Kidnapping

Crystal turned back and noticed her pout. She set down her glass of vodka.

“Not enjoying the show?”

Arya shook her head. “Mm.”

“Why?”

“I miss him.”

“Your father?” Crystal asked, taking a sip of her drink.

“No. It’s Daxiel.”

Crystal’s brows shot up in confusion. “Who is Daxiel?”

“The handsome man I told you about.”

Crystal choked on her drink. “What?!”

“You miss a man you’ve only known for a few hours?”

“Is it wrong?” Arya asked, looking up at her.

Crystal sighed. This girl was too innocent for the outside world.

Still, she shook her head. “No.”

She had always admired people who went after what they wanted, no matter how crazy it sounded.

Arya relaxed slightly. She thought she had done something wrong.

“Did he agree to be your boyfriend?” Crystal asked.

“He didn’t say anything,” Arya replied softly.

“Why? Did you do what I told you to do?”

“Yes.”

“And what was his reaction?” Crystal leaned in, curious.

“He held my head… and kissed me,” Arya said simply. “Then he pulled away and pushed me out of his car.”

“What?!” Crystal exclaimed. “What a jerk!”

Arya picked up her drink. “Now I won’t be able to go on A–Z dates.”

“What dates?”

“Have you forgotten? The one we watched on your phone.”

They had once watched a short video where a girl talked about going on A–Z dates. Arya had found it exciting and promised herself she would try it when she finally got outside.

Crystal paused, then remembered. “Oh… I didn’t think you were serious.”

“So why can’t you go anymore?”

“You said I needed a boyfriend—and that it should be a handsome one.”

Crystal felt slightly guilty. She had indeed said that.

“You’ll meet more handsome men,” she said.

Arya blinked, lost in thought, then sighed. “No one can be as handsome as he is.”

“There are better men out there. He’s just a rude idiot,” Crystal scoffed.

“I don’t think so,” Arya said, tracing circles on the table with her finger.

“Girls in love are hard to advise,” Crystal muttered, standing up.

“Where are you going?” Arya asked.

“I need to use the restroom. I’ll be back.”

Crystal walked away.

Arya’s eyes wandered around the room as she waited.

Some girls had moved closer to the stage, dancing with the performers. Others laughed, drank, and chatted loudly. Everything felt lively and chaotic.

“Hello.”

A gentle male voice startled her.

Arya turned and saw a man standing beside her, smiling warmly. He looked to be in his early twenties, dressed simply in a shirt and black trousers.

Crystal had warned her about strangers—but he looked decent.

She smiled back.

“Can I sit with you?” he asked politely.

Arya nodded.

“Thank you,” he said, taking a seat.

After ordering a drink, he asked, “Are you here alone?”

Arya shook her head. “No, I came with a friend.”

“Oh,” he said.

“This seems to be your first time here,” he added.

“Yes,” Arya replied. “How did you know?”

“Everything you do says so,” he said with a small smile.

“Really?” Arya wondered.

She reached for her drink—but without looking, she picked up Crystal’s instead.

She took a sip.

Her face twisted immediately. A deep frown formed, and her cheeks puffed slightly as she glared at the glass.

The taste was bitter.

The man chuckled at her reaction.

Arya looked at him. His laugh sounded pleasant.

But not as pleasant as Daxiel’s.

She slapped her forehead lightly.

Why couldn’t she get him out of her head?

“You don’t like it?” the man asked.

Arya shook her head. “Who would?”

“Didn’t you order it?”

“It belongs to my friend.”

“I see.”

Silence settled between them.

The man didn’t push the conversation, and Arya remained quiet.

She still found it hard to talk to strangers.

Suddenly, the music stopped.

An announcement followed.

“Sorry for the interruption. A lady has slipped in the restroom and is currently unconscious. If anyone knows her, please come over immediately.”

The music resumed.

The man turned to Arya. “Didn’t you say your friend went to the restroom?”

Arya blinked. “Did I?”

She couldn’t even remember saying it.

But panic quickly rose in her chest.

“Could it be Crystal?”

“Why don’t you go check?”

“I don’t know where the restroom is.”

“I’ll take you,” the man said, standing up.

Arya followed him.

Her heart raced. She hoped it wasn’t Crystal.

Because she didn’t know what she would do if it was.

The man noticed her fear. “Don’t worry. It might not be her.”

Arya nodded, trying to calm herself.

They walked out of the bar into a quieter passage.

As they moved further, the path led toward an underground parking area.

Arya slowed down.

Something didn’t feel right.

Who puts a restroom here?

She turned, about to speak.

“Is the restroom—”

Before she could finish—

The man struck her.

The last thing she saw… was his smile change.

And darkness swallowed her instantly.