Mystery Man

Lily

The first thing that struck me were the surroundings. Velvet drapes framed the expansive glass panes, revealing a breathtaking view of the city's skyline, a world far removed from my own.

Staring at the entire place only one thought repeated in my mind.

Where was I?

What happened?

Confusion knitted my brows as I struggled to piece together the fragments of the previous night. Memories passed through my mind like an elusive shadow. Flashes of pulsating lights, the thumping bass of music, and the tantalising presence of the mysterious man teased my consciousness. Shutting my eyes tightly, I tried to catch hold of them, to make sense of what had transpired. It was to no avail. They remained as intangible as smoke slipping through my fingers.

The image of him was vague. I knew he was handsome, remembered the deep voice that mingled with mine and yet I couldn't remember his face or name.

My gaze drifted to the space beside me, where the enigmatic stranger should have been after a night with me. Only rumpled sheets beside me spoke of his presence.

With a groan, I pushed myself into a sitting position, my fingers rubbing against my temples as if that might coax my memory. It was like fragments of a puzzle, one I could barely piece together.

My heart skipped a beat as a soft, unexpected knock resonated through the room.

My heart quickened as the door swung open without any pause.

A man stepped in without hesitation, making me alert. From his dressing to the warm, practised smile graced his lips I soon recognized that he was a butler.

I watched in part shock, part fascination as he moved, carrying something along with him. He looked elegant and he…

He was coming towards me.

When he neared, he pushed something towards me. I looked down at what he held in his hands- neatly folded bundle of clothes. Confusion struck me at the sight

"Miss Lily, I hope you're doing well this morning," he began.

I swallowed thickly. Even his voice sounded fancy.

"I've been sent to offer you these clothes and inform you that the limousine is waiting downstairs to take you back."

His words hung in the air.

‘Limousine? Clothes?' I glanced down at my current attire which, to my growing embarrassment, consisted of nothing more than bedsheets haphazardly draped around me. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I realised the state of undress I was in, a stark contrast to the man before me.

In response, I held the sheets tighter to my body.

Oh, um, thank you," I stammered, trying to catch up with this unexpected turn of events.

"But who... who sent you?" I asked curiously.

"I'm here on behalf of an anonymous resident, Miss Grace. He wanted to ensure your comfort and offer you a way back to your apartment." He said, barely missing a beat.

The butler's visage remained an impenetrable mask, revealing nothing. I knew I wouldn't get a straight answer.

Shock ran through me as a realisation hit me. How did he know my name?

A rush of emotions surged within me—bewilderment at the situation I found myself in, mortification at my current state of undress, and a subtle tinge of disappointment at the idea that my encounter was nothing more than a one night stand.

My patchy memories and this strange encounter left me with more questions than answers.

The moment he left, I stood up to dress. As I unfolded them, my fingers brushed against fabric so soft it felt like I was touching air.

Looking down at the dress I couldn't help but marvel at the exquisite attention to detail. The clothes were unlike anything I owned.

The true shock came when I wore them to find nothing out of place. It seemed tailored to my measurements.

How on earth did they get my measurements? Was it just a coincidence?

Pushing the thought away I looked in the mirror. I looked…different. It was as though I had stepped into a different world, one I had never dared dream of.

I emerged from the room and out of the hotel, my heart still racing from the rollercoaster of emotions I had experienced just moments ago.

The butler, the same one. Though his expression remained stoic, there was a subtle softness in his gaze.

With a faint, reassuring smile, he led me out. I could barely glance at the place before I found myself outside. The chill of the air pricked my skin.

Without a word, he gestured toward the waiting limousine. I looked at the car in trepidation before stepping inside.

Sitting on the plush sheets, I felt like a sore thumb inside the lone place that looked too expensive to be real. The only thing that didn't overwhelm me was the sight outside.

Beyond the tinted windows, the sun was slowly rising to illuminate the new day. As the vehicle glided through the illuminated streets, I found solace in the gentle hum of the engine.

My fingers traced an absent-minded pattern along the armrest, a subconscious attempt to ground myself amidst the whirlwind of emotions.

I reached my apartment in silence. Stepping into the building, the shock and questions weighed over me through my apartment door. I opened the door but to my surprise, someone was already there.

Marina sat on my couch. Her eyes locked onto mine immediately. Laid in them were a mix of emotions: shock, disbelief and joy.

She stood up immediately after I shut the door, rushing to hold me in a warm embrace. I let myself melt into her reassuring presence.

"Thank goodness you're alright," Marina said as she hugged me, her voice a soothing balm.

“I was so freaking worried. I couldn't find you in the club and I was looking for you everywhere. What happened? Nevermind. I'm just glad you're safe.”

Her rambles made me hold her tighter. She must have been so afraid. How had I forgotten about her in my daze last night?

‘Last night…’ The memories and questions still echoed.

Parting from her hug, I fully faced her.

“You won't believe what happened." I spoke, disbelief colouring my words as I stared.

Marina's grip on my shoulders was firm, grounding me as she looked back.

"Tell me." She spoke worriedly.

Sitting on the couch, I recounted the night's whirlwind of intrigue and desire. She stayed silent all through even though her expression said everything, transforming from concern and curiosity to straight up anger.

Marina's hand slipped into mine, her touch a silent balm against the turmoil inside me. Her fingers entwined with mine, offering a lifeline of unspoken support that reached into my heart.

"Maybe it's a blessing in disguise," she said decisively, tightening her grip.

Her eyes, filled with understanding, met mine sincerely before she huffed.

"That bastard didn't even have the courtesy to talk to you before he left. He must've been a rich bastard searching for a good lay. You're better off forgetting about him." Malina said with disgust.

A moment of silence passed between us before Marina spoke again.

“But seriously Lily. I'm so sorry. I should have done a better job looking out for you." she said, looking at me with guilt seeping through her.

I shook my head, squeezing her hand to comfort her. It wasn't her fault that I had wandered.

"And on that note, really? Going off with some stranger without telling me where you were, what were you thinking?" She exclaimed, her expression switching to righteous anger.

Although I knew she was simply reacting this way out of her guilt and worry, an angry Malina was still an angry Malina. I gulped silently before nodding in agreement.

"You're right, Malina.” I said, giving her a guilty look.

“I was just drunk and lost in the moment. I'm so sorry for making you worry." I spoke sincerely, ending with a sigh.

She said nothing in response, prompting me to nudge her slightly.

“Come on.” I dragged out in a pleading tone. “Don't be angry please?”

Finally she sighed heavily in response.

“You know what? I'm never pressuring you into clubbing ever again. Not when I could get a heart attack.” she sighed out wearily.

A chuckle left me at her words. The mood lightened instantly as she smiled.

We spoke as normal, seemingly putting the events of yesterday behind us.

But internally, I held a different truth. In spite of the confusion, I didn't regret the passionate encounter the night before. Even though I couldn't remember him, the memory of his touch, the intensity of our connection, lingered intoxicatingly . What haunted me was that I couldn't remember his name nor face. I had let him slip away into the night as a mystery.

My heart whispered that there was more to last night. My brain still questioned the coincidence of the day. I couldn't grasp it no matter how hard I tried. With Marina's reprimands though, I swallowed those thoughts away.

Maybe some things were left to be a mystery.

Long after she left, I silently took off the elegant clothes I had received.

My thoughts swirled, the whirlwind of recent events still echoing in my mind. The messy breakup, the sting of my ex's betrayal, last night's encounter and the suffocating reminder of my current unemployment loomed large over me.

The clothes I was now folding were a stark contrast to my current predicament. Refined and sophisticated. A taste of a world I had barely glimpsed.

Despite my denial and Marina's words I couldn't help but think about the person who had sent them. The one who seemed to know so much about me in a single night.

As I continued to fold, my fingers grazed something tucked between the layers of fabric.

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. What the hell? Digging into the clothing I found a pocket within, so vague to be noticed easily. How hadn't I felt this?

I held the mysterious thing, carefully pulling it out. My eyes widened as it came into full view.

‘What on earth?'