Chapter 2: A Night to Forget, A Face I Remember

Mia’s heels clicked against the pavement as she strode down the busy street, the morning air crisp against her skin. Her dress from last night clung uncomfortably to her body, a painful reminder of the mistake she had just walked away from.

Her mind was still racing.

Ethan.

His name echoed in her head like a warning bell. His smirk, his gaze, the way he had spoken to her like he knew something she didn’t—it all unsettled her in a way she couldn’t shake.

This was supposed to be a one-time thing.

A mistake she could forget.

So why did she still feel his presence lingering in her thoughts?

Mia exhaled sharply, shoving the thoughts away as she hailed a cab. She needed coffee, a shower, and to never think about last night again.

When the cab finally pulled up outside her apartment building, she hurried inside, keeping her head down to avoid the judgmental look from her nosy neighbor, Mrs. Calloway. The old woman always had a way of making her feel like a teenager sneaking in past curfew.

As soon as Mia stepped into her apartment, she locked the door behind her and exhaled in relief.

Safe.

Away from Ethan. Away from whatever weird game he was playing.

She dropped her purse onto the counter and peeled off the dress, tossing it onto the floor before stepping into the shower.

The warm water soothed her nerves, washing away the tension gripping her muscles.

Forget last night.

Forget him.

It was just one night.

By the time she was dressed in fresh clothes and curled up on her couch with coffee, her heartbeat had finally settled. She picked up her phone, scrolling through her messages—mostly work emails and one from her best friend, Olivia.

Olivia: You disappeared last night. Where did you go?

Olivia: Call me. I need details.

Mia groaned. Of course, Olivia would be dying for gossip.

She hesitated before typing back.

Mia: Got too drunk. Went home early.

A lie. But easier than explaining what had really happened.

Her phone buzzed immediately.

Olivia: Liar. You left with someone, didn’t you?

Mia bit her lip, debating.

Then—

A knock at the door.

Her heart leapt into her throat.

She wasn’t expecting anyone.

Slowly, she placed her coffee down and approached the door. “Who is it?”

Silence.

A bad feeling crept into her chest.

Mia’s fingers hovered over the lock. She hesitated before finally pulling the door open.

And her breath caught.

Ethan.

Standing in her doorway, looking too damn smug for someone who shouldn’t know where she lived.

Mia’s grip on the door tightened. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Ethan leaned casually against the doorframe, his blue eyes glinting with amusement. “Told you we’d see each other again.”

Mia’s pulse pounded.

“How did you—” She stopped herself. “Never mind. I don’t care. You need to leave.”

Ethan smirked. “Not even going to invite me in?”

Mia scowled. “Absolutely not.”

He sighed dramatically. “Alright, then. I’ll get straight to the point.”

He reached into his pocket, pulling out something small and familiar.

Mia’s stomach dropped.

Her bracelet.

The delicate silver chain, the one she never took off, dangled from his fingers.

“You left this in my hotel room,” Ethan said smoothly. “Thought I’d be a gentleman and return it.”

Mia’s breath came fast. She hadn’t even noticed it was missing.

“I—” She swallowed, stepping forward to take it.

But the moment she reached for it, Ethan pulled it just out of reach.

Mia narrowed her eyes. “Really?”

Ethan grinned. “You didn’t even say thank you.”

Mia snatched it from his fingers, ignoring the way her skin prickled when their hands brushed. “Thanks. Now leave.”

Ethan chuckled, but his expression shifted, turning more serious.

“You don’t remember last night, do you?”

Mia froze.

Her grip tightened on the bracelet. “Why do you keep saying that?”

Ethan studied her for a moment, his gaze unreadable.

Then—

“You weren’t just drunk, Mia.”

Her breath hitched.

A chill ran down her spine. “What…?”

Ethan leaned in slightly, his voice lower now. “Someone drugged your drink.”

Mia’s blood ran cold.

She took a step back. “That’s not— I would have—”

“I saw it happen,” Ethan said, his expression dark. “Some guy slipped something into your drink when you weren’t looking. You were already out of it by the time I found you.”

Mia’s heart pounded.

Her mind raced. The hazy memories. The missing pieces. The fact that she blacked out completely.

No.

No, this couldn’t be happening.

Ethan’s gaze softened slightly. “I didn’t touch you, Mia. I just got you out of there before something worse happened.”

Mia’s stomach twisted. She wanted to deny it, to believe this was some twisted joke.

But deep down—she knew.

Something had felt wrong about last night.

Mia wrapped her arms around herself. “Who?” she whispered.

Ethan’s jaw clenched. “I don’t know. But I intend to find out.”

Mia shook her head. “Why do you even care?”

Ethan’s expression darkened. “Because this wasn’t random.”

Mia’s breath hitched.

“What do you mean?”

Ethan hesitated, as if debating how much to say. Then—

“Whoever did this wasn’t just targeting any girl at the bar.” His voice was low, firm. “They were targeting you.”

Mia’s knees went weak.

She stared at him, her entire world tilting.

Last night wasn’t a mistake.

It wasn’t just some reckless decision.

It was a trap.

And now, she wasn’t sure who—if anyone—she could trust.