Meeting Lyra...... Again

The next day, hours before Travis was set to leave for the party, he and Mariana lounged on the couch, engrossed in an episode of Dragon Ball. Mariana, ever eager to share in Travis's interests, had suggested they watch it together. Her genuine enthusiasm made Travis's heart swell; she didn't just humor him—she genuinely wanted to understand what he loved.

"So, this Goku guy," Mariana began, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. "He's your favorite?"

"Of course," Travis replied without hesitation, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "In my opinion, he's the best MC to ever live. Nobody even comes close."

They were watching the original Dragon Ball, the classic series that introduced Goku's journey. Most fans of the franchise tended to skip it in favor of the flashier later arcs, which Travis always found disappointing.

"That explains why so many people don't understand Daima," he muttered, more to himself than to her.

Mariana tilted her head curiously. "He's pretty cute," she said, pointing at the screen. "How old is he here?"

Travis chuckled. "As small as he is? He's actually eleven. It surprised me too when I found out—I thought he was like eight or something."

Mariana's eyes widened. "Wow. That's impressive. I mean, for an eleven-year-old, he's already doing so much. I'm excited to see how far he goes."

Her words made Travis pause, his gaze softening as he looked at her. The sincerity in her voice, the way she was genuinely invested—it was almost too much for him. For a brief moment, he felt his emotions welling up, and he had to blink rapidly to hold back a tear.

"I used to pray for times like these," he thought, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Mariana, oblivious to the depth of his thoughts, snuggled closer and smiled. "So, what's next in the story?" she asked, her excitement infectious.

Travis grinned, wrapping an arm around her as he hit play on the next episode. "You'll see. It just keeps getting better from here."

....

Travis adjusted the collar of his sleek black suit, the material hugging his frame perfectly. The polished look exuded an air of mystery and elegance that made him appear almost untouchable. Mariana leaned against the doorway, her eyes traveling slowly over him. She bit her lip, unable to hide the hunger in her gaze.

"You're going to make it really hard for me to wait until you come back," she said, stepping closer, her fingers brushing against his lapel.

Travis smirked, catching her hand and pressing a soft kiss to it. "Patience, babe. You can do whatever you want with me when I'm back," he promised, sealing the statement with a kiss that left her wanting more before slipping out the door.

Descending the stairs, Travis walked past a neighbor, a woman who paused mid-step when she saw him. Her eyes widened slightly, and a sly smile crept onto her lips as she watched him.

"Good evening," she said with a light, flirty tone.

Travis returned the smile, his expression polite but distant. He continued down without another word, but her gaze lingered on him, following him as he disappeared.

"He's hot," she thought, shaking her head with a grin before moving on.

Stepping out onto the sidewalk, Travis came to an abrupt halt as a thought hit him. He had no car. Worse, he hadn't held a valid license in years.

"Fuck," he muttered under his breath. For a second, he considered walking, but the idea of showing up sweaty in his pristine suit was out of the question. Pulling out his phone, he sighed.

"Guess I'm taking an Ubar. No choice."

The ride dropped him off a block away from the party, and Travis took a moment to survey the scene. The mansion was massive, lights spilling from every window, and the muffled thump of bass reverberated through the air. Groups of guests gathered on the lawn, laughing and chatting.

As he approached the entrance, he adjusted his jacket and pulled out the forged invitation. But when his eyes landed on the clipboard in the hands of a bouncer, his confidence faltered.

"Fuck!!! I was so close."

Not wanting to risk a scene, he turned and began walking away, racking his brain for a new approach. Just as he spun around, he nearly collided with someone.

"Whoa, sorry!" he started, raising his head. The apology froze in his throat when he saw her.

' Lyra. '

Standing before him was Lyra Everhart, the very woman he'd been planning to meet. Her long, blonde hair framed striking features, and her tight-fitting dress accentuated every curve. Her sharp eyes scanned him quickly, taking in his polished appearance. A knowing smile played on her lips.

"Well, hello there," she said, her voice smooth and laced with intrigue. "Where are you going? The party's that way."

Travis blinked, forcing himself to regain his composure. Her sudden appearance had caught him off guard, but he wasn't about to let it show.

"Oh, yeah, I know," he said, offering her a charming smile, his tone casual.

"Well, why don't we go there together? Seeing as you don't have a date," Lyra said, her sultry tone underscored by a playful smirk.

Travis kept his expression composed, but inside, he was mentally celebrating. "Jackpot," he thought. With a polite nod, he gestured for her to lead the way.

As Lyra walked ahead, Travis couldn't help but notice the confidence in her stride, the sway of her hips drawing the attention of more than just him. She approached the entrance without hesitation, walking past the bouncer as though the list didn't apply to her.

"Damn, being well-known must be a great perk," he mused as he followed her through the door, avoiding the bouncer's glance entirely.

The interior of the mansion was just as extravagant as he'd imagined—chandeliers casting warm light over polished marble floors, a grand staircase sweeping up to the second floor, and partygoers dressed to impress. But none of it held his attention as much as the way Lyra kept glancing at him.

Her eyes lingered on him for longer than he was comfortable with, and a flicker of unease crept in. "Is she onto me?" he wondered, feeling a bead of sweat form at the base of his neck.

"You know," Lyra began, tilting her head as she studied him. "You remind me of someone."

Travis's heart skipped a beat, his mind racing through possible excuses. He kept his tone light, forcing a calm smile. "I get that a lot for some reason. Who do you think I remind you of?"

Her laugh was soft and melodic. "Would you like to know?" she teased, her voice dropping slightly as she stepped closer.

"Well, as long as it doesn't take too much time. I need to get back before midnight," he replied smoothly, his gaze unwavering.

Lyra giggled again, clearly entertained by his quick wit. "I like him," she thought, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Might have to take him back with me tonight. Plus, he's Black, so he must be packing."

Meanwhile, back at their apartment, Mariana was curled up on the couch, watching Dragon Ball with a frown. She couldn't shake the sudden irritation that washed over her, as though someone was stepping into her territory.

Her fingers tapped impatiently on the armrest as her eyes narrowed. "Some hoe must be thinking about my man," she thought, her instincts sharp and her mood souring.

TO BE CONTINUED