𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 |𝟏𝟖+

✦ 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐛 ✦

"Ek drink lenge bas, then we'll leave."
She hates the idea but agrees.

____

Deal partner brings a girl -
perfect makeup, tight dress, bold smile -
meant to "entertain" Zayden.

He simply lifts his eyes...
cold, empty...
and says:

"Don't."

Girl tries seducing harder.
She leans in, brushing her lips near his jaw.

At the same second...

Sara on the ground floor looks up accidentally.

Her eyes meet the scene:
This dangerously handsome man letting a woman cling to him.

Her stomach twists.
Something ugly burns in her chest.

"What am I even looking at... ew."
She looks away instantly.

_____

Zayden,
"Arman."

Arman looks up.
"Hm?"

Zayden's voice drops, whisper-dark:

"Find me everything about that girl."

Arman: "Which girl?"

Zayden lifts his phone.
Zooms in.
Takes a single picture of Saraa →
Her side profile, soft smile, innocent eyes.

He shows it to Arman.

"This one."

Arman blinks.
"You're interested?"

Zayden finishes his wine in one slow sip.

"No."
He stands up, eyes still on her disappearing form.
"I'm claiming."

_____

𝐙𝐚𝐲𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐤 × 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐚

"𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚𝒔"