chapter Nine
1377 Words
The party was already in full swing by the time Aria and Jenna arrived. The atmosphere was electric—a proper Gen Z party, filled with vibrant youth, pulsing music, and an unmistakable energy. The venue, a luxurious rooftop lounge, was adorned with neon lights that bathed everything in a soft, colorful glow.
Men and women moved effortlessly across the dance floor, laughter and chatter blending seamlessly with the thumping bass of the music. Elegant cocktail tables were scattered around the perimeter, where guests sipped on expensive drinks and exchanged stories.
Sexy young ladies dressed in daring outfits twirled under the flashing lights, some swaying to the music while others captured i********:-perfect moments on their phones. And, of course, there were men—handsome, well-groomed, exuding confidence.
Aria felt a little out of place, but she didn’t regret coming. At least, not yet.
Victor had already pulled Jenna onto the dance floor, their playful energy blending with the crowd. That left Aria alone, sipping her cocktail as she observed the scene. She wasn’t a wallflower, but neither was she the type to throw herself into a crowd of strangers.
Her eyes shifted to Mathilda, the birthday celebrant, who moved effortlessly through the room. She was stunning—dressed in an elegant, sequined outfit that shimmered under the lights.
Aria watched as Mathilda made her way toward her, a warm smile on her face.
“Oh, you must be Jenna’s friend, right? My cousin’s girlfriend’s friend?” Mathilda said in an excited tone.
“Sure,” Aria chuckled. “Happy birthday once again.”
“Oh, thank you! And thanks for the gift too.” Mathilda beamed, holding the small wrapped box Aria had handed her.
Jenna had thought it wasn’t necessary to bring a gift, but Aria believed in celebrating people. It was just part of her.
“Enjoy yourself, okay?” Mathilda added before moving on to greet another guest.
Aria sighed, feeling a little out of place again. She didn’t dance. She didn’t know most of these people. And she wasn’t exactly in the mood to push herself into conversations.
She turned to grab another sip of her drink—when her eyes caught someone across the room.
A man.
He was alone, just like her.
Seated by the bar, he scrolled through his phone absentmindedly, a drink in his other hand. His expression was calm, but there was something intriguing about him. He wasn’t in a rush to socialize, yet he didn’t seem awkward about being by himself.
Aria felt something stir inside her. Maybe it was curiosity, or maybe it was the fact that, in a room full of loud personalities, he seemed refreshingly composed.
Before she could overthink it, his eyes lifted—and met hers.
For a moment, neither of them looked away.
It wasn’t awkward. It was… magnetic.
A small smirk played on the corner of his lips, as if he had caught her staring. Aria felt a tiny jolt in her stomach.
Should she look away? Should she approach him?
Before she could decide, he did.
He stood up, slow and confident, and made his way toward her.
“Didn’t think I’d find someone else at this party who prefers watching over participating,” he said smoothly, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.
Aria smiled, arching a brow. “Maybe I just like observing before jumping in.”
He chuckled. His laugh was deep, genuine. “Smart. Some people dive in without checking the temperature.”
She tilted her head slightly, intrigued. “And you? Are you an observer or a participant?”
He leaned a little closer, just enough to make her more aware of his presence. His scent—fresh, with a hint of something woodsy—drifted toward her.
“Depends on the company,” he said.
Aria felt herself smirk despite herself. “And what kind of company are you looking for?”
He studied her for a moment, then extended a hand.
“I’m Noah.”
The name clicked in her mind like a distant memory suddenly resurfacing. It was familiar. Too familiar.
No way.
Aria’s heart skipped a beat.
“Noah?” she repeated, her voice slightly breathless.
His brow lifted. “Yeah…?”
She blinked, almost laughing in disbelief.
It was him.
Her long-distance boyfriend.
The one who had been in and out of her life for years.
And now, he was standing right in front of her.
Aria couldn’t believe her eyes. Noah. The same Noah she had known for years. The long-distance boyfriend who had been a constant presence in her life, yet always at arm’s length.
Her lips parted in shock, but the words didn’t come out fast enough.
Noah, on the other hand, was quicker to react. His expression shifted from curiosity to pure surprise.
“Aria?” His voice held a note of disbelief, as if he, too, wasn’t expecting to see her here.
A mix of emotions crashed into her—shock, nostalgia, and something else. Something that made her stomach tighten.
She took a hesitant step closer, scanning his features, as if making sure he was real. He looked the same, yet different. More mature. More refined. His sharp jawline, the familiar twinkle in his eyes, the slight smirk that always made her heart race.
And suddenly, memories flooded back.
The late-night calls, the texts that sometimes went unanswered for days, the fights, the makeups, the way he always had a way of coming back, no matter how many times they tried to let go.
“Noah,” she finally breathed.
A slow smile spread across his lips. “Wow. Of all places…”
Aria let out a small, breathless laugh. “Yeah… what are the odds?”
“I’d say pretty damn low.” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck, still processing the moment.
For a second, neither of them spoke. They just stared at each other, absorbing the unexpected reunion.
Jenna’s voice suddenly interrupted the silence.
“Oh my God, do you two know each other?” She had returned from the dance floor, Victor by her side, looking between them with intrigue.
Aria blinked, snapping out of her daze. “Uh… yeah. We… we go way back.”
Noah’s smirk deepened. “You could say that.”
Jenna narrowed her eyes, then gasped, turning to Aria. “Wait. Is this…” She pointed at Noah dramatically. “The Noah?”
Aria exhaled, shaking her head with a small laugh. “Yeah. The Noah.”
Jenna let out an exaggerated gasp before turning to Noah. “Dude, you’re a legend. Do you know how many times I’ve heard your name?”
Noah chuckled, glancing at Aria. “I hope it was all good things?”
Jenna grinned. “Mmm… let’s say it was a mix of romance and frustration.”
Aria rolled her eyes playfully. “Jenna, please.”
Noah laughed, then turned his full attention back to Aria. His eyes softened a little, his playful smirk turning into something more familiar.
“So… how have you been?” he asked, his voice quieter this time.
Aria hesitated. How had she been? Life had changed so much since the last time they saw each other. She had moved cities, changed jobs, met new people… fallen for the wrong man.
“I’ve been… good,” she said finally. “A lot has changed.”
Noah nodded. “Yeah, I can see that. You look… different. In a good way.”
Aria smiled. “And you? What brings you to the city?”
He sipped his drink before answering. “Work. I got transferred here permanently a few weeks ago.”
Permanently.
The word lingered in the air between them.
Aria’s heart did a small, unexpected flip. So he was here to stay.
Jenna, ever the observant one, nudged Victor. “I think we should give them some space.”
Victor smirked knowingly. “Agreed.”
As they walked away, Noah gestured toward a quieter corner of the rooftop. “Want to catch up?”
Aria hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “Yeah. Let’s.”
And just like that, they were alone. For the first time in a long time.
- Writer
