Seduction's Shadow

Chapter 35: Reunion at Boiler Room

Fifteen days had passed since Aari last spoke to Aaron. She was finally beginning to feel some semblance of normalcy return to her life. She had been focusing on her studies and spending time with her friends, trying to fill the void that Aaron had left. One morning, she woke up and reached for her phone, her heart stopping for a moment when she saw a message from Aaron.

"Hey, I need a favour."

Aari stared at the message, a flood of emotions washing over her. She took a deep breath, unsure of what to do next. Despite everything that had happened, a part of her still wanted to help him.

Aari: "Hii."

Aaron: "It's my friend's birthday, and he's taking us to Boiler Room, but we need synthetic things. Your friends have a contact for this, right?"

Aari's heart sank. She had hoped for something more meaningful, but here he was, asking for drugs. She sighed and decided to help, despite the hurt.

Aari: "I'll check with my roommates as I'm not in touch with my friends."

Aaron: "Also, I had to tell you I might be leaving the country. Still deciding."

Aari: "What exactly do you need?"

Aaron: "I dunno, maybe molly or ecstasy!"

Aari: "Okay, I'll see what I can do."

Aari's mind raced. She wasn't sure why she was still willing to help him, but something about Aaron's request felt like a final tether she wasn't ready to sever.

Aari reached out to her roommates and friends, trying to find a source. After a while, she got a response.

Aari: "My roommate has molly. How much do you need?"

Aaron: "Around 18, I think."

Aari: "That's a lot. How will you pick them up?"

Aaron: "I'll come pick it up. How is it so cheap? Is it good?"

Aari: "You can do the INTERAC, and he will give you molly at the event. He will be there by 3 pm. Yes, it's good. I've tried it before."

Aaron: "Thank you."

They continued chatting, but the conversation felt superficial. Aari couldn't shake the feeling that Aaron was using her, and the weight of their unresolved issues hung heavily in the air.

Aaron: "But why is the fight happening? You didn't tell me properly."

Aari: "It's a long story, and I just woke up, so I don't have the mental capacity to talk about it right now."

Aaron: "Okay. I understand."

Aari's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She tried to focus on her studies, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Aaron and their complicated history. She felt frustrated and hurt, but also a strange sense of closure. Perhaps this favor would be the last thing tying them together, allowing her to finally move on.

But she also wondered if things would ever truly be resolved between them. For now, she had done what she could, and it was time to let go and focus on herself.

In the days that followed, Aaron remained a distant memory, a lingering echo of a past she was determined to leave behind. The favor had been done, and with it, Aari felt a small measure of peace.

"Aari! Guess what? We got you a ticket to Boiler Room!" Jake exclaimed.

"What? I can't go. I have so much to do," Aari protested.

"No way. You're coming with us. You need a break, and it'll be fun. Besides, we won't take no for an answer," Jake insisted.

Despite her initial reluctance, Aari's friends didn't give her a choice. They showed up at her place, and with much cajoling, they convinced her to go.