Amber Valley. 12:00 am.
Tommy's Jol.
The rhythm softened as the lights dimmed. "Come on, follow me." Stephen said. Adriana followed closely. He slid the drapes aside, and the mellow tunes wrapped around them like silk. The room resembled the diner outside. A long bar stretched along the corner of the room. Tables lit with lanterns dotted the floor, and golden plaques framed the walls.
A band played slow jazz on a small stage. The singer had a deep, poetic voice. Beside him, an old man played mournful notes on a cello. Behind them, a pianist synchronized notes with hissaxist. Every sound and chord seemed to breathe in time with the pulse of the room. "Take my hand." Stephen said. She placed her hand in his. He led her where the light was lowest. The saxophone cried a lonely tune. Stephen held her close; her hand rested on his chest. They danced slowly. She could feel his warmth through the shirt. For a fragile second, everything felt right again. "Remember this song." he whispered, "How could I forget? You played it the night you left." She murmured. "And I came back… but they tricked me, I had lost all hope when I lost you, I thought you were dead, I had to live with that thought, I tried to make peace with, but… Guess I've been dancing with a Ghost ever since." He replied. Adriana leaned closer. "Then let me end that spell, Steff." she whispered in his ear. They swayed gently while they held onto each other like a lifeline.
WEST DISTRICT.
Amber Valley. 12:10 AM.
Bass thundered through the room, it was painted in slow waves of color from the LED lights. Ashley and Lucas sat on the bed. She was tucked beneath her blanket. Shyness lingered between them. 'Why hasn't he done anything yet?' she wondered. "Hey." they said at the same time, they laughed lightly. "What's up? What're you saying?" he asked. "No, you go first." she replied. "I just wanted to say that… It's getting kinda' late. I might head out soon." Her smile faded. "Oh." she murmured. "Didn't realize it was past midnight already." he glanced at the clock on the wall. She forced a laugh. "Yeah… time flew." Ashley said. The low bass from the speakers filled the silence between them. "You don't have to leave yet." she said. "You sure? I don't want to invade—"
"You're not." Ashley interrupted. "I mean… It's late, yeah, but it's not that late." she said. "You trying to convince me, or yourself?" Lucas replied. "Maybe both." she teased. "Alright then. I'll stay a bit longer." he chuckled. For the first time that night, neither of them looked away. Ashley's heartbeat thudded in her chest. She studied the trace of his jawline. 'Say something… do something…' she thought. "Hey, LJ." she called. "Yeah?" he answered. "You ever think about… how it would feel to love unconditionally?" she asked. "Unconditionally?" he stuttered. "Yeah. I mean, ever since New Year's Eve… I've been feeling… different." she said. "Different how?" he asked as he scrolled on his cellphone… She took his phone and set it on her nightstand. "You don't always have to look at your screen, you know." she stated. "Oh Yeah? What should I be looking at then?" he smiled. "Me." she whispered. Ashley leaned in, and their lips met—soft at first, then deeper, as if time finally permitted them. Lucas held her neck gently as she guided him closer. Ashley climbed onto his lap, her warmth pressed against him. He memorized the shape of her body. Their giggles broke through the charged silence.
"I love you." he murmured. Their lips met again, a kiss that deepened with every breath. Her nightgown slipped off in one elegant motion. Lucas stared too long, his breath traced her collarbone, and his lips found the warmth of her skin. Ashley was breathless as his kisses trailed lower and reverent. Her fingers threaded through his hair. "Do you want to carry on?" he whispered. "Shh…" she brushed his lips. "I said focus on me." Their movements became a language of their own.
Amber Valley. 12:25 AM
Tommy's Jol. Second Floor.
In one of the rooms on the second floor, Stephen and Adriana lay close together on a bed. The cool night breezed through the window, and the chandelier above glowed. Stephen held Adriana tightly. She traced gentle circles along his forearm. "Why didn't you come back?" he asked. "Why did you leave? You didn't have to listen to your father." she whispered. "I had to… for our family… it was too—" his voice faltered. "Too much?" she said. "I didn't know how to handle it all. I thought if I ran away, maybe… maybe it would make things simpler for you, for me, for us." he explained. "You think leaving me made anything simpler?" she whispered. "It sounds stupid, I know… but it was the only way to keep y'all safe. I'm sorry. I wanted to come back for you." he said. "Then what stopped you?" she asked. He pressed his forehead gently against hers. "My mind was stagnant when my father told me they killed you… Stuck in all the chaos, I thought I lost you. But I had to do what I thought was best for our family." he confessed. "You know… I can't blame you. We left at some point too." she admitted. "Why?" He asked. "It was your family, Jason helped me and our kids escape… but along the line of our escape. We were at an abandoned house—unfortunately, they found us, Jason sold us out, I guess the pressure got to him… then Ricardo snatched me away from poor Tokyo. They took our kids back to HR I was weak." Adriana replied. "Jason, what about Sasha?" Stephen asked. "After your mum died, one of your relatives decided to take over The Hollow Creed." She stated. "Who was it?" he asked. "Sam, Ricardo, and Jason… they were part of the deal with the other families." she said. "Jesus… I understand Sam and Ricardo, but I never thought Jason would do such a thing." Stephen said. "Yeah, but that's old news… I'm just glad I got to see you again." Adriana murmured. "Me too." he said. Suddenly, their lips met. Her eyes closed as she savored the moment. Stephen cupped her face gently; his thumb brushed along her cheek. He lifted her gently, and their hands intertwined as they drew closer. The intensity between them was electric. Layers of clothing disappeared, and each touch carried forgiveness. Eventually, they collapsed into each other's arms, their breath beat in sync.