The Devil's Witness

Stranger Elena's Pov My pulse thundered against my ear as the cold barrel rested against my head. I didn't flinch even though my heart slammed fiercely against my ribs. I was scared, yet I couldn't let my fear out as I masked it skillfully. He was right behind me, and I knew a pull on the trigger could end me there and then. Yet, I also knew he wouldn't do that, at least not in a nightclub filled with people. Taking that as an opportunity, my logical reasoning kicked in. "You... You don't dare kill me here, Marcus." I tried to maintain a calm face while I gambled on if he truly dared. "Ha you overestimated yourself too much, Miss Valemount? You really think your little law degree makes you safe? " Marcus sneered. The cheap scent of liquor hit my face while he kept nudging my head with the gun. The feeling was terrifyingly familiar as it dragged my mind straight to when I was a little girl. The night that changed my life forever. I could still see the fire and hear the gunshots echoing in the background. Father's weak voice calling out while holding his gunshot wounds. “Run Elena , run!!” He struggled with his breath as my mother dragged me away in the dark, covering my mouth to stifle my screams before I blacked out. Now the same feeling came rushing back in. My eyes held terror and I pinched myself to clear my head. Marcus' voice called out again behind me. "Now you're going to walk out of this place quietly, or I will blow this entire place up. Would you let your ignorance drag the lives of other people down with you? Can your precious morals handle that?" Marcus hissed in my ear. I looked around the club. Flashing lights and loud music, these people didn't know that they were one step away from kissing the earth goodbye. But could Marcus really do it? I didn't want to gamble because what if he really does it? This time I was cornered. My feet went cold, and my hands began trembling. I should have known better than to agree to meet alone on enemies' territory. I had only one option. I scanned the crowded dance floor. Hundreds of people were packed inside the club, laughing and dancing, completely unaware that a gun was pressed against the back of my head. They continued with their night, unaware of how close they were to danger. I stood up quietly and let Marcus with his men lead me. Luckily, a large group of teenagers crossed our path in the crowd. The moment they blocked Marcus's view, I bolted. I ducked past the velvet ropes and ran up the stairs to the VIP lounge. The security guards tried to stop me, but I flashed my gold legal bar card so fast that they blinked, giving me just enough time to slip into the dim, private room. "In here! Check the booths!" a harsh voice echoed from the stairwell. They were right behind me. I looked at the nearest leather booth where a group of wealthy-looking guys were drinking. Acting on pure survival instinct, I strode over to the man sitting at the edge, twisted my fingers into his expensive collar, and pulled his face down to mine. Our lips crashed together instantly. I kissed him fiercely, hiding my face entirely as the heavy footsteps of the hitmen paced past our booth. They searched for a while before leaving after a confrontation with the security guards. The danger had finally passed. I slowly pulled away, my breathing still heavy as I looked at the man I had just used as a human shield. He had a sharp jawline, jet-black silk hair and a customized suit. For some reason, those dark eyes felt oddly familiar, as though I had seen them before. But from where? I stared at him for a moment as everything seemed to slow down. Then I realized I was sitting on his lap and stood up abruptly. I had more to worry about than a stranger who felt familiar. " I'm sorry" I muttered softly and fled the room. I didn't notice that behind me, his expression remained unchanged. Yet, for the first time, amusement flickered in his eyes. Alan's pov I could feel her trembling against me, as though her life depended on it. Yet I didn't push her away. Why— She pulled back after a while. Her breathing ragged as her eyes widened with terror. As though she was fleeing from something. The unspoken word hung heavily in the air between us. I sat perfectly still maintaining a calm facade.But inside, a dark, roaring fire had just ignited. Elena. Years later, and she still had the same stubborn eyes and the same defiant spirit. But— She stared at me like some stranger. Like she forgot about me. Before I could say a word, she forced herself up from my lap and apologized. She didn't wait for a response. As she turned on her heels, staggered slightly, and slipped away into the crowd before my friends could even process what had just happened. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Leo burst out laughing, slamming his glass onto the table. "Did our resident monk just get taken advantage of? Alan, since when do random girls just run up and lock lips with you eh?” "Hehehe ..... Alan, my guy seems unlike you though, and you allowed it,” Damien chuckled slightly. "The fact remains he allowed it…hmm. Cheers, cheers." Leo stood up, clinking everyone's glass cup like he had unravelled a big secret and the rest of the guys understood. They erupted into loud teasing, raising their drinks to toast my sudden "luck." I just chuckled softly, I couldn't be bothered to explain anything to them. Playing along with my usual quiet persona, everyone soon resumed their drinking and chatter. But in the darkness, no one saw my eyes burn. Slowly, I lifted my fingers to my lips. I traced the outline of my mouth. I could still feel her lips desperately pressed against mine. I could see the fear in her eyes yet that same stubborn unyielding look. But what could she have been running from? What? I pondered, then a slow smile crept onto my face—one that never reached my eyes. Elena Valemount. All these years, we finally meet again.