chapter 2 - Hello Stranger

The bar was crowded, the low hum of conversations blending with the soft clinking of glasses. He sat in his usual corner, swirling the liquid in his glass. He wasn’t here to drink, not really. He was here out of habit, a way to pass the time.

And then he saw her.

She walked in like she had no real destination—like the world had just thrown her out and she hadn’t decided where to land. Her steps were slow, hesitant, and yet there was a fire in her eyes, a storm she was trying to conceal.

She took a seat at the bar, ordered a drink, and wrapped her fingers around the glass like it was the only thing tethering her to reality. He watched as she brought it to her lips, taking a slow sip, her shoulders rising and falling with a deep breath.

Something about her caught his attention, though he wasn’t sure what. Maybe it was the way she gripped the drink like she was trying to draw strength from it. Or the way her gaze occasionally flickered to her reflection in the mirror behind the bar, like she was searching for someone she no longer recognized.

Whatever it was, he didn’t look away.

Chloe sighed, starting at the golden liquid in her glass. Her fingers swirling around the rim, she wasn’t here to get drunk, she wasn’t looking for company that much was clear. She just wanted….. something she could quite express.

Then, as if sensing the weight of his gaze, she turned her head. Her eyes scanning the bar settling on a vague figure in the corner of the room. He gave off a dark yet charming aura, his presence slowly changing the atmosphere.

Their eyes met, his face was dark and unreadable. For a moment, she didn’t move. Neither did he.

Then, without hesitation, he pushed himself off his seat and walked toward her.

“Mind if I join you?”

She looked up at him, her gaze slightly hazy from the alcohol.

“Sure,” she said, her voice nervous yet steady.

He slid onto the stool beside her, signaling the bartender for another drink.

“So,” he started, flashing her a small, knowing smile. “What’s the name?”

“Chloe.”

He repeated the name in his head, letting it settle. It suited her.

“And what brings you here tonight, Chloe?”

She let out a small, humorless chuckle. “Men.”

“Ah,” he smirked, taking a slow sip of his drink. “One of those nights, huh?”

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “More like the worst night.”

He didn’t press further, just let the moment sit between them. If she wanted to talk, she would. If she didn’t, that was fine too. He knew what it was like to want to disappear into a drink, to chase a distraction that didn’t ask for explanations.

Chloe turned slightly, her gaze studying him now. “What about you?” she asked, curiosity lacing her tone. “What brings you here?”

He smirked but didn’t answer right away. Instead, he lifted his glass, watching the way the dim light reflected off the liquid. “Maybe I was waiting for an interesting conversation.”

She gave him a look, half amused, half unconvinced. “You say that to every woman you meet at a bar?”

“Only the ones who look like they need one too.”

A flicker of emotion crossed her face, too quick for him to place. But then she let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she took another sip.

Chloe let him in, his charm was a welcome distraction, and she let herself be swept up in the flirtatious banter. As the night wore on, their conversation grew more intimate, and she felt a fleeting connection.

He let his glass down and leaned towards her, Chloe began to quiver as his scent filled up her senses “How would you like to get out of here Chloe?” He whispered into her ear.

Chloe hesitated for a moment but then gave in to the idea of escaping her reality.

When they left the bar, the city lights glimmered around them, the alcohol taking over her system as she followed the stranger through the quiet streets.

His presence was numbing, distracting her from whatever she was feeling.

They arrived at his apartment, the building towering over them, he held the door open for her, a small welcoming smile making its way across his face.

“Welcome” he said gently, his voice gentle and warm.

“Thank you” Chloe replied, her voice barely audible.

He led her inside, the soft glow of the dim chandelier lights casting its glow across the spacious living room.

Everything about his apartment was calm, controlled - much like himself.

“Can I get you something to drink.” He asked, his tone casual yet exciting.

“Sure” Chloe nodded, feeling the heat rush to her cheeks, the alcohol had already numbed some of the ache, but what was the harm in wanting more?”

She watched him as he poured two glasses of wine, before handing her one.

“So” he began, taking a seat next to her on the sofa, “What’s a pretty woman like you doing drinking alone at the bar?”

Chloe let out a bitter laugh, swirling the wine in her glass. “Well, my boyfriend dumped me” she paused…..”for my sister.”

His eyebrows shot up, but he didn’t interrupt, waiting for her to continue.

She sighed, all the emotions she had bottled up beginning to spill over.

“I found out tonight, Ryan my boyfriend, has been secretly seeing my sister. God, I still can’t wrap my head around it.”

Her voice began to break as she spoke, the raw hurt beginning to surface.

He looked at her with a mixture of sympathy and something else, something more intense.

“I’m sorry, that’s…..rough.”

Chloe swallowed hard, she stared at him, the wine making her bolder as she loosened her tongue.

“You ever had your heart broken like that?”

Her voice quieter, now vulnerable.

He took a sip from his glass, leaning back. His eyes locked on hers. “Once” he said simply, his gaze stuck on hers.

There was a thick silence between them, heavy with unsaid words. Chloe felt a shiver run through her, not from the chilled wine, but from the intensity of the moment.

Her eyes drifted to his lips, lingering there for a bit too long. When she looked back up, he was watching her intently.

In that moment, everything seemed to stay still. The tension between them was raw, drawing them closer to each other.

Without thinking, Chloe set her glass down on the table, her hands trembling slightly, her heart raced, not from anger this time, but from something much deeper.

He moved first, closing the space between them in a quick motion.

His hand reached out, gently cupping her chin, lifting her face towards his, Chloe’s breath paused as his thumbs brushed against her lips, sending a rush of heat through her body.

“Forget about him.” He whispered, his voice low and rough. “He doesn’t deserve you.”

Before she could respond, his lips were on hers, firm and demanding, filled with an urgency that matched the storm raging inside of her.

Chloe succumbed to the kiss, all thoughts of Ryan and Sienna vanishing in the heat of the moment, her body responded equally, her hands tangling in his hair as he deepened the kiss pulling her closer.

His hands explored her back, pulling her even tighter against him. Chloe gasped as he tugged at the edge of her blouse, his fingers trailing across her skin.

She didn’t release. Didn’t pull away. The ache inside her needed to get out and in that moment, he was the answer.

With a quick motion, he pulled her blouse above her head, tossing it aside without a second thought.

Chloe’s pulse quickened as his hands slid down her arms, rough yet tender. His eyes darkened in desire and she felt her own needs rise to match his.

He paused for a moment, pulling away to look at her as if silently asking for permission.

Chloe nodded, her breath coming in short gasps. She wanted this - needed this.

His lips found hers again, more urgently this time. He pressed her back gently against the sofa, their bodies entwined as the intensity between them heightened.

They both get lost in their passion. Chloe’s mind was a blur of sensations - his touch, his scent, the way he made her feel like she was all that mattered.

As their bodies moved together, Chloe felt herself slowly letting go, allowing herself to sink into the moment.

The pain, the anger, the betrayal, all of it faded away, replaced by the overwhelming sensation of being completely lost in him.