The restaurant was buzzing with life, warm lights strung across wooden beams, soft music playing in the background. Serena sat at the corner table with Evelyn, trying to steady her nerves. She wore a sleek, minimal white dress that hugged her figure, her hair tied in a neat bun. Her business was already gaining attention online, and she had quietly become a minor influencer on campus, thanks to fashion tips she shared on her new Instagram account.
But tonight wasn't about that. Tonight, was about Evelyn — and maybe… getting closer to Aaron.
"Seren, over here!" Evelyn waved, dragging her by the arm.
At the table sat four men — all reasonably attractive, all seemingly ordinary.
Except one.
Serena's eyes locked onto Aaron — the Aaron she once loved, the one who had abandoned her for Clara. Her breath caught. He looked younger, more hopeful, not yet corrupted by Clara's poison. His smile still had that boyish charm she remembered.
"Evelyn, is this…?"
"Oh! I forgot to mention. That's Aaron, my cousin's friend. He's in business management. He's super chill." Evelyn whispered excitedly.
Serena's chest tightened. Fate was playing with her. She sat across from him, lips curved into a calm smile.
"Hi, I'm Serena," she said, extending her hand with practiced grace.
Aaron took her hand and grinned. "Aaron. Nice to meet you. I've heard about you — fashion girl, right?"
She laughed softly. "I suppose that's me."
Throughout the dinner, Serena was calm, witty, confident — everything she couldn't be in her first life. She watched Aaron's eyes linger longer each time she spoke. Her smile. Her intelligence. Her composure. She could feel it — he was drawn to her.
When dinner was over and the others began to leave in pairs or trios, Aaron lingered.
"Mind if I walk you back?" he asked.
Serena paused. This was the moment. The fork in the road. In the past, she would have giggled and agreed. But now, she had power. She had her memories. She had control.
She gave a small smirk. "Why not."