"The universe whispers in mysteries, but it's the heart that listens the loudest."
---
The following days blurred into a whirlwind of unfamiliar faces and routines for Aarika. Her early days at the university had been a mix of excitement and awkwardness, but she felt a growing sense of belonging. Mira was her anchor — always there with the latest gossip or a hot cup of coffee.
But it was him — Seo Ji Hoon — who kept invading her thoughts.
She had seen him again, this time across the campus, his icy presence impossible to ignore. He wasn't just a rich, rude stranger — he was mysterious. Aarika couldn't explain it, but there was something about him, something that tugged at her heart in ways she didn't understand.
---
Meanwhile, Sydney…
Ji Hoon stared at his reflection in the mirror. The same reflection he had seen for years — cold, calculated, and detached. But for the first time in a long while, it didn't feel like enough.
He couldn't shake the pull of her presence.
That pendant she wore — it glowed faintly, just like his mother's did in the dreams. He had been trained his whole life to follow these signs, these threads of fate that wove through the universe. His mother's disappearance, his father's fall… everything led him here, to this girl.
But why?
His phone buzzed on his desk, and Damon's name flashed on the screen. Ji Hoon picked it up, his expression unreadable.
"It's time. You know what you need to do."
---
Back to Melbourne:
Aarika sat in the café, nursing her chai latte, feeling her phone buzz in her pocket. Mira had texted her a hundred times that morning — "Eclipse tonight? Go! Go! Go! 😉"
But Aarika wasn't so sure. The club was famous for its high-profile guests, and as much as she enjoyed Mira's company, she wasn't sure she wanted to be part of the "rich, mysterious guy" crowd.
Still, Mira's enthusiasm was infectious, and she found herself walking toward the familiar neon-lit building, already feeling the thrum of the club's music pulse through her.
When she entered, the air was thick with smoke and laughter. The glow of the VIP section was impossible to miss — a sea of suits, designer dresses, and expensive colognes. Aarika felt herself shrinking in the noise, her sense of discomfort growing with every step.
But then, like a magnet, her eyes found him. Seo Ji Hoon. Standing tall by the bar, leaning against it casually, surrounded by people but somehow untouched by them.
Why does it feel like the universe is pushing us together? Aarika thought, feeling the weight of the invisible connection.
---
Ji Hoon felt her presence before he saw her. He turned his head, his gaze locking onto hers as she hesitated by the entrance. It was as if the world had slowed for a heartbeat. The tension between them crackled, just like in the dreams.
Aarika didn't know whether to walk toward him or run the other way. But before she could decide, Mira was by her side, her voice laced with excitement. "Aarika! You have to meet someone! This is Eclipse, after all!"
Without waiting for a response, Mira led her toward the bar, where Ji Hoon stood, his eyes fixed on Aarika with an unreadable expression.
"I think we've met," he said, his voice laced with cool detachment.
Aarika forced a smile, feeling suddenly out of place. "Yes, we've… bumped into each other."
He raised an eyebrow. "Bumped into? Or fell into?"
Aarika flushed. "Right, I suppose I did fall. But I didn't mean to—"
"Everyone falls," Ji Hoon cut her off smoothly. "But not everyone knows how to pick themselves up."
There was something in his tone — a challenge, a reminder, but Aarika couldn't put her finger on it.
---
At the same time, Damon and Serin watched from the shadows of the club, their eyes trained on Ji Hoon and Aarika.
Serin, ever the voice of caution, leaned toward Damon. "Are you sure this is the right time?"
Damon didn't look away from Ji Hoon. "It has to be. The stars are aligning. She doesn't know it yet, but she's already part of this."
---
Back at the bar…
Ji Hoon took a slow sip from his drink, his gaze never leaving Aarika. He knew what had to happen next. But first, he needed to test her. He needed to see if she could handle the weight of the truth he was about to drop on her.
"Aarika Sharma," he said, his voice smooth like velvet. "Do you believe in destiny?"
Aarika's heart skipped. How does he know my full name?
Her mind raced, but she kept her expression steady. "I believe in choices. Destiny is something we create, not something that's handed to us."
Ji Hoon smirked. "You'll change your mind."
To be continued...