A Dangerous Curiosity

The black Lamborghini sped through the streets of Lockwood City, its engine roaring as Harry ignored another call from Jessica Johnson.

His phone rang for the fourth time.

James: “Jesus Christ, mate. Just answer her.”

Harry kept his eyes on the road.

Harry: “Shut the fuck up.”

James laughed from the passenger seat.

James: “What did JJ do this time?”

Harry: “Exist.”

James: “Cold bastard.”

Harry said nothing.

His thoughts drifted back to the empty hallway.

The girl stumbling into him. His hands catching her waist. The unexpected feeling of her lips against his.

He tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

It had been an accident.

A stupid fucking accident.

So why was he still thinking about it?

James: “You alright?”

Harry: “Do I look like something’s wrong?”

James: “You look like you’re planning someone’s funeral.”

Harry: “Keep talking and it’ll be yours.”

James chuckled, wisely deciding to change the subject.

⸻

ISABELLA’S APARTMENT — 6:30 PM

Emily: “YOU KISSED WHO?”

Isabella immediately covered her friend’s mouth.

Isabella: “Emily! Stop screaming!”

Emily pulled her hand away, staring at her in disbelief.

Emily: “You accidentally kissed Harry fucking Lockwood?”

Isabella buried her face in a cushion.

Isabella: “Please don’t remind me.”

Their apartment was spacious and beautifully furnished, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Isabella’s parents had purchased it before the girls moved to Lockwood, wanting their daughter to feel comfortable and safe.

Unfortunately, no amount of luxury could save Isabella from the embarrassment of her first day.

Emily dropped onto the sofa beside her.

Emily: “Wait. Did he kiss you back?”

Isabella hesitated.

She remembered Harry’s hands gripping her waist and the brief pressure of his lips.

Isabella: “I don’t know. It happened so fast.”

Emily: “Did he push you away?”

Isabella: “No.”

Emily’s mouth fell open.

Emily: “Interesting.”

Isabella: “No! Nothing about this is interesting!”

Emily: “Bella, that man acts like touching another human being is a criminal offense.”

Isabella groaned.

Isabella: “He was horrible afterward. He told me to get lost.”

Emily’s amusement disappeared.

Emily: “Of course he did. Because he’s an asshole.”

Isabella hugged the cushion tighter.

Isabella: “I just want tomorrow to be normal.”

Emily gently squeezed her shoulder.

Emily: “Then forget about him. Tonight, we’re going to James’s party.”

Isabella immediately shook her head.

Isabella: “Absolutely not.”

Emily: “Bella!”

Isabella: “Harry might be there!”

Emily: “It’s a mansion, not a prison cell. We can avoid him.”

Isabella gave her a doubtful look.

Isabella: “That’s what you said this morning.”

Emily opened her mouth, then closed it.

Emily: “Okay. Fair point.”

⸻

LOCKWOOD ESTATE — 8:15 PM

Harry stood beside the enormous windows of his family’s mansion, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

Beyond the gardens, the lights of Lockwood City stretched toward the horizon.

His grandfather had built the family’s empire. His father had expanded it.

And one day, everything would belong to Harry.

A knock sounded at the door.

Harry: “What?”

A middle-aged man entered, holding a folder.

Mr. Collins: “Mr. Lockwood, your father requested that you review these documents before tomorrow’s board meeting.”

Harry didn’t turn around.

Harry: “Leave them.”

Mr. Collins: “He also asked me to remind you about your attendance at university.”

Harry slowly looked over his shoulder.

Harry: “Did he?”

The man hesitated.

Mr. Collins: “Yes, sir.”

Harry placed his glass on the table.

Harry: “Tell my father if he wants to discuss my education, he can fucking call me himself.”

Mr. Collins: “Of course, sir.”

Harry: “Now get out.”

The man immediately left.

Harry returned his attention to the city.

His phone vibrated.

A message from James appeared.

James: Party starts at nine. Don’t be a miserable bastard.

Harry ignored it.

A second message followed.

James: Emily Carter is coming. Bringing her friend too, apparently.

Harry barely glanced at the screen.

Then another message arrived.

James: You know. Coffee girl.

Harry’s eyes narrowed.

He typed a reply.

Harry: Why the fuck are you telling me?

James answered almost immediately.

James: Because watching you scare her is entertaining.

Harry stared at the message.

For some reason, he remembered Isabella standing against the hallway wall, looking up at him with frightened brown eyes.

You scare me.

He could still hear her trembling voice.

He hated that he remembered it.

His phone vibrated again.

James: Coming or not?

Harry finished his whiskey.

Harry: I’ll be there.

⸻

ISABELLA’S APARTMENT — 8:45 PM

Isabella stood in front of the living room mirror, nervously adjusting her black dress.

It reached just above her knees and hugged her curves more closely than anything she usually wore.

Emily had practically begged her to put it on.

Isabella: “I look ridiculous.”

Emily appeared behind her.

Emily: “You look beautiful.”

Isabella: “It’s too tight.”

Emily: “It’s supposed to fit your body, Bella. Not hide it.”

Isabella looked at her reflection.

For once, she wasn’t wearing an oversized cardigan.

Her brown hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and a little makeup highlighted her large eyes.

She looked different.

Almost confident.

Isabella: “Promise we won’t stay long?”

Emily smiled.

Emily: “Promise.”

Isabella grabbed her handbag and followed her friend toward the door.

She didn’t know that Harry Lockwood had just decided to attend the same party.

And Harry didn’t know that the girl he’d been trying to forget was about to walk into the room.

But neither of them would leave James Bennett’s mansion quite the same.