As she slowly opened her eyes, the cacophony of police sirens pierced through the fog in her mind, growing louder with each passing moment. Groggily, she tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back onto the cold, hard floor.
Her gaze drifted around the restaurant, taking in the scattered chairs and overturned tables. That's when she saw him- Rowan, standing frozen beside her, his eyes fixed on something across the room.
His face was ashen, his eyes wide with a mixture of horror and fear. She followed his gaze to the figure slumped over a table, a crimson stain spreading across the white table cloth like a ghastly flower.
The sound of sirens grew louder, and the flashing lights of police cars illuminated the restaurant windows, casting an eerie glow over the scene.
"Rowan?" She whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of the sirens. "What.... What happened?"
Rowan's eyes snapped back to hers, and he rushed to her side, helping her sit up.
"Don't move," he urged, his voice trembling. "The police are here. Just.....just stay still".
As she struggled to piece together the fragments of her memory, a chill crept up her spine.
She glanced around the restaurant again, this time noticing the shattered glass, the overturned glasses and the eerie silence that seemed to ding to the air like a shroud.
"What... What did I miss?" She asked again, her voice growing stronger, but her mind racing with questions. And then, her eyes locked onto Rowan's, searching for answers that seemed just out of reach.
"Sloane, are you okay?". River Frost, Sloane's friend and also the detective in charge of the case, approached Sloane, handing her a glass of water. "Can you tell me what happened?"
His gaze lingered till it finally dawned upon a face he had never come across -Rowan.
Staring. Squinting. Staring again, drinking in the looks of this beautiful man.
"He your boyfriend?" He asked, voice mixed with the evident tone of jealousy. "Anyways, not like I care. What happened here?".
.....
"He just....stared,....stared...and stared. Then he smiled...he fucking smiled at me. And he just left". Rowan spoke, worry evident on his face as his eyes were wide open still in shock.
"Sorry but I'm gonna need you to be more precise, Mr-----"
"Rowan Lane, I'm a medical doctor ".
"Okay Mr Lane, ....details".
He just stood there, drowning in his thoughts....haunted by the horrific scenes that happened right before his eyes.
"Small world, isn't it? "
"What?". River seemed just as confused as Sloane was.
"That's what he said to me before he left" Rowan sighed before continuing. "I don't know...but it felt like he knew who I was too".
"Okay let's get you both down to the station for questioning " River said, his voice contrast to the chaos around them.
Rowan nodded but his gaze flickered to Sloane whose body was still wrapped up and coiled on the floor.
"I'll go," he said firmly. "But she needs to rest, she's been through enough".
As he glanced at Sloane, his eyes softened and he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair from her face. "I'll be back," He whispered, his voice barely audible over the sirens.
River watched the exchange, a mixture of curiosity and concern etched on his face. "Let's go".
****Sloane~*****
I woke to the jarring sound of my alarm's shrill cry and the melodic chirping of birds outside my window....
Fucking birds.
The morning light crept in like a reluctant intruder, casting an eerie glow over my room.
Right. Rowan. I'm worried about him.
As I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, my gaze drifted towards the window where curtains billowed like ghastly fingers.
And then I saw him.
He stood motionless, eyes fixed on mine with an unblinking intensity.....just staring...and staring. He keeps watching me.
Damn he's perfect.
The distance between us seemed to shrink, making it feel like I could reach out and touch him. His features were chiseled perfection, with sharp cheekbones and jawline that seemed carved from granite.
His eyes burned with an inner fire, a mesmerizing blend of warmth and darkness that drew her in like a moth. His dark hair was perfectly tousled and his lips curved into a smirk that hints at secrets and sin.
I found myself adjusting my fit and fixing my bra.
Yeah if I'm gonna die, better die looking sexy. Damn this perky boobs.
The alarm's buzzing grew louder, a frantic heartbeat that seemed to match mine. A shiver ran down my spine.
I'm suddenly burdened my the chill hand I felt on my shoulder which almost left my at heaven's doorstep.
"Sloaney bear, what happened?".
Isla. Fucking Isla. Just had to ruin my perfect moment with that hot stalker.
I turned back to the window and yeah, he was gone. Typical horror movie cliche.
"I'm gonna be at Levi's. Having a reunion gathering today, remember?". I said, my smile a contrast to the look in my eyes.
I could easily figure out Isla's thoughts. Probably needs an answer to what happened last night. She keeps on looking at me, squinting her cute blue eyes, and tilting her head sideways.
What's with people staring at me today?
"Drive me there, you're the one with a car, Isla".
*********
I'm starting to hate the sound of bells. It keeps ringing in my ears each time customers walked in.
I sat, sitting the rich aroma of my espresso and of course,....admiring nature's own movie across the counter.
Levi Blackwood. Literally the hottest guy and cafe owner I know. And best part, he's single.... just like the people watching us right now.
The customers, I mean. Wink.
His chiseled arms rested wide on the counter, showcasing his toned physique. Not too muscular, just fit enough to make girls bleed from their noses.
A charming smile danced on his lips, his hair was a work of art, styled in a mesmerizing anime-inspired look that framed his heart-shaped face. The brown locks cascaded down his forehead, perfectly imperfect and his matching brown eyes sparkled with warmth.
What would it feel like to run my fingers through that perfectly messy hair?
"So you won't spend a night with me?" I evaded eye contact, sipping my espresso. "What? This is only the MILLIONTH time I've asked".
I've begged him for sex more than the amount of years I've lived...AND I'M 24.
Haters will call me a slut but only losers give up.Hehe.
"I'm gay".
Those words brought tears to my eyes like every other day he said that.
And he annoyingly says that with a serious look on his face.....
And yet.....
Just yet.....
Ding, ding!
"Hi Sloane"....
Yet...he keeps looking at her, in a way even I couldn't understand.