Upstairs, the faint hum of the blow-dryer faded into silence.
Elena studied her reflection one last time — a stranger and yet, somehow, finally feeling beautiful.
The silk dress clung just enough to trace her curves, the deep wine-red fabric catching the light every time she moved.
It wasn't loud or too revealing — just dangerous in how effortlessly it fit her.
The halter neckline left her shoulders bare, the back dipping low enough to whisper confidence rather than shout it.
Every movement made the fabric shimmer, liquid and alive.
Her heels matched the tone of the dress — tall, slender stilettos in a muted gold.
Her hair — soft brown with golden undertones — was styled into a sleek, twisted pony-tail, a few deliberate strands falling loose near her temple.
Classy. Controlled.
The kind of beauty that made people turn twice — not because it screamed for attention, but because it dared to stay quiet.
Around her neck rested a delicate pendant — a single teardrop of maroon garnet hanging from a fine gold chain. Nick gifted it to her on her last birthday. It wasn't flashy, but when the light struck it, it glowed faintly, drawing attention to the graceful line of her collarbone.
She remembers him saying, " It symbolises her passion, her strength and her emotional depth," and she fell in love with it instantly.
A hint of bronze shimmer touched her eyelids; her olive-green eyes glowed sharper under the lamplight.
The faint gloss on her lips caught the curve of a smile she didn't quite recognize — composed, calm, a little dangerous.
She took a breath.
This is new.
Not the timid Elena from the library or the girl who tripped over her thoughts.
Tonight, she wanted to own the space she walked into.
Quiet daring!
Downstairs, Nathan was still at the dining table, laptop open, eyes scanning the spreadsheet.
He looked tired — sleeves rolled to his elbows, tie loosened, a soft shadow darkening his jaw.
When he heard the click of her heels on the stairs, he looked up.
And then he stopped.
For a moment, his eyes just held her — longer than polite, longer than he probably meant to.
The flicker of something darker crossed his gaze; admiration tangled with surprise, curiosity with something less controlled.
It vanished just as quickly, replaced by that smooth, practiced charm she'd come to expect.
He quickly stood up as she reached the last step, sliding his chair back with an easy grace.
Nathan extended his hand toward her with an admiring smile.
She didn't think twice.
She liked how this dress made her feel bold, like she could do something daring and get away with it.
When her fingers touched his, he grinned, his voice soft but threaded with mischief.
"Wait… just let me look at you before anyone else does in the club."
Heat crept up her neck.
She wasn't used to being looked at like that — not with hunger, not with awe.
She blushed, eyes darting away.
Oh! This is how a girl feels when complimented.
Nathan smiled wider, rare, genuine.
"You know, I'm not easily surprised," he said quietly. "But you manage to surprise me every day."
She wasn't sure what he meant. Maybe she wasn't even listening anymore.
All she knew was that tonight, she didn't want to overthink — she just wanted to live.
I am ready for this.
The drive was filled with casual, easy banter — the kind that made her forget about the silence between thoughts.
Nathan's quick-witted teasing rolled effortlessly from one topic to another: a comment about the traffic, the music, how he'd probably need to rescue Adrian from a crowd of admirers before the night was over.
Nathan glanced sideways at her between streetlights, his fingers loose on the wheel.
"You know, you're quiet tonight," he said softly. "Should I be worried, or are you just secretly planning how to outshine everyone at the club?"
She smiled faintly, eyes on the blur of city lights.
"Maybe both. I'm trying to enjoy the view before the noise takes over."
Such a tease, he is. Know how to flatter a lady.
He chuckled under his breath.
"Good. Just don't forget the rule for tonight."
Her brow arched. "Rule?"
"You have to have fun," he said, his tone half-serious, half-charming. "That's an order."
Elena laughed, shaking her head. In an almost daring tone, she replied. "And if I disobey?"
"Then I'll just have to remind you how," he said smoothly, mimicking her daring tone.
Oh God! His smile is infectious!
And somewhere between that grin and the glow of the city, she realized she was looking forward to whatever the night might hold.
---
The club glowed like a pulse of light in the distance, its glass doors catching the swirl of neon and music leaking into the street.
Inside, Adrian and Isla were already waiting near the entrance.
When they spotted Elena, both of them froze mid-conversation.
Adrian let out a low whistle, half a laugh, half disbelief.
"And here I thought the library was your natural habitat," he teased, his eyes warm and wide with admiration. "Gorgeous — the spotlight suits you, Leena. Stepping out of your comfort zone, I like this change."
Elena's cheeks warmed again, but his words felt different — pure, easy, protective.
Isla leaned close, whispering near her ear with a smile that reached her eyes.
"I always knew you were beautiful, but even I wasn't ready for this."
Elena laughed softly. "Don't start, Isla."
"Too late, honey" Isla grinned, looping her arm through hers. "I'm already jealous."
They moved through the crowd together, the music wrapping around them like heat and rhythm.
Nathan and Adrian flanked her on either side, and both noticed — the glances that followed her, the way heads turned as she passed.
Men looked longer than they should have.
Adrian's jaw tightened slightly; Nathan's expression shifted, quiet and unreadable.
They reached a corner booth, the lights softer, the bass humming low through the floor.
"I'll grab drinks," Nathan said, voice even but his eyes still following the few stares that lingered too long on her.
He stood, brushing a hand over his shirt sleeve.
"Don't move. I'd hate to come back and find half the room fighting over you."
She rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself.
Flattering much!
The music pulsed through the club, a steady rhythm that blurred lights and laughter into motion.
Nathan returned with their drinks just as Isla grabbed Elena's hand.
"Come on!" Isla shouted over the beat, eyes sparkling. "You're not getting away with sitting still all night."
Before Elena could argue, Isla tugged her toward the dance floor.
At first, her movements were cautious — testing, shy — but the rhythm caught her quickly, sliding into her body like it had been waiting there all along.
After a song or two, she wasn't nervous anymore.
She was just happy living in the moment.
Adrian soon joined them, grinning as he spun Isla once and pulled Elena into a friendly twirl.
"Look at you, Leena," he teased, laughing. "Didn't know you had this in you."
"Oh you never asked, I've always been a bathroom dancer. Hidden talent!" she shot back, her voice half breathless, half giddy.
The three of them danced in perfect rhythm, laughter breaking between beats.
But every now and then, she felt it — a steady gaze, hotter than the lights above.
Nathan was at the bar, drink in hand, posture relaxed, but his eyes never left her.
Even from across the room, she could feel it — calm yet searing.
Her heart raced every time her body turned toward him, and instead of shying away, she let it dare her.
She was enjoying his gaze.
She moved with more confidence, her steps sharper, her smile brighter.
He wanted to look?
She'd give him something worth looking at.
Isla leaned in close between the song.
"God, that man's gorgeous," she whispered, nodding toward Nathan. "I'm totally rooting for you, babe."
Haha! You don't say.
Elena laughed, her heart swelling at the encouragement.
"You're absolutely ridiculous," she said, but her cheeks were warm, her pulse wild.
By the time they finally made their way back to the table, both girls were flushed and laughing.
"You were on fire," Adrian said between sips. "Who even are you and what have you done to my cute nerd?"
Isla smiled. "Someone trying to breathe for once."
Adrian's phone buzzed again — once, twice, then non-stop.
He frowned, glancing at the screen.
"Ugh, I'm sorry, guys," he said. "I've got some urgent work stuff. I need to handle this."
Isla waved him off immediately.
"It's fine! Go. I've got Elena — and I'm sure Nathan's gentleman enough to drop us both home, right?"
Nathan smiled easily.
"Absolutely," he said smoothly. "You ladies enjoy the night. I'll make sure everyone gets home safe."
Adrian nodded, giving Elena one last look before disappearing into the crowd.
Why does his expressions always hold concern and protectiveness when he looks at me?
----
Outside, the city lights flickered through the car windows as Nathan drove, one hand on the wheel.
Isla leaned back in the passenger seat, still scrolling through photos.
"I have to say," she grinned, "tonight was perfect. We needed this."
Elena smiled softly. "Yeah… it was," as she stole a quick glance at Nathan.
Oh this man…
Isla turned toward Nathan with a playful smile.
"So, Nathan… what's your plan? Just having some time off here and then back to the States?"
He smirked.
"No, not exactly. I'm actually doing some research here. There's a possibility we might branch out — nothing confirmed yet, but it's on my to-do list."
"You like it here then?" she asked, elbowing Elena quietly. A playful humour in her voice.
"Yeah," he said, his tone softening.
"I had a fun-filled childhood here. The States offer more in business, sure, but I want to keep my roots with the UK — a place to visit often, maybe build something here one day."
"And what about your girlfriend?" Isla teased. "Do you have any?" Elena gave her please-just-shut-it look. She knew why she was enquiring him.
He laughed, shaking his head.
"Am I being interrogated now?" He looked into Elena's eyes from the rear-view mirror, smirking.
"Maybe."she chirped.
"Am I in a relationship right now – no," he said in an honest tone. "I've had quite a few relationships in the States, but honestly, they all felt the same. Nothing real stuck, so I've been single for quite a while."
Aaaahhhh!
Her body felt at ease somehow, the peace and comfort it brings to hear it.
Isla grinned winking at me. "Good to know."
Elena stayed quiet, watching the streetlights blur, a strange warmth settling somewhere deep inside.
He stopped as they reached at Isla's place.
"Alright," Isla said, opening the door. "Thanks for the ride, Nathan. Leena, text me when you get home."
"Will do," Elena said.
When the door shut, the car fell silent.
Nathan glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"So?… Satisfied with it?"
Totally satisfied!
She smiled sweetly at him.
Stop the blushing Elena!
---
When they reached her house, the street was calm — the kind of calm that felt like the world had exhaled.
Nathan parked, and for a moment, neither of them moved.
"Mind if I stay a bit?" he asked. "I really enjoy your company."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Sure."
Inside, the quiet was almost intimate.
She kicked off her heels, the click echoing faintly through the hallway.
Nathan's gaze followed her — not invasive, just quietly appreciative.
"You've got good taste," he said softly. "Simple, calm. Feels like you."
Her lips curved slightly. "Meaning?"
"Meaning elegant without trying. Not just tonight – but every day!" he paused. "You own everything you wear. Somehow you manage to make your brother's clothes – which you wear almost everyday – look 'adorable'.
Her pulse quickened.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"So… how about that dance now?"
"Here?"
> "Why not? No crowd, no noise. Just music."
He turned on the TV and scrolled through his YouTube playlist until a slow ballad tune filled the room — mellow, intimate, the kind of song that made silence sound beautiful. Ed Sheeran's Perfect.
Just like this moment… quiet, perfect, unexpected.
Did he play this song for me?
He offered his hand. She took it.
Nathan's hand found the small of her back, steady and warm.
He drew her closer, just enough that she could feel the rise and fall of his breath.
The music moved around them, soft and slow.
His touch was careful but deliberate; a feather-light brush along the bareback, the faintest trace guiding her as they turned.
She trembled under his touch.
Her heartbeat stumbled, syncing to the rhythm beneath their feet.
His gaze held hers.
As they moved, he reached up and gently loosened her hair.
The curl slid down her neck, on her bare back.
"I prefer it like this," he whispered, voice low and rough.
Her breath caught. Something inside her liked this proximity.
He tucked the strand behind her ear, fingertips lingering for a second along her jaw before sliding down her tracing through neck gliding along her arm and down her hand, sending shivers down the base of her stomach.
Her body betrayed her, leaning into the warmth she hadn't asked for but didn't want to lose either.
She liked this proximity?
He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed her knuckles – one by one, soft and deliberate.
His gaze shifted at her pendant. He traced his fingers along it's chain stopping at where the stone was. His gaze lingered at her pendant, then drifted lower before returning to her eyes.
"Perfect," he murmured, still holding her gaze.
Was she talking about more than just the pendant?
The world felt smaller now — just the quiet electricity between them.
When the song ended, he didn't step away.
He just looked at her, eyes unreadable but tender, as though memorizing her face under the low light.
> "You know," he said softly, "I didn't lie when I said I've never met anyone quite like you."
Elena didn't reply.
She just stood there, heartbeat wild but steady.
Caught somewhere between what she understood — and what she wasn't ready to admit she wanted.
"I should go before I kiss you again." he said a long moment after.
Elena's breath hitched.
And yet…she didn't want him to go.