The hallway outside the washrooms was quieter than the rest of the lounge.
The music from the main floor reached the corridor as a distant rhythm, softened by the thick walls of the building. Golden lights glowed along the mirrored panels lining the hallway, reflecting fragments of movement whenever someone passed.
Alessia walked slowly toward the corner.
The polished floor caught the sound of her heels with each step.
She had barely reached the bend in the corridor when someone stepped around it at the same time.
The collision was sudden.
Solid.
Her shoulder struck something firm and unmoving.
A hand shot out immediately, catching her by the arm before she could lose her balance.
The touch was steady.
Strong.
For a brief moment the world seemed to pause.
Alessia lifted her gaze.
The man standing in front of her was tall—taller than most men she met. His dark suit fit him perfectly, sharp and tailored in a way that suggested quiet wealth rather than flashy display.
One hand still rested lightly around her arm.
He released it the moment he realised she had regained her balance.
"My apologies," he said calmly.
His voice was low and even.
Alessia straightened her posture.
"I should be the one apologising," she replied.
Her tone was composed, though the brief shock of the collision still lingered.
The man studied her for a moment.
Not rudely.
Not curiously.
Simply… observing.
His gaze moved across her face before settling briefly on her eyes.
"You're not injured?" he asked.
"No."
"Good."
Neither of them moved away immediately.
The corridor remained quiet around them, broken only by the distant pulse of music from the main lounge.
Alessia noticed the faint scent of cedarwood from his cologne.
Clean.
Subtle.
Not overpowering.
"You walk fast," he said after a moment.
The corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
"You walk around corners without warning."
"Fair point."
His voice carried the faintest hint of amusement.
For reasons she couldn't quite explain, Alessia felt unexpectedly aware of the silence between them.
Not awkward.
Just… present.
The man slipped one hand casually into his pocket.
"You seemed deep in thought," he said.
"Was it that obvious?"
"You nearly walked through me."
"That sounds dramatic."
His eyes flickered briefly with quiet amusement again.
"I assure you, it felt dramatic."
Alessia folded her arms loosely.
"Well then, I apologise for the near-death experience."
"I'll recover."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
A couple walked past at the far end of the corridor, laughing softly as they headed back toward the main lounge.
The man glanced briefly in their direction before returning his attention to her.
"You're not from around here," he said.
Alessia raised an eyebrow.
"That's an interesting assumption."
"You don't look like someone who spends a lot of time in bars."
"And what exactly does someone who spends time in bars look like?"
His expression didn't change.
"Less composed."
The answer came without hesitation.
Alessia considered that.
Then she nodded slightly.
"Tonight is an exception."
"Celebration?"
"Something like that."
He studied her face again, as if weighing the answer.
"You don't sound convinced."
"I didn't say it was a happy celebration."
Something flickered briefly in his expression.
Understanding, perhaps.
The silence returned.
This time it lasted slightly longer.
Alessia realised she had been standing in the corridor talking to a stranger longer than she intended.
Maya would probably emerge from the washroom soon.
And explaining why she was having philosophical conversations with random men in hallways was not something she particularly wanted to do.
She adjusted the small clutch in her hand.
"Well," she said calmly, "I should let you continue your evening."
He didn't move aside immediately.
For a fraction of a second, it almost seemed like he was considering saying something else.
Instead, he stepped aside.
"Of course."
Alessia walked past him.
She had taken only two steps when his voice spoke again behind her.
"You should watch the corners."
She paused.
Then turned slightly to glance over her shoulder.
"And you should slow down," she replied.
For the first time since they collided, the man's smile appeared fully.
It was brief.
But unmistakable.
Alessia turned and continued walking down the corridor.
Behind her, the man remained where he stood for a moment longer.
Then he turned the opposite direction, heading back toward the lounge.
When Alessia reached the restroom door, Maya stepped out at the exact same moment.
"There you are," Maya said. "I thought you disappeared."
"I ran into someone."
Maya's eyes lit instantly.
"Literally or metaphorically?"
"Literally."
"Was he attractive?"
Alessia opened the door.
"Maya."
"That's not a no."
Alessia didn't answer.
But as the restroom door closed behind them, the faint memory of the stranger's steady gaze lingered unexpectedly in her mind.
Out in the lounge, the music continued.
And somewhere across the room, the tall stranger had already returned to his table.