FINDING ROSE

The city roared around me.

Honking horns, flashing lights, the blur of people crossing streets with practiced speed, everything moved, and I didn't.

I was frozen on the crosswalk, the blaring horn ripping through me like a siren of doom. My knees buckled, trembling until they gave out. My chest clamped shut.

Breathe, Rose, breathe

But I wasn't.

The ground seemed to tilt. Neon signs blurred overhead, faces in the crowd melted into smears of color. My hands shot up, pressing hard against my ears to block out the unbearable ringing. My eyes stung as tears pooled. And then the memory I'd fought to bury clawed up from the dark. That day. That accident. That helplessness.

I gasped, choking on nothing. Panic swallowed me whole.

Then shoes.

Shiny, leather, clearly expensive, planted firmly in front of me like an anchor. I forced my gaze upward. A man crouched low, city lights haloing him from behind. His lips moved soundlessly at first until my shaky breathing slowed enough to catch his words.

"Miss, are you okay? Can you stand?"

His voice was warm, concerned, cutting through the storm inside me. Around us, curious eyes lingered, some pitying, some whispering. The humiliation hit like a slap, and I ducked my head, letting my hair fall forward, hiding my face.

"Can you stand?" he asked again.

I nodded, tried. My knees betrayed me instantly. Strong hands steadied me before I could hit the ground again.

"Th...thank" I started, voice shaking

And then I heard him.

A voice like velvet dipped in ice. Smooth, rich, lethal.

"She's fine, Ethan."

My head snapped up.

He wasn't close, but his presence devoured the space between us. Standing at the edge of the crowd, he was impossible to miss. Tall, broad-shouldered, the city's chaos somehow bent away from him, like he belonged above it all. His black suit was immaculate, cut to perfection, catching just enough of the neon glow to look unreal.

And his face.

Sharp jawline, sculpted cheekbones, lips too perfect to be fair. But his eyes God, his eyes silver-gray, glinting like steel under moonlight. They locked onto me, dissecting, unblinking, a predator's gaze that made my stomach flip.

For one breathless second, I stared. Shameless. Because how could you not?

Then I saw it. The car behind him. Sleek. Black. The very same monster that had nearly flattened me seconds ago. The customized plate number glared like a scar burned into my mind.

So this was him.

The driver.

Any trace of awe burned to ash.

"Let's go, Ethan" His words dripped disdain, velvet stripped bare. "I'm late."

The way he looked at me like I was a nuisance, something beneath him made my skin crawl.

He slid a sleek wallet from his pocket, flicked through crisp bills, and tossed them toward me with casual cruelty.

As if my life was worth spare change.

Ethan, the kind-eyed man beside me, bent down, caught the money before it touched the ground, and pressed it into my hand with a gentleness that almost made me cry. "For hospital bills. Sorry again."

And then the silver-eyed man turned, slipped into his car, and the beast roared away, leaving me stranded on the sidewalk with my humiliation burning hotter than the neon lights overhead.

I made my way into the restaurant still in disbelief.

The tiny sushi bar glowed warm, the smell of fried tempura and miso wrapping around me like comfort. Students filled the booths, laughter and chatter bouncing off bright paper lanterns.

But Elsie's voice was the only thing loud enough to cut through my fog.

"Rose! Oh my God, are you okay?" She nearly vaulted across the table, curls bouncing, brown eyes wide with worry.

I dropped into the booth opposite her, still shaky. "I'm fine. Just... shaken."

"What happened?"

I told her everything. The car. The men. The money.

Elsie's face darkened with outrage. "Unbelievable! Who does he think you are, tossing money at you like that? He screams privilege. No manners, no respect. He's lucky I wasn't there. I'd have turned his car into modern art, bashed his ego to dust, maybe even made it onto the news."

Despite myself, laughter broke through. Trust Elsie always dramatic, always ready to burn the world down for me.

"I couldn't even speak," I admitted, pushing sushi into my mouth. "I was... dumbfounded. And I didn't even buy your ice cream."

Elsie flicked a shrimp tail at me. "Forget the ice cream. We're plotting revenge."

The sun was dipping lower now, painting the sky in soft shades of gold and pink. The afternoon heat had mellowed, leaving the air warm but gentler as Elsie and I strolled toward the student parking lot.

Elsie swung her keys around her finger, humming cheerfully. "That sushi was worth every penny. If I ever get rich, I'm making it my daily ritual."

I chuckled. "You? Daily sushi? You'd probably make the chef memorize your motivational speeches too."

She smirked, tossing her curls. "Naturally. But Rose listen to me for a second." Her voice softened, eyes flicking to mine. "You have to apply for the Sterling & Co. internship. Don't you dare talk yourself out of it."

I frowned slightly. "What if I don't make it past the first round? What if it's just...."

"Stop right there." She pointed her keys at me like a weapon. "You're top of our class, Rose. You belong in places like that. Even if they reject nine out of ten applicants, you're still that one."

Warmth spread in my chest despite the nerves. Her faith in me felt heavier than the doubt.

"You really think so?" I asked quietly.

"I know so." Elsie unlocked her car with a click, then leaned against the door, smiling. "Promise me you'll apply."

I nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll try."

"Good girl." She bumped my shoulder, grinning. "Now go home and rest. You've had enough drama for one afternoon. I'll see you tomorrow."

I hugged her quickly before she slid into her car, the engine purring as she pulled away.

I turned, heading for my own apartment then froze.

There it was.

The sleek, black car. Gleaming in the fading sunlight like it owned the entire lot. That custom plate number glared at me, mocking me.

My lips curled into a slow smirk. Sweet, sweet revenge.