...I was hella scared, running for my life down the stairway with a floating shadow hot on my heels. It was reaching out, calling my name, and I could feel its breath on my neck. I was lowkey freaking out, thinking the walls were closing in on me....

...I spotted a door and dipped in, slamming it shut behind me. For a hot second, I thought I was safe. But then, the shadow emerged from nowhere, taking over me in one swift motion....

"Ah!" I shouted, panting like crazy.

I sat up in bed, my chest heaving, and my heart racing. You've got to be kidding me, I thought. I rolled out of bed and stumbled to the kitchen to grab some water. I poured myself a glass and chugged it down like my life depended on it.

The door creaked open, and some chick wrapped in a towel walked in. She looked over at me with this clueless expression. "Why did you scream?" she asked, sounding hella dumb.

I raised an eyebrow, thinking, Tf, I just felt like screaming, okay? But instead, I said, "I thought I saw something scary when you stepped out." She looked at me with this attitude, and I could tell she was about to go off.

"I thought you said you were into me," she whined, coming closer to me. I shifted uncomfortably, trying not to look at her crusty face. "Look, Eva – "

"My name is Emma," she corrected, giving me the side-eye.

"Whatever," I said, waving my hand. "Look, Emma, I was into you till you wiped off that makeup. Now you're looking like a freaking alien or something." She gasped, looking all offended, and I shrugged. "What? You're looking kinda weird, Emma."

She dropped her towel, posing all sexy-like, but I wasn't having it. I looked away, thinking, are you for real, Girl, bye. "See, I can't get it on with that crusty face of yours," I said, and she slapped me.

That woke me up real quick. I grabbed her hand, looking at her with livid eyes. "Try that one more time, and I'll send you back to whatever shithole you came from." I released her arm, and she ran off to the bathroom, sobbing.

I headed back to my room, flopping onto my bed. My stepdad needed me at the company today. Great, just what I needed – more drama.

Heya, its the Author, and I'm really excited to bring my ideas to life through this story. Please do note, there will be Mature content, very mature content, there will be minimum scary things but nothing too serious. This story is mostly based on how Zyrix desperate for closure from the world he knows, going to a countryside only to meet someone and their love and/or lust is being ignited by the flower called dahlia. I hope that helped, cause I don't think the description did much. Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter though, please do give a like and subscribe.

Thank you.^_^

I stepped out of my car, adjusting my brown suit as I gazed up at the office building. My hair was swept back, revealing a face that was more angular than I'd like. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the meeting ahead.

As I entered my stepdad's office, I spotted a man who looked like he'd burst out of his suit at any moment. He beamed at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. What was his angle?

I strode over to the couch, sitting on the opposite end from the mystery man. My stepdad looked up, his expression pinched. "You don't greet," he said, his tone tinged with reprimand.

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze flicking to the man beside me. "Are we here for greeting lessons?" I asked, my tone dripping with sarcasm. My stepdad's eyes narrowed, but he seemed to think better of it.

"I'm sure you know Mr. David," he said instead, his voice strained. I turned to the man, who was still grinning at me like a fool. "No, who the hell is Mr. David?" I asked bluntly.

My stepdad cleared his throat, his eyes darting to Mr. David before returning to me. "Well, that gentleman beside you is Mr. David." I snorted, unable to help myself. There was nothing gentle or manly about this guy.

My stepdad shot me a warning look, but I ignored him. "He's here for you," he continued, his voice measured. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my tone cautious. My stepdad leaned forward, his eyes locked on mine. "He has a daughter around your age, and he's interested in merging our companies. He thinks it would be beneficial for both parties if you were to...get to know each other."

I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine. "You want to arrange a marriage for me?" I asked, my voice incredulous. My stepdad shook his head, his expression serene. "It's just business."

I lost it. "Business?" I repeated, my voice rising. "You call arranging a marriage for me business?" I stood up, my eyes blazing. "I'm out of here."

My stepdad's voice stopped me. "Where do you think you're going?" he demanded, his tone firm. I turned back to him, my eyes flashing. "Back home."

"Get back here, Zyrix!" he yelled, his face reddening. I paused, my eyes locked on his. "Don't you ever," I said slowly, my voice dripping with venom, "call me by that name again."

Don't you ever-" I hovered over him, as he looked up at me as it should be

"-in Your fucking miserable life call by that name" I said slowly then walked away.

"No wonder his father killed himself, such a waste of sperms. Coming into this earth just be a burden. Do you have any IDEA HOW I HAVE TO COVER UP YOUR STUPID LIFE STYLE!"

I grabbed the closest thing I could find crashing it to the ground and the glass shatters everywhere.

" Don't push me old man, I don't think you know what you're risking but Don't. Push. Me"i slammed the door shut.

I needed to smoke right now

..."Dad!" ...

Right now

..."Zyrix" says slowly losing his breath ...

RIGHT NOW!!

I turned and walked away, leaving my stepdad's angry face behind. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that I'd just ignited a powder keg.

As I stormed out of the office, I grabbed the nearest object – a vase – and hurled it to the ground. The glass shattered everywhere, and I felt a twisted sense of satisfaction.

I threw a punch at the glass wall, feeling it shatter beneath my fist. I lifted the reception phone and hurled it at the fire alarm, watching as the sprinkler system kicked in.

Finally, I grabbed another vase and hurled it at the front door, watching as it shattered into a thousand pieces. "IF YOU HAVE THE FUCKING BALLS TO SAY WHAT YOU SAID, SAY IT AGAIN, MARTIN!!" I yelled, my veins throbbing with rage.

I got into my car, slamming the door shut behind me. I was done.

I stormed into the modeling agency, my eyes blazing with fury. I still hadn't gotten my smoke, and the stupid driver had lectured me about watching my health. Like, what was his problem?

Jimmy blocked my path, a concerned smile on his face. "Woah, easy there, tiger." I wasn't having it. I was too mad, too pent-up.

"Heard about your performance at Martin's company today," Jimmy said, eyeing my hand. "Look at your hand, dude." I slapped his hand away, but he grabbed it anyway. "Come on, let's get you fixed up."

We walked past the studio room, where my manager was frantically trying to call me. His eyes widened as he took in my disheveled appearance. "Where the hell were you? Woah, what happened to your hand?"

Jimmy intervened, telling him it was a long story, and we took off. I glared at Jimmy's head, wondering why he still put up with me after all these years.

As we sat down, Jimmy began tending to my wounded hand. "Gina called me," he said, his voice neutral. "Said you slept with her and dumped her."

I rolled my eyes. "Well, she wasn't much to keep anyway." Jimmy looked away, his expression disapproving.

"Look, Zy, you don't look healthy at all," he said, his voice laced with concern. "I get that you like to party and hook up, but your eyes...they're not human anymore. You need to find your peace of mind."

I scowled, feeling a twinge of defensiveness. "I'm fine."

Jimmy got up to grab me a water bottle. "I know you think you're fine, but trust me, you're not. You need to take a break, find yourself again." He handed me the water, his eyes serious. "I have this house in the countryside, it's beautiful, peaceful...you could go there, rest, and recharge."

I blinked, taken aback by Jimmy's words. "You sound like you're giving me a motivational speech."

I stood up, feeling restless. "Jim, I appreciate your concern, but I'm okay. You don't need to worry about me." I laughed, shaking my head. "Traveling? What a piece of bullshit."

I walked out, leaving Jimmy looking concerned.

...****************...

...****************...

I was on set, posing for a photoshoot. The director called out, "That's a wrap!" and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I was tired, drowsy, and just wanted to go home.

My manager clapped me on the back. "You okay, buddy?" I shrugged him off. "I'm good, just need to get laid."

I walked out of the building, into the cool night air. I wasn't in the mood to appreciate the beauty of the night, though. I just wanted to find someone to distract me from my thoughts.

I texted one of my regular hookups, arranging to meet up. As I waited for her response, I felt a familiar sense of emptiness wash over me, like an empty void inside. Closing my eyes I let sleep take over me