CHAPTER ONE: THE PROPOSAL

The soft glow of the setting sun bathed the rooftop in a warm, golden light. Neo-Noir City swept below, its neon lights flickering on as dusk settled in. Kai Phoenix took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. Tonight was the night. He had spent weeks planning this moment, rehearsing what he would say, imagining how she would react.

He glanced at Lila, who stood a few feet away, leaning against the rooftop’s edge. Her dark hair shimmered in the fading light, and her laughter rang out like music as she admired the view. She was everything to him, the one constant in his life of uncertainty.

“Lila,” Kai began, his voice trembling slightly. “I—I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something important.”

Lila turned to face him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “What’s on your mind, Kai? You look nervous. Is everything okay?”

Kai nodded, though his nerves were hardly in check. “Yeah, everything’s fine. More than fine, actually. I’ve just been thinking a lot about us, about the future…”

Lila’s smile widened. “The future? Are you finally ready to settle down and stop being such a loner? Because I’ve been waiting for you to ask me out on a real date for weeks now!”

Kai chuckled, shaking his head. “This isn’t just about a date, Lila. It’s about something much bigger.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, holding it in his trembling hand. “I love you, Lila. I’ve loved you since the first day we met. You’ve been my light in the darkest times, and I can’t imagine my life without you. So… I want to make it official.”

He dropped to one knee and opened the box, revealing a delicate ring set with a fiery red stone that caught the last rays of the sun.

“Lila, will you marry me?”

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Lila’s eyes widened, and her hand flew to her mouth. Kai’s heart raced as he waited for her response, every second feeling like an eternity.

“Oh, Kai,” Lila breathed, her voice soft and filled with emotion. “I… I don’t know what to say. This is so unexpected…”

Kai smiled nervously, his heart pounding. “You don’t have to say anything right away. Just… know that I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Lila’s hand slowly reached out, trembling as she took the ring from the box. She stared at it, her eyes reflecting the fiery stone. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered. “Just like our love.”

Kai felt a surge of relief and joy. “So… is that a yes?”

Lila looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Yes, Kai. It’s a yes. I’ll marry you.”

Kai’s heart soared. He stood up, pulling her into his arms and spinning her around. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Lila. I promise, I’ll always be there for you. No matter what.”

Lila laughed as he set her down, but there was something different in her eyes now—something Kai couldn’t quite place. “You really mean that, don’t you?” she asked, her voice soft and almost… wistful.

“Of course I do,” Kai said, frowning slightly at her tone. “Why wouldn’t I?”

Lila smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, Kai. You’re so sweet. But sometimes… love just isn’t enough.”

Kai’s frown deepened. “What do you mean?”

Lila sighed and stepped back, slipping the ring onto her finger. “You’ve always been so kind to me, Kai. So trusting. But there’s something you should know… something I’ve been keeping from you.”

Kai’s heart skipped a beat. “Lila, what are you talking about?”

She turned away, her back to him as she gazed out at the city. “Do you remember the night we first met? The way you saved me from those thugs in the alley?”

“Of course I do. How could I forget? It was the night I knew I wanted to protect you forever.”

Lila nodded slowly. “Yes, you were my hero. But what if I told you… that it was all planned?”

Kai blinked, his mind struggling to process her words. “Planned? What do you mean?”

She turned to face him, her expression suddenly cold, devoid of the warmth that had once defined her. “Those men were hired, Kai. They weren’t after me—they were after you. And I was the bait.”

Kai staggered back, his world spinning. “What? No… that can’t be true. Why would you say something like that?”

“Because it’s the truth,” Lila said, her voice firm. “From the very beginning, I’ve been working with them. I was sent to get close to you, to gain your trust… and then to betray you.”

Kai’s breath caught in his throat. “Lila, stop this. Whatever joke you’re playing, it’s not funny.”

“This isn’t a joke, Kai,” she said, her eyes darkening. “You were never supposed to fall in love with me. That wasn’t part of the plan. But it happened anyway, and now… well, now things have changed.”

Kai’s vision blurred as tears welled up in his eyes. “You’re lying. You have to be. You love me. I know you do!”

Lila shook her head slowly. “I did love you, Kai. At least, I think I did. But love can’t change what I am, what I’ve done. And now… it’s too late.”

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small vial filled with a dark, shimmering liquid. “This is the end, Kai. I’m sorry.”

Before Kai could react, she uncorked the vial and poured the liquid into his glass of wine. “Drink it,” she said softly. “It’s better this way. Quick, painless. You won’t even feel it.”

Kai stared at the glass, his mind reeling. “You can’t be serious. You want me to just… drink it?”

“It’s the only way,” Lila said, her voice gentle, almost soothing. “I don’t want to see you suffer, Kai. I cared about you once. Let me give you this mercy.”

Kai’s hands trembled as he reached for the glass. His heart screamed at him to stop, to run, but his body moved on autopilot, numb from the shock. He raised the glass to his lips, hesitating as he looked into Lila’s eyes one last time.

“Why?” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Why are you doing this?”

Lila’s eyes glistened with tears, but her expression remained resolute. “Because it’s what I was ordered to do. And because… it’s the only way I can save myself.”

Kai swallowed hard, his vision blurring with tears. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and downed the glass in one gulp. The bitter taste filled his mouth, and a burning sensation spread through his chest.

Lila stepped forward, gently cradling his face in her hands as he began to collapse. “Goodbye, Kai,” she whispered. “I’m sorry it had to end this way.”

As Kai fell to his knees, the world around him faded to black, the sound of Lila’s voice was the last thing he heard.