Tasha stood outside the club for a moment, staring at the bright lights flashing above the entrance.The sound of loud music and laughter spilled out every time the door opened.
She sighed
Parties were never really her thing,but tonight wasn't about her
It was Laaya
"Tasha! what are u doing out here?"
Laaya's cheerful voice came from behind her.
Tasha turned around and saw her best friend walking toward her with a big smile on her face. Laaya looked stunning in her sparkling dress clearly enjoyed every moment of the night.
"l' was just taking a breath", Tasha said with a small laugh.
Laaya grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the door.
"No escaping tonight",she said playfully."This is my celebration, and my best friend has to be inside with me".
Tasha smiled. she could never say no to Laaya.
The moment they stepped inside,the loud music surrounded them.The club was full of people dancing, laughing,and talking.
Colourful lights flashing across the room, making everything feel alive.
Laaya immediately started greeting people who came to congratulate her.
Tasha stood beside her, smiling politely as she watched her friend enjoy the attention.
"You see?" Laaya said excitedly.
"Tonight is going to be amazing".
"l can already tell",Tasha replied.
A few minutes later, Laaya was pulled onto the dance floor by same of her friends.
" Come with us!" Laaya shouted over the music.
Tasha shook her head and laughed.
" l"ll sit this one out".
Laaya pointed at her playfully." Don't go anywhere".
" l won't" .
Tasha walked toward the bar and set down on the stool. She ordered a drink and slowly looked around the room.
People were laughing, dancing, and enjoying themselves.
But somehow, she still felt a little out of place.
Maybe she just wasn't the party type.
Just as she lifted her glass, the main door of the club opened.
For some reason Tasha's eyes moved toward the entrance.
A tall man walked inside.
He moved with quite confidence,his calm expression making him stand out from everyone else in the room.
let wasn't just his appearance.
lt was the way he carried himself.
Like he didn't need to try to get attention.
And yet people were already noticing him.
Tasha frowned slightly surprised that she couldn't seem to look away.
"who is that?" she murmured softly to herself.
The man scanned the room briefly before walking toward the bar.
Toward her
Tasha quickly looked away pretending to focus on her drink.
Her heart was suddenly beating a little faster,and she didn't even know why.
The stool next to her moved slightly as someone sat down.
"whiskey",the man said calmly to the bartender.
His voice was deep and steedy.
Tasha couldn't help it.
She glanced sideways.
Up close, he looked even more striking.
His expression was serious,but there was something mysterious about him.
As if he carried stories he never told anyone.
Almost as if he felt her gaze,the man turned his head slightly.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment,the loud music and noise around them seemed to disappear.
Tasha quickly looked away, feeling embarrassed.
Why was she staring at a stranger?
First time here?the man asked suddenly.
Tasha blinked in surprise before looking at him again.
"ls it that obvious?" she asked with a small smile.
"A little" he replied.
The bartender placed his drink in front of him.
He picked it up casually.
"l'm Collen" he said
Tasha hesitated for a second before answering "Tasha"
For some reason, saying her name out loud to him felt different.
Collen nodded slightly.
"lt's nice to meet you Tasha",
Before she could respond, Laaya suddenly appeared beside them.
"There you are!" Laaya said excitedly.
"l've been looking for u everywhere"
Tasha laughed softly.
"l told you l'd be at the bar "
Laaya then noticed Collen sitting neck to her.
Her expression changed into a playful smile.
"Well,well" she said"
Looks like u made a new friend"
Tasha felt slightly embarrassed
"We were just talking"
Collen stood up calmly.
"l should probably let u enjoy your night" he said.
But before walking away, he looked at Tasha again.
Just for a moment.
Something about that made her heart skip
l hope we meet again", he said quickly.
Then he walked away into the crowd.
Tasha watched him disappear between the dancing people.
She didn't know why, but something inside her told that this wouldn't be the last time she saw Collen.
And somehow
Meeting him tonight felt like the beginning of something she couldn't get understand.
Something that might completely change her life.
Tasha kept staring at the crowd for few seconds after Collen disappeared.
"Hello?" Laaya waved her hand in front of Tasha's face
Tasha blinked and looked at her.
" What?" she asked
Laaya crossed her arms with a teasing smile
"Don't be ridiculous, l just met him"
Laaya raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly. And yet you were staring like someone who just saw something very interesting".
Tasha picked up her drink again, trying to act normal.
"He just seems..... different, she admitted quietly.
Laaya leaned closer.
" Oh really? Different how?"
" l don't know', Tasha said honestly.
"There's just something about him"
Before Laaya could tease her more, a group of friends called Laaya back to the dance floor.
Laaya! come here!"
Laaya sighed dramatically.
" Duty calls" she said, pointing at Tasha's, " But we are definitely talking about this later.
Tasha rolled her eyes but smiled.
"Go enjoy your night".
Laaya ran back toward the dance floor, leaving Tasha alone again at the bar.
Tasha slowly turned her head, scanning the room.
For a moment she wondered if she could spot Collen somewhere in the crowd.
But he was nowhere to be seen.
She shook her head at herself.
Why am l even thinking about him? she thought.
Just then, her phone buzzed in her purse.
She pulled it out and saw a message from an unknown number.
She opened it
UNKNOWN NUMBER:
l hope u are enjoying the night
Tasha frowned.
who's this?
A second message appeared almost immediately.
UNKNOWN NUMBER:
lt was nice meeting you Tasha.
Her heart skipped
There was only one person who could have sent that message.
She quickly looked around the club again.
But Collen was still nowhere in sight.
Her fingers hovered over the phone before she finally typed a reply.
Tasha:
How did u get my number.
A few seconds passed.
Then her phone vibrated again.
Collen:
Let's just say l have my ways.
Tasha couldn't stop the small smile that formed on her lips.
This man was mysterious.... and somehow that made him even more interesting.
She looked at the message again her curiosity growing.
Something told her that tonight wasn't over yet.
And somehow
She had a feeling that Collen was about to become a very unexpected part of my life.
So it was now time for her to go home.
Tasha glanced around the room one last time.The birthday party was slowly coming to an end. Some people were already leaving while others were still chatting and laughing in small groups.
She smiled softly.
"Yeah"...l really enjoyed the birthday",she said quietly to herself.
It had been a fun night -much better than she had expected.
But what surprised her the most was meeting Collen.
Just thinking about him made her heart beat a little faster.
Tasha picked up her purse and walked toward the exit.As she stepped outside,the cool night air greeting her.
She was about to head toward her car when she suddenly heard a familiar voice behind her.
" Leaving already?"
Tasha turned around.
lt was Collen
He was walking toward her with his hand casually in his pocket.
She raised an eyebrow.
" Looks like you noticed ".
Collen chuckled.
" l noticed when you disappeared from inside".
Tasha shack her head slightly amused.
"Well, it's late.l should head home.
Collen nodded, understanding.
" That makes sense ".
For a moment they both stood there in silence.
Then Collen spoke again
" Did you drive here?"
" Yeah"Tasha replied, pointing toward her car.
Collen looked at it and then back at her.
" Are you okay drive?"
Tasha laughed softly.
" Of course. Why wouldn't l be?"
" l just wanted to make sure", he said with a small smile.
They walked toward the car together.
When they reached it, Tasha turned to face him.
"Thanks for the company tonight ",she said.
Collen smiled warmly.
" l should be the one saying that.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved.
There was something unspoken between them.
Then Collen suddenly asked.
"So... will l see you again?"
Tasha looked at him curiosity.
"Why? Do you want to.
Collen smiled
" l wouldn't mind ".
Tasha pretending to think about it
" Hmm... maybe ".
Collen laughed.
" Then doesn't sound very convincing".
She shrugged playfully.
" Maybe you just have to try harder ".
Collen reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"Then let me start by getting your number".
Tasha stared at the phone for a second before smiling.
Maybe tonight really wasn't the end of their story.
Tasha finally got into her car after saying goodbye to Collen.
As she started the engine,she couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened.
She had only met him tonight....yet somehow if felt like she had known him longer.
She shook her head and laughed softly to herself.
"Why am l thinking about him this much".
The road was quite as she drove at home. Street lights passed one after another while the night air cooled the air.
After a few minutes, her phone suddenly buzzed on the passenger seat.
Tasha glanced at it quickly when the car stopped at red light.
UNKNOWN NUMBER:
Her heart skipped.
She opened the message.
"Did you get home safely?"
Tasha immediately knew who it was
Collen
She couldn't help but smile.
"lm still driving", she replied.
Almost instantly, another message come.
Then focus on the road. I'll wait until you get home.
Tasha laughed softly.
"Being already" she murmured.
A few minutes later, she finally reached her apartment building. After parking her car, she picked up her phone again.
"Okay, l'm home".
The reply comes quickly.
"Good. l was starting to worry.
Tasha raised an eyebrow at the screen.
" You worry about people you just met?"
There was a short pause before his reply appeared.
" Only the interesting ones"
Tasha felt her cheeks warm slight.
She sat in her car for a moment, staring at the message.
Why did his words effect her so easily?
She stepped out of the car and walked toward the building entrance while typing.
" So now l'm interested?"
Another reply appeared.
" You were interesting the moment l met you".
Tasha stopped walking for a second.
She didn't know weather to laugh or feel shy.
Finally she typed back.
" You say that to every girl?"
" No", he replied.
"Just the ones l want to see again".
Tasha leaned against the wall near the entrance of her building, staring at the screen.
There it was again.
That confident way of speaking.
But strange...she didn't dislike it .
" We'll see about that! she wrote.
A moment later, Collen replied.
"Challenge accepted".
Tasha shook her head, smiling.
Maybe meeting Collen tonight really wasn't just a coincidence.
Maybe it was the beginning of something unexpected.
And deep down, she had a feeling this was only the start of their story.
The next morning, Tasha woke up earlier than usual.
Then first thing she did was reach for her phone.
For a moment she just stared at the screen.
Then she opened her message.
Her conversation with Collen was still the last thing there.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Why was she so excited?
It was just a guy she met at a birthday party.
Right?
Her phone suddenly, making her jump slightly.
A new message.
From Collen
"Good morning,Tasha".
She smiled before replying.
"Morning".
A few seconds later another message came.
"Did u sleep well?"
Tasha sat up in bed, thinking about what to reply.
"Better than expected".
His reply came quickly.
"Good. because l was hoping to see you today".
Tasha raised an eyebrow.
"Already?"
"Why wait?"
She laughed softly to herself.
This man was really confident.
After thinking for a moment, she typed:
"What exactly do you have in mind?"
There was a short pause
Then the message came .
"Dinner tonight".
Tasha's heart skipped
Dinner?
She hesitated before replying.
"You move fast".
"Only when l meet someone interesting"
Tasha bit her lips slightly while reading the message.
Why did his words make her feel nervous and exciting at the same time.
Finally she replied:
."Fine . Dinner".
A few seconds later his response came .
" l'll pick you at seven "
That evening,Tasha stood in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection.
Her room was a mess of clothes she had tried on and rejected.
" This is ridiculous", she groaned.
Why was she trying so hard ?
lt was just dinner.
Still, she finally chose a simple but elegant outfit.
Not too fancy.
But definitely beautiful.
At exactly 7:00pm , a car stop outside her apartment.
Her heart began to beat faster.
She grabbed her purse and walked outside
Collen was leaning against his car , looking relaxed as always.
When he saw her , he straighted slightly.
For a moment he simply stared.
Tasha suddenly felt shy .
" What?" she asked
Collen smiled slowly.
" You look amazing ".
Her cheeks warmed.
"Thank you"
He opened the car door for her like a gentleman.
As they drove through the glowing city lights, soft music playing quietly in the car .
The atmosphere between the different tonight.
Closer.
More intense.
After s few minutes, Colleen glanced at her.
"So ... were you nervous about tonight?"
Tasha laughed
"should l be ?"
Colleen smiled slightly.
"l don't know. Were you ?"
She looked out the window for a moment before answering.
"Maybe a little".
Collen chuckled.
"l'll m glad".
She turned to him
"why?"
"Because l was too".
That surprised her.
''You ? Nervous?"
Collen glanced at her briefly before focusing on the road again.
" You make me curious,Tasha"
Her heart beat faster.
" Curious about what ?"
He smiled slightly.
" About everything ".
Tasha didn't know what to say.
For the first time,she felt like something real was beginning between them.
And somehow...that scared her a little.
But at the same time.
She didn't want the night to end.
The restaurant was warm and softly lit , giving everything a calm, romantic feel .
Tasha sat across from Collen , trying to act normal...but her heart wouldn't calm down.
Everything about tonight felt different.
The way he spoke .
It wasn't just a casual dinner anymore.
"So," Collen said, leaning slightly forward, "tell me something about you".
Tasha smiled.
What do you want to know?
"Something real" he said quietly.
She paused for a moment.
"Hmm ..l don't trust people easily".
Collen didn't look surprised.
"l can tell"
Tasha raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
He nodded.
"You act strong...But you think too much before letting anyone in"
Tasha stared at him .
How did he see through her so easily?
Before she could respond -
"Collen"?
A female voice suddenly interrupted them .
Both of them turned.
A tall, beautiful woman stood beside their table,her eyes fixed on Collen .
Tasha's smiled slowly faded.
Collen's expression changed slightly.
"Vanessa", he said.
The woman, smiled but it didn't feel warm.
"l didn't expect to see you here", she said her gaze shifting to Tasha.
"And who is this?"
There was something in her tone.
Something sharp.
Tasha felt it immediately.
Collen leaned back slightly,calm as always.
"This is Tasha ".
Vanessa looked her up and down before forcing a small smile.
"Nice to meet you ".
Tasha returned the smile politely.
"You too".
But inside...
Something felt off.
Very off.
Vanessa turned back to Collen.
"You didn't tell me you were seeing someone".
Tasha's heart skipped.
Seeing someone?
Collen's voice was calm but firm .
"l'm not".
Vanessa tilted her head slightly.
" Really? Because this doesn't look like nothing ".
The tension at the table grew instantly.
Tasha stayed quietly, observing.
She didn't like the situation.
And she definitely didn't like the way Vanessa was looking at her .
Collen sighed softly.
"Vanessa,not now"
That only made things worse.
Vanessa let out a small laugh.
"Oh...so now l'm a problem?"
Tasha shifted slightly in her seat .
This wasn't just a random women.
There was history here.
She could feel it .
Vanessa suddenly leaned closer to Collen , her voice softer but more intense.
"You move on fast ".
That was it.
Tasha felt something twist inside her chest.
She didn't even know why .
lt wasn't like she had a right to feel anything.
She had just met him .
Right?
Collen's jaw tightened slightly.
"l said not now".
Vanessa straightened up and looked at Tasha again.
This time, her smile was colder .
"Well" she said,"enjoy your night.
Then she walked away.
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Tasha looked down at the table, then back to Collen.
" So..."she said slowly," you want to explain that?"
Collen exhaled quietly.
" She 's... someone from my past.
Tasha crossed her aims slightly.
"That didn't look like just 'someone"'.
Collen looked at her, serious now.
"lt's complicated".
Tasha held his gaze.
"'l don't like complicated".
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The mood had completely changed.
But one thing was clear -
This night was no longer simple.
And whatever was between Collen and Vanessa...
Was far from over.
The silence between them lingered long after Vanessa left .
Tasha picked at her food,but she wasn't really eating anymore.
Her mind was elsewhere.
On her.
On the way she spoke.
On the way Collen reacted.
Finally,she put her fork down.
"l think l should go".
Collen looked up immediately.
"What?"
Tasha avoided his eyes as she reached for her bag .
"lt's getting late".
"That's not the reason",he said calmly.
She paused.
Of couse he noticed.
Tasha sighed Collen.
"l don't do drama,Collen".
His gaze softened slightly.
"And you think l do ?"
She looked at him now.
"That didn't look like nothing back there".
Collen leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair.
"She's from my past. That's all".
Tasha shoot her head.
"It never just 'that's all ".
He studied her carefully.
"You're already pulling away".
That hit her .
Tasha frowned slightly.
"l'm being realistic".
"No", Collen said quietly. "You're protecting yourself."
Her chest tightened.
Why did he always see right through her.
She looked away.
"l just met you,l don't owe you anything."
Collen didn't argue.
lnstead, he stood up .
That surprised her.
"Come on," he said.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Outside".
The cool night air hit her as they stepped out of the restaurant.
The city lights flickered around them, and the noise from inside faded away.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Collen stepped a little closer.
Not too much.
Just enough.
"Tasha" he said softly.
She looked up at him.
Her heart started beating faster again.
" l meant what l said ", he continued. " l wanted to see you again.Not because l'm boring...not because l do this with everyone "
Tasha swallowed slightly.
" Then why?"
Collen held her gaze.
" Because there's something about you".
Her breath caught.
The way he was looking at her right now...
lt felt intense.
Too intense.
"You don't even know me," she said, her to now .
"Then let me," he replied.
Tasha didn't move .
Didn't speak.
For a moment it felt like the world had gone quite.
Just the two of them.
Collen stepped a little closer this time.
Closer enough that she could feel his presence.
Her heart raced .
"You're scared", he was gently.
Tasha frowned
"l'm not scared".
He tilted his head slightly.
"Then why are you trying so hard to walk away?"
She didn't answer.
And that frustrated her.
Collen 's voice softened even more.
" l'm not asking for anything complicated."
" Then what are you asking for?" she whispered.
He didn't hesitate.
" A chance ".
Tasha stared at him.
Her heart and her mind were fighting each other.
This was dangerous.
She could feel it .
But at the same time...
She didn't want to leave.
Slowly, she let out a breath.
" One chance ", she said.
Collen's lip's curved into a small smile.
" One chance", he repeated.
And somehow...
That felt like the beginning of something neither of them would be able to control.
The air between them felt different now.
Heavier.
Closer.
More dangerous.
Tasha didn't know why she hadn't walked away yet.
Maybe it was the way Collen was looking at her.
Or the way her heart refused to calm down.
"One chance", she repeated softly almost to herself.
Collen stepped closer.
Not rushing.
Not forcing.
Just ... closing the distance.
"You won't regret it" he said quietly.
Tasha let out a small breath.
"Confieas always".
He smiled slightly.
"Only when I'm sure".
Her heart skipped again.
Why did he make everything feel so intense?
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Tasha laughed softly, trying to break the tension.
"You know... you're kind of dangerous."
Collen raised an eyebrow.
"Dangerous?"
"Yes ", she said, folding her arms slightly. "You say things like you already know what's going to happen".
He leaned in just a little.
"Maybe l do ."
Her breath caught.
"Collen"...
But she didn't step back
Didn't move away
That alone said more than words.
His voice dropped slightly.
" Tell me to stop. "
Tasha's heart was racing now.
She knew she should.
She barely knew him
Everything about this felt too fast .
Too real.
Too-
But the words wouldn't come out.
Instead, she just stood there.
Looking at him .
Feeling everything at once.
Collen's eyes softened slightly.
And then -
He moved closer.
Slowly
Giving her time t away.
But she didn't.
Her breath become uneven.
Her heart pounding louder with every second.
They were so close now.
Too close
Tasha could feel it -
That moment.
That line they were about to cross.
Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
" Collen "
And then
A loud ringtone broke the moment.
They both froze.
Tasha quickly stepped back, breathing slightly faster.
Reality rushed back in .
Collen sighed softly, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
He looked at the screen.
His expression changed.
Tasha noticed immediately.
" What is it ?" she asked.
Collen hesitated for a second before answering.
"lt's nothing".
But she could tell it wasn't.
"ls it her ?" she asked quickly.
He didn't respond immediately.
That was enough of an answer.
Tasha looked away.
Of course.
The moment felt broken now .
Whatever was about to happen.
Didn't.
Collen declined the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket.
"Tasha..."
"lt's fine", she interrupted quickly.
But her voice didn't sound fine.
She stepped back a little more, creating space between them.
"I should go".
Collen frowned slightly.
"Don't do that".
"Do what?"
"Shut down".
Tasha shook her head .
"I'm not shutting down. I'm just thinking ".
But the truth was .
That moment scared her .
Not just because of Vanessa.
But because of how close she came to letting herself fall .
Collen stepped closer again, but this time she took a step back.
That didn't go unnoticed.
Something shifted in her expression.
"Get home safe" he said finally.
Tasha nodded.
"You too".
She turned and walked away.
But her heart didn't feel steady.
Not even a little.
Because now she knew ome thing for sure -if that phone hadn't rung...
She wouldn't have stopped.
,