Days passed, and life returned to its usual rhythm. I woke up, went to university, buried myself in books at the library, and spent time with my friends. It was the life of any normal young woman, or so I told myself, but every now and then, my mind would wander back to him, the man with the stormy eyes and the tattoos that told stories I couldn't decipher. I didn't even know his name, and yet, he lingered in my thoughts like a shadow I couldn't shake.
Finally, the week of exams arrived. I'd been preparing for this for months, and I was determined to pass every single one, the days blurred together in a haze of stress and caffeine, but when it was over, I felt like I could breathe again, to celebrate, my friends and I decided to go to a nightclub. We'd earned a night of fun, and I was ready to let loose.
Since we were meeting at 7 p.m., I invited my best friend, Liv, to spend the day at my place and get ready together. Liv was my soulmate in friend form. We'd been inseparable since I was 18, and our bond was the kind that didn't need words. When she knocked on my door, she was carrying a huge bag, her face lit up with excitement.
"Girl, where have you been? And what's in the bag?" I asked, my eyes widening.
"Oh my God, don't tell me,is that the Chanel dress you've been obsessing over?"
"Yes!" Liv squealed, stepping inside.
"My dad just sent it from Paris. He was there for a business trip, and he got you something too. You know, for tutoring me and basically saving my grades."
"Okay, first of all, get in. Second, show me my gift!" I demanded, pulling her into the living room.
Liv handed me a sleek box, and I tore it open. Inside were the Naked Wolf boots I'd been eyeing for months.
"Oh my God, are you serious?!" I gasped, holding them up like they were made of gold.
"Yes! I thought about getting you a dress, but let's be real, you already own every amazing dress in existence. So, I went with the boots. You're welcome," Liv said, grinning.
"Girl, have I ever told you how much I love you?" I said, pulling her into a hug.
"Only every time you see me," she laughed.
"Now, get up. We have a party to get ready for, and we need to look good."
We spent the next few hours transforming ourselves. Liv looked stunning in her new Chanel dress, paired with Dior heels and some chic Chanel accessories. She kept her makeup soft and natural, with a light pink lip, a touch of highlighter, and a brown eyeliner that made her periwinkle eyes pop. She even added faux freckles, which suited her delicate features perfectly.
I, on the other hand, went for a darker vibe. I slipped into my Cabo black satin mini dress, layered it with an oversized leather blazer, and finished the look with my new Naked Wolf boots, my hair was pulled into a high ponytail with soft waves, and my makeup was bold, red lips, black eyeliner, and just enough shimmer to catch the light. A spritz of my Lost Cherry perfume, and I was ready.
Before we left, we downed some vitamins to keep our energy up. Our Uber arrived, and we spent the ride snapping pictures for Instagram, laughing at our own ridiculousness.
When we got to the club, our friends were already there, and the vibe was electric. Liv and I turned heads as we walked in, and I couldn't help but feel a little smug.
We had slayed.
The music was loud, the drinks were flowing, and for a while, I forgot about everything, exams, stress, even the mysterious stranger who'd disappeared from my apartment without a trace, but then, as I was dancing with my friends, I saw something that made my heart stop. A tattoo. His tattoo.
My eyes locked onto him, and for a moment, the world around me faded. He was standing near the bar, talking to a man I recognized instantly, Izac, one of the most dangerous drug dealers in the city. My stomach churned as I watched their conversation grow more heated. Without thinking, I started moving closer, my curiosity outweighing my fear.
"What are you doing, Elina?" I muttered to myself.
"Are you seriously going to talk to him? What are you even going to say? 'Hi, it's me, the girl who saved you'? Yeah, that's not weird at all."
But before I could decide what to do, I saw them head outside, followed by two hulking bodyguards. My feet moved before my brain could catch up. I followed them, staying far enough back to avoid being noticed, the cold night air hit me as I stepped outside, and I heard Izac's voice, sharp and menacing.
"Trying to look unbreakable, huh? Beat him again," Izac snarled.
The sound of fists hitting flesh made my stomach turn, I wanted to look away, to run back inside and pretend I hadn't seen anything, but I couldn't. My heart ached for him, even though I didn't know him. Even though he was a stranger.
"Stop," Izac said finally, his voice cold.
"I was nice this time and let you live. But remember my words, asshole: there is no next time."
The threat hung in the air like a storm cloud, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. What had he done to deserve this? Who was he, really?
Izac and his men walked away, leaving the tattooed man alone in the shadows. I waited until their car was out of sight, then slowly approached him, my heart pounding in my chest. He was leaning against the wall, his face bruised and bloodied, his breathing ragged.
"Are you okay?"