Late in the evening, the sun was setting down, engulfing a warm yellow and orange scenery on the sky along with the clouds. The office was silent. Too silent for having several guns and pocket knives at the corner of the table.
A few floor-to-ceiling windows framed the busy city below, but the man standing in front of them wasn't admiring the view. His hands rested casually in his pockets, posture relaxed, but the air around him said otherwise.
Rian Volkov was known for never being a patient man, somehow he was patient for the past two weeks. Patience enough to gather enough information about the girl he encountered that night.
Raya. That one girl called Raya had flipped his entire world, not because they ended up in a bed. It's because of the money she gave. Like it doesn't matter. Like the night never happened. Like Rian, Volkov is a man who sleeps with random people for money.
He crumbled the money in his pocket. "So you're telling me," he said slowly, voice low and controlled, "that there is no one named Raya in that club for that night?"
Behind him, his right-hand man, Yuri Ivanov, shifted slightly, tablet still in hand. "Yes, sir. No name registered as Raya. Not in the guest logs. Not in any ID scans at the entrance. Nothing."
Rian didn't turn. Didn't move. "That's impossible,but also possible." he replied flatly.
"We thought the same, sir. But may I ask you for your cooperation?"
A pause. Then, finally, Rian turned around, his expression calm, but his eyes sharp enough to cut. "Go on. What is it, Yuri?"
Yuri swallowed his saliva in his throat, then stepped forward slightly. "Since we pulled everything. Like entry logs, payment records, staff reports. No one remembers anyone by that name. So…"
"Complete the sentence." Rian's tone dropped a fraction lower.
"We checked the CCTV. But we had no idea how the girl looked. So would you like to take a look at it? Maybe we could identify her with that."
Silence fell again. Heavy this time. Rian reached his hand out, silently gesturing to Yuri to hand over the tablet. Yuri displayed the CCTV footage of that night and showed him. Rian took it, his gaze scanning the footage.
"We are kinda lucky for the smaller crowd because it was one of the weekdays. We may find that girl easily." Yuri explained while looking at Rian for his commands.
"Even though the club was crowded. Never stop finding her." Rian replied as he watched the footage in a speed mode.
Yuri just nodded his head, silently acknowledging his boss's command. In the CCTV footage, the dim lights of the club flickered across the screen, crowds, movement, strangers blending into one. But Rian's eyes were searching for one figure only.
Then, when his eyes landed on her, Raya, the girl he spent his night with, sitting there clear as day. Talking. Laughing. Drinking. Walking toward the dance floor. Dancing. Rian's jaw tightened just slightly.
"This girl. She is the one." Rian pointed at the girl in the footage. Track her from the entrance. I want to know what she was doing before I saw her." Rian handed the tablet back, his mind already working. "Ten minutes."
Yuri nodded his head and took the tablet from him, and then he left, leaving Rian standing in his office alone. After almost eight minutes, Yuri came back into the room and saw Rian sitting on his desk, while loading the bullet in his gun.
"Sir, the girl came with another lady an hour ago before you entered the club. Judging by their interaction through the footage, they may be friends. The other lady left after receiving a call. After some time, you entered the club and sat beside her. She was already drunk by the time you saw her." Yuri summarized the footage in a short way. "You have chatted with her for some time. After that, she went to the dance floor, but almost got assaulted. However, you stepped in there. Then, I assume you already know what happened next."
Rian let out a silent snort. Of course he remembered. Rian replayed the moment she kissed him. Paused. Replayed it again. "There is a possibility for her to lie about her name, doesn't she, Yuri?
Yuri gave a small nod, unsure to say anything.
"…Little liar," Rian muttered under his breath, not angry, almost amused. "So," he said slowly, placing his gun on the table, "we have a girl who lies about her name… disappears without a trace… and pays me like I'm some kind of—" He stopped himself. His eyes darkened. "…Find her."
The command was simple. Absolute. "I want her real name. Full background. Where she studies. Where she lives. Everything." His voice sharpened slightly. "No mistakes this time."
"Yes, sir."
As Yuri turned to leave, Rian added, almost casually, "And when you find her…" A pause. "Don't approach her."
The man hesitated. "Then…?"
Rian's lips curved slightly, not a smile. Something colder. "I will."
On the other side, the evening air buzzed with life. Streetlights flickered on one by one as the night crowd filled the food stalls. The scent of grilled meat, spices, and sweet desserts wrapped around anyone who passed by, blending into the lively chaos of laughter and chatter.
Reena leaned back in her chair, finally looking like a human again. "I'm telling you," she said, taking a sip of her drink, "I have never been happier to see my period in my life."
Ashley nearly choked on her food. "You're celebrating your period now?"
"Yes," Reena said dramatically. "Because it means I didn't ruin my entire future over one stupid night."
Ashley rolled her eyes, but there was relief behind it. "Good. At least one problem is solved."
"One? I still have problems, woman" Reena scoffed. "First, I still slept with a stranger I don't remember, paid him like a gigolo. Second, I have random creepy roses showing up in my life while leaving flowers in the classroom now. Last,..." She slightly banged her head on the table, "The test results are coming out.
"…Okay, when you say it like that, your life does sound like a mess." Ashley snorted while rating her food.
"Because it is." Reena straightened her posture with a whine.
Ashley laughed, shaking her head as she stood up. "You know what? Stay here. I'm getting dessert. You clearly need sugar to fix your life."
"Ooohhh, Then, I would like to have ice cream," Reena said immediately. "Chococlate, please."
"I am not your waitress, you dummy, but yes, I'm getting ice cream."
"And cotton candy."
Ashley paused on her mid-step and playfully glared at her"…You're pushing it, woman."
"Cotton candy, Babe."
"Fine!" she groaned, "You better give your notes later as compensation.", walking off into the crowd.
Reena smiled faintly, watching her go before letting out a slow breath. For the first time in days, everything felt… quiet. Normal. Until it wasn't.
Maybe the universe is punishing her for eating out when she eats an instant noodle cup from her dorm's vending machine, that is why her smile faded instantly when her eyes landed on two people she despised the most at that time.
Across the street, under the soft glow of a streetlight, Patrick Finn, and beside him, Claudine Rose were there, hands clasped together like they never planned to let go.
Reena's stomach dropped and muttered to herself. "…You've got to be kidding me." Of all people. Of all places. She quickly looked away, grabbing her drink like it was the most interesting thing in the world. In her mind, the words of 'Don't look. Don't react. Don't exist.' was repeating again and again.
Maybe they wouldn't notice. Maybe they never sensed her at all. Maybe they just don't know her, but sometimes the universe won't favour us.
"Reena?" Too late, that high pitched voice was already ringing in her head, making her feel a headache. Her grip tightened around the cup.
Ashley, where are you when I need you?
She slowly looked up to see the shameless couple, Patrick and Claudine were already walking toward her. Claudine's lips curled into that familiar, irritating smile. "Wow… it really is you."
Reena forced a blank expression. "Unfortunately, yes. Blame my luck for it."
Patrick let out a soft, awkward chuckle, like he was trying to ease the tension. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Same," Reena replied flatly. "I was actually having a good night until you both showed up. Now my appetite is gone."
Claudine laughed lightly, crossing her arms. "Still sarcastic, I see."
"Still annoying, I see," Reena shot back instantly.
The air shifted. Patrick cleared his throat. "Reena, we were just—"
"No," she cut him off sharply. "You don't get to 'we' anything here. Not with me."
Claudine tilted her head, mock sympathy in her eyes. "Aw… still bitter?"
Reena let out a short laugh. "Bitter? No. I'm just surprised you both still have the audacity to talk to me like nothing happened. Truly, no shame at all."
Patrick frowned. "It's not like that—"
"Then what is it like?" Reena stepped forward slightly, her patience snapping. "You cheated on me, Patrick. With her." She gestured lazily toward Claudine. "And now you're standing here like we're old friends catching up?"
Claudine's smile tightened. "You're making it sound worse than it is."
Reena turned to her slowly and questioned her sarcastically. "Oh, I'm sorry. Should I make it sound prettier? Should I call it a 'romantic betrayal' instead?"
Patrick sighed. "Reena, can we not do this here?"
"You're the one who walked over," she shot back. "So yeah. We're doing this here. I don't mind exposing exactly what kind of shameless pair you are. Honestly, It makes me want to puke to even see your both faces. "
A small crowd nearby had started to notice. Whispers and glances were already filling the small area just like that.
Claudine leaned closer, lowering her voice. "You know… for someone who got dumped, you're acting pretty bold."
Reena stilled. Then she smiled. Cold. Sharp. Dangerous. "Dumped?" she repeated softly. "Is that what you think happened?"
Claudine blinked, clearly not expecting Reena's calm demeanour.
Reena stepped closer, her voice dropping just enough to make it personal. "Ohhh, sweetheart, I didn't lose anything. I got rid of a cheating idiot and a backstabbing snake in one go. That's called an upgrade."
Ashley would've been proud.
Patrick's expression darkened. "That's enough, Reena."
"No, you don't get to decide when it's enough," she snapped, her voice rising slightly. "You lost that right the moment you disrespected me."
Claudine scoffed. "Please. Acting all high and mighty when you're probably out here doing worse."
Reena laughed again, but this time it was lighter. Mocking. "Even if I am," she said casually, "at least I don't pretend to be innocent while stealing someone else's boyfriend."
Claudine's face tightened. That hit. Good. Reena stepped back, brushing imaginary dust off her sleeve. "Anyway, I'm done here. You two deserve each other. Really. It's almost poetic. And pathetic as always. I'm waiting to see how long you both are going to last by the way. Not because I care, but because I love drama and love watching people I hate fall apart on their own."
She turned around without waiting for a reply. Heart racing. Hands slightly shaking. But her back stayed straight, not forgetting to throw them a middle finger and walked away. Fast. Too fast.
"I should just leave…" she muttered under her breath and clutching her stomach. "Shit, cramps… This is why I hate periods…"
Her mind was still boiling, replaying everything. Their faces. Their voices. Their stupid logic. She was thinking so much that she didn't notice the edge of the curb. Didn't notice the road. Didn't notice the headlights. Until—
A sharp screech tore through the air.
Blinding headlights.
Too close.
Too fast.
And then impact.
"Ah—!"
Her body stumbled forward, the force not enough to throw her far, but enough to knock the breath out of her. Pain shot through her side as she collapsed onto the pavement.
Gasps of the crowd erupted around her.
"Hey! Watch it!"
"Oh my God—!"
But her mind was foggy, her vision blurred. The noise around her became distant. Muffled. Her fingers twitched weakly against the ground. The lights above her are splitting into two… then three… and then—nothing.
The car door opened immediately. Rian Volkov stepped out, his expression already dark with irritation, but the moment his eyes landed on the girl lying on the ground…
He stopped. Completely. Recognition hit instantly. "…You."
His voice dropped—low, dangerous, almost disbelieving. Of all people. Of all places. It had to be her.