The Morning After

I blinked awake to see a familiar blue box floating in front of my face.

[Stamp Obtained Successfully!]

The light of dawn seeped through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting a box a shade of yellow.

I sat up and the screen moved, keeping pace with my head. With a wave, I dismissed the notification. 

This was another step forward. Another piece added to the empire I was building. All I needed to do was find the remaining stamp holders and seduce them. Then, I'll have all I need to guarantee that I come out on top.

My gaze shifted to Astoria beside me, her dark hair splayed across the pillow, her breathing slow and steady in the quiet morning.

The events of last night played through my mind in flashes. The music, the drinks, the laughter. The way we moved together on the dance floor like we'd always been doing this. 

The way her nails dug into my back as she whispered things in my ear that weren't meant to leave the dark.