Chapter 1: Opening Image
The dim lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling cast elongated shadows over the wooden floor, illuminating the small apartment in a warm, orange glow. Adam leaned against the counter on the other side of the kitchen, grinning as he spoke with Lila, one of the girls who had caught his interest this evening. He could feel the weight of other women’s glances from across the room, and he knew that he was dressed to impress—even if he didn’t care too much about the swell of confidence it gave him.
A plain white t-shirt, worn-in jeans, and a leather jacket clung to his lean frame, and his dark hair was gelled neatly into place. He moved with an easy grace, navigating the sea of people with familiarity, knowing that he wouldn’t be rendered speechless by the chaos that always descended upon these gatherings.
On the outskirts of the crowd, Jana stood with her arms crossed over her chest, watching him with a calculated coolness.