ETERNAL BLOOM

The clash heart

"In the shadows of this city, I’ve always been alone. But with you, it’s different. You’re the only light that can pierce my darkness, and I’ll make sure you never regret stepping into my world."

Morloch City, Afternoon

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the grand facade of the Morloch Hotel. Lila Monroe was in her suite, hurriedly packing her luggage. The eerie occurrences of the past few days and the unsettling murder had convinced her that it was time to leave Morloch City behind.

She folded her clothes into her suitcase with determination, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and fear. The city had been more than she had bargained for—beautiful, yes, but with an undercurrent of something dark and dangerous. She wanted nothing more than to return to New York and forget the strange events that had unfolded.

As she zipped up her suitcase, her phone buzzed with a call. It was from her agent, "Sophie".

“Hey, Sophie,” Lila answered, trying to keep the anxiety out of her voice.

“Lila, darling, I’ve got some incredible news!” Sophie’s voice was bright and exciting. “You’ve just received an offer to be the new face of Blackwood Industries’ luxury fashion line!”

Lila froze, her heart skipping a beat. “Blackwood Industries? Dorian Blackwood’s company?”

“That’s the one! They’re offering a very lucrative contract, Lila. This is huge—an opportunity that could skyrocket your career!”

Lila’s mind raced. Dorian’s intense gaze from the ballroom flashed through her memory. She knew this wasn’t just a business decision; there was something more behind it, something that made her both curious and uneasy.

“But why me?” Lila asked, trying to mask her confusion. “I mean, there are so many other models—”

“Because you’re stunning, and you’ve got that unique spark,” Sophie interrupted. “And let’s face it, having Dorian Blackwood’s eye on you is a major plus. This could be your big break!”

Lila hesitated, glancing out the window at the darkening city. “I was planning to leave Morloch City...”

Sophie’s tone softened. “I know, but think about it, Lila. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You don’t want to pass it up, do you?”

Lila sighed, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. “Let me think about it.”

“Take your time, but don’t wait too long. Offers like this don’t come around every day,” Sophie advised before hanging up.

Lila sat down on the edge of the bed, her suitcase half-packed. The offer was tempting—beyond tempting—but something about it felt off. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Dorian’s interest in her was more personal than professional.

Blackwood Industries, Morloch City

Meanwhile, in the sleek, modern offices of Blackwood Industries, Dorian sat at his desk, his mind filled with thoughts of Lila. He had made the decision to bring her into his world, and it was a decision he knew would change everything.

Isabella Voss, one of the top models for Blackwood Industries and a woman with an undeniable allure, was in the office next door. She had been with the company for years, and her beauty and poise had made her one of Dorian’s most prized assets. But her feelings for him went beyond professional admiration.