Second Chance

Bed room was illuminated only by the faint glow of his phone. Adrian Vale sat against the large headboard of his bed, one long leg stretched across the dark sheets while the other was bent casually beside him. The cold blue light from the screen fell across his face, revealing sharp and almost unreal features. Adrian Vale was the kind of man who naturally made people keep their distance. His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, framing his handsome face. His sharp jawline, straight nose, and deep eyes gave him an aloof and intimidating appearance. He rarely showed his emotions, always hiding them behind an expressionless and cold exterior. But tonight, something was different. His usually emotionless eyes were filled with emotions. "Why did you suddenly leave me?" He murmured quietly. His eyes remained fixed on the photograph displayed on his phone screen. Suddenly— "Who left whom?" Adrian froze. Before he could react, someone jumped onto the bed beside him. Adrian immediately locked his phone and turned toward the intruder with an irritated glare. "Ryan Blackwood." His cold voice echoed through the silent room. "You should knock before entering someone's room." Ryan blinked. For a moment, silence filled the bedroom. Then a faint smile appeared on Ryan's lips. "How?" He asked calmly. "How exactly am I supposed to knock on the door?" There was something strangely quiet in his voice. Something sad. Adrian's expression immediately changed. His gaze slowly lowered. Guilt flashed through his eyes. He had forgotten. For just a moment. He had forgotten that Ryan was no longer like him. No longer human. Ryan Blackwood had met with a terrible accident three years ago. The accident had left his body lying unconscious in a hospital bed. A coma. For three long years. His soul had somehow awakened outside his body. And since then... He had wandered. Through hospitals. Through streets. Through empty buildings. Through the world where living people could neither see nor hear him. Ryan Blackwood had become a wandering soul. No one could see him. No one could hear him. No one even knew he was there. Except Adrian. Adrian was the only person capable of seeing Ryan. The only person capable of hearing his voice. Neither of them knows why. Perhaps fate had chosen Adrian. Or perhaps... They were soulmates long before either of them realized it. Ryan smiled softly when he saw Adrian looking sad for him. “Hey, there’s no need to be sad. I’m fine.” "Sorry," Adrian quietly said. Ryan said with a smile. “You don’t have to apologize to me.” Adrian looked at him and saw the genuine smile on his face. Adrian knew that Ryan had always been like this. Even now. Even after spending three years wandering alone while his physical body remained unconscious in a hospital. Ryan still found reasons to smile. Adrian smiled faintly. Ryan immediately noticed it. "See?" Ryan pointed at him dramatically. "Much better." Adrian shook his head. "You're unbelievable." Ryan grinned. "Thank you." "That wasn't a compliment." "I'll accept it anyway." Adrian scoffed. A small smile remained on his lips. He always finds something good even in the worst situations. That was Ryan. Even death hadn't managed to completely destroy his cheerful personality. Ryan suddenly leaned closer. "By the way..." His eyes sparkled mischievously. Adrian immediately knew that expression. Danger. "It's actually very fun to barge into your room whenever I want." Adrian stared at him. Ryan grinned wider. "No doors can stop me." Adrian shook his head. "You are really something." "I know." Ryan proudly lifted his chin. Then his expression suddenly changed. His playful eyes narrowed. "Wait." Adrian immediately became suspicious. "What?" Ryan slowly turned toward the nightstand. Toward Adrian's phone. Adrian's eyes widened slightly. Ryan looked back at him. "Who were you talking about?" "No one." Ryan raised an eyebrow. "And whose picture were you looking at?" Adrian immediately looked away. "No one's." Ryan stared at him. Adrian calmly reached for his phone and placed it on the nightstand. Ryan continued staring. Adrian ignored him. Ryan continued staring. Finally— "Yah!" Adrian turned toward him. Ryan's cheerful expression had disappeared. His eyes had become sharp. Ryan's features were naturally soft and youthful, giving him a warm and approachable appearance. His gentle eyes often curved beautifully whenever he smiled, and his cheerful personality could make even the darkest atmosphere feel lighter. But Adrian knew better than anyone else. Behind those soft features was someone surprisingly sharp. Whenever Ryan became serious, the warmth disappeared from his expression, and his gaze could become frighteningly observant and cold. He noticed things. Things other people easily missed. "You cannot hide anything from me." Adrian sighed. "I can." "No." Ryan moved closer. "You cannot." Adrian narrowed his eyes. Ryan stared directly into them. Silence. A long, uncomfortable silence. Finally, Adrian surrendered. "Fine." Ryan's face immediately brightened. "But stop looking at me like that." "What look?" "That look." Ryan smiled innocently. "I have no idea what you're talking about." "You're annoying." "Now speak." Ryan comfortably leaned back against the pillows and crossed his arms. He looked completely prepared to listen. Adrian stared at him. Ryan stared back. Adrian sighed again. "Okay." Ryan immediately sat up. Adrian couldn't help smiling when he saw Ryan's excited expression. The same expression. The same childish excitement. As if he hadn't spent three years wandering around the world as a soul. Adrian slowly reached for his phone. His fingers tightened around it. The locked screen reflected his face. His expression slowly changed. The warmth disappeared. Confusion returned to his eyes. Along with something deeper. Something painful. "Okay then..." Adrian quietly said. Ryan leaned closer. Adrian looked at the phone. Then slowly raised his eyes toward Ryan. "Listen carefully." Ryan's smile faded slightly. For some reason... Adrian suddenly looked serious. And Ryan had the strange feeling that whatever Adrian was about to tell him... Wasn't going to be simple.