only HIS

Chapter 21 : Pulse of the Night

**Sofia's POV**

Sofia reached her apartment around 8:00 p.m., the cool evening air still clinging to her as she dropped her keys on the kitchen counter. She had just kicked off her heels when her phone buzzed with an incoming call. Glancing at the screen, she saw Sid's name flashing. She answered with a soft laugh, already suspecting what this might be about.

"Hey, Sofia!" Sid's energetic voice filled the line. "We're heading to the Shadow Club for a party tonight. Vaishnavi and Yesha are coming, too. You should join us!"

Sofia smiled, sinking onto her couch. "Sounds tempting. Is Abhishek coming?"

Sid's laugh was sly. "Oh, don't worry about him. I've got a little trick to make sure my bro shows up. Trust me, he'll be there."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "You always know how to work your magic. Alright, I'll come, but I'm bringing my friend with me."

"Yeah, yeah, bring whoever you want," Sid said with excitement in his voice. "Just don't be late. See you soon!"

With that, the call ended. Sofia exhaled, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. She immediately called Tunisha, needing a partner in crime for the evening.

"Hey, Tuni! Sid invited me to a party at the Shadow Club. You in?"

Tunisha laughed on the other end. "You need to ask? I'm always up for a night out. I'll meet you at your place in half an hour."

As promised, Tunisha arrived, and the two of them quickly got ready, Sofia slipping into a sleek black dress that hugged her frame, paired with her favorite heels. By the time they arrived at the Shadow Club, the music was thumping, and the vibe inside was electric. The room buzzed with energy—people laughing, dancing, and enjoying the carefree atmosphere of a Friday night.

As soon as they entered, Sofia's eyes immediately found Abhishek. He stood in the corner, away from the crowd, his tall frame wrapped in a sharp gray suit over a black shirt, his dark hair slightly messy, as if he had run his fingers through it one too many times. His green eyes scanned the room, a drink held loosely in his hand, his posture both relaxed and intimidating at the same time. Sofia felt an odd flutter in her stomach.

*Why does he always have this effect on me?* she thought.

Abhishek seemed to sense her gaze. His eyes flicked in her direction, locking onto hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. He raised an eyebrow as if in silent challenge. *Great,* she thought, *here we go again.*

As they approached, Abhishek smirked, his eyes never leaving Sofia's. "Ah, you just couldn't stay away, could you?"

Sofia shot him a look, matching his playful tone. "Actually, I'm here for the free drinks, not you."

Abhishek's gaze shifted, landing on Tunisha. His smirk faded slightly, and his expression cooled. "And what are you doing here, Jones?"

Tunisha crossed her arms, her lips curving into a mocking smile. "Just here to enjoy a good Friday night like everyone else."

Abhishek leaned back slightly, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "What? Given up on your quest to reveal my true identity to the world?"

Tunisha's eyes narrowed, the air between them crackling with tension. "Not until you tell me who attacked you the other night. Let's start there, Nigam."

Abhishek's jaw tightened for a split second, but then he turned to Sofia, his expression unreadable. "So, Sid invited you both to the party, huh? Well, go on, enjoy yourselves. Just give me some space, will you?"