Lingering Shadows

Finally, they reached a cluster of desks in a quieter section of the office. Stacy stopped in front of a young man with dark hair and glasses, who was typing furiously at his computer.

"Ryan, this is Lila, one of our new interns. She'll be working under you."

Ryan looked up, offering a warm smile as he stood to shake Lila's hand. "Welcome to the team, Lila. Don't worry, I won't throw you to the wolves… at least not on your first day."

Lila laughed nervously, appreciating the attempt to put her at ease.

"Let me show you your desk," Ryan continued, leading her to a small but tidy space near his own. "It's nothing fancy, but it'll be home base for the next few months. I'll walk you through what we're working on after the morning meeting."

Lila nodded, setting down her bag and glancing at the neatly arranged supplies already waiting for her. She took a deep breath, letting the reality of her new job sink in.

The morning flew by in a blur of introductions and explanations. Ryan was patient and thorough, walking her through the company's current projects and assigning her small tasks to get her started.

By lunchtime, Lila felt a small surge of pride. She had handled everything so far without stumbling, and Ryan had even complimented her on her quick grasp of the material.

As the day progressed, Lila threw herself into the work, eager to prove herself. She took notes on everything Ryan said, asked questions when she didn't understand, and stayed focused on the tasks at hand.

This is what I needed, she thought as she typed up a draft for a client proposal. Something to pour my energy into. A fresh start.

The day ended faster than she expected, and as she packed up her things, Ryan stopped by her desk.

"Great job today, Lila," he said. "You're picking this up quickly. I think you'll fit in here just fine."

"Thank you," Lila replied, smiling. "I'll do my best."

She left the office feeling lighter than she had in weeks. The weight of her past still lingered, but for the first time, it didn't feel so overwhelming.

By the time she got home, she couldn't wait to tell Mia all about her day. She burst into the apartment to find her best friend sprawled on the couch with a tub of ice cream.

"How was it?" Mia asked, sitting up eagerly.

Lila grinned, dropping her bag and flopping onto the couch beside her. "It was amazing. Intense, but amazing. My boss is great, and the work is actually really interesting. I feel… I don't know, like I finally have something to focus on."

Mia handed her the ice cream spoon with a proud smile. "I told you, Lila. You're going to crush this. They don't know how lucky they are to have you."

For the first time in a long while, Lila believed her.

Meanwhile, across town, Caleb was pacing the familiar streets of Lila's old neighborhood. He had spent the entire day trying to track down someone—anyone—who might know how to reach her.

He had stopped by the diner where Lila used to work, hoping one of her former coworkers might know something. But the staff was new, and no one seemed to recognize her name. Frustration clawed at him as he made his way to the local coffee shop where she and Mia used to hang out.

The barista, a young guy with colorful tattoos up his arms, shrugged when Caleb asked about Mia. "She used to come in sometimes," he said, cleaning the counter. "But I haven't seen her or her friend in a while. Sorry, man."

Caleb clenched his jaw, masking his disappointment. Everywhere he turned, he hit a dead end. Lila's presence had vanished from the town, like she had wiped away every trace of herself.

He stepped back onto the sidewalk, his eyes scanning the familiar streets. He hated this—this feeling of helplessness. He should have been able to find her. She was his mate, his other half. But the bond between them, usually a faint thread of connection, had grown so weak it felt like a distant echo.

She doesn't want to be found, he thought bitterly.

But that only made him more determined.

As the sun began to set, Caleb found himself outside another familiar spot—a boutique where Mia had once worked part-time. He debated whether it was worth going inside. It was a long shot, but at this point, it was all he had.

He pushed open the door, the bell above jingling softly. A middle-aged woman stood behind the counter, folding clothes. She looked up as Caleb approached.

"Hi," he began, his voice steady despite the frustration simmering beneath the surface. "I'm looking for someone who used to work here—Mia. Do you remember her?"

The woman tilted her head thoughtfully. "Mia… Oh, the blonde girl? Yeah, I remember her. She quit months ago, though. Said she was moving to the city."

Caleb's chest tightened. He was finally getting somewhere. "Do you happen to have any way to contact her? A number, maybe?"

The woman frowned. "Sorry, I don't. She didn't leave anything behind. But if you're looking for her, she might still be connected to some of the girls who used to work here."

Caleb nodded, hiding his disappointment once again. "Thank you," he said before turning and stepping back out into the cool evening air.

While Caleb searched for clues about Lila, Adrian stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse suite, overlooking the glittering cityscape. The skyline was alive with movement—lights flickering, cars weaving through the streets below, and the faint thrum of nightlife just beginning to awaken.

He sipped a glass of dark red wine, the tang of it dull compared to the vibrant memory of Lila's blood. She had seeped into him in ways he didn't expect—into his thoughts, his desires, and even his cold, dead heart.

But that was over now. It had to be.

Adrian set the glass down and leaned against the window, his reflection staring back at him like a taunt. You're a fool to think you could have more, he thought bitterly.

He grabbed his phone, scrolling aimlessly until his thumb hovered over a newly downloaded app—one of many he'd installed that night. With a resigned sigh, he opened it, letting the curated profiles of potential hookups fill the screen.

It wasn't about finding someone special. Adrian had no illusions about love or connection. He just needed to forget—if only for a night.

Swipe. Swipe. Stop.

Her profile wasn't particularly memorable, but she had dark hair and a mischievous smile that reminded him, faintly, of Lila. He pressed the match button and waited. Within seconds, a notification popped up.

You've got a match.

Adrian smirked. Too easy.

He spent the next hour setting up plans. One drink, maybe two. Then back to her place, or his, depending on his mood. It didn't matter. He didn't even need to drink from her. A distraction was all he wanted—a temporary escape from the pull Lila still had over him.

When the arrangements were set, he glanced at the clock. He still had an hour before the meeting. Grabbing his leather jacket, Adrian decided he'd walk to the bar. The crisp night air might help him clear his head—or at least steel himself for the hollow he was about to dive into.

The streets buzzed with life as Adrian stepped out. Neon signs flickered above clubs and bars, casting garish colors across the pavement. Groups of people stumbled out of taxis, laughing and shouting, their energy electric. Adrian watched them with a mix of amusement and disdain. Humans were so… alive.

The bar was tucked into a quieter street, its red door barely noticeable beneath the dim lighting. Inside, the music was low, the atmosphere intimate. Adrian scanned the room and spotted her instantly. She was sitting at the bar, her dark hair curling over one shoulder, a cocktail in her hand. She looked up as he approached, her lips curling into a smile.

"You must be Adrian," she said, her voice warm and flirtatious.

"And you must be Ava," he replied, sliding onto the stool beside her.

The conversation was effortless, her laughter light and easy. But Adrian felt none of it. He didn't care about her stories or her coy smiles. She could have been anyone. She was anyone.He wasn't ready to commit to any relationship with anyone and he was just looking for someone to release all the tension and stress and often sex was the Easiest way to destress

After two drinks and more than enough small talk, she leaned in closer. "So… your place or mine?"

He smiled and he got up to lead the way to his car so he could enjoy his flavor for the night.He knew women found him irresistible and he loved it.