I stood outside the private lounge, heart still racing. The heavy door had barely clicked shut behind me when the noise of the club rushed back in, music, voices, low moans, but none of it felt real anymore. All I could focus on was the black leather bracelet now fastened around my wrist.

He had known my name. Twice. I had never told him. That realization settled like ice under my skin. How? Had Sophia said something? Or had he really looked me up that fast?

My fingers brushed over the smooth leather. It felt heavier than it should. Warmer. Like it already belonged there.

I made my way back to our table. Sophia spotted me first, her eyes widening.

“Okay, you look… different,” she said, scanning me up and down with a knowing grin. “What happened? Spill.”

Emily was gentler. She reached for my hand and pulled me into my seat. “Are you alright?”

I touched my warm cheeks. “I’m fine. It’s just hot in here.”

Sophia wasn’t buying it. “You have that dreamy, slightly terrified look. Did you meet someone?”

Emily nudged her and shot her a disapproving look.

I played with the bracelet. “I did meet someone,” I confirmed. “His name is Dominic.”

Sophia’s grin widened. “Was he at least devastatingly attractive?”

“Very,” I admitted quietly. “We just… talked.”

Emily studied me carefully. “Sometimes talking is more dangerous than anything else.”

Her words hit closer than I liked. I wrapped my fingers around the cold glass of water I had abandoned earlier, but my thumb kept tracing the edge of the new bracelet hidden beneath my sleeve.

We didn’t stay much longer. As we left the club, the cool night air brushed against my flushed skin. Sophia kept teasing me in the car, asking for details, while Emily stayed quieter, occasionally glancing at me through the rearview mirror. My fingers brushed against the bracelet as I watched the buildings, the lights and the occasional pedestrian disappear behind us. The distance quickly grew between me and the Crimson Veil, but I could still hear his voice in my head.

You don’t need to decide anything tonight.

Come back.

By the time Emily dropped me off at home, it was almost 2 a.m. I slipped inside quietly, careful not to wake my parents. The house was dark and familiar, but it felt different tonight. Smaller. Too ordinary.

In my room, I changed into pajamas and went through my usual routine. When I reached the bracelet, my fingers paused. I should take it off. I should put it in a drawer and forget about it. Instead, I climbed into bed still wearing it.

Sleep didn’t come easily. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw grey eyes and felt the ghost of his fingers under my chin. His voice kept echoing in my head.

Good girl.

Come back.

Wear this only if you intend to return to me.

*********************************

The next morning, sunlight filtered through my curtains. I dragged myself downstairs to find my parents already eating breakfast.

Mom smiled as she placed a bowl of rice congee in front of me. “Good morning.”

I thanked her before taking a small spoonful of it.

Dad looked up from his newspaper, observant as always. “You got home late. How was your night with the girls?”

“It was good,” I said, keeping my eyes on my spoon. “We stayed out longer than I expected.”

“You should have texted us,” Mom said mildly.

“I know. Sorry.”

The conversation moved on, but I kept drifting. My mind kept returning to Dominic, the way he had looked at me, the weight of his fingers on my chin, the calm certainty in his voice.

“Are you going out today?” my father suddenly asked.

I jumped, nearly dropping my spoon. My heart slammed against my ribs.

“What?” My voice came out higher than normal.

Dad frowned, his sharp eyes studying me. “You seem very distracted this morning. Is everything alright?”

Heat rushed to my face. I gripped my spoon tighter. “Yes. Sorry. I’m just tired.”

He didn’t look convinced. His gaze lingered on me the way it always did when he sensed something was off, patient, observant, and quietly intimidating. For a terrifying second, I wondered if he could somehow see the bracelet hidden under my sleeve.

“Make sure you’re taking care of yourself,” he finally said, voice warm but serious. “You’ve been working hard lately.”

“I will,” I whispered.

After breakfast, I went back to my room and closed the door. I took the bracelet off and placed it on my nightstand, determined to be rational.

Ten minutes passed.

Then twenty.

I stared at the innocent-looking strip of leather. It was just a bracelet. It didn’t mean anything. I didn’t have to go back.

And yet…

I picked it up again. For a long moment, I simply held it. Then, slowly, I slipped it back onto my wrist and pulled my sleeve over it. The moment it settled against my skin, the strange restlessness inside me quieted.

I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes.

Would I go back?

I barely knew him. Everything my father had taught me, caution, reading people, trusting actions over pretty words, screamed that this was reckless. Dangerous, even.

Dominic wasn’t safe. I could feel it.

And still… part of me wanted to see him again.