Two years ago, Bettina was a sophomore at the university of Texas at Austin. She goes to school during the day and works part time at a small restaurant. Life was extremely hard and difficult at that time for Bettina, her parents had passed away when she was young and was left in her grandma's care and now her grandma was in the hospital with terminal cancer.
One late evening, while Bettina was working, the restaurant manager Mr. Henry, walked over to her and whispered :
"there's a customer who wants to see you. He's very urgent".
The man sat at a corner in the restaurant, wearing a dark gray suit, with dark hair, likely in his late twenties, with a face that seems almost cold and calculating. However, they're also rimmed with a hint of red, suggesting a lack of sleep or perhaps a tumultuous emotional state. The Grey of his eyes appears almost stormy, like the calm before a tempest, giving off an intimidating aura. His facial structure is chiseled, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline that speaks to a sense of confidence and determination. However, his eye brows are slightly furrowed, giving him a perpetually concerned or slightly annoyed look. His nose is straight and proportional to his other facial features. The most striking aspect of his face is the contrast between his features. His eyes seem sad, almost melancholic, as if carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Yet, his gazes is also piercing, almost arrogant, as if daring others to try and understand him. His lips are pressed together, forming a thin line that suggests a mix of determination and restraint. When he looks at Bettina as she approaches, his gazes is intense, almost piercing. His eyes seem to bore into her very soul, making her feel both intrigued and intimidated. Despite the sadness in his eyes there's an air of superiority, a sense of being above the mundane concerns of the world. His face is a complex map of emotions, making it difficult to discern what he's truly thinking or feeling.
Bettina finally got to the strange man, he offered her a sit and she sat down facing him. After a few questions about Bettina's life and situation, he pushed a thick envelope towards her, saying :
"I want you to come stay with me tonight, for one hundred thousand dollars. That will be enough to save your grandmother you know right?".
Bettina was stunned.
This money, this strange man was offering to her was a hope for her grandma's life, but in return was her honor, her pride, her youth, or so she thought.
Bettina still in shock could only nod.
That night Bettina followed him to a hotel in town. The room was large, the lights was warm and dim yellow.
The man "Mr Erich Bennet", did not say much, just sat silently by the windows staring outside. Nothing happened, no touching, just a very long night filled with silence. The next morning, when she woke up, he had left, living a note for her which says : "thankyou".
Bettina used the money to save her grandma, who lived for two more years then passed away peacefully.
Mr. Erich Bennett was a wealthy and renowned business man, the chairman of Bennett holdings. The very first time he layed his eyes on Bettina in the restaurant, he was intrigued, he developed a certain interest on her.
Erich pass with Bettina is shrouded in mystery, but it's clear that he's driven by a complex mix of emotions. He's drawn to Bettina, captivated by her strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Over the past two years, he's watched her from afar, learning every detail about her life, her interests and her passions. He's invested in her well-being, feeling a sense of responsibility for her safety and happiness. He believes that he is a fleeting memory, mysterious stranger she met briefly, two years ago, unknown to him, he was a fresh memory in her head as she still remember his piercing eyes and chiseled features, but little else. She's unaware of his continued presence in her life, watching over her from the shadows.
The man sat in the corner of the room, shrouded in darkness. The air was thick with the scent of old books and stale air. The only sound was the faint creaking of the wooden floorboards beneath his chair. His eyes gleamed like embers in the darkness, a spark of life amidst the shadows. His face was chiseled with sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline. His eyes, however, told a different story. They burned with an inner fire, a flame that flickered with intensity. Despite the darkness surrounding him, his gaze seemed to pierce through the shadows, as if seeing right through the very fabric of reality.
The door creaked open and a sliver of light slide through the darkness. A servant, dressed in a formal attire stepped into contrast to the silence that had preceded him. The servant eyes adjusted slowly to the darkness and he made out the man's imposing figure in the corner. As the servant approached, the man's gaze shifted, his eyes locking onto the newcomer. His expression remained impassive, but a hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes. He seemed to be waiting for the servant to speak his entire being coiled with anticipation. The servant cleared his throat, his voice barely above a whisper :
"sir, I've gathered the information you requested".
The man's eyes narrowed slightly, his grip on the armrest of his chair tightening.
"Tell me", he commanded, his voice low and even. The servant hesitated for a moment before speaking, unsure of how the man would react to the news he was about to deliver.
"Her grandmother passed away yesterday and the funeral would be happening tomorrow".
The man got silent for a while before he responded to the servant :
"is that all you have got? If that's all you can go".
The servant turned around and left the room, once again the man was left in his silence and darkness.
Bettina stands alone, her eyes are fixed on the grave of her beloved grandmother, her last family. Her eyes are red rimmed, and her face is etched with grief. The weight of her loss is palpable, and she seems to be carrying the burden of her sorrow with each passing moment.
Meanwhile, the mysterious man watches from a distance, his eyes fixed intently on the girl. He's dressed dark, impeccable attire, blending into the shadows as he observes her every move. His face is chiseled, with sharp features and piercing eyes that seems to bore into the soul despite the distance between them, his gaze is intense, filled with a deep concern and longing.
Erich's inability to approach Bettina, even at her grieving moment, stems from a mix of fear and uncertainty. He's unsure of how to bridge the gap between them, fearing that revealing his true nature might push her away.
Days blended together in a haze of grief and routine. Bettina's mornings began with empty silence, the absence of her grandma's warm voice a harsh reminder of her loss. She'd mechanically prepare breakfast, the same breakfast her grandma used to make, but the taste was now bitter without her there to share it with. The apartment felt emptier, every room a memory, every creak of the floorboards a whisper of what once was. Bettina went through the motions, attending classes, working at the restaurant, and trying to focus on her studies, but her mind wondered, lost in thoughts of her grandma. She'd find herself staring blankly at textbooks tears streaming down her face as she remembered a particular story or joke her grandma used to tell. Nights were the hardest, the darkness amplifying her loneliness. She'd curl up in bed, and clutching her grandma 's favorite scarf, and whisper prayers, hoping for the pain to subside.
Unbeknownst to Bettina, Erich had been keeping a close eye on her since the funeral. He'd watch her from afar, observing her struggles to cope with her loss. He had seen her tears, her moments of weakness and her determination to keep going. Erich's interest in Bettina went beyond mere curiosity : he felt deep connection to her, one that he couldn't quit explain.
As Bettina navigated her new reality, Erich was always there, lurking in the shadows, ensuring her safety and wellbeing.
He had arrange for the flowers to be delivered to her apartment, or have favorite coffee waiting for her at the restaurant. Bettina attributed these small gestures to chance, but Erich knew the truth, he was drawn to her, and he'd to do whatever it took to be close to her.