Chapter 1 ~Aria~

The night had fallen over the city of Grand Midea. Dark clouds filled the skies and rain threatened to fall.

“Ahh!!”

I left out a frustrated groan as I continued to pace to the party in my high silhouettes. I could barely keep my balance, and I threatened to fall a couple of times already.

“Are you okay?” that's when I realized I was walking next to Phoebe.

My best friend since... forever actually. She walked elegantly taking massive strides with her heels as though she was born to wear them.

Her wore a beautiful red dress that hugged her body exposing a little of her breasts.

Her long blonde hair moving with the wind.

Phoebe was a party person.

She could literally mingle with anyone she wishes.

She was confident and had a charm no guy could resist.

But for me the contrary was the case. I wasn't a party person, infact I hated them. I was rather much of an introvert, who really hated to mingle with others and was a bit shy.

I prefer to spend most of my time researching on supernatural creatures, like zombies and werewolves.

“I'm good.” I answered her.

When we finally reached, the house was alive with the loud music thundering through the speakers.

The conversations of various people formed into a mass noise, where one couldn't even hear her own thoughts.

“I don't like this Phoebe.” I yelled out to her, but the tone in my voice was tuned off by the noise.

“You'll like it trust me.”

“Follow me!”

I followed Alice through the crowded living room, picking a red plastic cup more for appearances than anything else.

We walked into a crowd of people by a makeshift bar.

She immediately began to mingle with them. I could see literally flirting with two guys at the same time.

 It wasn’t my scene, never had been but Pheobe had insisted I come to the party for... socialization.

So here I was, trying to blend into the background while she soaked up the energy of the room.

I filled in my cup and took a seat by the corner of the room sipping at my cold beer, my eyes scanning the crowd out of habit rather than interest.

Suddenly, I felt a tingle at the back of my neck.

It was as though I was being watched, or even stalked.

I turned my head slightly trying to find my stalker.

There!! His piercing eyes landed at me again.

He was leaning casually against the far wall, a drink in one hand, but his attention was entirely fixed on me.

Dark eyes, intense and unyielding, locked onto mine.

He had a black curly hair. He was easily the most handsome man I've ever seen.

But yet something about him made my hair stand up.

I quickly looked away, my heart skipping a beat.

“Was he looking at me?”

Maybe I’d imagined it. Maybe he wasn’t staring at me but at someone near me. I glanced back. No, there was no mistaking it. His gaze hadn’t wavered, and the longer I pretended not to notice, the heavier his stare seemed to grow.

I snapped my head back in his direction.

What!!

He's gone.

But he was just there a second ago. Where could he have gone?

The air in the room felt suddenly thick, tension aroused in my veins. A certain restlessness gripped me.

My grip tightened around the cup, my pulse quickening.

I glanced frantically from left to right. What was his problem?

Suddenly I felt a nudge on my back causing me to scramble from my seat. I snapped my head behind me.

And there he was. He even looked more handsome up close. His dark green eyes glinting at me.

“Stay away from me!” I snapped at him.

“What's the matter.” I watched hm chuckle lightly under his breath. He was right to laugh, I behaved like a fool.

 I sighed. “I'm sorry. I just felt strange when I saw you staring at me.” I confessed.

The man replied in an amusing tone. “Sorry shouldn't be accepted for free.”

I was a little surprised by his answer. His words were a bit cheesy that gave me weird feelings. Drawing a nervous breath, I replied.

“Then what can I offer for your apology?”

The man smiled satisfyingly at her. “How about a dance together?”

I hesitated in delusion.

I wasn't familiar with him and dancing wasn't really my favourite. I agreed reluctantly.

“Okay but please ignore my clumsiness.”

The man laughed, staring deep into our eyes before answering. “Perfect.”

The man led me to the dance floor slowly. I was feeling a bit uncomfortable since I've never danced before.

As if I was his sole interest among everyone here, the man never teared his eyes away from me, not even a second.

I dwelled on how to initiate our first step together, the man extended his right hand towards me like a gentleman.

Lips curving up a little, he asked like a gentleman,

“May I?”

I nodded humbly, placing my hand into his palm clumsily.

The coldness of his skin almost shooked my sanity.

For a moment, it felt like I was placing my palm into an ice water.

The man groped my hand tightly, giving it a hard pull until we were face to face with each other. His smile broadened.

“You are so easily frightened. What do you think of me? A devil.”

His words sent shivers down my spine.

I wanted to run away at this point, but it would seem improper.

 I shut my eyes, trying to clear out the messy thoughts in my head. “I-I... am.. not used to it... I don't normally interact with strangers.”

To my surprise, he didnt find my words amusing as most people would. “We are going to take it slow.

It's just a dance. Relax and enjoy it.”

His words had a certain charm that seem to calm my nerves.

Inhaling a deep breath, I stepped closer bravely and placed my trembling hands on his shoulders.

My lips curving into awkward smile, I broke off my introvert personality. “Let's do it then.”

We slow danced to the music, our movement sync.

We matched our steps swaying our hips rhythmically holding knot each other. Neither of us seemed to be able to take their eyes off the other.

He pulled me in closer to him, my left hand wrapped behind my back. We continued until the music began to slowly fade.

“What's your name?” He asked sharply, his gaze still fixed on me. “Aria.. “ I said my tone feint.

“And yours, if I may ask?”

He then smiled mysteriously at me. “You'll know soon enough.”

What? I was a bit puzzled by his answer.

“Aria!!!” I heard a loud voice. I turned to see Phoebe waving eagerly at me.

Eager to meet her, I swiftly turned to the mystery man, but he was gone! Not even a sight of him.

I squinted my eyes through the crowd, but not a sign of him.

Strange!