Chapter 3: Unfinished Business

The evening sun cast a warm glow over the city as Zara and her best friend, Lila, strolled toward one of Zara's restaurants, a sleek, upscale spot known for its fusion cuisine and a rooftop view of the skyline. Lila had just returned from a whirlwind international modeling gig, and catching up was long overdue. They were laughing and reminiscing about Lila's travels, the chaos of the photoshoots, and all the scandalous backstage drama that came with the fashion industry.

Zara was mid-laugh when a black car came screeching around the corner, nearly clipping them as it sped past. Lila jumped back instinctively, clutching her purse, while Zara's eyes narrowed, the adrenaline hitting her immediately.

Without a second thought, Zara was already tying her hair back, her eyes fixed on the car. "What the—? The nerve! He doesn't even stop to apologize?" She moved forward, already cracking her knuckles. Violence was her default mode of defense—a habit she hadn't quite grown out of from her rougher days.

Lila placed a hand on Zara's arm, pulling her back gently. "Zara, don't. It's not worth it," she said with a small laugh, knowing Zara's temper well. "People like that don't care about apologies."

But Zara couldn't just let it go. The nerve of someone who thought they could just breeze by without any regard for others hit a nerve, her mind flashing back to those times she'd been left defenseless. She peered at the tinted windows, and just as she was about to turn away, the back window lowered slightly.

For a brief moment, Zara caught a glimpse of the man in the back seat—a face she wouldn't forget. He had a cold, detached expression, his gaze uninterested, as if the near miss had been a minor inconvenience rather than an actual threat to someone's life. He exuded an air of power that was unsettling, his dark eyes piercing, framed by sharp features that seemed chiseled from stone. He barely acknowledged her presence before the window slid back up, and the car disappeared around the corner.

"Unbelievable," Zara muttered, her jaw clenched.

Lila shook her head with a smile, looping her arm through Zara's and steering her toward the restaurant. "Let it go, Zee. It's not worth the energy," she teased. "Come on, we're here to celebrate, remember? Forget him. There's a table waiting for us with our name on it and probably a bottle of wine or two."

Zara sighed, allowing herself to be pulled along. But she'd locked that face in her memory. She wasn't one to let things slide so easily, especially not when someone tried to make her feel small. But tonight, she'd let it go. Lila was right; she didn't need that kind of energy clouding her evening.

Inside the restaurant, the ambiance was warm and inviting, with the faint sound of jazz playing in the background and the scent of freshly prepared dishes wafting from the kitchen. Zara's restaurant had a personality all its own, a blend of luxury and comfort that made everyone feel at home. She relaxed as soon as they were seated, her earlier anger dissipating as she soaked in the familiar setting.

They ordered their food, and Zara found herself laughing and chatting easily with Lila, the frustrations of the day finally fading. They talked about everything—their careers, Lila's latest modeling adventures, and Zara's upcoming business projects. But every now and then, that image of the man in the back seat would pop back into her mind, that dangerous, indifferent stare that had somehow felt… familiar. She brushed it aside, focusing on her friend.

"Cheers," Lila said, raising her glass, "to girls who run the world."

"Cheers," Zara echoed with a smirk, clinking her glass. And with that, she let herself forget about the mysterious stranger—for now.