**************Celeste's POV***************
"I'm not doing this, Maya," I said, yanking at my dress strap. "One drink, then I'm out. That was the deal."
Maya just laughed and finished her drink. "Oh, please. That's what everyone says before some guy messes them up – in a good way."
I snorted. "Not trying to get messed up. I need my room, my blanket, and to watch 'Crash Landing on You.'"
She rolled her eyes so hard I thought they'd pop. "You've seen that twice already this month. And cried into like, five tubs of ice cream?"
That's not the point.
"Yes, it is. Celeste, it's been three months."
My chest got tight. "Don't remind me."
"I will. Because you're still acting like he's worth it."
I looked away, grabbing the table. "Three years, Maya. He didn't just dump me, he... ghosted me. Via text."
Her face softened a bit. I know. "He's a jerk. But you can't live like you died with him."
"I lost my job too," I snapped,getting annoyed. "Remember? They fired a bunch of people, and I was first to go. So, sorry I don't feel like partying."
Maya leaned in, quieter now, but still stubborn. "That's why you need this. You've been stuck inside for weeks. You're not you anymore. I miss my best friend."
I sighed, staring at my drink. "I can't just forget it all."
"No one's asking you to. Just... tonight. Breathe. Let someone else buy you a drink for once."
I laughed. "You act like I'll find love if I just sit here long enough."
"Not love," she said, smirking. "Fun. Something to distract you. An excuse to wear that dress I made you buy."
I tugged on the hem, feeling awkward. "This dress is too tight."
"It's perfect. You look amazing. Don't even try to argue."
I shook my head, but a small laugh slipped out. "You never give up."
"That's why you love me."
"I'd love you more if you let me leave."
"Nope," she replied.
I wanted to keep arguing, but then he walked in.
Everything seemed to shift. Dark suit, white shirt. He didn't need to try to get attention; he just had it. And when he looked at me, I felt it, like a tap on my neck. I looked away fast.
Maya almost dropped her drink. "Holy crap. Look!"
"No," I said.
She grinned. "Well, well, well. Looks like someone's gonna stare you into bed."
"Maya!" I groaned, my face heating up.
"Listen," she said, leaning in, "just this once. That's it. No promises. No marriage. Not even breakfast. Just explore. What's the worst that could happen? You get a story to tell later."
"Live a little tonight."
I gave in and glanced over, meeting his eyes.
He was still watching me. Still impossible to read. One hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass.
"He's hot," Maya whispered, grinning. "Like, seriously hot. Like, 'tie-you-up-and-mess-up-your-life' hot."
I choked on my drink. "Maya!"
"Am I wrong?"
I looked at him again. No smirk. No wink. Just watching.
"Okay, no," I said quietly. "You're not wrong."
My throat went dry. Muttering."I need to be drunk to do this."
"Then get drunk," Maya said, shoving her glass at me.
I finished it fast, the alcohol burning away my senses. "More."
Maya's jaw dropped. "Whoa, rebel. Wait here, I'll get more."
The bar suddenly felt tiny. I could feel him watching me.
I looked down at my phone, trying to calm down.
Then his voice.
"Always run when a guy looks at you that way?"
I turned around. He was there, hands in his pockets, shadows making him look unreal.
"I wasn't running," I said, crossing my arms.
"I was breathing."
He smirked. "Most people don't need to go outside for that."
"Most people don't follow strangers out of bars."
"True," he said, putting his hands deeper in his pockets. "But you seemed like you wanted me to."
I laughed. "You think pretty highly of yourself."
He stepped closer, and the space between us disappeared. His eyes didn't just look; they saw right through me.
"You're trouble," I said before I could think.
"And you're stalling," he replied.
His eyes dropped to my lips, stayed there a second, then back to my eyes.
I caught my breath. I hated that I did.
My laugh was shaky. "What do you want from me?"
"Tonight," he said, like it was simple.
My breath caught. "That's pretty forward for a stranger."
He tilted his head. "You don't feel like a stranger."
My heart pounded. He smelled like money and trouble, the kind of guy I swore I'd avoid.
I should have walked away. I really should have.
Instead, I whispered, "Where?"
"Hotel's a couple blocks away." He pulled out a black card. Top floor. Room 2701.
"And your name?"
He paused, looked at me. "Lucian."
I let out a breath. "Celeste."
"Perfect," he murmured. Then he offered his hand.
I took it.
The hotel room was bright, fancy, and quiet. The kind of quiet that made you forget the real world.
He unlocked the door, stepped aside. "Go ahead."
I walked in slowly, not sure if I was nervous or excited.
He set down his keys and coat, then turned to me. "You okay?"
I nodded, even though my throat was dry. "Yeah. I just don't usually do this."
He came closer, but not too close. "We don't have to do anything you don't want."
I looked at him, really looked. "Why me?"
Lucian's jaw ticked. "Because you looked like you were trying to disappear. And I know that look."
I blinked. "You've disappeared before?"
"More than once."
He moved closer, slowly, leaving less space between us.
"You're still in your dress," he said quietly.
"I just got here."
"And you're still shaking."
"I'm not scared," I whispered.
He looked at me, brushing my arm with his fingers.
His hand came up, gently tilting my chin.
I looked up at him, my heart racing. "Are you always this intense?"
"No. Just with you."
He leaned in slowly. I didn't move. His lips touched mine, softly, gently.
I gasped.
"Still okay?" he murmured.
I nodded. "Yeah."
Lucian's hand slid to my waist. "Then stay."
"I wasn't going anywhere."
He kissed me again. Deeper this time. Slower. Like he was studying me. Like he knew we'd never see each other again but still wanted to remember everything.
I let him, because for one night, I just wanted to see what happened.
Then, suddenly, the lights went out.