Sera (thinking):
"Should I knock...?"
She stood in front of the neighboring apartment door, hesitating, breathing deeply, whispering to herself:
Sera (in a confused whisper):
"But... what will I say? What are you even doing, Sera? Have you lost your mind?"
She bit her lip, then turned two hesitant steps towards the elevator.
She pressed the button, trying to convince herself to retreat... to escape.
Suddenly—
The door opened.
Aiden came out.
His flowing hair covered part of his forehead. He was wearing a simple white short-sleeved shirt... but on him, it looked like a fashion advertisement.
His dark, almost blue eyes met hers for just a second... but she felt as if she had fallen into a cold vortex.
He approached her quietly, until he stood right beside her.
And then...
The scent wafted.
His perfume...
Aiden's scent was unlike anyone else's.
A first note of dark rose, closer to blue than red...
A rose like the night—mysterious, dewy, wrapped in tranquility.
It was followed by a soft vanilla scent that wasn't childish, but warm like a whisper on the skin.
And in the depths, there was a faint trace of clean tobacco, not heavy, but like a shadow after light...
A scent like nostalgia, like captivity, like a man who doesn't raise his voice but fills the space.
When he approached her,
It wasn't just his proximity that confused her,
But the perfume that evaporated in the air around him... entered her nose and settled in her heart.
"Ding"
The elevator chimed.
The door opened, and Aiden entered without looking back.
But Sera remained in her place... frozen, confused, not knowing whether to follow him or flee forever.
And before the doors closed, Aiden extended his hand, stopping them.
Then he turned towards her...
A cold... calm... almost rebellious gaze.
Aiden (in his deep, steady voice):
"Aren't you getting in?"
She stammered, then replied in a faint, flustered voice:
Sera:
"Oh... yes, I'm getting in. Thank you."
She entered, trying not to meet his eyes, but his scent...
It still filled the elevator.
A scent she would never forget... even if she wanted to.
Sera stood in the elevator, trying to breathe deeply.
But her chest rose and fell as if her heart were knocking on the doors of her ribs incessantly.
Sera (internal monologue):
"Sera... regain control of your heartbeat. Come on... it's just hot... just heat, nothing more..."
She reached for her flushed cheeks, trying to calm the heat that had flared up on her face.
It was as if her skin had become more sensitive to his scent, to his proximity, to every detail of his presence.
On the other side, Aiden was watching her...
Not directly, but through her reflection in the metallic wall of the elevator.
His gaze was steady, calm, holding something not easily readable.
Then, in his deep, steady voice, as if breaking the stillness of the air around them:
Aiden:
"Miss... are you alright?"
She looked at him quickly, as if her mind hadn't yet processed the words.
She stared at his face, then mumbled in confusion:
Sera:
"Were... were you talking to me?"
Aiden (with a slight, almost imperceptible smile):
"Is there anyone else here?"
Sera looked around instinctively, as if to confirm the presence of someone else, then chuckled softly and said:
Sera:
"It seems I'm the only one here, yes..."
Aiden (in a calm tone again):
"So... are you alright?"
Her cheeks flushed even more, making her look like a ripe tomato, and she stammered, smiling in an attempt to cover her nervousness:
Sera:
"Oh... yes, yes, I'm fine... perfectly fine."
He looked at her... that gaze that Sera couldn't interpret, neither cold nor warm... but deeper than that, as if it was quietly pulling her into a place she didn't know.
She drowned in it, without understanding, without resisting.
The elevator chimed, and the door opened.
Aiden moved with his usual composure.
He slipped his right hand into the pocket of his black athletic pants, and in his other hand, he held his car key—
A Lamborghini Huracán Evo.
He continued on his way without looking back, and Sera followed behind him, watching him, her eyes tracing his steps as if in a dream she didn't want to wake from.
He opened the car door, sat down, and turned the steering wheel with his right hand.
The veins on his hand were prominent, strong... throbbing with a feeling she didn't know, as if everything about him belonged to another world... a world of secrecy and mystery.
The car roared to life with a captivating sound... and disappeared around the corner.
Sera remained standing in her place, as if the air itself had paused for a moment.
Sera (in astonishment and a whisper): "Is he really a policeman? Who is this young man...?"
She quickly looked at her phone, noticing the time.
Sera (breathing rapidly): "I need to start searching... I won't be long, just for a little while and I'll be back. What's happening to me? What's wrong with me, I wonder?"
The cafe was filled with the aroma of carefully roasted coffee, mingled with hints of jasmine from small flowers delicately placed on the tables and in the corners of the space. Green ornamental plants adorned the nooks, in a harmonious arrangement that gave the cafe a spirit of serenity and sophistication. The tables were meticulously polished, and soft music played a barely audible melody, gently filling the void.
Outside, a gleaming black Lamborghini Huracán Evo stopped by the sidewalk. The door opened quietly, and Aiden stepped out with steady strides.
He walked confidently into the cafe, greeted by refreshing cool air.
New Employee (enthusiastically):
"Welcome S—"
Aiden (with a warm smile and a tone that blended playfulness with confidence):
"You're the new employee, aren't you?"
Employee (nervously):
"Yes, sir..."
Aiden (removing his watch and setting it aside):
"No need for formalities. I'm just like you here. What matters is mutual respect and working with passion. Believe me, with this spirit, we'll make this the best place in the city."
The employee smiled, then returned to his work, feeling a strange warmth in his chest.
Aiden entered the preparation room, took the neatly hung black apron, put it on with a fluid gesture, tying it behind his back with skilled movement. The apron seemed to be part of his personality. He then walked out to the counter, carrying an aura of distinction and simplicity simultaneously.
Aiden's eyes were truly striking—a rare color, an astonishing blend of deep night black and clear sky blue. Anyone who looked into them for a moment felt they plunged into endless depths.
Colleague (placing cups):
"Aiden, I still can't believe you like working here, even though you own the largest chain of cafes in the city."
Aiden (professionally tamping coffee):
"I didn't start my chain from scratch. This place... this was the first cafe I started in. First customer, first coffee, first dream. I love coming back here always."
Colleague:
"You inspire me, my friend."
Aiden (placing his hand on his shoulder and smiling):
"After your shift ends, tell me about your dreams. If you're serious, we'll find a way together."
Sera was strolling calmly through the city, her black leather backpack swaying gently on her back. Despite its small size, the bag looked elegant and matched her white shirt with slightly wide straps that gently revealed her shoulders. She stopped at a street corner, raising her wide brown eyes to the sky. Strands of her black hair swayed with the passing breeze, and there was a sparkle of contemplation in her eyes.
She mumbled in a low voice, gazing at the gathering clouds: "It's not easy to find work here... It's almost impossible." Then she smiled slightly ironically and continued in a dreamy tone: "It looks like it's going to rain... Is it summer rain? Or is spring waving its last farewell?"
The first raindrops began to fall, reflecting colors on the ground from passersby's umbrellas that suddenly opened like multicolored flowers. Some hid under shop facades, while Sera leaned against a wall in front of a cafe, checking papers from her bag.
Behind the glass, Aiden watched her in silence. His eyes fixated on her small details.
He calmly said to his colleague in the cafe: "Cover for me for a bit; I'll be right back."
He smoothly removed his work apron, then went outside. Sera was brushing raindrops off her shirt while gently arranging her hair. He approached her with steady steps, and smiled as he put his other hand in his pocket: "Hello again... neighbor."
Sera froze for a moment, her eyes filled with surprise, then her cheeks flushed.
Aiden smiled and said, raising an eyebrow playfully: "You're still red from this morning... Do you have a fever?" Then he gestured with his left hand: "Wait for me here; I won't be long."
He moved lightly towards his car. His fingers were long and slender, moving smoothly as he skillfully maneuvered the steering wheel. His movements were fluid, elegant, as if he were playing an ancient musical instrument. The car turned in a gentle curve, leaving a fine spray of rain behind it.
He stopped in front of her, got out, and opened the door for her with a noble gesture, then motioned with his open hand to the front seat: "Please get in... If you don't mind, I'll drop you off at Arcadia Vaulte."