2

Inside, the atmosphere was cozy but lively. The music sounded softly, enough to be heard without drowning out the conversations. Sarah looked around, impressed by the modern decor, the elegantly set tables, and the mix of people from all walks of life. It was an atmosphere she had never really experienced, and she liked it.

"So, where do we start? ", Emma asked, heading straight towards the bar, a big smile on her lips.

"Hm, I don't really know..." Sarah hesitated. She had never been a big fan of alcohol, and her cocktail knowledge was limited to a few classic names.

Emma raised an eyebrow and, with a mock-dramatic look, said, "Tonight is your night. You need to try something new! » She turned to the bartender. "Two mojitos, please!" »

Sarah laughed softly, letting herself be guided by her friend's enthusiasm. She took the glass the bartender handed her, watching the mint leaves float to the surface, the bubbles fizzing against the ice cubes. She brought the glass to her lips, savoring the freshness of the cocktail, its sweet and tangy taste. It was delicious, and with the music, the lights dimmed, everything seemed perfect.

They sat at a table near the dance floor, chatting about everything and nothing, sharing childhood memories and plans for the future. "I can see you working in a big company," Emma said, sipping her mojito. "You know, the ambitious businesswoman, who manages everything with class and confidence. »

Sarah smiled, flattered. "I hope you're right. In any case, I will do everything to make it happen. »

The hours passed quickly, between lively discussions and bursts of laughter. At one point, Sarah began to feel the effects of alcohol. She wasn't used to drinking, and a slight dizziness was starting to grip her, but it made her euphoric. She felt light, carefree, ready to conquer the world.

"Come on, let's dance!" Emma shouted over the music, pulling her toward the floor. Sarah, hesitant at first, allowed herself to be led along. She had never been very comfortable with dancing, but the atmosphere of the evening, the fact that she had finally finished her studies, and this feeling of new freedom pushed her to let go a little more.

In the middle of the crowd, under the changing lights, Sarah began to dance with Emma, laughing out loud. It was as if all the worries of the world had disappeared, as if nothing else existed except this moment.

After a while, Sarah returned to the bar to freshen up a bit. As she leaned against the counter, a glass of water in her hand, she felt someone watching her. Turning her head, she met the gaze of a man sitting further away, a little to one side, observing the scene with a smirk. He was elegant, visibly at ease in this environment, and something in his attitude betrayed a certain confidence, almost arrogance.

Their eyes met briefly, and Sarah felt an unexpected warmth rise within her. But she quickly looked away, telling herself that there was no point in getting carried away. Tonight was supposed to be her night, a night where she was to think about nothing but celebrating her accomplishments. And yet, she felt that something, or someone, had just marked this moment in an unexpected way.

The dim light of the bar danced on the patrons' faces, casting soft, shifting shadows. Jazzy music gently filtered between conversations, creating a cozy, almost intimate atmosphere. Sarah, still under the effect of the mojitos, felt light, free of all constraints, floating between euphoria and dizziness. She had managed to get her diploma, and tonight she didn't want to think about anything else. Just be in the moment, savor this new freedom.

She leaned lightly against the bar counter, a smile still hanging on her lips. The dance had exhausted her, but she felt good, alive. His cheeks were red from the effort and the alcohol, his hair slightly undone from the movements. As she brought her glass of water to her lips to cool off, she felt that gaze on her again. A slight shiver ran down his spine. She hadn't imagined this feeling before, this man was indeed staring at her.

Curious, she glanced quickly in his direction, her eyes meeting his a second time. He didn't look away. He was sitting alone, drink in hand, his body relaxed against the back of the chair like he owned the place. His impeccably tailored clothes suggested a discreet wealth, a natural elegance. But it wasn't just her outfit that was striking, it was her attitude. He had an inordinate, almost insolent confidence. This kind of confidence that Sarah had only seen in people who are used to getting what they want. And obviously he wanted to get her attention.

A smile appeared on his lips, a subtly arrogant smile, as if he already knew she would come to him. Sarah quickly looked away, feeling her heart beat a little faster. She was not one to be easily impressed. Yet there was something about him that troubled her. Perhaps it was the way he imposed himself without saying a word, or the piercing gaze that still followed her, even when she was no longer looking at him.

"One more drink? » asked the bartender, leaning towards her.

"No, thank you. I think I've had my fill for tonight," she replied with a smile.

The bartender nodded and walked away, leaving Sarah alone to her thoughts. She took another quick glance at the man. He was still there, his eyes glued to her, and this time he slowly got up from his chair. She felt a slight rush of adrenaline, as if she already knew what was going to happen before he even moved.

He crossed the room with a slow, confident gait, each step measured, as if he perfectly controlled the space around him. When he reached her, he placed his glass on the counter, then turned his head towards her, his smile still hanging on his lips.

"I see you're enjoying the evening," he said in a deep, almost suave voice.

Sarah, a little surprised by the way he had broken the silence, responded with an amused smile. "It's a special evening. We're celebrating a graduation, so yes, I'm enjoying it. »

He nodded, looking falsely interested. "A degree, huh? Impressive. Congratulations. »

"Thank you," she replied, wondering why she suddenly had the impression that this conversation was going to be so much more than simple exchanges of courtesies.

He sat down next to her, turning slightly to look at her better. Up close, it was even more impressive. His face was marked by fine features, his gaze piercing, almost unsettling. There was an aura of authority about him, as if he was never used to being in situations where he didn't have control. Which, for some reason she didn't yet understand, intrigued Sarah to no end.

"And what do you do after you graduate? Are we offering ourselves the world? » he asked, smirking.

"That's the idea, yes," she replied, a little amused by his casual tone. "Finally, let's try. It certainly won't be easy, but that's the goal. »

He nodded, then took a sip of his drink before continuing, "Nothing is ever easy. Except when we decide it will be. »

Sarah raised an eyebrow. There was a palpable arrogance in his words, a way of looking at things that she didn't entirely like, but at the same time, she couldn't help but be fascinated by his confidence. "Everything seems easy to you, I suppose? » she asked, a little sarcastically.

"It's a question of perspective," he replied, shrugging his shoulders, his smile still present. "When you have the means, everything becomes a question of choice. »

This response, although expected, piqued Sarah's interest. She crossed her arms, trying to hide her amusement behind a more serious tone. "And what exactly do you do? » She didn't even know why she was asking the question, as if she was trying to understand what could be hiding behind this confident facade.

He took his time before answering, playing with his glass with his fingertips, as if he appreciated the attention she was giving him. "Let's just say I'm in business. I have several businesses. »

Sarah couldn't help but smile. It was the kind of vague, smug response she expected to hear from a man like him. He obviously liked playing on the mystery. But there was something in his attitude that disarmed her, that pushed her to continue this conversation. She wanted to know more, to understand what was hidden behind this apparent perfection.

"Multiple companies, huh? » she replied with a touch of irony in her voice. "It must be gripping. »

"It is," he said, still smiling. "But it still gives me time to enjoy the good things. »

She looked at him for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of continuing this conversation. It was obvious that he was used to this kind of exchange, to people being interested in him simply because he gave off this aura of power. But deep down, Sarah wondered why she was still there, why she hadn't just decided to end her evening elsewhere. Maybe it was her curiosity, or maybe she was secretly enjoying this little verbal sparring match.

"Well, I'm glad you found time to come to a place like this. » She found herself playing with her words, testing the limits of her confidence.

He looked at her with a new intensity, as if trying to decipher her. Then, after a short silence, he leaned towards her slightly, closing the distance between them. " And you ? You're here to celebrate, but I guess that's not all you want from life. What do you really want, Sarah? »

She was taken aback. He had pronounced her name with such ease, as if he already knew it, as if he had sought to know her before she even spoke to him. His heart was beating a little harder. How could he have already bewitched her like this, in such a short time?

She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "What I want? » she repeated softly, her thoughts blurred by the alcohol and the mystery of this man. "I want to succeed. I want to accomplish something that is meaningful, something that makes me proud. »

He smiled again, but this time there was something more sincere in his expression. "So, you already know what you want. That's half the battle. »

They exchanged a long look, as if this moment had suspended time. Sarah felt that this meeting, although unexpected, was not trivial. There was something about this man, something that would mark a turning point in his life. She could never have explained it in words, but deep down she knew that that night, in that bar, everything had just changed.

The music from the bar continued to fade into a murmur of conversation, punctuated by the clinking of glasses being placed on the tables and the bursts of laughter from those, like Sarah, enjoying the night. The hours passed, and the alcohol continued to flow freely. Sarah, who had started the evening simply wanting to celebrate her graduation, now found herself in a very different situation than she had imagined. Sitting at the counter, alongside this mysterious and arrogant man, she felt little by little captured by the aura he gave off.