The dim glow of the lamp casts long shadows across the walls, flickering slightly as Allen moves restlessly through his apartment. His jaw is clenched, his hands balled into fists, frustration simmering beneath his skin like a fire just waiting to explode.
Lauren shut him out. She refused to forgive him. And worse—she walked away without looking back, like he was nothing.
He exhales sharply, running a hand through his disheveled hair, pacing. The empty whiskey glass on the table barely soothes the burn in his chest, and the silence in the room only amplifies the anger swirling in his mind.
Lauren was supposed to be his safety net. His fallback. She had power, influence, money—all things he desperately needed now. And yet, she chose to leave him stranded, refused to save him from his failures.
He grips the edge of the table, knuckles turning white.
If Lauren won't give him what he needs, he'll take it another way.
Allen's phone vibrates against the wooden surface, pulling him from his thoughts. He glances at the name on the screen—an associate, someone willing to do business in the shadows.
With slow, deliberate movements, he picks up the phone, bringing it to his ear.
"Tell me". Allen says, voice low, edged with fury. "How much do you charge for a little… persuasion?"
The response on the other end is casual, like it's just another deal, just another transaction.
Allen's lips curl into a smirk, but it doesn't reach his eyes.
"If she won't listen willingly," he mutters, "then I'll make her listen."
The night grows darker, the shadows stretching further.
On the other side of the city there is Lauren. Talking to Erika, mending the feelings that they have stuck with each other.
A knock on the door made Lauren look. "Hi? You going home already?".
Standing on the door was her best friend Erika.
"Yeah—why?". She asked as she reach out for her bag after wearing her coat.
"Can I come?". Lauren's eyebrows turned up, her face turns sour. "It is not what you think it was...I—I just wanted to make sure you get home safely and besides I am not intending to ask you on a date I know you were still moving on. I'm just worried, Allen might be in your doorway now again, waiting for you and what if he do something. You were my best friend, my only bestie ". Erika almost run out of breath explaining her side.
A sudden smile draw on Lauren's face." I know that. I know you more than anyone, I'm just curious don't over react ". She walks out of the office without Erika following her she looks back again". Are you taking me home or will you just stand there? ". Erika then without a second thought followed her.
The quiet hum of the car fills the space between Erika and Lauren, headlights cutting through the darkness as the city slowly fades into quieter streets. The road stretches ahead, the quiet between them softer now, no longer filled with uncertainty but with possibility.