Night fell slowly over Kintara City, the skyline glowing with rows of glass towers and scattered lights stretching far beyond the Crown District. Traffic flowed steadily through the wide avenues, headlights flickering like restless fireflies beneath the city's polished surface.
A sleek black sedan pulled up to the curb outside one of the most exclusive establishments in the district.
The illuminated sign above the entrance read:
Obsidian Lounge.
Soft music drifted through the doors each time they opened, blending with the distant hum of the city.
Maya Laurent stepped out of the car first.
She adjusted the strap of her black dress and glanced back into the vehicle.
"Come on."
Inside, Alessia Kane remained seated for a moment.
Her gaze moved briefly toward the entrance of the lounge before she stepped out onto the pavement.
She wore an emerald silk dress that moved lightly with the evening breeze. The colour caught the lights of passing cars, shifting between deep green and almost black.
Maya studied her closely.
"You look like you're attending a board meeting," she said.
Alessia closed the car door.
"I am attending something."
"What?"
"A mistake."
Maya rolled her eyes.
"Good. That means tonight is exactly what you need."
They walked toward the entrance together.
The tall bouncer at the door straightened immediately.
"Good evening, Ms Kane."
Alessia gave a small nod before stepping inside.
Obsidian Lounge welcomed its guests with dim elegance.
The interior was built around dark marble and polished glass, illuminated by warm amber lighting that reflected softly across the room. The bar stretched along one side like a strip of black stone, lined with shelves of expensive bottles glowing under subtle lights.
Music pulsed through the lounge—smooth and steady.
Conversations overlapped across the room. Laughter rose from one table while quiet negotiations happened at another.
The place was filled with people who wore wealth easily.
Or carefully.
Maya led them straight to the bar.
"Two," she told the bartender.
Crystal glasses appeared moments later.
Amber liquid swirled slowly as the bartender slid them across the counter.
Maya lifted hers first.
"To terrible men making terrible mistakes."
Alessia picked up her glass.
The scent of whiskey rose sharply.
"You're assuming it was a mistake," Alessia said.
Maya took a sip.
"Oh no. His mistake was getting caught."
Alessia said nothing.
She raised the glass and drank.
The warmth of the alcohol spread down her throat.
Maya watched her carefully.
"You hate whiskey."
"Not tonight."
"That's concerning."
Alessia set the glass down.
Ice tapped softly against the crystal.
The bartender refilled it without asking.
Maya tilted her head.
"You're not even pretending to pace yourself."
Alessia glanced briefly at the drink.
"Are you keeping count?"
"Yes."
"That sounds exhausting."
Maya laughed.
"Alessia Kane is making jokes. I should document this moment."
They carried their drinks toward a quieter corner of the lounge.
Tall windows stretched behind the booth, revealing the glowing skyline of Kintara City.
Below them, the streets of the Crown District moved with constant life.
Maya slid into the booth and crossed her legs.
"So," she said, leaning forward, "tell me exactly what happened."
Alessia rested her elbow lightly on the table.
"He was busy."
Maya blinked.
"Busy?"
"With someone else."
Maya leaned back slowly.
"Well."
"That's one way to put it," Alessia added.
"Did you throw something at him?"
"No."
"Did you scream?"
"No."
"Did you threaten him?"
Alessia lifted her glass again.
"No."
Maya stared at her.
"That is deeply disappointing."
Alessia took another drink.
The music shifted into a slower rhythm as more people filled the dance floor.
A group of women near the bar burst into laughter. Somewhere across the room, a waiter carried a tray of champagne glasses through a circle of well-dressed guests.
Maya drummed her fingers lightly on the table.
"You know what the problem is?" she said.
"What?"
"You're too calm."
"Should I be setting things on fire?"
"That would help."
Alessia allowed the smallest hint of a smile.
"Insurance paperwork would be terrible."
Maya laughed again.
"Alright. Fine. If you won't cause chaos, at least drink."
Alessia lifted the glass again.
Another sip.
Another slow warmth spreading through her chest.
Time passed without either of them noticing.
Music changed.
The crowd grew thicker.
Servers moved between tables carrying drinks and plates.
Maya glanced at Alessia's glass.
"You realise you're on your third drink."
"That's two."
"That was definitely three."
"Your math is suspicious."
Maya shook her head.
"You're impossible."
Alessia leaned back against the booth.
Her gaze drifted across the lounge.
Faces blurred into one another under the dim lighting.
Some people danced.
Others spoke in quiet clusters.
Someone near the bar was explaining something loudly with sweeping hand gestures.
For a moment the room felt distant, like a scene unfolding somewhere just out of reach.
Maya finished her drink and slid out of the booth.
"Bathroom," she said.
Alessia nodded.
They moved through the crowd toward the back of the lounge.
The music softened as they entered the quieter hallway leading to the washrooms.
Mirrors lined the walls.
Soft golden lights reflected along the polished floor.
A couple passed them on the way out, laughing quietly to themselves.
Maya pushed open the ladies' room door.
"Wait here," she said.
Alessia leaned lightly against the wall outside.
Her heels clicked softly when she shifted her weight.
The muffled beat of the music echoed through the corridor.
Someone walked past speaking quickly into their phone about a meeting scheduled for the morning.
Another guest passed carrying a glass of champagne.
A moment later, Maya's voice drifted faintly from inside the restroom.
Alessia straightened and walked slowly down the corridor.
Her heels echoed against the polished floor.
The hallway curved slightly near the corner.
And just as she reached it—
Someone stepped around the turn at the exact same moment.
Too close.
Too sudden.
Neither of them had time to stop.