chapter 3

Chapter Three: A New Routine

The next few days were a blur for Alex. The rain had cleared, leaving the small town bathed in the crisp, cool air of early autumn. Despite the lingering chill, Alex felt a strange warmth that seemed to follow him everywhere. It was Viktor’s warmth, Viktor’s presence, still hanging over him like a comforting shadow.

Every time he reached into his pocket, he could feel the smooth edge of the black card Viktor had given him. He hadn’t used it yet—hadn’t even dared to look at it more than once—but just knowing it was there gave him a sense of security he couldn’t quite explain. There was something about Viktor that drew him in, something that made Alex feel…safe.

But it wasn’t just safety. Viktor’s attention had stirred something deep within Alex, something he had long since buried. It was a feeling he had almost forgotten, a mix of excitement and anticipation that left him restless, his thoughts constantly returning to that night in the car.

He tried to push those thoughts away, to focus on his daily routine, but they lingered, always just beneath the surface. He found himself checking his phone more often, half-hoping for a message, half-dreading what it might say. But the days passed without a word from Viktor, and Alex began to wonder if he had imagined the whole thing. Maybe Viktor had just been being polite, doing a good deed for a stranger. Maybe it didn’t mean anything.

But then, one evening, as Alex was closing up the small bookshop where he worked, his phone buzzed. His heart leapt as he pulled it out, his hands trembling slightly as he saw the message on the screen.

**Viktor: How are you, Alex?**

It was a simple message, but it was enough to send a jolt of electricity through Alex’s body. He stared at the screen for a long moment, unsure how to respond. Should he play it cool? Should he be honest? His mind raced, but in the end, he typed out a simple reply.

**Alex: I’m good, thank you. How are you?**

The reply came almost instantly, as if Viktor had been waiting for him.

**Viktor: Better now that I’m talking to you.**

Alex’s breath caught in his throat. He wasn’t sure what to say to that, so he didn’t respond right away. He finished closing up the shop, his mind racing with possibilities, with what-ifs. By the time he stepped out into the cool evening air, he had composed himself enough to type out a reply.

**Alex: That’s sweet of you to say.**

He hit send and slipped his phone back into his pocket, trying to calm the fluttering in his chest. But his phone buzzed again before he had even taken two steps.

**Viktor: Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?**

Alex froze in place, his heart pounding in his ears. Dinner. With Viktor. He had been hoping for this, hadn’t he? So why did the idea suddenly make him so nervous? He thought back to the way Viktor had looked at him that night, the intensity in his eyes, the way he had made Alex feel so small and protected all at once.

Taking a deep breath, Alex replied.

**Alex: I’d love to.**

The moment he hit send, a wave of anxiety crashed over him. What if he made a fool of himself? What if Viktor was just being polite? But then his phone buzzed again, and all his fears melted away.

**Viktor: Perfect. I’ll pick you up at 7. Wear something nice.**

Alex couldn’t help but smile, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling up inside him. He spent the rest of the walk home in a daze, barely noticing the familiar streets and buildings he passed. All he could think about was Viktor—the way his voice had sounded that night, the way his touch had felt. He wanted to feel that again, to experience that warmth and safety that only Viktor seemed to offer.

The next day passed in a blur of anticipation. Alex went through his usual routine at the shop, but his mind was elsewhere, lost in a swirl of thoughts about Viktor. He hadn’t told anyone about their dinner plans; part of him didn’t want to share this with anyone else. This was something special, something just for him.

When he finally arrived home that evening, Alex felt like a bundle of nerves. He rifled through his small wardrobe, trying to find something that would be nice enough for dinner with Viktor. Most of his clothes were simple, practical—a far cry from the elegant attire he imagined Viktor was used to. Finally, he settled on a crisp white shirt and a pair of dark jeans that fit him well. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do.

As the clock neared seven, Alex found himself pacing his small apartment, his stomach in knots. What would they talk about? Would Viktor expect something more after dinner? The thought made Alex’s cheeks flush with a mixture of excitement and embarrassment. He wasn’t sure if he was ready for that—whatever *that* was—but the idea of being close to Viktor, of feeling his strong arms around him, sent a thrill through his body.

At precisely seven o’clock, there was a knock at the door. Alex’s heart leapt into his throat as he hurried to answer it. When he opened the door, his breath caught in his chest.

Viktor stood there, looking every bit as imposing and handsome as Alex remembered. He was dressed in a tailored black suit that highlighted his broad shoulders and tall frame, his dark hair neatly styled. But it was his eyes that drew Alex in, those piercing dark eyes that seemed to see right through him.

“Good evening, Alex,” Viktor said, his voice smooth and warm.

“G-Good evening,” Alex stammered, suddenly feeling self-conscious in his simple outfit.

Viktor’s gaze swept over him, and Alex thought he saw a flicker of approval in those dark eyes. “You look perfect,” Viktor said, his voice laced with something that made Alex’s heart skip a beat.

“Thank you,” Alex murmured, feeling his cheeks flush.

Viktor offered his arm, and Alex hesitated for only a moment before slipping his hand into the crook of Viktor’s elbow. The warmth of Viktor’s body seeped into him, calming his nerves as they made their way down the stairs and out into the cool evening air. A sleek black car was waiting at the curb, the same one Viktor had driven the night of the storm.

The drive to the restaurant was quiet, but not uncomfortably so. Viktor seemed perfectly at ease, his hand resting casually on the gear shift as he navigated the streets with practiced ease. Alex, on the other hand, couldn’t help but fidget, his mind racing with thoughts of what the evening might hold.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Alex was surprised to find it was not the type of place he had expected. It was elegant but understated, with soft lighting and an intimate atmosphere. Viktor had clearly chosen a place where they could talk without interruption, where they could be alone, even in a crowd.

They were seated at a corner table, away from the other diners. Viktor ordered a bottle of wine, and Alex found himself relaxing slightly as they talked. Viktor was a master at conversation, guiding the flow of topics in a way that made Alex feel both comfortable and intrigued. They talked about the town, about Alex’s work at the bookshop, and Viktor even shared a few stories from his own life—carefully chosen, of course, to reveal just enough to keep Alex interested without giving too much away.

As the evening wore on, Alex found himself growing more and more drawn to Viktor. There was something about him that was so different from anyone Alex had ever met—an intensity, a quiet power that seemed to radiate from him. Viktor made him feel special, important, in a way that no one else ever had.

By the time dessert arrived, Alex was completely under Viktor’s spell. He barely noticed the other diners, barely noticed anything except the way Viktor’s eyes seemed to follow his every movement, the way his voice seemed to wrap around him like a warm embrace.

When the meal was over, Viktor paid the bill without a second thought and led Alex back to the car. The ride home was even quieter than before, the silence charged with an unspoken tension. Alex’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but he couldn’t seem to focus on any one thing. All he could think about was Viktor—how close they had become in just a few short hours, how safe he felt when Viktor was near.

When they arrived at Alex’s apartment, Viktor walked him to the door. For a moment, they stood there in the dim light of the hallway, the air between them thick with unspoken words.

“I had a wonderful time tonight,” Viktor said, his voice low and smooth.

“Me too,” Alex whispered, his heart pounding in his chest.

Viktor reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from Alex’s forehead. The touch was so light, so tender, that it sent a shiver down Alex’s spine.

“Goodnight, Alex,” Viktor murmured, his fingers lingering on Alex’s cheek for just a moment longer.

“Goodnight, Viktor,” Alex replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

As Viktor turned and walked away, Alex watched him go, a strange mixture of emotions swirling in his chest. He had never felt this way about anyone before—this intense, almost overwhelming need to be close to someone, to feel their touch, to be wrapped in their warmth.

It wasn’t until Viktor’s footsteps had faded completely that Alex finally turned and went inside. He leaned against the door for a moment, his mind still reeling from the evening