I wish I could stop thinking about it, but that email was all I could think of. Signing into my inbox on my phone was the first thing I did that morning. I was refreshing it all day to see if I got any emails back. But why would I? It wasn't like I replied to it.

I don't understand why I'm drawn to it. I don't know who this guy is or what he wants from me. The email screamed "stalker," yet for once, I felt good to be seen. I know it's not healthy to seek validation or attention from strangers, but why should I ignore something that came unbidden? It's not like I was needy or wanted this.

I know I shouldn't think too much about it, but I was obsessed with the mere fact that I had a fan—someone who read my book and was obsessed with me. This combination has been rare. Nobody but family and friends ever read my book, and even that was to support me, not because of my writing. And everyone else I've met since then who flirts with me or wants to have sex has never read a single page of mine. But Kyle—well, I wish I knew who he was. But to do that, I might have to respond, which I'm not ready to do yet.

I put my phone aside, picked up a book from the mini-library Sophie had installed in her living room, and began reading. She was more of a mystery and crime fan, and hardly had romance books on her shelf, except for the ones I gifted to her as a joke. Soon, I lost track of time. It was almost dark outside, dark clouds peering from the sky, ready to rain any minute.

Just then, I received a reminder on my phone about the party Beth told me about. I hardly remember things these days; with so much chaos and distraction, I began using the notes app five years ago, and now I can't function without it. I added a reminder to buy the black dress, as she insisted. I still had two more days, so I put off the plan to get the dress until the next day.

The next day, just before I was beginning to prepare myself to leave the house, I received a call from Martin.

"Mila! My love, where have you been these days? I haven't heard from you in so long."

"You really want to know, Marty?"

"Cheer up, kiddo. I've got some good news, and it's not about work. My wife and I have some good news to share."

"You're having a baby! OMG, Marty."

"Oh, no, no, no. It's... uhh, YES! I'm about to be a father. Can you believe it?"

"No way. I could have never imagined you being a father. Grace did you well, huh. I'm really happy for you guys! I'm excited."

"We're both very, very excited. And we want to throw a party, more like a vacation somewhere like Italy or Vienna. We're still fighting about it. But I'll send you the deets soon, and I want you to be there."

"Oh, Martin..."

"I haven't even told you the dates. I know you'll come up with excuses. Just come, okay? I'll take care of everything. You can bring Beth too if you want."

"Umm... okay, okay, fine. I'll be there. So, Marty... Did you give my email out to anybody? About the book?"

"No. Why?"

"Nothing big. I kind of received a fan email, so I was wondering."

"Fan email? Are you serious? I told you you're gonna make it big, love. People are gonna slowly catch up to you. But remember, who's your number one fan? ME."

"Always," we giggled.

The phone call ended, but there was a new email in my inbox. I clicked it open, but it wasn't from the mystery fan. It was from the Reader's Digest. Instinctively, I deleted it and put the phone down. I went back to my reading corner to take my mind away from obsessing about it. I picked up the book from where I left it and devoured it, and the day passed.

No email.

If it wasn't for Beth calling in the morning, I would have completely forgotten about the dress.

"Miles, I know you're lying. I'm not letting you wear any of your old clothes."

"Come on, they are not so bad."

"I don't have the time to... just figure something out, Miles. I'll call you back."

Ugh, I hate shopping. I would never have the patience, not anymore. I should probably just go ask if Sophie has something. Luckily, we share the same size, so I head out of my room to ask her.

"Hey! Soph. Do you have something black and sexy to wear?"

"Oh! Isn't that a party tonight? I have a black dress, but it's not sexy. It's long and boring, and with the way Beth explained things that night, you really need to buy something nice."

"Ughh," I grunted and settled into the living room couch. Then I realized why I was so worried when I had the best shopper in town right in front of me. She knows exactly where to find it. Soph was a shopping genius.

I looked at her with doe eyes and an expression she was very well aware of.

"No! No! Don't look at me like that."

"Please, Soph, just this once. I will do anything you ask... for the rest of the week."

"Fine. But I want you to do something before we go. I need to drop off some of these packages at the nearest hub, and then we can go after."

"Done deal!" I exclaimed in excitement and hugged her.

"I haven't seen you this happy or excited about something, Miles. Maybe Beth isn't that bad."

"Trust me, she's not that bad. You're going to change your opinion of her very soon."

"I hope I do," she smirks and goes into her office. I follow behind her, carrying the boxes to our car.

We went to the nearest FedEx hub and dropped off the packages. Ever since Sophie started her side hustle, she's been busy packing and shipping, and I rarely help. She doesn't always ask for help, nor does she like what I do. So I always stay away, but this time, watching her work is a real treat to my eyes, especially after I caught her making out with Jim, who works there. She doesn't know I caught them, so I decided to keep it that way.

It took almost an hour to print the labels and double-check if everything was perfect, and it was already noon. We decided to go home to quickly grab lunch before heading outside. Sophie has been on a strict diet for a year and hardly eats anything from outside. That is some habit I'm already picking up from her.

The moment we slowed down by the driveway, I noticed a large box on the front porch. I quickly opened the door to the car and ran to the box. Like I had guessed, it was addressed to me. I opened the box to see a shimmering black dress, a set of Louboutins I've been eyeing forever, and a set of lingerie. I chuckled to myself, looking at it. I can't remember how long it has been since I wore a nice one.

"Someone's getting lucky tonight!" Sophie startled, peeking from above me.

She opened the door and let me in with the box.

"I don't know how I'm going to thank Beth for this."

"Phew, at least I don't have to go shopping with you now," she giggled. "I'll go heat up some meals. Wanna eat?"

I am someone who barely takes 15 minutes to get ready on a normal day, but tonight, I feel like I need to take my sweet time to glam up. I'm feeling a lot more adventurous today, wanting to feel a little more sexy.

The black dress I had laid out on my bed had just the right sheen to it. It was a backless wrap dress with halter straps and a deep plunge neck. I was halfway done with my makeup when I received an email notification on my phone. My heart raced immediately and I jumped up and opened to read in an instant.

"To my dearest Mila,

Oh, blacker than the ebon night thou art,

Thy sable locks like raven's wings doth fly,

In shadows deep where mortal fears do start,

Thou art the muse that makes the dark night sigh.

Thine eyes, like stars, dost pierce the midnight's veil,

With secrets hidden in Twilight's fervent kiss,

The darkness in our hearts thou dost ignite,

With passion's fire, more precious than gold,

I shall steal thy breath with a first sweet kiss,

Yet in the dark, thou shalt not see my face,

My touch shall send thee shivers, cold and bliss,

So near to thee, thy scream I shall embrace.

But none shall hear thy cries in shadows' deep,

I'll make thee long for me in every night,

With passion's flood, thy soul I'll ever keep,

In yearning's grip, thou'lt seek my dark delight.

Oh, midnight siren, clad in dark allure,

Thy love's sweet torment, none can e'er endure.

Your lover forever...."

I could not believe what I was reading. For someone who said he wasn't a good writer, this is insane. Either he stole it from someone, or he is lying. Who could this mystery man be? Who could write so well? This must all be a joke; it has to be someone from my writing class.

Ahh! Why am I obsessing over an email from a faceless stranger? I need to get ready for the party.

I put my phone down and rushed back to my mirror to finish off my hair and makeup. I carefully slid the dress over the delicate lingerie that came with the dress. I stood in front of the mirror a little longer, enamoured by the way I looked. I haven't dressed up like that in a long time—by a long time, I mean more than seven years. I held the neckline and tugged the dress a little lower, revealing my cleavage a little more, and applied some highlighter to it.

"Woohoo! You look like a bombshell!" I told myself before clicking a selfie to send to Beth.

As I put on my shoes, I heard a car honk from outside my window. I peeked out to see Beth calling me out from the windows of a Bentley. I raced down the stairs, holding the matching black clutch I had borrowed earlier from Sophie, dumped everything I could find into it, and got into the car.

"A Bentley? How could you afford it?" I almost screamed at Beth.

"Our hosts are generous, babe. They sent it to us. Didn't I tell you it's an exclusive party?"

"How exclusive are we talking?"

"You'll find out. By the way, good job with the dress. I underestimated you."

"What would I do without you, Beth? It was all you. I'm merely wearing it."

"What do you mean it was me?"

"You sent this dress... Didn't you?" I asked in confusion. Her expression matched mine in a few seconds.

"It wasn't me... maybe your sister wanted to surprise you?"

"No, no, it can't be. She was with me the whole time." I was puzzled.

That instant, something dawned upon Beth. Her eyes widened, and I could guess where she was going. "What if it was..."

"Kyle?" we exclaimed in chorus.

"He knows my address!" I was already hyperventilating at this point. "Who the fuck is this guy? How does he know things? Did I tell you about this creepy poem he sent me today?"

"Hush, lady! Stop freaking me out and freaking me out along with you. We don't even know if it is him." Beth held my shivering hand, trying to calm me down, but I couldn't stop thinking about the possibility. The strange emails and now the dress—it can't be a coincidence.

"Earth to Mila! Listen to me, babe. We are going to have fun tonight. Let's deal with this Kyle or 'whoever-sent-you-this-dress' crap tomorrow. Please?"

"Alright! Fine," I said, still squeezing my temples.

"When I meet this guy, I have two things to do. I want to thank him for the dress and kick him in the balls for being creepy. Oh, by the way, spill the tea. Where's that poem?"

It was a one-hour drive from my place, and throughout the journey, Beth and I were deciphering the Shakespearean-inspired poem Kyle had emailed. It was already dark outside when we entered the 10-foot gate barricaded by longer bushes, which, when further ventured into, revealed a golden-glowing, three-story mansion-style house. I have only seen houses this big in movies or read about them in books, but actually standing 10 feet across from such a majestic beauty felt unreal. I was already tripping with the decorations without even getting drunk. A house like this in Florida? I hoped I wasn't entering a cartel lord's den.

Nervously, I followed Beth as she climbed up the stairs into the hallway. Oh! How could I describe the sight? If I've had writer's block till now, it's nothing compared to the loss of words I had at that moment. The halls were decked out in black and gold; I hadn't seen anything so sparkly or shiny before. There were crystals, satins, glasses, and chandeliers; men and women giggling loudly, with R&B music playing somewhere. Waiters walked around in neat circles handing out champagne and finger food, and another one collected our coats.

We passed from one hall to another, holding our glasses and unable to utter a single word. We were officially bedazzled—or maybe I was. She's been here before, but I could only imagine that every party was unique around here. Everything that came into our sight screamed money. I should have felt out of place, but for once, having Beth around confidently greeting people and introducing me, and also the tight dress I was wearing, gave me some unknown power—like I was meant to be here tonight.

We walked around like teenagers throughout the house until the music suddenly stopped, and all the people who were scattered across the house slowly gathered around the living room. Everyone there knew exactly what they needed to do, and they did it so orderly and quietly.

Just then, I heard the footsteps of a man climbing down the giant staircase when everybody simultaneously looked up at him. He was broad-shouldered, wearing some sort of a designer suit embroidered with a silver lion on it. If kings still existed in modern times, that's what he would look like.

"That's our host," Beth whispered into my ear while I still had my eyes stuck to that gigantic man.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Night of the Dark party. Tonight, we have a special guest among us, Miss Mila Herrera."

I skipped a beat when he mentioned my name. How does he know my name? I felt a tinge of embarrassment, not knowing anything about him. Not even his name.

"Make her feel at home, folks. We have a very exciting line-up of events tonight, carried out by my wonderful wife, who'll be joining us in a few minutes. Remember to have fun, because the night is ever young."

As he descended the stairs, his eyes locked onto mine. His gaze was intense, almost predatory, making me feel both thrilled and uneasy. He approached me, a smile playing on his lips.

"Miss Herrera," he said, extending his hand. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."

Before I could respond, a loud crash echoed through the room, and the lights flickered. Everyone turned towards the source of the noise, a mix of confusion and fear spreading through the crowd.

Then, the lights went out completely, plunging the room into darkness.