"Jackie! Jackie! What’s the matter?"

  Lupus’ voice was filled with concern as she gently nudged him. Worry clouded her expression.

  Jack stammered, his breath shallow. "I~I’m~I’m~" He swallowed hard. "I’m fine…" He whispered.

  Across the room, Elenore — a brown-haired woman in a pillbox hat and a blue high-collared dress — smiled at him, revealing her vampiric fangs. She rose slowly, her pale blue eyes locking onto Jack, ensnaring him in a trance.

  Her hourglass figure, the kind that seemed to defy mortal imperfections, radiated an almost divine beauty. Just one glance she could drive one to madness.

  Jack’s mind raced.

  "How is she alive? Why did I suddenly remember her name and face? What’s happening to me?"

  Without a word, Elenore strode past their table, each movement infused with effortless grace, as though she barely touched the ground.

  A familiar scent wafted through the air — soft, powdery, and entrancing.

  "Violet Veil." Jack knew this fragrance. He knew it too well.

  "There’s no denying it. This woman matches my dead wife in every way."

  Yet despite her presence being otherworldly, no one else seemed to notice her.

  Then, she disappeared into the dark.

  "Dear, are you not good with alcohol?" Petra’s voice was gentle as she rubbed his back.

  Jack exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I’m sorry."

  Then, he turned abruptly to Lupus, his eyes dead serious. "Lupus, I need the bathroom."

  Lupus blinked, processing his sudden urgency. "Should I come with you?"

  "No, no… I just need to wash up. Get some air." Jack forced a smile before swiftly walking away.

  ***

  Jack stared into the mirror, his face dripping with cold water.

  The memory of her wouldn’t leave him.

  "Impossible! Get yourself together, for the love of Gaia!"

  He clenched his fists, forcing himself to breathe.

  "I can’t falter. I gave my heart and soul to Lupus Hoffmann." He locked eyes with his reflection, noticing the weakness in them.

  “Damn it…” He scuffed, and ground his teeth.

  Stepping out of the bathroom, he noticed a staircase leading further up.

  "Huh… I thought this was just a two-story restaurant. There’s a rooftop section?"

  He exhaled. "Maybe fresh air will help clear my head."

  His leather boots clacked against the wooden steps as he climbed.

  ***

  "Nice of you to finally find me~"

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  The voice was soft, almost a whisper carried by the wind.

  Yet there she was.

  Elenore.

  Standing ten metres away, her back resting against the guardrail, her brown hair fluttering mesmerisingly in the cold wind.

  Jack froze.

  He steeled himself, his resolve burning. "Time to find out the truth once and for all."

  He stomped forward.

  His heart thundered in his chest, so loud he could hear it in his ears.

  "Who are you?" His voice was husky yet firm as he stood just a few centimetres from her.

  Elenore cupped her cheek playfully, tilting her head.

  "Jack… I know you know me. Say my name."

  Her dreamy eyes locked onto his, spiralling him into an abyss.

  Jack’s lips parted. "Elenore…"

  "How adorable."

  Her voice lilted, sweet yet unfathomable.

  Elenore examined him, her smile never fading.

  "You’ve been doing well. You’re not scrawny anymore. I’m glad."

  Jack stepped back. Her smile faltered.

  "I… don’t understand." Jack’s breath hitched. "I buried you with my own hands… and our son."

  His voice cracked. The hollowness in his heart, once dull, was now flooded with grief.

  Elenore's gaze softened. "I can’t tell you yet. Not now. But… it will all make sense in the end."

  Jack frowned. "The end?"

  His vision blurred, but he refused to cry. He hadn’t shed tears back then — why now?

  Elenore's lips parted, barely above a whisper. "Soon…"

  Yet he heard her crystal clear.

  She brushed past him, her fingers just barely missing his.

  "Please stay safe, Jack… we shall meet again."

  Her final words dissolved into the wind.

  Then, she was gone.

  Jack collapsed onto his knees.

  The silence — the very thing he once craved — now crushed him.

  "Damn it!"

  His fists clenched, but the tears never came.

  Nothing made sense anymore.

  ***

  After a while, Jack brooded, leaning against the cold rail, letting the wind carry his storm away. He had felt a lot better now that he had time to recollect and picking himself up.

  The faint music played in the air, much slower, and somber tone was played.

  A voice broke the silence.

  "Eh? Someone’s here?"

  A tall, slender man peeked his head in, his curious blue eyes sweeping the space.

  Jack studied him.

  His suit was immaculate, but the dramatic split tails at the back screamed magician, his dark blue hair was long and fluffy as he let it flow freely down his lower back.

  The man’s face was oddly familiar.

  Upon seeing Jack, the stranger’s face lit up with a wide grin, showing off charming canines.

  "Mister Jack Squire! And here I was, wondering where the man of the night had disappeared to!"

  He extended a hand.

  Jack squinted. "Excuse me…? Who are you again?" Despite his hesitation, he shook it.

  The man laughed. "Ah! The alcohol must be hitting me! I’m Canis the builder! This is my other form when I shapeshift." He proclaimed and opened his palms to the side.

  Jack’s eyes widened slightly. "Ohhh! Sir Canis! Did you get a new haircut? I barely recognised you!"

  “Hahahaha!” Canis burst into laughter, throwing his head back and clutching his stomach.

  "A haircut? What a fantastic joke! That’s the best one I’ve heard in months!"

  He pulled out a scroll and quickly jotted something down.

  Then he paused, looking up. "You don’t mind if I steal that joke, do you?"

  Jack shook his head, chuckling, “No, please.”

  "Fantastic!" Canis exclaimed, his energy infectious.

  In one swift motion, he draped an arm over Jack’s shoulder.

  "Mind if I join you for a bit? I’d love to watch my work at night under the moonlit sky." He gestured to the cities before them, his smirk unwavering.

  Not only had Canis designed the new architecture to be stunning during the day, but the light display at night was equally breathtaking. Beautiful in both daylight and darkness, it was no exaggeration to call him a great architect.

  Jack blinked, then nodded. "Of course. I’ve grown lonely after a while.

  Canis grinned, his pale blue eyes reflecting the city lights.

  "Splendid!"

  As they gazed at the cityscape, a thought struck Jack.

  "Wait… that strange song from earlier… Oh. It was him."