That One Kiss

𝟑. 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐬.

A week unfolded with the familiar rhythm of daily routines, each day a mirror image of the last. The sun rose and set, casting its golden glow over the bustling streets. The café hummed with activity, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafting through the air. Isleen and Sahar moved with precision, their smiles and laughter a testament to their friendship.

The stranger's visit became a distant memory, a fleeting moment in the chaos of life. Yet, the echoes of his presence lingered, a subtle reminder of the connection they shared. And though he was gone, his impact remained, a whispered promise of possibilities yet to come. As the week drew to a close, the city pulsed with energy, its inhabitants unaware of the threads of fate that were slowly weaving together.

As night descended, casting a velvet cloak over the city, Sahar and Isleen prepared to paint the town red. They got ready to hit the road, their destination the swanky club on the outskirts of town, where the crème de la crème gathered to see and be seen. Tonight was a special occasion - Isleen's birthday - and Sahar had planned a night to remember. The two friends sashayed out of the apartment, their outfits gleaming in the dim light of the hallway.

Isleen's birthday dress shimmered like diamonds, its delicate straps accentuating her toned shoulders. Sahar's sleek jumpsuit hugged her curves in all the right places, her statement jewelry adding a touch of glamour. They slid into Sahar's sleek car, the engine purring to life as they sped off into the night, the city lights blurring into a kaleidoscope of color and sound. The anticipation was palpable, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they headed towards a night of revelry and celebration.

Caleb Jasper, Isleen's boyfriend, had departed for a distant city, his absence a lingering shadow on her special day. A crucial business interview had beckoned, and he couldn't reschedule, leaving Isleen to celebrate her birthday without him. Though disappointment had initially clouded her eyes, she refused to let it dampen her spirits. With a determined smile, she pushed aside the longing and decided to embrace the night with Sahar by her side.

The club's vibrant energy beckoned, its pulsating rhythms and dazzling lights promising a night of unbridled joy. As they sped towards the club, Isleen's excitement grew, her laughter and chatter filling the car. She was determined to make this birthday one to remember, even without Caleb's presence. Tonight, she would dance, laugh, and celebrate life, her spirit unbridled and free.

As they stepped into the club at 12:05, the room erupted in a deafening chorus of "Happy Birthday, Isleen!" The sudden outburst left her stunned, her eyes wide with wonder. How did these strangers know it was her special day? The crowd's enthusiasm was infectious, and as the music pulsed through the air, Isleen's initial shock gave way to unbridled joy. She exchanged a bewildered glance with Sahar, whose expression mirrored her own disbelief. But as she scanned the sea of faces, her mind raced with a single thought: this had to be Caleb's doing.

He was always full of surprises, and this seemed like his signature move. With a grin spreading across her face, she surrendered to the moment, letting the music and celebration wash over her. As the crowd began to dance, Isleen joined in, her hips swaying to the beat, her heart overflowing with happiness. The mystery of how these strangers knew her name faded into the background, replaced by the sheer exhilaration of living in the moment.

As the night wore on, the music and laughter blurring into a haze, Isleen and Sahar stumbled out of the club, their feet carrying them on autopilot. The cool night air hit them like a slap in the face, but they barely registered it, their senses dulled by the alcohol coursing through their veins. Isleen weaved towards the exit, her vision blurry, her legs wobbly beneath her. Suddenly, three figures materialized before her, their faces indistinct, their eyes gleaming with a hunger that made her skin crawl. But her drunken brain struggled to process the danger, her thoughts muddled and slow.

She tried to focus, but her eyes refused to cooperate, the faces blurring into a menacing haze. Sahar, equally intoxicated, stumbled beside her, oblivious to the potential threat. The three men closed in, their movements predatory, their intentions clear. And Isleen, in her impaired state, was powerless to defend herself.

One of the men, his eyes gleaming with a sinister intent, reached out to grab Isleen's arm, his grip like a vice. But she, despite her drunken state, instinctively struggled to free herself, her instincts screaming warning. The man's face twisted in anger, and with a swift motion, he slapped her hard across the face, sending her crashing to the ground. The world around her spun in a dizzying blur, her head reeling from the impact. But before the man could strike again, a loud gunshot rang out, echoing through the night air.

The man who had attacked Isleen crumpled to the ground, blood spreading rapidly across his chest. The other two men froze, their eyes wide with shock and fear, as a figure emerged from the shadows, a smoking gun held steady in his hand. The sound of sirens grew louder, and the men fled in panic, leaving their injured companion behind. Isleen, still dazed and disoriented, gazed up at her rescuer, her vision slowly clearing to reveal a familiar face - Caleb Jasper, her boyfriend, who had appeared out of nowhere to save her.

Caleb Jasper emerged from the darkness, his eyes fixed intently on Isleen and Sahar. He moved with a swift purpose, his long strides closing the distance between them. Without a word, he reached out and gently helped Isleen to her feet, his hands supporting her weight as she swayed unsteadily. Sahar, still dazed, stumbled alongside them as Caleb guided them towards his car, parked nearby. The vehicle's doors opened with a soft click, and Caleb ushered the two friends inside, his eyes scanning the surrounding area with a watchful gaze.

As they settled into the seats, Isleen's gaze drifted to the rearview mirror, where she saw the three men lying on the ground, blood staining the pavement around them. Her mind struggled to process the events that had just unfolded, the shock and fear still coursing through her veins. Caleb slid into the driver's seat, his face set in a grim expression, and started the engine. The car glided smoothly into the night, leaving the chaos behind.

As they arrived home, Caleb escorted the ladies to their room, thus supporting a steady presence as they stumbled through the doorway. With a gentle nod, he disappeared into the washroom, the sound of running water and a soothing background hum. Isleen's gaze fell upon Caleb's phone, buzzing with an incoming call on the bedside table. Her hand trembled as she reached for it, her mind still foggy from the alcohol. She hesitated, her thumb hovering over the answer button. But something compelled her to take the call, a sense of foreboding settling in the pit of her stomach.

The voice on the other end was low and menacing, sending shivers down her spine. ❝ Caleb Jasper, your game is over soon ❞, it growled. ❝ Your sweet little Ex girlfriend, Madelyn, is with me. ❞ Isleen's heart raced as she processed the words, her mind reeling with shock and fear. She tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat. The line went dead, leaving her staring at the phone in horror.

As the ominous words echoed in her mind, Isleen's eyelids grew heavy, her exhausted body betraying her. Despite her efforts to stay awake, her lashes fluttered closed, and she felt herself being pulled into a dark, abyss-like sleep. The room around her grew fuzzy, the sounds of the night fading into a distant hum. Her thoughts swirled in a jumbled mix of confusion, fear, and alcohol-induced haze. As her head lolled to one side, the phone slipped from her grasp, landing softly on the bed. In the darkness, her mind raced with fragmented thoughts of Caleb, Madelyn, and the sinister voice on the phone. But her weary body refused to cooperate, surrendering to the all-consuming sleep that claimed her.

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