Főnix

Phoenix

Part 43: The Secret of the Night

The applause fades, the lights come back on, and the vast theater fills with voices, laughter, and excited movement. The award ceremony is officially over, yet the atmosphere still vibrates in the air.

Phoenix remains seated in her row, still slightly shaken by the earlier encounter. She keeps her hands on her thighs, trying to breathe slowly. Her red dress gently follows her movements as she stands and begins making her way toward the exit through the crowd.

A few rows behind her, Albatross stands as well. His eyes never leave Phoenix—not for a second. As if he’s following every step she takes, trying to understand what’s unfolding inside her.

Zeynep, Phoenix’s childhood friend, rushes over to her, buzzing with excitement.

ZEYNEP:
“Oh my God, Phoenix! Did you see the applause we got? The studio was absolutely glowing! Hey—look at you, you’re still trembling!”

PHOENIX (flustered, quickly looking away):
“It’s just… a lot all at once. The lights… the crowd… everything.”

Zeynep narrows her eyes, studying her.

ZEYNEP:
“The crowd, huh. And you didn’t happen to run into someone down front… around the VIP section, did you?”

Phoenix nearly chokes on her breath.

PHOENIX:
“What?! Of course not! I just… went the wrong way.”

Zeynep laughs and lightly bumps her shoulder.

ZEYNEP:
“Sure you did. Come on, let’s go—the company party has already started. The guys went ahead, and if we’re late, Dinçer will start again with his ‘the most important part of the team always arrives last’ speech.”

With a faint smile, Phoenix starts walking. As she heads toward the theater exit, she feels someone approaching behind her—slow, measured steps.

She doesn’t need to turn around.
She feels Albatross.

His steps are calm but purposeful, as if he has only one goal: not to lose her in the crowd.

When Phoenix steps out into the cool night air, they reach the doors almost at the same moment.

Albatross tilts his head slightly and speaks in a deep, quiet voice.

ALBATROSS:
“I hope you won’t get lost at the party.”

Phoenix’s eyes widen.
Her heart skips a beat.

PHOENIX (stammering):
“I… I’ll try.”

ALBATROSS (stepping closer, so only she can hear):
“Good. Because we still need to talk tonight.”

She swallows hard, managing only a few words.

PHOENIX:
“Why… why is that?”

Albatross lets his gaze sweep over her—gentle, intense—but he doesn’t touch her.

ALBATROSS:
“At the right moment.”

With that, he walks past her, confidence and quiet strength radiating from him—like someone who knows Phoenix won’t be able to escape his influence.

Phoenix can barely move.
She just watches as he disappears into the crowd heading for the party.

The night has only just begun.