"Why do you have an 'A' inscribed into your car?" Lora questions again.
A sigh escapes my mouth. "I don't know, Lora," I drag weakly.
She glances at me with concern, then parks in the lot and helps me out of the car. I lean on her as she guides me into the large clinic, settling me in a seat opposite the counter.
She walks to the receptionist and gestures toward me, confirming who the prescription is for.
I watch Lora move around me, and a strange thought creeps in—why can't I remember what happened thirty minutes ago?
She returns and helps me stand. Together, we walk toward a door.
Her hand reaches out to open it—
—but it swings open on its own.
And there he is.
The most handsome man I have ever seen.
Our eyes meet.
And just like that, I can't look away.
There's something… pulling me in.
A pull I don't understand.
A pull I don't want to resist.
A firm tug on my arm breaks the moment, and I'm led into the doctor's office.
I glance back once, but the door shuts behind us.
"Have a seat, ladies," the doctor says.
I turn forward.
He is a brown-skinned man with a gentle smile—calm, composed, almost disarming.
We sit, and Lora begins explaining my condition. She handles most of the conversation while the doctor occasionally asks me questions.
After a few moments, he prescribes medication.
But honestly…
I feel like I started getting better the moment I saw that man.
I shake my head slightly, trying to push the thought away.
"For how long were you in the rain?" the doctor asks.
"I didn't stay in the rain," I reply quickly. "I just didn't dry my hair properly yesterday."
He nods slowly, writing something down.
Once we finish and stand to leave, I place my hand on his desk a little too loudly, making both him and Lora jump.
"Could you, nice sir, be kind enough to slip in the name of the young man who left before we came in?" I ask with a bright smile.
The doctor looks at Lora in confusion.
She laughs awkwardly and grabs my hand.
"I'm sorry, miss, but we don't disclose our patients' information… it's policy," he says, offering a polite, almost amused smile.
I take the hint.
"Of course," I murmur.
And we leave.
We slump into the car seats.
Lora turns to me, a teasing smirk on her face.
"Love at first sight?"
I don't answer—but I don't need to.
The feeling I experienced… I can't deny it.
She laughs, already knowing.
I try to change the subject.
"Uh… I'm not letting you dodge this conversation," she adds, starting the engine.
"The seminar today was good." I state relentlessly
"Mm-hmm," she hums, smirking. "Nice try."
I bite back a smile.
I reach for the radio and turn it on, skipping static and random chatter until a report catches my attention.
"—All five victims were found with their DNA matching traces of hydrochloric acid discovered outside each crime scene—"
I lean back slightly as the report continues.
"—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—"
I sigh.
"A freaking serial killer is on the loose, and all they do is talk," I mutter.
Lora scrunches her face in disgust as the report continues.
"Truly, this world is coming to an end," she says with a sigh.
"It shouldn't," I reply with a smirk. "I haven't experienced everything I want to."
She laughs softly.
I switch the station, and soft music fills the car.
I lean back, letting the breeze brush against my face.
Soon enough, my eyes grow heavy.
And I drift off to sleep.
My eyes snap open as I hear the car door shut.
I blink, disoriented.
Lora appears at my side and opens the door. She helps me out, guiding me into the master's building.
We move through the long hallway, but as we reach the stairs, we hear voices—maids gossiping nearby.
"They say he got into enemy territory and killed fifty men alone without being detected" one says giggling.
I lean slightly on the railing, too tired to move on, and look down at them.
"Should we talk about his height?" another maid adds, starry-eyed.
I watch in silence.
Of course—maids and their juicy gossip.
"Did you hear his eyes are blue?Black hair and blue eyes," one says and all of them dramatically faint.
That catches my attention.
My thoughts begin to stir.
Could it be him?
The man from the clinic?
I glance at Lora.
She returns a knowing look.
"I eavesdropped on one of the Ashfords' conversations," she says. "His name is Aetos."
A strange name.
The maids murmur among themselves, equally surprised.
I step forward, my tone sharp.
"It seems your salary is too low for you to abandon your duties and gossip," I say.
They freeze.
"The walls have cobwebs, the railings are dusty—and yet here you are, standing around like flies. Now get back to work."
They scramble away immediately.
I roll my eyes and head upstairs with Lora behind me.
She bursts into laughter, collapsing onto the bed.
I shake my head and sit beside her.
"So, Mrs. Aetos," she teases, "what would you do to them for liking what belongs to you?"
I gasp playfully. "U've teased me at least three times today about different men. Do you see me as a player?"
She grins, ruffling my hair. "Sweetheart… you have the tendency."
We both laugh.
"You should go before your father sends an escort," I say.
"Urgh, that man is so frustrating," she groans, kissing my forehead before heading to the door.
"Rest well. And always dry your hair properly."
"Alright" I promise.
She leaves.
I lie back on the bed.
One name lingers in my mind.
"Aetos…"
My eyelids grow heavy.
I close my eyes.
Darkness begins to take over.
"…Aetos," I whisper.
"Mmm…" a low, distant growl answers.