Chapter 1 - Falling into Shadows
1084 Words
The alarm buzzed, a shrill reminder of another day in a life that no longer felt like hers. Anna Sinclair groaned, reaching out to silence it, her fingers brushing against the cracked screen of her second-hand phone. A sigh slipped past her lips as she pushed herself up from the worn-out mattress. The tiny studio apartment was cold, the walls dull and lifeless, much like the existence she had been forced into.
She ran a hand through her tangled dark locks, her fingers catching on the knots. Her body felt as brittle as the life she led, a mere shadow of what it had once been. Rising to her feet, she padded barefoot to the tiny bathroom, the chill of the tiles biting at her skin. The heater had long since given out, and she wasn’t in a position to fix it. Cold showers were something she had grown accustomed to—another punishment in a life that never seemed to stop dealing them.
As the icy water hit her skin, she inhaled sharply but forced herself to endure it. It grounded her, reminded her that she was still here, still breathing, still fighting.
Her morning routine was swift. She pulled on a pair of faded jeans, a sweater two sizes too big, and the only coat she owned. The reflection staring back at her from the cracked mirror was one of a woman who had endured more than her years should have allowed. Hollowed cheeks, tired eyes, lips pressed into a firm line. She had long stopped recognizing herself.
The buzzing of her phone on the counter caught her attention. Magreth.
She picked up. “Yeah?”
“Morning, love. Are you out yet?”
Anna grabbed her bag, pushing her feet into scuffed sneakers. “Heading out now.”
“Carry an umbrella. It’s going to rain.”
Anna glanced at the leaky ceiling and let out a dry chuckle. “You know I don’t own one.”
Magreth sighed on the other end. “I swear, one of these days I’m going to kidnap you and give you a proper life.”
Anna smiled at the sentiment but said nothing. Magreth was one of the few people in her life who still saw her as something more than the girl with a ruined past.
Stepping outside, the city greeted her with the usual morning rush. People moving like clockwork, a symphony of footsteps, horns, and chatter. The sky was a dull gray, heavy with the promise of rain. Anna tightened her coat around her frail frame and made her way to the bus stop. Her life had shrunk to a simple routine—home, work, survive.
As she neared her stop, thunder rumbled in the distance. Just as she stepped off the bus, the skies opened, pouring down in torrents. She pulled her coat tighter, bracing herself against the cold as she hurried toward the restaurant where she worked. Just as she reached the pavement, a sleek black car sped by, splashing muddy water all over her.
“Are you f*****g kidding me?” she muttered, staring at her soaked jeans and ruined sweater.
Frustration boiling over, she marched to the driver’s side and knocked hard. The door opened, and a man stepped out, walking right past her to open the passenger side.
“Hey! Do you even realize what you just—”
Her words trailed off as she took in the man stepping out of the car. He was tall, dressed in a sharp black suit that screamed money and power. Dark hair, piercing blue eyes—eyes that locked onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach tighten.
Something about him was familiar, but before she could place it, he turned to his driver. “Deal with it.”
With that, he strode off toward the mall, leaving her standing there, fists clenched at her sides.
The chauffeur, looking apologetic, pulled out a crisp bill. “Miss, I—”
“Forget it.” Anna turned on her heel, her heart pounding for reasons she couldn’t explain.
She stormed into the restaurant, her friend and coworker, Magreth, taking one look at her and gasping. “Oh my God, what happened to you?”
Anna shook her head. “Some entitled asshole with a fancy car.”
Magreth clicked her tongue, already rummaging through her locker. “Here, I have an extra pair of leggings. Go change before Matt throws a fit.”
Anna took them gratefully, stepping into the back to switch out of her ruined clothes. As she pulled on the leggings, her mind kept circling back to the man from the car. The way he had looked at her—like he had seen a ghost.
She shook off the thought and went back to work. The morning rush was in full swing. Orders came in rapid succession, coffee was poured, plates were served. She slipped into the rhythm, grateful for the distraction.
Then he walked in.
The same man from earlier, the one who had left her standing in the rain.
Her breath caught as he stepped to the counter, shrugging off his coat. He looked even more intimidating up close—strong jaw, high cheekbones, eyes that were too sharp, too knowing. He pulled out his phone, murmuring something before ending the call and turning to her.
“Anna,” he said, reading her name tag. His voice was deep, smooth. “I’ll have a latte and two croissants.”
Her fingers trembled slightly as she punched in the order. Get a grip.
“Dine-in or takeout?” she asked, keeping her voice even.
“Takeout.” He leaned in slightly, those piercing eyes locking onto hers. “You always look this grumpy in the morning?”
Her lips parted, a retort forming, but Magreth swooped in before she could speak. “Oh, Anna’s not grumpy. Just had a rough morning. You know, assholes with fancy cars splashing her with mud.”
A slow smirk curled at his lips. “That so?”
Anna glared at Magreth before handing him his receipt. “Your order will be ready in a moment.”
He took the receipt, fingers grazing hers for the briefest moment before he turned and walked to the waiting area. Anna exhaled, unaware she had been holding her breath.
As she watched him go, an unsettling thought settled in her gut.
Why did she feel like she had met him before?
- Writer
