Tick tock… Tick tock… Tick tock... Every passing moment felt like an eternity to Lana. The clock’s relentless ticking mirrored the pain gnawing at her from within. He was gone. The knight she had once known, the man who had been everything to her, was now lost, and she couldn't shake the thought of him being in another woman’s arms.

  Lana didn’t cry anymore. She had cried enough to fill oceans, but tears had long since dried, leaving nothing but an emptiness in their wake. It wasn’t just the absence of Arashi that tore at her. It was the realization that, no matter how many other men she sought solace in, no one would ever be able to replace him. The others were fleeting distractions, moments of pleasure, but each one only served to deepen the void inside her.

  She had tried to numb herself, to fill the hollowness with fleeting encounters, the touch of strangers, the warmth of temporary embraces. But after each one, she lay awake in her bed, her thoughts always returning to him—the way his hands felt on her skin, the way his presence had been her world. It was all she could think about now, but the more she tried to forget, the sharper the ache became.

  In moments of weakness, she imagined him with someone else. A woman who was holding him, touching him in ways she once did. The thought sent waves of jealousy and sadness crashing through her, but there was nothing she could do about it. She had no right to stop him from moving on, no right to interfere in his choices.

  She had given her heart to Arashi, and no matter how many distractions she indulged in, no one else could ever take his place. Not in her mind, not in her soul. He had been hers, in a way no one else could ever replicate.

  And yet, she couldn't stop herself from spiraling. Every man, every touch, was just a reminder that Arashi wasn't hers anymore. And the harder she tried to forget, the more it felt like she was drowning in her own desire to have him back.

  What happened to us, Arashi? she thought bitterly, her heart aching as she rolled over in the bed, reaching for the phone that sat by her pillow. Her fingers hovered over the screen, debating whether to reach out, to break the silence that had stretched so painfully between them.

  But no. He was gone. He had chosen his path. And she had no right to pull him back into her life.

  With a deep breath, she tossed the phone aside and buried her face in the pillow. No more tears. Not this time. But the hole in her chest remained, a wound that no one else could heal.

  Arashi looked at the calendar on his cashier table, the first of May staring back at him. He counted down the days until the project started, beginning the day after tonight. The anticipation built as he waited for the delivery of the parts, the excitement of the impending work keeping him busy.

  Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a new notification. He opened the message, his eyes narrowing slightly.

  Without missing a beat, Arashi quickly typed back, his tone casual but firm: "50 grand is a small amount compared to everything I will receive. Thanks, bud! I owe you one!"

  Just as he hit send, another voice cut through the silence.

  Esme's sultry voice trailed off as she slowly approached him.

  Arashi turned, startled, just in time to feel her lips brush his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. "Eat you now..." she whispered, her voice laced with a teasing edge.

  Arashi gasped, his body freezing in shock. He quickly gulped, trying to recover his composure.

  Esme’s face flushed a deep crimson, her eyes flicking nervously as she bit her lower lip. she thought to herself, her heart racing.

  Esme hesitated for a moment, then spoke up, her voice slightly flustered. Arashi blinked in surprise, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he looked at Esme, trying to hide the playful glint in his eyes. he teased, his voice a little lower than usual.

  He pushed away from the table, walking towards the door leading to the garage. Esme trailed behind, her every step filled with that same sultry energy that seemed to emanate from her whenever she was near him.

  Esme hesitated for a moment, her voice barely a whisper.

  Her face was flushed deep red, her eyes flickering nervously as she waited for his response.

  Arashi’s gaze softened as he looked at Esme, sensing her uncertainty. He stood up slowly and, with a quiet smile, called her name softly.

  Without saying another word, he moved toward her, his hands cupping her face gently. He gazed deeply into her eyes, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. Leaning in, he kissed her tenderly, his lips lingering against hers in a slow, intimate kiss. When he pulled away, his lips brushed against her forehead in a soft, silent gesture. His voice was low, but his words carried a weight of affection and appreciation.

  he murmured, his gaze holding hers, leaving no doubt of his feelings for her in that moment.

  Arashi ignited the engine of his 2010 Red Kawasaki Ninja 250 R, known as the ‘Baby Ninja’ for its compact engine, but everything about it screamed far more power than its size suggested. The bike was sleek, with a sport bike aesthetic.

  Esme’s eyes widened in disbelief as she noticed a turbocharger installed on that tiny engine, its unmistakably unique shiny snail shell-shaped appearance peeking out from under the modified frame. Arashi had cut part of the bike's body to expose the turbo, but instead of leaving it exposed in a raw way, he had remade the cut section with clear fiberglass, giving it a sleek, transparent look that allowed the turbo to shine through.

  Esme gasped, pointing at the visible turbo, her voice filled with awe and shock.

  Arashi leaned back slightly, eyeing her reaction with a satisfied smirk.

  Esme shook her head, still processing the sight. she said under her breath, clearly impressed despite herself.

  Arashi shrugged, a playful gleam in his eyes.

  Esme exclaimed, her pouting face only barely concealing the excitement that bubbled up within her. She couldn’t deny the thrill of the ride, and the thought of getting to experience it firsthand made her heart race.

  Arashi chuckled softly, his smirk widening. He revved the engine, feeling the surge of power beneath him as he prepared to take off.

  Esme climbed on behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist, a mixture of eagerness and anticipation flooding her. As soon as they hit the road, Arashi revved the engine and in a flash, he pulled a wheelie, sending the bike soaring into the air. Esme, caught off guard, screamed in pure panic and thrill, Her grip on Arashi tightened, heart racing as they shot down the road, leaving the world behind.

  Esme screamed, her voice a mix of frustration and playful fury as she tightened her grip on him, plotting her mischievous revenge for later that night.

  Arashi's grin only widened as he expertly controlled the bike, glancing at her with a teasing spark in his eyes. "We'll see about that, Esme. We'll see." His voice was low and playful, the kind of tone that made her pulse race even faster. They were off—donut hunting, and nothing would stop them now.

  As they arrived at the donut store, the familiar warmth of the bakery filled the air, and the scent of freshly baked donuts made Esme's stomach growl. She quickly approached the counter, her voice soft but confident as she made her order.

  Arashi followed suit, his voice calm as ever, his order simple yet fitting.

  Esme, standing next to him, couldn’t help but notice how perfectly manly he seemed, even in the most mundane moments. She bit her lower lip again, her mind racing.

  Her thoughts spiraled, but she forced herself to keep her composure. On the outside, she was just Esme, the cool intern. On the inside, though, she was a mess of conflicting emotions.

  Arashi murmured, his voice as calm as ever, and with that, he walked away, leaving Esme to try and suppress her erratic thoughts.

  As Arashi made his way to the bathroom, he subtly approached the counter, pulling out a hundred-dollar bill and a small folded paper. With swift precision, he placed both on the counter, the waitress’s eyes flicking to the note as she unfolded it.

  In clear handwriting, it read:

  The waitress paused, blinking in surprise, then nodded, seemingly understanding. With a quick glance to Arashi, she tucked the note and cash away.

  Meanwhile, Esme, unaware of the silent gesture, felt the restlessness return as she waited at the counter. Her thoughts were still consumed with Arashi’s subtle power and how even in such simple moments, he managed to command her attention.

  Arashi turned back to Esme, his usual calm demeanor returning as he gestured toward the seating area.

  Esme snapped out of her thoughts and quickly nodded, her heart still racing from the whirlwind of emotions inside her. She followed him, trying her best to keep her cool, but there was no denying the effect he had on her.

  As they settled into a corner booth, Esme stole a glance at Arashi, who seemed completely at ease. He casually placed his coffee on the table, the steam still rising from the americano, his expression relaxed but unreadable. She bit her lip again, trying to focus on the donuts to distract herself.

  Arashi, however, seemed perfectly aware of the way her thoughts were racing. he asked, his voice soft, yet there was something in the way he said her name that sent a thrill down her spine.

  Esme stammered, fighting to regain her composure. She forced a smile, but inside, her mind was still a tangled mess.

  DING!! The bell in front of Lana's room sounded. Lana groaned, slowly sitting up from her bed, still lost in the sorrow of losing Arashi. As she was about to get up, the delivery man's voice shocked her mind.

  She jumped out of bed, running to the door. Without hesitation, she swung it open, grabbed the pack from the delivery man, and quickly set it on her desk. she asked, her voice quick, eager, and almost desperate.

  Before the delivery man could finish his sentence, Lana slammed the door shut.

  Realizing she hadn’t even properly thanked him, she flung the door open again, leaned in, and kissed the delivery man on the lips—catching him completely off guard. she blurted hurriedly before slamming the door again, leaving the stunned delivery man standing there in a daze.

  Her heart raced as she turned to the note. She ripped it open, her hands trembling as she read the short message:

  Lana stood frozen in front of her desk, staring at the note with a mixture of confusion and longing. Her heart skipped a beat.

  She gazed at the donuts and ice cream—comfort food, something she never would have indulged in so early in the morning. It felt odd, almost like a piece of her old life was returning, even if it was in the smallest form. Her mind still felt heavy from mourning the loss of Arashi, but this small, mysterious gift brought with it the faintest hint of hope.

  Her fingers trembled as she unwrapped the donuts and ice cream, placing them carefully on her desk. A soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she looked at the chocolate treats, though the feeling was brief. Her emotions were tangled—grief, hope, confusion, and longing. Everything blended together, but in that moment, it was clear that something had shifted within her.

  She stared down at the note, running her finger across the words: The simplicity of it made her heart ache. It was as if the note was reminding her to take care of herself, something she hadn't done in the days following their separation. She felt a warmth spread through her, the faintest flicker of something she couldn’t quite name.

  A single tear slipped down her cheek, not out of sorrow, but perhaps hope. Her thoughts drifted back to Arashi, to everything they’d shared, and despite the ache in her heart, she couldn't help but wonder if this small gift meant there was still a chance for them.

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  She reached for the donuts, taking a bite, savoring the sweetness. Her mind lingered on the note, the mysterious that had left her with a bittersweet feeling. Could it really be him? Or was she just imagining things? Whatever it was, she couldn’t deny that something in her had shifted, and for the first time in days, there was a flicker of possibility in her chest.

  Lana took another bite, the warmth of the treat comforting her, and as she sat there, lost in her thoughts, she couldn’t help but silently wonder if Arashi was still out there, somewhere, thinking of her too.

  Just after she finished the donut, Lana reached for the ice cream. She opened the Chocofreeze container, the cold sweetness already teasing her senses. With a small spoonful, she savored the creamy texture, letting the flavor linger on her tongue.

  And then, it hit her.

  All of a sudden, memories of Arashi flooded her mind, vivid and sharp, as if she were reliving them. That warm afternoon long ago, sitting together on a park bench under the shade of an old oak tree, laughing and teasing each other. Arashi, with his rare, playful grin, holding a spoonful of this very ice cream up to her lips.

  She had rolled her eyes at him back then, laughing at his insistence, but the ice cream had tasted sweeter somehow when she finally gave in. The memory was so real it made her chest tighten, the bittersweetness of it catching her off guard.

  She took another bite of the ice cream now, and tears welled up in her eyes before spilling over. The taste was exactly the same, and it brought everything rushing back—the sound of his laughter, the warmth of his gaze, the way he always made her feel like she was the center of his world, even when they were just friends.

  Her breath hitched as she clutched the spoon tightly, tears rolling down her cheeks. she murmured, her voice trembling as the truth settled deep in her heart.

  But amidst the pain and longing, something else stirred. A small, fragile glimmer of hope began to shine through the cracks in her heart. The thought that he might still care enough to send her this silent message, to remind her of what they had shared, brought a flicker of happiness.

  Her tears didn’t stop, but now they were mixed with the faintest trace of a smile. she whispered, holding onto the note in one hand and the spoon in the other.

  For the first time in a long while, amidst the ache of missing him, Lana felt the tiniest seed of joy take root. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make her feel alive again, even if just for a moment.

  She closed her eyes, letting the memory wash over her one more time, savoring both the ice cream and the thought that maybe, just maybe, she hadn’t lost everything after all.

  Esme declared, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied sigh. She glanced at Arashi, who was lighting up a cigarette with his usual calm demeanor.

  Arashi said, exhaling a thin stream of smoke as he leaned back.

  Esme watched him, intrigued. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke,

  Arashi raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

  She nodded, determined.

  With a small shrug, Arashi handed her the cigarette, his fingers brushing hers briefly. Esme hesitated, then brought it to her lips, inhaling cautiously. Almost immediately, she coughed violently, her eyes watering as she waved the smoke away.

  she croaked, glaring at the cigarette.

  Arashi smirked, taking it back.

  But Esme wasn’t about to give up.

  He handed it back, watching with mild amusement as she took another tentative puff. This time, she coughed less, her body adjusting slightly to the foreign sensation. Her face twisted as she exhaled.

  Arashi leaned back, arms crossed, studying her with a faint smile.

  Esme nodded, holding the cigarette with more confidence now. She took a deeper drag, inhaling more carefully. This time, she didn’t cough. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, her expression softening as a faint dizziness set in.

  Her head spun slightly, and she let out a surprised chuckle. she admitted, her voice softer.

  Arashi smirked knowingly.

  Esme glanced at him, a small, lopsided grin forming on her lips. She took another drag, this time more confident, and exhaled slowly, watching the smoke swirl.

  Arashi warned, his tone still light.

  Esme leaned forward, handing the cigarette back to him. she teased, her cheeks slightly flushed from the spinning sensation.

  Arashi chuckled as he took the cigarette.

  Esme twirled the empty coffee cup in her hand as she watched Arashi take another drag from his cigarette. Her curiosity got the better of her.

  Arashi exhaled a thin stream of smoke, his gaze steady as he answered.

  Esme tilted her head, intrigued.

  he replied, a small smile playing on his lips.

  He laughed softly, the sound deep and unhurried.

  Esme giggled at his candidness, leaning on the table.

  Arashi smirked.

  Esme grinned. Esme’s words hung in the air. Arashi, mid-drag of his cigarette, froze. Her confession hit him like a bolt of lightning. A split second later, he coughed violently, the smoke catching in his throat. His free hand flew to his chest, pounding it gently but repeatedly to clear his airway.

  he managed between coughs, his face turning slightly red—not from the smoke, but from the shock of her boldness.

  Esme burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as her giggles echoed in the small shop. she teased, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

  Still recovering, he gave her a mock glare. he grumbled, his voice raspier than usual.

  Esme leaned in closer, her grin wicked and playful. she quipped, sending Arashi into another small coughing fit.

  Her laughter only grew louder as she leaned back, thoroughly amused by his reaction.

  As they arrived back at the garage, Arashi and Esme settled on the workbench near the cashier table. The cozy hum of the garage seemed to envelope them in a sense of calm after the eventful morning.

  Arashi began, leaning back slightly, arms crossed casually,

  Esme blurted out, giggling mischievously. Her eyes sparkled with teasing hope, her grin as wide as ever.

  Arashi doubled over with laughter, shaking his head.

  He reached out to flick her forehead gently.

  Esme stuck her tongue out at him. she muttered, still giggling.

  Arashi continued, trying to regain focus,

  Esme tilted her head, intrigued.

  Arashi nodded, smiling.

  She bit her lip thoughtfully, nodding slowly.

  Arashi added,

  Esme’s excitement was palpable as she leaned closer, her mind already racing with possibilities.

  Arashi motioned toward the garage door as he stood up from the workbench.

  Esme grinned, ready to get to work, and grabbed the keys to her SEAT Ibiza. she said, a playful gleam in her eye. She revved the engine and slowly drove the car into the garage, parking it precisely in front of the workbench.

  Once the car was in place, she hopped out, running her hand over the sleek, yet slightly aged body of the carshe said with a smile.

  Arashi nodded, crossing his arms.

  Esme’s expression turned serious, her eyes narrowing in determination.

  She popped the hood, revealing the engine bay. The engine looked a bit worn, but it still held a certain charm. she said, her voice focused,

  Arashi gave a short nod, listening intently.

  Esme grinned, her fingers already twitching with excitement.

  Arashi said with a nod.

  Esme’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

  Arashi gave her an approving look.

  Esme continued, flipping through her phone to double-check the options,

  Arashi smiled slightly, impressed with her choices so far.

  Esme said confidently.

  Arashi chuckled.

  Esme added.

  Arashi commented, clearly impressed.

  Esme said, tapping her phone screen,

  Arashi gave her a satisfied look.

  Esme said, her smile widening,

  Arashi said, his eyes glinting with approval.

  Esme turned to him, her grin wide.

  Arashi smiled, his voice low and confident. As Esme finished putting together the plan, she couldn’t help but feel a thrill. This was her chance to prove herself, and she was more than ready.

  Arashi leaned back on the workbench, inspecting Esme’s choices with a critical eye. He knew that while some of the components would make for excellent upgrades, others would require more effort to integrate. He took a deep breath and started explaining, teaching her along the way.

  he said, taking a drag from his cigarette and exhaling slowly.

  He turned to the exhaust choice and smiled.

  Esme nodded, clearly satisfied with the direction they were heading in, but Arashi wasn’t done yet. He gave her a look of seriousness.

  Esme blinked in realization.

  Arashi affirmed, nodding.

  He leaned forward slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

  Esme’s eyes sparkled as she mentally processed everything Arashi had explained.

  He paused for a moment, making sure Esme understood.

  Esme grinned.

  Arashi continued.

  He turned to the final selection—Seibon Carbon Fiber Body Parts.

  He leaned back, giving Esme an encouraging smile.

  Esme stood up, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Deep inside, suddenly, something strange stirred up inside her as she realized all the plans for both Z33 and Ibiza are all set up. Something which was like a sensation of calm waves of the sea, suddenly turns to a fucking tsunami. Arashi still not realizing this, chuckled a bit, his smile soft but knowing.

  Esme's body was tense, her hands trembling with a need she could no longer suppress. The frustration and urgency that had been building all day, from the pressure of the project to the overwhelming feelings she’d been holding back, exploded in a single moment. she shouted, her voice raw with intensity.

  Arashi’s eyes widened in shock, but before he could react, she quickly stripped off her jacket, her trousers falling to the floor. She stood before him, her breath coming in rapid, shallow bursts, and there was no mistaking the fire in her eyes. She didn’t wait for him to process what was happening. She moved without hesitation, undoing his belt and pushing his jacket aside, leaving him in his T-shirt. Her actions were fast, almost frantic, like she was running out of time.

  she demanded, her voice laced with raw, unfiltered need. Her body pressed against his with an urgency that left no room for doubt—she needed him now, and nothing else mattered.

  Arashi was taken aback, his breath catching in his chest as she closed the distance between them, her lips crashing into his. The intensity in the kiss matched the urgency in her movements—she was finally unleashing everything she had been holding back. He could feel the heat of her desire, and there was no denying that she wouldn’t be satisfied until this moment was hers.

  And the rest of it, Arashi, Esme, and Lana.. only time can answer. Tick tock… Tick tock… Tick tock…

  TO BE CONTINUED.