Crystal POV
The day had started like any other, but by the time evening came, I already felt every inch of my body aching. Mom and I had spent most of the day helping with Evelyn Harper and Reed Textiles—checking invoices, overseeing shipments, making sure every seam and thread met our standards. By the time we returned home, it felt as though I had run a marathon.
We prepared a light meal—noodles, nothing fancy—then retreated to our rooms. Mom drifted to sleep almost immediately, the soft hum of her breathing filling the quiet house. I, however, wasn't ready to rest just yet.
I grabbed my phone, letting the warm glow of the screen light up the room. I wanted a few more moments of escape before the real world intruded again. Netflix had been my sanctuary tonight. Korean dramas always had a way of pulling me in, of letting me forget everything else.
I watched three full episodes of The Judge From Hell, losing myself in the suspense, the intrigue, the dark twists. But finally, exhaustion crept in, pressing its weight onto me. My thumb hovered over the screen, and without overthinking, I typed:
"Drop location. Let's meet."
A single, short message, simple and deliberate. No emojis. No fluff.
By twelve o'clock, I set the phone down and slipped into bed, my eyelids heavy, heart racing just enough to remind me that the day wasn't over—not really. Sleep swallowed me whole.
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Adrian POV
In a quiet, dimly lit study, I worked on my laptop, the only sound the soft click of keys against polished metal. My personal phone vibrated, a rare interruption. Not my business phone—no, this was something private. Something… personal.
I swiped it open immediately, knowing before I even read it. She has replied. My Little Angel. My lips curled into a small, eerie smile. Three words, so bold. So daring.
"Drop location. Let's meet."
A shiver of amusement ran down me. Does she even know who she's talking to? I murmured to myself, letting the thought linger. Carefree. Brazen. Exactly the way I liked her.
I typed back, deliberate and commanding:
"Meet me at La Belle Époque by seven this evening."
No reply came. I tossed the phone aside, then dialed Mark, my most trusted man. "Book the place," I said, my voice low, steady. "Full reservation. Dinner by seven. No interruptions."
Crystal POV
I woke just past eleven, sunlight streaming through the blinds, illuminating the dust motes dancing lazily in the air. Eleven hours of sleep. My body felt renewed, my mind sharper, yet the envelope, the message, lingered in my thoughts.
After a quick bath, brushing the last traces of sleep away, I prepared a light brunch. Mom had already started tidying the house, so I joined her, arranging flowers in the garden, wiping surfaces, doing little chores. Each motion felt purposeful, calming.
Finally, I washed my hands, face, and feet, feeling the cool water awaken my senses. My phone buzzed—a message. I picked it up quickly, surprised to see a reply from the email I had sent yesterday:
"Meet me at La Belle Époque by seven this evening."
I paused, staring at the words. Quick reply. Unexpected. But I didn't respond immediately.
I opened Maya's chat instead, fingers flying over the keyboard.
"Hey Maya, can't meet later today. Meeting someone… a Mr. A at seven."
Her reply came almost instantly:
"He replied your message so soon? Please just be careful."
I smirked, tapping back confidently:
"The one who should be careful is him, not me. I've always handle situations perfectly."
We ended the chat with a few light emojis, but the weight of what was coming later still pressed on my chest.
Time slipped by. The clock ticked faster than I expected. I slipped into my outfit—a black leather baggy pant, high-waist, hugging just right, paired with a crisp white crop top that balanced casual and edgy perfectly. Over it, a fitted black jacket with subtle zippers and silver details. A simple black face cap sat on my slightly wavy black hair, and my sneakers made the outfit comfortable yet bold.
Makeup was minimal but precise. A touch of foundation for smooth skin, subtle highlighter along my cheekbones catching the soft glow of the room. A thin line of eyeliner framed my dark eyes, mascara lengthened the lashes just enough to accentuate my gaze. A soft nude lip gloss added the finishing touch. I looked in the mirror and nodded. Ready.
Fifteen minutes to seven. I was slightly behind schedule. The distance, possible traffic—it all factored into the tension building in my chest. I grabbed my bag, quickly typing a short note to Mom:
"Stepped out for a moment. Might be late. Stay safe."
Her reply was simple, loving:
"Ok. Remember to stay out of trouble."
I tucked the phone in my handbag and hit the road, heart pounding in anticipation.
The cab ride felt both long and short. Each passing street corner seemed to bring me closer to the unknown. Who was this Mr. "A"? What were his intentions? A small thrill mingled with unease.
Finally, the cab slowed to a stop. I looked up and saw La Belle Époque, its classic façade glowing warmly against the evening sky.
For a brief moment, panic fluttered in my chest. How would I find him? Would I recognize him? Would he be… different than I imagined?
I opened the door and stepped inside. Silence greeted me. Absolute silence. No chatter, no clinking of cutlery. Only soft lighting and polished wood reflecting the subtle elegance of the space.
Then I realized. The rich fool… He must have reserved the entire place. Impressive, and yet audacious at the same time. A part of me admired the gesture, while another part bristled at his confidence.
I took a careful step forward, heels clicking softly against the floor. My heartbeat thrummed loudly in my ears, each echo a mix of anticipation and trepidation.
And then I saw him. Standing across the room, calm, unreadable. His posture perfect, his expression unreadable. He didn't move, yet his presence filled the room.
My heels clicked again, and with every step, the distance between us shrank. I could feel the weight of his gaze, piercing, intense, like he had been waiting for this moment.
Adrian.
And the sound of my shoes against the floor echoed, announcing my arrival into a world I knew would never be the same.