The city was alive with the hum of activity, carriages rattling along cobblestone streets and the scent of blooming flowers mixing with the faint tang of coal smoke in the spring air. It was a rare, sunny afternoon, the golden light casting the bustling avenues in a warm glow. You walked briskly through the crowd, your basket of fresh bread and fruit swaying gently at your side, the weight of daily errands a welcome distraction from the monotony of the week.

But today felt different. An unspoken shift lingered in the air, a current that tugged at your senses and made the hair on your neck stand on end.

You first noticed him standing near the central fountain, his figure commanding despite the crowds that ebbed and flowed around him. He was striking in a way that seemed almost otherworldly—his raven-black hair fell in soft waves to his shoulders, and his piercing eyes seemed to gleam like polished amber, catching the light in a way that drew your gaze and refused to let go. Dressed impeccably in dark, tailored clothing that hinted at his wealth and status, he carried an air of effortless charm, yet there was something about him that made your pulse quicken with unease.

As you passed, his eyes met yours, and the world seemed to tilt. It wasn’t the kind of glance exchanged in passing; it was deliberate, like he had been waiting for you to appear. His lips curled into a small, knowing smile that sent a shiver down your spine.

You quickly looked away, your heart hammering against your ribs as you tried to focus on your path. But even as you turned the corner, you could feel his gaze lingering, as though it had followed you.

By the time you reached the bakery, the memory of his eyes was still burned into your mind. You told yourself it was nothing—that he was just another stranger passing through the city. And yet, deep down, you couldn’t shake the feeling that you had just crossed paths with someone—or something—that would change your life forever.