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Vesper perched on a stool at the sleek bar counter, the dim light casting a shadow over his brooding figure. With a half-empty bottle in hand, he took another long sip, loving how the liquid ignited a simmering warmth within him.

Although, he wasn't drunk, his once bright orbs now held a reddish tinge. And the lines of his face etched deeper, tracing a map of untold stories and hidden pain.

That was all he could do at the moment - drink and drink. The bar had become his sanctuary.

"Always drinking alone, huh?" He suddenly heard a strange voice and cocked his head to see a lady taking the seat beside him.

She was a young pretty lady with the prettiest smile he's seen in a while. But she didn't look familiar in any way.

It was Kalina. She's been following him for some days now and decided to show herself to him that evening.

"Always?" Vesper arched his brows. "How do you know it's always?"

She chuckled. "Well, I've seen you a couple of times at this bar. Let's just say... you've been th