On the highway,
The wind whipped through Luna's hair from beneath her open helmet as she rode her motorcycle at a furious speed, overtaking everything around her like a shadow fleeing from hell.
She spoke in a low voice, looking into the small mirror, seeing the image of "01" lying on the ground behind her:
Luna (with a sarcastic smile):
"Bad... your skills have deteriorated a lot, 01...
You couldn't even injure this so-called Aaren?"
She chuckled softly, a cold laugh, filled with a killer's pleasure:
Luna:
"It seems Aaren... has become more interesting."
Then she increased her speed, shooting forward like an arrow, leaving "01" writhing in dust and disappointment behind her.
At the police station, a pale white light permeated the office with a sterile stillness...
The intermittent ringing of the phone filled the void.
The first officer, with clear anxiety as he looked at the screen:
"We need to call Aiden... immediately."
The second officer, sighing:
"But... hasn't he gone on indefinite leave? We're not allowed to disturb him."
The first officer, slamming his hand on the desk:
"So what! There's no time for rules now...
Luna has escaped... that's enough to mobilize our entire unit."
Then he grabbed the phone, pressing the numbers with a trembling hand, as if trying to catch a danger that had broken free from its cage.
In front of an old, tightly closed door, surrounded by dry fallen leaves...
Aaren had gotten out of his new car, his eyes holding a mix of memories and anxiety. He reached out towards the rusty iron door of what he knew as "the starting point"... the place where he had buried the truth long ago, or so he thought.
His phone suddenly rang, interrupting the silence around him.
He looked at the screen coolly, then answered:
Aaren (with a sigh):
"Hello... who is this?"
A moment of silence, followed by a light female voice, carrying a familiar sarcastic tone:
...
"Strange... didn't you recognize my voice? Think a little, Dr. Forgetful."
A small, involuntary smile appeared on his lips:
Aaren:
"Mmmm... Ava!"
Ava (with a laugh):
"That's right! I knew you were a smart and handsome young man as always. I'm at Izora Airport. Aren't you going to pick me up?"
He turned his face slightly and looked towards the iron door, as if comparing the past with her voice, which had brought him some life.
Aaren:
"Bad luck... I'm out of town now. But tomorrow evening?"
Ava:
"Agreed. We'll go out and celebrate! I'll invite a friend too, we'll have some fun like in our university days."
Aaren:
"Okay, Ava... until tomorrow then."
He ended the call, putting the phone in his pocket, but his eyes remained fixed on that door. He seemed ready to open an old chapter before entering a new one tomorrow.
On a quiet road, car lights swayed across windowpanes...
Aiden sat behind the wheel, his gaze directed towards the road, but between the lines of his silence, he watched Seira, who seemed momentarily distracted.
Aiden (in a warm voice):
"What do you say... we have dinner tonight? I know a quiet restaurant not far from here."
Seira looked at him, then at her watch, sighing softly:
Seira:
"You know... it's already late. What do you say we go out tomorrow after work? It would be better."
Aiden nodded in agreement, a slight smile on his face:
Aiden:
"Tomorrow then... but don't run away from me, little one."
Seira laughed, for the first time, that laugh that resembled light in the midst of darkness.
At the entrance of the Arcadia Vaulta skyscraper – Night
Aiden parked his car in front of the building's entrance.
Seira got out first, Aiden followed her with confident steps, then walked beside her.
He reached out and gently held her small hand as if it were something precious. He turned towards her, slowly approached, and lightly kissed her cheek. The air was still except for their close breaths.
But that moment suddenly broke... with an unwelcome sound.
...
"You never told me you had a sister, Aiden."
Aiden quickly turned around, his eyes slowly widening:
"Ava?!"
Ava was standing behind them, her hair carefully tied up. A provocative smile adorned her face, as if she held a key to a past no one but her knew.
Aiden (surprised):
"What are you doing here? And how did you know where I live?"
Ava (with a light laugh):
"Have you forgotten? I'm your cousin, even if your mother is only adoptive. And excuse me, I don't recall my aunt having such a beautiful daughter..."
Then she looked at Seira with a quick, scrutinizing gaze, burning with analysis.
Ava approached Aiden step by step,
She held him by the collar of his shirt with a soft, deliberate motion:
"This time... you won't get away from me, will you?"
She leaned in closer to his face, her eyes blazing with longing and challenge.
But Aiden immediately recoiled, as if fire had touched his chest. He quickly turned towards Seira, who was staring at the scene in astonishment, blood boiling in her veins, her eyes tearful... but not from sadness, rather from a fierce jealousy she had never experienced before.
Aiden suddenly grabbed Seira and pulled her towards him as if trying to secure his heart in place:
"Seira... I'd like you to meet my girlfriend."
He spoke his words slowly, in a calm but firm voice, his warm gaze entirely directed towards her.
Ava raised her eyebrow and smiled sarcastically:
"Your girlfriend?"
But Aiden didn't reply. He was preoccupied with that moment when he wanted to confirm:
That Seira wasn't just a girl in his life... but his whole life.
Then he said in a calm but decisive tone:
"So, we should leave now... Good night, Ava."
Ava forced a smile, a mix of beauty and danger, and said lightly:
"Tomorrow we celebrate... I also invited a friend; I'll send you the location."
Aiden replied with slight hesitation:
"Ummm... okay."
But she wasn't satisfied. She took another step closer, her gaze reflecting threads of suppressed resentment:
"Well done, cousin... you avenged your aunt's husband perfectly; my mother keeps telling me everything."
Her words were a sugar-coated dagger. Aiden didn't answer her. He only felt the increasing pressure on her small hand holding his.
Seira looked at him with eyes full of jealousy but also trust:
"Shall we go now?"
He smiled gently at her, as if her presence was his lifeline:
"Of course."
As they moved towards the elevator, Ava remained standing there, still glaring at them with arrow-like stares:
Stares filled with jealousy, malice, and rejection of the idea that what she believed was hers was being taken from her.
Inside the elevator – dim light and soft music
The door closed smoothly, trapping the moment within golden walls, reflecting their images as if they were alone in an isolated world.
Aiden (hesitantly):
"You didn't... say anything when..."
But his voice was suddenly cut off.
Seira slowly turned to him, looking deep into his eyes. She stood on her tiptoes, approached until her nose touched his, and her hand playfully ran through his hair with enchanting softness, then whispered:
"You made me... insanely jealous."
His heart raced, and he smiled gently, holding her hand as if she were his most precious treasure. Then he reached out his other hand and gently caressed her cheek.
He whispered to her as he kissed her a warm, sincere kiss:
"But... I see no one but you."
Outside...
Ava remained standing in front of the building's entrance, gazing at their reflection on the glass, smiling cunningly as if she had a new game up her sleeve...
"The party hasn't started yet."