The morning after Judith Albert enjoyed one of the best nights of sleep she had in weeks dawned quietly. Sunlight filtered into the small apartment she shared with her roommates, Lian and Janet, as they chatted excitedly about their plans for the day.
They were going shopping to buy gifts for their loved ones, especially their boyfriends. Judith sat on her bed, listening without joining in, a familiar sense of loneliness settling over her. "Good morning, girlfriends," Judith finally said, forcing a smile as she approached them.
"Morning, Judith," Lian replied warmly. "How was your night?"
"It was good, and perfect, actually." Judith responded with a grin. Then hesitated, before asked softly, "Can I come shopping with you guys?"
Lian glanced at her. "Shopping with us? Wait, do you have a boyfriend now?"
The question caught Judith off guard as she couldn't answer but, Janet quickly stepped in. "Don't worry about that, Judith. You can hang out with us, and tonight is going to be fun, trust me."
Meanwhile, across the town, Valentino Cruz was still fast asleep when his friend Carlos was snapping photos of him snoring and Carlos burst into laughter. Valentino groaned, grabbed a pillow, and threw it straight at Carlos.
"Man, get up," Carlos teased.
Valentino stumbled out of bed, washed his face, and stretched. "It's a brand-new lover's day," he said lazily, smiling to himself.
Carlos grinned. "I'll be hanging out with my babe tonight. She'll be here soon." Before he could finish speaking, the doorbell rang. "That's her!" Carlos shouted, rushing to open the door.
Diane stepped inside, she was looking beautiful, confident, and striking. But Carlos behave as if he did not see Diane's beauty and without looking at her, he asked her to fetch wine from the bar.
"Come on, babe, it's too early for that, and are you not going to look at me?" Diane replied gently.
Carlos's mood shifted instantly. Anger flared, and without thinking, he slapped her. "How dare you tell me what to do?!"
Diane stared at him in disbelief because she did not understand what she did wrong for Carlos to slap her. Without a word, she picked up her handbag and walked out.
Valentino shook his head. "Can't she apologize? Just let her go. You'll meet different sexy ladies tonight."
Carlos didn't look convinced. He grabbed his phone and tried calling Diane, but she didn't answer her phone. Valentino get the drink and poured them both red wine. "Drink," he said quietly. "Forget about what happened, lover boy."
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By 8 p.m., Judith, Lian, and Janet were dressed and ready for the club. Lian and Janet's boyfriends arrived to pick them up, while Judith followed quietly behind.
The club pulsed with music and flashing lights. Lian and Janet headed straight to the dance floor, but Judith chose a seat at the bar, watching the crowd instead.
Valentino arrived shortly after with Carlos, who was already visibly drunk. As the music intensified, Lian excused herself and headed to the restroom. Less than three minutes later, a scream echoed faintly then cut short, unheard beneath the music.
Judith turned her attention back to the dance floor, watching Janet dance with her boyfriend. Another man brushed against Janet from behind. She laughed it off, but her boyfriend didn't. Furious, and he stormed away.
Valentino noticed the scene as he approached the bar. Without asking, he picked up the glass in front of Judith and took a sip.
She stared at him. "Who are you?"
He smirked. "If the lady on the dance floor had asked same question earlier, she wouldn't be in trouble with her guy." He paused. "I'm Valentino."
Judith noticed blood on his left hand. "Did you kill someone?" she asked bluntly.
Valentino froze. "Why would you ask that?"
"That's blood on your hand."
He wiped it on his trousers. "I fought with someone earlier."
"Why?"
His expression softened. "I caught my girlfriend with another man. They're still together though. I'm heartbroken and afraid to even talk to another woman."
Judith felt a pang of sympathy. "Not all women are heartless," she said gently.
Valentino stepped closer. "You really believe that?" He leaned in, almost kissing her.
"Judith!" Janet called, approaching them. "Who's this?"
"Hmmph, this is Valentino," Judith said quickly. "My new friend."
"Friend?" Valentino repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," Judith said firmly.
He smiled. "Can I at least get your number?" They exchanged contacts, and Valentino walked away.
Janet leaned closer. "Hmmm look like someone got a fish already."
"Come on Janet, I just met him. And that aside, what happened between you and your guy?" Judith asked.
"Forget him," Janet replied. "Tell me about your new friend."
Judith smiled shyly. "I told you, he's just a friend."
Janet laughed. "I know that look. You're falling already."
Suddenly, Lian's boyfriend burst toward them, shouting, and the music was stopped. All eyes turned. "My girlfriend has been murdered, in the restroom!"
Panic erupted. Everyone rushed toward the women's restroom. Inside, Lian and another woman lay lifeless on the floor.
The club manager called the police instantly. Officers arrived and immediately requested the CCTV footage. The video revealed a disturbing detail—the lights near the restroom had gone out for nearly fifteen minutes. When they came back on, a drunk man holding a wine bottle stumbled out, trying to zip his trousers.
"Why were the lights off?" an officer demanded.
"The bulb blew," the manager explained. "We had no replacement immediately."
The officer examined the damaged bulb and confirmed it was faulty. "We need to find that man," he said.
Janet and Judith mourned Lian's death in silence at their apartment. A knock on the door broke the quiet.
Judith opened it to find a police officer.
"We have a suspect," he said. His phone rang mid-sentence. After answering, he nodded. "The club manager said someone requested the CCTV footage, claiming to be an architect. I'll handle it."
He left quickly.
Twenty minutes later, Judith called Valentino.
"My friend was murdered last night," she said.
Valentino went silent, then ended the call abruptly.
She called back. "Why did you hang up?"
"It was a mistake," he said nervously. "Do they know who did it?"
"They have a lead."
"I'll call you back," Valentino said and disconnected.
He rushed to pack his belongings when the doorbell rang. Checking the security camera, he saw police officers outside. He forced a laugh, pocketed his phone, and opened the door.
They exchanged greetings.
"How many people live here?" an officer asked.
"Two."
The officer showed him a photo of Carlos. "Who is this?"
"My friend."
"Where is he?"
"He hasn't been home since Valentine's night. That's normal for him."
"He's a suspect in the murder of two women."
Valentino stiffened. "No—he wouldn't do that."
"Where were you that night?"
"We went to the club together. I left early."
"Did he have a girlfriend?"
"Yes. They fought and broke up that day."
"Call us if you see him," the officer said before leaving.
Moments later, Valentino called Judith.
"Send me your home address," he said quietly.