AURORA
My eyes snap open, only to squeeze shut again as the bright sunlight floods through my window, mercilessly burning into my groggy senses. I groan and fumble blindly for my phone, its incessant buzzing vibrating through the nightstand. Who in their right mind calls at seven in the morning on a Saturday?
Squinting at the screen, I see Katrina's name glowing brightly. My best friend. Of course.
"Hello?" I rasp, voice heavy with sleep, rubbing the grit from my eyes.
"Oh, sorry, girl! Did I wake you?" Her voice carries a laugh, light and unapologetic.
"Why yes, you did, in fact. Care to explain why you're calling me at the crack of dawn?" My words come out with mock irritation as I sink back into my pillow.
"My bad! But listen—I have to work today for some ridiculous reason, and I have no one to eat lunch with. Sooo, I was wondering if you'd come keep me company?" I can hear the furious clacking of her keyboard in the background.
"Work? On a Saturday? Why?" I yawn, my voice stretching lazily.
"Beats me! My stupid boss probably just likes torturing me. Ugh, he's the worst!" Her voice rises in exasperation, and I have to hold the phone away as she practically yells into the receiver.
"Okay, okay, fine. I'll meet you. But I'm going back to sleep now. Text me the details later," I mumble, tugging the duvet over my head, shielding myself from the invasive sunlight.
"Yay! Thanks, babe. Talk soon!" she chirps.
"Yeah, yeah. Bye," I grumble before hanging up and letting the comforting darkness take over once more.
~~
When I finally wake up again, it's nearly 10:30. I take my time getting ready before heading to Katrina's office at Greco Corporation for lunch. Feeling unusually adventurous, I decide to take the subway instead of hailing a cab.
Descending the stairs into the underground station, I feel the heavy hum of the city beneath my feet. As I step onto the train, a man brushes past me in a flash, moving with a precision that catches my attention. He sits down at the front of the train, his posture straight, exuding an aura of quiet confidence.
From where I stand, I can only see his back. His sharp suit fits impeccably, and something about his stance feels eerily familiar. Could it be...? No, it's not possible. This city is teeming with millions of people. What are the odds it's the man from the café?
Still, my gaze lingers as he raises his right hand to check his wristwatch. A dark, intricately detailed tattoo of a black rose covers the back of his hand, the petals so vivid they almost seem alive. It's beautiful. A shiver runs down my spine.
I force myself to look away, focusing instead on the colorful tiles of Candy Crush on my phone until the train screeches to my stop.
Arriving at Katrina's office, I take the elevator to her floor. Her desk is empty, so I settle into her chair, spinning lazily as I wait. Ten minutes pass, then fifteen. There's still no sign of her. I sigh, deciding to explore the office instead.
The modern design of the space captivates me. Glass walls, polished floors, and an open layout make it feel airy and bright. Corporate environments have always intrigued me, their efficiency and quiet hum of productivity oddly soothing. As I turn a corner, I nearly collide with Katrina.
Her hair is wild, strands sticking out at odd angles, and her blouse is wrinkled, the hem half-untucked. She looks... flustered.
"Oh, hey! Why didn't you text me when you got here?" she exclaims, pulling me into a tight hug.
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Romansa"Please," I whisper, my voice trembling as tears prick the corners of my eyes. "Please don't hurt me." The words barely escape my throat, fragile and desperate. He studies me for a moment, tilting his head slightly, almost as if he's amused by my p...
