"Why do you have an 'A' inscribed into your car?" Lora asked again, her tone more inquisitive this time.
Sarima exhaled slowly, her body still heavy with fever. "I don't know, Lora," she dragged weakly.
Lora studied her with concern, then pulled into a parking lot. She helped Sarima out of the car, guiding her carefully into a large clinic and settling her into a seat opposite the reception desk.
"If you're bullied again Sarima, you should let me know so it will be dealt with. Please stop keeping these things to yourself until I find out from someone" Lora said with a worried look.
While Lora spoke briefly with the receptionist, confirming the prescription details, Sarima sat back, watching her move.
A strange thought crept in as she stared ahead—why couldn't she remember what had happened in the last thirty minutes?
Lora returned shortly and helped her up again. Together, they walked toward one of the clinic doors.
Lora reached for the handle.
But before she could open it, the door swung open on its own.
And he was there.
A man Sarima had never seen before.
The most striking man she had ever laid eyes on.
Their gazes met.
And something in Sarima's chest tingled instantly.
She couldn't look away.
It felt like something was pulling her forward—something she couldn't name, couldn't understand, and didn't entirely want to resist.
Before she could move any closer, a firm tug on her arm broke the moment, and Lora guided her inside.
Sarima glanced back once, but the door closed behind them.
Inside the office, a calm voice greeted them. "Have a seat, ladies."
The doctor was a brown-skinned man with a gentle, composed expression that immediately eased the atmosphere.
They sat, and Lora took over most of the conversation, explaining Sarima's condition while the doctor occasionally asked questions directly.
After a brief examination, he wrote a prescription.
Yet Sarima found her thoughts drifting back to the man she had seen outside.
Strangely, she felt like she had begun recovering the moment she saw him.
She shook her head slightly, as if to clear it.
"For how long were you in the rain?" the doctor asked.
"I didn't stay in the rain," Sarima replied quickly. "I just didn't dry my hair properly yesterday."
The doctor nodded and continued writing.
When the consultation ended, they stood to leave.
But Sarima suddenly placed her hand on his desk a little too firmly, startling both him and Lora.
"Could you, nice sir, be kind enough to slip in the name of the young man who left before we came in?" she asked with a bright, expectant smile.
The doctor exchanged a confused look with Lora.
"I'm sorry, miss, but we don't disclose patient information. It's policy," he said politely, his tone mildly amused.
Sarima paused, then nodded.
"Of course," she murmured.
And they left.
Outside, they both slumped into the car seats.
Lora turned toward her with an unmistakable smirk. "Love at first sight?"
Sarima didn't answer—but she didn't deny it either.
The feeling lingered too strongly for that.
Lora laughed softly, already satisfied with the reaction.
Sarima tried to steer the conversation away. "The seminar today was good."
"Mm-hmm," Lora hummed. "Nice try."
Sarima bit back a smile and reached for the radio, switching stations until a news report cut through the static.
"—All five victims were found with their DNA matching traces of sulfuric acid discovered outside each crime scene—"
Sarima leaned back slightly as the report continued.
"—Authorities believe this is the work of a serial killer known as the 'Midnight Venom.' He is also referred to as 'Nightshade,' due to the signature nightshade flower left at each scene—"
She sighed. "A freaking serial killer is on the loose, and all they do is talk."
Lora made a face. "Truly, this world is coming to an end."
"It shouldn't," Sarima replied with a faint smirk. "I haven't experienced everything I want to."
Lora laughed softly, and Sarima switched the station. Gentle music filled the car.
She leaned back, letting the breeze brush against her face, and soon her eyes grew heavy.
She drifted off.
When she woke, the car door had already shut.
Disoriented, she blinked slowly.
Lora appeared beside her and helped her out again, guiding her into the mansion.
They moved through the hallway in silence until voices stopped them near the stairs—maids gossiping in hushed excitement.
"They say he got into enemy territory and killed fifty men alone without being detected," one maid whispered, giggling.
Sarima leaned slightly on the railing, too tired to move further, and looked down at them.
"Should we talk about his height?" another added dreamily.
She watched in silence.
"Did you hear his eyes are blue? Black hair and blue eyes," one said—and the group practically swooned.
That caught Sarima's attention.
Her thoughts shifted.
Could it be him?
The man from the clinic?
She glanced at Lora.
Lora returned a knowing look.
"I eavesdropped on one of the Ashfords' conversations," she said. "His name is Aetos."
A strange name.
The maids continued murmuring among themselves until Sarima stepped forward, her tone sharp and commanding.
"It seems your salary is too low for you to abandon your duties and gossip," she said coldly.
They froze instantly.
"The walls have cobwebs, the railings are dusty—and yet here you are, standing around like flies. Now get back to work."
They scattered immediately.
Sarima rolled her eyes and continued upstairs with Lora following behind.
Once inside the room, Lora collapsed onto the bed laughing.
Sarima shook her head and sat beside her.
"So, Mrs. Aetos," Lora teased, grinning, "what would you do to them for liking what belongs to you?"
Sarima gasped dramatically. "You've teased me at least three times today about different men. Do you see me as a player?"
Lora laughed and ruffled her hair. "Sweetheart… you have the tendency."
They both laughed together.
Eventually, Lora stood. "You should go before your father sends an escort." Sarima joked.
"Urgh, that man is so frustrating," Lora groaned, kissing Sarima's forehead before heading out. "Rest well. And always dry your hair properly."
"Alright," Sarima promised.
When she was alone, she lay back on the bed.
One name lingered in her mind.
"Aetos…"
Her eyelids grew heavier.
She closed her eyes.
Darkness settled in.
"…Aetos," she whispered.
A low sound—distant, almost unreal—seemed to answer.
"Mm…"