"Dylan," Ember whispered to herself, her voice barely audible against the vast emptiness of the parking lot. She stood still, her pulse quickening as his last words echoed in her mind—"You stand here; don't move. This place is too big."
But it had been too long. Too long since he left.
"Why hasn't Dylan come back yet?" she muttered, anxiety curling around her like a cold mist. The night stretched endlessly before her, the dim glow of parking lights barely cutting through the darkness. The distant hum of cars did little to comfort her—it only made the silence more unbearable.
A sinking feeling took hold of her. "I'll go find him," she decided, though her voice trembled with uncertainty.
Stepping forward, Ember ventured into the shadowy maze of parked cars, her breath uneven. "Dylan… Dylan?" she called softly, but no answer came.
Panic clawed at her chest. Her steps quickened, her voice rising in desperation. "Dylan!" The word echoed into the emptiness, swallowed by the night. The parking lot felt endless, the flickering lights casting eerie shadows. Everything seemed larger, unfamiliar, overwhelming.
"Where are you?" she whispered, fear threading through her voice. Wrapping her arms around herself, she shivered—not just from the cold air biting at her skin, but from the dread creeping into her bones.
Her gaze darted around, searching for anything familiar, but all she saw were foreign symbols. The signs—everything—were in Chinese. She couldn't understand a single word.
Lost. Helpless. Trapped.
Her breaths turned shallow, her pulse a frantic drumbeat. "What do I do? What do I do?" she murmured, her voice barely a breath against the suffocating fear closing in on her.
Ember stumbled, her legs buckling beneath her as she collapsed onto the cold, unforgiving floor. Trembling, she hugged her knees to her chest, her breath hitching as tears welled in her eyes. "It's too dark... Dylan, where are you?" she sobbed, her voice barely more than a whisper.
The silence pressed in, suffocating. Desperate, she called out again. "Hello? Anyone?" Her plea echoed through the vast emptiness, but the parking lot remained eerily still, offering no answer.
Meanwhile, Dylan dived back to the parking lot's entrance, his chest tightening with panic. "Ember! Ember!" he shouted, his voice raw with urgency. His eyes darted around, searching—nothing.
"Where did she go?" His fingers fumbled with his phone, but the screen taunted him with No Signal.
"Dammit!" he cursed under his breath. She hadn't listened. Why hadn't she just stayed put?
Frustration and fear twisted inside him. "Why did she wander off?" he muttered, pacing frantically. His heart pounded as his gaze landed on the security office.
"The CCTV cameras!" The realization hit him like a lightning bolt. Without a second thought, he bolted inside.
"Let me see the footage of the parking lot!" he demanded, breathless, his pulse racing.
The security head frowned, eyeing him warily. "Sir, who are you?"
Dylan, nearly shaking with urgency, spat out, "I'm Dylan. I'm a famous actor. My girlfriend is missing! Show me the footage now!"
The security guard's eyes widened in recognition, but he hesitated. "Sir, you'll need permission."
Dylan's patience snapped. "What the hell are you talking about? My girl is missing! If anything's happened to her…" He leaned in, his eyes dark with fury. "I won't leave here without seeing that footage."
The guard exchanged a glance with his superior before finally relenting. He turned to the monitor and barked, "Check camera P4."
Dylan's heart pounded as the screen flickered to life. There—huddled near one of the cars—was Ember. She looked so small, so fragile. Her face was pale, her body weak.
"Ember," he breathed in relief, but his relief was short-lived.
"She's in parking lot P4," the guard confirmed. "Come, I'll drive you there."
The car screeched to a halt, and Dylan didn't wait—he leaped out and sprinted toward her. "Ember!"
At the sound of his voice, she lifted her head weakly, tears glistening on her cheeks. "Dylan…" she whispered, before collapsing into his arms.
His grip tightened around her as he pulled her close, his heart hammering in his chest. "Why didn't you listen?" His voice was thick with concern, a mix of relief and frustration spilling out all at once. "I told you not to go anywhere."
His fingers traced the dampness on her cheeks before he gently lifted her into his arms. "Stay with me," he pleaded.
Ember stirred, her body weak, her lips parting as if to speak. But instead, a murmur slipped out—soft, fractured. "No… no… don't come…" She thrashed slightly in his hold, lost in some dream, some nightmare.
Dylan's breath hitched. "Ember!" He shook her gently. "Ember, wake up!"
She jerked awake with a gasp, her breath ragged, her eyes wild with confusion.
"You had a nightmare," Dylan said softly, stroking her hair in slow, soothing motions. His heart was still racing, the fear of losing her not yet faded.
Her gaze found his, still distant, still lost. "I thought I got lost," she admitted, her voice small.
Dylan exhaled, pressing his forehead against hers. "You did. But if you ever feel lost again, just call me." His arms tightened protectively around her.
"There was no signal," she murmured, exhaustion pulling at her.
His jaw tensed, but his voice was gentler now. "Okay, I understand." He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his worry still evident. "Next time, call Butler Feng to check in, okay? Don't wander off alone, if you don't find me ."
She gave a small nod, burying her face against his chest, letting the warmth of his embrace steady her. "Can we go home now?"
Dylan pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, cradling her close. "Yes, let's go home."
With her safely in his arms, he carried her to the car, whispering once more, "Let's go home."
Dylan called the driver to take them home.
In the car,
The air felt lighter now, but the tension from moments ago still clung to Dylan. Holding Ember securely in his arms, he felt the rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing as she slowly calmed. The nightmare was over—for now—but the fear of losing her still lingered, gnawing at the edges of his mind.
After returning from their shopping trip, Dylan gently guided Ember to her bedroom. She needed rest after everything that had happened. The day had taken a toll on both of them, and he knew they needed time to process it all.
Still worried, he hesitated before saying, "You should skip the party tonight. You need to rest."
But Ember, ever determined, gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine after a little rest. You shouldn't miss the party on my account."
Dylan studied her for a long moment, reluctant to leave her alone. But he saw the resolve in her eyes and finally gave in. If she wanted him to go, he wouldn't argue.
He helped her settle into bed, tucking the blanket around her with care. Brushing a strand of hair from her face, he offered her a small smile. "Get some sleep, okay?" he whispered.
As her eyes fluttered closed, Dylan quietly stepped out of the room, lingering for just a second before shutting the door behind him.
Downstairs, he turned to the housekeeper. "Nana, can you prepare something for us? We haven't had lunch yet."
With that taken care of, he planned to check on Ember again later.
Meanwhile, in her bedroom, Ember stirred awake.
Ember's thoughts quickly drifted to tonight. It's my first time meeting Dylan's friends… I have to make sure I don't embarrass him.
Determined, she pushed herself out of bed and rushed to the shower, her heart racing at the thought of making a good impression.
Meanwhile, Dylan stood outside her door, debating whether to check on her. She's probably still asleep, he thought, deciding against knocking. But as he stepped inside, Ember suddenly emerged from the bathroom, her damp hair dripping onto her shoulders.
Their eyes met—both wide with shock.
"Hey!" Ember yelped, slamming the bathroom door shut. "You should've knocked!"
Dylan froze, then scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. "Sorry, I thought you were still in bed..."
Ember sighed, the initial panic fading. "It's fine, but can you step out for a second? My clothes are on the bed. I need to get changed."
Dylan nodded and quickly left. A few moments later, Ember called out, "You can come in now."
As he walked back in, he glanced around. "I don't see anything."
"Shut up!" Ember rolled her eyes, playfully swatting at him. "Let's eat. I'm starving."
Dylan chuckled. "Come on then."
They sat down together, enjoying their meal. Ember ate with enthusiasm, clearly famished, while Dylan watched her with a soft smile.
"Slow down," he teased.
Ember, still chewing, gave a muffled reply. "Mm! So good."
After finishing, she patted her stomach with satisfaction. "I'm stuffed."
Dylan grinned, reaching out to gently pat her head. "You're adorable."
Ember swatted his hand away, laughing.
"Go get ready for the party," he reminded her.
"Okay," she agreed, pushing back her chair. "You too!"
Dylan nodded, before heading to his own.
A little later, Ember stood in her room, staring at two dresses laid out before her.
One was her favorite, simple yet elegant. The other… Dylan had picked it out.
Which one should I wear? she wondered, biting her lip. She couldn't decide. After a moment of hesitation, she thought, Maybe Dylan can help.
Peeking through her door, she noticed several people stepping out of Dylan's room.
"Mr. Feng!" she called out to the butler. "Why is everyone coming out of Dylan's room?"
Feng turned to her with his usual calm expression. "Sir is selecting a suit for the occasion."
"Oh, okay," Ember murmured. But curiosity tugged at her, and before she could stop herself, she found her feet carrying her toward Dylan's room.
The door was slightly open.
What's the harm in just a little peek? she thought.
The moment she glanced inside, her breath hitched.
Dylan stood shirtless in front of the mirror, muscles flexing as he adjusted his sleeves. The warm glow of the light cast soft shadows across his toned frame.
Oh my God. Ember's face burned as she stared, completely mesmerized.
His deep voice suddenly shattered her trance.
"It's not good to peek, Ember. But if you want to watch, come in."
Her heart nearly stopped. Caught.
"I-I wasn't… I just wanted to ask which dress I should wear," she stammered, her face growing impossibly hotter.
Dylan smirked. "Come inside first."
Reluctantly, she stepped into the room, still avoiding his gaze. "Um… your buttons," she mumbled, eyeing his half-buttoned shirt.
Dylan arched a brow. "Help me with them?"
Her heart pounded. "Me?" she whispered, hoping for an escape.
He stepped closer, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Is anyone else here?"
"Nope," she muttered, swallowing hard.
"Then how are you going to button my shirt from way over there?"
Ember hesitated but finally stepped closer, fingers trembling as she fumbled with the buttons. The warmth of his skin lingered beneath the fabric, making her pulse race.
Why does my heart feel like it's going to explode when I'm near him?
"Ember," Dylan whispered.
He tilted her chin up, their eyes locking. Before she could react, his lips brushed against hers—soft, slow, and heart-stopping.
Her breath caught.
"Dylan… What are you doing?" she whispered, her mind spinning.
He smiled, his voice laced with amusement. "Why are you here again?"
Ember snapped out of her daze, stepping back with a furious blush. "I came to ask about the dress," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dylan chuckled. "Go change in the washroom, then I'll help you decide."
Back in her room, Ember slipped into the dress she liked but still felt uncertain.
She turned to the mirror, biting her lip. Does this look okay?
Shaking off her doubts, she grabbed both dresses and made her way back to Dylan's room.
"I'm so confused," she admitted, holding them up. "Which one should I try first?"
Dylan didn't hesitate. He pointed at the one she hadn't worn yet.
"You bought this one but never wear it. Try it."
"Hmph! Okay," Ember muttered, turning on her heel to change in his bathroom.
As she zipped up the dress, a sudden sting made her yelp.
"Ouch!"
The door flew open in an instant.
"What happened?" Dylan demanded, his voice laced with concern.
Ember spun around, eyes wide in shock. "What are you doing in here?! Get out!"
He crossed his arms, unwavering. "Not until you tell me what's wrong."
She huffed, looking away. "My zip… it got stuck," she mumbled, feeling her cheeks burn.
Dylan stepped closer, his voice softer now. "Here, let me help."
His fingers brushed against her back as he carefully slid the zipper into place. Ember's breath hitched. His touch was gentle, yet it sent her heart racing.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Dylan smiled, but then his expression darkened slightly. "Wait… let me see your hands."
He had noticed the slight wince when she moved. Taking her hand gently, he frowned at the small cut on her finger from the zipper.
Without another word, he turned and hurried out. Moments later, he was back with the first aid kit.
Kneeling beside her, he carefully cleaned the wound and wrapped a bandage around her finger.
Ember watched him, her heart melting at his tenderness.
"Thank you," she murmured.
Dylan lifted her to her feet and turned her toward the mirror. "There. All done. Now, look at yourself. My baby is gorgeous."
"Stop it!" Ember protested, her face heating up.
Dylan only grinned. "You're blushing."
She groaned, trying to change the subject. "Just get ready! I'm going to my room."
As she walked away, Dylan called after her. "All the makeup and cosmetics you need are already in your room."
"Okay!" Ember replied, a small smile tugging at her lips.
She didn't need a mirror to know—she was glowing.
IN EMBER'S ROOM
Ember stared at the vast array of cosmetics laid out before her, a mix of amusement and surprise flickering in her eyes.
"Oh my... he brought way too many things. I don't even use this much," she muttered to herself.
Just as she finished getting ready, a knock on the door echoed through the room, right on time.
"Are you ready? Come out, let's go," Dylan's voice called from the other side.
Ember hesitated for a moment before answering with a simple, "Hmm..."
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and opened the door.
Her gaze slowly traveled from his polished shoes, up the sharp lines of his suit, and finally to his face. The second their eyes met, her heart pounded wildly in her chest. It felt as if violins were playing in the background, the air around her shifting, shimmering. Dylan's dark hair swayed slightly as he moved, and that warm, teasing smile of his—it was all directed at her.
Dylan stepped closer, his voice low and smooth as he whispered in her ear, "You look beautiful."
That single word sent her pulse into overdrive, heat creeping up her neck.
"You too," she whispered back before she could think.
Dylan tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "What do you mean... beautiful?"
Realizing what she had just said, Ember's face turned an even deeper shade of red.
"No, no! I mean… you're the hottest guy I've ever known," she blurted out in a panic.
As soon as the words left her mouth, her eyes widened. Oh no...
"I mean… you're, uh, good look—good looking!" she stammered, utterly flustered.
Dylan chuckled, his smile growing. "Yes… yes."
His laughter sent another wave of warmth through her, but before she could protest, he extended his hand.
"Let's go. Give me your hand."
Ember blinked. "What?"
"Just give me your hand," he repeated, his voice patient, his eyes steady on hers.
Biting her lip, she hesitated for only a second before slipping her hand into his.
"Okay," she whispered.
Dylan's fingers curled around hers as he led her outside.
The car was already waiting for them.
IN THE CAR
They had been driving for a little while when Dylan glanced over at Ember, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. The corners of his mouth curled into that teasing smirk she had come to know all too well.
"If you keep blushing like that, I might have to cover your face," he teased.
Ember's hands flew up to her cheeks. "What? Is it that obvious?" she asked, her voice laced with embarrassment.
Dylan's laugh filled the car, rich and warm. "You look like a little red-faced monkey," he said, grinning widely.
Ember gasped, pretending to be offended. "What? Let me see!" She quickly turned to the rearview mirror, searching for any trace of redness. But her skin looked completely normal.
"Relax," Dylan laughed again, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction.
Ember rolled her eyes. "Dylan..." she muttered under her breath, but the small smile tugging at her lips gave her away.
The rest of the car ride passed in quiet, tender moments. Every now and then, Dylan would steal glances at her, offering soft smiles that sent little flutters through her chest.
Ember turned to look out the window, trying to calm her racing heart. What is he doing to me?