Ugh. Why was I awake at 3:12 a.m.? Like, really awake. Not "oh I can't sleep" awake, but stomach growling, brain on fire, heart in my throat awake. I could hear Mr. Whiskers, my judgmental cat, stretch and yawn like he was saying, "Seriously? Again?" I swore he rolled his eyes at me. My blanket tangled around my legs, and I nearly faceplanted trying to untangle it. Great start to the day… or night… whatever this is.
I rolled onto my side, trying to ignore the hunger stabbing my stomach. Twelve dollars and thirty-seven cents in my bank account. That's it. Twelve freaking dollars. College debt was already looming over me like a vulture with a personal vendetta. My part-time barista job barely covered coffee — ironic, right? And apparently, the universe decided to spice things up with… chaos.
My phone buzzed. Normally, I ignore notifications at this hour. But the tiny red dot blinking at me… mocking me… made my chest tighten and my stomach twist. I picked up the phone and stared.
"SYSTEM ONLINE – TASK UNLOCKED."
I blinked. Blinked again. Whispered, "Nope. Nope. Nope." Out loud. Yes, loud enough for Mr. Whiskers to twitch his tail and stare, judging me harder than ever.
Curiosity. Stupid, unavoidable curiosity. I tapped.
Task 1: Talk to the person who annoys you most today.
Cue me groaning like the world personally offended me. Seriously?
Because of course. The person who annoyed me more than anyone else in this city… was Ethan Drake.
Yes. Ethan Drake. Smug, infuriatingly perfect, chaos-walking, billionaire jerk. His smirk could start fires. And apparently, the universe decided he's my first "system challenge." Ughhh. I didn't know how to react. This was insane.
I slumped back in my chair, glaring at my backpack like it might have answers that I wanted. "Great. Universe officially hates me now."
Phone buzzed again. "Task begins. Reward: Unknown."
Reward? Unknown? Fantastic. This was the last thing I needed, but… okay. Let's gamble with my dignity and mental health at 3 a.m., why not.
I grabbed my jacket, shoved my bag over my shoulder, and tried to walk like a normal human being. Failed. Tripped slightly over the doorframe. Classic me.
⸻
The streets were alive with neon buzzing and honking taxis. Music spilled from a diner nearby. My backpack swung too heavily on my shoulder. Okay, breathe, Zara. Not panicking. Not panicking. Okay maybe panicking a little. My shoes squeaked on wet pavement, puddles reflecting neon lights that made the city feel alive and mocking all at once.
I tried to think about literally anything else. Netflix. Coffee. My last failed date. Nope. None of it helped. Every step felt like walking toward doom. Every step closer to the person I least wanted to see in my life ever.
Of course, when I finally reached the café, he was there. Leaning against the counter like the universe wrote him specifically to be problem in my life. Smirk in place. Ughhh.
He spotted me immediately. My chest betrayed me, i felt my heart racing like it was trying to escape my ribcage.
"Zara Cole," he said, voice smooth, teasing, dangerous. "You look… surprised, aren't you?"
I crossed my arms, trying to summon dignity. Failed. "I… could say the same about you," I muttered, instantly regretting it. Flustered idiot alert: activated.
Phone buzzed. "Task Progress: 10% complete."
Already tracking my humiliation. Fantastic. Keep up the good work, pal.
He smirked. "Tracking your panic?"
I shoved my phone in my bag. "Don't be ridiculous," I muttered, failing to sound casual and confident.
He leaned closer. Too close. "Flattered? Terrified? Conflicted?"
I blinked. "All of the above," I admitted, probably too loudly.
We spent the next… I don't even know, minutes? circling the café like two cats who hated each other but couldn't stop being drawn together. Every accidental brush of his arm against mine sent sparks racing up my arms and chest. My stomach somersaulted. My brain short-circuited. I wanted to look away. And also… I didn't.
System alert: "Romance Meter +1."
I glared at my phone. Definitely hallucinating.
He noticed. "What's that?"
I yanked it out of my bag. "Uhhh… nothing," I muttered, face flaming red. Tomato mode: fully engaged.
The barista called out an order, breaking the tension just enough for me to inhale like a normal human, if a slightly panicked one. Ethan glanced at me, amusement in his eyes. "So… officially, we're in some kind of challenge?"
I shoved my hands in my pockets. "Yeah. Universe is testing me. Or trolling me. Probably all of the above."
He laughed. Low. Teasing. Dangerous. My stomach did another somersault. "Lucky me," he said.
⸻
By the time I left the café, my chest was tight, my brain fried. And, of course, my phone buzzed again.
"Next Task Unlocked: Midnight City Challenge."
I froze. Neon reflections danced off puddles. Midnight… challenge? Alone with Ethan Drake? The guy who could make me melt and panic at the same time?
My hands shook. My heart raced. Part of me wanted to run. Part of me… actually wanted to see what the challenge was.
Because apparently, in addition to college debt, barista shifts, and city chaos, I now had a system that wanted me to survive Ethan Drake. And maybe… like him too.
And honestly? I didn't know which terrified me more — the tasks… or him.
I took a shaky breath, eyes scanning the empty streets. The neon signs flickered overhead. My phone buzzed again.
"Tip: Trust no one… except maybe the system."
I groaned, fumbling with the strap of my bag. Could the system get any creepier?
And then Ethan leaned close, smirking like he knew exactly what my thoughts were. "Ready for your challenge, Zara?"
I bit my lip. My brain screamed: run, hide, cry, laugh, die or do nothing but wait… all at once.
But the system wasn't giving me a choice.
Midnight City Challenge begins… and I have no idea what horrors — or sparks — await.