Camden, 1995 The street smelled of rain, tobacco, and hurry. Camden was alive as always — a mix of laughter, wet windows, and the distant sound of guitars escaping from a pub. Isabella leaned against a brick wall, her wine-colored velvet coat wrapped around her like a quiet kind of armor, the cigarette between her fingers tracing small embers in the air. She laughed at something her friend said, and the sound of her laughter seemed too light to belong to that night. Damon noticed her from afar. He didn’t know if it was because of the coat, the soft curve of her smile, or the absent-minded way she seemed to need nothing at all — but something about her made him stop. It was like looking at a scene and feeling that something important was about to happen. He walked closer, without a plan, and when he was near enough for her perfume to mix with the damp scent of the pavement, he spoke: "Nice coat." Isabella looked up, surprised, though her smile wasn’t shy — it was curious. "Thank you." Her friend laughed, catching the hidden interest in his tone. "She works at Biba, just around the corner." She said teasingly. "You can get the same one there if you want. Damon smiled, slightly embarrassed, but his gaze lingered for a heartbeat longer. "Maybe I’ll do that." And he left, walking with the hesitant confidence of someone unsure whether they’d just made a fool of themselves or started a story. Isabella watched him disappear down the street, not understanding why she was suddenly so focused on a stranger with a worn-out jacket and kind eyes. In the following days, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. And on a rainy afternoon, he finally went to Velvet Blue. The bell above the door chimed softly as he entered, and the warm air of the shop wrapped around him — the smell of new fabric, a hint of perfume, and an old Smiths song humming from a radio behind the counter. He wandered between racks and mirrors, visibly out of place, his fingers brushing over silk dresses and soft cardigans. "Can I help you?" A familiar voice called behind him. He turned. There she was — the same smile, the same quiet glow in her eyes. "I’m looking for... something for myself." He said, trying to sound confident.