Amber Valley. 12:00 am.
Tommy's Jol.
Once they were behind the door, the music changed.
The rhythm softened, the lights dimmed, and time itself seemed to hesitate.
Adriana felt as if she had crossed into another version of reality—one stitched together by shadows, secrets, and half-remembered love.
"Come on, follow me.", Stephen said softly, his gaze lingering on her.
She smiled back, warm and faint, the kind that carried echoes of the past.
Stephen walked toward a large, wide curtain a few feet ahead. Adriana followed close behind. With one smooth pull, he slid the drapes aside.
Soft, mellow tunes swelled through the air—notes that wrapped around them like silk. The room beyond resembled the diner outside, yet everything here felt heavier, dimmer, more alive.
Guests filled the space—their laughter low. Along the far corner of the room, a long bar stretched with two bartenders moving in quiet rhythm behind the counter. Tables dotted the floor, each flickering with the glow of a small lantern.
Golden plaques and framed awards adorned the walls, glinting in the low light.
To their right, a small stage grabbed most of the attention—a band playing slow, aching jazz. A man with a groggy, poetic voice stood behind the microphone, his words drifting like smoke. Beside him, an old man sat hunched over a cello, bowing deep, mournful notes. Behind them, two musicians swayed in perfect sync—one at the piano, the other coaxing sweet sorrow from a saxophone.
Every sound, every chord, seemed to breathe in time with the pulse of the room.
Stephen took a slow breath, then turned to her.
"Dance with me.", he said, almost uncertainly.
Without another word, she placed her hand in his. He led her gently toward the center of the floor, where the light was lowest and the music swayed like a heartbeat. The saxophone cried a lonely tune, and the world beyond them ceased to exist.
Stephens's hand slid gently among her back, her hand rested against his chest. Their movements began slow—unsure at first—then followed suit to the rhythm.
Adriana felt the warmth of him through his shirt, the faint tremor in his breath. Her eyes met his, and for a brief, fragile second, everything felt right again. The years apart, the lies, the unrecorded vows—all of it blurred beneath the dim gold haze.
Stephen held his gaze, "Remember this song.", he whispered,
she nodded. "How could i forget? You played it the night you left.", she said.
Stephen smiled faintly, the kind of smile that hurt to hold, "Guess I've been dancing with a Ghost ever since.", He replied.
Adriana leaned closer, her voice barely audible. "Then stop dancing with ghosts, Stephen.", she responded.
Stephen stayed quiet, letting the moment speak for him. They swayed gently to the soulful tune, holding onto each other like a lifeline—two lonely hearts finding brief shelter in familiar arms. His forehead pressed against hers, breaths mingling as they moved in slow unison beneath the dim, amber light.
WEST DISTRICT.
Amber Valley. 12:10 AM.
Low bass drifted through the soft air of Ashley's room, wrapping the space in warmth. LED lights pulsed along the walls, painting slow waves of color. Ashley and Lucas sat on her bed, only a few inches apart. She was tucked beneath her oversized blanket, while Lucas scrolled absently through his phone.
Shyness lingered between them—quiet, charged. Ashley's palms were damp, her heartbeat loud in her chest. She stole a glance at him.
(Why hasn't he done anything yet?), she wondered.
"Hey.", they both said at the same time.
A laugh slipped out of each of them—light, nervous, genuine.
"You wanted to say something?", Lucas asked, lowering his phone.
"No—you go first.", Ashley replied quickly, her voice barely steady.
"Nah.", Lucas said, hesitating for a beat, "I just wanted to say... it's getting kinda late. I might head out soon."
Ashley's smile faded, just a little. "Oh.", she murmured, her voice small. She tried to sound casual, but the disappointment slipped through anyway.
Lucas rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at the glowing clock across the room. "Didn't realize it was past midnight already."
"Yeah... time kind of flew.", Ashley said, forcing a tiny laugh. Her fingers fidgeted under the blanket.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The low bass from the speakers filled the silence between them, heavy but not uncomfortable—just uncertain.
Ashley glanced at the clock, then back at him. "You don't have to leave yet.", she said quietly.
Lucas looked at her, surprised. "You sure? I don't wanna overstay—"
"You're not.", she interrupted, her voice firmer this time. "I mean... it's late, yeah, but it's not that late."
He hesitated, half-smiling. "You trying to convince me, or yourself?"
Ashley rolled her eyes, but the blush on her face gave her away. "Maybe both."
Lucas chuckled softly, leaning back into the bed. "Alright then. I'll stay a bit longer."
She relaxed into her blanket, relief hidden beneath a playful grin. The lights flickered gently in shades of purple and blue, the music now a slow hum in the background.
For the first time that night, neither of them looked away.
Ashley tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her heartbeat thudding softly in her chest. The room felt smaller now—warmer. Lucas leaned back against the headboard, scrolling absently through his phone again, pretending not to notice how quiet she'd become.
She watched him for a moment, studying the way the glow from her LED lights traced his jawline. He looked calm—too calm.
(Say something... do something...), she told herself.
"Hey, Lucas.", she said softly.
He looked up. "Yeah?"
Ashley hesitated, her lips parting slightly. "You ever think about... us?"
Lucas blinked. "Us?", his reaction genuinely dumbfounded.
"Yeah.", Her voice trembled, but she didn't look away. "I mean—ever since New year's eve... I just feel... different."
The silence between them stretched, thick and alive. Lucas's gaze softened. "Different how?"
Ashley smiled nervously. "Like... this."
She reached out, gently taking his phone from his hand and setting it aside on the nightstand. Her hand lingered there, close to his, then she looked up at him again. "You don't always have to look at your screen, you know."
He chuckled quietly, but his voice was low now. "Oh Yeah? What should I be looking at then?"
Ashley's breath caught. "Me.", she whispered.
For a heartbeat, neither moved. Then she leaned forward—slow, uncertain, but sure enough to close the space between them. Lucas met her halfway. Their lips touched—softly at first, just a brush, then deeper, as if time finally gave them permission.
Lucas placed his palm gently against her neck.
She followed the touch, guiding him closer — as if inviting him into uncharted territory.
Ashley threw the blanket aside and climbed onto his lap, her warmth pressing against him. He brushed his hands along her sides, slow and deliberate, as though memorizing every contour. They paused — eyes meeting, smiles breaking through the charged silence.
"I like the view.", Lucas murmured.
Ashley giggled softly before leaning in to close the space between them. Their lips met again, slower this time — a kiss that deepened with every breath. The rest of the world faded.
Her nightgown slipped away in one elegant motion, the delicate fabric whispering against her skin. Underneath, she was all softness and light — the kind of beauty that made time stop. Lucas stared for a heartbeat too long before leaning forward, his breath tracing her collarbone, his lips finding the warmth of her skin.
Ashley's breath caught as his kisses trailed lower — patient, reverent, as though every inch of her deserved to be discovered. She guided him, her fingers threading through his hair, their rhythm finding something wordless and wild between them.
"Do you want to carry on?", he whispered, voice low, almost uncertain.
"Shh...", Her finger brushed his lips. "Let's not ruin it with words."
Their movements became a language of their own — soft, searching, full of laughter and quiet sighs. The night swayed around them, and in that small corner of the world, love found its rhythm.
Amber Valley. 12:25 AM
Tommy's Jol. Second Floor.
The hallway on the second floor was dim, the light faint and scattered—only fragments escaping from rooms with their doors left ajar.
In one of the rooms, Stephen and Adriana lay close together on the bed. The space was small, yet it felt expansive with unspoken anticipation. A large window stood open, letting in the cool night air, and the chandelier above cast a soft, golden glow, highlighting the quiet intimacy of the moment.
Stephen held Adriana tightly, his presence grounding her. She traced gentle circles along his forearm, both of them caught in the stillness.
Stephen leaned close, his lips brushing her ear.
"Why didn't you come back?", he whispered, his voice low, almost vulnerable.
"Why did you leave?", Adriana asked, her voice soft and tender, carrying the weight of all the nights she'd spent wondering.
"I had to... my family... just was—", he started, his voice faltering.
"Too much?", Adriana interrupted softly, her eyes searching his.
Stephen nodded, a shadow crossing his face. "I didn't know how to handle it all. I thought if I walked away, maybe... maybe it would make things simpler—for you, for me."
Adriana reached up, her fingers brushing gently along his jaw. "You think leaving me made anything simpler?", she whispered, her voice tender but laced with pain.
"Yeah, I know... I'm sorry.", Stephen said softly, his voice carrying the weight of regret. "I wanted to come back for you."
"Then what stopped you?", she asked, her voice soft, searching.
Stephen sighed, pressing his forehead gently against hers. "My mind was stagnant... stuck in all the chaos.", he confessed, his voice heavy with regret. "But I had to do what I thought was best for our family."
"You know... I can't blame you.", Adriana admitted softly, her fingers tracing light patterns along his arm. "We left at some point, too."
"Why?", He asked.
"It was your family... they were too eager.", Adriana replied softly, her fingers brushing along his arm. "I get it... I know you felt trapped."
"My father?", Stephen asked.
"After you mum died, one of your relatives decided to take over The Hollow Creed .", She stated.
"Who was it?", he asked, his voice low, tense with curiosity.
"Sam, Ricardo, and Jason... they were part of the deal.", she responded, her tone careful but firm.
"Jesus... I understand Sam and Ricardo, but I never thought Jason would do such a thing.", Stephen said, his voice heavy with disbelief.
"Yeah, but that's old news... I'm just glad I got to see you again.", Adriana said softly, turning to meet his gaze. Her hand brushed gently against his cheek, warm and reassuring.
"Me too.", he replied.
Suddenly, he reached in slowly, and Adriana followed suit. Their lips finally met—then deepening with a tenderness that carried years of longing. Her eyes closed, savoring the closeness, the warmth, the shared heartbeat of the moment.
Stephen's hands cupped her face gently, thumbs brushing along her cheeks, as if memorizing every curve. Adriana's fingers threaded through his hair, anchoring him to her, grounding them both in the present.
Stephen lifted Adriana gently, holding her close against his chest. She flicked her hair back, smiling softly, and their hands intertwined as they drew closer. The intensity between them was electric, their hearts racing, breaths mingling.
They moved together, shedding layers of clothing as a metaphor for vulnerability rather than explicit acts—each touch and glance carrying the weight of longing and desire. Laughter mingled with whispered words, soft sighs, and quiet kisses as they explored the closeness they'd both craved for so long.
The room became a private universe of warmth, trust, and intimacy. Every look, every touch, every embrace spoke louder than words, leaving only the tension and love between them to linger in the night.
Eventually, they collapsed into each other's arms, hearts beating in sync, a shared quiet wrapping them in comfort and connection. Outside, the city pulsed on, but inside, time belonged entirely to them.