Chapter 2 : Unexpected Thinking
591 Words
Rain had stopped by morning, leaving the city streets sparkling under the pale sunlight. Amaara walked briskly toward her tiny apartment, trying to shake off the memory of last night. Why Do I keep thinking about him? She muttered. He is just some rich guy with a bad attitude. Nothing more. But even as she tried to convince herself, she remembered the way he’d looked at her the sharp blue eyes that seemed to pierce through her, the way his expression had flickered, just slightly soft. That shouldn’t matter. It can’t matter. High above the city, in the penthouse of the Valtieri Tower, Aiden Voltaire poured himself a glass of scotch. His suit from the previous night still hung damp over a chair, ruined by coffee and rain, but he didn’t care. The ruined suit was irrelevant. She was what he couldn’t stop thinking about. Who is she? he thought, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. No family, no background, and Nothing. And yet I can’t get her out of my head. His assistant, Marc, cleared his throat nervously. “Sir… you’ve barely touched your breakfast,” Marc said, shifting uncomfortably.“ I’m fine,” Aiden replied, not looking at him. “Just… occupied .” Marc raised an eyebrow. “Occupied with work?” Aiden’s eyes finally met his assistant’s, sharp and cold, but with an edge of vulnerability that rarely showed. “No. Someone,” he said quietly, almost to himself. Marc didn’t know what to say and left quietly. Amaara tried to keep her day normal. At the boutique where she worked, she was arranging displays and helping customers when she glanced out the window and froze. There he was. Across the street, standing under the awning of a café, umbrella closed, hands in pockets, eyes fixed on her. Her pulse quickened. No… it can’t be him. She ducked behind a rack of clothes, hoping he didn’t see her. Later that afternoon, Amaara ran a small errand at the corner café. Balancing her tea and a small paper bag, she felt a presence behind her. She turned sharply almost spilling her drink but saw him strolling casually toward her. “ You’re persistent,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady, forcing a small, nervous smile.He stopped a few feet away, expression unreadable. “I thought you might need an umbrella. It looks like rain again this evening.” She looked at the sky, which was now clear except for a few lingering clouds. “You… don’t have to do that,” she said cautiously. He shrugged, his gaze softening just slightly. “ I’m not asking for thanks. Consider it precautionary. Amaara blinked, unsure what to make of him. He’s just different, Strange, Protective, and Dangerous. And I don’t even know why I care. He noticed her hesitation and smirked faintly one corner of his lips lifting. “ You’re more interesting than you think. Her stomach fluttered. “Interesting isn’t always a compliment,” she muttered, taking the umbrella he offered. That evening, Aiden returned to his penthouse. He poured himself another glass of scotch, staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the city lights. Why can’t I stop thinking about her? he whispered, more to himself than anyone else. I shouldn’t care and yet I do.He picked up his phone, opening a discreet map app. A tiny blue dot indicated her location at the café. He didn’t text her, He didn’t call, He simply watched, letting the obsession simmer. Soon, he thought, I’ll see her again. Soon.
- Writer
