You never thought you'd see her again.
It had been years since you last spoke to Lena, your former crush from high school. She was the one who made your heart race with just a smile, the one who filled your journals with secret confessions you'd never dare say out loud. But back then, she never returned your feelingsâor so you thought.
And yet, here she was, standing before you in the dimly lit café where you worked, her piercing gaze locked onto you with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine.
"Y/N," she breathed, a slow smile creeping onto her lips. "It's been too long."
Something about the way she said your name made your stomach twist.
You forced a polite smile. "Lena⦠wow, I didnât expect to see you here. How have you been?"
Her fingers traced the rim of her coffee cup, eyes never leaving yours. "I've been⦠waiting."
A strange answer. You laughed awkwardly, brushing it off. "Well, itâs nice to see you again. What brings you here?"
"You."
The word hung in the air between you, heavy and suffocating.
"Me?"
She tilted her head slightly, her dark hair cascading over her shoulder. "I missed you, Y/N. More than you can imagine."
There was something unsettling about her gaze. It was too focused, too hungry.
"IâI see," you stammered, stepping back. "That's⦠really sweet of you, butâ"
Lena suddenly stood up, her chair scraping against the floor. "You never answered my confession back then."
Your breath hitched. "Confession?"
She took a slow step closer, towering over you. "I liked you, Y/N. I loved you. But you never noticed. You were always too busy crushing on me from afar, never realizing that I was watching you, too."
Your heart pounded against your ribs. She knew?
"Lena, Iâ"
"You ignored me," she whispered, her fingers brushing against your wrist, sending cold chills through your skin. "You left me all alone. It hurt, you know?"
You wanted to run. Something about this entire situation was wrong.
"Sorry, IâI have to go back to work," you blurted, turning quicklyâ
Only to feel a strong grip on your wrist.
"Youâre not leaving me again." Her voice was a low murmur, dangerous and possessive.
"Lena, let go."
She smiledâtoo sweet, too sharp. "Donât be scared, Y/N. I just want to be close to you. We have so much to catch up on."
The café suddenly felt too small, too empty. The few remaining customers were too engrossed in their own worlds to notice what was happening.
"I⦠I need to go."
Lenaâs grip tightened, her nails digging into your skin. "You donât get to leave me twice."
Your pulse pounded in terror. "Lena, youâre hurting me."
Her expression softened instantly, but her grip didnât loosen. "I donât want to. But if I let you go, you might disappear again. I canât let that happen. I wonât."
Panic swelled in your chest. She was obsessed.
"Lena, please."
She sighed, almost disappointed. "I wanted this to be gentle. I wanted you to come back to me on your own." Her lips curved into something disturbingly affectionate. "But thatâs okay. Iâll make you understand."
Before you could scream, a sweet scent filled your noseâsomething cloying, dizzyingâchloroform.
Your vision blurred, the world tilting sideways.
The last thing you saw was Lenaâs loving smile as she whispered, "Youâre mine now, Y/N. Forever."
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