Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 54

Arc steps out first, walking around to open the door for me. His hand extends toward mine, warm and steady. The moment my fingers brush against his, a small shiver runs through me—not from the night air but from the quiet intimacy of the gesture.

I took this time to observe his attire as earlier it was dark in the car to see what he was wearing. Arc had put on a black dress pant with red shirt and black blazer. The color of his shirt matched my dress which showed that he had put in thought while selecting the clothes for both of us. This made me realize that the idea for this date was not a last minute one but rather he had put in effort to plan this out.

I step out and look around realizing that we're in front of a luxury hotel. As we step into the grand lobby of the hotel, I glance around in confusion. The marble floors gleam under the warm golden lights, and an intricate chandelier hangs high above, casting a soft glow. The space is elegant, filled with the quiet hum of late-night guests and hotel staff moving about.

I turn to Arc. "Why are we at a hotel?"

He doesn't answer, just gives me a small smirk before leading me toward the elevator. The moment the doors slide open, he gently guides me inside. As soon as they close, he presses the button for the top floor—70.

Seventy floors?

I glance at him, but he's leaning casually against the elevator wall, watching the floor numbers climb. The soft ding of each passing level fills the silence, and anticipation starts to build in my chest.

When the doors finally open, I step out and immediately spot the restaurant entrance ahead. Its glass doors are sleek, and a small sign by the entrance clearly states the restaurant's hours.

"Arc," I say, pointing at the sign. "I think it's closed."

He doesn't respond right away. Instead, he pulls out his phone and dials a number.

Within two minutes, a well-dressed man appears from inside, unlocking the doors and stepping out to greet us. "Welcome," he says with a slight bow before gesturing for us to follow him inside.

The moment we step in, I realize the restaurant is completely dark. A hush falls over the space, and I instinctively slow my steps, trying to adjust to the dimness.

Arc's warm hand finds mine. "Careful," he murmurs.

Before I can respond, my foot catches slightly on an uneven tile, and I stumble forward. But before I can fall, Arc's arm wraps securely around my waist, steadying me with ease.

"You okay?" he asks, his breath warm against my ear.

I nod, still flustered.

Instead of letting go, he keeps his arm around me, guiding me forward with a protective hold. "I think I'll keep you close," he says, voice amused yet gentle.

A few more steps in, and suddenly, the space around us starts to glow.

Soft, warm lights flicker to life, illuminating the restaurant in a golden hue. The tables, once scattered across the floor, have been pushed to the walls, leaving a single table in the center. A halo of candlelight surrounds it, their flames swaying faintly with the air. Above us, the glass dome of the restaurant stretches wide, revealing the vast night sky.

I gasp, taking in the breathtaking sight. It feels like standing inside an observatory—like the entire universe is just within reach. The stars twinkle above us, uninterrupted by city lights, endless and infinite.

I turn to Arc, my voice barely above a whisper. "This is..."

He watches me, a small smile playing on his lips. "Come on."