That night, heavy rain poured down, soaking the windows of Kirana’s apartment. Her hands trembled as she stared at her phone screen. The photo a friend had just sent pierced her heart.
Her fiancé, Malvin, was passionately kissing her best friend, Ayunda.
Kirana’s heart pounded. Her breathing quickened, and tears began to flow uncontrollably. She immediately called Malvin, hoping for an explanation, but after ringing for a long time, the call ended with an automated operator’s voice.
Kirana flung her phone onto the sofa. Her chest felt tight, and her head was spinning. The feeling of being betrayed made her sick, and the only thing she could think of was getting out of there.
Without a second thought, she grabbed her jacket and bag, then walked out of the apartment, ignoring the rain still pouring over the city streets.
A small bar on the edge of the city was dimly lit, soft jazz drifting through the air. Kirana sat on a high stool beside the bartender’s station, her fingers stroking the cocktail that had just been served.
“Your first drink?” a man’s deep voice sounded beside her.
Kirana turned. A man was sitting in the chair next to hers, wearing a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His features were sharp, his jaw strong, and his piercing gaze was strangely calming.
She shrugged. “First, second… who’s counting?” she replied, trying to sound casual.
The man gave a faint smile. “Looks like you need more than just one glass.”
Kirana stared at her drink, then took a slow sip. “I just want to forget something.”
“Hmm.” The man stirred his drink with the ice. “Forget it or run away?”
Kirana let out a small laugh, but it sounded bitter. “Maybe both.”
The man didn’t ask anything else, but his gaze seemed to say that he understood. There was something in his eyes that made Kirana feel safe, even though they had only just met.
As their conversation flowed, Kirana felt the weight on her shoulders ease a little. She didn’t know whether it was the alcohol or simply because the man beside her was so easy to talk to. Either way, that night, she didn’t want to go home alone.
The music grew quieter. The bar began to empty. Kirana looked at the man beside her, her breathing slightly heavy.
“I don’t want to go home tonight,” she said, almost in a whisper.
The man gazed deeply into her eyes. For a moment, silence fell between them before he finally extended his hand.
“Adrian,” he said, introducing himself.
Kirana stared at his hand for a moment, then took it. “Kirana.”
Adrian gave a faint smile. “Come on.”
Without another word, they left the bar together.
Sunlight streamed through the window curtains, piercing Kirana’s still-heavy eyelids. She stirred slowly, feeling an unfamiliar warmth.
The moment her eyes opened, she froze.
She was in a hotel room, wrapped in a thick blanket. Her heart immediately began to race when she realized someone was lying beside her.
Adrian.
The man was still asleep, his breathing steady. His face looked more peaceful than it had the night before, which only made Kirana panic more.
“Oh my God…” Kirana covered her face. Vague memories of that night began to return, and she realized just how impulsive her decision had been.
Not wanting to wake Adrian, Kirana quickly got up and searched for her clothes scattered across a chair. She dressed in a hurry, then headed for the door.
But before she could get out, a familiar deep voice stopped her.
“Where are you going?”