The ghost house was quiet. Too quiet.
Lila and Kai walked side by side, their hands occasionally brushing as they moved through the eerie corridors. They laughed at the silly jump-scares and rolled their eyes at the fake cobwebs, but the tension between them? That was real.
"Kai," Lila whispered, squinting down a narrow, dimly lit hallway. "This is your idea of fun?"
He chuckled. "You're here, aren't you?"
They squeezed through the tight passage, bodies brushing. Kai paused. His breath hitched. Her face was so close. Lips inches away.
Almost a kiss.
His stomach flipped. His heart pounded.
"Lila..." he whispered.
But she pulled away, smiling casually. "You're still the same scared baby from high school, huh?"
Ouch.
But before he could say more, a sudden gust of cold wind swept past them—and shadows flickered across the wall.
Ghosts. Real or not, they moved.
Kai yelped and wrapped both arms around Lila like a kid hiding from monsters. "Okay—nope! I'm done. I wanna go home."
Lila held back laughter, rubbing his back. "Relax, big guy. They're not real."
"Let me out," he mumbled against her neck, still holding on for dear life.
Outside, still catching his breath, Kai groaned. "This wasn't how I planned it."
"What?"
He looked at her, eyes soft. "I wanted to ask you something tonight."
Lila blinked, confused. "What?"
"I like you, Lila. I always have. Since high school." He took a deep breath. "Be my girlfriend? Or—hell, my wife. You're not scared of anything. That's kinda sexy."
She blinked, stunned for a second—then laughed. "Stop joking."
"I'm not," he said. "I'm serious."
Her smile slowly faded. She reached for his hand gently. "Kai... I'm sorry. I can't be your girlfriend. Or wife."
"Why?"
"I think... my heart's already been captured. I don't even know what this is yet, or if it's real. But... I feel like he wants me. All of me."
Kai's voice cracked. "Lila, my whole life, it's only ever been you."
She squeezed his hand. "You deserve someone better. Someone who chooses you first. Always."
He forced a smile. "It's okay. This is fate, I guess."
They joined the others outside. Laughter. Music. Food.
Lila grabbed two ice creams and handed him one. "For the ghost hunter of the year."
"Not my fault!" he grumbled, licking it. "The ghosts were scary."
She teased, "Oh really? I wasn't scared."
He smirked. "Then you should be my wife."
"Stop it," she giggled.
Night fell. And after too many drinks, Lila was drowsy in Kai's arms, slung gently on his back.
"I love you, Lila," he whispered under the stars.
She didn't respond. Asleep. Drunk. Beautiful.
Until—
"Give her to me," a voice cut through the silence.
Kai froze. Turned.
A man stepped from the shadows.
"Who are you?" Kai demanded.
Astor's voice was calm. Dangerous. "Someone."
Before Kai could respond, another man stormed over. "Put her down!"
Nico.
Kai's head spun. "Who the hell are you?!"
"I'm Nico. Her brother," Nico snapped. Then his eyes narrowed. "And who the hell are you?"
Kai straightened. "I'm Kai Monroe. Best friend since high school. Where were you?"
Astor stepped forward. "I'm her soulmate."
Nico growled. "Seriously?"
Kai blinked. "Wait—you're the guy?"
Astor reached out, calm but possessive. "Give her to me."
Kai hesitated... then handed her over. "She's yours."
Nico fumed. "I'm her brother!"
Astor smirked. "And I'm the one she'll end up with."
At his mansion, Astor gently placed her on his bed.
She stirred in the morning light, groggy but quiet. He watched her like she was his religion.
She didn't say a word. Just walked to the bathroom, cleaned herself up. Then—
In his oversized T-shirt and underwear—
She danced around his kitchen, earbuds in, hips swaying as she cooked.
He leaned on the wall, arms crossed, smiling like a madman in love.
She turned, gasped. "Oh—when did you get here?! I, uh, hope it's okay I used your fridge..."
"It's all yours."
She plated the food, gave it to him.
"It's amazing," he said after the first bite.
Later, she returned to her apartment.
Nico was waiting.
"Where were you?"
She shrugged. "Out with friends. Kai said someone else came too, but he forgot who. Some guy."
Nico's eyes narrowed. "That was me."
"Oh..." she blinked. "Why didn't you take me home?"
"Ask Kai," he muttered. "Anyway—tonight's the masquerade. Don't be late."
He slammed the door behind him.
Lila stood there, confused... then smirked. Whatever.
It was time to get ready.
The red wine dress hugged her body like temptation itself. Her curves, her beauty—it was too much for this world.
And when she opened the grand doors of the ballroom—
Every head turned.
She had arrived.