That night stayed with Adrian Cross.
He sat in the back seat of his car, staring out the tinted window, but he wasn't really looking at the road. His mind was somewhere else. On a quiet street. Under a flickering streetlight
On her.
"Sir, are you alright?" his driver asked, glancing at him through the mirror.
Adrian nodded slightly. "Drive."
He adjusted his cufflinks slowly. His hands were steady, but his thoughts weren't.
Who does that? he thought. Who runs into danger like that?
He remembered her voice. Shaky, but strong.
He remembered her eyes. Wide, scared, but brave.
He remembered the way she stood there like she didn't care what would happen to her.
He clenched his jaw. He didn't like being saved. He didn't like feeling helpless. He didn't like… needing someone.
But she hadn't acted like she wanted anything.
No money.
No name.
No thanks.
She just helped him.
That disturbed him more than the attack.
Across the city, Aria Bennett lay on her narrow bed, staring at the ceiling.
Her room was small. Quiet. Familiar. But she felt different inside.
Her heart still raced when she thought about it.
That was stupid, she told herself.
You could have been hurt.
But she also felt… something else.
Something warm.
She rolled onto her side and hugged her pillow. She could still see his face so clearly. The calm in his eyes. The way he spoke softly, like he wasn't used to being soft.
"He was strange," she whispered to herself.
She turned and faced the wall.
"I hope he's okay."
She shut her eyes, but sleep didn't come easily.
The next morning came quietly.
Adrian stood in his office, looking out at the city from the high glass windows. The building was silent. Too silent.
His assistant knocked softly and walked in.
"Good morning, sir. Your meeting starts in thirty minutes."
"Cancel it," Adrian said.
She hesitated. "Sir?"
"I said cancel it."
She nodded and left.
He picked up his phone and called someone else.
"Find her," he said into the phone.
A pause.
"The girl from last night. I don't know her name. She was near the old apartment block off Pine Street."
Another pause.
"I don't care how. Just find her."
He ended the call.
He didn't understand why he was doing this.
He just knew he needed to.
That afternoon, Aria sat behind the counter at the small café where she worked part-time.
She wiped down the counter slowly. Her mind felt heavy.
Her friend and coworker, Nina, leaned over.
"You look like you didn't sleep."
Aria tried to smile. "I didn't… really."
Nina raised a brow. "Let me guess. Overthinking?"
Aria nodded. "Something like that."
Nina leaned closer. "You look like someone who saved a stranger or something."
Aria froze.
"…How did you know?"
Nina laughed. "You're terrible at hiding things."
Aria sighed and lowered her voice. "It was last night. Some men were attacking a guy. I just… stepped in."
Nina shook her head. "You're crazy."
"I know."
"But… heroic crazy," Nina added with a grin.
Aria couldn't help but smile.
The café door opened, and the small bell rang.
Aria looked up casually.
And her heart almost stopped.
He stood there.
In the doorway.
Tall. Calm. Clean suit. Dark eyes.
It was him.
Adrian Cross.
He scanned the café slowly, then his eyes met hers.
And he held her gaze.
He walked toward the counter calmly.
Aria felt her palms get sweaty.
"Hi," he said.
Her throat went dry.
"Hi."
"You left very fast last night," he said softly.
"I… didn't think there was a reason to stay."
He nodded slowly. "There was."
She swallowed.
"What?"
"So I could thank you properly."
The café felt smaller.
Quieter.
Warmer.
Nina leaned over and whispered, "Do you know him?"
Aria whispered back, "I think… I'm about to."
Adrian placed his hands gently on the counter.
"I've been looking for you," he said quietly.
Her heart dropped into her stomach.
"Why?"
He studied her face.
"Because I don't forget people who save my life."
And for the first time, Aria felt something she couldn't explain.
Not fear.
Not excitement.
Something deeper.
Something dangerous.
Something real.