III

My gaze lingers on the gun in his hand, then back on his face, trying to find an explanation, any explanation that makes sense.

He stepped forward, one small step that felt like a rumble inside my chest. "You shouldn't be here."

His words made me surge with panic.

Aaric smiled faintly, a smile that I once found so intoxicating but now only felt like a knife blade at the back of my neck. He tilted slightly, looking at me like a predator who had just found a new toy.

"Ah," his voice was flat, full of cold amusement. "A scandalous artist seems to be interested in another scandal."

My heart sank at his words. My body wanted to move, but it felt like it was held back by an invisible magnet. My mouth was dry, my mind blank except for one question that kept repeating itself: Why is he here?

"Shut up," I hissed, a small, quivering voice that didn't even convince me.

He laughed softly, a low, husky. "Seriously, Maya? After all this time, that's what you said? No 'hello,' no 'how are you?"

He approached, his steps calm and confident. The gun in his hand swung casually like it was just another accessory.

His every step made the air in this room feel heavier. I involuntarily stepped back, my heels brushing against the cold, damp wall. There was no way out. I was trapped here with the figure who once stole everything from me, who now seemed darker and more dangerous than ever.

"Why are you here?" I asked finally, my voice hoarse, barely more than a whisper.

He paused, close enough that I could smell his distinctive scent—the sandalwood mixture that once drove me crazy, now mixed with the sickening metallic odor of blood.

"Why am I here?" He repeated my question in a mocking tone, his eyes flashing. "Perhaps a better question would be... why are you here? Shouldn't you be busy thinking of ways to save your reputation, hmm?"

I tried to brace myself, digging up whatever courage I had left. "It's a coincidence," I said quickly, hoping that would end this conversation. "I... I didn't know you were here."

He laughed again, louder this time, but still cold. "Coincidence? You've always been bad at lying. But I appreciate your efforts."

My hands gripped the wall behind me, trying to find a grip, though I knew it was futile. "Trust me, I don't want to get involved with you again," I said. "Especially in anything you do."

I glanced at the corpse on the floor, its blood still pooling like a stain that was impossible to erase. Fear crept up my neck.

Aaric noticed my gaze, then looked down. He sighed softly, almost bored, then shrugged casually. "Oh, him?" he said, nodding towards the corpse. "Don't worry. He's done with his part. Now, I'm more interested in... you."

His words stabbed like thorns. I tried to look away, but our eyes were locked, and I felt like I was being stripped naked by his gaze. He stepped closer, making my body even more pressed against the wall.

"Your fear," he whispered, his voice as low as the distant rumble of thunder. "Ah, I missed it."

He touched my cheek with the backs of his fingers, the trail of blood on his hands feeling cold and slippery on my skin.I brushed his hand away roughly, even though my body was trembling.

"Don't touch me!"

And he just smiled again, a cold and secretive smile. "Still got the guts, huh? Interesting. I wonder, Maya, what will you do now?"

I wanted to scream, wanted to run, but the look in his eyes held me in place. And amid his terror, I realized something far worse.

He was enjoying this.

He was enjoying the chaos he was creating, and more than that, he was enjoying seeing me trapped in it.

He raised his bloody hand, placing his thumb on my lips to silence me. The cold blood touching my skin and my head pressed further against the wall made me look up.

Aaric's smile changed slightly. His thumb was still pressed against my lips, and the trail of blood felt like invisible but real weight.

"What did Michael Rowe see in you, hmm?" Aaric said quietly. "Was it that fake smile you showed the camera? Or maybe this expression of fear?" He withdrew his finger slowly, leaving a faint red stain on my skin. "You always look the most beautiful when you're scared."

My chest trembled with my labored breathing.

He took a step back, letting the cold air come between us. The gun in his hand was now raised slightly, but not to point it at me.

He twirled it with his fingertips, a casual gesture that only made it more dangerous.

"But, you know what, Maya?" he said, his voice sounding cheerful. "I still have a lot of business to take care of tonight. You're in luck. Maybe we'll play next time."

I stared at him, my breath catching. His contemptuous arrogance, like he had complete control over everything, including me, frightened me even more.

"Run," he said suddenly, his tone turning low and sharp. "Now. Before I change my mind and, you have no way back again."

My body reacted even before my mind understood his command.

I turned and ran, my heels clicking on the slippery concrete floor. The cold air hit my face as I passed through the steel door, panic and adrenaline merging into one big push to keep moving.

Behind me, Aaric's low laughter could be heard, following me like a shadow. "If you need another man to warm you up, I can still do it, you know?"

I covered my ears, trying to block out his voice. My steps were hurried, and my shoes felt like traps on my feet, but I kept running.

The hallway back to the dance floor felt like an endless maze, each turn seeming to bring a new fear.

When I finally returned to the crowd, the flashing neon lights and the loud beat of the music felt almost like a warm embrace compared to the coldness of the hallway.