“The Party That Changed Everything” Episode - 𝟮

Party had already started downstairs.

Music filled the house, laughter bounced off the walls, and voices overlapped in excitement.

Upstairs, Zara Sterling stood alone in her room.

Her phone was in her hand.

One message still echoed in her mind.

“Did you really think you could escape the past?”

For a moment, she just stared at it.

Then slowly, she locked the phone.

A deep breath.

“Inhale… exhale…”

“Get it together, Zara,” she whispered.

And then she walked downstairs.

The moment she entered the hall, everything shifted.

The noise didn’t stop… but attention did.

People noticed her instantly.

Whispers spread.

“Is that her?”

“She’s so pretty…”

“She came back after 10 years?”

Zara didn’t react. She just walked forward calmly.

Rika immediately ran toward her.

“There you are!”

Emily followed excitedly.

“You’re the star of tonight!”

Michael and Kai also greeted her warmly, pulling her into conversations, laughter, memories.

For a moment, Zara almost forgot the message.

Almost.

But something inside her still felt off.

Like someone was watching.

Then everything changed again.

The door opened.

Adrien Knight walked in.

The entire atmosphere shifted instantly.

Girls turned their heads. Whispering started everywhere.

He walked in like he owned the space.

Confident. Calm. Dangerous.

His eyes scanned the room.

And stopped.

Zara Sterling.

Just for a second.

Enough to notice her… properly.

“What’s going on here?” Adrien asked casually.

But his gaze never left her.

Zara looked back calmly.

No fear.

No surprise.

Just silence.

And in that silence… something shifted.

The party continued, but something had changed.

Groups split. Conversations became softer.

Zara moved slightly away from the crowd.

Adrien kept watching her from a distance.

Not obvious.

But constant.

“I need the restroom,” Zara muttered and walked away.

Adrien’s eyes followed her immediately.

He didn’t move.

Just watched.

Inside the hallway, Zara stood in front of the mirror.

She washed her hands slowly.

Staring at her reflection.

Something felt wrong.

That message…

That feeling…

And him.

Adrien Knight.

When she stepped back outside—

He was there.

Waiting.

Leaning against the wall casually.

Like he already knew she would come this way.

“You’re avoiding people,” Adrien said.

“I’m not,” Zara replied.

A pause.

Then Adrien stepped closer.

“You’re not like the others.”

“You don’t know me,” she said coldly.

“That’s the problem,” he replied softly. “I want to.”

Zara’s expression tightened.

“Don’t involve me in your world.”

She turned to leave.

But he stepped sideways.

Blocking her path.

“Move,” she said coldly.

Silence.

The air turned sharp.

Zara’s hand moved.

A small knife appeared instantly.

Pressed near him.

“If you step into my space again… you’ll regret it.”

Adrien didn’t move.

Didn’t flinch.

Instead… a faint smile appeared.

“Interesting.”

Not fear.

Interest.

Zara lowered the knife and walked away without another word.

Behind her, Adrien stayed still.

Smiling slightly.

Not because he won…

but because she was different.

Later that night, the hall became quieter.

Adrien was still there.

But now he was drunk.

Leaning against a doorframe… unstable.

Zara saw him.

“What are you doing here?” she asked sharply.

“Wrong room,” he muttered.

Zara sighed.

“Get up.”

He didn’t move properly.

She caught his arm.

“Seriously… you can’t even walk?”

Adrien looked at her hand.

Then softly said:

“You’re always there when I don’t expect it.”

Zara froze.

Let go immediately.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

She pushed him onto the sofa.

“Stay here.”

“You’re bossy,” he muttered.

“And you’re drunk.”

A pause.

Then Adrien’s voice lowered.

“Why do I feel like… I’ve seen you before?”

Zara didn’t react.

But something inside her tightened.

She turned away.

“You haven’t.”

Too fast.

Too sharp.

Adrien stared at her.

Not fully drunk anymore.

Just focused.

Like something inside him was trying to remember.

Zara walked away.

Before leaving she said:

“Don’t move.”

Adrien watched her go.

Then whispered:

“…Why does it feel like you’re lying?”

And somewhere in the silence of the night…

Zara’s phone vibrated again.

Unknown number.

“He’s getting closer.”

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