn't respond.
Instead he stood, reaching for his jacket.
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"Leaving already?"
Dominic slipped the jacket on.
"Yes."
Julian studied him with obvious amusement.
"And where exactly are you going?"
Dominic adjusted his cuff calmly.
"I have work tomorrow."
Julian smiled slowly.
"Of course you do."
Dominic walked toward the exit.
Just before he reached the door, Julian's voice followed him across the lounge.
"You're going to look for her."
Dominic stopped briefly.
Only for a moment.
Then he glanced back.
His expression remained calm.
But his next words were clear.
"Yes."
Julian's grin widened.
Dominic continued toward the exit.
Before pushing the door open, he paused briefly.
The name echoed once more in his mind.
Alessia.
Then he stepped out into the night.