A New Beginning?

It had been two weeks since Zariah's heart had been shattered into pieces. Two weeks since the man who had made her feel wanted, beautiful, and alive disappeared without a trace.

She didn't know why, but for some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that the ghost of him still lingered in her mind, haunting her every thought.

But today was different. She had decided to get back on track. After all, she was an attorney.

A professional.

She wasn't going to let the mystery man consume her life. Not anymore.

The day had started like any other. She had spent the morning drafting contracts, answering emails, and making phone calls.

But then, around lunchtime, her coworker, Darren, had asked her a simple question.

"Hey, Zariah, do you wanna grab dinner with me tonight? Maybe we could catch a movie after or a walk in the park after?"

At first, she'd hesitated, the old habits of doubting herself and her worth resurfacing.

What if he disappears on me or pretends like nothing happened afterwards?

She couldn't bare the feeling of being dicked and left just like that.

"Even prostitutes receivce better treatment," she thought to herself.

But after a moment of thought, she decided maybe it was time to try and move on, to start looking forward instead of back she wasn't getting any younger.

"Sure," she had said, forcing a smile. "Why not?"

" Awesome sauce," he said excitedly, composing himself he cleared his throat,

"I mean, I'm glad you accepted my proposal."

Darren wasn't so bad , a 5 ft 9 figure with musky dark brown hair cut in a modern mullet, big blue eyes and a body that screamed I go to the gym.

Throughout there time as co workers, he didn't hide the fact that he adored her.

When cases needed a partner he'd request for her , when things on her side turn sour he as there to assist and support her.

Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea.

That night, Zariah stood in front of her mirror, looking at herself. The woman staring back at her was different from the one who had sat on the floor crying two weeks ago. She still felt fragile, but she had made peace with the fact that life had to move on.

She had chosen a simple yet elegant outfit. A sleek black dress that hugged her curves, with a subtle neckline that balanced sexy and classy. Her hair was styled in soft waves, falling gracefully over her shoulders, and her makeup was subtle'just enough to enhance her features, but not too much.

She added a hint of red lipstick and slipped on a pair of black heels that clicked against the wooden floor as she moved.

When Darren arrived to pick her up, she was already standing by the door, her nerves hidden behind a veil of practiced calm.

"Wow," Darren said, his eyes lighting up when he saw her. "You look amazing."

"Thanks," Zariah replied, offering a small, somewhat genuine smile. "You're not looking too bad yourself."

They both stepped into his car, and Darren drove them to a local restaurant. The kind of place with dim lighting, soft music, and the smell of grilled steak in the air. It wasn't fancy, but it was nice.

They sat down at a small table near the window. The conversation was light at first, small talk what they had been up to at work, plans for the weekend, the usual. Zariah noticed how easy it was to talk to Darren, how he was kind and attentive. She felt a small flicker of warmth in her chest.

"So," Darren said between bites of his meal, "how's work going? Still kicking ass in court, I hope?"

Zariah laughed lightly, nodding. "Trying to. You know how it is. Some days feel easier than others."

"Yeah, I get it. I've heard some of your stories. You really know how to win a case."

"I try," she said with a smile. "But sometimes, it's more about the people than the case itself."

Darren raised an eyebrow. "That's deep. So, uh, are you seeing anyone?"

Zariah froze for a second, the question surprising her. Her mind flashed to the ghost of the man who had occupied her thoughts, but she quickly pushed it away.

"No," she answered, perhaps a little too quickly. "No one at the moment."

"That's good," he said, giving her a sly smile. "Well, I guess I'm lucky then, huh?"

Zariah couldn't help but chuckle. "I suppose so."

After dinner, they went for a walk in the park. It was a cool evening, and the stars twinkled overhead, casting a peaceful glow over everything. The silence between them felt comfortable, natural, like they didn't need to fill every moment with words.

Darren stopped and looked at her for a moment, his hand brushing hers. "Zariah… I really like you a lot . You're… different from the other women I've dated. You're real."

Zariah smiled, feeling the smallest flutter in her chest. "I'm just me," she said softly.

Darren leaned in then, his lips brushing hers gently at first. The kiss was slow, tentative. When they pulled away, both of them were breathing a little heavier, caught in the moment.

"I'd love you to be mine, be my woman," he murmured, his eyes locked onto hers , they carried a sense of genuineness.

" Sure, I'll be your woman," she giggled like a child as she uttered those words.

His eyes brighten up and the reflection of the stars made it more magical. They walked back to his car and he drove her back home.

"Good night," Darren whispered, his lips brushing her cheek as he backed away. "I'll see you again soon my princess ."

Zariah smiled and watched him leave, feeling a strange mix of emotions stirring inside her. Maybe this could be a new beginning.

The next morning, Zariah woke up, still feeling the echo of Darren's kiss on her lips. She stretched and grabbed her phone, half-expecting a message from him, a good morning text or maybe a text saying he'd enjoyed the night. But instead, the first thing she saw was a news notification.

Her heart dropped.

" Local Lawyer Darren Smith Found Brutally Murdered In His Apartment."

The headline didn't register at first. She read it again. And then again. It was Darren…the same man she'd gone on a date with the night before, the same man who asked her to be his.

She felt her stomach churn as she scrolled down, reading the details.

He was found laying on the floor, naked in a pile of his own blood , covered in cuts and bruises all over his body.

His eyes were taken out of his socket and where replaced by his testicles.

Several of his joints were dislocated and contorted .

His nails were plucked out except for the ones on the middle finger.

On his bicep he had something engraved into his skin like some kind of tattoo. The most shocking thing about the scene was that his dick was missing and there wasn't a single lead to whoever did that to him.

Zariah couldn't breathe.

"This can't be real."

Her mind was spinning, and the room began to feel like it was closing in on her. She dialed his number, but it rang and rang. No answer. She tried texting him, but the message just sat there, unread.

The same man she had kissed only hours ago was now… gone.

She felt dizzy, her vision blurred by the sudden tears that welled in her eyes.

Her father had passed two weeks ago.

Now, Darren.

It felt like the universe was mocking her. Like it was playing some cruel joke she didn't understand. She had tried to move on, to open herself up again, but now the man who had seemed so normal, so alive, was just… gone.

She dropped her phone onto the bed, curling into a ball, her chest tight with grief she didn't know how to handle.

It wasn't just the sadness. It was the helplessness. The unfairness of it all.

She had just wanted something real. But instead, it felt like the universe had taken everything from her, piece by piece.

As the tears streamed down her face, Zariah whispered to the empty room, "I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore."