"Are you having a conversation in your head?" The quiet, deep voice asked as he held her firmly in his arms.
Alicia could not register anything in her head at that moment as the pain had come abruptly like it was squeezing her heart.
In a few seconds, the pain disappeared, and she was able to realize the kind of position she was in, in the presence of so many watchful eyes.
She looked up at the young man who had caught her, his strong arms wrapped securely around her.
He was tall, his hair raven-dark and perfectly styled, hinting at a rebellious spirit beneath his polished exterior. A wisp of hair fell across his forehead, further accentuating his magnetic allure.
His midnight blue suit perfectly complemented her own attire, and his blue eyes, much like hers, seemed to hold a depth of emotion that was hard to decipher.
Their gazes locked for a moment, an unspoken connection forming between them. Alicia felt a strange sensation—a pull, a familiarity, and yet an unsettling feeling that she couldn't quite place. His intensity was undeniable, and it resonated with something inside her.
His piercing eyes truly held the power to captivate souls. Like deep pools of cerulean, they carried an enigmatic intensity that seemed to hold the mysteries of both the past and the future. Each glance from him felt like a secret shared, a silent understanding forged between kindred spirits.
"I-I'm so sorry," Alicia stammered, her cheeks flushing as she pulled away and stood upright, her hand instinctively moving to the back of her neck, where a persistent discomfort throbbed.
Mabel, slow to react, was already apologizing to the man on Alicia's behalf when he spoke, his voice deep and resonant. "No harm done. Are you alright?" he asked, his gaze still fixed on Alicia.
She nodded, her fingers rubbing her neck as the pain continued to prickle beneath her skin. There was something about him that seemed to intensify the sensation. She couldn't help but feel a mixture of unease and curiosity.
The man extended his hand towards her, his lips quirking into a faint smile. "Hunter Cooper. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Alicia."
Hunter Cooper, the embodiment of captivating allure and hidden depths, commanded attention the moment he stepped into a room. Of course, it would be weird if he didn't have the looks of the male lead in a typical romance novel.
With his chiselled features and a strong jawline adorned with impeccably groomed facial hair, he exuded an air of rugged sophistication that left hearts racing in his wake. His suit, tailored to perfection, clung to his broad shoulders and trim physique, an understated testament to his timeless charm.
Standing at the crossroads of rugged charm and refined elegance, Hunter exuded a sense of duality that was impossible to ignore. His aura was both powerful and tender, commanding attention while also inviting intimacy. There was an underlying vulnerability in his demeanour, a vulnerability that dared to unveil itself in the presence of the right person.
Alicia hesitated. She looked down at his hands for a moment before she placed her hands on his, her own hand feeling small and delicate in his firm grip. "Alicia Queen. Nice to meet you too."
Well, he already knew her name, but courtesy demanded she introduce herself too at least.
Hunter's eyes bore into hers, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. She felt like he was trying to peer into her soul, searching for something she couldn't quite comprehend.
"Have we... met before?" Alicia found herself asking, her brows furrowing in confusion.
Hunter's gaze didn't waver as he responded, "Mayhaps. But... I've heard a lot about you." His confident smile held a hint of mischief as if he knew secrets that the world had yet to uncover.
Alicia's curiosity deepened, but before she could ask anything more, Mabel intervened, her concern evident. "Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
Hunter's intense gaze finally broke away from Alicia's, and he seemed to regain his composure.
"Perhaps a change of scenery would help. If you don't mind, I could accompany you for a moment."
"Why would you offer to show me around?" Alicia finally asked, trying to put some distance between them at least. He was so... uncomfortable. "Aren't you a guest here as well?"
Hunter's lips curled into an amused smile, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Well, the Coopers basically run everything here. So, consider it an insider's tour."
Alicia's eyebrows shot up in surprise, the realization sinking in. She couldn't help but be intrigued by the confident aura he exuded. There was definitely more to Hunter than met the eye.
"So... shall we?" He offered.
Mabel's hesitation was palpable, but Alicia's sense of unease mixed with intrigue overpowered her better judgment. "Sure," she said, almost against her own will.
As they walked away from the crowd, Alicia's discomfort didn't diminish. She continued to rub the back of her neck, her eyes darting occasionally to Hunter, who walked beside her with a sense of purpose.
"So, what brings you to this event?" Alicia finally broke the silence, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Hunter glanced at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "The same thing that brings everyone here, I suppose. The allure of history, the intrigue of the past."
His answer was vague, but Alicia sensed that there was more to it than he was letting on. The more time she spent in his presence, the more she felt the odd sensation intensify—a mixture of attraction, familiarity, and an underlying unease.
Mabel, ever vigilant, finally caught up with them, looking very worried. "Are you feeling any better now?" She whispered to Alicia.
Alicia nodded, her attention divided between Hunter and her discomfort. "Yeah, I think so."
Hunter turned his gaze toward Mabel, his intensity making her slightly uncomfortable. "I'll make sure she's alright. Thank you." He was practically dismissing her.
Mabel's concern was evident, but she seemed to sense that arguing with Hunter wouldn't get her very far. He was known for... well, being Hunter.
She turned her attention to Alicia, whose gaze assured her that she would be okay. Reluctantly, she nodded and walked back towards the event, leaving Alicia and Hunter standing together.
It was difficult for them not to catch the eyes of the other guests, especially when they both looked like a couple in their matching outfits. She could faintly hear her name on different lips in the room, and most of the conversations didn't sound pleasant.
It was clear that before the night ended, bloggers would have filled their pages with photos and speculations.
Damn the spotlight.
As Alicia and Hunter stood together, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something about him that was deeply connected to her strange dreams and the sensations she had been experiencing. She wanted to ask more questions, but there was an unspoken tension between them, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to confront whatever it was that he seemed to represent.
"Do you believe in the supernatural, Alicia Queen?" Hunter asked while looking ahead.
His tone and the way he had said her name sounded odd.
"Like what?" She asked, looking at his side profile.
"Everything. Witches. Ghosts. Werewolves... Reincarnations." He turned to look at her.
Her gaze met his again, and she found herself drawn in by his intensity and the enigmatic air that surrounded him.
It was weird.
Before, if someone had asked her this question, she would have straight up said no. But for some reason, she seemed to believe it was not impossible.
"May...be?"
He just stared at her before he took her hand, whispering, "Let me show you something."
She looked at their locked hands with furrowed brows and pulled hers away from his grip.
"Do not casually touch me," she said in a stern tone before tilting her head for him to lead the way, ignoring the amused glint in his eyes.
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