The next morning, Amelia sat in her university lecture hall trying to focus on her notes.
But her mind kept drifting back to the man from that rainy night.
Damian Vancov.
Something about him felt... dangerous.
Not in an obvious way.
Like the calm before a storm.
"Amelia."
Her bestfriend Isabella nudged her.
"You're staring at the same page."
Amelia blinked.
"Oh - sorry."
Isabella leaned closer.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"That's a lie."
Amelia sighed.
"I met someone yesterday night."
Isabella grinned instantly.
"Oh? Tell me everything."
"It wasn't like that."
"Then why are you blushing?"
"I'm not blushing."
"You definitely are."
Amelia rolled her eyes.
"He almost hit me with his car."
Isabella's smile disappeared.
"... That's not romantic."
"I know, but..."
"But?"
"But... he was strange."
"Strange how?"
Amelia hesitated.
"I don't know. Like he was used to people being afraid of him."
Isabella shrugged.
"Maybe he's rich."
"He definitely was."
"What's his name?"
Amelia looked down at her notebook.
"Damian Vancov."
The effect was instant.
Isabella froze.
"Wait."
"What?"
"You're joking."
"What?"
Isabella leaned back slowly.
"Amelia... you met Damian Vancov?"
"Yes...?"
"THE Damian Vancov?"
Amelia frowned.
"I don't know what that means."
Isabella stared at her.
"You seriously don't know who he is?"
"No."
Isabella lowered her voice.
"He basically owns half the city."
Amelia blinked.
"What?"
"His company controls banks, real estate, shipping, media... everything."
Amelia felt her stomach tighten.
"Oh."
Isabella leaned even closer.
"And there are rumors."
"What rumors?"
"That people who cross him... disappear."
Amelia stared at her friend.
"You're joking."
"I wish I was."
A strange chill ran through her.
Suddenly, Damian's smile that night felt much more unsettling.