UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER The night in Maat had a unique magnetism. The damp streets reflected the streetlights, and the city seemed to breathe at its own pace. The sound of a guitar vibrated in the air, escaping through the half-open doors of a rock bar. The place was discreet, without flashy signs, frequented by those who truly appreciated the style, without frills. Maat liked that environment. It was a space where she didn't need to perform, where she could just be herself, without the expectation of screens or the hungry looks that usually surrounded her. The door closed behind her, muffling the cold wind from the street. Her long black dress slid smoothly down her body as she walked, the clasp on her leg revealing a sliver of skin as her steps moved with the cadence of someone who knows she's being watched. Her bare back provided a perfect contrast with the elegant fabric, and she felt the warm temperature of the room touch her exposed skin. She ordered a drink at the bar, leaning lightly against the counter. Her fingers slid over the cold glass, and she let herself get lost for a moment in the beat of the music in the background. That was when she saw him. Cael Winter. Hypothetically, that was his name – a user who didn’t get lost in empty words. He wasn’t just any admirer. He didn’t fill her inbox with boring proposals, nor did he try to stand out with ready-made phrases. He was just there, always, in an almost imperceptible but constant way. Now, there he was, for real. Cael was leaning close to the stage, a glass of whiskey in his hand. His posture was relaxed, his gaze attentive, and that air of someone who knows he doesn’t need to try to attract attention. The dark jeans and leather jacket gave a casual tone, but his presence wasn’t that of just anyone. He recognized her. And hesitated. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Maat noticed. The slight tension in his jaw, the way he held his breath for a second before letting out a short laugh, as if trying to convince himself that this wasn’t real. She held the glass between her lips for a moment before taking a sip, letting the warm liquid slide down her throat. Then she looked directly at him. She didn’t smile. She just stared at him. Cael didn’t look away. There was something there. Something different from any look she’d ever received. It wasn’t just desire—it was a kind of recognition. As if he’d tried to imagine her many times before, but now realized that the reality was far more intense than any projection he’d ever made. He pushed his body away from the wall and walked toward her. Slowly. Maat turned to the bar and ordered another drink, feeling his presence approaching, his energy thickening around her. When he stopped beside her, the woody scent mixed with the freshly drunk alcohol brought a subtle shiver to the back of her neck. “May I?” His voice was deep, but not commanding. She ran a fingertip around the rim of the glass before answering. “Do you need permission?” The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “Some things are better when you ask.” Good answer. She gestured to the bench next to her without saying anything else. He settled in, setting his glass on the counter but never taking his eyes off hers. “I never thought I’d see you in person.” Maat tilted her head slightly, watching him with interest. “And what did you imagine?” Cael clenched his jaw, looking away for a moment at his own glass, as if choosing his words carefully. “That you were unattainable.” A slow smile formed on her lips. “And now?” He turned the glass in his hands before answering. “Now I don’t know if I want to find out.” She loved that. Men usually came at it with all their might, desperate to prove something. Cael didn’t. He knew the game wasn’t about rushing—it was about intensity. Maat slid her fingers around her glass, watching him out of the corner of her eye. “You do want to know, yes.” Cael let out a low laugh, licking his lips before taking a sip of the whiskey. “I do.” The silence between them was filled with the noise of the band, but nothing around them mattered. The bar, the people, the music – everything was a backdrop to what was happening there. She finished her drink and pushed the glass on the counter. Then, she turned to him. “Come with me.” She didn’t look back. Because she knew he would come. (continued…)