Rain poured relentlessly over the city, turning the streets into rivers of blurred light and reflections. Neon signs flickered against wet asphalt while cars rushed past without noticing the lone girl walking along the sidewalk.
Amelia Vale tightened the coat around herself as the cold wind pushed strands of dark hair across her face.
She hated nights like these.
Nights that felt too quiet.
Too lonely.
Her phone buzzed inside her pocket. She pulled it out and sighed when she saw the message.
Rent due tomorrow
Ofcourse.
Just another reminder that life never paused long enough for her to breathe.
Amelia crossed the street quickly, clutching the strap of her bag. Her apartment was only two blocks away.
Then suddenly -
Headlights flashed toward her.
A sleek black car stopped inches from where she stood.
Her heart jumped.
The car door opened slowly.
And a man stepped out.
Tall.
Impossibly tall.
The streetlight above him flickered, casting shadows across a sharply defined face. Dark hair, expensive suit, and eyes so cold they seemed almost unnatural.
He studied her like she was something unexpected.
Something interesting.
Amelia stepped back instinctively.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I didn't see your car."
The man didn't answer immediately.
Instead, his gaze travelled slowly over her - calm, calculating.
Then finally he spoke.
His voice was low
Dangerously calm.
"You should be more careful walking alone at night."
Amelia frowned slightly. Something about him made the air feel heavier.
"I could say the same to you," she replied.
For a moment, silence stretched between them.
Then the man smiled.
But it wasn't a kind smile.
It was the kind that made people nervous.
"You don't know who I am, do you?"
Amelia shook her head.
"No."
The man seemed amused by that.
"Interesting."
Too close.
The rain soaked both of them now, but he didn't seem to notice.
"My name is Damian Vancov."
The name meant nothing to her.
But the way he said it felt like it should.
Amelia nodded politely. "Nice to meet you."
Damian's smile widened slightly.
"Is it?"
Something about his tone sent a strange chill down her spine.
Then suddenly -
A black umbrella appeared above her.
Damian had opened it.
"You're getting soaked," he said casually.
Amelia blinked
"You just stood in the rain for five minutes."
"I wasn't cold."
He tilted his head slightly.
"But you are."
She hesitated.
Everything about this situation felt strange.
A mysterious billionaire-looking man.
A luxury car.
A quiet street.
And yet... she couldn't bring herself to walk away.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Home."
"Where?"
"Two blocks away."
Damian looked toward the dark street ahead.
Then back at her.
"I'll drive you."
"No thank you."
Her answer came too fast.
Damian chuckled softly.
"You think I'm dangerous?"
Amelia crossed her arms.
"I don't even know you."
"Fair point."
Another pause.
Then he said something unexpected.
"You will."
Her brows furrowed.
"What?"
Damian studied her face another long moment.
Then he stepped back.
"Good night, Miss..."
"Amelia."
"Amelia."
The way he said her name made it sound... deliberate.
Like he was memorizing it.
"Good night," he said quietly.
He got back into his car.
The engine paused.
And seconds later, the black vehicle disappeared into the rain.
Amelia stood there for a moment.
Her heart beating strangely fast.
She had the unsettling feeling that something had just begun.
Something she couldn't stop.